Good evening Seneca Valley Community,

Hope you had a great weekend.  This week brings a lot of activity to the building with athletic events and the in-school music concert.  Come out and support our Eagles!

The holidays can be a joyous time for many but for some it can be a challenging time.  Be mindful of those around you that may be struggling and help find and provide the support they need.  In this edition please find various supports and organizations that can assist.

From my family and the Seneca Valley staff, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Ricardo Hernandez, Acting Principal

In School Winter Concert:

The in-school holiday concert is a Seneca Valley tradition in which staff and students are invited to join in a holiday concert provided by the SV music department.   Performances will include guitar, instrumental, and choral groups.  

The performance, which begins at 8:15, will also be live-streamed for any family and friends who would like to enjoy the concert.  Please click the link below to access the live stream link, which will be posted just before the start of the show.  Have a great winter break!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jgXyJZ0rfZRLKpJ9rD1rwB9wMMZz6ySKr8p6pxIvwSk/edit?usp=sharing

December update from the PTSA 

**There will be no December General PTSA Meeting** 

We look forward to seeing you all at the January General Meeting in the media center. 

We hope everyone of you who celebrated had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with family and friends or just relaxed in general. The PTSA was also busy last month planning and hosting a wonderful staff appreciation lunch and dessert. Thanks to so many of you and your generous donations, the PTSA was able to sponsor a wonderful lunch.

The PTSA was also able to provide lunch/dinner to the Latin Dance Club as well as an Art Club that evening and other students from various extracurricular activities. These are examples of ways the PTSA supports our students.  

Thank you for those that supported our Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser. Together we raised slightly over $2100 of which the  PTSA will receive 50% of those funds. 

Be on the lookout for more upcoming PTSA events. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page to stay up to date  with all activities and events related to the  SVHS community. Seneca Valley High School PTSA | Facebook

EVENT ALERT: December 20th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. the Latin and Afro-American parents council in conjunction with the Wellness Center will be hosting a “Going to College is possible” event. 

We look forward to seeing you all in January. 

The SVHS PTSA wishes all of you a wonderful and safe Holiday. 

                                                    ************

 Actualización de Diciembre del PTSA 

**No habra Reunion General del PTSA en Diciembre** 

Esperamos verlos en Enero en nuestra próxima reunión general  que se llevará acabo en el Media Center de la escuela.

Esperamos que sus días festivos hayan estado llenos de familia y amigos y que su día de Acción de Gracias haya sido uno memorable. Nuestro PTSA también estuvo  ocupado este mes organizando el almuerzo y postres para nuestros maravillosos profesores y equipo de la escuela. Muchísimas gracias a todos los que hicieron donaciones para que el PTSA pudiera patrocinar este evento!  

El PTSA también proporcionó esa tarde almuerzo/cena a el Latin Dance Club ,a el Club de Arte asi como también a estudiantes con diferentes actividades extracurriculares. Estas son solo algunas de las formas como el PTSA apoya a nuestros estudiantes. 

Muchísimas gracias a todos los que nos dieron su apoyo en la recaudación de fondos Double Good Popcorn”. Junto recaudamos sobre  $2100 de los cuales el PTSA recibirá el 50% de esos fondos.

Manténgase pendientes porque vienen mas eventos del PTSA.No olviden suscribirse a nuestra página de facebook para  estar al día con todas las actividades de la comunidad de SVHS. Seneca Valley High School PTSA | Facebook

ALERTA : eL MIÉRCOLES 20 DE DICIEMBRE de 6 pm a 8 pm el Comité de Padres Latinos y el Comité de padres Afroamericanos junto con el Wellness Center de SVHS tendrán el evento   “ Ir a La Universidad es posible”   NO FALTES!!

Esperamos verlos en Enero. 

SVHS PTSA les desea una feliz navidad y un prospero año nuevo. 

