Good Evening Seneca Valley Community,

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  Sunday was a great day, still windy but great. 

We have a busy week ahead, please see below:

4/16/24 - Tuesday - Safety Day using SEL schedule information has been sent through email. 

4/17/24 - Wednesday - NO SEL. SMOB elections through English classes.

4/18/24 - Thursday - Homeroom after 3rd period with Class meeting schedule 

             - Report cards in HR

4/19/24 - Friday - Health Fair through PE and Math classes. 

Please see messages from the Boosters regarding officers, and the PTSA regarding Prom and after Prom.

Have a great day and week, on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

Summer School Information

Registration for Session 1 of MCPS Summer School is going on now! Students have multiple options for taking summer classes this year, including in-person classes at Seneca Valley (Regional Summer School) and virtual/online classes (Central Summer School). Students may take up to 2 classes per session (either one in-person and one online class, or two online classes). Session 1 runs from June 26-July 16.

Who is eligible? Any MCPS high school student in need of replacing or taking original credit for graduation required courses. Course requests will be approved by each student’s counselor to ensure proper course enrollment.

How do I register? Parent & guardians will register their student through ParentVUE.

When is the deadline to register? The registration deadline for Session 1 is May 31. 

Where can I find more information? Comprehensive information can be found here:https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/extendedhours/summerschool/

If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's Counselor. 

Ian Yarmus

Resource Counselor

Seneca Valley High School

240-740-6428

Calling All Student Eagles!

We want to hear from you! Please share your experiences and thoughts on academics, communication, and overall satisfaction with Seneca Valley High School. We want to improve our teaching and make our school a more welcoming place for all students, staff and families. Please complete the student survey below as soon as possible!

https://stud.mcpsmd.org/

Drew Hensley

Assistant Principal

Seneca Valley High School

Seneca Valley Caregivers of Seniors:

Your Senior is less than two months away from graduating from Seneca Valley High School. There are important items in this message;

• Your student's graduation package - the payment for the ceremony, venue, cap and gown, t-shirt, stole, picnic, and sundry other items - has been attached to your student's School Cash Online (SCO) account as an obligation.  

• The grad package is $80 this year - lowered from last year because of good fundraising efforts! Your student must pay their grad package fee or will be in jeopardy of not participating in the graduation ceremony and not attending prom. 

• If you have questions about how to pay the fee, please contact the finance office as soon as possible. All seniors should have provided the cap and gown size to Josten's by now. If not, please contact one of the senior sponsors. 

Thank you for your time and efforts in getting your student to walk across that stage!

How to pay on School Cash Online:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JU4Yo3vIhK2hiPasss8VmnTIFkTnf06k9gspCaXo0lo/edit?usp=sharing

Monique Riddick

School Business Administrator

Seneca Valley High School

Senior Graduation Status Letters

Over the last few weeks all families of seniors should have received a letter from Seneca Valley Counseling Services with a detailed description of your student's graduation status. The status update includes their remaining course credits needed (including the classes in which they are enrolled to earn those credits), remaining SSL hours needed, and any remaining state (MCAP) testing required.

If you have any questions about your senior's graduation status, or if you haven't received your letter, please reach out to their School Counselor and they will be happy to review with you. You can find Counselor caseloads and contact info here: SVHS Counseling Website

Ian Yarmus

Resource Counselor

Seneca Valley High School

240-740-6428

2nd Semester Student Parking Applications are now available!

SVHS STUDENT PARKING INFORMATION

Students interested in applying for a parking permit must read and review the following document carefully: 

• Student Parking Information

Please note that as part of the parking permit application process, the following forms must be completed and submitted for approval:

• Student Parking Application Form (online form)

• Parent/Guardian Request for Student Use of Private Vehicle Form (must be signed and uploaded into the online form above)

Monique Riddick

School Business Administrator

Seneca Valley High School

19401 Crystal Rock Drive

Germantown, MD 20874

240-740-6413

Dual Enrollment/Jump Start to College

If your child is interested in taking Dual Enrollment/ Jump Start to College classes next year and has not filled out an application yet, now is the time! Please email Stacey Blaine at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org or see Mrs. Blaine in Room 2107B. Dual enrollment is open to students in all grades and is completely free! There are more than 500 classes to choose from.  Registration for Fall 2024 will begin on April 29th.

