SVHS GREEN AND GOLD
Community Newsletter
August 27, 2023
SVHS Student and Family Resource Page
Click here for a list and links to resources and supports available for students and families in the Seneca Valley Community.
SCHOOL DAY ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES/REMINDERS
The school will be open at 7:00 a.m. every morning and unless staying after school for an extracurricular activity, students are expected to exit by 2:45 p.m. daily.
There are two entrances to campus on Crystal Rock Drive that are available for student drop off.
The first entrance (also the largest entrance) is directly next to the sign that says "Seneca Valley High School." THIS IS THE BUS LOOP. Parents MAY NOT use this loop immediately before or after school. When possible, security will be at the top of the loop to guide you to the appropriate drop off/pick up entrance.
The second entrance (Nearest to the intersection of Crystal Rock Drive and Wisteria Drive) is the drop off/pick up loop. This is a very long loop that can accommodate many cars at one time.
Parents are asked to pull as far up as they can. Please do not drop your students off in the middle of the parking lot and definitely do not try to pass other vehicles to exit the loop faster. During the Thursday morning 9th Grade and New Student Orientation, we will practice this process with parents. Drop off will only go smoothly when everyone cooperates and demonstrates patience. When cars try to cut the line or to drive past the line to exit sooner, significant slow downs occur. If we all work together, we will be able to get you in and out very quickly.
SENIORS & SENIOR PARENTS!!!! Please make sure you save and/or favorite our Class of 2024 website: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/sv-class-of-2024/home
This is where we will house ALL of our important information, reminders, Grad Package info, event calendar, officer and sponsor names, and more. We will keep the most pressing announcements on the homepage for easy access.
Back to School Night 8/31/23
We cordially invite you to attend our Back to School Night on Thursday, August 31, 2023. This activity is a time-honored tradition where parents and guardians meet with their children’s teachers, counselors, and administrators. It is also an opportunity for parents to see first-hand the exciting changes that are taking place at Seneca Valley High School (SVHS). You will learn about the expectations of the school and the ways you can help your children improve their academic achievement. By participating in this evening, you will make a powerful statement that you support your child, the school, and education.
BTSN Continued
We will hold topic specific meetings at various locations in the building from 5:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. These include:
Dads on Duty Interest Meeting - Media Center
ESOL Parent Meeting - Gym
LAD Parent Meeting - Gym
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about our IB Programs - Cafe
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Career Programs - 1601
Setting Up ParentVue - Support Session - Media Center
Wellness Center - in the Wellness Center
Because we will have limited parking, shuttle buses will be running back and forth starting at 5:30 p.m. from the parking lot of New Covenant Fellowship Church, 18901 Waring Station Rd, Germantown, MD .
Please plan to arrive early so that you can purchase spirit wear, and talk to PTSA, Boosters, and school officials. This is a special evening for the Seneca Valley High School family, and we sincerely hope you will join us for all the activities.
Please bring a copy of your child's schedule with you. These can be found in ParentVue or you can bring a paper copy. There will be maps and student guides available to assist with locating your child’s classes. We look forward to meeting you on August 31.
Attendance
Please refer to last week's edition of the Green and Gold Community Newsletter for information on the MCPS and SVHS policy on attendance. If MCPS changes the attendance policy, we will share that information in this newsletter. To summarize in clear and concise language:
Once the late bell rings, students without a pass will be marked late.
High school students with excessive absences, both lawful and unlawful, may be referred for appropriate intervention. The school counselor will consult with the student and the parents/guardians, verify the reasons for the absences, and determine the appropriate interventions.
At the discretion of the principal/designee, students who demonstrate a pattern of absences may be referred to appropriate staff and/or outside agencies for intensive interventions designed to increase regular attendance.
School counselors/administrative teams may use an Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP) as a form of intervention to improve student attendance.
An AIP is developed for each of the student’s courses that have been identified for intervention.
Bus Routes
2023-24 school bus routes are now available on the MCPS website and on the Seneca Valley High School website under School Information on the left side of the main page.
