Good Morning Seneca Valley Community,

Hope you had a great weekend, and Happy New Year.  School begins again Wednesday January 3, 2024.  The final day of the second quarter and first semester is Friday January 26, 2023.  Make sure you are checking your students grades and progress as the quarter end draws near.

The new year brings new and exciting times ahead.  Please make sure you keep up with what's occurring at Seneca Valley, updates will continue to appear in the weekly newsletter. 

As I wrote in a community letter on Wednesday December 20, 2023, we do not have an open lunch policy, please see original message below:

Greetings Seneca Valley High School Community,

I am writing because my priority is first and foremost the security and wellbeing of students and staff.  Recently, we have seen an increase in students leaving campus without parental permission, and returning at random times without following correct sign-in procedures. This poses a clear safety concern for our school community.

School policy is that any student who walks off campus and returns to the building without prior parent approval, and does not follow main office procedures will be subject to disciplinary action.  Students entering the building must do so through the main entrance doors.

To help our school with its efforts to ensure safety and security, staff are asked to help clear students from the hallway and encourage students to be in an appropriate space at all times. Please encourage students in the hallway without a General Use Slip to “move along to class”, to “move with a purpose”, to “walk and talk”, maybe “to find their way”, etc. This is a community effort that needs everyone to address hall wanderers. 

Our goal is to keep our school and campus safe in order to provide a conducive educational environment for all who enter Seneca Valley.  We need to ensure that everyone in the building is a Seneca Valley High School student and that we don't have trespassers in our school. We also need to clearly identify those who leave and return to our building during the day.  I know that safety is your priority as well and I hope that you have a conversation with your student regarding this matter.

As a reminder, we do not have open lunch, meaning students may not leave campus.  Students are expected back to their class after lunch by 12:00 pm M/T/TH/F and 12:12 pm on Wednesdays.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at ricardo_hernandez@mcpsmd.org, or your child's administrator if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Ricardo Hernandez

Ricardo Hernandez

Acting Principal

Brandi Heckert, brandic_c_heckert@mcpsmd.org

Eric Stancell, eric_stancell@mcpsmd.org

Drew Hensley, kayla_d_hensley@mcpsmd.org

Dr. Mike Kim, michael_t_kim@mcpsmd.org

Rudy Tyrell, rudolph_j_tyrell@mcpsmd.org

Have a great week, and start to the new year!

Ricardo Hernandez, Acting Principal

SVHS Welcomes Ms. Kozorosky to the Counseling Services team!

Seneca Valley is proud to welcome our new School Counselor, Ms. Paulina Kozorosky, to the Counseling Services team.  Ms. Kozorosky will be working with students' last names beginning with Haj-Kej. 

She takes over for Mrs. Watson, who has moved out-of-state following her husband's military promotion. Our congratulations and thanks go out to Mrs. Watson for her service to Seneca Valley, and to both Mrs. Watson and her husband for their service to our country.  Ms. Kozorosky recently earned her Master's in School Counseling from Loyola University Maryland, and completed her counseling internship at Sherwood High School. Prior to that, she was a Teacher and Team Leader at Burnt Mills Elementary School for 5 years.  She is looking forward to meeting her students and families! 

Course Registration Going On Now for 2024-2025 School Year

It's hard to believe that the time has come for our students to register for their classes for the 2024-2025 school year! This is an exciting time of year, and we encourage all of our students to challenge themselves and take advantage of the amazing opportunities that are available to them at Seneca Valley.  Students began registering with their Counselor through their English classes, starting Monday, December 18th.

Parents & guardians, your student received a Course Registration card from their English teacher on December 11th. Please review the card with your student, discuss their course selections, and don't forget to sign in the shaded area of page 1!  If you weren't able to attend our Course Registration Night, you'll find all the information from the presentation and more, along with a recording of the presentation on the SVHS Counseling Registration Website.  The Seneca Valley Counseling Services team is looking forward to supporting our students and families during this exciting process! Please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's Counselor with any questions. 

Ian Yarmus

Resource Counselor

Seneca Valley High School

240-740-6428

Library Media News: Welcome Mrs. Folan!🎉

Happy New Year!  Please stop by to help us welcome a new media assistant, Mrs. Karyn Langhorne Folan, to Seneca Valley High School.  Mrs. Folan comes to us as a published author and filmmaker, with a background in law, who previously served our community as a media assistant at S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School.  We already have several books authored by Mrs. Folan in our collection, and we are enthusiastic about the many ways she will continue to contribute to the library media program at SVHS.

Book Club Update: Please join us on Monday, January 8th for a discussion of Eat Your Heart Out by Kate DeVos.  We have a limited numbers of print copies 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. 

Creativity Contests 🎥

• NEW! EARTHDAY.ORG is hosting an art poster competition - the winning entry will be the official Earth Day poster for this year.  Entries are due by January 22, 2024.  Click HERE for contest rules and submission details.

• 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.

Support the class of 2025!

What are you doing on February 10th? Well, here's an excellent idea. At 7 pm on February 10, the Class of 2025 will be hosting a Seneca Valley Friends and Family Night at Capital One Area when the Washington Wizards take on the 76ers. A portion of each ticket sold through our exclusive link will benefit the Class of 2025.  Anyone with the link can help us raise funds for prom and for our senior year, so please feel free to share the link. 

