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.

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.

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

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. 

• Board Policy ACI, Sexual Harassment of MCPS Employees 

• Board Policy BBB, Ethics 

• MCPS Regulation KBA-RC, Translation and Interpretation 

• MCPS Regulation JPD-RC, Emergency Care for Individuals Experiencing Symptoms of Opioid Overdose 

• MCPS Regulation JGB-RA, Search and Seizure 

• 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.

Click here for video

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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/