Thanks,

Chantal

A Message from the Boosters

The Boosters wish you a joyous Holiday Season

Winter Meeting- will occur at the school on January 11th- Make plans to attend-more detail will follow

This week's events:

     Tuesday 12/19- Girls and Boys Basketball vs Northwest     5:30 PM

     Wednesday 12/20  Boys JV and Varsity Wrestling vs N. Hagerstown     6:15 PM

     Thursday  12/21  Girls and Boys JV Basketball vs Quince Orchard     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.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE BOOSTERS:

VOLUNTEER. We are currently trying to fill volunteer positions for the 27-winter sports home activities.  Parents and kids (SSL hours given) are encouraged to volunteer.  With a little help we will have concession and spirit wear sales open at each event.  As you know, the money we make goes back to the kids.

PLEASE contact Rob Duda at 301-523-2781, robduda@verizon.net, boosterssenecavalley@gmail,com or use the sign up link below.

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

Rob Duda  

SVHS Boosters

IB Projects

Our students had their 5th SEL lesson on the IB Projects last Wednesday. At this point, your student should have: a learning goal, product goal, success criteria, and be working towards creating an action plan. For more information, please see this handout! Please visit our SVHS IB Program website to check out the lesson and materials from last week.

• IB Learner Project: This project is for all 9th, 11th, & 12th graders, who can earn 10 SSL hours upon completion. 

• MYP Personal Project (PP): This project is for all 10th graders, who can earn 15 SSL hours and .5 elective credit for "MYP Research Seminar" upon completion. Different than the IB Learner Project, the MYP PP is an IB requirement for all MYP students. SVHS staff will assess the projects using an IB MYP rubric in March and scores will be submitted to IB. 

Course Information Days

SVHS partners with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) to encourage and support underrepresented students in higher-level coursework. Through our data analysis, we found that SVHS students needed more adult encouragement, as well as information and support during course registration. To meet this need, last week we hosted a week of events to help students connect their course choices with their future goals, use our staff's positive relationships with students to guide them through their options, and encourage them to choose to be challenged next year. 

We hope your student reflected on their future goals, understands the importance of course selection and their different course options, and received guidance on choosing courses that will support their goals. If you have any questions or suggestions for our EOS team, please email Kim Becraft (Kimberly_M_Becraft@mcpsmd.org).  

Spring Dual Enrollment Information

Registration for the Spring Semester of Dual Enrollment is underway! The classes offered in the building for Spring 2024 will be AOSC 100 (Weather & Climate) and BSAD 101 (Introduction to Business). These classes will be offered during 7th & 8th periods and are open to qualified students in all grades. Students are also able to take classes on campus at Montgomery College as well as virtually.  Tuition and books are at NO COST to students and families. This is a fantastic opportunity to start earning free college credit! Please email Stacey Blaine with any questions at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org

Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center

In-Class Financial Aid Presentations for Seniors

Attention Seniors!  Mr. Nalda will be visiting all 12th grade English classes within the next few weeks* to share information about financial aid for college.  On the day of your presentation, he also will guide students through the process of creating an FSA ID (required for the FAFSA).  Students will need a valid email address, cell phone number, and Social Security Number in order to create this account.  For students that are not eligible to complete the FAFSA, he will share the process of creating an MHEC account in order to fill out the MSFAA once that application opens.

*Please see your English teacher to find out which date in December Mr. Nalda will be visiting your class.

Applying to Colleges - A Few Reminders

As you continue working on college applications, a few reminders:

• Students should refer to the SVHS College Application Packet as a guide to applying to colleges and for specific instructions.  It is important to follow all of the instructions and steps provided.

• Once you have completed any applications, please submit!  You SHOULD NOT wait for staff to complete their portion of the application (letters of recommendation, etc).

• Whenever you add any new colleges to your list of applications, you will need to do the following:

  • Go into Naviance and re-request teachers for letters of recommendation for these new schools. 

