Good morning, Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!  7 days left!  Make sure you are ending the school year strong.  Friday June 13th, Monday June 16th,  and Tuesday June 17th will be half days, we will follow our normal early release schedule. 

Please make sure you read updates from our PTSA, Boosters, and Athletics.

I wish you all a great evening.  

Have a great Monday and week on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

MCPS Drive for Supplies!

Do you have a gently used backpack or lunch bag? Did you buy notebooks or folders you never used and are not likely to need next year?  Supplies that have spent the year in a locker or at the bottom of a backpack?

As you're cleaning out your desks/classrooms for the summer, please consider donating any gently used school supplies to the Drive for Supplies - an annual effort that collects new and gently used school supplies for needy families in the community.  

It is also a way to recycle materials and help the environment. Seneca Valley is one of more than 80 schools participating as a part of our ongoing Green School efforts.  Supply collection will run through June 18.  There are also SSL opportunities available if you know of students who are looking to earn hours. Details are in the link below.  There are boxes for your Drive for Supplies donations set up in the LMC.  Drop by any time -- and thank you so much!  There are also SSL hours available for students to help prepare the donations for the distribution event on July 24.  

Check here for details and information. 

Dual Enrollment

Jump Start to College: Dual Enrollment Pathway

Are you interested in jumpstarting your college education while still in high school? The Dual Enrollment Program at Seneca Valley High School, in partnership with Montgomery College, offers you the opportunity to take college courses at no cost. This program allows you to earn college credits while still in high school and is open to students in all grades. Registration is underway so don't delay in registering before classes fill up!

Fall 2025 Courses Offered at SVHS!

📚 CCJA 110 – Administration of Justice (M/W | 1– 2:30 PM)

📚 COMM 108 – Foundations of Human Communication (T/TH | 1 – 2:30 PM)

📚 HLTH 121 – Nutrition for Fitness and Wellness (T/TH| 1:00 – 2:30 PM)

To learn more about these exciting opportunities and the eligibility requirements, visit Mrs. Blaine in Room 2107B or email at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org.

From the Counseling department:

Final Transcript Information for Graduates

Congratulations to our SVHS Graduates! Final transcripts will be released and sent to colleges as soon as they are available to MCPS schools, typically by the end of June . If you plan on attending a college this fall and did not fill out the Senior Exit Survey to indicate where to send your transcript, you will need to reach out to Mr. Nalda for assistance.  If your plans have changed and you need a final transcript sent to a different school, he can assist with this as well.

Summer School Registration Opened April 3

Summer school registration opens on Thursday, April 3. This year, instead of online registration, school counselors will register students who request to participate in summer school. 

Summer School Session Dates:

• Session 1: June 30 – July 18

• Session 2: July 22 – August 8

• Location: Gaithersburg High School

• Virtual options are available.

Summer school offers students the opportunity to stay on track academically or get ahead in their studies. For details about fees, other summer programs and credit recovery options, visit the MCPS Summer School website.

For initial registration, students must complete the MCPS 2025 Summer School Interest Form

For questions about summer school, please contact your student's School Counselor. 

2025-26 Course Requests Review 

It is hard to believe that this school year is almost over, and the SV School Counselors have already been hard at work to prepare for a fantastic year at SV next year! In preparation for the 2025-26 school year, students and families are encouraged to review their student course requests by visiting the “Course Request” tab on StudentVUE or ParentVUE. A reminder that at this point, these are course requests, and not actual schedules. If you have any questions about your course requests, please reach out to your student’s Counselor and they will be happy to assist. 

Class of 2026 - Rising Senior's

Senior portrait scheduling page is now active and open for seniors to select their Spring and Summer appointment dates and times.  The link for seniors to schedule their appointments is below. Once these dates fill up, it will open the Fall dates. Or, if they don’t fill, it will open the Fall dates shortly after these have passed.  Class of 2026 seniors are encourage to schedule, link will be posted on the school website where seniors can find it.  

