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 

Applications Open for High School Regional/Countywide Special Programs

Applications are now open for Regional/Countywide Special Programs using the high school common application found in ParentVUE. Additionally, students in Grades 9-11 may apply for career readiness programs. Information sessions will be available for students and families, and all dates can be found on the special programs webpage.

Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 3. Programs-At-A-Glance, eligibility, frequently asked questions and October open house dates are available on this website.

Registration for Dual Enrollment is Open

Registration for the Spring Semester of Dual Enrollment will begin on October 31st. The classes offered in the building for Spring 2024 will be AOSC 100 (Weather & Climate) and BSAD 101 (Introduction to Business). These classes will be offered during 7th & 8th periods and are open to qualified students in all grades. Students are also able to take classes on campus at Montgomery College as well as virtually.  Tuition and books are at NO COST to students and families. This is a fantastic opportunity to start earning free college credit! Please email Stacey Blaine with any questions at stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org

Montgomery Virtual Academy

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) offers a full-time virtual learning program through the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA). New this year, the admission season for MVA will occur in the fall from October to November in the online registration section in ParentVUE. This is the same window as the secondary regional/countywide programs' admission process. Admission to the MVA is open to students in Grades 2–12 during the 2024–2025 school year 

• MVA is in a state of transition due to data on family interest, student retention and academic outcomes. 

• NEW this year, students interested in attending the MVA for the 2024–2025 school year may apply during the same period as the regional/countywide high school programs. The application is in ParentVUE for rising students in Grades 2 to 12 students.

• MVA has limited seats and if there are more requests than seats available, a lottery will be conducted. New student applicants will either be invited to MVA or receive a waitlist number for vacant seats. 

• Students currently enrolled in MVA will be able to secure a seat for the 2024–2025 school year once they reapply on ParentVUE. 

• Daily attendance is required to comply with the Maryland State Department of Education. School hours align with MCPS schools at similar levels. 

• MVA will have two admission periods. o The first-round deadline of November 3, 2023, is for entry into the school year 2024–2025 and the waitlist for Semester 2 of the 2023–2024 school year. 

  • The second-round deadline of February 9, 2024 is the waitlist for the 2024–2025 school year. 

• Starting the application process for the MVA in the fall will align student placement results with regional/countywide programs, staffing calendars, and will provide MCPS with more accurate staffing projections. 

Important Dates:

• November 3, 2023 - Application deadline for 2024–2025 admission 

• February 9, 2024 - Application deadline for 2024–2025 waitlist 

IB Projects: All SVHS students will have their 2nd SEL lesson working on their IB Project this Wednesday. Students will be evaluating their topic brainstorming in order to start developing their project proposal. For more information, please see this handout! Please visit our SVHS IB Program website to check out the lesson and materials from last week.

• 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. 

Notes From the SVHS College and Career Center

Applying to College - Submit When Your Applications are Complete!

Special note to seniors that are working on college applications.  If you have completed your application(s), DO NOT WAIT for staff to complete their portions (letters of recommendation, etc).  When you are complete, please submit!  Staff will complete their part and submit on time.  It is important that you submit by and meet each deadline for each school you are applying to.

Students should refer to the SVHS College Application Packet as a guide to applying to colleges for specific instructions.  

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!

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

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:

• Ithaca College - Mon October 16 @ 9:40 AM

• Binghamton University - Mon October 16 @ 12:05 PM

• University of King's College (Halifax, Canada) - Mon October 16 @ 12:55 PM

• Swarthmore College - Wed October 18 @ 8:40 AM

• Seton Hall University - Wed October 18 @ 9:30 AM

• The Catholic University of America - Wed October 18 @ 10:45 AM

• George Mason University - Thu October 19 @ 9:40 AM

• Misericordia University - Thu October 19 @ 10:30 AM

• Montgomery College - Thu October 19 @ 12:55 PM

Upcoming Scholarships 

• 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.

• October 31 - Voice of Democracy Scholarship - 1-$35,000 top prize, other awards ranging from $1,000-$21,000; grades 9-12; although U.S. citizenship is not required, must be lawful U.S. permanent resident or have applied for permanent residency (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. cit. at the earliest opportunity allowed by law; write & record a 3-5 min. essay on the theme: What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?

