Good Evening Seneca Valley Community,

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  We have a busy week, please find the schedule for testing below.

We will start our state testing season this week.

Our Test days are the following…

•                     5/1 – LS-MISA

•                     52 – GOVERNMENT NSL

•                     5/16 - ALGEBRA

•                     5/21 – ELA10 (English) (DAY 1)

•                     5/22 – ELA10 (DAY 2)

•                     5/28 – MAP - MATH

•                     5/30 – MAP - READING

We will have a modified test bell schedule to accommodate for testing.

BELL SCHEDULES

All students who are scheduled to take the MISA and NSL have received emails about their testing location.

Friday is the Prom, we want to make sure that everyone is safe and has a great time!

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

2024-25 Course Requests Review

It is hard to believe that this school year is almost over, and School Counselors are already working hard to prepare for a fantastic year at SV next year! In preparation for the 2024-25 school year, students and families are encouraged to review their student course requests by visiting the “Course Request” tab on StudentVUE or ParentVUE. A reminder that at this point, these are course requests, and not actual schedules. If you have any questions about your course requests, please reach out to your student’s Counselor and they will be happy to assist. 

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

FREE SAFETY DAY EVENT – For the entire family!

Event Attractions: Moon Bounce, G0-Carts, Bikes & Scooter Rides, Face Paint, Balloon Twist, Games, Prizes and SO MUCH MORE!!

Website- Pedestrian Safety Day (montgomerycountymd.gov)

Safety Day 2024

Date: Saturday, May 11th

Time: 11:00am-3:00pm

Location: 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville (Parking Lot)

FREE SHUTTLES  

There will be free shuttle buses (school buses) picking up attendees from the following high schools:

• John F Kennedy High School

• Seneca Valley High School

• Walter Johnson High School

Pick-ups start at 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The last drop off is 1:30 pm. These buses will run approximately every 30 minutes during the event

Thanks,

Duwan A. Morris

Planning Specialist III, Traffic Engineering Studies Section

Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations

Montgomery County Department of Transportation

100 Edison Park Drive, 4th Fl

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Office Phone : 240-777-7169

Cell : 240-812-2671

email  Duwan.morris@montgomerycountymd.gov

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

Registration for Fall 2024 is now open! 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 for more information 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!  Seneca Valley will be holding 3 college classes during 7th & 8th periods and in addition there are more than 500 classes to choose from on campus and online. 

Stacey Blaine

Part-time Dual Enrollment Program Assistant

Seneca Valley High School

Room 2107B

Message from the PTSA

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:   

4/29/2024 MONDAY Boys Lacrosse Watkins Mill at Seneca Valley 7:15 pm

          Boys Volleyball Springbrook at Seneca Valley 5:30 pm

             Coed Volleyball Springbrook at Seneca Valley 7 pm

          Girls Lacrosse Watkins Mill at Seneca Valley 5:30 pm

4/30/2024 TUESDAY Varsity Baseball Damascus at Seneca Valley 3:45 pm sr night

5/1/2024 WEDNESDAY Varsity Softball Wootton at Seneca Valley 3:45 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/ 

Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center

Financial Aid - Next Steps

Many students are asking what the next steps may be for financial aid or what they should be doing as they prepare to commit to a college or weigh their college options.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) / Federal Aid - Monitor your FAFSA account, and check on any potential aid you have been awarded (Pell Grant) via the FAFSA Submission Summary.

• MHEC (Maryland Higher Education Commission) / State Aid - Monitor your MDCAPS account if you are considering any schools in Maryland, including Montgomery College.

  • See if your FAFSA has been received by MHEC, which happens automatically via your social security number.  You will know this by looking at the bottom of the main menu in your MDCAPS account.  It will turn green and say received for 2024-25.  

  • If you are given an award from the state, you will receive an email from MHEC, and be able to follow-up on additional steps via your MDCAPS account if required.

• School-based forms - Once you have committed to a college or university, fill out any necessary forms for that school.  Monitor your email or online portal/account to check what may need to be completed and what the deadline(s) may be.

• Scholarships - Continue to look for and apply to scholarships!  

If students have yet to fill out their FAFSA, I would strongly encourage them to complete ASAP!  This includes students planning to attend Montgomery College or a trade/vocational school.

Review the 2023-24 SV Financial Aid Guide for Seniors for more information and instructions. 

College Admissions & Merit Scholarship Offers - Please Update in Naviance!

Many seniors have already received college admissions decisions.  If you plan to attend a college or university in the fall, this is a reminder to keep track of ALL admissions results and merit scholarships for ALL colleges you applied to in Naviance.  

