CMIT South Elementary School
Dear CMIT South Elementary Tiger Parents and Guardians,
As we wrap up our second successful week of school and move into our third, we're thrilled to see our students actively engaged and learning. The energy and enthusiasm in our classrooms are truly inspiring, setting a positive tone for the academic year ahead.
We're excited to invite you to our upcoming Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This event offers a valuable opportunity for you to connect with your child's teacher and gain insights into the curriculum for the year. Upon arrival, you'll be directed to your child's classroom, with staff available to guide you if needed. Each teacher will give a 40-minute presentation about the exciting learning journey ahead for your child and ways you can actively participate in their education. If you have multiple children at our school, you'll have the opportunity to rotate to another classroom for a second presentation. For those with only one child attending, you're welcome to leave after the first presentation.
Given the popularity of this event, we kindly ask for your patience and cooperation with parking. Please use available spaces first. Once full, cars should park in the 1st and 2nd lanes, keeping the 3rd lane clear for exiting vehicles. If needed, additional parking is available at the CMIT South MS/HS lot, with a short walk to our building. We strongly advise against parking in neighboring lots or on private property to avoid the risk of towing.
In the coming weeks, our students will participate in several important assessments. The i-Ready Reading assessment is scheduled for September 11, followed by i-Ready Math on September 12. MAP Growth assessments will take place on September 18 (Reading), September 19 (Math), and September 24 (Science). For our K-3 students, the DIBELS assessment window runs from September 23 to October 21. Your child should have brought home several important documents, including letters about i-Ready, DIBELS, and NWEA MAP Growth assessments. Your scholar received the Student's Rights & Responsibilities ( Student Code of Conduct Presentation). We ask that you review the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook and our Schoolwide Progressive Discipline Plan with your child. After doing so, please complete and submit the acknowledgment form.
We'd like to remind everyone that CMIT South Elementary is a uniform school. Please ensure your child adheres to our dress code policy. Hoodies are not permitted to be worn in the classrooms. Sweaters worn in class must either have the CMIT South ES logo or be plain navy with no writing on them. Additionally, students' shoes must be at least 80% black. Your cooperation in maintaining our uniform standards is greatly appreciated and helps foster a focused learning environment.
Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to a productive and engaging school year ahead.
Have a 🐾Pawww-Rific Day! 🐾See you all Monday, September 9th!
Educationally,
Ms. Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Acting Principal
Chesapeake Math & IT Academy Elementary South (CMIT)
Please take a look at these September calendar reminders:
- 9/11-9/12 - iReady Testing for Reading and Math (Grades 1st-5th)
- 9/11 - Gently Used Uniform sale - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- 9/11 - Back to School Night 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- 9/15 -10/15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
- 9/16 - Professional Development – Schools Closed for Students
- 9/18-9/19 - NWEA MAP Growth Testing for Reading and Math (Grades 1st-5th)
- 9/23 - DIBELS Testing Begins for K-3rd Grade
- 9/24 - MAP Growth Testing for Science (Grades 2nd-5th)
- 9/27 - Teacher Planning Half-Day – 3-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students (11:25 a.m.)
KVS is our school's dismissal tool for car riders. All parents MUST fill out their KVS number when picking up their scholar. It is imperative that numbers are entered once you reach the car line. If your scholar is a car rider, please take time to help him or her practice memorizing his or her number as this will make the dismissal process much quicker!
In November 2020, PGCPS launched an online volunteer application and approval process. Click here for more information on becoming a volunteer and to access the application.
Attendance in school each day is important. Let’s stay in school.
In order for an absence to be considered excused, a written note must accompany the student no later than three (3) days after return to school. The note should include:
- date(s) of absence
- scholar’s name
- Reason for absence
Late or make-up work will not be accepted unless the absence is an excused absence. Please review Administrative Procedure 5113 AP 5113 - Student Attendance, Absence and Truancy for further information.
Students who are absent for ten consecutive days will be withdrawn on the 11th day and will need to re-enroll.
Lawful Absences
Students enrolled in public schools are considered lawfully absent from school for any portion of the day, only under the following conditions:
- Death of a family member
- Illness of the student
- Court appearance
- Work approved or sponsored by a school
- Observance of a religious holiday
- State of emergency
- Suspension from school
- Mental Health (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.
- Other emergencies
- Deployment-related absences
Unlawful Absences
Unlawful absence – any time a student does not attend school that does not qualify as the above-listed reasons for a lawful absence.
Tardy
Scholars will be officially tardy if they are not in the building at 8:05 a.m.
If your scholar enters the building after the 8:05 a.m. bell, a parent must escort them into the building and electronically sign them in the late arrival portal. Scholars will be given an orange tardy slip to be permitted to class.
Parents of students who have 10 or more tardies in a semester will be required to meet with the principal/designee to discuss the reasons for the tardies and to develop a plan for improvement.
