Good afternoon, Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend, and welcomed the month of May.  

This week we celebrate our amazing staff at Seneca Valley!  We cannot thank them enough for their daily commitment and dedication to our students and community.  Please take a minute to send a quick note of appreciation this week!

This week we will have an altered bell schedule with testing in the morning of each day.  Only student that have test should arrive for testing on their given day.  Please see below for more information.    

Seniors!!!  The countdown has begun and you have 15 days left!  All your work MUST be turned in by Friday May 23rd, seniors last day in order to be graded for your grades to be complete.  

Prom is Friday May 9th, make sure you have made all necessary arrangements in order to have a safe and joyous evening.  

It's come to our attention that many seniors are playing an app-based game called "senior assassin".  While this is meant to be fun, it cannot be played on campus. This is a reminder that nothing that resembles a gun (which includes water guns) can be brought on campus (school building or property). You and your friends are at risk of expulsion and report to the police if anything that resembles a weapon is brought to school. 

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

ATTENTION PART-TIME STUDENTS:

The schedule for May 5 - May 9 is below. We WILL NOT have any part-time morning classes at Seneca May 5 - May 9. We WILL NOT have afternoon classes for part-time students on May 5, May 7, or May 9. 

We WILL have afternoon classes at Seneca for part-time students on May 6 and May 8.  

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 Start this Week

The IB Exam week kicks off this Tuesday, April 29th with Physics and SEHS and ends on Wednesday, April 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

Seneca Valley Partners in Germantown Town Center Revitalization

Seneca Valley is proud to be a key partner in the Germantown Town Center initiative - a community-focused project led by the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and supported by Montgomery County. The goal is to explore how to make the Town Center a more vibrant, welcoming space for families, businesses, and residents alike.  As part of this effort, community members are invited to give feedback on new logo designs and complete a short survey to help shape the Town Center’s future look, feel, and purpose.

Click here to share logo feedback on Instagram or here for the logo survey. Click here to take the community survey. 

Thank you for helping us ensure the heart of Germantown reflects the voices of all who live, work, and learn here!

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:   

This month, the Library Media Center recognizes a number of holidays, heritages and special events.  It's Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage month and Jewish American Heritage month and we are 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. 

Mother's Day is May 11th! Students can visit the LMC to make a card to thank the special female caregivers in their lives. The LMC provides the paper, the colored markers—and even hearts—to design the card, but the words are up to you!  The card station will be available for students to express their gratitude and creativity during lunch periods and after school until Friday, May 9.

As the end of the school year approaches, seniors should plan to return any outstanding books to the LMC ASAP, but no later than May 15. Please return books on time 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. 

Finally, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is coming on May 17.  Meet authors, check out new books and participate in all kinds of activities there.  It's nearby at Gaithersburg's Bohrer Park, so mark your calendars and plan to attend.

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

Financial Aid - Montgomery College (MDCAPS & FAFSA)

Seniors, are you planning to attend Montgomery College?  Did you apply for the FAFSA?  Double-check your MDCAPS account to see if you have any eligible campuses listed for the “Community College Promise” Scholarship.  We are seeing that some students who only selected the Montgomery College Germantown campus will also need to select Montgomery College’s main campus (Rockville) to trigger this particular state award.  

If you log into your MDCAPS account and do not see any eligible campuses for this Community College Promise Scholarship award, go into your FAFSA account and add the Montgomery College Rockville campus to your list of schools.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Nalda.

Upcoming Scholarships 

• May 04 - Samuel O. Kwarteng Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 award; senior; attend a two or four-year college or university; academic achievement; financial need; contribution to school and community; official or unofficial copy of school transcript; proof of financial need; copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary with the Student Aid Index (SAI) circled; 300-500 word essay; see application for prompt. 

• 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

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

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/