Good evening Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  I want to thank the caregivers that came to see a glimpse of their students day during open house on Monday.  It was great having you in the building and providing us feedback via the caregiver sessions.

We have a busy week ahead.  Winter sports are ramping up in with tryouts and practices.  Tuesday we have the PTSA meeting at 6:30pm and Wednesday is Meet the Coach's meeting at 6pm.  Please see the updates for more information.

Please make sure you see the information about Parent -Teacher conferences.  If you have any questions please contact your students administrator or counselor.

I wish you all a great evening.  

Have a great Monday and week on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Seneca Valley will hold Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 25 in two different chunks of time. 

Virtual conferences will be available from 12:30-2:30 and caregivers may begin signing up on ParentVUE on November 11 until November 22. Caregivers must schedule a virtual conference on ParentVUE in order to participate. Virtual conferences will last 10 minutes. While sign-up for virtual conferences will be on ParentVUE, the actual conferences will take place on Zoom. The Zoom information that teachers will use can be found in two ways. One way is through MyMCPS Classroom, at the top of the Modules page, the other way is by using the Meeting ID number that you will see in ParentVUE under “location” when you sign up for conferences.

In-person conferences will be available in the Cafeteria/Gym from 4:00-7:00. No appointments are needed. If there is something specific you would like to discuss with your student's teacher please reach out to them via email ahead of time.  If you have concerns that would require more than 10 minutes please contact the appropriate counselor to schedule a conference.

If you plan to come to the in person conferences please complete this form.

For support with accessing ParentVUE, please call the main office or email your student’s counselor:

• Main Office: (240) 740-6400

Last Name  Counselor

A - BOL                                           Mrs. Fellows Ellen_P_Fellows@mcpsmd.org

BOM - CORD                                 Mrs. Sealey Toni_D_Sealey@mcpsmd.org

CORE - GAN                                  Mr. Grindley Chris_Grindley@mcpsmd.org

GAO - Hy                                        Ms. Duffy (Kozorosky) Paulina_M_Kozorosky@mcpsmd.org

I - L                                                  Ms. Harriston Gabrielle_N_Harriston@mcpsmd.org

M - NGO                                         Mrs. West Phalia_J_West@mcpsmd.org

NGU - RAZ                                    Mrs. Cole Katherine_Cole@mcpsmd.org

RE - STEP                                      Mr. Singh Merwyn_Singh@mcpsmd.org

STER - WO                                    Mr. Martinez Kevin_J_Martinez@mcpsmd.org

WU - Z                                           Mr. Yarmus, Resource Counselor Ian_J_Yarmus@mcpsmd.org

EMLs 1-3                                       Ms. Ruiz - Quintanilla Isabel_RuizQuintanilla@mcpsmd.org

For support with signing up for a conference, please access these support guides from MCPS:

• English

• Español

• 中文

• Français

• Tiếng Việt

• 한국어 

• አማርኛ

The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy 2024-2025

Registration is open for the Seal of Biliteracy!  We welcome all juniors and seniors who speak a language other than English at home and/or are enrolled in an upper-level Language Acquisition class to register.  Please direct all questions to Ms. Rebecca Hanford at rebecca_s_hanford@mcpsmd.org.  Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FvvnfVc3xF56SRo42G2P6zyebyhFcNC2or88n1fLUwI/edit#slide=id.g307bad1f747_0_307

Library Media Center News: 

The SVHS book club’s next meeting is November 18 @ lunch and we will be discussing the novel Better Than the Movies. Ask about copies in the LMC or listen on YouTube!

Attention Seniors, Parents and Guardians

The Graduation Package has been set for the Class of 2025 at $55.  This is the lowest Graduation Package in recent years.  The price includes the cap and gown, senior t-shirt, senior picnic, venue, rehearsal breakfast and other costs related to graduation such as programs and tickets.  It has been posted to SCO and should be paid as soon as possible. 

Cap and gown orders will be taken soon. Keep up to date on the Senior Page of the SVHS website.

Lee Ann Wolfe

Class of 2025 Co-Sponsor

Seneca Valley High School

Leeann_wolfe@mcpsmd.org

Attention Seneca Valley Community: 

If you ordered a 50th Anniversary T-shirt, they are available for pick up in the main office. 

