Good evening, Seneca Valley!!

Happy New Year! We hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday season.  As we start a new year and finish the first semester we will continue to focus on student engagement, the cell phone policy, ID policy and student well being.  Please make sure to review these with your student.

This Wednesday we will have our IB information night in the cafeteria at 6:30pm.  More information is provided below.

Please make sure you check out the rest of the newsletter for more updates from MCPS, PTSA, Boosters, etc.

Have a great Monday, week, New Year on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

Instructions on how to order Jersey Mike's online:

1) Go to GERMANTOWN Jersey Mike's website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/order/28001    

     2) Order on FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH. 

     3) In the Checkout section of your order:

• Please put PICK UP DATE/TIME AND YOUR NAME

• Under 'Notes', please put: “SVHS FUNDRAISER”

• Gift cards also count towards the fundraiser.  Please consider picking one or two up.  They make great thank you and birthday gifts.  Better yet, grab one for your next visit, and HOSA gets credit for it now!

Thank you for all your support!  

****PLEASE SHOW THIS FLYER OR MENTION THE FUNDRAISER AT CHECK OUT SO THAT WE GET CREDIT.  THANK YOU.

Join us to learn more about our IB Programs- IB Middle Years Program, IB Diploma Program, & IB Career-related Program! 

When: Wednesday, Jan. 7th at 6:30 pm *Please note, there was an error in the original date that has been updated!

Where: SVHS Cafeteria

Who: current 8th - 11th grade students & caregivers

Featuring: Our IB Middle Years Program (MYP- 9th & 10th grade), our IB Diploma Program (DP- starts in 11th grade), & IB Career-related Program (CP- starts in 11th grade)

Schedule: 

6:30: Welcome and overview of programs 

6:45: Circulate to tables, hosted by SVHS staff and students, highlighting parts of our IB Programs 

School PMD and ID Policies

Thank you to all the students who have gotten their IDs and those who are following the PMD policy.  This will continue to be our focus this year.  As a reminder here are our policies for IDs and PMDs.

Personal Mobile Device (PMD) Policy

The PMD policy is that students may use their PMD before school, during transition, lunch, and after school.  PMDs, cannot be used during instruction time.  This includes cell phones, headphones, earbuds, and personal computers.  

Student ID's

All Seneca Valley students are required to have their school ID visible at all times during the school day. Students will receive reminders throughout the day.

Students are also required to show their physical ID to enter any school events. We will no longer accept IDs shown on phones through StudentVue. 

If you have not been issued a physical ID or have lost your ID, please see Ms. Boone at the security office.  Students can get one temporary ID if they leave their ID at home.  If a student loses their ID, lanyard, or ID holder, there is a charge to replace them.  

This is to continue our efforts on the safety and well-being of students and staff, not just during our instructional day, but at school events as well. Please help us by reminding your student to carry and display their ID daily.

Montgomery College Courses at SV - Spring 2026

🎓 Montgomery College Courses at Seneca Valley – Spring 2026

Spring 2026 (beginning on January 26, 2026) registration for Montgomery College (MC) is underway! In addition, courses offered at Seneca Valley High School are live and open for registration in DualEnroll. We are offering the following two elective classes:

📚SOCY105 – Social Problems and Issues

🕑Monday & Wednesday | 1:00 – 2:30 PM

Course Description: An analysis of social problems such as social inequality, urbanization, crime, demographic change, terrorism, and environmental issues. Sociological theory and research are used to examine the impact of globalization, culture, institutions, ideology, social policy, and social movements on various societal issues.

📚BSAD 101 – Introduction to Business

🕑Mon & Wed | 1:00 – 2:30 PM

Course Description: An introductory course designed to survey the field of business and its environment in order to give the student a broad overview of the principles, practices, institutions, and functions of business. 

✅ Registration is now open in DualEnroll.com!

Seats are limited and students interested in taking MC classes should complete the

Dual Enrollment process early to secure their spot. As a reminder there is NO COST for classes or materials.

📝Students who wish to earn high school credit for their Montgomery College

courses must complete the Dual Credit form.

Please contact Mrs. Blaine at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org to obtain the form.

🏢Office: Room 2710B 

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 SY25-26 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 Seneca Valley HS families, 

Hope your 2026 is of to a great start. The PTSA wishes you a happy and healthy year ahead.

