First Day of School for Students is August 28, 2023

We will continue to use this newsletter as a central communications space between school and home.  Please check back every Sunday in August as we continue to roll out important information intended to make your student's transition back to school a smooth and successful one.  

Fall Calendar Dates to Remember

Seneca Valley Athletics Calendar

August - Keep visiting this newsletter for additional dates to be added over the next few weeks

• 8/15: Summer School Graduation 10:00 a.m. at Gaithersburg HS

• 8/21: Mandatory Fall Athlete Meeting - All Fall Athletes MUST Attend - 2:30 pm in the gym

• 8/24: New Student Orientation - 7:30 am - 12 pm

• 8/28: First Day of School

• 8/31: Back to School Night

September - Keep visiting this newsletter for additional dates to be added over the next few weeks

• 9/4: Labor Day - Schools & Offices Closed

• 9/15: First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month

• 9/19: 1st PTSA Meeting - 6:30 pm in the Media Center

• 9/22: Early Release Day

• 9/25: Non-Instructional Day—No School For Students And Teachers

• TBD: Underclassman Portraits

• TBD: Club Fair (During Lunch)

• TBD: 1st Booster Club Meeting 

• TBD: 1st African American Parent Council (AAPC) Meeting

October - Keep visiting this newsletter for additional dates to be added over the next few weeks

• 10/9 -10/13 - Homecoming Week - Stay tuned for information on Homecoming events and Spirit Week

• 10/14: Homecoming Dance

• 10/9: No School for Students - Professional Day for Staff

• 10/11: PSAT Day

• 10/17: PTSA Meeting - 6:30 pm in the Media Center

• TBD: Booster Club Meeting

• TBD: SV Choral Cluster Event

*11/1 Marks the end of the 1st quarter

2023 SUMMER ENRICHMENT & ASSIGNMENTS

Click the links below for the latest information regarding SVHS 2023 Summer Enrichment and Assignments.

• SVHS - All English Courses

• SVHS - IB History

• SVHS - IB History 2

• SVHS - AP US Government

• SVHS - AP US History

• SVHS - IB Psychology

• SVHS - Language Acquisition

• SVHS - Math

Bus Routes

2023-24 school bus routes are expected to be released this week. As soon as they are made available, they will be published in this newsletter and on our school website.

Visit the MCPS Department of Transportation website for transportation news and the latest updates!

Students and families should also review the important Ride by the Rules safety guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation.

Ride by the Rules - Bus Safety and Guidelines for Students & Parents

9th Grade and New Student Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. School bus schedules for orientation will follow a normal morning pick-up schedule and return students home on a three-hour early dismissal schedule. There is no flexibility on the dismissal time as school buses serve multiple schools. If your child is a walker, then he/she should walk to and from school or you may drop off/pick up students at the car-rider loop in front of the school building.

This program will give students:

• An opportunity to meet school staff and classmates

• A chance to become familiar with the school building (finding classrooms and offices)

• An overview of the academic program

Students will begin arriving at approximately 7:20 a.m. and should report directly to the auditorium by 7:45 a.m. There will be staff members and Eagle Ambassadors stationed at various points throughout the building to help students find their way.

Soar Like an Eagle Period

Our students continued to learn valuable new things in our Soar Like and Eagle Period this past school year. This time was dedicated to social emotional learning and student/staff well-being.  Over the summer our Instructional Leadership Team examined feedback on from students and staff on the impact of this period.  We are currently finalizing plans for a more robust program that attends to these same needs while also allowing time for community building and academic support. Information will be updated and shared with students, staff, and families in the Sunday newsletter on August 20, 2023. 

Updates from Counseling Services

From all of us in the Seneca Valley Counseling Services department, we hope you are having a happy, healthy, and rejuvenating summer and are getting excited for the new school year. The Counseling team has been hard at work throughout the summer and can't wait to see you again!

Important summer updates below:

Important Senior Form & College Application Information 

Seniors have been asked to complete the following online form regarding plans for after high school.  Please take a few minutes to fill it out. Even if you are undecided at this time, you can go in later and change your responses.  

• SVHS Required Senior Post-Secondary Interest Form

For students planning to apply to 4 year colleges and universities, this is an important part of the college application process in order to help ensure all high school documents are submitted in a timely fashion.  Please refer to the SVHS College Application Process document as guide for applying to colleges.