Parents and guardians - if your student is in grade 9, new to MCPS, or if you have not previously submitted the G-Suite for Education: Additional Services form, please give your student(s) permission to access and use technology resources as part of their learning experience.  Access to the form is via ParentVUE, as part of the Annual Verification process.

From Technology Information and Support for Parents:
What is Annual Verification and how do I do this in ParentVue?

In the past, yellow emergency cards and a variety of other forms were sent home with students on the first day of school so that families could communicate updates about contact information, health, directory withholdings, emergency contacts, and more. This process will now take place in ParentVUE using Online Registration.

Failure to provide consent to Additional Services and Supplemental Online Digital Tools will not result in loss of access to the G-Suite Core Services, but will limit access to other technology resources used to facilitate teaching and learning. Consent remains valid for the entire time the student is enrolled in an MCPS high school and may be rescinded at any time. 

PARENT VOLUNTEER TRAINING

The MCPS Volunteer webpage has been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx

On that webpage, you will find updates for SY24-25 and a chart for “who needs what.” There is also a resource on the far right called: School Guidance for Volunteers. If there are any volunteers who did this process last year, then they are good for this year. Any new volunteers would need to complete the compliance measures listed below.

One-time volunteers who will ALWAYS be accompanied by MCPS staff

• One-time volunteers who will never be alone with students at the MCPS school do NOT need to complete the compliance measures.

• They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.

Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a regular volunteer (This includes, but is not limited to Dads on Duty participants)

• These volunteers must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation process.

• Volunteers can pull their grade sheet showing a total of 183.3%. This grade shows completion of both processes.

• They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS).

• Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.

Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a frequent volunteer AND will be alone with students.

• In addition to the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation compliance measures, the volunteer must have completed the finger printing process.

• Fingerprinting/Background check (only if they are working alone with students without supervision of an MCPS staff member or other type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ )

• Fingerprinting Webpage

SVHS PTSA 

Hello SVHS families, 

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. 

PTSA MEETING: Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30pm. This will be a virtual meeting only. Zoom info will be shared soon.

We appreciate you! Join  the PTSA. 

The PTSA wants to show our members some appreciation. All members who have joined since July this year and anyone who joins through the end of November will be entered into a drawing to win a prize. There will be two prizes. The prizes will be posted on our Facebook page soon. 

Like Chipotle? We do too! 

Support the PTSA while treating yourself and/or your family with some Chipotle on Wednesday, December 11th from 5:00pm-9:00pm. Location: 19881 Century Blvd. Germantown. 

Representative Needed. 

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and MCPS has an established partnership in which it would like each school to have an NAACP Parent Council (PC) Representative. Seneca Valley HS currently does not have one. This is not a PTSA role, but more of an overall school representative role. Please let the PTSA or Mr. Hernandez know if you are interested in being the NAACP PC for SVHS.

If you are interested in learning more email svhsptsapres@gmail.com 

Chantal 

SVHS, PTSA President (2024-2025) 

 💚🦅💛

SVHS Boosters

Boosters Update:

Monday (11/11) was our monthly boosters meeting!  Review the meeting minutes here:

https://shorturl.at/b2yCU

Next week we have the following events:

Wednesday November 20 - Meet the Coaches Night 6:30pm

Many hands make light work, sign up here:

https://shorturl.at/ONC1i

Have fresh produce delivered right to your door with the Seasonal Roots fundraiser:

https://shorturl.at/yx9Vf

We are currently looking for 3 key individuals. Can you help out in any of these 3 areas? Boosters needs Committee Chairs for Fundraising, a Nominating Committee, and a Concessions Chair.

Do you own a truck? Would you like to help with the Mulch Fundraiser this year? Zap a message here: BoostersSenecaValley@gmail.com

Have an idea you’d like to share? Join us for our next meeting on December 9 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria!

Not a member yet? Support your Seneca student by signing up here:

https://square.link/u/7qiWt8kq

Best,

Tisha Chrobak

Seneca Valley High School Booster President 2024-2025

Not a member yet?  Join here:

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLCJWY57F025E/checkout/44IJRHCURX7CHLARJ3TXTIVX?src=sheet&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Y8R5eFeNCGsYQPQZofU4P0JvX_zJVgQZeyUhLHvbC83nA1Qv4Y2KqRNc_aem_G2g3MdZ_tdaOyNkYrtAzCg 

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

The Holiday Giving Project

The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to qualifying households for over 30 years. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. Families can only be referred once; please do not complete a referral if you have already been referred from another school or agency. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. If you need help completing the form please contact Ms. Ruiz Miller at 240-447-8963.

