Good Evening Seneca Valley Community,

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  Seniors last week with the 24th being their last day!

Seniors the last day for you to turn in your work is Wednesday May 29th.  This allows us time to certify your grades and graduation requirements to allow you to walk on the Wednesday June 5th.

We will continue our state testing this week.

Our Test days are the following…

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

•                     Wednesday 5/22 – ELA10 (DAY 2)

•                     Tuesday 5/28 – MAP - MATH

•                     Thursday 5/30 – MAP - READING

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

BELL SCHEDULES

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

Senior Chromebook Collection Information

Last week in their English classes, seniors received letters providing information about Chromebook return.  These letters included the timeline below, in addition to the details (asset tag & serial numbers) of the devices currently assigned to them and which they are expected to return.  Should they have any questions about this process, seniors should stop by the Library Media Center for assistance.

• From May 21-24, seniors will visit the LMC with their English 12 classes to return Chromebooks and chargers

• Seniors are welcome to return their Chromebooks to the LMC before then

• Beginning Monday, May 28th, obligations will be issued for all outstanding Chromebooks ($150) and chargers ($25) which must be paid to the Finance Office

• The absolute deadline for returning your Chromebook and charger is before graduation rehearsal on Monday, June 3rd

SVHS Celebrates 14 Early College Graduates

This past Friday, 14 of our amazing Screaming Eagles graduated from Montgomery College's Early College program.

These impressive students earned their associate's degree 2 ½ weeks before receiving their high school diplomas! 

Early College students complete their 11th and 12th grade years of high school while simultaneously completing their first two years of college.  They graduate with an associate's degree from MC as well as a Maryland State High School diploma.

The Seneca Valley graduating class of 2024 has the most Early College graduates that it has ever had, doubling the total number from last year. 

Congratulations to these wonderful, ambitious students and their families!

Rayn Anwar AA DEGREE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES 

Sahana Audhithan AAS DEGREE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Folashade Epebinu AS DEGREE GENERAL ENGINEERING

Feben Fekadu AS DEGREE GENERAL ENGINEERING

Derek Gomez AS DEGREE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Jillian Holmes AA DEGREE BUSINESS

Tara Murugesan AA DEGREE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Jasmine Nguyen AA DEGREE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Ilyas Rehman AA DEGREE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Anna Ross AAT DEGREE ELEMENTARY ED

Faith Thomas AA DEGREE BEHAVIORAL

Jed Ivan Valenzuela AA DEGREE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

McKenna Varga AAS DEGREE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY (X-RAY TECH)

Aiden Wood-Bland AAS DEGREE CYBERSECURITY

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

Seneca Valley Caregivers of Seniors:

Your Senior is less than a month 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

Senior Chromebook Collection Information

Earlier this month in their English classes, seniors received letters providing information about Chromebook return.  These letters included the timeline below, in addition to the details (asset tag & serial numbers)  of the devices currently assigned to them and which they are expected to return.  Should they have any questions about this process, seniors should stop by the Library Media Center for assistance.

• From May 21-24, seniors will visit the LMC with their English 12 classes to return Chromebooks and chargers

• Seniors are welcome to return their Chromebooks to the LMC before then

• Beginning Monday, May 28th, obligations will be issued for all outstanding Chromebooks ($150) and chargers ($25) which must be paid to the Finance Office

• The absolute deadline for returning your Chromebook and charger is before graduation rehearsal on Monday, June 3rd

Chromebook Inventory in Grades 9-11

Last week in English classes, students in grades 9-11 received notices indicating the MCPS asset tag & serial numbers of the device(s) currently assigned to them.  Students were asked to verify that our records accurately reflect the Chromebook they are using, and to report any discrepancies to Library Media Center staff for resolution.

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 the 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

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 PTSA

PTSA Meeting: We look forward to seeing you at our next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, May 21st from 6:30pm-to-8:00pm. 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! 

Planning Ahead: The PTSA is looking for nominations for all Executive Board positions for the 2024-2025 school year. See list below. The PTSA plays a vital role in keeping parents, the community and the school connected and we want this to continue. Continuing work benefits the students and the school community as a whole. However, to make this possible, we need dedicated and passionate parents to take the reins and continue this much needed work. You will not be alone, you will have lots of help as you transition and learn should you choose to take on one of these amazing roles. We ask that you give whatever time you can. If you are interested, please send an email to svhsptsapres@gmail.com. 

• President

• 1st Vice President (community relation focus)

• 2nd Vice President (Fundraising and communication focus)

• Treasurer

• Secretary

If being on the board is not your thing, we also need help to lead/chair some of our committees as well. If you would like to learn more about any of the committees below, please email svhsptsapres@gmail.com. 

• Membership Committee (Involvement - beginning of the school year through early January) 

• Staff Appreciation Committee (Involvement - Several times throughout the school year)

• Fundraising Committee (Involvement - Ongoing throughout the school year)

• After Prom Committee (Involvement - late fall through event date)

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

Message from the Boosters

The Boosters will have an open meeting to conduct an election for our secretary position on MAY 30th at 6:30 PM,  The meeting will be held in the Media Center.  ALL members who wish to vote are encouraged to attend.