Once you have decided what your plans are and which school you plan to attend, please also indicate that in Naviance!  This is important as we use this information to know where to send your final transcript!

Adding/updating admission decisions in Naviance  |  Adding scholarships to Naviance 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• April 30 - High Bridge Foundation Scholarship - two (2) $4,000 Impact Awards, five (5) $2,000 Scholarship Awards and seven (7) $1,000 Book Awards; senior; for students who are facing and overcoming personal & family hardship conditions (including financial); min 3.0 GPA (those under may apply if they demonstrate academic progress given hardship conditions); attend a trade school, community college, four-year college and/or university full time in the fall; community service; leadership. 

• April 30 - Delegate Lily Qi Scholarship - senior; must be a resident of District 15- Montgomery County (check http://www.mdelect.net to verify that you live in District 15); see application for all scholarship requirements.

• April 30 - Laytonsville Lions Club Scholarship 2024 Program - one or more scholarships of $2,000, payable in two yearly installments of $1,000, the program also provides for reimbursement to the student for $500 for books and supplies; senior; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); demonstrated service to the community (school, faith based, community at large); financial need; three letters of recommendation; recipients of the scholarships are recognized at the club’s Scholarship Night Dinner Meeting in June of each year.

• April 30 - The Pink Rocki Advocacy Foundation (PRAF) Scholarship - three awards of up to $5,000; senior; legal resident of Maryland, VA, or DC; min 3.0 unweighted GPA ; enter full-time into an accredited two (2) or four (4) year college or university in the fall; essay of 500-1,000 (see link for prompt); copy of transcript; letter of recommendation.

• April 30 - The Michael Watson Music Scholarship - one award of $1,000; senior; legal resident of Maryland, VA, or DC; min 3.0 unweighted GPA ; enter full-time into an accredited two (2) or four (4) year college or university in the fall; essay of 500-1,000 (see link for prompt); copy of transcript; letter of recommendation.

• April 30 - Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) - senior; plan to enter a 2-year college, 4-year college/university, or vocational/trade school; US Citizen or Permanent Resident; minimum 2.0 GPA; compelling desire to pursue higher education in spite of personal or socio-economic setbacks; demonstrated financial need (on average, adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less); extra curricular activities; essay.

• April 30 - AFFIRM Annual Scholarship - award dollar amount of scholarships based on financial contributions received by the organization; senior; must attend an accredited college or university in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia; must major in computer sciences, information sciences, or any STEM-related field; essay; copy of transcript; extra-curricular activities; community service. 

• May 01 - Live it Up’s Quarterly Women in Healthcare Scholarship - $500 award; senior; current U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; women pursuing a degree in the healthcare field (public health, medicine, healthcare administration, nursing, etc.); short essay.

• 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.  

• May 03 - Arts In Motion: Fine Arts Scholarship - $5,000 will awarded in two tranches (installments), awardees must maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher to receive the second installment; senior; min 3.5 GPA; must enroll in a program, starting in the 2024/2025 school year, leading to a Fine Arts degree in one of the following fields: voice, performance, music, dance, drama, and or visual arts; official high school transcript; acceptance letter from the prospective institution; portfolio or video showing abilities in their field; list of experiences; narrative of 500 words or less; awardees must be available to give a presentation in person on Sunday, June 23 to the Leisure World community in Silver Spring, Maryland in order to receive their scholarship.

• May 03 - Samuel O. Kwarteng Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 award; senior; attend a two or four-year college or university; academic achievement; financial need; contribution to school and community; official or unofficial copy of school transcript; proof of financial need; copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary with the Student Aid Index (SAI) circled; 300-500 word essay; see application for prompt.

• May 06 - Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association Scholarship (deadline is 5pm on 5/6!) - two (2) $1,000 awards; senior; Vietnamese American; residing in Maryland; will be enrolled as a first-year student at a university, college, or vocational school in the Fall of 2024; scholarship recipients will be required to participate in at least one MVMA community activity or outreach event in the upcoming academic year; copy of Financial Aid form (FAFSA); copy of financial aid award letter from college/vocational school; copy of SAT scores if available; personal essay (2 pages maximum); official high school transcript; acceptance letter from college/vocational school (if any); 2 letters of recommendation (from teachers/counselors, community leaders, employers). 

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

SAT Results

Results from SAT Day should be available to students in their College Board account.  Students will need to sign in order to access.  If students are having issues accessing their account, they should reach out to College Board for assistance.   

