SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen/Mr. Smith's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
January 10, 2021 Edition
NEW: SVHS 2021-2022 Student Registration/SVHS 2021-2022 Registro de estudiantes
During the week of January 11th-15th, students will receive information to help them select courses for next school year.
If you would like to review the information at home, please visit THIS DOCUMENT: SVHS Registration Handbook
Students may begin entering their registration requests on Friday 1/15/21 at 3:00pm.
Please be sure that you have completed the registration form for next year's classes (linked in the document above) by Friday 1/22/21.
Counselors will be contacting individual students to verify course registration after 1/22/21.
If you have questions/concerns regarding registration, please contact your COUNSELOR: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhscounseling/home
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Durante la semana del 11 al 15 de enero, los estudiantes recibirán información para ayudarlos a seleccionar cursos para el próximo año escolar.
Si desea revisar la información en casa, visite ESTE DOCUMENTO: Manual de registro de SVHS
Los estudiantes pueden comenzar a ingresar sus solicitudes de registro el viernes 15/1/21 a las 3:00 pm.
Asegúrese de haber completado el formulario de inscripción para las clases del próximo año (vinculado en el documento anterior) antes del viernes 22/1/21.
Los consejeros se comunicarán con estudiantes individuales para verificar el registro del curso después del 22/1/21.
Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre el registro, comuníquese con su CONSEJERO:
NEW: This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
College Applications - Seniors
If applicable, please keep working on your College Application Packet. Everything you need to do for submitting college applications, including instructions, is on this document.
Upcoming Scholarships
- January 14 - Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund - $2,500 - $20,000 awards; senior; min 2.7 GPA; be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by U.S. Census; be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States; attend a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2021; must apply for FASFA by early April 2021; submit one letter of recommendation online.
- January 15 - Blaze Your Own Trail Scholarship - $1,000 award; senior (17 years of age or older); accepted to and will attend a college or university in the Fall; submit a 600-800 word essay that describes a challenge you faced, how you overcame it, and how the experience affected you.
- January 15 - JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest - 1-$10,000, 1-$3,000, and 5-$1,000, and 8-$100 awards; grades 9-12; write a 700-1,000 word essay describing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1917; must use five sources and include a bibliography.
- January 15 - Providian Medical Scholarship - 1-$500 award; senior; min 3.0 GPA; submit an original essay of up to 1,500 words that describes how medical equipment technology has changed the face of a college course and curriculum; entries can also include a look toward the future and how this area of study will continue to evolve and advance.
- January 18 - Bethesda Magazine Essay & Short Story Writing Contest - 1 for each category: 1st-$250 and work published in Bethesda Magazine, 2nd-$100, 3rd-$50, and $25 honorable mention awards; 9-12 grade; resident of Montgomery County; choose to subit an essay or short story; essays must be limited to 500 words or less about a topic of the writer's choosing; stories must be limited to 4,000 words or less.
- January 20 - C-SPAN Student Cam 2021 - prizes totaling $100,000 each year, prizes to the top 150 documentaries; open to students in 6-12 grade; create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme, "Explore the issue you most want the president and new Congress to address in 2021."
- January 20 - Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship - (deadline 8pm EST) 5-$25,000, 70-$10,000, and 35-$5,000 awards; senior; legal U.S. Resident; apply to a two- or four-year school in Fall 2021; submit an original video (between 30 seconds - 2 minutes) that tells us the story of your real, driving passion; see link for full rules and guidelines.
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
Mount St. Mary's University - Maryland 1/13/21 9:00 AM
Lincoln University 1/13/21 1:00 PM
To see a full list of College Visits, click the following link: List of College Visits
Montgomery Scholars deadline extended!!
- The deadline is January 19 @ 5pm
FAFSA - Seniors
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:
Moving Forward College and Career Readiness Series for Class of 2022 - Juniors
Juniors, let's start planning! We enthusiastically invite you all to participate in our scheduled workshops to get a head start in planning for life after high school! All workshops are from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. See flyer for schedule of sessions and the link to register.
MCPS PeaceJam Program 2021 - All Grades
- Click here to learn more
- Application open Jan 4 - Jan 15, 2021
- Participants will earn SSL Hours
NEW: Interested in running for the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB)
Attention current 10th and 11th graders: Are you interested in being the next Montgomery County Student Member of the Board of Education?!?! The SMOB nomination period is now open through January 28. Check out the MCPS webpage to find the SMOB election timeline, protocols and nomination form (pages 29 & 30):
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/smob/election-process.aspx
NEW: Interested in witnessing the process of SMOB Elections?
Do you want to attend the annual SMOB Nominating Convention to participate in the democratic process in the selection of our two finalists for the next SMOB? Due to our school's student enrollment, we will be able to send nine delegates! If you are interested, please contact Mr. Stouffer (Daniel_C_Stouffer@mcpsmd.org) by January 22 to learn more about the process of becoming a delegate to the SMOB Nominating Convention!
