Good evening Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Homecoming week is here!  Please see below for our Spirit days.  Monday is Monochromatic Monday, Dress in all the same color!

Monday: Monochromatic Monday (Dress in all one color)

Tuesday: Twin Day

Wednesday: Bikers and Surfers: Choose to be a biker or a surfer

      (Hallway decoration night)

Thursday: Throwback to the decades (Choose any decade between the 70’s and y2k) 

      (Hallway Voting more information to come next week) 

Friday: Class Color Day

      12th Grade: Black

      11th Grade: Green

      10th Grade: White

      09th Grade: Yellow

Friday the 20th we will have a modified pep rally schedule ahead of the game.  

Saturday Night the 21th is the homecoming dance.  The dance begins at 7:30pm and ends at 10:30pm.   

We also look forward to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, 9/15/24 - 10/15/24.  Information of upcoming activities will be forthcoming.

Wednesday and Thursday we acknowledge students who were properly displaying their IDs in school.  Each student received a Dunkin gift cards fro $5.  I want to thank all the students and staff that continue to wear their IDs and help us account for all our students.  Throughout the next few weeks we will continue conduct ID checks.  If students do not have their IDs we can provide temporary ones.  If a student needs a new one there is a cost of $5.  IDs can be made on Tuesday and Thursday  during Eagle time.

I wish you all a great evening.  

Have a great Monday and week on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

PSAT Exam Day – Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, serves as a preliminary assessment that closely mirrors the format and content of the SAT, providing students with a simulation of the SAT testing experience. Administered to students predominantly in the 10th grade, the PSAT is a standardized examination with significant implications. Achieving a high score on the PSAT can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program, offering financial support for college. This assessment not only functions as a practice test but also delivers valuable feedback to aid students in their preparation for the SAT, which plays a pivotal role in the college admissions process. All 10th grade students are expected to take the exam and the cost is free. Although Grade 11 students must pay the $17 fee for the assessment, they are encouraged to participate to obtain additional SAT practice and participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Testing Date: October 16, 2024

• Registration Fee: 10th Grade (Free), 11th Grade ($17)

• 11th Grade Payment Process: 11th Graders can pay for the assessment via their school online cash account at the following website: https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/

• 11th Grade Payment Deadline: October 2, 2024

• Testing Schedule: Doors Open at 7:25am; Testing Start at 7:45am

 ***Please note, since the school will be billed for tests that are ordered, no refund will be provided for 11th Grade students who are absent during the testing session. ***

For questions, please contact the main office at (240) 740-6400. 

Eric Stancell

Assistant Principal

Library Media News: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage! 

National Hispanic Heritage Month Reading Promotion ☀️

Help us celebrate Latine history and culture — come “check out” our book promotion celebrating authors and stories from 21 Spanish speaking countries!  Books featured include biographies, histories, anthologies of poetry and short stories, and fabulous works of fiction.

Book Club Interest Meeting - September 19 📚

Students who like to read and discuss books are invited to attend a book club interest meeting in the library media center at the beginning of lunch on Thursday, September 19th.  Roughly once a month, the library media center will be closed for lunch, but open for Book Club.  During this initial interest meeting, students will learn more about the three reading programs we participate in: One Maryland One Book, Black-Eyed Susan Reading Program, and Project Lit.  We will also share our first few reading selections and calendar.  We’re looking forward to a great turnout, but anyone who can’t make it is welcome to email Ms. Little or stop by the LMC for more information. 

Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces Poetry Contest ✍🏽

High school students from across the Washington Metropolitan Area are invited to submit poems to the Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. This year’s theme is Civic Duty.  Entries must be no longer than one page, single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman and are due by February 21, 2025. 

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 

Dear Seneca Valley HS (SVHS) Families,

Don’t forget to save the Date: We hope you can join us on Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30pm for our first in person PTSA member’s meeting in the school’s media center. The PTSA needs your vote so we can officially begin our operating budget. Active PTSA members will vote on the 2024-2025 PTSA operating budget.

