SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
November 1, 2020 Edition
For spirit wear purchases:
#SVPROUD Swag Store
NEW: ACT-SO VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR
The ACT-SO Virtual Career Fair is October 31 and November 1. Please pre-register. Click here for more information.
If you would like more information about ACT-SO, Click Here.
NEW: Calendar Revision
- Monday, Nov. 2 will follow the Wednesday Virtual Check-In Schedule.
- Wednesday, Nov. 4 is now a Professional Day. There will be no school for students.
- Nov. 11 and Nov 12 are now full days of school. Both of these days are A-Days.
- Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 are now half-days to allow for parent conferences. Stay tuned for announcements regarding scheduling conferences.
Additionally, Wednesday, November 18 was originally a FULL Virtual Check-in Day and will NOW be a 1/2 Virtual Check-in Day. This is a change to the calendar and is specific to Seneca Valley High School.
To view the revised calendar in its entirely, please click here.
NEW: A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SVHS PTSA
One of the PTSA’s missions is to support our staff and show them how much we appreciate all they do for their students.
Our teachers and staff have always worked really hard to support their students and this year, they are taking it to a whole new level. They are truly awesome and it is so very sad that we have been unable to hold any of our typical staff appreciation events to say thank you. Therefore, we are trying something new.
MD PTAs have recently been given the thumbs up to giving staff gift cards as a show of appreciation, as long as every staff member gets one for an equal amount that cannot exceed $25. SVHS has 230 staff, so we are asking for your help to raise the funds to provide all staff with a gift card as a small token of our appreciation.
We understand that some people may not be in a position to donate, but if you are, can you please consider donating? Any amount would be greatly appreciated!
You can donate via GoFundMe or Paypal
If you prefer to donate via check, checks can be mailed to the school, payable to the SVHS PTSA 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD 20874.
The PTSA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and your donation may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.
NEW: Choice and High School Application Programs for 2021-2022
- The Grade 8 High School Common Application for High School Regional/Countywide Programs remains open to parents/students in ParentVUE, with a deadline of 11/6. More information about any adjustments to admission processes during the pandemic will be coming soon.
- Information about upper grade high school special programs such as Thomas Edison High School of Technology, Early College, JROTC, Fire Science and Rescue, and more for 2021-22 can be found here. Applications for these programs can be found here, by 11/6.
- Grade 8 students who are residents of the Downcounty or Northeast Consortium submit their high school choices by 11/6.
- Grade 5 students who are residents of the Middle School Magnet Consortium or Grade 5 students interested in out-of-consortium seats can submit their Choices online by 11/6.
- This information has been sent to families direction and additional information can be found on the Special Programs webpage.
NEW: Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2021
NEW: IB Spotlight
As we focus on IB each month, we will provide quotes to support the ATL skill category, ATL skill cluster, and LP of the month.
ATL Skill Category Quote for THINKING SKILLS:
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."—Albert Einstein
At the heart of all Thinking skills, is curiosity and questioning. We must question all aspects of our lives from the information we read, our own assumptions and bias, to our current solutions and processes. This constant state of curiosity ensures that we activate critical and creative thinking to question current knowledge, build new knowledge and solutions, and transfer our knowledge across disciplines and into our everyday lives.
ATL Skill Cluster Quote for CRITICAL THINKING:
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider." ~Francis Bacon
We hope to develop critical thinking skills that encourage us to be reflective on new information- to avoid quick conclusions and leave time to weigh different perspectives. We aim to look at information objectively and to avoid starting with the ultimate goal of refuting or contradicting it so that we may evaluate it or as Mr. Bacons states, "to weigh and consider" it.
Learner Profile Quote for RISK-TAKER:
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. “ ~Pablo Picasso
We encourage our students to be Risk-Takers by trying new experiences and facing challenges with bravery, resiliency, and resourcefulness. Without being a risk-taker, we cannot find innovative solutions and achieve new goals, but most importantly, we cannot grow as human beings. Through this process, we must both work independently, but also realize the importance, strength, and wisdom of working with others.