• View your SAT scores and score report from your College Board account

• College Board Student Account Help

• https://about.collegeboard.org/contact-us

Other Info & Opportunities

Montgomery College Disability Support Services (MC DSS) Information Night for Fall 2024 - May 1

Montgomery College Disability Support Services (MC DSS) is proud to announce our upcoming DSS Information Night for Fall 2024.  This event is intended to help facilitate the transition from high school to college and is best suited for MCPS Juniors, Seniors, and their families.  This year’s event will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6:30pm.  We will have a 60 minute presentation about Disability Support Services followed by a 30 minute general question and answer period.

Topics covered include:

• Overview of services provided

• Starting Smart – how to apply and connect with DSS

• How accommodations work at the college level

• How courses and services are provided

Please register in advance here: https://montgomerycollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0udOqoqzosE9byOJqzwz9Qbhm6BMuIh0QM

You will receive a confirmation email with a link to the Zoom session.

Accommodation requests based on a disability should be made no later than April 24, 2024 by emailing dss@montgomerycollege.edu

Snider Enterprise & Leadership Fellows Program

The Snider Enterprise & Leadership Fellows program is a transformative three-week summer course designed exclusively for rising high school juniors and seniors at the University of Maryland, Ed Snider Center, Smith School of Business. Scheduled from July 8th to July 26th, this program offers participants the chance to unlock their potential and pave the way for future success.

Applicants must have an unweighted academic average of 3.0 or better.

Key Highlights:

• Earn 3 College Credits: Participants will gain valuable college credits that can be transferred.

• Discover Passions: Through immersive experiences, students will discover their passions and interests.

• Cultivate Leadership Skills: The program focuses on developing leadership qualities essential for personal and professional growth.

• Network with Business Leaders: Students will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and expand their network.

• Forge Lasting Connections: Participants will build meaningful relationships with like-minded peers.

This program offers two options for participation: an on-campus experience and an online program. Both options provide the same enriching curriculum and opportunities for growth.

During this intensive program, students will engage in a dynamic learning environment led by award-winning faculty. They will acquire invaluable mindsets and tools crucial for personal fulfillment and self-confidence, laying a strong foundation for success in any career path.

This is a fantastic opportunity for motivated students to gain a competitive edge and connect with peers who share their drive for excellence.

Application Deadline: May 1st, 2024

To learn more and apply, please visit: SELF PROGRAM  |  Click here for the flyer 

USG Open House - May 4

The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is excited to welcome future students and their families to their beautiful campus this spring! Register now for their in-person Open House on their state-of-the-art campus this spring to learn how you can earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a top Maryland university, right here in Montgomery County.

This event is beneficial for students who are currently in high school, community college, or at another four-year institution, or who are looking to return to school after a hiatus. It is also designed for those who are considering graduate degree programs, as well as family or community members looking to learn more about the USG campus.

Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10am-2pm  |   USG Campus - Building IV (Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Facility)  |  9631 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850

Event attendees will be able to:

• Meet with program advisors from each of the career-focused degree programs offered at the USG campus

• Learn about special pathway programs for local high school and community college students

• Explore scholarship opportunities exclusive to students at USG

• Learn about USG's customized academic, career, and personal support services

• Learn about the "Hire U" program and how USG will ensure you emerge career-ready

• Win raffles including USG swag packs and two $500 USG Scholarships! 

Click here for more information and to register  |  Click here for the flyer  |  Haga clic aquí para ver información en español 

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. 

Library Media News: Students Recommend Thieves' Gambit!

• Please join the SV Book Club (SVBC) on Monday, May 13th to discuss the fast-paced thriller, Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis.  Everyone who has read it so far returns the book with rave reviews!  Both the eBook and audiobook are available in sorapp.com (log in using [studentID]@mcpsmd.net & your password), then search by title to access the book. 🌻

• On Wednesday this week, we’ll be transitioning to our May celebrations, so be sure to stop by to borrow books from our April promotions highlighting Arab American History, Poetry, and Autism Awareness.  In addition, our Poetry Month contest winner will be announced at 11:30 am during lunch on Monday -- stop by to read all the entries posted on our Poetree, which is currently in full bloom, and see who will be awarded a box of Poet Treats! ✍🏻 

• Save the date!  Be sure to mark the Gaithersburg Book Festival on your calendar - this year it will be held on Saturday, May 18th at Bohrer Park.  See details HERE. 📚

• Upcoming Events in the LMC:

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

    • Monday, May 13th - SVBC Thieves’ Gambit discussion during lunch

    • Friday, May 17th - SVBC End-of-Year Luncheon