 PTSA MEETING: Join us on Tuesday, January 20th at 6:30pm via zoom (link will be provided soon). Mr. Hernlandez, our school Principal will be presenting SVHS School Improvement Plan (SIP). 

 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027 PTSA Executive Board volunteers needed 

The PTSA is looking for nominations for all Executive Board positions for the current and next school year. Unfortunately, if there are no volunteers, there will be no SVHS PTSA for the 2026-2027 school year.  Please consider becoming a volunteer for one of the roles below. The board works as a team, so you are not doing it alone. If you are interested in any of the roles below, please send an email to svhsptsapres@gmail.com. 

• President (Oversee the overall PTSA activities)

• 1st Vice President (Community Outreach)

• 2nd Vice President (Fundraising)

• Treasurer (Financial activities)

• Secretary (Administrative Support)

If being on the executive board is not your thing, the PTSA also needs help each year to lead/chair some of its committees as well. If you would like to learn more about any of the committees below, please email svhsptsapres@gmail.com.  

• Membership Committee (Involvement - beginning of the school year through early January) 

• Staff Appreciation Committee (Involvement - Several times throughout the school year)

• Fundraising Committee (Involvement - Ongoing throughout the school year)

Chantal 

Acting SVHS PTSA President (2025-2026)

SVHS Boosters

Join us Monday in the cafeteria at 6:00 pm for our next booster's meeting.

We will have concessions opened next week at our JV & Varsity football games - on Thursday & Friday evening. We can't make concessions possible without your help!

Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/ONC1i

We are currently planning our Fall Yard Sale & Vendor Event for November 1. If you are interested in participating, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/hMfziCYVZSShrc8d8

Here are the meeting notes from our most recent meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hcjZvrFw-vfZInd9slYy6GS6MyrgHDW7gfMG__mKbN8/edit?usp=sharing  

Have fresh produce delivered right to your door with the Seasonal Roots fundraiser: https://shorturl.at/yx9Vf

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

Mr. Nalda, SVHS College & Career Navigator  |  Room 2408  |  240-740-6418  |  Email

Seniors - Tracking College Admissions & Merit Scholarship Offers in Naviance

Some seniors have already started receiving college admissions decisions.  Please keep track of ALL admissions results and merit scholarships for ALL colleges you applied to in Naviance.  

MCPS asks us to keep track of acceptances and scholarship amounts.  This will also be asked as part of your Senior Exit Survey in the spring.  If you do this now, and as you receive the information, there is less for you to complete on the exit survey later!

This will help us celebrate SVHS seniors for our annual college acceptance wall!  Thank you! 

Once you hear back from colleges via email or letter, please record your results in Naviance:

• How to update admission decisions/results in Naviance:  video instructions

• If you were accepted and offered a merit scholarship, congratulations!  Here is how to add your offered scholarship in Naviance (video instructions)

  • Note:  Under $ Awarded, enter the amount.  If you see that your award is renewable, please multiply the amount by four (for four years of college).

  • If you have been offered multiple academic scholarships, you may title them by using the name of the college or the name of the scholarship.

    • For example:  “University of Florida - Merit Scholarship” OR “Trustee Scholarship - Purdue U.”  (etc.)

Continue Working on College Applications!

Reminder that the SVHS College Application Guide 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! 

All Eligible Seniors Should Complete the FAFSA

Eligible students planning to attend a college, university, or trade school can begin to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  This includes students applying to Montgomery College or trade schools.  Students need to complete the FAFSA form to be considered for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.  In addition, the state of Maryland and colleges use FAFSA information to determine a student’s eligibility for state and school aid. 

The SVHS Financial Aid Guide for Seniors is another important document for students to review.  It contains information about financial aid, how to apply, and other important resources to help you pay for college. 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• January 05 - GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program - (*deadline is 1pm on 1/6) up to $40,000; senior; U.S. Citizen; Display strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent); plan to enroll in a full‑time undergraduate course of study at an accredited 4‑year college or university in the U.S. for the entire 2026-2027 academic school year; demonstrate the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within their communities, schools, and workplaces.

