Good Evening Seneca Valley Community,

Hope you had a great weekend! Hard to believe that it has been almost two years since we have had a snow day.   I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy a snow day.  This week you will receive information regarding our Code Purple plan pertaining to virtual learning in the event of an extended school closure.  The plan will clearly inform you of when a Code Purple plan would be enacted, the schedule we will follow along with what students and caregivers can expect.  If you have any questions regarding this please do not hesitate to contact me.

Registration will continue.  Students should be patient as school closures have affected the timeline.  Students can reach out to their counselor with any questions.

Last week on Thursday, January 11, and Friday, January 12 our chorus students participated in a festival in NYC.  They had amazing performances and earned a rating of Outstanding at the festival.  Here is an email from Singing Community Program Manager, Daniel Rohovit:

Hello,

My name is Daniel Rohovit, and I am the Singing Community Program Manager with the Barbershop Harmony Society. I am emailing on behalf of the Barbershop Harmony Society to recognize the incredible passion, respect, and professionalism your staff and students presented at the Barbershop Harmony Society Midwinter Convention.

I had the honor of working with Ms. Tessa Walker in preparation for this event. Ms. Walker is one of the brightest, kindest, most passionate educators I think I've ever met. She is always thinking about what is best for each and every one of her kids. Ms. Walker shared the journey for the kids, and the excitement they shared in arriving at our Midwinter convention in New York City. The Seneca Valley passion didn't stop once they arrived. Ms. Walker led the kids through an incredibly passionate performance, on some pretty difficult music. They were rewarded with a rating of Outstanding at the festival.

On behalf of the Barbershop Harmony Society, we wanted to thank you as an administrator for supporting music education in your schools, and allowing for the students of Seneca Valley High School to participate in the Midwinter convention this year. We at the Barbershop Harmony Society will always welcome Ms. Walker, and the students of Seneca Valley High School.

Thank you,

Daniel Rohovit

Singing Community Program Manager

Barbershop Harmony Society

Well done Ms. Walker and SVHS Choral students in representing our community!!

Please see messages from the Boosters regarding upcoming meetings.

Have a great day and week, on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Acting Principal

Attention Students and Caregivers!!

Summer RISE registration opens tomorrow Monday, January 22nd!  Summer RISE (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience) is an initiative led by the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Department of Partnerships to provide rising high school juniors and seniors with enriching summer career-based learning experiences.

Click the link below for more information about Summer RISE:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/partnerships/summer-rise/for-students

Want to learn more?  An information session will be hosted at SVHS:

Monday, February 5, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Seneca Valley High School | 19401 Crystal Rock Dr, Germantown, MD 20874

Click here to register

DUAL ENROLLMENT!!

There is still time to register for the Spring Semester of Dual Enrollment! 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

Stacey Blaine

Part-time Dual Enrollment Program Assistant

Seneca Valley High School

Room 2107B

Sustainability Contests

Students, please consider entering these exciting sustainability contests!

Electric Vehicle Wrap Design Contest:

All MCPS students and staff are invited to participate in the Division of Sustainability and Compliance's (DSC) 2024 EV Wrap Design Art Contest! The focus of this contest is to increase awareness and demonstrate our school district's commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable actions.  All entries must be received by Friday, February 2, 2024.  For more information, visit:  EV wrap contest | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)Links to an external site.

2024 Sustainability Poster Contest:   

All MCPS students and staff are invited to participate in the Division of Sustainability and Compliance's Sustainability Poster Contest.  The focus of this annual contest is to increase awareness and demonstrate your school's commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable actions related to energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible recycling. Posters must be submitted to DSC by Friday, April 5, 2024.  For more information, visit:  poster contest | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)Links to an external site.

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 

Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center

2024–25 FAFSA Info & Updates

The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available at fafsa.gov as part of our soft launch. During the soft launch, the FAFSA form will be available while we monitor site performance and form functionality.

Students and families can visit StudentAid.gov/fillingout for resources about completing the 2024–25 FAFSA form—including information about creating a StudentAid.gov account without a Social Security number (parents), how to complete the new 2024–25 FAFSA form, and what to do before and after completing the FAFSA form.

• Click here to learn more

• 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts

Upcoming Scholarships 

• January 31 - The Sparkling Ice® Flavorful Futures Scholarship* - (*6pm deadline on 1/31) $5,000 award; senior; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; enter a 2-year, 4-year, college, university, trade or vocational school in the fall.  

• January 31 - The Sparkling Ice® Flavorful Futures Go Green Scholarship* - (*6pm deadline on 1/31) $5,000 award; senior; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; pursue a degree related to environmental studies; involvement in sustainable initiatives and projects (volunteering work, job, etc.); enter a 2-year, 4-year, college, university, trade or vocational school in the fall.  

• January 31 - Girls in Technology Scholarship Program - $500 STEM Experience Awards for 6-11th Grade Girls & $2,000 Higher Education Scholarships for 12th Graders; resident of the DC Metro Area; see link for full rules and details.