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
FIRST DAY REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS
Before Monday:
Charge your Chromebook for the entire weekend leading up to the first day of school.
Pack up other school supplies: All you need on Monday is a binder or folder with some lined paper and a pen/pencil. Your teachers in each class will let you know what other materials you will need.
Highly Recommended: Pack a water bottle to bring to school- there are water filling stations throughout the building.
Set your alarm clock, get a good night’s sleep...school starts early on Monday!
Monday Morning:
Don’t forget your MCPS chromebook and charger! Incoming 9th graders and new students to SVHS will receive their chromebook and charger in Science class.
Bus Route Schedules are available on our website: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Students may enter either through the Cafeteria/Stadium entrance (on Wisteria Drive) or the front lobby entrance (on Crystal Rock Drive) starting at 7:20am. On Monday, August 28, 2023, everyone will report to their Homeroom locations before first period.
All students should be in Homeroom by 7:40 AM. Homeroom will begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. Start the school year strong by showing up, on-time, ready to learn.
There will be signs posted throughout the first floor with homeroom assignments and room numbers.
You also have a copy of the school map in your packet, but HERE it is again if you need it.
There will be staff members posted in all the hallways to help you find your way.
Students will receive their class schedule, bell schedule, and another copy of the map in homeroom.
IF YOU HAVE AN MCPS ISSUED CHROMEBOOK, PLEASE BRING IT WITH YOU ON MONDAY.
After Homeroom, students will attend periods 1-8 (lunch is period 5).
Division of Food & Nutrition Services (DFNS) - Maryland Meals For Achievement (MMFA) Update
What is Maryland Meals For Achievement (MMFA) Breakfast?
MMFA Breakfast provides state funding to offer free breakfast in the classroom for all students. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be providing free student breakfast through MMFA at 117 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, including 28 new schools. By increasing access to breakfast at no charge, we are fueling students for academic success.
How does MMFA operate?
Students are eligible to receive one free meal breakfast each. In elementary schools, breakfast will be delivered to classrooms or hallways. Each classroom will receive a weekly roster with students' names. Every morning, teachers will check off the name of each student who receives a breakfast. In secondary schools, students may pick up breakfast in the cafeteria line or at a Grab & Go cart, and then take it to their classroom to eat. DFNS will monitor anticipated increases in meal participation and adjust as needed.
When will MMFA start?
Schools previously operating MMFA will start MMFA operations on the first day of school.
Free breakfast will be available to students at all MMFA schools starting with the first day of school.
A DFNS school-based supervisor will connect with each of the new 28 MMFA schools to setup a training for school-based staff administering breakfast in the classroom, and to determine the best start date for MMFA operations between August 28th and September 29th. All MMFA schools must be operating MMFA by October 1, 2023.
What can be shared with school communities?
DFNS encourages MMFA breakfast schools to share the following update with their school community:
2023-2024 Division of Food & Nutrition Services update
Breakfast will be FREE, and students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast in their classroom. We encourage families to check out menus here and students to eat breakfast at school, fueling them to learn each day.
Where can I find more information?
DFNS will provide a virtual optional MMFA Listen & Learn sessions for administrators on September 13th from 11am – 12pm. To register for the Listen & Learn session, please click here. A recording of the Listen & Learn sessions will be made available.
Additional Information: If you have questions, contact your DFNS Supervisor or Liz Leach, Director, DFNS, at 240-740-7400 or via email, Elizabeth_Leach@mcpsmd.org
LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS: WE ARE OPEN! BUT FIRST, CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION!
