Good Evening, Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  We had another great week.  Students are becoming accustomed to the Personal Mobile Device (PMD) and we have received great feedback from students and caregivers on the positive impact.  The PMD policy again is that students may use their PMD before school, during transition, lunch, and after school.  PMD, cannot be used during instruction time.  This includes cell phones, head phones, ear buds, and personal computers.  We realize this is an adjustment for everyone and we continue to work on this adjustment.

Students took their pictures last week and should now have their ID's.  Students are required to display their ID when they are at school throughout the day.  ID's are required at all MCPS sponsored events, whether it is at Seneca Valley or another school.  Again this measure 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.  Students will receive reminders throughout the day to have their ID's.  If student lose their ID, lanyard or pouch their is a charge to replace them.  They would need to see security in order to do so.

Wednesday in Eagle Time this week students will continue to take part in MCPS's mandatory Student Expectations lessons.  Students will need their chromebooks and will be provided instructions and guidance from their 3rd period teachers. Students will earn 3 SSL hours once they complete both modules!

I also want to remind everyone that we are a closed campus.  Students are not permitted to leave campus during lunch unless they are leaving for the day.  Students who do leave and return to school will meet with an administrator.  Again this is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff throughout the day.

Finally attendance and being on time matter.  Students have excessive tardies or unexcused absences will be notified this week that they will not be permitted to attend the opening football game this week versus Sherwood.  Students make sure you are in class on time everyday!

Have a great Monday, and week on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

From Montgomery County Public Schools:

Next Round of Boundary Study Options Meetings Set for October

The MCPS community is invited to participate in upcoming public information meetings for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School boundary study and the opening of Crown High School and the expansion of the Damascus High School boundary study. In these sessions, the next round of proposed boundary options for the 2027-2028 school year will be presented, including accompanying maps, articulation patterns, data tables and an interactive map tool. MCPS will also share surveys for each boundary study so that attendees can provide meaningful feedback after exploring the options and accompanying resources. See the opportunities to attend a virtual or in-person session.
MCPS Boundary Study webpage

Honoring Our Best, Building What's Next

MCPS is proposing a transformative new model for our local and regional programs, launching in the 2027-2028 school year. This vision marks a fundamental shift from a model of scarcity to one of abundance, ensuring all students have direct access to the outstanding opportunities they deserve.
Our goal is clear: Maintain what works, and build a more equitable and accessible future for all. Read more.

Informational One-pager

Remind, ParentSquare, ParentVUE–What’s the Difference?

We know that you may still have questions about the different platforms for school communication. We’ve created this resource to help clarify the difference and answer your questions. Additional resources and guides can be found on the Technology Information and Support for Parents webpage. 

Help Shape Next Year’s School Calendar—Share Your Input!

MCPS is seeking input as it works to develop the 2026-2027 school calendar. Please complete this survey to share your feedback. Your input represents an important component of the development process. The survey will close on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Take it today!

Have You Submitted Your Free and Reduced-price Meal (FARMS) Application Yet?

Apply online for meal benefits today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year. MCPS encourages all families who may be eligible to apply. Please submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed for all students in a household. For more information, visit the Division of Food and Nutrition Services website.

To do: Share the story, Share the application

Job Fair for Bus Drivers Set for Sept. 18

MCPS is hosting a job fair for bus drivers from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. The fair will be held at the Shady Grove Transportation Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville.
To become a bus driver, the minimum qualifications are:

• Must be at least 21 years old.

• Have a clean driving history; no more than one point on driver’s license.

• Have at least three years of driving experience, with at least one year driving in the U.S.

• Meet all pre-service training and testing requirements.

Interested candidates are asked to create a profile on the MCPS Careers portal. For more information, call 240-740-6080.

Future Ready Conversations: EdTalk Premieres Sept. 12

Smiles, education and inspiration—don’t miss the first episode of EdTalk on Friday, Sept. 12. Anne Khademian, executive director of The Universities at Shady Grove; Kate Stewart, president of the Montgomery County Council, and Julie Yang, president of the Board of Education, will discuss Future Ready Education. Find out more during the premiere on Sept. 12.

Registration Now Open for Saturday School

Registration for the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., also known as Saturday School, is open for the 2025–2026 school year. Saturday School provides K–12 academic support programs in math and English/Language Arts. There are in-person and virtual options.
Saturday School’s opening session is Sept. 20; the first tutoring session is Sept. 27. The curriculum is aligned with MCPS and is taught by certified teachers.
The annual cost is $85 and $40 for families eligible for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS). Registration and more information

Ignite your Future with the Girls With Impact

Interested in building your public speaking stills or growing as a leader? MCPS is partnering with Girls With Impact to offer MCPS young women in Grades 9–12 a free 10-week course in business, leadership and entrepreneurship. Classes begin Monday, Sept. 29. Learn more and sign up today. Read how this program impacted the lives of three students.

