SVHS GREEN AND GOLD
Community Newsletter
October 1, 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.
A Message from the PTSA
Dear SVHS community, the PTSA wants to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete the SVHS PTSA Feedback Poll to help us plan for our next PTSA meeting
If you have not done so yet, please join our Facebook - Seneca Valley High School PTSA | Facebook
Need to join the PTSA click here - Join Now
Save the dates!
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - Next PTSA meeting at 6:30 in the Media Center
Monday, November 6, 2023 - Restaurant Night at Chipotle
Have questions, comments, feedback for the PTSA? Email us at svhsptsapres@gmail.com
Have a great week 💚💛
SVHS PTSA
ADHD Awareness Month
Did you know that October is ADHD Awareness Month? ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, affects millions, including many in our own community. It's more than just hyperactivity or distractibility; it impacts people's ability to focus and organize, which can be especially challenging in a school setting. Let's use this month to be supportive and understanding of all our peers.
Dyslexia Awareness Week (10/2-10/8)
In 2023, October 2nd through 8th is Dyslexia Awareness Week. Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects how the brain processes written language. It's important to know that dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. Dyslexia can often go unnoticed, so let's use this week to spread awareness and understanding. Thank you for listening, and let's support each other in making our school an inclusive environment for everyone.
World Blindness Awareness Month
October is World Blindness Awareness Month. This is a time to understand the challenges faced by those living without sight. Globally, nearly 285 million people are blind or visually impaired. Here in the U.S., about 4 million Americans are blind, and every minute, someone else loses their sight. Thank you for taking a moment to be informed and considerate, as awareness is the first step towards understanding and inclusivity.
The Holiday Giving Project
Google form link: https://forms.gle/Q4VMJbJHqVuCwNsR6
The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to qualifying households for over 30 years. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. Families can only be referred once; please do not complete a referral if you have already been referred from another school or agency. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. If you need help completing the form please contact Ms. Ruiz Miller at 240-447-8963.
El Holiday Giving Project ha brindado asistencia para el Día de Acción de Gracias y los días festivos de diciembre a los hogares que califican durante más de 30 años. Si usted y su familia están en necesidad y les gustaría ser referidos para una posible asistencia durante la temporada de festividades, complete este formulario de referencia para proporcionar la información requerida. Los recursos son limitados: solicite solo si usted y su familia realmente lo necesitan. Las familias solo pueden ser referidas una vez. Por favor no complete este referido si ya le han referido de otra escuela o agencia. Si bien una referencia no es una garantía de asistencia, el Proyecto ayuda a tantas familias necesitadas como lo permitan las donaciones. Si necesita ayuda para completar el formulario, comuníquese con la Sra. Ruiz Miller al 240-447-8963.
Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
Registration for this year's MD Seal of Biliteracy testing is OPEN to all seniors and juniors who wish to participate. The test is FREE for seniors. Juniors must pay $21 to School Cash Online. Don't see your heritage language listed here? Please check out the options for seniors only to test with ALTA. Questions? Please reach out to Ms. Rebecca Hanford at rebecca_s_hanford@mcpsmd.org. An information meeting will be announced after November 3rd for all registered students.
Register and Verify Your ParentVue Information
The Annual Verification process allows for families to update contact information, collect important information about parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student. This includes any medical, immunization, language preferences, and emergency information that school staff need to know. MCPS uses ParentVUE to collect this information electronically. Online registration is available now until Oct. 20th.
We have online registration quick guides in several languages available to support you in this process.
English | Español | 中國人 | 한국인 | Français | Português | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
ACT-SO
ACT-SO is an enrichment program and competition designed to encourage high school students to strive for excellence in up to three of thirty-one categories within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Business, and Culinary areas of student interest. ACT-SO students create projects and receive support at monthly seminars and mentoring from professionals in the related field. The Montgomery County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Parents’ Council and MCPS collaborate to designate liaisons at each high school to recruit students for ACT-SO each year. Please contact Mr. Grindley if you have any questions: chris_grindley@mcpsmd.org.
Speak Up, Save a Life - Video Contest
What is Speak up, Save a Life?
The Opioid Epidemic is devastating families and communities nationwide. According to Maryland Department of Health, the number of drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths occurring in Maryland increased in 2020, reaching an all time high of 2, 799 deaths, an 8% increase over the number of deaths (2, 379) in 2019. Eighty-nine percent of all intoxication deaths that occurred in Maryland in 2020 were opioid-related. To tackle this epidemic and reduce the number of overdose deaths, the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County has initiated Speak up, Save a Life, an Opioid Overdose Education and Prevention Program. Our mission is to educate students, families, and the community about the opioid epidemic and provide knowledge of Maryland's Good Samaritan Law.