During the first two days of school, the library media center (LMC) will only be open after school as LMC staff will be facilitating Chromebook distribution throughout the school day. On Monday, August 28th, all 9th grade students will visit the LMC with their Biology classes to pick up their Chromebooks. On Tuesday, August 29th, all new 10th-12th grade students and students whose Chromebooks are not working properly or otherwise in need of repair are welcome to visit the LMC at any point during the day for assistance. Regular LMC accessibility (shared below) will resume on Wednesday, August 30th. In the meantime, please know:
The library media center is a safe space. First and foremost, please know that library media staff are committed to making the library media center a warm, welcoming, and safe space where students feel seen, heard, affirmed, and valued. We hope this is reflected in our daily interactions and in our relationships with students and staff, and also in the resources we provide to support learning and personal interests.
The library media center is accessible. Our hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am - 4:30 pm, and Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. In addition, students may eat lunch in the library media center with rare exceptions. These exceptions include closings for monthly book club meetings and the first two days of school, when we will be open for tech support only.
Library media staff provide technical support. Whereas this is not our primary directive, the LMC is where students should come to report issues with their Chromebooks and school accounts. In fact, the library media center will be open exclusively for tech support during lunch on Monday and Tuesday this week.
Library media staff would like you to join our book group! The SVHS Book Club participates in three reading programs: the Black-Eyed Susan Book Club is a year-long reading club through which students read three of ten nominated books by April, and then vote to help select the best book for Maryland’s high school readers, Project LIT Community is a grassroots, nationwide literacy movement that aims to promote reading by providing access to books that help students feel seen and heard, and One Maryland One Book is a statewide reading program that takes place each fall. To learn more about each of these clubs, students may:
visit the Book Clubs flag in the Virtual SVLMC
plan to attend an interest meeting in the LMC on Tuesday, September 12th, at the beginning of lunch
or contact Ms. Little, our Library Media Specialist 🌻
CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION
9th grade students will visit the library media center with their Biology classes to pick up their Chromebooks on the first day of school. If a student received a Chromebook over the summer, or if they retained their Chromebook from their previous school, they should bring their Chromebook to school as they will not be issued another device.
10th-12th grade students should bring their Chromebooks, fully charged, to school. Please know that if the battery in a Chromebook is dead, the device needs to be charged for at least 30 minutes before it will power back on.
10th-12th grade students new to Seneca Valley or students with Chromebooks that are damaged or broken should report to the library media center during lunch on Monday, August 28th or at any point of the day on Tuesday, August 29th, for assistance.
ACTION: COMPLETE THE GOOGLE, YOUTUBE, AND ONLINE DIGITAL TOOLS CONSENT FORM
Parents and guardians - if your student is in grade 9, new to MCPS, or if you have not previously submitted the G-Suite for Education: Additional Services form, please give your student(s) permission to access and use technology resources as part of their learning experience. Access to the form is via ParentVUE, as part of the Annual Verification process.
From Technology Information and Support for Parents:
What is Annual Verification and how do I do this in ParentVue?
In the past, yellow emergency cards and a variety of other forms were sent home with students on the first day of school so that families could communicate updates about contact information, health, directory withholdings, emergency contacts, and more. This process will now take place in ParentVUE using Online Registration.
Failure to provide consent to Additional Services and Supplemental Online Digital Tools will not result in loss of access to the G-Suite Core Services, but will limit access to other technology resources used to facilitate teaching and learning. Consent remains valid for the entire time the student is enrolled in an MCPS high school and may be rescinded at any time.
Fall 2023 MCPS Covid-19 Updates
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has modified its health and safety procedures related to COVID-19 and other respiratory infections for the upcoming school year.
In partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), COVID-19 procedures have been modified for the 2023–2024 school year.
Fall 2023 Reopening Guide is available online and outlines updated health and safety procedures for the upcoming school year.
Major changes to COVID-19 procedures include the following:
COVID-19 Vaccination – MCPS employees, volunteers, and students are strongly encouraged but not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Weekly school-based vaccine clinics have been discontinued.
Reporting new COVID-19 cases – the MCPS COVID-19 online tool and dashboard have been discontinued. Students and staff should report an absence due to COVID-19 directly to their school, program, or supervisor.