• January 31 - Navy NROTC Scholarship - $180,000 towards a four-year institution's tuition and expenses; please read all application instructions and checklist carefully to determine eligibility and requirements of the scholarship; long application, start early!! 

• February 01 - Mental Health Scholarship for Women - $500 award; senior; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; write a short essay answering prompts about mental health; see website for prompts.

• February 01 - Naomi Rabb Winston Scholarship and Frank Wright Awards in Two-Dimensional Art - (due by 5pm on 2/1/24) $16,000 in Scholarships and Awards; citizen of the United States; copy of birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers must be submitted with application; be at least 16 years old, but not older than 22 years by March 1, 2024; submit images of 5 examples of the applicant's two-dimensional artwork; see instructions on types of acceptable artwork and how to submit application materials; informational brochure. 

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

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)

U.S. Service Academies - Summer Programs

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

Highly Selective College Admissions Webinar (Recording)

On Tuesday, January 9th, Jordan Kanarek hosted a webinar about the secrets of what it takes to get accepted to an elite, highly selective university.

For those who may have missed this and were interested, here is a link to the recording of the webinar: click here 

Other Info & Opportunities

SVHS Summer RISE Application will open on January 22 @ 8am!

Summer RISE (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience) is an initiative led by the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Department of Partnerships to provide rising high school juniors and seniors with enriching summer career-based learning experiences.

Click here for the flyer with more information

Click here for the link to register for the Summer RISE program

Want to learn more about Summer RISE?  Attend the 2024 Summer RISE Parent/Student Information Session at SVHS:

Monday, February 5, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Seneca Valley High School | 19401 Crystal Rock Dr, Germantown, MD 20874

Virtual information session options are also available.  

Click here to register and/or to see additional dates and options

Upcoming College/Career Rep Visits to SVHS

American Pool, Lunch Visit (Lifeguarding/Summer Jobs) - Mon January 22 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM

*No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the SVHS cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn about summer job opportunities (lifeguarding and more) from American Pool.

Montgomery Village Foundation, Lunch Visit - Thu January 25 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM

*No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about summer jobs at Montgomery Village Foundation (Lifeguards, Camp Counselors, and Youth Corp).

Bezos Scholars Program

Applications to the Bezos Scholars Program will open on November 30, 2023 and will close on January 25, 2024. Candidates are notified of their status by early March and Scholars are officially selected by April, starting the program in May.

Bezos Scholars Program - juniors; U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have received DACA status; enrolled in or have taken one or more advanced course during their high school career (his includes Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college-level courses); available to fully participate in the year-long program and attend all dates for the Aspen Ideas Festival trip in Aspen, Colorado, slated for June 22 - June 28, 2024; nominate an educator, a willing and supportive adult from their school to serve as a mentor, who will fully participate in the program and go on the trip to Aspen with them.

Though we do not offer financial scholarships for higher education, Scholars:

Form Lasting Friendships Across the Globe  |  Attend the Aspen Ideas Festival  |  Receive Leadership Training  |  Experience Personal Coaching and Support  |  Access College Advising  |  Community Change Project Funding

Click here for more information and to apply

Junior Day - Prepare for the Journey Ahead + College Fair

Monday, January 29, 2024, 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM  |  Wheaton High School

Junior Day is an Out of School Time Day sponsored by the NAACP Parent Council and Johns Hopkins.  For rising seniors who are underrepresented minority students.

• For High School Juniors

• College Fair, Break out sessions about college, and Lunch

• Learn from experts about: scholarships and financial aid, tips on researching colleges, interviews and campus visits, the college admissions process for student athletes.

• Meet college admissions officers!

Click here to register  |  Click here for the flyer with more information 

FAFSA Completion Event @ SVHS

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

Seniors 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

Unraveling College Admissions (Webinar)

Thursday, February 1st | 7:00 p.m. 

Understand the college application process and get tips for reducing stress. Find out what’s changed with the process, what colleges consider, where to put your best efforts, and general Do’s and Don’t’s.  Students from all MCPS high schools are welcome.

Click here to register  |  Click here for the flyer

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

Library Media News: National News Literacy Week - January 22-26

• Spotlight on Digital Citizenship: Each year, the News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education non-profit and the E.W. Scripps Company, which specializes in local news, sponsor National News Literacy Week.  This initiative aims to bring attention to the vital role of news literacy in a democracy and provide people of all ages with the knowledge and tools to become better informed and more civically engaged.  This year’s focus is on the crisis in local news and efforts to keep it alive.  Visit the National News Literacy Week website to see a full schedule of events.  Even if you are unable to attend scheduled events, the sessions will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers.

• The MCPS Parent Academy, in Collaboration with Common Sense Media, is hosting an Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens Workshop on Wednesday, January 24th, from 6:00-7:00 pm.  Visit the parent academy website for a full schedule and to register.

• Book Club Updates:  Please note the upcoming titles and discussion dates, and remember that membership in the SV Book Club is fluid and students are welcome to participate based on interest and availability!

  • • Thursday, February 8 - Mamo by Sas Milledge

    • Thursday, March 7 - All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

We have print copies of each book available, but students may also read these books in audiobook and/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. 🌻