SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen/Mr. Smith's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
February 21, 2021 Edition
NEW: Change to Schedule beginning March 1 *see below
NEW: SAT School Day
Montgomery County Public Schools is planning to offer SAT School Day for Grade 11 students. Seneca Valley High School will administer the MCPS Countywide SAT to all juniors.
As part of a comprehensive strategy to open access and opportunity for all students, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) provides important college readiness examinations to all students. This includes the SAT School Day for Grade 11 students. Not only does this approach allow greater access to these important examinations, but it supports efforts to remove barriers associated with college entrance examinations and ensures equitable access to these important steps to college and career readiness.
As a result, MCPS is moving forward with plans to offer the following assessments in spring 2021, depending on health and safety conditions:
The SAT during the school day on April 13, 2021 (make-up date April 27, 2021), at no cost to any Grade 11 student.
Students opting to take these assessments during the school day will be automatically registered. Students and parents/guardians will be able to elect to participate in the assessments regardless of their selected preference for in-person learning.
While the goals for these assessments are for maximum student participation, as a result of the pandemic, these are considered optional assessments.
Please note that students taking the tests during the school day must adhere to the same testing protocols that take place on national testing dates, including approval of individualized accommodations and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.
If you are interested in taking the SAT (Grade 11) in-person on April 13, 2021, please complete:
SAT (Grade 11)
More information will be forthcoming as we approach the spring test administration. More information can also be found here:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/careercenter/testing/sat-school-day.aspx
If you have any further questions, please contact your child’s school counselor at 240-740-6420.
NEW: AP Exams Update
This is a reminder to submit your payment for Advanced Placement exams. The deadline to submit payments for AP exams is: MARCH 29, 2021. Payments can be submitted through our Online Student Payment system (OSP). To make payments, please follow the instructions below:
- Go to the SVHS website
- On the left-hand side in the green bar find "School Payments" (CLICK)
- Find "Online School Payment" (CLICK)
- Find "High" in the upper toolbar in Blue with WHITE letters
- Select Seneca Valley High School
- Select the specific AP exam(s) OR
- NOTE: If you are requesting a Payment Plan or Fee Waiver based on income, you will select that option
REMINDER: Seal of Biliteracy Exam (12th Graders ONLY)
The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by participating school systems that recognizes a student’s high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and one or more other languages. Click HERE for more information about eligibility for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.
This year seniors have the opportunity to test for the Seal of Biliteracy. A Google survey has been created in order to gauge interest, begin planning, and secure testing seats for interested seniors. The survey will be open from 02/09/2021 until 02/26/2021.
Contact the Acting World Languages Resource Teacher Elizabeth Maxey at elizabeth_maxey@mcpsmd.org for more information. Families and students can also send a message to the following email address: SealofBiliteracy@mcpsmd.org.
NEW: IB/MYP Spotlight
“We’re looking for students who are engagers - students who are maximizing opportunities in and outside the classroom. What’s very unique about IB is that through its curriculum it allows students to be able to satisfy the requirements of the types of students that we’re looking for.”
-Director of Admission, UT Austin
Highlighting colleges and universities and their IB credit policies:
Clemson University recognizes the academic challenges of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and encourages you to apply for admission. IB graduates who score well on their higher-level exams will be awarded college credit. Clemson Credit chart
Howard University will evaluate and award course credits for an IB examination score, based on the following criteria. Submission of an IB certificate directly to the Office of Admissions Score of 4 or better on IB exam will result in awarding credits for the first level of the course Score of 5, 6, or 7 –award first and second levels of the course (e.g. Biology Higher Level score of 5, 6, or 7 and receive credit for BIOL 101 and 102).
American University accepts Higher Level IB Exams with a score of a 4 or above with a few exceptions. A maximum of 30 credits from IB exams will be accepted. America University Credit Chart
Interested in IB? Rising 11th grade SVHS students can choose between the IB Career-Related program and the IB Diploma program. Both rising 11th and 12th graders can also take individual IB courses. The IB Program is the premiere college preparatory programs combining rigorous content with skill development and critical thinking.
- IB Career-related Program: Combine your career pathway, like Health Professions or Cybersecurity, with the IB Career-related Program!
- This is an impressive combination to add to your college application and future career success.
- You will learn the practical skills of your career field, plus get the academic rigor of IB courses.
- IB Diploma Program: Completing the IB Diploma Program means you will undertake a particular kind of high school education that is meant to teach you not only history, math, science, and other subjects...