Stacey Blaine

Part-time Dual Enrollment Program Assistant

Seneca Valley High School

Room 2107B

Message from the PTSA

PTSA Meeting: We look forward to seeing you at our PTSA meeting on Tuesday, April 16th from 6:30pm-to-8:00pm via zoom only. Your voice is valuable and it matters! This is a great opportunity for parents, guardians, and students to provide feedback, express concerns, or just ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there! Below you will find Tuesday’s meeting link:

SVHS PTSA Meeting

Time: April 16, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7913918394?omn=82241910342 <--click here

A huge thank you to all who went out and supported our restaurant night at Chic Fil A last Wednesday. 

After Prom: We are delighted to announce that this year's After Prom will take place at Seneca Valley High School on May 3, 2024 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM. We have planned an array of exciting activities, including a moon bounce, video game truck, laser tag, live DJ, airbrush tattoo booth, and professional photographer to capture all the special moments. It promises to be an evening of old Hollywood elegance and enjoyment that you and your child won't want to miss.

If your child is interested in attending this event, please ensure that the After Prom Waiver is completed. This allows us to prioritize safety, and accurately budget for food, games, and prizes.  Tickets for After Prom are priced at $10.00 per student and can be conveniently purchased using the following link. Proceeds from ticket sales will directly contribute towards covering the costs of food and activities for the After Prom event.

In addition to ticket sales, we are organizing a fundraiser to enhance the After Prom experience for this year's attendees and to lay the groundwork for future events. We kindly request donations from our supportive community to help offset expenses such as decorations, entertainment, and other essential elements of this year's event. To contribute to the class of 2024 or participate in our raffle, please visit the fundraising link provided here.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and commitment to our students' well-being. Together, we can ensure that this year's After Prom is the best one yet!

Warm regards, Seneca Valley High School PTSA and the SVHS After Prom Committee

Connect with the SVHS community by joining the PTSA’s  Facebook page. 

Got Questions for the PTSA? Please feel free to email us at svhsptsapres@gmail.com 

Have a great week! 

SVHS PTSA 💚💛

We’re #SVPROUD!

Thanks,

Chantal

Dear Seneca Valley High School Community,

Are you passionate about supporting our school's athletic and extracurricular programs? Do you have leadership skills and a desire to make a positive impact? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

The Seneca Valley High School Boosters is currently seeking individuals to fill the roles of President and Secretary on our Board. As key members of our organization, the President and Secretary play vital roles in shaping the direction of our efforts to support our student athletes and school community.

As President, you will have the opportunity to lead the Boosters in strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and community outreach efforts. You will work closely with fellow board members, athletic directors, coaches, and volunteers to ensure the success of our programs.

As Secretary, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of meetings, managing communications, and assisting with administrative tasks. Your attention to detail and organizational skills will be invaluable in helping the Boosters achieve our goals.

No prior experience is necessary for these positions, as training will be provided to support you in your role. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our school and support our students in their extracurricular endeavors.

The deadline to apply for these positions is May 15, 2024. To express your interest or learn more about the responsibilities and expectations associated with these roles, please contact boosterssenecavalley@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming individuals who are eager to join us in our mission to enhance the Seneca Valley High School experience for all students. Together, we can make a difference!

Message from the Boosters

WE NEED YOUR HELP  

The Boosters have two board positions open.  Our secretary position will be elected by our membership in May and our president position will be appointed by our board members in June. Please consider serving on our board - email boosterssenecavalley@gmail  or robduda@verizon.net

The entire Boosters organization thanks you for supporting our mulch sale. It was a tremendous success, and we look forward to next year.

