SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen/Mr. Smith's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
January 3, 2021 Edition
NEW: This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
Upcoming Scholarships
- January 05* - GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program - numerous awards of $10,000 with a possibility of up to $40,000 total (renewable, based on eligibility); senior; U.S. Citizen; min 3.0 GPA; enroll full time at a four-year school in the fall; demonstrate at school, the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship.
- *Scholarship closes at 4:00 pm on Jan. 5 or when 25,000 applications are submitted, whichever occurs first.
- January 05 - One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest - awards vary by age and category; students from grade 3 to age 25 are eligible to submit a video in their age category; topics vary by age and category; see link for all details and guidelines.
- January 08 - Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship - 1-$25,000 & 19-$20,000 awards; senior; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; min 3.0 GPA; be currently involved in high school, intramural, or community-based sports; academic excellence; leadership & moral character; must enroll at a four-year school in the fall; answer two essays; see link for essay prompts.
- January 09 - Ron Brown Scholars - 20 or more awards of $40,000 ($10,000 per yr for 4 yrs); senior; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; African American; attend a 4 year college or university in the Fall; academic achievement; character; financial need; leadership; seriousness of purpose; service to others.
- January 09 - YouthCon 2021 Scholarship - 1st Place-$4,000 & Leadership Development Summer Internship to execute essay idea, 2nd Place-$1,500, & 3rd Place Award — $1,000; 9-12 grade; submit a 500-600 word essay based on the prompt; semi-finalists present for 5-7 mins in front of a panel of professional judges to explain how they’ll execute their ideas, followed by a five minute Q&A from the judges.
- 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.
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.
FAFSA - Seniors
The FAFSA is the financial aid form to request financial aid to go to college. The deadline to submit your application for Maryland state financial aid is March 1. Please see the SVHS College & Career Financial Aid Page to for more information about the FAFSA:
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/
REPEAT: Congrats to SVHS Student
SVHS Senior, Freddy Akpoly, has been chosen as a POSSE Foundation Scholarship winner! Freddy will receive a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the University of Rochester!
The POSSE program identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. Each student had to go through multiple rounds of interviews to ultimately be chosen as finalists for this competitive and prestigious scholarship.
Nationally, 58 colleges and universities offer full-tuition, merit scholarships to students throughout the country and create multicultural teams - called Posses - on each campus. These student teams receive professional guidance before and throughout college and provide support to one another. On campus, these students serve important leadership roles.
REPEAT: Mascot Naming Contest
With the new building, we decided to order a brand new Screaming Eagle Mascot costume. Our mascot does not have a name, and we want to fix that!
We want the students to choose the name, so we are having a contest! Students will submit
their name options and vote on the winning name. The student who submits the winning name will receive a $25 Visa gift card*.
Please go to this google form to submit a name to enter the contest:
https://forms.gle/2zbHoyQdPyXjW5Lk8
Submissions will be accepted until January 8th. The following week we will send out a ballot so you can vote for the winning name. The winning name will be announced at the January PTSA meeting (Jan 19, 2021).
*If more than 1 student submits the winning name, the gift card winner will be chosen at
random. When we announce the name, all students who submitted the winning name will get
credit. When we announce the name, all students who submit the winning name will get credit.*
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: BOOKMOBILE FOR NORTHWEST, SENECA VALLEY, AND QO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Did you ever wonder what it would take to get past our high school rivalries? The answer is BOOKS! Books for Jaguars, Books for Cougars, and BOOKS FOR SCREAMING EAGLES! Woohoo! Yeah! All right!
MCPS has expanded its Bookmobile pilot program, so Seneca students who like to read old school-style 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 (12/23, 1/6, 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.
REPEAT: BOOK CLUB UPDATES: BLACK-EYED SUSAN BOOK CLUB & PROJECT LIT
It’s never too late to join the Black-Eyed Susan Book Club! Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 11th, from 2:45-3:30 pm. We plan to 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!
This past week, we hosted our second Project LIT book discussion, and made plans for the third. Please join us on Wednesday, January 13th, 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.
In other Project LIT news, be sure to keep an eye out for information about NEW Project LIT and “best books for young adults” titles available in Sora. Also, please know that you can always request titles as well -- if you don’t see a book you want to read in Sora, reach out to Ms. Little! Our library media staff aim to provide many choices for reading over winter break. ⛄
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.
REPEAT: Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) - Create a Digital Account
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
MoComOnline 2021, is an all day, all ages virtual event celebrating all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms! It is scheduled for Saturday, January 16.
- As part of the event, there are Art, Cosplay, and Essay contests with prizes awarded in each category. Entries are due between November 23 and December 23, 2020. Three age groups include Child (ages 0-12), Teen (ages 13-17) and Adult (ages 18+). Limit one entry per category per person.
For more information, see www.mcpl.link/MoComCon
REPEAT: 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."
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: IB Spotlight
This month we are focused on the ATL category COMMUNICATION, which is also the MYP cluster. Our Learner Profile attribute is OPEN-MINDED..
COMMUNICATION is an essential experience in our lives. Communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of ideas, feelings, intentions, attitudes, expectations, perceptions, or commands, as by speech, non-verbal gestures, and writings. It is by communicating with others how people learn about our ideas and how we figure out what others think. Without communication no meaning is exchanged, no ideas are shared, and new ideas will remain unrevealed. Communication is especially important today in our society.
We need to develop strong communication skills to express ourselves with clarity, to ask strong questions and provoke big ideas. Through effective communication we will be part of the creation of concepts that might influence others and might become a turning point in a particular time, and it is for this reason that we need to be active listeners as well, for many times the opportunities for communicating and exchanging ideas will be around us, and we need to take advantage.
To be successful in this time when information inundates us, we need to be able to communicate ideas effectively. Students need to develop this vital skill, as it provides opportunities to learn more, to influence others positively , and to be part of change.
As OPEN-MINDED individuals, we “understand and appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of other individuals and communities. We are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.”
IB students have a deep understanding of various cultures and views, bringing an appreciation of new views to both their academic study and their involvement in local and wider communities. The international mindedness compliments the missions of the best colleges, trade schools, and universities.
Students are especially open-minded during registration when they consider all their course options and can complement this with being a risk-taker and challenging themselves to take rigorous courses.
Students are effective COMMUNICATORS when they OPEN-MINDED to look at different perspectives. Other people’s views might be different to your own. OPEN-MINDED COMMUNICATORS actively listen to the perspectives of others and allow people the chance to convince you of their ideas or points of view.
Please don’t forget to complete the IB Student of the Month Survey to recognize an IB Student (full IB Diploma Career-related, or Certificate) for doing a great job or showing improvement with ATL skills or the LP in your classroom. Each month student(s) will be recognized in the last week of the month in Dr. Cohen's Smore newsletter.
STAFF SHOUTOUT for being open-minded and actively engaged in school wide MYP training as a BIG first step in implementing MYP in our Wall to Wall IB School. And a special SHOUT-OUT to Kim Becraft, the MYP Coordinator who took the lead on this training and did an amazing job organizing and effectively communicating with all throughout it.
Are you a rising junior interested in the FULL IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM or the CAREER_RELATED PROGRAM - please contact Natasha Ezerski (IB DP/CP Coordinator). And as always, Kim Becraft, (MYP Coordinator) is available to answer questions.
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