CMIT South MS/HS Newsletter

Happy Friday Tenacious Tigers!

We are pushing through an awesome start of the school year. Special shout out to all families who were able to join us during one of our Back 2 School Nights this week. Please reach out to your scholars teachers if you have any questions.

Our uniform vendor, All American Wear, has restocked and PE Joggers are back in stock! Please ensure you pick up your uniforms this weekend. As always, please take some time to review our Parent/Student Handbook as well as the PGCPS Student/Parents Rights and Responsibilities Handbook with your scholars.

Back-to-School Block Party: Our wonderful PTO is sponsoring a Back-to-School Block Party for the families of CMIT South. Please come out next Friday from 5pm-8pm. All students MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian to attend.

PGCPS Password Reset: We are STILL working to get every student’s password reset. This takes a lot of time as one person has to reset every student's password individually. Thank you in advance for your continued patience.

Cell Phone Policy: Students are expected to store their cell phones in their lockers. If a cell phone is confiscated, a parent will be required to schedule a time to pick it up.

Dismissal Policy: Parents are not allowed to drive down the tow-truck alley to pick up students. Parents are not allowed to utilize the back entrance as that is dedicated to our approved van providers. Students are not allowed to walk away from the school to meet their rides, including the front entrance, exit area by the field, or tow-truck alley. Please follow the direction of the CMIT South Staff at all times to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal. Students and Parents who violate our policy will be issued consequences that are aligned to the student code of conduct as well as the parent code of conduct.

Technology Distribution Plan: High School students are expected to bring a charged devices to school daily. If students are in need of a device, please access our Technology Rental Request Form linked HERE.

Free/Reduced Meals: We are asking every family to complete an application for free/reduced meals this year. Even if you haven’t qualified in the past, please complete it for the current year. Apply Here.

Immunization: Maryland State Law (COMAR 10.06.04.03) requires all students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 to receive age-appropriate immunizations. The school must have proof of immunizations before allowing a student to begin school. If evidence of the required vaccines is not provided, the student will be excluded from school.

Download Maryland Immunization Requirements

Download Immunization Certificate

Picture Day: Students are required to wear their white CMIT South oxford shirt and tie on picture day. Middle School students will take their picture on September 18th and High School students on September 19th. Seniors will not participate in picture day.

Let’s make this the best year yet!

Dr. Borden-McCarter, Principal

Hello CMIT South MS/HS Families,

As we begin the new school year, we want to ensure that all parents and students know the CMIT South attendance policies. At CMIT South we follow the PGCPS attendance policy AP 5113. Below are some quick bullet points of the attendance policies:

CMIT South will use the Google form 2023-2024 Absence Reason Notification Form CMIT South Middle/High School for all student's absences. This form will be the official means of parent/guardian notifications for student absences. Parents can also email attendance@cmitsouth.org when their student will be absent.

CMIT South does not take paper excused/doctor notes. When a student is absent please fill out the Google form 2023-2024 Absence Reason Notification Form CMIT South Middle/High School. This form will be sent straight to the attendance manager.

Parents are the only ones who can fill out the form and email the attendance manager about a student who is absent. A student cannot send the email or fill out the Google form, the absence will not be excused if a student does it.

The Google form must be filled out within 3 days of the student’s absence, otherwise, the absence will not be excused. This can be emailed as well.

Students who are considered unlawfully (unexcused) absent from school or a class will not have the opportunity to make up missed assignments.

A doctor’s note is needed if a student is reported absent for three school days for an illness and a physician’s certificate will be required if a student's absences reach six days. Please send the physician’s certificate to the school's attendance manager at attendance@cmitsouth.org.

Mental Health Day. Students may receive as an excused absence one (1) day of absence in each semester of each school year for a student’s mental health needs. A note from a physician to excuse a student’s absence for mental health needs is not required.

Here is the link to the 2023-2024 Absence Reason Notification Form CMIT South Middle/High School Form: https://forms.gle/QCb1Xu2ytD9vUToW6

Once again these are just some of the new updates that PGCPS has put in the attendance policy AP 5113. We encourage all parents to read the full updated attendance policy here:
https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/general-counsel/docs---general-counsel/administrative-procedures/5000/administrative-procedure-5113---student-attendance-absence-and-truancy.pdf

For all attendance-related information or questions please direct it to attendance@cmitsouth.org.

Thank you.

As a reminder to all parents whose child is not up to date with their immunizations. Students will be excluded from school starting 09/18/2023. An execution letter was mailed to all students that are Non-Compliant. A free immunization clinic is available. Please check the PGCPS website.

Welcome back to another year. For those who may be new or unfamiliar, my name is Ms.Tutt. I am the school-based licensed mental health clinician who supports the school and works with students individually and/or in small groups.