COVID-19 Testing – Non-vaccinated employees are not required to undergo routine testing. Rapid testing will no longer be conducted by health room staff. MCPS will continue to supply home test kits to schools and worksites for staff and students.
MCPS and DHHS will continue to monitor, manage, and report school outbreaks to the Maryland Department of Health. School and program administrators should continue to contact our office when there are multiple cases in a classroom/activity.
Detailed procedures and a summary of changes are available in the COVID-19 Online Toolkit for administrators.
Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate Exam
Beginning in the school year 2023–2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will pay for all Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams in alignment with the Maryland Blueprint and the MCPS strategic plan.
Exams for students enrolled in an AP or IB course are at no cost to students and families;
Students enrolled in an AP or IB course for the school year 2023–2024 will be expected to participate in the corresponding AP or IB exam;
Students who elect to take an AP exam and are not enrolled in the corresponding AP course will be responsible for paying for the AP exam;
Students are not permitted to participate in an IB exam unless enrolled in the corresponding IB course according to the standards and practices of IB;
Schools cannot charge an administrative fee for AP or IB exams.
The Maryland Blueprint requires that students have access to several Post-College and Career Readiness (CCR) pathways at no cost to students. These pathways include college preparatory programs such as AP and IB. Pillar Three of the MCPS Maryland Blueprint Implementation Plan states that schools will provide access and opportunity to accelerated and enriched courses and increase the Maryland CCR rates. MCPS is working to support all students to be College and Career ready at no cost by providing payment for AP and IB exams.
Important Dates
AP and IB exam registration deadline is November 15, 2023.
AP and IB exams begin April 24, 2024, and end May 17, 2024.
April-June Amendments/Revisions to MCBOE Policies and MCPS Regulations
From April to June 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended two policies and the superintendent of schools adopted or approved for revision five MCPS regulations.
MCPS Regulation JPD-RC, Emergency Care for Individuals Experiencing Symptoms of Opioid Overdose
MCPS Regulation COC-RA, Trespassing or Willful Disturbance on MCPS Property
MCPS Regulation JPC-RA, Administration Medication to Student
A description of the changes made to each are available on the summary of changes website, along with links to the policies and regulations. Language translations are posted as soon as they are available.
MCPS Pathway to College, Career, and Community Readiness
Before you review the materials below, you may find it helpful to view this brief video that explains the pathway and its connection to student learning.
Spanish language video coming next week.
Honored Guests Visit SVHS
In partnership with the University of Maryland, MCPS has been asked to host three school leaders from Vietnam. These guests will visit Seneca Valley High School for a two-hour morning or afternoon session the first week of September. Staff members from the Office of Special Education and the University of Maryland will accompany and serve as guides.
Our guests will observe how MCPS implements special education services. Specifically, instruction that includes the following:
High incidence disabilities – LAD students in general education classes
Universal Design for Learning
Evidence-based practices related to reading, writing, mathematics; whole class or small group
Collection of student data
PARENT VOLUNTEER TRAINING
The MCPS Volunteer webpage has been updated.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx
On that webpage, you will find updates for SY23-34 and a chart for “who needs what.” There is also a resource on the far right called: School Guidance for Volunteers. If there are any volunteers who did this process last year, then they are good for this year. Any new volunteers would need to complete the compliance measures listed below.
One-time volunteers who will ALWAYS be accompanied by MCPS staff
One-time volunteers who will never be alone with students at the MCPS school do NOT need to complete the compliance measures.
They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a regular volunteer (This includes, but is not limited to Dads on Duty participants)
These volunteers must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation process.
Volunteers can pull their grade sheet showing a total of 183.3%. This grade shows completion of both processes.
They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS).
Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a frequent volunteer AND will be alone with students.
In addition to the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation compliance measures, the volunteer must have completed the finger printing process.
Fingerprinting/Background check (only if they are working alone with students without supervision of an MCPS staff member or other type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ )
Fingerprinting Webpage
SVHS Boosters
SAVE THE DATES:
August 31- Back to School Night- See our membership booth and spirit wear booth.