This week's events:   

4/15/2024 MONDAY - JV/V Girls Lacrosse Einstein at Seneca Valley 5:30 pm/ 7:00 pm

    Girls Tennis Kennedy at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm

                                       Varsity Baseball Quince Orchard at Seneca Valley 5 pm

                                       Varsity Softball Whitman at Seneca Valley 3:45 pm

4/16/2024 TUESDAY - Outdoor Track Damascus and Poolesville at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm SR NIGHT

4/17/2024 WEDNESDAY - JV/V Boys Lacrosse B-CC at Seneca Valley 5:30 pm/7:15 pm

   JV Baseball Gaithersburg at Seneca Valley 5 pm

    Boys Tennis Springbrook at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm

4/18/2024 THURSDAY - JV Softball Einstein at Seneca Valley 3:45 pm

4/19/2024 FRIDAY - Boys/Coed Volleyball Clarksburg at Seneca Valley 5:30 pm/7:00 pm

            Girls Tennis Watkins Mill at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm SR NIGHT

4/20/2024 SATURDAY - JV Softball Blair at Seneca Valley 10 am

        Varsity Baseball Clarksburg at Seneca Valley 2 pm

        Girls Lacrosse JV clarksburg at SV- V Kennedy at Seneca Valley 12:00 pm 

JOIN THE BOOSTERS:

2023-2024 Booster Membership is now open to join!

Please use this QR code or link to sign up and send your $15 membership fee

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

Membership gives you voting rights for decisions in Boosters, changes, and how to disperse money to clubs and athletics. You will also receive a Seneca Valley bumper sticker.

Sign up genius is LIVE for our winter season:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4fadaf2ca1fc1-svhs#/

Please know that Boosters needs a ton of volunteerism and in turn, this allows our clubs and teams to achieve requested grants.

Visit us on social media!

IG: #seneca_boosters and #stormtheeagle

Facebook: Seneca Valley HS Boosters

Twitter: @svhsbooster

Thank you,

Rob Duda SVHS Booster President 2023-2024

Visit us on our social media sites: 

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0e4fadaf2ca1fc1-svhs

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/senecavalleyhs/activities/boosterclub/ 

ATL Workshop Series 

As part of our EOS work, we will be hosting a series of ATL student workshops during lunch in room 1601 to support student skill development. These workshops are open to all students.

• Workshop topic & date: Effective Note-taking on April 11 

• Students should register using the QR code below or bitly (https://bit.ly/SVHSATLworkshop).

Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center

2024–25 FAFSA/MHEC Info & Updates

I just learned in a meeting that students should (hopefully) be able to make corrections to their FAFSA at some point next week.  This includes being able to fix errors related to missing signatures and/or consent.  Try logging in at some point next week to see if you can make any corrections.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is working with higher education institutions across Maryland to have a timeline in place for the awarding process of state funds to eligible applicants.

MHEC anticipates that the first round of awards will be completed by May 1 including all eligible applicants who have completed a FAFSA by April 15.  

Eligible applicants who have completed the FAFSA by May 1 are anticipated to be awarded by May 15.

Eligible applicants who complete the FAFSA by May 15 (i.e. priority deadline date) will be guaranteed to be awarded.

https://mhec.maryland.gov/Pages/MHEC-Update-on-FAFSA-Delay.aspx

https://mhec.maryland.gov/Pages/FAFSA-changes.aspx

Even though the deadline has been extended, I would still encourage students to submit their FAFSA or MSFAA (MHEC One) as soon as possible.  Review the 2023-24 SV Financial Aid Guide for Seniors for more information and instructions.

Upcoming Scholarships 

• April 15 -  Lavinia Engle Scholarship Fund - grants are for one year (renewable) and range in size from $500 to $3,500; senior; female; resident of Montgomery County, MD for at least three years; enrolled in or enrolling for a first undergraduate degree at a Maryland college or university; copy of your high school and/or college transcript; two letters of recommendation; copy of the first two pages of the current income tax return of the person (or persons) who supports you; one page written essay about your goals in life or what you hope to achieve through your education; small photograph of yourself; click here for application instructions, eligibility requirements, and more information.

• April 15 - The Alex Popeck Never Back Down Foundation Scholarship - $2,500 awards; senior; two letters of recommendation (counselors, coaches, clergy, employers, teachers and supervisors are acceptable recommenders), participate in extra-curricular activities; submit a written personal statement/essay (1,500 words or fewer); see application for details.