NEW: Student Feedback Survey
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/
NEW: IB/MYP Spotlight
This month we are focused on the ATL category RESEARCH and the MYP Cluster of MEDIA LITERACY. Our Learner Profile attribute is OPEN-MINDED
RESEARCH is both an integral academic skill and an essential life skill. Research encompasses both information literacy and media literacy. Information literacy requires students to find, interpret, judge and create information. MEDIA LITERACY involves interacting with media to use and create ideas and information. Given current events, media literacy is perhaps one of the most crucial skills for students in both school, career, and life. As we as a nation grapple with the events of last week, the role of technology and the internet and misinformation is abundantly clear. It is not enough for our students to be able to organize and explain information; they must also be able to evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. They must be aware of media interpretations of events and ideas to make informed choices about personal viewing experiences and to understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation. Our students should always seek to understand, even when they do not agree, by evaluating a range of perspectives from multiple and varied sources.
As OPEN-MINDED individuals, we “critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.”
IB students should use their RESEARCH skills and MEDIA LITERACY to be OPEN-MINDED and explore other perspectives, while ensuring they acquire accurate and truthful knowledge.
Interested in IB?
Students will start registering for their 2021-2022 courses on January 11th. 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.
Please encourage students interested in the IB program to attend one of the meetings below.
Wednesday, January 13th from 11:15-12:30: IB Diploma Program Interest Meeting for rising juniors
- Zoom Link Meeting ID: 843 743 8568 Passcode: SVHSIB
Wednesday, January 20th from 11:15-12:30: IB Career-Related Program Interest Meeting for rising juniors
- Zoom Link Meeting ID: 843 743 8568 Passcode: SVHSIB
Please contact Natasha Ezerski (IB DP/CP Coordinator) with any questions about the IB DP & CP Programs. Please contact Kim Becraft, (MYP Coordinator) with any questions about MYP.
NEW: BOOKMOBILE FOR NORTHWEST, SENECA VALLEY, AND QO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
In December, MCPS expanded its Bookmobile pilot program to include Seneca Valley. Seneca students may now borrow physical copies of print books from the collection at Northwest High School. Here is the process:
- Browse/search the Northwest High School Library Media collection to find a book you’d like to read. Directions with screenshots are provided HERE.
- Complete THIS GOOGLE FORM to reserve your book.
- Go to one of these locations on Wednesdays in January (1/13, 1/26) to pick up your books:
· 12:30-1:30 pm West Side Drive at 4-way intersection at top of hill
· 1:40-2:40 pm Clopper Mill ES
· 2:55-3:55 pm McNair ES
Questions? Please contact Ms. Little at SVHS or Ms. Myers at NWHS.
NEW: BOOK CLUB UPDATES: BLACK-EYED SUSAN BOOK CLUB & PROJECT LIT
The next meeting of the Black-Eyed Susan Book Club is tomorrow, Monday, January 11th, from 2:45-3:30 pm. Participants will discuss the graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, which is available in our online reading platform, Sora. Then, we will meet again on January 25th at 2:45 pm for a books-that-have-been-made-into-movies Kahoot! trivia contest. Come join the fun!
Our third Project LIT discussion, originally scheduled for January 13th, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 3rd in order to provide students with more time to access and read the book. So please plan to join us on Wednesday, February 3rd, from 2:00-3:00 pm, to discuss the book The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. This is an empowering book, written in free-style verse, about a teenager growing into her body. ALL ARE WELCOME! Learn more about accessing this book and others through Sora by clicking on the “Read Online” flag in the Virtual SV Library Media Center.
NEW: Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL): Create a Digital Account & MoCom Online Contest and Virtual Event 1/16/21
Students aged 13 and older may apply for a digital account (younger than 13 apply with their parent/guardian), which provides online access to all our resources and the student may place holds on library materials, which then may be picked up through the Holds2Go program.
- Go to: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/
- Click on “Get a Library Card”
- Click on “Get a Digital Library Card Now”
- Fill out the Online Registration form completely (including Library = select any of our libraries)
- Check your email and record your account number and note the PIN that you selected.
More information about the many resources available through MCPL is available in the “Read Online” flag in the Virtual SV Library Media Center in myMCPS Classroom/Canvas. Please also feel free to reach out to Ms. Little, our school librarian, if you have any questions about creating and using an account with MCPL.
Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) - MoComOnline Contest and Virtual Event
MoComCOnline 2021, is an all day, all ages virtual event celebrating all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms! It is scheduled for Saturday, January 16. Refer to their website for all of the ways you can participate and to view the complete listing of activities for that day, as well as lead-up activities prior to the event.
As part of the event, there are Art, Cosplay, and Essay contests with prizes awarded in each category. Entries submission deadline has been extended to January 9th. Three age groups include Child (ages 0-12), Teen (ages 13-17) and Adult (ages 18+). Limit one entry per category per person.
NEW: Free Online Access to the New York Times for Students
On Friday, January 8th, we re-sent invitations to create free New York Times accounts to all students whose families completed the SVHS Combined Technology Consent Form, giving permission for the use of MCPS-approved 3rd party apps. These invitations were sent to school gmail accounts (studentID@mcpsmd.net). Students who did not receive an invite and who did not previously set up an account may complete the form now. Students whose families completed the form but still did not receive an invite may email Ms. Little for assistance.