Come share your feedback about what you would like to see from the PTSA this year. This is your opportunity to have your voices heard and ask questions. Students can earn SSL hours for attending and participating in the meeting. 

Join the PTSA and show your support and help us continue showing we are a strong community. You can Join Here.  

Stay connected with what’s going on in the SVHS community. Join the PTSA Facebook page: Facebook

Chantal Falade

SVHS, PTSA President (2024-2025) 

SVHS Boosters

Boosters updates 9/16 - 9/21

Last week we were not able to open concessions at a boys soccer game due to a lack of volunteers. Please sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0445A5AF23A31-50452613-fall#/

These are our events for the week that NEED your help!!!!

Monday 9/16 - 5:30 JV Girls Soccer at Seneca (vs Richard Montgomery)

                      7:00 Varsity Girls Seneca at Seneca (vs Richard Montgomery)

Tuesday 9/17 - 6:00 Girls Flag Football

Thursday 9/19 - 5:30 JV Girls Volleyball (vs Watkins Mill)

                        5:30 JV Boys Soccer (vs Northwood)

                        6:30 Varsity Girls Volleyball (vs Watkins Mill)

                        7:15 Varsity Boys Soccer (vs Northwood)

Friday 9/20 - 6:30 Varsity football (vs Clarksburg)

Saturday 9/21 - 10am JV Football (vs Clarksburg)

Support student clubs & athletics by becoming a member. Join here!

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLCJWY57F025E/checkout/44IJRHCURX7CHLARJ3TXTIVX

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 

Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy

Schools provide directory information for public listings such as honor roll, awards, and other notices in the newspaper or on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) website. A student’s name, address, and telephone number may also be released to organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school. Unless you tell them not to, schools can release the information without your prior consent.

Directory Information includes the following items: student’s and/or parent’s name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number; student’s date of birth; major field of study; grade level; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; degrees and awards received (including honor roll); most recent school attended; dates of attendance; photograph, or other likeness; the weight and height of members of athletic teams; and other similar information.  If you do not want your school to release your directory information, complete the form linked below and return this notice to your school by September 10, 2024.

FORM: Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy

Additional copies of this notice can be found on the MCPS website, and are available in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, and Portuguese. This form must be completed every year.

Your school will assume you agree to the release of the directory information, unless this form is returned by September 10, 2024. If you need to change your decision at a later date, just contact your school directly.

If you enroll after September 10, 2024, you can complete this form at the time of enrollment.

Student Emergency Information and Military Recruiting 

Student Emergency Information

Student Emergency Information should be updated through ParentVUE. Each year parents/guardians are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through the Online Registration portal (in the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). We highly recommend that you complete this as soon as possible. It is critically important that we have accurate parent contact information on file with the school and system as soon as possible.

Here are links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.

A Note on Military Recruiting 

If a parent does not wish to have his/her child’s name made available to military recruiters and/or does not wish to have their child’s directory information included in the student directory, they should complete the “Directory Information Withholding” portion of the ParentVUE annual verification of information online registration. You may also complete MCPS form 281-13 - Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy. The form must be returned to the school by September 10, 2024.

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

SVHS Senior College Information Night

SVHS Seniors and families, please join the Seneca Valley Counseling Services team for our annual College Information Night on Tuesday, September 24 from 6:30-7:30 PM .  This will be a virtual meeting.

Important information will be shared about the college application process, transcripts, test scores, service academies, financial aide, scholarships, and more.

Please plan to attend this important meeting! 

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

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

SVHS Senior College Information Night

SVHS Seniors and families, please join the Seneca Valley Counseling Services team for our annual College Information Night on Tuesday, September 24 from 6:30-7:30 PM. This will be a virtual meeting.

Important information will be shared about the college application process, transcripts, test scores, service academies, financial aid, scholarships, and more.

