CMIT South Middle/High School

We are pushing through an awesome start of the school year. This week, all students participated in their grade level code of conduct assemblies to review the CMIT South MS/HS expectations. Please take some time to review our Parent/Student Handbook as well as the PGCPS Student/Parents Rights and Responsibilities Handbook with your scholars.

PGCPS Password Reset: We are currently 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.

Uniform Policy: CMIT South is a mandatory uniform school. Students are expected to wear the identified uniform on a daily basis, inclusive of PE/Gym uniforms. Solid black shorts/joggers are NOT permitted. We are aware that All American Wear is currently replenishing their inventory (gym shorts are currently available). In the interim, students without the CMIT South logoed gym uniform are expected to wear their polo and khaki pants to school on PE days. These students will be provided an alternate assignment so their grades will not suffer. Once we receive word that the joggers/shorts are back in stock, families will have one week to secure them.

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, 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

Back-to-School Night: Back to school night will be held in-person on September 13, 2023 for 7th and 8th graders and September 14th for 6th grade and high school families. The event will take place from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.

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.

Hello Science, Math, and Engineering Enthusiasts,

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.

**Meeting Details:**

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

**How to Join:**

To become a member of the Movie Making Club, simply attend our first meeting on Tuesday, September 26. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jacqueline Anderson at jaanderson@cmitsouth.org

High School Picture Day will be on Tuesday, September 19th. The required dress code: Oxford shirt and tie.

High School Scholars!

Here is a chance to gain some Student Service Learning Hours provided from our CMIT PTO. This opportunity entails assisting the PTO with selling uniforms on Back to School Night. Please click the link to sign up for this opportunity:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948AFAE2EA3FA7-ptouniform#/

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/

Attention MS Students and Parents. Mrs. White will be sponsoring the Middle School SGA. On Tuesday she was at the MS lunches notifying students of the application process.

If you missed it or would like to still apply and/or find out more information about the positions please goto bit.ly/MS-SGA. Applications will be due to Mrs. White by Friday September 15th.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact her at mawhite@cmitsouth.org.

Middle School Picture Day will be on Monday, September 18th. The required dress code: Oxford shirt and tie.

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.

https://pto-membership-form.cheddarup.com

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

"Did you miss the previous uniform sale? No worries. The PTO will be hosting another uniform sale during Back to School Night for your scholar.

Sept. 13th for scholars in middle school

Sept. 14th for scholars in 6th grade or high school"

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

The PTO will soon begin fundraising. The first fundraiser will be Papa Johns gift cards. The fundraiser will begin on Sept. 22 and cards will cost $15. Stay tuned for more details.