SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
September 7, 2020 Edition
Please order your Class of...T-Shirt. 100% of the profits from this fundraiser go to supporting your child's graduating class.
These Official Class T-shirts are only available for a limited time, so please act soon if you want one for your student.
For additional spirit wear purchases:
#SVPROUD Swag Store
Back to School Night - September 8
Back to School Night will be a live event, held via Zoom, on Tuesday, September 8 starting at 6:00 p.m. Parents will follow their student’s schedule and meet all of their student’s first semester teachers using their student's mcpsmd.net account to login to each teacher's Zoom Room. We have be asked several times where parents can go to get the Zoom address for each of their student's classes. Please have your student provide you these links by logging into their myMCPS accounts. This is a great chance for them to show you the new portal. Your student is welcome to join you in your visits with teachers. If, at the end of Back to School night, you still have questions, please email the teachers directly and they will be happy to help you.
Period 1: 6:00 to 6:10
Period 2: 6:15 to 6:25
Period 3: 6:30 to 6:40
Period 4: 6:45 to 6:55
Period 5 (Advisory): 7:00 to 7:10
Period 6: 7:15 to 7:25
Period 7: 7:30 to 7:40
Period 8: 7:45 to 7:55
SGA Candidates Deadline Fast Approaching
The SGA is looking for officers eager to lead the student body forward as we continue to navigate a critical time in our nation’s and school’s history. Due to the inability to hold elections last year and the many needs of a growing student population that will be moving into a brand new building, students must declare their candidacy and campaign within a smaller timeline than in year’s past. Please review the official 2020-2021 Election Packet if you are interested in serving your class or the SGA! The deadline to submit your Declaration of Intent is Tuesday, September 8th!
This week, SGA and class officer candidates will submit their "Meet the Candidate" videos. Candidates will be announced on September 9th. Campaign videos will post starting September 10th, and will continue to be added as they are received and approved. "Meet the Candidate" videos will be posted HERE.
Meet your IB Coordinators
Kim Becraft (MYP Coordinator, IB Theory of Knowledge 1 and IB Personal & Professional Skills 1 Teacher)
I am excited to join the screaming eagle family this year to launch our IB Middle Years Program (MYP) to create a wall to wall IB school at Seneca Valley! I have spent the last 9 years at Albert Einstein HS where I served as the Science Resource Teacher and spent the last 4 years as the AP & IB Coordinator. My content background is Biology and IB Environmental Systems & Societies. I graduated from Poolesville High School before majoring in Biology and Psychology at University of Mary Washington, where I also played field hockey and lacrosse. After college, I worked at an environmental not-for-profit before earning my Master’s degree at George Washington University in Secondary Education. I have a three-year old daughter and am building a new house this year. I am passionate about the benefits of an IB education and I look forward to working with the entire Seneca Valley community to bring IB to the 9th and 10th grade. I am also excited to teach IB Theory of Knowledge 1, a core requirement for the IB DP, and help launch our new IB Personal & Professional Skills 1 course, a core requirement of the IB CP. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions at Kimberly_M_Becraft@mcpsmd.org.
Natasha Ezerski (DP and CP Coordinator)
This is my 18th year at Seneca Valley High School - I love the diversity and the family atmosphere at our amazing school!! I was the science RT prior to becoming the Coordinator and now enjoy being able to work more closely with all departments. I graduated from Gaithersburg High School and continued my undergrad at UMBC. After I graduated from UMBC I spent a year in Charlotte, NC working with HIV/AIDS clients and did HIV/AIDS education through AmeriCorps. I earned my Master's degree at Columbia in NYC and considered the medical field, but education tore at my heart. In my free time I love walking, running, or cycling for an assortment of causes or walking/running with my four furry babies (you can often find me pushing one or two of them in their doggy stroller 🙂). I look forward to working with you and your students this year as we become a wall to wall IB school. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org.
IB spotlight: IB Programs are grounded in the idea of teaching the whole student with a focus on curricula content, skills, and each individual student. To support this philosophy, IB created 5 Approaches to Learning skill categories (Communication, Social, Self-Management, Research, & Thinking) that all IB schools work to develop. MYP further breaks-down these categories into 10 skill clusters. Additionally, IB identifies 10 Learner Profile attributes to help shape, “ internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.” (The Learner Profile. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2013) To support our wall to wall IB programs at Seneca Valley, we will be highlighting an ATL skill category and cluster each month. To launch this, we will focus on the ATL category of SELF-MANAGEMENT, specifically of the MYP skill cluster of ORGANIZATION SKILLS. Our Learner Profile attribute will be BALANCED.
