SVHS Green and Gold

1. MCPS Fall 2020: Reimagine, Reopen, Recover

Montgomery County Public Schools released “The MCPS Fall 2020: Reimagine, Reopen, Recover Guide” which provides an overview of a few of the recovery models being considered at this time. This is just a draft guide and MCPS will continue to amend, adjust and improve upon these recommendations as it receives feedback from you—our parents, staff and students.

• Read the superintendent's message
• See the draft guide

As a follow-up to our commitment to Listen, Learn and Act, Already, Seneca Valley’s administrative team has been meeting to plan and discuss what we hope to be a meaningful and memorable leadership week. Over the last few weeks, several members of our staff have stepped up to host book clubs for staff who want to learn more about how to combat systemic racism in our schools and in our communities. Building on the passions of these colleagues, we have decided to engage the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) in a book study of our own. Now, more than ever, we must be ready to Listen, Learn, and Act. We will start this work as a leadership team, looking at our own practices and examining our own personal biases.

During leadership week (August 3 - August 7), we will consider the implications of our learnings from these books and we will work to embed explicitly anti-racist practices into our work. We are also eager to introduce opportunities for students, parents, and members of the broader Germantown community to contribute to this work. Please continue to follow this newsletter for opportunities to get involved.

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new SGA sponsor and am eager to meet and work alongside the Screaming Eagle family. Prior to being hired as a social studies teacher at Seneca Valley, I taught four years at Gaithersburg Middle School, conducted my student teaching at Clarksburg High School, and served as a special education paraeducator at Watkins Mill High School. I am very familiar with the Germantown community as I grew up near Route 118 and graduated from Northwest High School. In fact, I was a member of the first class to attend all four years. My experience opening a brand new school and helping to create a school culture that complimented an influx of new students has prepared me for a similar charge as the SGA sponsor. Throughout my tenure as a teacher, I have focused on developing and strengthening relationships with the local community. I plan on using this role to leverage my passion to empower students as we investigate and reinforce what it means to be SVProud!

My name is Carlos Nalda and I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Screaming Eagle Family as the new College/Career Information Coordinator. Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, I attended all MCPS schools, including Richard Montgomery High School to take IB courses. From there, I went on earn to my Bachelor's Degree at University of Maryland, College Park. I have been an employee of MCPS since the Fall of 2003 and a College/Career Information Coordinator since July of 2014. Coming from Thomas Edison High School of Technology, I also have had first-hand experience with Career Programs and programs for English Language Learners, such as CREA. I look forward to working with the counseling team and assisting Seneca Valley students with their post-High School plans!

Beginning July 6, 2020, MCPS will provide breakfast and lunch meals to all Montgomery County children and all MCPS students (regardless of age) at more than 60 MCPS sites across the county and 30 community-based programs. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 10 a.m.–noon at school sites and from 9–10 a.m. at bus distribution sites. No identification will be required for students/families picking up meals at the MCPS school, mobile or bus distribution sites. Meals will be provided four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. For more information and the full list of sites, click here.

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) invites all students to participate in this year’s summer reading program, which will run through August 31, 2020. This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story.” The program offers children and teens a chance to fill their summer with great books and fun activities. Students will have an opportunity to earn badges and prizes and enjoy fun raffles. For more information and to register your child, visit the MCPL website.

Students who received Chromebooks and MiFi devices at the start of remote learning will be able to keep those devices through the summer for their continued teaching and learning opportunities. Students who are participating in summer programs and still need a device or a mobile hotspot, or need to replace a device that is not working can go to 45 W. Gude Dr. in Rockville, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Please note that as MCPS looks to the 2020–2021 school year, we are planning to move to the use of a single platform (myMCPS Classroom) for learning, based on feedback from students, parents, teachers and principals. Details about that plan will be shared in the coming weeks.

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

Mindful Moments Video Series
Tips on Addressing Student Grief
Tips for Preventing Youth Suicide

As a reminder, you can pick up or exchange Chromebooks and MiFi devices at 45 West Gude Drive from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. every weekday. Families should wear masks and bring their child’s student ID number with them. For the technical needs of any student or parent during remote learning, please call 240-740-7022

Parents/Guardians - Getting Started [Parent Portal/myMCPS Classroom] - Spanish

Parents/Guardians - Getting Started [Parent Portal/myMCPS Classroom] - English (this one includes links to translated versions in 5 languages)

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

https://www.caringmatters.org/

Are you proud to be a part of the SV community? We want to let everyone know how much we love being a part of the Screaming Eagle family. We have a challenge for you. Let's go viral!!!

• 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!

Email: marc_j_cohen@mcpsmd.org
Website: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-353-8000
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS