A Letter from Dr. Cohen 

November 1, 2023

Dear Seneca Valley High School Students, Staff, and Families:

It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today to share that November 30, 2023 will be my last day working for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).  After 30 years in public education, I have decided to retire from the principalship and begin a new professional journey supporting school leaders across the country as an Instruction and Leadership Coach.

I began my career as a teacher and an assistant principal in Carroll and then Howard County. In 2004, I came to MCPS as the Director of Alternative Programs, but soon realized that I needed to be in a school building. I missed the kids, and I missed the dedicated teachers and support staff. In 2006, Dr. Weast, then superintendent, appointed me to the role of principal at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School.  It was at MLK that I came to love Germantown and where my most enduring professional friendships and community partnerships began. Identity, SONS, Journeys Crossing, and so many more leaders in our community modeled daily the importance of high expectations and never, ever, giving up on kids. I LOVED being at MLK, but I also harbored a lifelong dream of becoming a high school principal.  I was humbled to be appointed to Seneca Valley High school in 2010, and in the blink of an eye, nearly 14 wonderful years have passed.  

It has always been my personal and professional goal to provide service to others through school leadership.  I believe, deep in my heart, that each and every student who walks through the doors of our school has within them the capacity for greatness.  For the last 14 years, it has been my job to lead a world-class group of teachers, administrators, and support staff in creating the conditions necessary for SVHS students to see that capacity for greatness become a reality.  At SVHS, we have built something special. We have seen significant academic gains in virtually every measured area. Scores are up, graduation rates are up, college acceptances and scholarship awards are up, and most importantly, we see these improvements across all student groups. Throughout my tenure at SVHS, we have been committed to eliminating the racial and socio-economic access, opportunity, and achievement gaps that exist across our country. And together, we have proven that this goal is attainable.  SVHS is among the most diverse schools in the country.  This diversity is our superpower and I am proud to see our diverse student body equitably represented across all of our success measures and most notably in their participation and performance in our most rigorous programs: International Baccalaureate and Career Technical Education.

Among the accomplishments I am most proud of is the way our community has come together over the years. You spoke loudly and clearly to local officials, and as a result, we built the largest, and most beautiful school in the state. Additionally, you insisted on parity across the county, and in response, we now provide our students access to a robust selection of highly competitive and rigorous programs that are designed to make our kids more competitive in an ever-changing world. We have worked hard to merge the spirit and traditions that come from decades of #TheSenecaWay while honoring the wants and needs of students and families from our expanded attendance area.  And, we stood side-by-side to protect our kids and our community when illness and unrest threatened to damage what we had so carefully built.

Over the last two decades, we have laughed together, cried together, celebrated each other's successes, and mourned our shared losses. My children grew up knowing how important the Seneca Valley community is to me, and my wife even came to tolerate my seemingly bottomless supply of school spirit wear.  Fun fact: One of the most commonly heard phrases in my household - “Did you really bring home another Seneca shirt?” Being a high school principal is hard and sometimes exhausting work.  I want to thank my family for always supporting me on this journey and for understanding that the long days and frequent nights were for a greater good.  

In the coming days, our Director, Mr. David Chia, will share information about who our Acting Principal will be and what our plans are for the transition in leadership.  This spring, our school community will play a role in identifying the next principal of our great school.  I am grateful to all of you for your support and trust over my 18 years in Germantown.  I hope to have the chance to thank many of you personally over the next few weeks.

I am very proud of the work we have done together as a school community. We are Seneca Valley and I will always be #SVProud.  

Sincerely, 

Marc J. Cohen 

Principal

Registration for Dual Enrollment is Open

Registration for the Spring Semester of Dual Enrollment will begin on October 31st. 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

Seneca Valley High School Birds Of Play

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.  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!

2024-25 FAFSA & Some Upcoming Changes

Once the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available in December, all eligible Class of 2024 seniors should fill out the 2024-25 FAFSA as that will be their first year of attending college, university, or trade school. This includes students planning to attend Montgomery College. Accidentally filling out the wrong year’s FAFSA may lead to issues or delays in receiving financial aid! Mr. Nalda will provide details and updates as they become available. 

Click here to view some of the upcoming changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA (shared with us via MC).

Click the following to learn more about the redesign: Implementing the 2024–25 FAFSA Process

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.  

Click here to learn more and see who is scheduled to visit SVHS this Fall!

Next Week’s College & Career Center Visits:

• Neumann University - Mon November 6 @ 10:30 AM

• Lincoln Technical Institute, Columbia - Tue November 7 @ 10:30 AM

• U.S. Navy Recruiter, Lunch Visit - Tue November 7 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM

  • *No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the U.S. Navy.

• The University of the Arts - Tue November 7 @ 12:05 PM

• U.S. Marines Recruiter, Lunch Visit - Thu November 9 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM

  • *No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the U.S. Marines.

Upcoming Scholarships 

• November 08 - Regeneron Science Talent Search - win up to $250,000; senior; students will be given the challenge of conducting independent science, math, or engineering research; to be considered, you must submit a maximum 20 - page research report explaining your experiments and conclusions; research must be the work of a single individual, group and team projects are not eligible; see link for full details and guidelines. 