• January 06 - Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship - (*deadline is 8pm on 1/6) up to $14.5 million in scholarship funding for 2026; senior;  legal U.S. resident or the dependent child of an active duty member of the U.S. military; submit a video (between 30 seconds to 2 minutes or less in length) or essay (250-500 words) about your passion and your future. 

• January 07 - Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship* - (*deadline is 5pm on 1/7) 60 awards of up to $7,500; minority high school senior; U.S. citizen; financial need; demonstrated of academic excellence; leadership potential and dedication to community service; plan to attend an accredited and approved 4-year college within or affiliated with a school in the U.S.; Have not accrued more than 25% of credits needed to graduate from college; letter of recommendation; transcript; four essays. 

• January 12 - JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest - 1-$10,000, 1-$3,000, and 5-$1,000, and 10-$100 awards; grades 9-12; write a 700-1,000 word essay describing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1917; must use five sources and include a bibliography; see link for all rules and guidelines. 

• January 15 - APIA (Asian and Pacific Islander Americans) Scholars Scholarship - (application due @ 5pm on Jan 15); $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards; senior; U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident; able to describe your ethnicity, heritage, or ancestry in relation to the countries, territories, or lands in Asia or the Pacific Islands; enroll as a degree-seeking undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in Fall 2026; essay questions; application guide and tips. 

• January 15 - Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship - (deadline is at 4pm EST on 1/9) up to $40,000 in college funding and internship opportunities at Amazon; senior; min 2.3 GPA (unweighted); U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Employment Authorized to work in the United States; have taken computer science or hardware engineering classes in high school or at a college dual program, or currently be enrolled in one (see link for details); plan to pursue a computer science or engineering degree in college (see link for list of eligible majors); can attend a two-year college and transfer; demonstrate financial need. 

• January 15 - FOSSI Scholarship - 4-year scholarships of $10,000 per year for students majoring in STEM related fields at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); senior;  U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident; complete or have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted); pursue studies in a STEM field (see link for preferred majors); have interest in pursuing a career in chemical manufacturing, engineering, environmental health and sustainability or other related chemical-industry fields; demonstrate financial need. 

• January 16 - Damascus Post 171 High School Oratorical Contest - awards ranging from $300 - $1,000 (local contest) to $25,000 at the National contest; U.S. citizen or a permanent resident; 9-12 grade; application/registration for the Post 171 contest needs to be completed and submitted by January 16th, 2026; the Post 171 contest will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Damascus American Legion Post 171 in Damascus, Maryland.

  • Read and review the following: rules and regulations; oratorical contest prepared and assigned topics. 

SVHS PTSA Scholarship

• March 30 -2026 JD Sowers Scholarship SVHS PTSA Award for Seniors - $800 award; senior; unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher throughout each year of high school; fulfilled all Student Service-Learning (SSL) hours; demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact beyond the classroom; personal statement; 2 letters of recommendation from SVHS staff members.

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

Other Opportunities

MCPS & MC Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship

Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship Program Highlights:

• Brand new program

• Open to current juniors

• Courses taken at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus

• Students will take 2 courses at MC this spring and 1 this summer

• Long term goal in apprenticeship in the industry during senior year, but not yet guaranteed.

• No cost to students

• Application due January 6, 2026

Link to Flyer: MCPS & MC Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship Flyer 2026

For questions:  

Students can email Mrs. Skufca (Kimberly_K_Skufca@mcpsmd.org) with questions or stop by room 1410.

Montgomery County Public Schools HBCU FAIR

Friday, February 13, 2026  |  6:00 - 8:30 PM  |  In Person

Universities at Shady Grove:  9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Students and families of students in grades 8-12. Come join us and learn about HBCUs and Scholarship Opportunities!

Free Admission • Giveaways

Scholarship Opportunities for current 12th grade students

Workshops on: financing college, the HBCU experience, panel discussions, college life and more!

Over 40 HBCUs and 20 scholarship organizations attending!  Registration is now open!

Click here to register  |  Click here for information & updates on schools attending  |  Click here for the flyer

College & Career Center Newsletter

2025-26 SVHS College & Career Newsletter - Issue 4, December/January

Business and Finance Offices News

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/

Library Media Center

On behalf of the Keeping It Safe Coalition, we wanted to remind you to encourage your students to participate. 

Each student that enters will receive 5 SSL hours.