Please plan to attend this important meeting!  Flyer

PSAT Day - 10/16/24

As we prepare for our upcoming PSAT day on 10/16/24, we want to share a few updates. All 10th grade students are expected to take the exam and the cost is free. Additionally, we encourage our 11th grade students to participate as well to take advantage of the opportunity to practice for the SAT. There is a registration fee of $17 only for 11th grade students. The fee can be paid via the student’s school online cash account. 

11th Graders can pay for the assessment fee at the following website: https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/

11th Grade Payment Deadline:  October 2, 2024

Applying to Four-Year Colleges (Seniors)

College applications are now open!  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!  You should bookmark or save the link to this document.  

• SVHS College Application Packet - Seniors Click Here!!!

College & Career Representative Visits in the College & Career Center

This Week’s College & Career Center Visits:

• Moravian University - Mon September 16 @ 10:30 AM

• The Catholic University of America - Mon September 16 @ 12:05 PM

• Shenandoah University - Tue September 17 @ 9:30 AM

• University of Maryland-College Park* - Tue September 17 @ 10:45 AM

  • *This presentation will take place in the SVHS Auditorium

• Savannah College of Art and Design* - Tue September 17 @ 10:45 AM

  • *This visit will take place in Room 2317

• U.S. Army Recruiter, Lunch Visit - Tue September 17 @ 11:24 AM

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

• Loyola University Maryland - Wed September 18 @ 9:40 AM

• Shepherd University - Wed September 18 @ 10:30 AM

• Frostburg State University - Wed September 18 @ 12:05 PM

• St. Mary's College of Maryland - Thu September 19 @ 9:30 AM

• Hofstra University - Fri September 20 @ 8:45 AM

• Johns Hopkins University - Fri September 20 @ 9:40 AM

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

Upcoming Scholarships 

• September 26 - QuestBridge National College Match - recipients granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship (worth over $200,000); any high school senior, regardless of citizenship, is eligible (review Additional Citizenship Requirements); earned primarily A's in the most challenging courses available (Honors, AP, and/or IB); financial need as finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000/year (household of 4).

• September 30 - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship - $1,000 award; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen; submit a 140-character personal statement that completes this sentence: "I pledge to not text and drive because...."

• September 30 - Coca-Cola Scholars Program* - (*deadline is 5pm on 9/30) 150-$20,000 awards; senior; U.S. Citizen, legal resident, refugee (see link for full eligibility list); min 3.0 GPA; achievement based scholarship; planning to pursue a college degree after high school; involved in school and community activities; transcript.

• October 01 - Golden Door Scholarship - funding for a four-year degree at Golden Door partner schools and access to mentors, fellowship, and career support; must have DACA, TPS or be undocumented (if you are a current US citizen or permanent resident, you are not eligible to apply); high financial need; transcript; leadership and extracurricular activities; essay; 2-minute video.

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

Other Opportunities

Medical Exploring Program: Information Session (open to grades 9-12)

The Medical Exploring Program is a signature, one-of-a-kind, interactive, educational initiative designed for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career path in health care and want to strengthen their understanding of the medical profession.  

Throughout the academic year, students have the opportunity to learn about key functions of the community hospital system from the region’s top physicians, surgeons, and healthcare professionals. In addition to touring areas of the hospital, students also have the opportunity to become CPR and Stop the Bleed certified.

Sessions are held up to three times a month on Monday evenings or school holidays.

Monday, September 16, 2024  | 6–7 p.m.  |  Virtual

Any interested student may attend this virtual session with a parent/guardian. When registering for this free information session, please list the name of the interested student in the registration form. Attendance does not indicate a commitment to the program. Formal registration will open after this event and remain open until Friday, September 27.

Click here for more information and to register  |  Click here for the flyer  

Please contact mcanava1@jhmi.edu with any questions.

College & Career Center Newsletter

2024-25 SVHS College & Career Newsletter - Issue 1, September

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/