El Holiday Giving Project ha brindado asistencia para el Día de Acción de Gracias y los días festivos de diciembre a los hogares que califican durante más de 30 años. Si usted y su familia están en necesidad y les gustaría ser referidos para una posible asistencia durante la temporada de festividades, complete este formulario de referencia para proporcionar la información requerida. Los recursos son limitados: solicite solo si usted y su familia realmente lo necesitan. Las familias solo pueden ser referidas una vez. Por favor no complete este referido si ya le han referido de otra escuela o agencia.  Si bien una referencia no es una garantía de asistencia, el Proyecto ayuda a tantas familias necesitadas como lo permitan las donaciones. Si necesita ayuda para completar el formulario, comuníquese con la Sra. Ruiz Miller al 240-447-8963.

Dual Enrollment

Registration for the Spring semester of Dual Enrollment/Jump Start to College begins at the end of this month! The three classes offered at SVHS will be Introduction to Nutrition, Introduction to the Study of Ethics, and Introduction to Business. Students may also take classes at Montgomery College or virtually. Qualifying students may take up to 2 approved MC courses in the Fall and Spring semesters with MCPS/MC covering tuition, fees, and required textbooks and materials. Please contact Stacey Blaine at Stacey_J_Blaine@mcpsmd.org if you have any questions.

SAVE-THE-DATE! Registration/Course Information Night

Monday, December 9th, 2024  6:00-8:00pm

In the Seneca Valley High School auditorium

Please join the Seneca Valley Counseling Services Department and select Seneca Valley staff for an important informational evening about the upcoming registration / course-selection process for the 2025-2026 school year. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the amazingly diverse course offerings available at Seneca Valley, including our wonderful IB and CTE/Career Readiness programs. We're looking forward to seeing you there! 

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

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

Continue Working on College Applications!

Reminder that the SVHS College Application Packet is the go-to document for applying to colleges at SVHS.  It is a step-by-step guide on how to apply and includes everything that you need to complete.  Please use this document to get started on college applications and follow all of the steps!  

2025–26 FAFSA® Form Coming Soon

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available to the public on or before Dec. 1, 2024.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, the 2025–26 FAFSA form will be available to individuals selected to participate in a limited beta release. Participation in the beta release is by invitation only.

Seniors should not go in early and complete the 2024-25 form!  Doing so may cause unexpected delays and issues, especially with aid from the state of Maryland.

Click to learn more

College & Career Representative Visits in the College & Career Center

Next Week’s College & Career Center Visits:

• Camp Sonshine, Lunch Visit (Summer Jobs for Students) - Mon November 18 @ 11:12 AM

  • Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn about summer opportunities from Camp Sonshine.

• Continental Pools, Lunch Visit (Lifeguarding/Summer Jobs) - Wed November 20 @ 11:12 AM

  • Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn about summer jobs and lifeguarding opportunities from Continental Pools.

• Montgomery College - Thu November 21 @ 10:45 AM

• U.S. Army Recruiter, Lunch Visit - Thu November 21 @ 11:24 AM

  • Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the U.S. Army.

• Allegany College of Maryland - Fri November 22 @ 9:40 AM

Click here to learn more and see who is scheduled to visit SVHS this Fall! 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• November 26 - National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship - awards ranging from $3,200 - $25,000; senior; active NHS member in good standing; currently enrolled at a school with an affiliated NHS chapter; planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university; student membership must be verified by an active NHS adviser at an affiliated NHS chapter. 

• December 01 - Ron Brown Scholars - 20-25 awards of $40,000 ($10,000 per yr for 4 yrs); senior;  U.S. citizen or permanent resident; Black/African American; attend a 4 year college or university in the Fall; academic achievement; character; financial need; leadership; seriousness of purpose; service to others. 

• December 01 - American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship - multiple winners ranging from $1,000 to $2,500; grades 9-12; must be United States Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens; copy of most recent unofficial high school transcript; 500 word essay; entrants may be asked to participate in a qualification interview as part of the application process to assist the ACF in ultimately determining the winners. 