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."
REPEAT: Gradebook Symbols and their Meaning
WIth interims that just were released, 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.
REPEAT: Senior Portraits Available
Seneca Valley High School Senior portraits, including make-up day portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! You should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's 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.
REPEAT: Ask your Librarian" Zoom Office Hours
- Do you need help troubleshooting a tech problem?
- Are you looking for a good book to read?
- Do you need help with research for a class assignment?
- Are you confused about APA or MLA styles for citing sources?
- Could you use an extra set of eyes to look at your EE, IA, or college essay?
- Do you just want to drop by to say "Hi"? 👋
Ms. Little, our school library media specialist, hosts weekly Zoom Office Hours to support students with all of the above and more! She has “drop in” office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-3:30 pm and Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:30 pm, and is also available by appointment. The link for the Zoom and more information are available in the Virtual Library Media Center in myMCPS Classroom/Canvas.
REPEAT: Technology Reminders for SVHS Students
Do you need a Chromebook?
If you do not currently have an MCPS Chromebook and would like one so that you can participate and engage in your classes, please call the main office at 240-740-6400 or email Mr. Johnson, our Media Services Technician, at michael_t_johnson@mcpsmd.org. We will make arrangements for you to pick one up at school. When picking up your Chromebook, please arrive prepared with your student ID# and don’t forget to wear a mask.
Do you need to replace a broken Chromebook?
If your MCPS Chromebook is not working, you will need to take the broken device to 45 W. Gude Drive in Rockville for a replacement. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. Effective 11/11/20, distribution moved to the left side of the building - look for the black gate between the loading dock and reserved parking spaces. Arrive prepared with your student ID# and don’t forget to wear a mask.
Do you need a MiFi for Internet Access?
Ask a SVHS staff member to request a MiFi on behalf of a student. Once approved, the MiFi will be delivered to SVHS and a staff member will contact the family to make arrangements to pick up the device at the school. Parents/guardians will need to sign a permission form (English|español) when picking up the device. Directions for setting up the device are available in English and español.
Do you need tech support?
Please email Community Tech Support at CommunityTechSupport@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-7020 or 240-740-7022 between 7am - 8pm, M-F. NOTE: Seneca’s own ITSS, Mr. Josh Dillow, answers calls placed to 240-740-7022 between 5:30-8:00pm M-F.
Don't Forget to Activate Your ParentVue Account!
Did You Forget?
Dear Parents:
You may have forgotten to sign up for ParentVUE!
ParentVue is the brand new, powerful, single location for all information about how your child is doing in school. ParentVUE is also a new tool we use to stay connected with you.
When you are logged into ParentVUE you can:
- See your child’s schedule.
- Check your child’s grades (and report card).
- Check your child’s assignments.
- Send a message to your child’s teacher.
- Update your contact information
Soon, you will even be able to see a report on Student Service Learning Hours (SSL)!
If you haven’t yet activated your account, please be on the lookout for an email and/or a notification via U.S. mail because soon, we will send you a new activation letter. Once you’ve received your activation letter simply visit www.MCPSParentVUE.org to activate your account.
If you have already activated your ParentVUE account, you will not receive a notification because you are already enjoying the benefits of ParentVUE.
Parent Vue is built on the powerful Synergy platform; ‘Teachers put their energy into Synergy, and so should you!’
If for some reason you do not receive your notification in the coming weeks, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Marc Cohen, Principal
Scott Smith, Principal Intern
REPEAT: SVHS Cybersecurity Club - Join Now!
REPEAT: Free Online Access to the New York Times for Students
On Friday, November 20th, all students whose families completed the SVHS Combined Technology Consent Form, giving permission for the use of MCPS-approved 3rd party apps, should have received an invitation from The New York Times newspaper to create a free account. These invitations were sent to school gmail accounts (studentID@mcpsmd.net). Students who did not receive an invite but would like a New York Times account may complete the form now. Students whose families completed the form but still did not receive an invite may email Ms. Little for assistance.
REPEAT: Mindfulness Mornings
Attention ALL students,
We invite you to participate in a series of morning meetings focused on learning and engaging in mindfulness practices.
Join us every morning starting Nov. 10 at 8:30am! Find the zoom link and other details in the flyer below.
Thanks!
The Counseling Department
REPEAT: Dual Enrollment Registration for Spring Term is underway!
Is your student interested in taking Montgomery College courses for credit while they're in high school? Registration for spring term Montgomery College courses through Dual Enrollment is currently underway and classes are filling up. Current Dual Enrollment students should login to their Dual Enroll account to register for their classes. Interested prospective students or families who have questions should contact the Dual Enrollment Coordinator, Mr. Yarmus, at Ian_J_Yarmus@mcpsmd.org.
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
Mr. Davidson (Ms. Rahmati - Long Term Substitute until Semester 2)
- 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