September 1- Home Varsity Football vs, Churchill. Concessions, membership and spirit wear
September 14th- Boosters Meeting- Open to the public. Zoom Link to follow.
November 4th- SVHS Boosters Community Yard Sale. Details to follow.
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.
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
PSAT Testing
Dear Parents/Guardians of 11th graders:
PSAT will be held on Wednesday Oct 11. If you would like your student to participate in the PSAT, please submit a payment of $19 to the SchoolCash Online system. Instruction on registering for SchoolCash Online.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Michael Kim (Michael_T_Kim@mcpsmd.org).
Thank you.
ANNUAL NOTICE FOR DIRECTORY INFORMATION AND STUDENT PRIVACY
Schools provide directory information for public listings such as honor roll, awards, and other notices in the newspaper or on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) website. A student’s name, address, and telephone number may also be released to organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school. Unless you tell them not to, schools can release the information without your prior consent.
Directory Information includes the following items: student’s and/or parent’s name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number; student’s date of birth; major field of study; grade level; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; degrees and awards received (including honor roll); most recent school attended; dates of attendance; photograph, or other likeness; the weight and height of members of athletic teams; and other similar information.
If you do not want your school to release your directory information, complete the form linked below and return this notice to your school by September 11, 2023.
FORM: Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy
Additional copies of this notice can be found on the MCPS website, and are available in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, and Portuguese. This form must be completed every year.
Your school will assume you agree to the release of the directory information, unless this form is returned by September 11, 2023. If you need to change your decision at a later date, just contact your school directly.
If you enroll after September 11, 2023, you can complete this form at the time of enrollment.
STUDENT EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND MILITARY RECRUITING
Student Emergency Information
Student Emergency Information should be updated through ParentVUE. Each year parents/guardians are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through the Online Registration portal (in the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). We highly recommend that you complete this as soon as possible. It is critically important that we have accurate parent contact information on file with the school and system as soon as possible.
Here are links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.
A Note on Military Recruiting
If a parent does not wish to have his/her child’s name made available to military recruiters and/or does not wish to have their child’s directory information included in the student directory, they should complete the “Directory Information Withholding” portion of the ParentVUE annual verification of information online registration. You may also complete MCPS form 281-13 - Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy. The form must be returned to the school by September 11, 2023.
Annual SV T-Shirt Fundraiser is Here - Don't miss out!
Each year, students are given the opportunity to purchase their official class t-shirt. This is a great chance for your child to sport their class color, show their school spirit, and support their class and school initiatives. Please act now by clicking the image below. You will be taken to an link to place your order.
Extracurricular Activities Information
We welcome you to engage with Seneca Valley in a new way this school year!
Check out our non-athletic Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities! From study groups to competitive dance to cultural celebrations to Dungeons and Dragons and beyond - there's something here for everyone!
Reach out to sponsors of clubs you're interested in or fill out the interest form to be included in back-to-school messages about clubs. Check out our current offerings. SVHS ECA OFFERINGS
Seneca Valley Birds of Play
AUDITIONS & STAGE CREW APPLICATIONS
for the Fall Play
Radium Girls
Radium Girls is D.W. Gregory’s gripping drama based on the true story of female laborers who were poisoned and killed by their factory’s radium-based paint Radium Girls fiercely examines the commercialization of science, the pursuit of both health and wealth, the power of the underdog, and the fierce injustice laborers in America have faced, and may even continue to face in the present.
AUDITIONS: Room 0901
Sept 5, 2:45 - 4:30 pm
Sept 6, 2:45 - 4:30 pm
CALLBACKS: Stage
Sept 7, 2:45 - 5:00 pm
STAGE CREW: Room 0901
Sept 1: Lunch
Sign Up At https://bit.ly/svBOP
See Ms Fellows in room 0901 for more information!
joanna_c_Fellows@mcpsmd.org
Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center
Hello Students and Families!!