- It will teach you to better analyze and understand the information you’ll encounter in school and beyond.
- It is the best way to be prepared for college and your career.
Ms. Natasha Ezerski, the IB Coordinator will have office hours 3:00-3:30pm, Mon-Thurs, and lunch Mon and Weds from 11:15-12:00, Zoom link, Password: SVHSIB
NEW: This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
FAFSA & MSFAA - Seniors, Maryland deadline is March 1st!!!
The FAFSA & MSFAA are financial aid forms to request financial aid to help pay for college. Those students not eligible to apply for the FAFSA should consider applying for the MSFAA. Please see the SVHS College & Career Financial Aid Page (linked below) for more information about both forms. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly recommend that you begin working on these forms ASAP they deadline for the state of Maryland is March 1!!!
IMPORTANT UPDATE - If you have created an MDCAPS account to apply for financial aid and need to upload your transcript, send Mr. Nalda an email with your MHEC ID Number. He will be able to upload your GPA information directly to MHEC.
Feel free to reach out to Mr. Nalda if you have any questions.
- SVHS Financial Aid Information
- MC FAFSA & MSFAA Days - Sign up if you need assistance filling out the FAFSA or MSFAA!
Mid-Year Transcripts - Seniors
Mid-Year Transcripts are now available! If you need one as part of your college application or a college has requested one from you, please request in Naviance. You can also reach out to your counselor as a follow-up.
College Acceptances - Seniors
Have you applied and been accepted to a college or university? Please update this information in Naviance and, if possible, share via email with Mr. Nalda as we need to keep track of this data. Take a picture of or scan your letter(s) of acceptance and add as an attachment. Thank you!!
SAT Reimbursements for Class of 2021
MCPS offers SAT School Day to all Grade 11 students each year, in order to remove barriers associated with college entrance examinations. Because this opportunity for a “free” SAT was cancelled in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, MCPS is offering reimbursement to any Class of 2021 graduate who paid for an SAT on their own and took the test on September 26, October 3, November 7, or December 5, 2020. A google form will be used to request reimbursement.
Montgomery College Board of Trustees (BOT) Scholarship - Due March 1st!
The Board of Trustees Academic Specialty Scholarship is for talented Montgomery County high school graduates who plan to enroll at any Montgomery College campus. This is a one-year scholarship that covers the full-time cost of tuition and fees at the county resident tuition rate, up to a maximum of 15 credits per semester.
Upcoming Scholarships
- February 24 - The Coolidge Scholarship - multiple full ride! scholarship awards; juniors; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal resident; must enroll full time at a college or university in the fall of 2022; distinguished academic record; competitive candidates will have pursued and succeeded in the most rigorous course of study available to them; also exhibit an interest in policy; see link for full rules and guidelines.
- February 25 - AFCEA STEM Scholarship Program - senior; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; Acceptance to a U.S. accredited college or university in a four-year full time STEM curriculum (see link for specific majors); Two (2) letters of recommendation; list of extra curricular activities and awards; experience or work history; list of expected college expenses; Copy of EFC from FAFSA; guidance counselor form.
- February 28 - MLB Black History Month Challenge - 1st Place: $10,000, 2nd Place: $6,000, & 3rd Place: $4,000; grades 9-12, ages 13-18; U.S. or Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident; after completing a 30-minute course, submit a short essay based on what you’ve learned.
- March 01 - The Bernie Scholarship - up to 65 $1,500 awards; seniors, including undocumented students who qualify as Dreamers; min 2.0 GPA; live in Montgomery County, MD, and receive housing assistance from Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), the Scotland Community or from housing owned/managed by Rockville Housing Enterprises, Edgewood Management or Forest Park Apartments, and other students who can prove they have a Section 8 or Public Housing rental subsidy; transcript; community service; at least 2 references; statement of goals; see link for full details and guidelines. (flyers: English, Spanish, Amharic)
- March 01 - Choose Respect Video Contest - 1st-$1,000, 2nd-$750, 3rd-$500, and honorable mention awards; open to 6th-12th grade students living in Montgomery County; create an original video to promote awareness of dating abuse and domestic violence among teens; all submissions must: have a title, be in either English or Spanish, be 50-70 seconds in length, be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program; see link for full rules and guidelines.
- March 01 - AFA’s 2021 Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest - multiple awards up to $5,000 (grand prize); senior; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; enter a four-year school in the fall; write a 1,200 to 1,500-word essay that describes the impact of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned in light of coping with the brain disorder; transcript.
