SVHS GREEN AND GOLD
Community Newsletter
October 8, 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.
How to Register for School Cash Online
We have been asked to repost directions parents can use to set up their School Cash Online accounts. Please follow the link below. If you have any questions, please contact our School Business Administrator, Ms. Riddick.
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 Soon for High School Regional/Countywide Special Programs
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Grade 8 students will have the opportunity to apply 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
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.
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.
IB Projects: We had our first day of IB Project lesson last week! Students learned about the IB Projects and started to brainstorm ideas for their projects. The IB Projects support our students socio-emotional development through a guided project from October through February. 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.
In honor of Indigenous People Day, the IB Programs would like to make a land acknowledgement. Land acknowledgements are, "a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life... It can be a subtle way to recognize the history of colonialism and a need for change in settler colonial societies" (Native Land Digital, 2023). Please explore the links below to learn more about land acknowledgments, and the Manahoac and Piscataway people.
Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
Registration is open for the MD Seal of Biliteracy. All seniors and juniors who speak a heritage language and/or are enrolled in an IB French or Spanish class OR ASL 2 are invited to register to take the assessments to earn the seal for your diploma and wear a medal at graduation? Have questions? Please email Ms. Rebecca Hanford or stop by the media center during lunch on these dates: Thursday, Oct. 12th, Tuesday, Oct. 17th or Tuesday, Oct. 24th
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 Oct 11. See info 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
Applying to College!
Students interested in applying to four-year colleges and universities should be working on applications now! October and November deadlines are approaching! 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:
Muhlenberg College - Tue October 10 @ 9:40 AM
Gettysburg College - Tue October 10 @ 10:30 AM
Lynn University - Tue October 10 @ 12:55 PM
Upcoming Scholarships
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.
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 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
IECC Electrical School-to-Apprenticeship Open House
Tuesday, October 10 | 6pm - 7:30pm | 8751 Freestate Drive, Laurel, MD 20723
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
SVHS Boosters
SAVE THE DATES:
This Week- Concessions and spirit wear will be for sale.
TUESDAY -JV Field Hockey (5:30) Varsity Field Hockey (7:00)
THURSDAY - Filed Hockey Senior Night (6:00), Girls JV and Varsity Volleyball (6:30)
FRIDAY - Varsity Football (6:30) HOMECOMING
SATURDAY - JV Football (10:00AM)
JOIN THE BOOSTERS:
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.
VOLUNTEER WITH THE BOOSTERS:
Use link below or contact Rob Duda- boosterssenecavalley@gmail.com or robduda@verizon.net
Sign up genius is LIVE for our fall season: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4fadaf2ca1fc1-svhs#/
Please know that Boosters needs a ton of volunteerism and in turn, this allows our clubs and teams to achieve requested grants.
Visit us on social media!
IG: #seneca_boosters and #stormtheeagle
Facebook: Seneca Valley HS Boosters
Twitter: @svhsbooster
Rob Duda
SVHS Boosters
Booster Yard Sale is Coming
SAVE YOUR SPACE AND GET READY TO MAKE SOME DEALS
Library Media News: Acknowledging LGBT+ History
October is LGBT+ History Month 🏳️🌈
Please stop by to check out our LGBT+ History Month book display featuring fiction and non-fiction titles that celebrate the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and that raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for LGBT+ rights.
Book Club Updates 🌻
Don’t forget that it’s never too late to join the book club - please stop by the Library Media Center for more information! Upcoming discussions include:
Monday, October 16th: House of Hollows by Krystal Sutherland
Monday, November 20th: There There by Tommy Orange
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.
Student Athletes, Families, and Screaming Eagle Fans!
Please see our weekly update from the athletic department.
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.