• April 15 - Kao Kalia Yang Scholarship - $5,000 awards; senior; blood descendants of Hmong race or ethnically identified as Hmong American (with a citizenship or as a permanent resident); minimum 2.8 GPA (unweighted); attend a University or Community College as a 1st year student in Fall 2024; household income at or below the Federal/State/County Low Income Level (must be able to show 2022 or 2023 tax return if selected); recommender form; official transcript; online interview (finalists).  

• April 15 - Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund Scholarship- 10-$7,500 awards; senior; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card) and direct blood descendant of a Taiwanese citizen; minimum 3.0 GPA (unweighted); attend a University or College as a 1st or 2nd year student in Fall 2024; household income at or below the Federal/State/County Low Income Level (must be able to show 2022 or 2023 tax return if selected); three references; official transcript.  

• April 15 - Dunkin' Baltimore/Metro DC Regional Scholarship - up to fifty $2,500 awards; seniors who plan to enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire 2024-2025 academic year; min 3.0 GPA (unweighted); Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of: academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, a statement of educational and career goals and objectives, unusual personal or family circumstances, an online recommendation; transcript.

• April 15 - Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo's Legislative Scholarship - senior; must be a resident of District 15- Montgomery County (check http://www.mdelect.net to verify that you live in District 15); you and your parents (if you are a dependent student) must be Maryland residents; you must enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university full-time or part-time, or attend certain private career schools; all majors are eligible; see application for all scholarship requirements.

• April 17 - Georges Lieber Essay Contest on Resistance* - *(deadline is 8pm on 4/17) awards ranging from $250 - $1,000; grades 9-12; in 3,000 words, you are encouraged to raise questions, single out issues, and identify dilemmas involving resistance. 

• April 19 - Damascus American Legion Post 171 Auxiliary General Scholarship Grant   - two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each; senior; citizen of the United States; be a female graduating senior in the upper 50% of the class who attends a full-time and accredited postsecondary academic instruction, accredited vocational, trade or business school in the fall; not have accepted an appointment to a service academy or have received any other grants or scholarships (including RTOC awards) exceeding $10,000 total (does not include Guaranteed Student Loans); brief essay; three letters of recommendation; flyer.

• April 19 - Damascus American Legion Post 171 Past Presidents Parley Medical Scholarship - one scholarship in the amount of $1,000; senior; attend or will attend an accredited postsecondary academic instruction who needs financial assistance in order to attend an accredited school for medical training; brief essay; three letters of recommendation; flyer.

• April 20 - The Links, Inc. Silver Spring (MD) Chapter: High School Scholarships - senior; Montgomery County resident; min. 3.5 GPA by end of junior year; accepted into a four-year accredited US college/university as a full-time student; unofficial transcript;  typed 250-300 word personal essay; color (headshot) photograph; signed letter of recommendation from school counselor or teacher; resume; see application for all details and requirements.

• April 20 - The Links, Inc. Silver Spring (MD) Chapter: High School Scholarships - senior; Montgomery County resident; min. 3.5 GPA by end of junior year; accepted into a four-year accredited US college/university as a full-time student; unofficial transcript;  typed 250-300 word personal essay; color (headshot) photograph; signed letter of recommendation from school counselor or teacher; resume; see application for all details and requirements.

• April 20 - The Links, Inc. Silver Spring Chapter: Vocational/Technical School/Community College Scholarships - senior; accepted into a vocational/technical school or two-year community college; unofficial transcript;  typed 250-300 word personal essay; color (headshot) photograph; signed letter of recommendation from school counselor or teacher; resume; see application for all details and requirements.

• April 20 - Kappa Youth & Community Foundation Scholarship - senior; African American male student of color living in Montgomery County; min 2.5 GPA; active in extra-curricular activities or work-related activity; copy of college acceptance letter(s); the transcript; essay; two letters of recommendation; current photo.

April 25 - Seneca Valley High School Boosters Scholarship (deadline is 12pm on 4/25!) - five (5) $1,000.00 scholarships; qualifying senior student athletes or club members who have demonstrated superior academic performance and athleticism or club participation in their senior year; min 3.0 GPA (unweighted) at the end of their first semester during senior year; must pursue post high school education; SVHS Booster Eligibility Criteria Page; transcript; 250-500 word essay; submit application to Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center.