- March 01 - David Ebrahimzadeh Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; senior; accepted into a college or university; for students who are seeking a degree in real estate, or have a passion in real estate; submit a 500-word essay that answers the following prompt: “When it comes to real estate, what excites you about the future?”
- March 01 - Aero Club Foundation of Washington Scholarship - $5,000 award; seniors; do not have to be a U.S. Citizen; attend an accredited college or university for studies in an aviation/aerospace program, technical school (e.g., enrolled in a course of study in the pursuit of an FAA mechanics certificate or other comparable certificated aviation or aerospace position), or flight training; 300-400-word essay; min. of one letter of recommendation, preferably from a teacher or guidance counselor or professor who can articulate the applicant’s career goals in aviation/aerospace and/or financial need; transcript; copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) from your FAFSA is highly recommended OR complete the demonstrated financial need information contained as part of the online application.
College Board Scholarships - opportunity to win up to $40,000! For Juniors & Seniors. Available to Seniors through February 28, 2021.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Next Week's College Visits - Juniors & Seniors
US Navy Careers - Virtual Visit Carol Beville 2/24/21 10:00 AM
Delaware State University Zackery Rogers 2/25/21 11:30 AM
*Register in Naviance to access zoom links to meetings.
To see a full list of College Visits, see click the link: List of College Visits
Upcoming Events
Moving Forward College and Career Readiness - For Juniors
Juniors, let's start planning! We enthusiastically invite you all to participate in the following workshops to get a head start in planning for life after high school!
All workshops are from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Click here to see the flyer. Click Here to Register.
§ Wednesday, February 24 - Explore Different College Application Admission Types and Deadlines
§ Wednesday, March 10 - Resume/Interview Skills
§ Wednesday, April 7 - Apprenticeship/Trades
§ Monday, April 19 - College Essay Writing
§ Wednesday, April 21 - Tips on Common Application
§ Wednesday, April 28 - Intro to Financial Aid and Scholarships
2021 VIRTUAL GAME CHANGER CONFERENCE FOR THE FAMILY
The purpose of the one-day mentoring conference is to bring together stakeholder groups (students, parents & community leaders/supporters) and bring awareness to the challenges faced by young black and brown students of color, especially our male students who are striving to be a success story, even in the midst of learning in the virtual environment due to the globe COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the backdrop of social and political unrest.
§ Saturday, February 27, 8:30am - 1:30pm
§ Click here for more information and to register (flyer)
UPDATED: Book Club and Library/Media Center Updates
The next meeting of the Black-Eyed Susan Book Club will take place on Wednesday, February 24th, at 2:00 pm. We will discuss the book A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi, which is available in Sora, our online reading platform. To learn more about how to access this book in eBook or audiobook format, please visit the “Read Online” flag in the Virtual Library Media Center.
Please take a look at our curated Black History Month books & resources and other collections in Destiny, our online library catalog. The collections include eBooks students can read online by logging in to Destiny using their student IDs and passwords. If you have any trouble accessing Seneca’s online resources, please contact Ms. Little.
UPDATED: Black History Month Events Hosted by Montgomery County Public Libraries
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has planned a series of events to commemorate Black History Month, including presentations on local history, author visits, and trivia contests. Click on the links below to learn more about upcoming learning opportunities geared toward teens and adults:
UPDATED: Creativity Contests
The 12th Annual Choose Respect Montgomery video contest is accepting entries of original, 60-second public service announcements (PSA) that promote awareness of dating abuse and domestic violence among teens. Submissions are due by March 1, 2021. Click HERE for entry rules and to see past winners.
NEW: Gandhi Brigade Youth Media (GBYM), an organization of students who use digital media to advance social justice, are inviting artists and filmmakers to submit work for an upcoming “Empathy to Solidarity” exhibit that will run through April. Submissions are due by March 8, 2021. For more information and to submit work for consideration, click HERE.
The Montgomery County Youth Media Festival invites all middle and high school students, plus young adults ages 18-25, in the DMV to submit original works of video and art for consideration. Selected entries will be shown at the festival in April, when winners will be announced. Submissions are due by March 20, 2021. Click HERE for contest rules and the submission form.
NEW: The Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition invites teams of two or more students to create and submit 30-second videos on one of three topics related to the risks and dangers of underage drinking. Entries are due by March 26, 2021. Click HERE for contest rules.
NEW: George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy
The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., Saturday School is working in conjunction with the MCPS curriculum office to offer FREE AP/IB support classes on Saturday mornings beginning on Saturday, February 27th. Please share this information with your families ASAP.