Bus Routes

2025-26 school bus routes are now available on the MCPS website and on the Seneca Valley High School website under School Information on the left side of the main page. 

Visit the MCPS Department of Transportation website for transportation news and the latest updates!

Students and families should also review the important Ride by the Rules safety guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation.

Ride by the Rules - Bus Safety and Guidelines for Students & Parents

BTSN was a great event! In case you were not able to attend, feel free to check out our department resources and websites  shared with families and students that evening. Also, please make sure you provide us feedback if you did attend using the links are below. Let us know how we're doing!

SSL Opportunities!

For all things SSL at SVHS, please visit the Seneca Valley Counseling Services website and navigate to the SSL tab on the left side. There you’ll find lots of information including:

• Translated 2025–2026 SSL Messages for Students and Families 

• Student Service Learning HUB for MCPS Students and Families

• Steps to ensure your SSL activity is pre-approved

• A video on how to fill out your SSL form (MCPS form 560-51) (make sure it's fully completed and signed!)

• ⭐️ NEW ⭐️ the Google form to submit your SSL form (MCPS form 560-51) SVHS SSL Submission Form 

If you’re having trouble with the Google form, you can drop off completed paperwork at the Counseling Office or email it to me, Mrs. Duffy at Paulina_M_Duffy@mcpsmd.org 

Be sure to include: your student ID and "SSL Form" in the subject line.

Please note: SSL hours are updated regularly and should appear in your student account by the end of each grading period.

Let’s make those hours count!

Thank you! 

Mrs. Duffy

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,

I hope everyone is well and has or is getting back into the daily routine of having your child/children back at school. The first couple weeks can be challenging, but we are parents/guardians got this! The PTSA, the school and us as a community are always here to help. 

Event Reminders:

Tuesday, September 9th, 5:00pm-9:00pm: Restaurant Night Fundraiser: Please come support the Seneca Valley HS PTSA for our first fundraiser of the new school year. Order in-store showing the flyer or order online using code F79J67H (see flyer below)

September 16th: Our first PTSA member meeting will be held in the Media Center at 6:30. Please join us to hear more about our upcoming school year and to vote on this year’s budget. We hope to see you there.

The PTSA is still looking for volunteers to serve as a PTSA president, Treasurer and Secretary. Please reach out to svhsptsapres@gmail.com or come to the PTSA meeting to learn more. 

Join the SVHS PTSA! Visit the SVHS PTSA Store. 

Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the SVHS community? Join the PTSA Facebook page where you can ask and have your questions answered: SVHS PTSA Facebook Page

Not on Facebook, SVHS also has a WhatsApp chat group: WhatsApp chat  

Chantal Falade

SVHS, 2005-2026 Acting PTSA President

#SVPROUD.

SVHS Boosters

Next week will be BUSY!  There's an opportunity every night to help in concessions & we'd love to see you there!!!

Upcoming events:

9/15 - Boys Soccer vs Northwest 

JV 5:30/Varsity 7:15 pm

9/17 - Girls Soccer vs Watkins Mill 

JV 5:30/Varsity 7:15 pm

9/18 - Varsity Football vs Gaithersburg 6:30 pm

9/19 - Fockey vs Northwest 

JV 5:30/Varsity 7:00 pm

9/20 - JV Football vs Gaithersburg 10:00 am

Many hands make light work, sign up here:

https://shorturl.at/ONC1i

Join us for our first Boosters meeting of the year on Monday, September 22 @ 6 pm in the Cafeteria!

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

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

https://shorturl.at/yx9Vf

Best,

Tisha Chrobak

Seneca Valley High School Booster President 2024-2027

Not a member yet?  Join here: https://square.link/u/7qiWt8kq

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 12, 2025.

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 12, 2025. If you need to change your decision at a later date, just contact your school directly.

If you enroll after September 12, 2025, 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 12, 2025.

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

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

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.  

As students are starting their applications, we are noticing some of you are not completing all of the steps in order.  For example, matching your Naviance account to your Common Application account.  Also, signing and agreeing to the FERPA waiver.  These important first steps need to be completed before being able to proceed with many of the other steps, including requesting letters of recommendation.     

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

Feel free to reach out to Mr. Nalda if you have any questions.

College & Career Representative Visits in the College & Career Center

College Representative Visits

Juniors & Seniors are invited to participate in college rep visits to SVHS to learn more about colleges and universities.  Representatives come to SVHS to talk about their schools and answer questions.  Advantages of participating in college visits:

• Meeting the contact from a college or university.  Many times, these are the same people reviewing your application!