• November 13 - Elks Most Valuable Student Award - 500 awards ranging from $1,000-$30,000 per year for four years; senior; U.S. Citizen; judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need; top 20 national finalists traditionally win a leadership trip to interview for up to $30,000. 

• November 13 - Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards - awards of up to $1,000 to use for college education or to fund a community service effort; senior; be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines); min 3.0 GPA (unweighted); essay questions; letter of recommendation; transcript; if selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory. 

• November 16 - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship - over 100 awards of up to $55,000/year to attend a four-year school; senior; min. 3.5 GPA (un-weighted); judged on persistence, service to others, and leadership; essays, letters of recommendation; financial need (will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000); students can apply via Common App. 

• November 30 - MoreWithUs Spring 2024 Scholarship Competition - 2-$500 awards; grades 9-12; Submit a one-page essay OR a short video (about 2 minutes) about a work or volunteer experience; Create a free MoreWithUs profile.

• November 30 - National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship* - (*5pm ET deadline on 11/30) awards ranging from $3,200 - $25,000; senior; active NHS member in good standing; currently enrolled at a school with an affiliated NHS chapter; planning to enroll at a postsecondary college or university in fall 2023; student membership must be verified by an active NHS adviser at an affiliated NHS chapter. 

• December 15* - BURGER KING Scholars Program* - multiple awards ranging from $1,000-$50,000; senior; min 2.0 GPA (unweighted); must enroll at a two- or four-year school full-time next Fall; recipients are selected based on their grade point average, work experience, extracurricular activities and/or community service. 

  • *Apply early as scholarship closes on December 15 or when 50,000 applications are submitted, whichever occurs first!

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

Other Info & Opportunities

Highly Selective Admissions (Webinar)

You've heard about highly selective colleges, but have you heard the real truth about the admissions process? Join us on Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 PM EST to hear it from an expert. RMHS is the "host school" for this event, but SVHS 11th grade students and families are welcome to attend.

The Ivy League, University of California schools, Stanford, and other highly selective colleges are some of the most sought-after colleges in the country. But are they the best colleges for your child, and what does it take to get accepted?

In this candid conversation, our Collegewise counselor will spotlight America's top colleges and offer families a true look at what things to consider when applying to these schools. Including,

• What it takes to get accepted

• What highly selective colleges look for

• How to determine what colleges are the right fit

• And so much more!

Register now and join our live webinar!

Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Inc. Eta Pi Zeta Chapter - Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop

Please bring an appetite to learn along with and pencil. Offering students even more insights into the art of writing. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn writing tips and tricks to engage in unique and fun writing exercises. The workshop provides experience that provides proven writing prompts and professional help from an acclaimed editor. 

Clarksburg Cottage  |  Nov 12, 2023  |  Time 3:30 - 5:00pm

Click here for more information and to register

National Apprenticeship Week 2023 - Open House

5000 Forbes Blvd, Lanham, MD 20706  |  Friday, Nov 17, 2023  |  10am to 6pm

A multi-trade event with earn-while-you-learn construction apprenticeships from around our region.  Tours, exhibits, demonstrations, food and drinks.

Click here for more information and the flyer with event registration

2023 Alfred Street Baptist Church Annual HBCU (Historically Black College & University) College Festival

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 21st Annual HBCU Festival.  Please note, each attendee must pre-register and have their own ticket (QR code) to enter the festival.

The festival will be held November 17-18, 2023 in a hybrid format.

• Virtual: November 17th from 4-8pm and November 18th from 9am-4pm

• In-person: Saturday, November 18th from 9am-4pm

  • Location:  The St. James Sports Complex (6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, VA 22151)

Festival benefits include:  All accredited HBCUs invited to participate  |  On-the-spot admissions decisions (virtual and onsite)  |  Instrumental and vocal music auditions (virtual and onsite)  |  Seminars on preparing for the college admissions process, financial aid and scholarships, and student life  |  Essay/personal statement writing assistance and interview coaching  |  Student prizes and giveaways

For more information and to register:  https://hbcufest.alfredstreet.org/e/hbcu-fest

Library Media News: Acknowledging Native American Heritage & History🪶

• Please stop by in November to check out our newest reading promotion which honors Native culture and acknowledges Native history.  The display features both non-fiction texts and books by Native American authors, and includes materials about the Piscataway People, indigenous to our region.

• The next book discussion will take place during lunch on Monday, November 20th.  In recognition of Native American Heritage Month and in collaboration with Maryland Humanities One Maryland One Book, we are reading There There by Tommy Orange.  Students interested in participating in this program should stop by the LMC or email Ms. Nicole Little for more information. 🌻

Creativity Contests 🎥

• The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting a contest that challenges students to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse or overdose and fentanyl among teens. The Speak Up, Save a Life PSA Contest is open to students in Grades 6-12, who can earn up to 10 SSL hours for participating and cash prizes.  Entries can be in English or Spanish, must be 50-70 seconds in length, and are due by Friday, November 17, 2023.

• MoComCon, a celebration of comics, graphic novels, and fandoms, is coming back to the Germantown Library on January 20, 2024.  Students are invited to enter MoComCon art and essay contests between now and December 1st, and a cosplay contest on the day of the event.  For more information and contest entry forms, click HERE.   

• 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.