Students can register at the link below:
REMINDER: Counselor LIVE Chat
Counselors are now available for live chat sessions EVERYDAY via Zoom. Please use your student's sign in credentials to access the session. Click HERE to access counselor's availability. *Please note that you may be required to wait briefly in the waiting room while the counselor is meeting with another parent and/or student."
REMINDER: Where do I go for help?
We are here to support you in any way that we can. for more information about who to go to for the most commonly asked questions, please visit this link. There you will find resources for the topics listed below. We will continue to add to this list as needs evolve.
- Community Resources
- Wellness Resources
- Student Support
- Counselors
- Class Sponsors
- Technology Reminders
- Ask Your Librarian
Looking for a great class to round out your schedule for next year? See below to learn more about our amazing electives.
REPEAT: Update from Athletics
Good afternoon SV Community, please see important update from MCPS regarding our return to in person athletics.
Highlights:
- We will begin Saturday February 27th
- what sports will be offered in person or virtual will be announced offered the week of the 22nd.
- Registration deadline is fast approaching- February 22nd.
- Please review links for how things will work.
Please reach out to Athletic Director Jesse Irvin -if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks- Go Screaming Eagles!
Athletics Fall Season Update
February 12, 2021The fall sports season will begin on Saturday, Feb. 27. As a reminder, all in-person programming will be optional for coaches and student-athletes. Program offerings will be school- and team-specific, depending on the selection of coaches and the interest of student-athletes.
Registration—February 22 Deadline
All students must be registered through ParentVue by Feb. 22. Once registration is complete, coaches will confirm program offerings and begin grouping students, All students are eligible to participate in athletics regardless of their mode of school instruction (virtual or in-person). Resources for securing sports physicals are available on the COVID-19 Athletics Information Webpage.
Program Offerings
More information regarding program offerings and the status of games and competition will be provided later this month. Games and contests will occur with the approved recommendations of MCPS, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
MCPS Athletics Resources
Parents/guardians and student-athletes should review the following information and resources prior to registering. All documents, information and guidance are subject to change.
Second Semester Plan—Provides an overview of second semester operations
Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan—Provides operating procedures and safety protocol that will be used during the fall seasonReturn to R.A.I.S.E. Video—Provides an overview of the protocol and procedures in the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan. The video was filmed in October; guidelines and procedures may have changed since then
COVID-19 Athletics Information Webpage—All information regarding the return of in-person programming is available here
ParentVue Registration Information—Provides resources when completing the registration process
We look forward to welcoming our student-athletes and coaches back on campuses for the fall season. We are committed to providing the best and safest experience for student-athletes, coaches and stakeholders in the second semester and beyond. Specific questions should be directed to your school’s athletics specialist (AD) or coach.
Montgomery County Public Schools
REPEAT: Gradebook Symbols and their Meaning
It is important to remind parents/families of what some symbols in ParentVue and StudentVue represent. Please see below some important examples of these symbols.
- A "0" means:
- That assignment can no longer be made up.
- That assignment does NOT show up as a missing assignment.
- There has been two-way communication regarding the fact that the assignment was never completed.
- The letter "z" or "Missing" in the comments menu means:
- That assignment CAN still be made up.
- That assignment calculates in the final grade as a zero until it is made up.
- That assignment shows up as a RED MISSING in parent and student Vues.
- An assignment left BLANK means:
- The assignment does NOT get reported as missing.
- The assignment does NOT show up in the student or parent Vues at all.
- The assignment is not weighted in the student's grade at all.
For spirit wear purchases:
Seneca Valley Online SPIRIT WEAR!!!
Seneca Valley is excited to offer online sales of the spirit wear we used to sell on-site (and more!) through our local vendor, VerTee Shirts. Check it out!
VerTee Shirts: https://svhs.spiritsale.com (T-shirts, sweatshirts, lounge pants, fleece jackets, and masks)
SVHS Spirit Wear can also be purchased at the following sites.
Squad Locker: https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/eagles-287838
BSN: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/maryland/germantown/seneca-valley-high-school
Want a SVHS License Plate? Please visit the School website for details. https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools//senecavalleyhs/about/ptsa/spiritsales/
Are you #SVPROUD?
- Tweet, Snap, IB, FB, etc., a pic of you repping "The Valley" by wearing your Seneca gear.
- And don't forget to use #svproud. Go Eagles!
Seneca Valley High School
Email: marc_j_cohen@mcpsmd.org
Website: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-353-8000
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS