Good evening, Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend, and Happy Mothers day!  

This week we will continue to have altered bell schedule with testing throughout the day in classes.  Please see below for information on MAP testing and AP/IB testing as it too continues this week. 

Prom friday night was a great event.  I want to thank you Mr. Jonathan Main and the Junior class and all the SVHS staff who came for a great night.  I also want to thank the PTSA for a great after prom event.  Fun was certainly had by all.

Seniors!!!  The countdown continues as you have 10 days left!  You have 10 days to have all your work turned in by Friday May 23rd, seniors last day in order for it to be graded and counted for your final grades.  Walking at graduation is a privilege, make sure in these last 10 days you act accordingly and complete all your requirements in order to participate in the graduation ceremonies.

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

AP Exam May 6-16, 25

Hello Students & Families,

Please refer to the link below for AP exam dates, times, and locations. All exams will be at Seneca Valley High School.  The majority of AP exams will be fully digital and taken in the Bluebook app.  AP Calculus, AP Precalculus, and AP Statistics will be digital and paper.  Please bring a charged Chromebook on your exam day.  You will also need to know your College Board login information on exam day.

If a student has an exam conflict (two exams scheduled at the same time, IB exams, etc.), questions about accommodations, and/or taking the exam on another day, please contact Mr. Grindley at chirs_grindley@mcpsmd.org

AP Exam Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vwjm51lfZOLOm7B0JzscU5KHY-UnKTTMuKy59DuH8k/edit?tab=t.0

IB Exams

The IB Exam week kicked off Tuesday, April 29th with Physics and SEHS and ends on Wednesday, May 21st.

Below you will find useful information for the IB exams.  All exams will take place at SVHS - please note the meeting location on the IB calendar for each location, as it varies daily.

IB Exam Overview - reviews the exam types and other important exam information

IB Calendar - exam dates and locations

IB Exam Study Tips - general study tips

IB/AP Study Sessions - review sessions for IB/AP exams

Students have completed their IAs (Internal Assessments), so the last step is their IB exams that run over two days.  Please note, students must take all exams for their course(s) or they will be obligated an exam fee of $125.  

I look forward to seeing our students show all they have learned in their IB courses over the next several weeks.  A special thank you to all our IB teachers that have given endless hours to help prepare our students.  If you have any questions, please reach out to me at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org.

Natasha Ezerski

Seneca Valley High School

IB Coordinator

Attention Senior Parents - Reminders for all Seniors and Senior Parents and Guardians About May 2025 Events 

The Senior Picnic will be held on May 23, 2025 at Bohrer Park from 4-7:30. Pizza and Carmen’s Italian Ice will be served.  There will be a DJ, Mini Golf, Volleyball and Basketball and more available.  Senior Sunset will happen directly after the picnic. 

Senior Parents - if you are able to donate water, sports drinks or canned sodas for the senior picnic, please Sign up HERE We do not provide drinks without your help. Students bring the drinks directly to Bohrer Park. 

Graduation Rehearsal is on May 29 at 7:45 at SVHS.  Students will be provided with a grab and go breakfast before the rehearsal.  After rehearsal students who have no obligations will receive their cap, gown and stole, a graduation pin, and 7 tickets to graduation. Students who have obligations must pay them before receiving their items.  Please check for obligations frequently on SCO and take care of them before rehearsal.

Graduation will be on May 30 at 2 pm at UMBC.  Students must be at UMBC/s Chesapeake Arena by 12:45 pm, and in line by 1 pm.

Guest Accommodations: If you have guests who need ASL or handicap accommodations for graduation, please complete the form linked HERE

The  Parent Presentation Slides  from the March meetings can be found HERE.

This presentation includes dress regulations, cap decorating guidelines and much more for graduates and parents

Lee Ann Wolfe

Class of 2025 Co-Sponsor

SVHS Green School Team

Get SSL Hours by planting natives plants and trees at school!

When? Wednesday, May 14 after school 2:30-4:30 PM

Where? We'll be meeting in the media center at 2:30 PM where you will be directed to the pollinator garden site which is at the stadiums' concourse courtyard (across the tennis court). Please wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. We'll provide gardening gloves and tools.

Contac: Mrs. Laboy (Room 4113)

From the Counseling department:

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. 

Senior Graduation Status 

Attention seniors and families of seniors; Graduation Day is coming soon! The start of Marking Period 4 means that there are 33 days of school left for seniors before your last day on May 23rd. It's amazing how time flies!

Seniors and families of seniors, if you are at all unsure about your current graduation status, or have questions about any remaining graduation requirements, please touch base with your School Counselor. 

