Hello Lake Seneca Families,

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who attended Heritage Night! It was truly amazing to see our community come together to celebrate the many cultures that make our school so special. Events like these remind us of the strength and diversity of our Lake Seneca family, and I’m grateful for the participation and support of our students, families, and staff.

As we begin Marking Period 3, we have officially passed the midway point of the school year! This is a great time to encourage and motivate our students to keep striving for their best. Hard work, perseverance, and a positive mindset will help them continue to grow and succeed. Let’s work together to remind our children that their efforts in school now will help them build a bright future.

In addition, PTA membership forms will be shared soon. We encourage all families to consider joining and being an active part of our school community. Your involvement makes a difference!

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s make this next marking period a great one!

Always Learning, Always Growing!

Mr. Henderson

Monday, February 3:

• New LSES Specials Schedule Begins

Tuesday, February 4:

• Report Cards Available in Synergy

Friday, February 7:

• WIZE After School Club 3:45-4:45

Tuesday, February 11:

• Patrol Meeting 12:00

Friday, February 14:

• WIZE After School Club 3:45-4:45

We’re excited to announce that starting Monday, February 3, Lake Seneca Elementary will begin a new specials schedule! This updated schedule is designed to enhance our teachers’ ability to support your child’s learning.

With this change, classroom teachers will now have more common planning time to collaborate and develop high-quality lessons. Additionally, teachers will have opportunities to engage in differentiated professional development, focused on strategies and tools that directly benefit student success. These updates will help us provide the best possible educational experience for every child.

We understand that change can raise questions, and we want to assure you that this adjustment was made thoughtfully, with our students’ learning at the center of our decision. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out soon to share specific updates for their class, including how this change will look day-to-day.

We appreciate your continued partnership as we work together to create the best learning environment for all of our students.

I would like to inform you about an important event happening on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Northwest High School (in the Northwest cafeteria). This event, hosted in collaboration with Seneca Valley High School, is designed to provide families with critical information about their rights, particularly concerning growing concerns around immigration.

Event Highlights:

• CASA de Maryland will lead interactive role-playing scenarios to help families navigate various situations.
• Board of Education Vice President Graciela Rivera-Oven and Ms. Karla Silvestre, BOE at Large, will be in attendance.
• Representatives from Wellness Centers at both Northwest and Seneca Valley, along with community partners such as Identity, Department of Health and Human Services, Germantown Upcounty Hub, FAIR, and others will provide support and resources.
• Childcare will be available for families attending the event.

For questions or more information, families are welcome to reach out to Nikki Morales, assistant principal at Northwest High School, or Ms. Patricia Santos and Ms. Sally Ruiz-Miller, parent community coordinators for the Northwest and Seneca Valley clusters.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has recently completed a safety audit in the neighborhoods surrounding Father Hurley Blvd, Wisteria Dr, and Waters Landing Dr. These neighborhoods include Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Lake Seneca Elementary, and Waters Landing Elementary, and are frequently traveled by residents walking with strollers, pets, or children heading to school and bus stops.

The results of the audit recommend adding sidewalks and intersection signs to improve pedestrian safety. You can view the proposed plans and maps here.

MCDOT is seeking feedback from residents to determine the next steps. If you support adding these important safety measures, please share your opinion by emailing walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Here are some sample comments if you'd like to copy and paste:

• "I support adding safety measures on roads and in neighborhoods so that people walking have safer options."
• "Students walking to school deserve sidewalks instead of walking in the roads."
• "Drivers are too fast, and sidewalks are safer when I walk my kid to the bus stop."
• "I prefer walking on sidewalks when I am out walking my dog."
• "The main road is very dangerous, and safety measures are needed."

Your feedback is invaluable in helping make our community safer for everyone! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Stay safe and continue supporting our school community!

The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) has made it easier than ever to view your student’s school menus! With MealViewer, students, parents, and community members can access:

• School-specific menu offerings
• Nutritional information for each meal
• Filter options for top allergens

You can use MealViewer on a computer browser, the MealViewer app (available for Android and iPhone), or any smartphone browser. No sign-in or passwords are required to view menus!

MealViewer also offers optional features like:

• Rating food items
• Starring favorite meals
• Using a nutrition calculator
• Creating a personalized profile

Check out your school’s menu today and stay informed about the meals served at Lake Seneca Elementary!

We’re thrilled to announce that our online yearbook store is opening , and we’ve got some exciting tools to make it easier than ever for families to grab their copy!

Key Details:

• Store Opens: January 6th
• Store Closes: April 18th
• Yearbook Price: $20.00 (plus tax and a small convenience fee)
• Optional Personalization: Add a personal touch for just $4.99!

How to Order:
Visit our online storefront at https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/lakesenecaelementary to order your yearbook in a snap!

Keep an eye out for yearbook flyers and posters with a QR code for easy access.

Don't wait—secure your memories before the store closes. Let’s make this yearbook one for the books!

Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS has disabled and will collect older Acer Chromebook models that have reached their end-of-life and should no longer be in use.

Key Information:

• Retired Models: Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771.
• Current Use: These models have been used in limited settings, such as for home use or school kiosks/signage.
• What You Need to Do:
  • Students using one of these models should return their device to the school.
  • If your child needs a replacement device for home use, please complete the Home Use Form as soon as possible to avoid disruption.
• Deadline: Devices will be disabled starting December 4, 2024.

Additional Notes:

• Families of students with these models will receive more information about the transition and how to request a new device if needed.
• Other Chromebook models, including 15-inch Acer Spins and Lenovo devices, will continue to work as usual.

We encourage all families to help ensure these devices are returned promptly to minimize any interruptions in access to technology.

Winter is coming and with it can bring inclement weather. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the color code statuses and don't miss our Superintendent's Video linked below as well.

• Green: Normal Operations
• Yellow: Delayed Opening
• Blue: Early Dismissal
• Red: Schools and Offices Closed
• Orange: Schools Closed Offices Telework

At Lake Seneca Elementary, we are committed to ensuring that all students have the tools they need for success, including access to a device and reliable Wi-Fi at home. To help us determine which students need these resources, we are asking families to complete a brief survey.

For students who need a device at home, families can submit the Student Home Use Chromebook Request form. Once submitted, the student’s information will be verified for take-home device eligibility, and a Chromebook will be sent to the school for the student to check out. Please note that students will not be required to bring the home-use Chromebook to and from school. The request form is available in both English and Spanish for your convenience.

If your family needs Wi-Fi access, you can also request a MiFi device by notifying a staff member, who will complete the Student MiFi Request form on your behalf.

We are here to support you and ensure every student has the resources they need. If you have any questions or need assistance with these requests, please contact the school office.

We understand that enrolling your children in before and after care can be a financial challenge. That's why Global Children's Center is committed to helping families access scholarship programs that make care more affordable. If you need assistance with enrollment or would like more information about our scholarship options, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Voucher Specialist, Ms. Naureen, at vouchers@globalchildrenscenter.com. We're here to help!