Just a few tips about scheduling: 

• This link will be the same for all senior portrait dates. Seniors looking to schedule an appointment for a later date can do so through this same link. 

• Seniors can access the scheduling site either through the customized link provided or by visiting the Legacy Studios website and searching by school. 

• Both the school customized link and a link to the Legacy Studios website are provided here:  

• https://seniors.legacystudios.com/  

• https://seniors.legacystudios.com/seneca-valley-hs-germantown-md/

• Below is the contact information for our customer care service in case they require any assistance. 

• Call: 716-512-6336 Ext. 108

• Email: customercare@legacystudios.com  

• Chat: https://seniors.legacystudios.com  

Library Media Center News:   

Although June is a short month, the Library Media Center is long on celebrations! Drop by as we recognize Caribbean American Heritage month with books by Caribbean authors. There are also some delicious cookbooks celebrating the tasteCaribbean culture to tempt you. June is Pride Month so we're highlighting Pride with selections from LGBTQIA+ history, biography and romance.  While you can no longer check out books this close to the end of the school year, students are encouraged to come and read with us as we tick down the final days of school. We'll even hold your book so it's waiting for you to continue where you left off! Students, remember, if you have any books still checked out, return them ASAP.

The Summer Reading Resource List is here! The list includes the 2025-2026 Black-eyed Susan nominees, most of which are now available as ebooks and audiobooks on the Sora App.  Click here to find out how students can use their mcpsmd.net email address to sign up to read or listen on a phone, tablet or Chromebook. We also have a selection of other books from every genre available through SORA for summer reading.  The resource list also includes links for getting a library card from the Montgomery County Public Library and for participating in the MCPL Summer Reading Challenge.

Finally, remember the LMC's hours have changed as we approach the last day of school.  This week, we are open 7AM to 3:30PM Monday through Thursday.  On Friday, June 13, a half day, we close at 12PM.  Get out and read in the warmer weather!

SVHS PTSA

Greetings SVHS community, 

A huge congratulations to all the 2025 graduates. The PTSA wishes you all the best in your future endeavors. 

The PTSA is having its final fundraising event to close out our great school year. See flyer below. We hope you can join us to celebrate and meet the current PTSA staff. Come by and say hi.  

The PTSA still needs volunteers for next school year.  If you are interested email svhsptsapres@gmail.com. 

1. President (Oversee the overall PTSA activities)

2. 1st Vice President (Community Outreach)

3. 2nd Vice President (Fundraising)

4. Treasurer (Financial activities)

5. Secretary (Administrative Support) 

We hope to hear from you. Please let us know by May 20th if you are interested. You can send an email to svhsptsapres@gmail.com for more information. 

Thank you,

Chantal Falade

2024-2025 SVHS PTSA President

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

Mr. Nalda, SVHS College & Career Information Coordinator (email)  

The SVHS College/Career Center is Open in the Summer!

If you need help or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mr. Nalda, even after the last day of school!  He is a 12-month employee and works in the summer.

Final Transcript Information

Final transcripts will be released to schools and sent to colleges by the end of June.  If you plan on attending a college this fall and did not fill out the Senior Exit Survey to indicate where to send your transcript, you will need to reach out to Mr. Nalda for assistance.  If your plans have changed and you need a final transcript sent to a different school, he can assist with this as well.

2025 SVHS College & Career Summer Workshops

Hosted by Mr. Nalda, SVHS College & Career Information Coordinator

All in-person workshops will take place in the College & Career Center (Room 2408) and are open to SVHS/MCPS students & families!

Students should register using the link below and bring their chromebook or a laptop for each workshop.  

• Thursday, June 26:  SVHS College Application Process, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

• Thursday, July 10:  Financial Aid & Scholarships, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

• Tuesday, July 15:  Navigating Naviance for College Applications, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

• Thursday, July 17:  Creating a Resume, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

• Tuesday, July 22:  SVHS College Application Process, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

• Tuesday, July 29:  Financial Aid & Scholarships, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Click here to register  |  Click here for the flyer 

2025 MCPS College/Career Summer Workshops

What are your plans for summer?  Take a break with college/career workshops!  Prepare for whatever your future may hold.