May 03 - JD Sowers Scholarship Award (SVHS PTSA) - $800 award from the SVHS PTSA; SVHS senior; unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher throughout each year of high school; fulfilled all Student Service Learning (SSL) hours; personal statement; transcript; two letters of recommendation; see application link for list of questions and prompts. 

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

Next Week’s College Rep Visits to SVHS

Juniors & Seniors can sign up to attend via Naviance.  Click to learn how.

• Quinnipiac University - Tue April 16 @ 10:30 AM

• Camp Sonshine, Lunch Visit (Summer Opportunities) - Tue April 16 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM

  • *No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the SVHS cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn about summer job or SSL opportunities (Assistant Counselor Positions) from Camp Sonshine.

• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania - Tue April 16 @ 12:05 PM  

Other Info & Opportunities

Class of 2024 Financial Aid Virtual Information Night

Wednesday, April 17, 2024  |  6:30PM

College financial aid awards can be confusing and overwhelming. At this webinar, Rob Maddox, Director of the St. Mary's College of Maryland Office of Student Financial Services, will pull apart the mystery and help you understand what your financial aid award letters mean, and how to interpret them and apply the information to your family's situation in a meaningful way so you can make a smart decision about which colleges you can afford.

Hosted by Magruder High School.  All MCPS seniors & families are welcome!

Click here to register  |  Click here for the flyer

Job Fair, Westfield Montgomery Mall - April 20

Saturday, April 20, 2024  |  1:00PM to 4:00PM

Multiple retailers as well as Community partners including but not limited to MCPD, Gaithersburg Police, BBCRS, Rockville City Police, Emergency 911 and more will be coming out for hiring and recruiting opportunities  for part-time, full-time as well as some holiday hours.

Click here for the flyer

Summer Junior Leader Program - Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Germantown Branch 

Summer SSL opportunity for rising 9th graders-12th graders! We are calling all Junior Leaders to apply for our Summer Junior Leader program! Junior Leaders are volunteer club members (going into the 9th grade - 12th grade) who are interested in learning leadership skills and skills to work with youth. Each Junior Leader will be assigned to a Camp Counselor that they will assist with daily activities. The Junior Leader program allows our teen members to have an amazing summer, gain work experience and training, while earning SSL hours. 

All applicants must submit a completed application packet (application, essay, and 3 letters of recommendation) due by Friday, April 26, 2024. 

Click here for more information and the link to the application

Maryland CareerQuest ‘24

APRIL 29, 2024  |  10:00 AM - 1:00 PM  |  LIVE HOTEL

CareerQuest ’24 is Maryland’s largest career expo, connecting high school students, adult learners, and veterans with over 20 leading career schools, community colleges, and employers across various industries, offering career planning and financial aid workshops.

CareerQuest '24 is more than just an expo; it's a launching pad for your career. With more than 20 career schools and community colleges in attendance, along with industry leaders from key sectors, this event is your opportunity to: 

• Explore Careers

• Attend Presentations

• Network with Professionals and Peers

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

Internships, Summer Programs, and Pre-College Programs

Internships, summer programs, and pre-college programs are a great way for student to explore post-high school options and gain valuable experience they can add to their resume.  Many summer programs have spring application deadlines, so start searching soon if you may be interested!  Explore the many options and opportunities from the list below:

• Summer Programs & Internships - List of summer programs and internships created by MCPS College & Career Information Coordinators.

Do you have questions about internships or would you like to learn more?  Please reach out to the internship coordinator at SVHS, Ms. Kim Skufca. 

Book Club Updates: Readers, be sure to submit Black-Eyed Susan book evaluations; access the form through the Book Clubs flag in the virtual SVLMC. 🌻

Upcoming Events in the LMC:

• Tuesday, April 16th - Book Club discussion of The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow during lunch

• Tuesday, April 23rd - Black-Eyed Susan Book Award voting before school

• Thursday, April 25th - Take Your Child to Work Day activity stations all day

• Friday, April 26th - Poetry Month Contest Entries due by 3:00 pm

• Monday, April 29th - Poetry Month Contest winner awarded during lunch