When we look at self-management, we focus on how to help students manage their time and tasks effectively through organizational skills. This includes helping students plan short and long term assignments through chunking and checkpoints, while also encouraging them to track assignments through a weekly planner. In order to develop REFLECTIVE students, we can encourage them to think about how they will maintain a planner in this new digital work, and encourage them to plan goals, supported by strategies and action steps, that are challenging and realistic. We also need to be cognizant of how to support an organized and logical system of information files as our previous systems have changed drastically.
As BALANCED individuals, we, “understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.” (The Learner Profile. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2013) By supporting these ATL skills, we help students become BALANCED as they develop time management, organization, persistence and goal-setting skills that allow them to enjoy and excel at all facets of their life.
Below, you will find the fall schedule and fall calendar
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. Moore - 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
Using Synergy ParentVue
Parent Webinar Series
More dates and times have been added to the webinar series for parents. Sessions with translators have also been added. Check out the updated flyer and visit the MCPS website for updates and links to resources.
Visit our Virtual College and Career Center
Seneca Valley - College & Career Center
Parents and students can also make an appointment with Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center for help on getting started on a college, career or scholarship search. This is especially important for eleventh graders.
The College & Career Center holds a wealth of information and resources for students as they ponder "life after high school." Students planning to attend a post-secondary school, whether it is 2 year, 4 year, or Technical/Trade, should visit the College & Career Center.
This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
Attention Seniors
Seniors - If you have not completed or started on your College Application Packet, please work on this! This is especially important for students applying to schools with October application deadlines. You want to make sure you give your counselors and teachers at least 2 weeks to complete and submit any application requests, including letters of recommendation. Feel free to reach out to Mr. Nalda or your counselor if you have any questions.
September Scholarships
§ 15 - The Gates Scholarship - top 300 students receive funding for full cost of attendance; senior; US citizen, national, or perm. resident; African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American; min 3.3 GPA; financial need; Pell-eligible; must enroll full-time in a four-year degree program; outstanding academic record; demonstrated leadership ability; personal success skills.
§ 15 - GoSkills Business Startup Scholarship - 1-$2,000 award; for any female high-school or college student who wants to start her own online business; share ideas (2-3 sentences) about your business; share a 2-3 sentence (or more) business plan.
§ 17 - We The Future Contest - 1-$1,000 award for each project categories; grades 9-12; ages 14-19 at time of entry; U.S. Cit. or legal res.; submit an original work one of the following about America: essay, song, STEM, or PSA; see link for full rules and guidelines.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page.
This Week's College Visits - Juniors & Seniors
Savannah College of Art and Design
Carolina Garcia
Virtual
9/8/20 8:00 AM
University of Miami
Lindsey Owens
Virtual
9/8/20 11:30 AM
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Hamyra Taylor
Virtual
9/10/20 11:30 AM
Ursinus College
Brendan Dougherty
Virtual
9/11/20 8:00 AM
Hampton University
Kelsey Rountree
Virtual
9/11/20 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. Visits and other events can also be found on the College & Career Calendar.
Upcoming Virtual College Fairs
HBCU Night Presents: A Digital World - Virtual HBCU Fairs
§ Monday September 7 - Thursday September 10, 5pm to 7pm
§ Click here for more information and to register
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
§ Sunday, Sep 13 - 12pm to 8pm
§ Click here for more info & to register
Coalition for College September 2020 Virtual College Fair
§ Sept. 16, from 6-10 p.m. and Sept. 17, from 7-10 p.m.
Visit our Virtual Library Media Center
While our physical spaces are closed during distance learning, our library resources are still available 24/7! Your students have full access to the resources of our Library Media Center at the click of a button: students may follow this link - https://bit.ly/virtualSVLMC - to join the SVHS Virtual Library in myMCPS Classroom/Canvas.
Library Media staff are also available to assist students with research and reading needs, and are happy to help anyone experiencing difficulty with their MCPS Google, myMCPS Classroom, and/or Parent Portal Accounts. Ms. Little is easiest to reach by email at nicole_little-cook@mcpsmd.org.
In addition, students and parents may call the published MCPS Community Tech Support Help Line for technical assistance: 240-740-7022.
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
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 RESOURECES 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