SVHS Green and Gold

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff:

Tomorrow, June 29, 2020, the Board of Education will continue its discussions on recovery of learning plans for MCPS for the summer and fall. We encourage you to tune in to this important conversation. The meeting, which will begin at 3:30 p.m., will be streamed live on the MCPS website and on MCPS TV (Comcast 34, Verizon 36, RCN 89). The Board will continue the discussion on our reopening efforts at its July 14 business meeting. As a reminder, our goal is to share a framework of the plan, as well as other important elements for reopening facilities and school buildings, with the community during the first two weeks of July. Thank you for your patience and engagement as we work diligently to build a comprehensive plan for fall 2020.

Below are reminders and updates on the fall 2020 parent/guardian survey, meal service plans for the summer, childcare in MCPS facilities, and the Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) summer reading program.

Sincerely,

Jack R. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

PTSA Meeting, Sunday, June 28th at 4pm. In-person voting required for PTSA elections, budget amendment and Class of 2020 & new school celebrations. Meeting will be held at the Gunner’s Park Pavilion located on corner of Seneca Hwy/Grey Eagle Ct. and Wisteria Drive. Masks & 6’

MCPS has launched a survey to gather community input around key elements that will need to be included in the district's recovery plan for the fall. When completing this survey, please keep in mind that we are considering a number of scenarios, including continuing with remote learning; engaging in a hybrid model that includes some face-to-face instruction and some remote learning; and providing in-person learning with restrictions in place, such as physical distancing and improved health and safety requirements.

This survey will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. All questions on this survey are optional. Your responses are anonymous and will only be reported in summary form. Please complete the survey by 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

Complete the Parent survey

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.

In addition to virtual summer school for high school credit courses, MCPS elementary, middle and high schools will offer a variety of summer program experiences in an online model. The goal of these programs will be to keep students engaged and learning during the summer months; address the loss of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic; and offer a variety of specialized opportunities that are of interest to students. Our vision for summer programs is that all students in MCPS will have an opportunity to participate in academic and enrichment programs this summer. Generally, programs will run from one to three weeks beginning July 13, depending on the program. Registration links will be posted on school websites by June 23, 2020. To learn about summer programs, visit this webpage.

MONDAY, JULY 20 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020 To register for FREE summer enrichment programs at Seneca Valley High School, please complete the registration form by Friday, July 3rd. Click here for info: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/senecavalleyhs/news/news.aspx?id=670606

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

Starting on Tuesday, June 16, service hours for the school, bus and mobile food sites will be changing. Students can pick up breakfast, lunch and dinner meals at school and mobile truck sites from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bus distribution will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. To view the complete list of sites, visit the webpage.

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