Seniors, we are looking forward to seeing you walk across the stage at UMBC...but you must make sure to do the work to get there!

Contact your Counselor with any questions or concerns. 

Student Service Learning Reminder

All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school, and spring break is a wonderful time for students to earn hours! Middle school and high school students can find virtual/remote and/or in-person SSL opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website. Students can also find SSL forms, guidelines, resources and more at the SSL Hub for Students/Families. For the High School Certificate of Meritorious Service (seniors who have 240 or more SSL hours) or the Middle School Superintendent’s SSL Award (middle schoolers who have completed the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement), students must submit MCPS Form 560-51 to their school’s SSL coordinator by Friday, April 4. All other SSL forms should be submitted on a rolling basis, but no later than the required deadline of Friday, May 30.

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.

Fall 2025 Courses Offered at SVHS (Registration begins April 25th)!

📚 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.

Library Media Center News:   

First, this week SENIORS should plan to return any outstanding books to the LMC.  Seniors need to return their books by Thursday, May 15 in order to avoid an obligation that might affect graduation! Underclassmen should return books by June 2. Lost your book? Don't wait. Come to the LMC to discuss payment or/and replacement options. 

In addition to offering students the opportunity to meet authors, learn about the craft of writing and participate in fun activities, the Gaithersburg Book Festival has volunteer opportunities available for SSL hours.  Students can earn hours assisting at the book donation drop off by meeting Ms. Stephanie Brant at the Politics and Prose tent on May 17th at 9:45AM. Opportunities are also available to help the Maryland Humanities Office at their tent.  Use this link to sign up in advance.  The Gaithersburg Book Festival is on May 17th from 10AM to 6:00PM in Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg.  

If you haven't visited yet this month, remember the Library Media Center is celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage month and Jewish American Heritage month by featuring books written by and about people in those communities.  It is also Military Appreciation month which culminates on May 26th with Memorial Day, but we are recognizing those who serve all month. Finally, it's Mental Health Awareness month and we have some fascinating new books featuring characters who face their challenges honestly and bravely.  Drop by to find out more! 

REMINDER:  Although students are permitted to eat lunch in the LMC's classroom section, NO OUTSIDE FOOD is allowed in the LMC. This is a longstanding library rule that will be enforced more diligently because of multiple incidents in the past several months of students bringing outside food into the LMC and leaving a mess, especially after school.  Students with outside food will be asked to eat it outside of the LMC.

Please return your overdue books!  While all students with overdue materials need to return them to the LMC, Juniors, and Seniors who plan to attend Prom should make sure they have no outstanding library obligations. Unreturned books could keep them from purchasing Prom tickets, so please return books or arrange to pay for or replace them if they have been lost.

Did you know.....

SVHS Library is open Monday- Thursday from 7AM to 4:30PM and 7AM to 3:30PM on Friday?  We're here when you are -- so come by and check out something new! 

Extracurricular Activities Information

We welcome you to engage with Seneca Valley in a new way this school year!  

Check out our non-athletic Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities!  From study groups to competitive dance to cultural celebrations to Dungeons and Dragons and beyond - there's something here for everyone!  

Reach out to sponsors of clubs you're interested in or fill out the interest form to be included in back-to-school messages about clubs. Check out our current offerings. SVHS ECA OFFERINGS

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

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

Mandatory Senior Exit Survey!

All MCPS seniors will be required to complete an exit survey before your last day, which is May 23.  This survey will ask about post-high school plans, college acceptances, enrollment, scholarships, and services utilized while at SVHS.  The survey can be found in Naviance, and is part of the senior check-out process as we prepare for graduation.

We are asking students to fill out this asap as it will also allow us to update our celebration board from college acceptances to post-high school plans for ALL SVHS seniors.  

Click here to learn more about the survey and how to access

MDCAPS - Check Your Account for Awards and Accept!

Attention Seniors - If you plan on attending a college or university in the state of Maryland, including Montgomery College, this is a reminder to check your MDCAPS account for any potential awards offered by the state of Maryland.  You will need to go into your account, confirm the school you plan to attend in the fall, and accept the award.  You should have also received an email with instructions.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

MDCAPS login page - https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/ 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• May 14 - SVHS PTSA JD Sowers Scholarship - $800 award(s); senior; fulfilled all Student Service Learning hours, demonstrating their commitment to making a positive impact beyond the classroom; must boast an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher throughout each year of high school, showcasing their consistent academic prowess; transcript; community involvement; leadership experience; personal statement (can be provided in writing, as a presentation, a video or an audio file); 2 letters of recommendation from an SVHS staff member; financial need; future plans; impact of scholarship; commitment to success.