Don’t forget to recognize a staff member or student for doing a great job with ATLs or the LP in class. Recognize a Student or Staff Member
IMPORTANT IB EXAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION: IB Exam Registration is now open!
All IB Registration Google Forms & payments are due by Friday, Nov. 6th!
· IB Registration Information Video: This video includes an explanation of the benefits of taking IB exams, as well as an overview of the registration and payment process.
· IB Registration Google Form (include MCPS Fee Waiver Request Form): This is the formal IB Exam registration form. It includes a section for student’s to request an MCPS Fee Waiver and digitally sign.
· Link to Online School Payment system to pay for IB Exams
As always, please contact Kim Becraft, IB MYP coordinator (Kimberly_M_Becraft@mcpsmd.org) or Natasha Ezerski, IB DP & CP Coordinator (Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org) with any suggestions or questions.
NEW: This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
Attention Students of all Grades!!
If you think you may qualify for Free/Reduced Meals, please apply. FARMS status can qualify you for College Application Fee and/or testing waivers.
College Applications - Seniors
College application deadlines are approaching! Please keep working on your College Application Packet. Everything you need to do for submitting college applications, including instructions, is on this document. Please review the steps outlined on this document to make sure you are organized and on track to start submitting applications.
College Testing - Juniors
I am starting to get many questions from Juniors about the SAT and/or ACT. For Juniors, we are encouraging them to wait and take the PSAT later in the school year. Hopefully, depending on the status of schools, we will be able hold PSAT testing. If not, students could certainly take the SAT and/or ACT at some point in the spring if locations are available.
In the meantime, check out Khan Academy and other sources which provide free test prep. Those resources can be found on the SVHS Site using the link below:
Which Test Should I Take?
· Should You Take the ACT vs. SAT? (Kaplan)
· ACT vs. SAT Comparison (Princeton Review)
Upcoming Scholarships
· November 06 - The Black Neighborhood Scholarship Fund - $2,000 awards; senior; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; min 2.5 GPA; attend a college or university next fall; submit an essay on 1 of 3 topics (minimum of 500 words); 3 rounds of the application process; see link for essay topics and scholarship details.
· November 10 - The Prudential Spirit of Community Award - $1,000 - $5,000; available to students in grades 5 through 12; significant amount of SSL hours; you must have participated in volunteer activities in the past 12 months to be considered for this award; see link for full guidelines and details.
· November 12 - Create Real Impact Scholarship Contest - multiple $1,500 & $500 awards; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen, legal residents, or DACA recipients; create an original work showcasing your idea for a solution or strategy to fix reckless & distracted driving; submit in one of four categories: creative writing, video, graphic design, or music; click link for full rules, guidelines, and details.
· November 15 - Elks Most Valuable Student Award - 500 awards ranging from $1,000-$12,500 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 $20,000 - $50,000 awards.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Next Week's College Visits - Juniors & Seniors
· Furman University - 11/2/20 8:00 AM
· Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - 11/2/20 11:30 AM
· Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania - 11/2/20 3:00 PM
· Chatham University - 11/5/20 8:00 AM
· University of Cincinnati-Main Campus - 11/5/20 11:30 AM
· Montgomery College - 11/5/20 3:00 PM
· Felician University - 11/6/20 8:00 AM
· University of Rhode Island - 11/6/20 11:30 AM
To participate in college visits, students must register in Naviance. To see a full list of College Visits, see click the link below.
Upcoming Virtual Events
College Admissions Process (CAP) - Free Monthly Workshops
§ A FREE monthly workshop for high school boys & girls in grades 9-12. (Click here for the flyer)
§ First Fridays, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
§ Nov 6
§ Dec 4
NACAC Virtual College Fairs - Juniors & Seniors
§ Sunday, Nov 8 - 2pm to 10pm
§ Click here for more info & to register
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Virtual HBCU College Fair
§ Friday, November 13 (4pm - 8pm) & Saturday, Nov 14 (10am - 2pm)
§ Students of all ages are welcomed to attend. There will be on-site admissions* and application fee waivers will be available for seniors.
§ *Seniors must register and submit application to schools by Nov. 9th to be considered for on-site admissions.