Virtual (zoom) and in-person workshop opportunities are offered throughout the summer on various topics for students to get college/career ready!

Click here to see the list of workshops and to register!  Click here for the flyer.

Bookmark and check this list periodically as the schedule may change and new workshops may be added!

Upcoming Scholarships 

• June 10 - A&F Scholarships - $1,000 award; available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution;   write a 500-1000 word essay describing your educational career and life goals (see link for specific prompt); your submission must be sent by email to the address provided on the linked site. 

• June 15 - Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Education Scholarship - 300 awards of up to $2,500; for students who have overcome great obstacles in their lives and wish to pursue a career or technical degree/certificate/diploma at a not-for-profit trade/vocational school or community college; Have completed high school (or equivalency) by July 1; plan to attend a not-for-profit community college or trade/vocational school; enroll in an associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment; may not be enrolled in pre-requisite courses; demonstrate financial need (applicants must show household income of $65,000 or less); under the age of 35; be a United States citizen.

• June 19 - BigSun Scholarship - $500 award; senior; plan to attend a college or university in the fall; all student athletes are eligible regardless of the sport they are engaged in or the capacity in which they participate; short essay (500 - 1,000 words) about how your participation in sports has influenced you. 

• June 30 - Louella W. Norfleet Memorial Scholarship Fund - high school seniors entering into a two- or four-year accredited community college, college, or university, possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, pursuing a degree in higher education; picture of the applicant; official high school or college transcript; two letters of recommendation; one official letter of acceptance from an accredited community college, college, or university (must be written on the community college, college, or university’s letterhead); essay.

• June 30 - The Ernest D. Bryant Scholarship - high school seniors entering into a two- or four-year accredited community college, college, or university; must have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and declared Engineering as their major; picture of the applicant; official high school or college transcript; two letters of recommendation; one official letter of acceptance from an accredited community college, college, or university (must be written on the community college, college, or university’s letterhead); proof of major declaration; essay. 

Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.

Other Opportunities

UMBC Summer Enrichment Academy at USG

UMBC is offering four dynamic courses this summer at the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville, MD. These engaging, hands-on courses are open to high school students and include:

• Arduino Robotics Bootcamp (7/28–8/1, 1–4 PM)

• Food Deserts vs. Food Swamps (7/14–7/18, 1–4 PM)

• Bioterrorism & Bio-Warfare (7/14–7/18, 9 AM–12 PM)

• SAT Test Prep Course (7/28–8/1, 9 AM–12 PM)

About UMBC's Summer Enrichment Academy:

Our unique and challenging academic workshops are led by UMBC faculty, industry experts, and graduate students.

Students can register at sea.umbc.edu.  Click here for the flyer 

College & Career Center Newsletter

2024-25 SVHS College & Career Newsletter - Issue 8, May/June

News from the Business and Finance Office 

Business Office: Mrs. Monique Riddick, School Business Administrator, 240-740-6413

Finance Office:  Ms. Lillian Burgos, School Financial Specialist, 240-740-6414

Finance Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• The window is closed daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Students may visit the finance office before school, during lunch, and after school. 

Payments may be made using School Cash Online or in cash, check, and money order at the finance window.   All checks should be made payable to Seneca Valley High School or SVHS.  Please include the student’s name and ID number on all checks.  Returned check fees are $25.00 per check and are obligated toward the student’s account until paid. This includes checks collected as part of fundraisers. 

Obligations: All outstanding obligations must be paid in order for students to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, Homecoming and Prom.  Seniors with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to participate in senior activities including the graduation commencement ceremony.  Outstanding obligations may be viewed and paid at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/

SchoolCash Online

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. (Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts)

SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!

Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.

Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/