• May 14 - Delegate Greg Wims Legislative Scholarship - 6-$1,000 awards; senior; must live in the 39th Legislative District (click here to verify); must have filled out the FAFSA or the MHEC One App/MSFAA by March 1; address on the FASFA or MSFAA application must be located in District 39; must have completed 100 SSL hours; financial need; planning to attend a college or university in the state of Maryland; need a copy of first 3 pages of your FAFSA Submission Summary or One App confirmation email; students chosen for this scholarship opportunity will be asked to participate in a zoom call to meet Delegate Wims. 

• May 23 - Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. Scholarship - eight $1,008.11 single-year scholarships; must be on track to graduate from a Maryland or Washington, D.C., high school in spring 2025 and intend to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or technical school beginning in fall 2025; essay describing the importance of Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. and how it could relate to a future career path; transcript (can be unofficial). 

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

Other Opportunities

Careers in Game Development: Myths vs. Reality!

Next Wed 5/14! Drop in, meet award-winning game developer and DC area local Michael Douma, Founder & Creative Director of IDEA, and discover career paths in mobile, console, and desktop game development!

• Teens & adults will learn about differences in these exciting career paths & ask questions!

• You are invited to join us next Wednesday, May 14th from 4:00-5:00 PM at McGee Library in downtown Silver Spring! Help design future teen programs and help with cleanup after the event as an SSL opportunity!

• This SSL opportunity will take place in the large 3rd Floor Meeting Room.

• Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library is located at 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

• Flyer

Uncovering Your Teen's Unique Story: Strategies to Shine on College Applications

Every student has a unique story — and knowing how to share it can make all the difference in college admissions. Join our webinar to discover powerful strategies that help students build a compelling personal narrative (starting as early as 9th grade!) to leave a lasting impression.

This webinar covers topics including:

• Strategies to help your teen uncover their unique story and showcase it in essays (and interviews)

• Tips for identifying impactful activities and experiences that enhance their application

• Expert advice for building a balanced, authentic application that gets noticed

May 14 at 7PM  ET

Click here to register  |  Flyer

MCPS Summer Internship Information Session

Wednesday, May 14 at 4pm and again at 7pm.

Click the link below to access the MCPS Summer Internships site. The site contains:

• Opportunities

• Application information

• Grading policies

• Coordinator information

• and more! 

You will also find the link to the Summer Internship Information Session Via Zoom.

https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/mcps2025summerinternship/home  |  Click here for the flyer

College Financing Essentials: What Every College-Bound Family Should Know About Paying for College

Wednesday, May 14th at 8:00 pm ET

This session will feature Peg Keough, Director of Education at College Aid Pro, and Anthony Berryhill, one of StudyPoint’s top admission consultants.

Our expert panelists will share essential college financing insights, including:

• When and how to tackle financial aid forms and applications

• Tips for maximizing merit-based aid through scholarships and other resources

• Key financial factors to consider when choosing the right college fit

If you can’t attend live, don’t worry! Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording to watch at your convenience. To reserve your spot and receive the recording, please use the link below.

Click here for more details and to register. 

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Program 

The Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) offers participating students an exciting and innovative platform to engage in hands-on activities specifically designed to stimulate interest in STEM and experimentation.

GEMS is free to all applicants. Participants will receive a $125 stipend upon graduation (see terms and conditions. 

Applicants must register on-line by 11:59p on May 15 (apply now!)

Spots are limited and applying to the program does not guarantee selection.

GEMS Levels: 

Intermediate (rising 9th and 10th grades) - At this level, students gain a deeper insight of STEM applications through exciting inquiry-based, hands-on activities.

Advanced (rising 11th and 12th grades) - Using scientific methodology and investigative tools, students learn about sophisticated STEM concepts.

Click here to learn more and apply  |  Click here to see the flyer

Capitol Tech CWC Career Exploration Event for High School Girls

Capitol Technology University is pleased to invite your school to the Capitol Tech Center for Women in Cyber (CWC) Career Exploration event, designed exclusively for high school girls. This one-day event offers an exciting and immersive opportunity to explore careers in STEM through hands-on activities and expert-led sessions.

Date:  Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time:  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location:  Capitol Technology University, 11301 Springfield Road, Laurel, MD 20708

This program is open exclusively to female high school students and will include:

• Interactive breakout sessions in artificial intelligence, engineering and space, cybersecurity, and commercial aviation

• A career panel featuring women professionals in STEM

• Campus tours and opportunities to network with faculty, professionals, and current students

Questions? Please contact bturner@captechu.edu or whbutler@captechu.edu.

Click here to register  |  Flyer

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/