The Video Contest challenges teenagers to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse, overdose and fentanyl among teens. The contest is open to all 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County. Top prize is $1,000
IB Projects: During SEL time next week, all SVHS students will start their IB Projects! The IB Projects support our students socio-emotional development through a guided project from October through February. Using student's own interests to drive their development of crucial SEL and academic skills, students choose a topic, their goals and product (video, Google slides, journal, cookbook, blog, art piece, etc.), and how they will measure their own success. This work is supported by lessons during SEL time, Mrs. Becraft, the MYP Coordinator, a printed student handbook, and Canvas courses. For more information, please see this handout!
IB Learner Project: This project is for all 9th, 11th, & 12th graders, who can earn 10 SSL hours upon completion.
MYP Personal Project (PP): This project is for all 10th graders, who can earn 15 SSL hours and .5 elective credit for "MYP Research Seminar" upon completion. Different than the IB Learner Project, the MYP PP is an IB requirement for all MYP students. SVHS staff will assess the projects using an IB MYP rubric in March and scores will be submitted to IB.
The Think Big Program: Calling all 10th graders! In the MYP Think Big Program, 10th grade students participate in a series of field trips using art-based experiences to help develop the skills needed for success on the MYP Personal Project, a culmination of the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). During these experiences, professional artists share, provide feedback, and perform for students to help inspire them during each step of the MYP Personal Project. Our SVHS IB Program website has more information!
If you or your student is a current 10th grader and interested in participating, please complete THIS interest form (https://bit.ly/ThinkBigProgram)!
Our final Think Big field trip to celebrate completion of the mYP Personal Projects
SVHS Students with Honduran tap dancer, Gerson Lanza
Artwork created live for SVHS students by visual artist, Emon Surakitkoson
SVHS students on a field trip to Glenstone Art Museum
Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center
The FAFSA Will Not Be Available Until December!
Attention Seniors and Families! Important note that due to a redesign, this year’s FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application is not expected to be available until December of 2023. Completing the FAFSA form is the first step for students seeking financial aid to attend college.
Once the FAFSA becomes available in December, all eligible Class of 2024 seniors should fill out the 2024-25 FAFSA as that will be their first year of attending college, university, or trade school. This includes students planning to attend Montgomery College. Accidentally filling out the wrong year’s FAFSA may lead to issues or delays in receiving financial aid! Mr. Nalda will provide details and updates as they become available.
Click the following to learn more about the redesign: Implementing the 2024–25 FAFSA Process
Want to learn more about the FAFSA? Attend the workshop at SVHS on October 11. See the information below.
Need Money for College or Career School - Financial Aid FAFSA & MSFAA Workshop
NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE OR CAREER/TRADE SCHOOL?
Join us for a workshop to learn how to apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA for Undocumented Students). There will be a session in English and one session in Spanish.
Wednesday, October 11 | 6pm - 8pm | Seneca Valley High School
Click here for the flyer | Click here to register
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¿NECESITAS DINERO PARA LA UNIVERSIDAD O INSTITUTOS DE CARRERAS?
Les invitamos a un taller sobre la aplicación federal (FAFSA) y sobre la aplicación que brinda oportunidad de becas para estudiantes indocumentados (MSFAA). Habrá una sesión en inglés y una sesión en español.
Miércoles, 11 de octubre | 6pm - 8pm | Seneca Valley High School
haga clic aquí para ver el folleto | haga clic aquí para ver el folleto
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. This information will also help us support you as you plan for life after high school.
Applying to College!
Students interested in applying to four-year colleges and universities should be working on applications now! Students should refer to the SVHS College Application Packet document for specific instructions. This document is a step-by-step guide to applying to colleges. It has information and instructions on how to apply to college, including Montgomery College. Feel free to reach out to your counselor or Mr. Nalda if you have any questions.
Staff Alma Maters
Curious or want to learn more about a particular college? Click this link to see where some of our SVHS staff members attended college. They have volunteered to speak with students about their school and college experience!
College Representative Visits in the College & Career Center
Juniors & Seniors are encouraged to participate in college rep visits to SVHS to learn more about colleges and universities. Students interested in participating in rep visits must register in Naviance.
Click here to learn more and see who is scheduled to visit SVHS this Fall!