We are very excited to welcome students back for the 2023-24 School Year! Please review these notes as they contain important information from the SVHS College & Career Center including scholarships, college visits, upcoming events, opportunities, and more!
Looking forward to working with you all and wishing everyone a great start to the new school year!
Mr. Nalda, SVHS College & Career Information Coordinator | College & Career Center - Room 2408 | Carlos_E_Nalda@mcpsmd.org
SVHS College & Career Center website: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhscccenter/home
SVHS Required Senior Post-Secondary Interest Form
If you have yet to do so, please fill out the SVHS Required Senior Post-Secondary Interest Form.
All SVHS Seniors are required to complete this form to indicate their post-high school plans. This is an important part of the SV college application process in order to help ensure all high school documents are submitted in a timely fashion.
Naviance
Attention Seniors!! As some of you already know, Naviance is an important part of applying to colleges. Through Naviance, you can request letters of recommendation, request transcripts, and complete other key parts of your college applications. Students interested in applying to college should start familiarizing themselves with Naviance and the SVHS College Application Packet document. This document is a step-by-step guide to applying to colleges.
College Representative Visits in the College & Career Center
Juniors & Seniors are encouraged to participate in visits to learn more about colleges and universities. Students interested in participating in visits must register in Naviance.
Advantages of participating in college visits:
Meeting the contact from a college or university. Many times, these are the same people reviewing your application.
Learning in-depth information about the school, their program offerings, and financial aid.
In some cases, colleges may offer insight on how to receive a fee waiver.
To attend a college visit, students must have permission from their teacher in order to attend. It is the responsibility of each student to make-up any work they may miss.
Click here to learn more and see who is scheduled to visit SVHS this Fall!
Next Week’s College & Career Center Visits:
Air Force Recruiter, Lunch Presentation - Tue August 29 @ 11:15 AM*
*Interested in the Air Force or military? Stop by the Career Center (2408) at the beginning of lunch to learn more about the U.S. Air Force. Registration in Naviance is not needed for this presentation. Students of all grades are welcome to attend.
Apply online FREE to Hampton University until August 31!
Interested in applying to Hampton University? Take advantage of their FREE application period which runs until August 31!
Click on the following link for more information and to apply: home.hamptonu.edu/admissions/
Letters of Recommendation Deadline: November 15, 2023
Upcoming Scholarships
September 08 - Cameron Impact Scholarship* - (*deadline is 3pm EST) 10-15 four-year, full-tuition awards for exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics; senior; maintain a minimum, cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.7; full citizen of the United States of America; planning to enroll in a full-time course of study towards a degree at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for the full academic year following high school graduation; two Letters of Recommendation; transcript; 75-100 Finalists to receive face-to-face interviews (typically at the Applicant’s high school).
September 15 - The Gates Scholarship - top 300 students receive funding for full cost of attendance; senior; US citizen, national, or permanent resident; African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American; min 3.3 GPA; financial need; Pell-eligible; must enroll full-time in a four-year degree program; outstanding academic record; demonstrated leadership; personal success skills.
September 15 - Notorious RBG Women Of Tomorrow Scholarship - 10-$1,000 awards; grades 9-12 and recently graduated 2023 seniors (female-identified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, however applicants of any gender are eligible!); 500-800 word essay; pictures/videos/ media showing your leadership in action; color headshot; academic resume; current transcript (can be official or unofficial); educator recommendation.
September 17 - We The Future Contest - 1-$1,000 award for each project categories; grades 9-12; ages 14-19 at time of entry; U.S. Cit. or legal res.; submit an original work one of the following about the First Amendment: essay, song, STEM, short film, or PSA; see link for full rules and guidelines.
September 26 - QuestBridge National College Match - recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $200,000; any high school senior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. is eligible for the National College Match (should review the Additional Citizenship Requirements); have earned primarily A's in the most challenging courses available (usually including Honors, AP, and/or IB level courses); financial need as finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a typical household of four and have minimal assets.