Individual/Family Services:

Your student(s) could benefit from services if they’re experiencing:

• Changing eating or sleeping habits
• Engaging in Destructive Behaviors
• Extreme Feelings (Excessive worrying, sadness, fear)
• Social Isolation
• Regressing
• A sudden shift in usual interests and habits
• Hopelessness
• Talking or thinking about self-harm or death a lot
• Study Skills and Organization
• Accountability and Responsibility
• Bullying
• Strengthening Sibling Relationships
• Building Self-Esteem
• Organizing for Success
• Socializing/ Peer support
• Time management

September 10-16, 2023 is NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS WEEK! 💚💚

This week is a time to renew our focus on learning about suicide prevention, and ensure we are taking care of ourselves & others. Our hope is to encourage conversations and spread awareness in an effort to prevent suicide amongst our community especially our youth.

The data shows a 36.6% increase in the suicide rate among Black people aged 10 to 24 — rising from 8.2 per 100,000 people in 2018, to 11.2 per 100,000 people in 2021.(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Racism, bullying and trauma tied to violence are often associated with this increase. Suicidality does look different in the Black community, our reaction and response to trauma is very different.

As we continue our efforts to educate and raise awareness in communities of color of what emotional wellness and mental wellness actually mean I want you to take time this week to learn how you can support our community and be a part of suicide prevention at CMIT. Find out more below about the mental health & crisis support resources available. And, don’t forget, take care of your own mental health.

Explore the following resources posted below to learn more about suicide prevention. Including, warning signs someone may be experiencing thoughts of suicide & how you can make a difference in reducing the risk in our community. When you have a concern someone may be considering suicide, we encourage you to show C.A.R.E.

✨Communicate you care

✨Ask calmly and directly about suicide

✨Refer to counseling or emergency services

✨Encourage hope for the future

Don’t forget: Research shows that asking someone directly if they are having thoughts of suicide DOES NOT put the idea in their head or further push someone to take their lives. Showing your CARE can save lives.

🆘 WHY SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK IS IMPORTANT 🆘

🌱It helps prevent suicide

🌱We can save plenty of lives by raising awareness this week, reaching out to those affected by suicide, and connecting individuals with suicidal thoughts to treatment services.

🌱It reduces stigma around mental health

🌱By spreading awareness during Suicide Prevention Week, the stigma around mental health has reduced a great deal and most people nowadays are not ashamed to ask for help.

🌱It fosters compassion in people

🌱Gaining knowledge about this week is helping people learn to empathize, be compassionate, and come together as a community to educate and support each other.

🆘 If you need immediate help due to suicidal thoughts or other serious emotional challenges, please contact:

• Prince George's County Crisis Services (Mobile Crisis Team): 301-429-2185
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Maryland 211: Call 2-1-1 or Text your zip code to 898-211
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
• Child Protective Services: 301-909-2450

Sincerely,

Ms.Tutt, Wellness and Mental Health Therapist

Hello Parents,

We're thrilled to share valuable information about our STEM Clubs with you.

Please find the presentation link below where you can explore everything you need to know. This presentation will give you insights into the activities, projects, and benefits of our STEM Clubs. We encourage you to click the link to learn more.

Your support and your scholars' participation are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in our STEM Clubs.

If you have any specific questions or need further details, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your interest in our STEM Clubs!

Best regards,

OZKAN SOYCAN

CMIT-S MS&HS STEM Club Coordinator

osoycan@cmitsouth.org

Hello, students! Welcome to the STEM Clubs, and thank you for joining. Please refer to the schedule below for the updated schedule of activities, including the day, time, and classroom location.

*Note: All clubs have already started, and registration is in progress. You can join any time!*

• Monday
• Science Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Science Lab 142)
• Tuesday
• Math Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 337)
• Movie Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 126)
• Wednesday
• Bridge Building Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 139)
• Sea perch Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 315)
• Thursday
• VEX Robotics Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 139)
• Friday
• LEGO Robotics Club: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Classroom 139)

*Note: All clubs have already started, and registration is in progress. You can join any time!*

https://forms.gle/xikbH2swzR2CFeBw6

Dear Students,
Lights, camera, action! We are excited to invite all budding filmmakers and movie enthusiasts to join our brand-new FILM/Movie Making Club at CMIT South. Whether you're an experienced filmmaker or just have a passion for storytelling, this club is the perfect platform for you to explore the world of cinema and unleash your creativity.

Why Join the Movie Making Club?