• Learning in-depth information about the school, their program offerings, and financial aid.

• In some cases, colleges may offer insight on how to receive a fee waiver.

To attend a college visit, students must register in Naviance (click to learn how) and have permission from their teacher in order to attend.  It is the responsibility of each student to make-up any work they may miss.  Unless noted, visits will take place in the College & Career Center, Room #2408.

Before signing up, think about the following:  Does the college have your major?  Can you afford to miss class that day to attend?  How many visits have you already made this week?

Career Visits

Mr. Nalda also schedules local organizations, employers, and military branches who are looking to hire or offer opportunities to Seneca Valley students.  Many times, these visits will take place in the SVHS Cafeteria during lunch and students can stop by anytime to learn more. 

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

This Week’s College & Career Center Visits:

• The George Washington University - Mon September 8 @ 8:45 AM

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Mon September 8 @ 9:40 AM

• Brown University - Mon September 8 @ 10:30 AM

• Gettysburg College - Tue September 9 @ 10:30 AM

• Lincoln University - Tue September 9 @ 12:05 PM

• American University - Tue September 9 @ 12:55 PM

• Bowie State University - Wed September 10 @ 8:40 AM

• Boston University - Thu September 11 @ 9:40 AM

• University of Maryland-Baltimore County - Thu September 11 @ 10:30 AM

• Hofstra University - Thu September 11 @ 12:05 PM 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• September 10 - California Freethought Day Video Scholarship - 2-$750 awards; currently attend a middle school (grades 7-8), high school (grades 9-12), college (any level), or trade school; be a resident of the United States; plan to pursue (or currently pursuing) postsecondary education at a community college, four-year college, trade school, or vocational school; create a public post that responds to the above prompt and share it on either Threads, X (Twitter), Instagram, or TikTok, tagging us (@FreethoughtDay) and using the hashtag #ScholarshipPSA; the entry must be in the form of a video (live-action or animated) between 30-60 seconds in length.

• September 15 - The Gates Scholarship - scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid; senior; US citizen, national, or permanent resident; min 3.3 GPA; for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households; financial need; pell-eligible; must enroll full-time in a four-year degree program; outstanding academic record; demonstrated leadership; personal success skills.

• September 15 - Breakthrough Junior Challenge - winner will receive a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, $50,000 for a math or science teacher that has inspired them, and $100,000 for their school's renovation or addition of a science lab; available to students 13-18 years old; students must create a short, two-minute maximum video explaining a big idea in one of the following fields: physics, mathematics, or life sciences; additionally, you must perform a peer-to-peer review of five other student submissions; film entry can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, etc.; see link full rules and details.

• September 15 - The Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship - $1,500 award; high school seniors and undergraduate students; must be a U.S citizen who is at least 16 years old; min 3.0 GPA; planning to enroll full-time at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school within the United States; must submit an essay or video on the topic provided by the sponsor.

Full-Ride Scholarships to Note

• September 30 - 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). 

• November 12 - The Cooke College Scholarship Program - multiple awards of up to $55,000/year to attend a four-year school; senior; min. 3.75 GPA (un-weighted); judged on persistence, service to others, and leadership; essays, letters of recommendation; financial need (will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000); students can apply via Common App. 

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

Other Opportunities

How to Make your Common App Strong

Need tips or guidance with completing your Common Application?  Did you miss the session on September 3rd?  Here is a recording of Jordan Kanarek’s presentation.

Recording Link:  

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPD2KvzIdAM&feature=youtu.be

SVHS Class of 2026 College Information Night

Save the Date!

Tuesday, September 9th 6:30-7:30

Attention Seneca Valley Seniors and families,

Please join the Seneca Valley Counseling Services team for our annual College Information Night on Tuesday, September 9 from 6:30-7:30 PM .  This will be an in-person meeting in the SVHS Auditorium.

Important information will be shared about the college application process, using Naviance and the Common App, requesting letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, service academies, financial aide, scholarships, and more.

Please plan to attend this important meeting! We're looking forward to seeing you there! 

Click here for the flyer

College & Career Center Newsletter

• 2025-26 SVHS College & Career Newsletter - Issue 1, September

News from the Business and Finance Offices 

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 News:

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm; Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Students can also eat lunch in designated areas.

The LMC is buzzing with activity this fall! We have several ways for students to get creative and relax.

• Maker Space: Students are invited to repurpose old books into creative fall creatures, build with LEGOs, or take a coloring brain break.

• Hispanic Heritage Month: To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, students can help decorate and create their own Papel Picado.

All freshmen have participated in our LMC 9th-Grade Orientation. Please note the updated MCPS Financial Obligations on slide 27 of the presentation (linked HERE)

 Please feel free to contact Ms. Hickman our School Library Media Specialist with any questions or concerns.