New Acting Principal Named at Seneca Valley High School

Earlier this month, Seneca Valley High School principal, Dr. Marc Cohen, announced his retirement from MCPS, effective December 1st. When students return to school after Thanksgiving break, they’ll be greeted by a new acting principal.

According to a letter sent by David Chia of the MCPS Office of School Support and Well-Being, Mr. Ricardo Hernandez will serve as the acting principal of Seneca Valley High School effective December 1. 2023. Mr. Hernandez is currently serving as the principal intern at Argyle Middie School. Prior to his principal internship, Mr. Hernandez served as an assistant principal at Paint Branch and Bethesda Chevy Chase high schools for a total of 16 years. The full letter can be seen below:

“Dear Seneca Valley High School Families/Guardians, Students, and Staff Members:

As the director that supports and supervises the Seneca Valley cluster, I am writing to inform you of an interim staffing change at Seneca Valley High School. On November 3, 2023, Dr. Marc Cohen, principal of Seneca Valley High School, announced his retirement from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) effective December 1, 2023. Dr. Cohen has been a cornerstone of the Seneca Valley cluster for many years, collaboratively working with the community to develop a vision that is defined by equity and excellence, and a place where diversity is the school community’s greatest strength and resource. Dr. Cohen’s leadership, collaboration with staff, engagement of student voices, and partnership with the community has resulted in building a school culture of high expectations where decisions are consistently grounded in what is best for students. We thank Dr. Cohen for his leadership in the Seneca Valley community and congratulate him on his pending retirement from MCPS.

Dr. Cohen’s retirement means that an acting principal will be named for the remainder of this school year. The selection of this individual was done thoroughly and carefully to ensure the acting principal will support the continuation of school improvement goals and priorities that have been established, while also meeting the needs of the school community. Therefore, I am pleased to share that Mr. Ricardo Hernandez will serve as the acting principal of Seneca Valley High School effective December 1. 2023.

Mr. Hernandez is currently serving as the principal intern at Argyle Middie School. Prior to his principal internship, Mr. Hernandez served as an assistant principal at Paint Branch and Bethesda Chevy Chase high schools for a total of 16 years. During his tenure as a school administrator. Mr. Hernandez has demonstrated focused instructional leadership skills, a knowledge of how students learn, created programs and structures to respond to diverse student learning strengths and needs, and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate in supporting a positive school culture.

Following the Thanksgiving break, Mr. Hernandez will immediately begin transitioning into the acting principal role by being present in multiple meetings to work with parent and community leadership to create relationships building opportunities, and to collaborate with staff during this leadership transition. I will be actively supporting Mr. Hernandez and the school community with this transition as well. Additionally. I will be communicating with you about the search and selection process for the next principal of Seneca Valley High School which will include your feedback and input.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Cohen for his years of service, and officially welcoming Mr. Hernandez as acting principal at Seneca Valley High School.

Respectfully,

David Chia

Director

Office of School Support and Well-Being”