  • Verify the deadlines listed in Naviance for each of these new schools under the ‘Colleges I’m Applying To’ section.  Make sure they match the deadline you intend to meet and/or the deadline you have in Common App (if they are Common Schools).

  • Last, but not least, inform your counselor if you add any new schools!  We want to make sure we are reviewing everything and submitting on time.   

Staff Alma Maters

Curious or want to learn more about a particular college?  Click this link to see where some of our SVHS staff members attended college.  They have volunteered to speak with students about their school and college experience!

More About the 2024-25 FAFSA

Earlier this week, the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), also known as the Better FAFSA, will open by December 31, 2023.

• Click here to see the announcement

We also received information about a new FSA ID process.  For those students, parents, or spouses who have SSNs, they should use the current system and get their FSA IDs established now so they are ready when the new FAFSA opens by December 31, 2023. For those who do not have SSNs, the new FSA ID process will launch on the same day as the 2024-25 FAFSA (December 31, 2023). 

• Click here for more information

Montgomery College Special Program & Scholarship Opportunities

Apologies as I had accidentally listed the deadline as December 31 in last week’s notes.  The deadlines are January 31!

January 31 - Macklin Business Institute (MBI) Honors Program at Montgomery College - senior; min 3.0 GPA; provides a collegiate experience that parallels that of the best business schools in the country, bringing together highly talented students with an interest in business; the two-year program is designed for incoming MC freshmen, while the one-year program is for second-year college students; upon completion of the program, students will have had unique opportunities which will expand your transfer options; click on the link for more details. 

January 31- Montgomery Scholars Program at Montgomery College - senior; min 3.0 GPA; the Montgomery Scholars Program is a selective-admission two-year interdisciplinary honors program designed for high school graduates as the first step in completing a four-year degree; each student admitted into the Scholars program is awarded merit scholarships that cover the cost of tuition and fees for two years of study at Montgomery College (30 credits per year at the in-county resident tuition rate); click link for more information and details. 

Please note: students must have already applied to MC and received their M Number before they can begin the application for either of these opportunities!  Apply ASAP as it typically takes a few weeks to receive your M Number! (click here for the link to apply)

Upcoming Scholarships 

• December 18* - Equitable Excellence Scholarship (*due at 4pm on 12/18) - 100-$5,000 annual awards (renewable up to for four years) & 100 one-time $2,500 awards; senior; U.S. citizen or legal resident living or claiming residency in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted) enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the U.S.; essay; demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in school, community or work activities; willing to provide a release to publicize their identities and other information. 

• December 21 - Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship - (deadline extended to 4pm EST on 12/21) 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. 

• December 31 - Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship - $1,000; 9-12 grade; legal U.S. resident; submit a 250 word essay; feel free to use something you have already written! Easy!!! 

• December 31 - Around the Corner from College Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; open to current high school students (9-12 grade); US citizen, permanent resident, or with DACA status; must be planning to attend a college or university in the US;  create a personalized checklist that you can use (max 10 items) to help you best prepare for college. 

• December 31 - NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest - 1st-$1,000, 2nd-$600, 3rd-$200, & 4th-$100 awards; ALL students, K-12; 1,000 word essay: "What Does the 2nd Amendment Mean to You?" 

• January 03 - Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship - 150 awards ranging from $5,000-$25,000; senior;  legal U.S. resident or the dependent child of an active duty member of the U.S. military; submit a video (2 minutes or less in length) about your passion and your future; see website for specific questions to address in your video and full details. 

• January 05* - GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program - (*deadline is 4pm on 1/4) numerous awards of $10,000 with a possibility of up to $40,000 total (renewable, based on eligibility); senior; U.S. Citizen; min 3.0 GPA (unweighted); enroll full time at a four-year school in the fall; demonstrate at school, the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship. 

• January 09 - APIA (Asian and Pacific Islander Americans) Scholars - (application due @ 5pm on Jan 9); $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards; senior; U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident; min 2.7 GPA (unweighted); 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 2024; must apply for FASFA by early April 2024; essay questions.