September 30 - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship - $1,000 award; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen; submit a 140-character personal statement that completes this sentence: "I pledge to not text and drive because...."
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more scholarship opportunities
College & Career Readiness Workshop Videos
Collection of college and career readiness recordings of our workshops hosted by a variety of experts in their field.
https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadiness367/videos
Other Opportunities
University of Rochester’s Multicultural Visitation Program (MVP)
Are you interested in a free trip to Rochester to learn more about our welcoming community?
University of Rochester’s Multicultural Visitation Program (MVP) offers a funded campus visit for prospective students from a wide range of backgrounds and allows them to experience Rochester on a more personal level. We invite current high school seniors attending school in the United States who otherwise financially might not be able to visit campus to apply for MVP.
As a participant in MVP, you will receive free transportation to and from campus, a one-night stay in a residence hall with a current student, and specialized programming on top of our Research Rochester Open House events. MVP will take place Thursday, November 9– Friday, November 10.
Learn more about the program and application details at admissions.rochester.edu/visit/multicultural-visitation-program.
Space is limited, so apply by the deadline on Friday, October 6. The application requires two brief essay responses, a permission slip, and your unofficial transcript, so we recommend reviewing the application in advance.
If you have any questions, please contact mvp@rochester.edu or (585) 275-3221.
Student Athletes, Families, and Screaming Eagle Fans!
Please see link for this week’s Weekly update from the athletic department.
News from the Business and Finance Offices
Business Office: Monique Riddick, Business Administrator, 240-740-6413
Finance Office: Tara Owens, Financial Specialist, 240-740-6414
Important Dates to Remember:
Senior Portraits - September 11-12, 2023; January 8-9, 2024
Senior Panoramic Portrait - TBD
Underclassmen Picture Days - 9th - 11th grades through English classes August 30-31, September 1
LFI/SCB Classes - August 29
Picture Make-up Day - October 11
Last Day Seniors may pay with check - May 1, 2024
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/.
Parking Permits: The Student Parking Application Form must be completed and submitted to the Business Office for approval. The Seneca Valley High School student parking information and regulations can be found here.
APPLY NOW FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS!
ONLINE FARMS APPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
www.MySchoolApps.com is NOW OPEN for parents to complete and submit the 2023–2024 Online application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
FAMILIES CAN APPLY NOW & AVOID LONGER PROCESSING TIMES IN THE FALL!
REGISTER FOR SCHOOLCASH ONLINE TODAY
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/
2023-2024 Student Parking Application
The Student Parking Application Form is open effective August 1, 2023. Once approved, a link to make payment will be sent via email to the recipient. Please review the Seneca Valley High School Parking Information for all rules and regulations. Please contact Monique_N_Riddick@mcpsmd.org with any questions or concerns.
MCPS CODE OF CONDUCT AND STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The MCPS Code of Conduct and A Student's Guide to Rights & Responsibilities will be distributed to all students in September.
They are also online at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights.
Safety Tips for Walkers
Cross the street at marked crosswalks whenever possible.
Stop and look every time before crossing streets, even when you have the right-of-way, and especially at intersections with "right turn on red."
Before crossing, look left, right, then left again, and over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
Begin crossing the street on "Walk" signals-never on a solid or flashing "Don't Walk."
Use pedestrian pushbuttons to activate/extend the walk signal.
Use sidewalks. If none, walk facing traffic so you see vehicles, and drivers see you.
Make eye contact with drivers so they see you. Never assume they do.
Stay visible after dark and in bad weather with reflectors or retroreflective clothing.
Welcome to Safe Schools Maryland
An ANONYMOUS and FREE reporting system available to students, teachers, school staff members, parents, and the general public to report any school or student safety concerns, including mental health concerns.
Safe Schools Maryland is Maryland’s only official anonymous reporting system.
Safe Schools Maryland operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
Your anonymous report can be submitted by calling the tip line (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233), completing an online form (below), or downloading the free Safe Schools Maryland app from the App Store or Google Play.