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

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

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

Other Info & Opportunities

ASVAB Career Exploration Program Parent Q&A Meeting (Virtual)

October 16, 2023 | 6:00pm EST

The ASVAB CEP is not just a military test.  It is designed to help your child:

• Learn more about themselves and the world of work.

• Explore occupations in line with their interests and skills.

• Discover all the ways to enter the career fields they are best suited for.

• Develop an effective strategy to achieve their career goals.

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601222764?pwd=K0I2bCtVODNwUHdNb3g2UFplSzhaZz09

• Meeting ID:  160 122 2764 

• Passcode:  Parent

Click here for the flyer

MCPS & Montgomery County Department of Fire & Rescue - High School Cadet Open House

Tuesday, October 17 |  6pm - 7pm |  8751 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 

• Rising grade 11 and 12 students from all high schools are eligible to apply.

• Representatives from MCPS and MCFRS will be present to provide you with information pertaining to the Fire Science/EMS program for the 2024-2025 academic year.

• We will tour the training facility and allow adequate time for Q & A

Click here for the flyer

Financial Aid Night (Zoom Meeting)

Financial Aid Night with Rob Maddox, Director of Financial Aid at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  Learn more about financial aid and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  

• Wednesday, October 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

• Join Zoom Meeting - https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83863551041?pwd=ZXo3aHlzUGw2VUFzMFhUaStCV2lVZz09

  • Meeting ID: 838 6355 1041

  • Passcode: 610459

Click here for the flyer

Noche de Ayuda Financiera

Jueves 19 de Octubre – 6:30 PM  |  Northwood High School (Auditorio)

¿Planeas asistir la universidad y tienes preguntas sobre la ayuda financiera? ¡Podemos ayudarlos! Estudiantes y sus familias están invitados a una sesión de información sobre ayuda financiera presentado por Collegiate Directions, Inc. una organización enfocada en guiar a los estudiantes a la universidad. Este evento se llevará a cabo en la escuela secundaria de Northwood.

La información se presentará en español. Los miembros de la audiencia tendrán la oportunidad de hacer preguntas.

haga clic aquí para ver el folleto  |  Por favor regístrese aquí:  https://forms.office.com/r/JPzUvGEMZT

Comuníquese con Jill Semmens, administradora de programas de apoyo escolar en CDI o Michelle Snape, CCIC de Northwood High School si tiene preguntas.

Montgomery College Harvest Fest

Saturday October 28  |  10 a.m.– 2 p.m. | Rockville Campus

Fun for residents of all ages:

Activities for Kids (face painting, games, and prizes)  |  Art Show  |  Dancing  |  Coding Demonstration  |  DJ  |  Ice Cream  |  Raffle

Learn more about MC's classes and offerings - The whole family is welcome at this free event.  

Click here for the flyer with more information

SVHS College & Career Monthly Newsletter - October, 2023-24

Library Media News: Spotlight on Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship Week, October 16-20, 2023 👩‍💻

• Seneca Valley High School first earned recognition as a Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship School in 2018 and has since continued to partner with Common Sense Education to deliver lessons that empower students to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly online.  

• Over the course of this year, beginning in December, students will participate in four digital well being lessons that were developed by Common Sense Education in collaboration with Harvard University’s Center for Digital Thriving.  These lessons will be delivered during the Wednesday SEL block and are designed to help students develop agency, reduce anxiety, and increase mindfulness around media and the use of technology.

• We hope you will join us in the opportunity to engage your children in conversations about the ways we interact with technology and the impact these interactions may have on our lives.  Ideas for family discussion topics may be accessed through articles on the Common Sense Media Blog for Parents and Caregivers, which is linked here for your convenience and also on the SVHS website homepage.  In addition, Your Characters Count, an MCPS website dedicated to digital citizenship, offers resources and ideas for families, students, and staff.

Book Club Updates: Meeting Monday! 🌻

The Seneca Valley Book Club (SVBC) is psyched to host its first book discussion on Monday, October 16th, during lunch.  If you read House of Hollows by Krystal Sutherland, please join us!

Creativity Contests 🎥

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

• High school students from across the Washington Metropolitan Area are invited to submit poems to the Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. This year’s theme is Envision a Better Future.  Entries must be no longer than one page, single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, and are due by February 22, 2024.