Common Black Application Free HBCU Worldwide College Fairs
§ Next Fair Date: Saturday, Nov 14 - 1pm (Click here to see the flyer)
MCPS Virtual Hispanic College Fair
§ Tuesday, Nov 17 - 2pm to 6pm
§ Click here to see the flyer (Español)
FAFSA - Seniors
The FAFSA is now open for eligible seniors to start filling out! The FAFSA is the financial aid form to request financial aid to go to college. Please see the SVHS College & Career Financial Aid Page to for more information about the FAFSA:
Montgomery College's FAFSA Days - Seniors
Please sign up to get assistance completing the FAFSA. The remote sessions are available every Monday from 1 - 4 pm & Tuesday from 4 - 7 pm starting the week of October 12th through November and then again in February 2021.
NEW: Live Conversation with Broadway Actor/Actress
On Thursday, November 12 at 5:30pm the SV Birds of Play Theatre Troupe will host two Broadway Actors for a conversation with students and parents. Sign up at www.svhsbop.com to participate in this exciting and free opportunity! Anyone with an MCPS login can join. Our guests are Steven Cutts and Tracee Beazer, both with Broadway, Film, and Television credits and fantastic experiences to share.
REPEAT: Door/Hallway Decorating Contest
Since we know many of you miss our annual hallway decoration contest, The SGA is also sponsoring a door decoration contest instead. Decorate a door or hallway in your home instead, following one of the themes in the image below.
REPEAT: Real-Time Democratic Process Lessons
Dear Parents or Guardians,
With the 2020 United States Presidential election approaching, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) recognizes the importance of teaching and discussing the democratic process in real-time. As with past elections, the goals of the Maryland State Department of Education and MCPS are to teach students:
how government and the electoral process works;
the skills to make informed decisions about political issues;
how to engage in relevant and current events in a manner that promotes civil discourse, and;
be responsible citizens who participate in the democratic process.
Please see the letter linked in the image to the left which explains the full process and implementation regarding these lessons.
REPEAT: ESOL Parent/Guardian Letters - Padres / Tutores de ESOL
ESOL Parents/Guardians: The Parent Notification Letters are in your student's English class as an assignment for you to review, sign, and submit electronically. There is a step-by-step video explaining the process. ESOL student EL Plans (accommodations) are being updated for this school year and will also be in students' English classes as an assignment for you to review.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Sprehn, ESOL Resource Teacher at Lisa_C_Sprehn@mcpsmd.org
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Las Cartas de Notificación a los Padres están en la clase de inglés de su estudiante como una tarea para que usted las revise, firme y envíe electrónicamente. Hay un video paso a paso que explica el proceso. Los planes EL para estudiantes de ESOL (adaptaciones) se están actualizando para este año escolar y también estarán en las clases de inglés de los estudiantes como una tarea para que los revise.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con Lisa Sprehn, maestra de recursos de ESOL en Lisa_C_Sprehn@mcpsmd.org
REPEAT: SVHS Senior Portraits
Seneca Valley high School Senior portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! You should have received an email from Freed Photography with your private gallery information. If you have not received this (check your spam too), please contact them at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452.
If you missed the portrait day or would like a retake, please make an appointment for November 23, 2020 https://schedule.freedspirit.com/svhs
REPEAT: ACES Application Now Open!
REPEAT: New Student Lunch Bunch
Are you new to Seneca Valley HS and looking to meet other students? Please join us for a virtual lunch bunch to get to know other students. We will meet once per week during lunch (Tuesdays 11:30-12:00) and complete ice breakers, play games, find things we have in common, and hopefully develop new friendships.
For more information, please reach out to your child's counselor.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/94196024922?pwd=TzVKTFV0b0tCbE5XVmhGRGJnd3ptZz09
Meeting ID: 941 9602 4922
Passcode: LunchREPEAT: Chromebook Damage Financial Responsibility Information
Students and their families are now financially responsible for any intentional or accidental damage of any Chromebook loaned out to the student. The Office of Technology and Innovation has created a technical document outlining the Chromebook obligation process. This document identifies the costs associated with each type of repair or replacement, as well as where students and families can go to have a repair performed. While 45 West Gude is the only available repair site at this time, additional sites will be identified and added.