Next Week’s College & Career Center Visits:
Wake Forest University - Mon October 2 @ 8:45 AM
Moravian University - Mon October 2 @ 10:30 AM
American University - Mon October 2 @ 12:05 PM
Washington Adventist University - Tue October 3 @ 12:05 PM
Loyola University Maryland - Wed October 4 @ 8:35 AM
Northwestern University - Wed October 4 @ 9:30 AM
U.S. Air Force Recruiter, Lunch Visit - Wed October 4 @ 11:24 AM - 12:06 PM
No registration in Naviance is needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the U.S. Air Force.
Saint Vincent College - Wed October 4 @ 1:00 PM
James Madison University - Thu October 5 @ 12:05 PM
Virginia Tech - Thu October 5 @ 12:55 PM
Upcoming Scholarships
October 01 - Golden Door Scholarship - funding for a four-year degree at Golden Door partner schools and access to mentors, fellowship, and career support; must have DACA, TPS or be undocumented (if you are a current US citizen or permanent resident, you are not eligible to apply); high financial need; transcript; leadership and extracurricular activities; essay - you can use one written from one of your college applications or use one of the prompts from The Common Application.
October 02 - Coca-Cola Scholars Program* - (*deadline is 5pm on 10/02) 150-$20,000 awards; senior; U.S. Citizen, legal resident, refugee (see link for full eligibility list); min 3.0 GPA; achievement based scholarship; planning to pursue a college degree after high school; involved in school and community activities; transcript.
October 08 - AES Scholarship - $500 award; senior; no GPA requirement; open to all students planning to attend a post secondary (after high school) educational facility (college or trade school); you are not required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible; submit a 500-1000 word essay answering the following: "When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?"
October 17 - Heisman High School Scholarship* - (*deadline is 3pm on 10/17) 100 awards, ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 awards; senior; min 3.0 GPA; participate or have participated in grades 9, 10, or 11 in at least one of the sports listed on the site (click here to see list); be a leader in school and in the community and serve as a role model for underclassman; students must ask a school official to review their application.
October 17 - College JumpStart Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; grades 10-12; U.S. cit. or legal res.; attend 2-year, 4-year or trade school; answer 1 of 3 questions in 250 words or less.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Other Info & 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.
Mentor Opportunity for High School Ladies (Stipend Available)
The STYLES girls mentoring program is looking to partner with local high school young ladies to be mentors to girls in middle school. They would meet with the middle school girls at their local school one day a week from 3:30pm-5:30pm. There are four local middle schools that are participating in this after school mentoring program. The schools are Roberto Clemente, Neelsville, Forest Oak, and Montgomery Village Middle School. The program runs from October 2, 2023- December 21, 2023. Each mentor will be given a stipend.
STYLES has been operating in Montgomery County Public Schools and Community Centers for the past 10 years.
Interested or have questions? Please reach out to serenityinsis@gmail.com
November 4th- SVHS Boosters Community Yard Sale.
Join ASIA Club - Interest Meeting 10/2
ASIA Club at Seneca Valley aims to foster appreciation for Asian cultures and celebrate people of Asian descent who have positively impacted the world. The ASIA Club interest meeting for this year will take place on Monday, October 2nd, in room 3403 during lunch. All are welcome!
Library Media News: Celebrate fREADom!
Banned Book Week, October 1-7 🔥
During Banned Book Week, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. In 2022, OIF documented 1,269 demands to censor library books, nearly double the book challenges reported in 2021. Majority of those titles were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. Many of the Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022 will be featured in a reading promotion in the Library Media Center this week in a celebration of fREADom!
Book Club Updates 🌻
Don’t forget that it’s never too late to join the book club! Upcoming discussions include:
Monday, October 16th: House of Hollows by Krystal Sutherland.
Monday, November 20th: There There by Tommy Orange.
Book discussions take place during lunch, even on the half day. Membership is fluid and students are welcome to read with us when the selections are interesting and appealing and may skip books they are not motivated to read. We have limited numbers of print copies of each book available, but students may also read the book in audiobook or eBook format. For information about accessing books in Sora, our online reading app, please click on the READ Online! flag in the Virtual SVLMC or stop by the LMC for assistance.
YouTube Permissions
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.
Student Athletes, Families, and Screaming Eagle Fans!
Please see our weekly update from the athletic department.
News from the Business & 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 - January 8-9, 2024
Senior Panoramic Portrait - October 15, 2023
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.
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.