Our College & Career Center is still open throughout the summer and Mr. Nalda is here to help students and families navigate the college application process. Please visit the College & Career Center site for detailed information. You can also reach out to Mr. Nalda at  Carlos_E_Nalda@mcpsmd.org

Seniors applying to 4 year colleges must send your Brag Sheet to your counselor ASAP! The more you can get done on college applications before summer ends, the better.

Message for Seniors

Seniors and families are still invited to schedule a Senior Meeting with their counselor before school is back in session. This is an opportunity to meet with your counselor (in-person or virtual) to discuss your senior year schedule, graduation requirements, and college and career planning, including the college application process. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please contact your child's counselor by email. Seniors who are interested in requesting an Adjusted Partial-Day Schedule must complete the Adjusted Partial-Day Schedule Request Form

Dual Enrollment

Students who are taking or interested in taking Montgomery College classes next through Dual Enrollment should contact Mrs. Blaine at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org

College and Career Center

The College & Career Center holds a wealth of information and resources for students as they ponder "life after high school." Parents and students can reach out or make an appointment with Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center for assistance with college, career, or scholarship searches. The College & Career Center also has many resources and information regarding financial aid. This is especially important for eleventh and twelfth graders.

During the school year, the College & Career Center is open 7:00am - 3:00pm. Students can come in before school, after school, or during lunch. At any other time during the day, students may come down with a pass as long as a scheduled activity is not taking place. Parents & Guardians are also welcome to schedule an appointment via email. Zoom meetings are also available. 

Keep your eyes open each week in this newsletter for updates on what you should be thinking about (related to college and career planning) as a student or parent of a student in each grade at any given time in the school year. This section will include a weekly message to juniors and seniors, a list of upcoming college visits to our school, a list of upcoming scholarship applications, and links to college and career planning events.

News & Updates from the Business and Finance Offices 2023-2024

Monique Riddick, Business Administrator, 240-740-6413

Tara Owens, Financial Specialist, 240-740-6414

Finance Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• The window is closed daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Students may visit the finance office before school, during lunch, and after school. 

Payments may be made using School Cash Online or in cash, check, and money order at the finance window.   All checks should be made payable to Seneca Valley High School or SVHS.  Please include the student’s name and ID number on all checks.  Returned check fees are $25.00 per check and are obligated toward the student’s account until paid. This includes checks collected as part of fundraisers. 

Obligations: All outstanding obligations must be paid in order for students to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, Homecoming and Prom.  Seniors with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to participate in senior activities including the graduation commencement ceremony.  Outstanding obligations may be viewed and paid at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/.

Important Dates to Remember:

Senior Portraits Senior Panoramic Portrait

September 11-12, 2023 TBD

January 8-9, 2024

Underclassmen Picture Days LFI/SCB Classes

9th - 11th grades through English classes August 29, 2023

August 30-31, September 1, 2023

Picture Make-up Day Last Day Seniors (pay with check)

October 11, 2023 May 1, 2024

A Message from the Boosters

2023-2024 Booster Membership is now open to join!

Please use this 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.

Boosters is always looking for fun and new ways to raise money to give back to our students and we value your ideas.

Booster meeting schedule TBD so, stay tuned!

Sign up genius is LIVE for our fall 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

Face Masks

For the safety of our school environment, face coverings may be worn indoors only for health, religious and/or cultural purposes.  When used for health protection or to prevent disease transmission, acceptable and effective face coverings are well fitting surgical masks, KN95-style masks or N95 respirators. With the exception of face coverings worn for religious or cultural purposes, individuals will be asked to remove other types of face coverings (such as a ski mask, neck gaiter, or scarf over one’s face).  If the alternate face covering is worn for health purposes, SVHS will provide surgical masks for student, staff or visitor use.  If a face covering is needed at school for health purposes, SVHS will provide surgical masks for students, staff or visitors who do not already have access to one at school. 

Attendance and Tardy Policy

Regular attendance fosters a classroom community between teachers and children. Students who attend school are more likely to succeed academically. Students gain background knowledge from discussions while learning in school. Attending school also provides time for social interactions with peers. To create a culture of regular attendance we must have a shared commitment by students, families, and all school staff.