To see the Chromebook Obligations document, please click here.
This document links out to four relevant articles.
REPEAT: Student Chromebook Issues? Need a Wifi Hotspot?
If students have a broken chromebook, they should also be brought to 45 W. Gude Drive in Rockville between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. any weekday.
REPEAT: JOIN the PTSA!
DO NOT DELAY! JOIN TODAY!
REPEAT: Who do I go to for help?
If you need assistance or support with anything leading up to the school year or once virtual learning has begun, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the following staff. They are here to support you in any way they can.
Main Office Telephone Number: 240-740-6400 (This is a new number)
- Social Emotional Support - Students with last names beginning with A - C
- Class Support - Class of 2022
- Social Emotional Support - Students with last names beginning with D - J
- Class Support - Class of 2021
- Social Emotional Support - Students with last names beginning with K - P
- Class Support - Class of 2024
- Social Emotional Support - Students with last names beginning with Q - Z
- Class Support - Class of 2023
- Business, Finance, and Operations
Counselor Student Support Assignments
Counseling Telephone Number: 240-740-6420
Ms. Fellows - Students with last names beginning with A - Card
Ms. Patel - Students with last names beginning with Cardi - Del Mar
Ms. Murray - Students with last names beginning with Del Pilar - F
Ms. McCarthy - Students with last names beginning with G - King, C.
Mr. Matthews - Students with last names beginning with King, D. - Nunez Enriquez
Ms. Teixeira - Students with last names beginning with Nunez Rodriguez - Shad
Mr. Yarmus - Students with last names beginning with Shah - Z
Ms. Rina Chaves ESOL Transition Counselor
Ms. Rosa Santos ESOL Parent Community Coordinator
Ms. Rogena Parrish Secretary
Ms. Linda McCabe Registrar
Mr. Carlos Nalda College-Career Information Coordinator
Mrs. Margaret Drew School Psychologist
Mr. Tony Maturana Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW)
Mr. Daryn Moore Aces Coach (11th-12th grade)
Class Sponsors
Class of 2024 - Freshman Class
Class of 2023 - Sophomore Class
Class of 2022- Junior Class
Class of 2021 - Senior Class
REPEAT: Wellness Resources
The safety and wellness of our students remains a top priority. Below are resources to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of our community. If you believe your child is in crisis, please contact the Montgomery County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000. Students can also reach out to their counselor and school psychologist to set up a confidential appointment.
Waymaking Video Series
- Suicide Awareness
- Managing Stress and Anxiety for Students
- Managing Stress and Anxiety during Social Distancing
Tips on Addressing Student Grief
Tips for Preventing Youth Suicide
REPEAT: Community Resources
Below is information regarding food/grocery access beyond the MCPS school meal sites:
Food Assistance Resource Map: The Montgomery County Food Council created an interactive map of food assistance providers and benefits application assistance sites in Montgomery County. It is searchable by location, food assistance type, accessibility and many other special features. This resource can give principals and families a quick view of local resources in their area. The information indicates where, when and how to access the resources. **We would caution parents and staff supporting parents to pay particular attention to how one qualifies to access food as some sites state requirements.
Weekend Bag Program: MCPS, Manna Food Center, and Women Who Care Ministries are distributing weekend backpacks with groceries to the families of MCPS students each Friday. The location of distribution sites and times are listed at the bottom of the webpage.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES https://www.sheppardpratt.org/news-views/story/sheppard-pratt-hosts-virtual-lunch-learn-series-for-mental-health-awareness-month/
VIRTUAL CRISIS WALK_IN CLINIC
https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/
https://dominionhospital.com/covid-19/access-to-care/behavioral-health.dot
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WEBSITES
1. https://www.caringmatters.org/resourcesforschools
2. https://learn.mindwise.org/social-distance
3. https://www.therapistaid.com/
4. https://www.mindfulschools.org/
5. https://www.educatingmindfully.org/
6. https://www.stressedteens.com/
7. http://mindfullifeproject.org/
8. https://centerforadolescentstudies.com/
GRIEF RESOURCE
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