• December 01 - Lamber-Goodnow Injury Law Team - College Scholarship - 2-$1,000 awards; senior; min 3.5 GPA; submit a 500- to 750-word essay on how you are driven to innovate, how you plan to influence progress on any level in any space or how you have already affected positive change with creative thinking. 

• December 01 - Hagan Scholarship Foundation - $2,000 to purchase essential items for college plus up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters; senior; min 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average; enroll in an eligible four-year not-for-profit College or University the first semester following high school graduation; maintain a four year or less graduation schedule in college, or complete the equivalent of a four year degree if in a professional program; must work 240 hours from January 1, 2025 until September 1, 2025; applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000; must apply for Federal and State grants if eligible; must not have a felony conviction; personal essay; four-year plan. 

• December 02 - Kahlert Foundation Scholarship for Towson UTeach - $12,000 awards; senior; Maryland resident; enroll in Towson University in the Fall semester; min 3.25 GPA (unweighted) upon matriculation to Towson University (TU); enroll and maintain status as a full-time TU student (at least 12 credits); declare a major aligned with the Towson UTeach Program (the secondary education concentration of the mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth-space science, or physics major); two letters of recommendation; transcript; see linked document for all details and form to apply.

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

Other Opportunities

FAFSA y ayuda financiera en español (FAFSA and Financial Aid in Spanish)

Carmen Palacios-Aguirre de Ayuda Financiera en UNC Chapel Hill dirigirá una presentación sobre ayuda financiera y FAFSA el 19 de noviembre de 6:30 a 7:30. Los estudiantes y familias de SVHS pueden unirse a esta sesión.

Tema:  FAFSA y ayuda financiera en español

Fecha:  Nov 19, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Únase a la reunión de Zoom:

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87251880493?pwd=mGhUOit4OezF61K2toihb8FKnN4rqo.1

•  Meeting ID: 872 5188 0493

• Passcode: 159550

Virtual Career Exploration for Her

Nov 21, 2024  |  6:00pm - 7:30pm

The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women will host a free virtual career guidance session titled “A Virtual Career Exploration for Her" for middle school, high school, and college students. 

This event will offer an opportunity for female middle school, high school, and college students to begin exploring careers of their interest that are non-traditional for women. It will give students the opportunity to hear from professional women who will share their experiences, knowledge, and education and relate factors important to entering their line of work.

The panel will include women in careers ranging from fire services, STEM careers, the law, and entrepreneurship.

MCPS students who complete and return a small survey at the end of the event can receive Student Service Learning Hours (SSL Hours)—a maximum of two—for their participation.

Click here for the flyer  |  Click here to register

Why Montgomery College?  Virtual Information Session

¿Está interesado en obtener información sobre por qué Montgomery College puede ser la opción adecuada para usted? Asista a esta sesión informativa virtual ofrecida en español.

Sesión virtual en español - Jueves 21 de noviembre, 6:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m.

Click here for the flyer 

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (NAW) Open House - Nov 22

November 22, 2024, from 10am -5pm

Local 5 Training Facility, 5000 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706

A multi-trade event with earn-while-you-learn Construction/Trade Apprenticeships  from around our region, featuring: 

• Bricklayers 1

• Plumbers 5

• Iron Workers 4

• Insulators 24

• Electricians 26

• Operating Engineers 77 & 99

• Sheet Metal 100

• Steamfitters 602

• Carpenters

• Finishing Trades 

The event will feature tours, exhibits, demonstrations, food/drink vendors.

Click here for the flyer  |  Click here to register

Free SAT® and ACT® Virtual Practice Tests for Montgomery Co. Public School Students!

Provided by the Princeton Review, free practice tests are a great way to find out how you may score on the SAT or ACT without having the scores count.

• Students will receive detailed instructions on how to complete the test.

• All tests will be held online.

• Multiple timing options are available for students with accommodations.

• Test will be available to take anytime in your Princeton Review portal for 4 months.

• Students receive a detailed score report highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

• You can register for both and take one at a later convenient time.

• Registration ends 11/30/24

Click here for the flyer with registration information

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/.

Parking Permits: The Student Parking Application Form must be completed and submitted to the Business Office for approval. Please contact Monique_N_Riddick@mcpsmd.org with any questions or concerns. The Seneca Valley High School student parking information and regulations can be found here. 

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/