See Ms. Wolfe or Mrs. Wolfe for more information or to get the QR code or you can find it on the Class of 2025s  Instagram.

The link is below     

LINK

https://fevo-enterprise.com/wiz-senecavalley24

See a Washington Wizards game and support the Class of 2025   - This is the flyer that we are putting up around the school.

Thank you,

Lee Ann Wolfe 

PERUVIAN DANCE

Do you love to dance? Are you interested in learning more on Peruvian dance?

Mark your date for January9th, 2024

Stay on the lookout for more info!

Follow us on ig: @svhswellnesscenter_

A Message from the Boosters

The Boosters wish you a Happy New Year!

Winter Meeting- will occur at the school on January 11th, 2024  Make plans to attend- in person at the Media Center or by Zoom.

Our agenda will include a discussion with our athletic department and boosters leadership about what happens to the money- how money is collected and dispersed.

In person meeting (media center) will start at 6:30 PM.  Zoom for public will start at 7:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE THE ZOOM LINK HAS BEEN UPDATED- PREVIOUS LINK IS INACTIVE

Robduda@verizon.net is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Robduda@verizon.net's Zoom Meeting

        Time: Jan 11, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

        Join Zoom Meeting

        https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73878045897?pwd=F7U7AyPkaybhbALbh2SwizzySiHk0E.1

        Meeting ID: 738 7804 5897

        Passcode: L5Bfxx 

This week's events:

     Thursday 1/4/24- Girls and Boys Basketball vs Northwest     5:30 PM

     Friday  1/5/24-  Boys JV and Varsity Wrestling- 11 Team Tourney   6:00 PM

     Saturday 1/6/24  Boys JV and Varsity Wrestling- 11 Team Tourney   9:00 AM- 3 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

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/

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

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.  

• 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.   

2024–25 FAFSA Update:  Soft Launch Details and Timelines

What to Expect During the Soft Launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA Form

During the soft launch period, the Department will be monitoring site performance, conducting planned pauses for maintenance, and making updates to improve the user experience for students and families.

Students and families will have ample time to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA, and do not need to rush to fill out the form immediately when the soft launch period opens, as FSA will not transmit results to schools until later in January.

• Click here to learn more

Montgomery College Special Program & Scholarship Opportunities

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); essay; 2 letters of rec; personal creative work; 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 

• 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.

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

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

U.S. Service Academies - Summer Programs for Juniors

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen would like to share information on an exciting opportunity that may be of interest to your students.

Juniors (students in the Class of 2025) who have an interest in learning about opportunities to attend a U.S. Service Academy for college are encouraged to apply to participate in a summer program. Each Academy’s summer program provides a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of that Academy.  The Academies are ranked among the top undergraduate public universities in the country. 

Participation in a summer program is considered a student’s first step in navigating their future to becoming one of our nation’s next generation of leaders. Summer programs introduce one to life at an Academy, where they will experience first-class academic, athletic, and professional training at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country

Click here for a letter from Senator Van Hollen’s office with more information, program dates, and application deadlines

Other Info & Opportunities

Highly Selective College Admissions Webinar

Join on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:30 PM EST to hear from Jordan Kanarek, Director of Counseling, and get the secrets of what it takes to get accepted to an elite, highly selective university.

In this event, you’ll discover:

• Admissions rates and how that impacts applicants

• What top college admissions officers look for

• How students can stand out in the application process

Families interested in applying to America’s top colleges, you won’t want to miss this!

Click here for more information and to register

MCPS Regional On-The-Spot Admissions Events

Attention Seniors!  Still looking to apply to college?  Want to receive an immediate admissions decision without having to wait weeks or months?  Participate in this regional on-the-spot admissions event!  Students interview with college representatives and receive an on-the-spot admissions decision!  Students may also find out if they are eligible for scholarships.

Seniors from all MCPS high schools are welcome to attend.  For planning purposes, please register ahead of time if you plan to participate.

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

Click here to register  |  Click here for the flyer

Save the Date!  FAFSA Completion Event @ SVHS

Wednesday, January 31st, 6pm- 8pm  |  Seneca Valley High School Cafeteria

Students and families can get assistance completing the FAFSA & MSFAA!

• Workshops facilitated by the Educational Opportunity Center.

• Registration and completion of intake form (included in registration link below) required to participate.

• Other dates and school locations available. See link for details.

Click here for more information and to register

SVHS College & Career Monthly Newsletter - December/January, 2023-24

Library Media News: Welcome Mrs. Folan!🎉

Happy New Year!  Please stop by to help us welcome a new media assistant, Mrs. Karyn Langhorne Folan, to Seneca Valley High School.  Mrs. Folan comes to us as a published author and filmmaker, with a background in law, who previously served our community as a media assistant at S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School.  We already have several books authored by Mrs. Folan in our collection, and we are enthusiastic about the many ways she will continue to contribute to the library media program at SVHS.

Creativity Contests 🎥

• NEW! EARTHDAY.ORG is hosting an art poster competition - the winning entry will be the official Earth Day poster for this year.  Entries are due by January 22, 2024.  Click HERE for contest rules and submission details.

• 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.