• January 10 - Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship* - (*deadline 5pm EST on 1/10) 60 awards of up to $7,500; minority high school senior; U.S. citizen; financial need; demonstrated record of academic excellence; leadership potential and a dedication to community service; plan to attend an accredited and approved 4-year college within or affiliated with a school in the United States; letter of recommendation; transcript; four essays. 

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

College Representative Visits in the College & Career Center

Juniors & Seniors are encouraged to participate in college rep visits to SVHS to learn more about colleges and universities.  Students interested in participating in rep visits must register in Naviance.  

Upcoming College & Career Center Visits:

• Yale University - Tue December 19 @ 10:30 AM

Other Info & Opportunities

MCPS Regional On-The-Spot Admissions Events

Seneca Valley High School  |  January 11th  |  6pm - 8pm

Click here for the save-the-date (registration information and link to be released soon)

Paying for College and Trade School - Money Smart Decision Making

Tuesday, December 19  |  6:30-7:30 PM

Education is expensive-plan wisely for your future.

Live, Virtual, Interactive Session |  Space is limited, register today! 

Click here for the flyer  |  Click here to register

Questions? dnuckols@umd.edu

GOING TO COLLEGE IS POSSIBLE! 

Wednesday, December 20  |  6pm - 8pm

The SVHS Wellness Center and the PTSA’s Latino and African American Parents Council invite you to join a family session:  Going to College is Possible!  We will have information on:

• How to apply for financial aid with or without legal status

• Dual Enrollment in Montgomery College

• The ACES program

• Resources in school and in the community to benefit students

*We will have refreshments and child care*  |  Click here for the flyer with more information

IR A LA UNIVERSIDAD SI SE PUEDE!

Miércoles 20 de diciembre de 6-8PM  

El Centro de Bienestar de SVHS y el Consejo de Padres Latinos y Afroamericanos de la PTSA lo invitan a unirse a una sesión familiar:  Ir a la universidad si se puede!  Vamos a tener información acerca:

• Como aplicar para ayuda financiera con o sin documentos legales

• Dual Enrollment en Montgomery College

• El programa de ACES

• Recursos en la escuela y en la comunidad para apoyar al estudiante

*Vamos a tener un refrigerio y cuidado de niños*  |  Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto con más información

Library Media News: Borrow a Book for the Break!

• Looking for something to read over Winter Break?  Stop by the LMC for LOTS of options.  Our “Celebrate Celebrations” display is back this year, with additions of new holiday fiction and a range of books commemorating December holidays.  We also updated our new books and cookbook displays, and we have added a few brand new books to our “College Apps Got You Stressed?  You Are Not Alone” promotion. 🕯️

• Book Club readers selected a perfect book for winter break; Eat Your Heart Out by Kate DeVos is a story about a body-confident teen whose stepfather/coach sends her to a “fat camp” over winter break.  She survives a blizzard en route to camp only to arrive amidst a zombie apocalypse.  It’s a book that’s so bad, it’s good - a wonderful combination of humor and horror.   We have limited numbers of print copies of each book available, but students may also read the book in audiobook or eBook format.  For information about accessing books in Sora, our online reading app, please click on the READ Online! flag in the Virtual SVLMC or stop by the LMC for assistance. 🌻

• The LMC will close at 3:00 pm on Thursday and Friday afternoon this week.  Have a wonderful Winter Break!

Creativity Contests 🎥

• High school students from across the Washington Metropolitan Area are invited to submit poems to the Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. This year’s theme is Envision a Better Future.  Entries must be no longer than one page, single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, and are due by February 22, 2024. 

• The Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition invites teams of two or more students to create and submit 30-second videos on one of three topics related to the risks and dangers of underage drinking. Entries are due by March 31, 2024.  Click HERE for more information and contest rules.