The high school diploma is issued by the State of Maryland, and high school attendance is governed by state regulatory law and reasons for lawful excused absences are limited at the high school level. Absences from school or individual classes, excused or unexcused, beyond five per quarter or ten per semester are considered excessive absences. It is important to be aware that absences reported on both report cards and transcripts do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.

• Students must attend all scheduled classes and must report directly to class when they arrive to school. First period begins at 7:45 am daily.

• Students requesting an early dismissal must turn in their note to the Attendance Office before school. Every student with an authorized early departure must sign out at the Attendance Office when leaving the building and sign in upon returning.

• A note from a parent/caregiver/guardian is required to excuse any absence. A physician’s note is required for any absence of five (5) or more days due to illness.

• Absences of fewer than five consecutive days, but which occur on a frequent basis such as one or two absences every week or two will require medical documentation so that the school may support both the wellness and the academic progress of the student.

• NEW for FY24- Unexcused Absences of greater than ten (10) consecutive days will result in withdrawal due to non-attendance

  • In order to be in line with MSDE guidelines and other school districts in Maryland, MCPS will be reducing the number of days from 15 to 10 for students to be withdrawn for non-attendance.

• Notes regarding absences must be presented to the Attendance Office within three (3) days of returning to school.

• Students who anticipate being absent should bring a note to the attendance office 48 hours prior to the day of their absence, i.e. college visits, school-related activities, religious observance, etc. College visits are limited to 11th and 12th grade students and may not exceed three (3) days per year.

• Students who participate in sports and extracurricular activities must attend school all day on any day they participate in an event. Furthermore, participation in an athletic event is not a reason to be absent or tardy the following day.

• Reasons for excused absences and tardies are established by the Maryland State Department of Education, and not by MCPS or SVHS.

Dress Code Policy

Students have a responsibility to be dressed for school in ways that uphold the learning environment and avoid learning disruption.

Students will be counseled if their style of dress:

● Endangers or potentially threatens the health and/or safety of self or others

● Fails to meet a reasonable requirement of a course or activity

● Is associated with gangs

● Is or has the potential to become lewd, vulgar, obscene, see-through, or insensitive [note: undergarments may not function as outer garments]

● Promotes the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs

As long as the student's style of dress is consistent with these guidelines, they are permitted to wear religious garments and accessories that support and/or represent cultural identity.

Staff will equitably advise all students regardless of race, gender, and/or identity, about inappropriate dress while in the school building and/or school-sponsored practices, events, and functions and inform the student’s counselor for further advice. Staff will make every effort to avoid embarrassment of students to preserve their relationship with the student and avoid any potential negative impacts to any student’s mental health and well-being.

Cell Phone (PMD) Policy

SVHS Personal Mobile Device (PMD) Expectations

Students using a personal mobile device to access the Internet while attending an MCPS-sponsored activity must follow the MCPS Responsible Use Guidelines.

School Level

Students may use their Personal Mobile Device (PMD):

1. Before or after the student instructional day.

2. During lunch.

3. Between classes and during transitional time.

4. Riding to or from school or school-sponsored activities on MCPS or chartered buses students may use personal mobile devices as long as use does not impact the safe operation of the bus and complies with MCPS regulations.

Note: If a student uses a PMD to access the Internet on MCPS property, but is not on the MCPS network, the student remains obligated to comply with the requirements of this regulation. MCPS monitors and reserves the right to investigate all PMDs and PMD activity on the MCPS network.

Classroom Level

Students may use their PMD if:

• Teachers allow the use of PMDs for instructional purposes.

• Teachers include PMD use in their classroom agreements.

• Teachers will create and post PMD agreements and consequences with their students in a collaborative and restorative manner.

If a student breaks school or class PMD agreements, the following steps should be taken to address behavior:

• Conversation with student

• Phone call to parent/guardian

• Teacher level consequence

• If distracting PMD behavior continues, teacher writes a referral to the student’s grade level administrator

Harassment, Hazing & Bullying

Bullying, harassment (including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment), intimidation, hazing, incidents of hate-bias, and concerning issues involving student gender identity are not tolerated in MCPS. We are committed to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools. We appreciate your support in stressing with your students the importance of refraining from and/or tolerating such behaviors and reporting them immediately when they occur. Please use the following links for information on preventing bullying, harassment & intimidation or to report an incident.

• Bullying, harassment, or intimidation prevention

• Reporting Form

Identification Cards for Students

As we open our doors and welcome students back on campus for the 2023-2024 school year, we are continuing our commitment to student well-being, safety and security to ensure that our students feel welcomed, supported and safe.