This will be an in person only meeting.  Candidates and their qualifications will be noted in next week's newsletter.  

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SILENT AUCTION

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

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. 

Final Senior Presentations & Senior Exit Survey

Mr. Nalda will be visiting every senior English class before your last day on May 24.  He will be making a presentation going over post-high school options, financial aid, and answering any questions you may have.  Seniors will also be completing their Senior Exit Survey.  If you happen to miss Mr. Nalda’s presentation, please reach out to your English to ask how to complete this survey.  

See Mr. Nalda if you have any questions. 

Rising Senior Presentations

Attention Rising Seniors!  Starting at the end of May, counselors will be visiting your English classes to go over post-high school options, give an overview of the college application process, and go over the basics of financial aid.  You don’t want to miss this important presentation!

Dates and times will be communicated to students soon!

Upcoming Scholarships 

• May 20 - Max and Emmy Dreyfuss Jewish Undergraduate Scholarship - $1,500 – $4,000; senior; first-generation college student; U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship; accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program on a full-time basis; scholarships are awarded based on financial need; NOTE: Cannot be used for community college or study abroad programs.

• May 20 - JSSA Educational Scholarship - $2,000 – $6,000; senior; first-generation college student; U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship; accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program, vocational school, or community college; scholarships are awarded based on financial need; NOTE: Recipients are eligible for 1-2 years of funding.

• May 20 - Alpha Pi Chi National Sorority Inc Marie E. Johnson Award* - $1,000 award; senior; African American; female; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); show interest in an undergraduate degree in law, criminal justice, legal studies, or education; two letters of recommendation; official mid-year transcript;  proof of at least 60 hours of community or volunteer service; essay of no less than 500 words (addressing the applicant’s career goals); recent photo; documentation reflecting acceptance as a student for fall enrollment at an institution of higher learning.

  • *Please note: all documentation must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2024. Applications received after May 31, 2024, will not be considered.

• May 20 - Alpha Pi Chi National Sorority Inc Rosa B. Tillery Award* - $1,000 award; senior; African American; female; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); show interest in an undergraduate degree in the social sciences (i.e., social work, psychology, anthropology, etc.); two letters of recommendation; official mid-year transcript;  proof of at least 60 hours of community or volunteer service; essay of no less than 500 words (addressing the applicant’s career goals); recent photo; documentation reflecting acceptance as a student for fall enrollment at an institution of higher learning.

  • *Please note: all documentation must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2024. Applications received after May 31, 2024, will not be considered.

• May 21 - B.Davis Scholarship - $1,000 award; available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution; write an essay of less than 1000 words on leadership; see link for specific prompt.

• May 24 - National Naval Officers Association DC Chapter Scholarship - awards starting at $1,000; senior; minority youth from the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area based on academic achievement, positive community involvement, commitment, and financial need. Scholarship recipients select their major and attend the college or university of their choice without any obligation to join or affiliate with the military; Transcript and/or SAT/ACT score report; extracurricular activities, community service activities, academic honors, and positions of leadership; statement of financial need and/or special circumstances/compelling situation (limit 1 page); two (2) letters of recommendation from school officials or other persons of influence in life, other than relatives, who are in a position to address character, citizenship, and leadership; recent photograph (wallet size, high quality if possible) (cropping a photo ID counts); see link for all details and requirements.

• May 24 - Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. Scholarship - eight $1,008.11 single-year scholarship awards; senior; intend to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or technical school beginning in fall; submit an essay (500 words max) describing the importance of Miss Utility of Maryland/D.C. and how it could relate to a future career path; copy of transcript.

Scholarships for Students Attending Montgomery College

June 05 - The Herb Block Scholarship - up to 100 last dollar awards that cover tuition, school fees, books and transportation; attend Montgomery College; DACA, MD Dreamers, and Virginia Dreamers are eligible to apply; no GPA cut off; need to have a high school diploma or a GED to apply.

June 30 - MC Foundation Scholarships - awards range from $500 - $2,500; for all graduating seniors planning to attend Montgomery College; complete this application in order to be considered for all scholarship opportunities! 

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

FAFSA Help Virtual Session - May 21

May 21st @ 6:30 PM

Hosted by DHS & Collegiate Directions.  Students from all MCPS high schools are welcome!

Need to complete the FAFSA?  Need help correcting the FAFSA?  Have other FAFSA questions?  Join this session for help!  Spanish assistance is available.

Click here for the flyer, which includes the QR code to join the meeting

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: Sign Up for MCPL's Teen Summer Reading Challenge! 🏞️

• Students may start signing up to participate in Montgomery County Public Library’s Teen Summer Reading Challenge.  By completing tasks on this bingo card between June 14-August 31,  students have the chance to earn Washington Nationals baseball tickets, Washington Mystics basketball tickets, a free book, and other big prizes. 

• Upcoming Events in the LMC:

  • Thursday, May 23rd - SVBC End-of-Year Luncheon

  • May 21st-24th: Senior Chromebook Collection though English classes

  • Through May 31st: Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans, Jewish Americans, Mental Health Awareness, and Military Appreciation reading promotions