1. Learn the Art of Filmmaking: Our club is a hub for learning all aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and directing to cinematography and editing. No prior experience is required; we welcome beginners and experienced filmmakers alike.
2. Hands-on Experience: Get hands-on experience with professional-grade camera equipment (I know phones are prohibited during the day but I would like them to use simple smartphones during clubtime so that they know they can tell stories with the simplest of equipment--so maybe something like, "Did you know you have a storytelling studio in your pocket already? Come learn how!), editing software, and other filmmaking tools. You'll have the chance to bring your creative ideas to life on the big screen.
3. Collaborative Environment: Collaborate with like-minded peers who share your passion for storytelling. Working as a team, you'll create short films, documentaries, and other cinematic projects.
4. Film Screenings: Enjoy exclusive screenings of classic and contemporary films, followed by discussions and analysis. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the art of cinema.
5. Film Festivals: Showcase your work at our annual film festival, where you can share your creations with the school community and beyond. It's a chance to celebrate your achievements as a filmmaker.
6. Guest Speakers: We will host guest speakers, including industry professionals, to share their insights and experiences in the world of filmmaking.

• Date: Tuesdays
• Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
• Location: Room 126 & Auditorium (as needed)
• First Meeting: Tuesday, September 26

• Our CMIT South Volleyball program continued their success with another win this week vs Largo HS. Both our JV and Varsity teams are 2-0 this year. We are extremely proud of the success that this program has not only had this season but over the last few years. Their next game will be at home Monday vs. Gwynn Park.
• Our inaugural CMIT South Golf Team competed in two matches this week. On September 14th and 15th the team traveled and competed against schools all across our county. Our golf team has had a very successful start to their season. Their next match will be on September 21st at Enterprise Golf course.
• Our CMIT South Soccer team kicked off their season this week as well. Although they have not been able to win so far, they still have plenty of season left. We are looking forward to our soccer team getting back on the winning side this upcoming week. Their next game will be on Monday September 18th @ Oxon Hill.
• Our inaugural CMIT South MS Baseball team has also kicked off. After a successful try out, the team has begun official practice. Their first game will be on September 26th @ Issac Gourdine MS.

If you are looking forward to purchasing tickets to any CMIT South home games please utilize the link below. Game tickets will be available for purchase at the start of each week.

Our team store is now open for Fall Sports! We have a plethora of options available for purchase.

Please take a look at the catalog by clicking the link below.

Both the JV and Varsity Volleyball Teams have started the season 2-0!!

Click the buttons below to access the full game schedule and Home Game Themes.

Thanks in advance to all of you who come cheer on the teams this year!

Coach Sears & Coach K

UPCOMING GAMES:

• Monday, September 18th HOME VS. GWYNN PARK (Jersey Night)
• JV game starts @ 5:30pm & Varsity starts immediately following
  
• Wednesday, September 20th HOME VS. INT'L LANGLEY (Cartoon Character Night)
• Varsity only @ 5:30pm
  

GAME RESULTS:

High School Picture Day will be on Tuesday, September 19th.

The required dress code: Oxford shirt and tie.

Seniors!!!

The following link is a list of scholarships with deadlines in early October! For any questions or concerns, please reach out to the contact information provided on the scholarship's page.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarships.php

SENIORS!

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. With the 35th class in 2023, the Foundation has provided over 6,750 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $81 million in educational support. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. The 2024 application is now open here for students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 2, 2023, by 5 pm Eastern.

For any questions or concerns, please submit the contact form using the following link:

https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/contact/

Middle School Picture Day will be on Monday, September 18th.

The required dress code: Oxford shirt and tie.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is to inform you that your child will be taking the PSAT 8/9 on October 25, 2023. This test will be administered during the school day. It is given to all 8th-grade students in Prince George’s County to allow students to apply to our Specialty Program throughout the county. More information will be provided very soon. In the meantime, please use the resource link to learn more about PSAT 8/9 as well as have your child enroll in Khan Academy for additional practice.

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9

Again, thank you for your continued support and help to prepare our scholars for success.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jones

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a school-based organization made up of parents, guardians, teachers, staff and administrators who work together to supplement and enrich the educational experience at CMIT Academy South Middle and High schools. Please consider joining our PTO and getting involved with school activities.

Calling all students and families to join us for our first block party of the year. There will be a raffle, games, and a 360 photo booth. The photo booth will be $3 per student. Each grade level is asked to represent by wearing a certain color.

• 6th grade - orange
• 7th grade - green
• 8th grade - black
• 9th grade - green
• 10th grade - blue
• 11th grade - purple
• 12th grade - gold

https://sites.google.com/cmitsouth.org/mshspto/home

LET'S EAT!

PAPA JOHNS GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER

Gift cards are $15.

Using the card allows you to get one pizza free with the purchase of another pizza. It’s good for multiple uses over the course of a year.

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