To support this commitment, all students will be required to carry and show their Seneca Valley High School student ID. For the first two weeks of school, students can utilize their ID from the 2022-2023 school year. Once student pictures have been taken, they will be required to have a 2023-2024 ID. Students will need to have their student identification every day so Seneca Valley staff can ensure only students are accessing campus during the school day. Seneca Valley High School staff are already required to display their ID badge in schools.

Seneca Valley High School’s Closed Lunch Policy

Students will be permitted to eat lunch in the following areas:

• Cafeteria

• First Floor Hallway Tables

• Outside – Behind the building, by the stadium, weather permitting

• Media Center

• Hallways

• Teacher Classrooms (with advanced permission from the teacher)

Students will be prohibited from eating or congregating in the following areas:

• Stairs and Landings

• Outside – Front or sides of the school

• The Main Office Hallway 

Conduct

• Students must obey any reasonable instructions from staff without complaint.

• Be respectful. 

• Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: wrestling/fighting, screaming, harassment, obscene language, unacceptable public displays of affection, and any other behaviors prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct.

• Recycling and trash receptacles are located throughout the school and all waste and recyclables should be disposed of accordingly. All eating areas will have a trashcan in or near them for use.

PSAT Information

The PSAT will be administered at SVHS on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. 10th graders will participate at no cost to students, 11th graders will have an option to participate for a fee. The PSAT and SAT assessments are used to measure students' College and Career Readiness, as well as qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. More information, including testing day schedule, will be shared closer to the testing date.

SUMMER HEALTH REMINDERS

AUGUST 2, 2023

Dear MCPS Community:

Fall is right around the corner! As families prepare to return to school, here are a few health care reminders from MCPS and School Health Services:

1. School immunizations - The Maryland Department of Health released updated school vaccine requirements for the 2023-2024 school year. Families of incoming kindergarten students, new students, and 7th and 8th graders may need additional vaccines to start the school year. For students whose required vaccines are incomplete, updated vaccine records must be submitted by the first day of school; proof of exemption or a vaccination visit must be submitted within 20 days. School staff are reviewing records and contacting families of students with incomplete vaccination records. Not sure if your student is up to date? Contact your child’s health care provider or access their immunization records online. Students 18 years old and younger eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may obtain free vaccines through the county’s Immunization Program.

2. School Health Forms - Returning students may need certain forms if they have a health condition that requires medication, other health support or accommodations, or an emergency health plan at school (for example, asthma, food allergies or a seizure disorder). Common forms include:

• Form 525-13 (for medications to be given or available at school): Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medication / Autorización para Suministro de Medicamento Recetado

• Form 525-14 (emergency plan for severe allergic reactions): Emergency Care for the Management of a Student with a Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis / Atención de Emergencia para Estudiantes con Diagnóstico de Anafilaxia

• Form 240-23 (for food services to be aware of special diets due to an allergy or another health condition): Special Dietary Needs Form / Formulario de Necesidades Alimentarias Especiales

• Other health forms or forms in other languages are on our website

3. Athletics - Sports team tryouts start on Aug. 9 for high school, and Sept. 12 for middle school. Student-athletes will need a sports physical if they are registering for the first time, or if it has been 13 months (high school) or two years (middle school) since the date of their last exam. Parents/guardians must submit their student’s physical form as part of the online registration process. For more information on registration, required forms or other resources for sports physicals, visit the MCPS Athletics website.

• Pre Participation Physical for Athletics/Examen Físico Previo a Participación en Deportes 

4. For more information about school health services, see the program information on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website. For an overview of mental health services and supports, download the MCPS Stronger Student App or click on “Mental Health Support” on the MCPS website.

We are excited to see everyone at the 2023 MCPS Back-to-School Fair/Feria de Regreso a la Escuela para el Ciclo Escolar 2023-2024 at Westfield Wheaton Mall on Saturday, Aug. 26! The fair is a great opportunity to learn about school and county services, and will include a free immunization clinic.

Enjoy a safe and healthy summer!

Sincerely,

Patricia Kapunan, M.D., MPH
Medical Officer, MCPS

Mark Hodge, MS, B.S.N., RN
Sr. Administrator, School Health Services, DHHD

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. (Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts)

SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!

Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.

Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/