School Meals
2024-25 School Year Meal Prices
Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 5)
Breakfast: $1.60/day
Lunch: $2.75/day
How to Pay
MySchoolBucks, owned and operated by Heartland Payment Systems, is an online payment service that provides parents the ability to securely pay for meals, monitor student cafeteria purchases, make tuition payments for Before and After School Extended Learning programs, and receive email notifications for low-account balances. With MySchoolBucks, payments can be made 24/7 using a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, credit or debit card, and mobile app.
Principal Lunch Account
ALL breakfast,lunch, and Principal lunch payments should be made via www.myschoolbucks.com.
All money comes/goes to 1 account (child's). All that is needed to set up account (if not done) is
students lunch pin or student id.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to consider applying for free and reduced-price meals! Visit www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict to apply online today!
To apply, you will need:
- The name, school, and grade of your school-age children
- The name of all adults living in the home
- Income information for all adults living in the home
- Student ID Numbers for your school-age children
Applications will also be sent home with students the first week of school. Applications are available at all PGCPS schools and can be submitted at any time.
This week, I visited the 1st-grade classrooms and gave a brief overview of the school counselor's role. I reminded the students about the ways in which the school counselor can assist them throughout the year.
We then moved on to the lesson, which focused on helping students understand the need and importance of rules. We started by listening to the song "Everyone Needs Rules" which led to a discussion about the rules that should be followed throughout the school. The students were shown various pictures depicting different situations. We talked about each picture and the corresponding rules or guidelines. To wrap up, we played a game where students passed around a stuffed animal while music played. When the music stopped, the student holding the stuffed animal had to name a rule from school, home, or sports. At the end of the lesson, the students had a chance to reflect on what they had learned.
I will meet with our 2nd-grade scholars this upcoming week.
ATTENTION 4TH AND 5TH GRADE PARENTS
Safety Patrol Applications were sent home on Friday for students who are interested. Please review the notice that accompanied the application carefully. A parent's signature is required for submission. All applications are due by Friday, September 13th. Good luck to all students!
Grade Level Blurb:
Hello Tiger Families!
Students are continuing to make strides in their understanding of school and classroom rules. The kindergarten team is working each day to make sure that the students are making safe and positive choices and are being kind to others.
Reading
UNIT 1 WEEK 1- Going Places (continued)
Reading Diagnostic
Essential Question- What makes a place special?
WEEK 1- How does imagination make a place seem different?
Phonological awareness: Initial and Final
Sounds; Recognize Alliteration
Phonics: Consonants Mm and Tt
High-Frequency Words: I , am , the
Vocabulary words found in weekly readings: cube, circle, triangle square
Unit Vocabulary: map, move, land, special
Learning Goals:
Talk with others about what makes a
place special.
Read realistic fiction and understand its
elements
Demonstrate phonological awareness.
Listen actively and ask questions to understand information.
Use text evidence to discuss characters in literary text.
Math
TOPIC 1 LESSON 3- Numbers 0 to 5
Math Readiness and Baseline Assessment
Count 4 and 5 objects.
Counting tells how many are in a group, regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.
Understand that counting is cumulative.
There is a unique symbol that goes with each number word.
Vocabulary: none, zero
Science
TOPIC 1 LESSON 2- Change in movement
Essential Question: What happens if you push or pull an object?
Observe different ways objects can move
Observe why objects move
Tell how different speeds can effects movement
Vocabulary: speed, direction
Social Studies
CHAPTER 1 LESSON 2- We work together
Essential Question- How do people best cooperate?
Recognize why people cooperate
Identify and solve problems
Analyze ways of sharing
Vocabulary: cooperate, problem, solution
Health
SEPTEMBER TOPIC: Safety at home
Understanding safety rules at home and school
Identify situations in the home where unintentional injuries or safety threats might happen
Perform routines for safety including: drill behavior, stop-drop-and-roll, and weather safety
Vocabulary: stay, safe, helpers, danger, emergency
Grade Level Blurb:
Week 2 is down and 1st grade is moving and grooving! Here are some updates and reminders going into next week!
Reminders:
1. Math homework began this week. Students should complete ONLY the page associated with the lesson taught in class that day. The associated lesson can be found on your class' digital agenda. Please see Class Dojo for more information on that.
2. Some students are still missing school supplies (i.e. 1 red prong folder, 1 prong blue folder, two PRIMARY composition books, a pencil pouch, etc.). Please refer to the first grade school supply list and be sure to take some time this weekend to purchase these items if you haven't already. https://cmitsouthes.org/cmit-families/students/school-supply-list/
3. iReady testing begins THIS week (Wednesday, September 11th and Thursday, September 12th). Students MUST have wired headphones by these dates.
4. As we head into cold and flu season, please be sure to listen to your scholar when they say they do not feel well. Students should be symptom and fever free for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school. We are doing our best to keep our classroom safe and healthy, but we need your help! Please refer to the PGCPS sick policy for additional information:
https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/school-health/docs---school-health/When-to-Stay-Home-From-School-or-Work.pdf
Updates:
1. Spelling homework will begin on Monday. All students will bring home a composition notebook with weekly spelling words and a choice board inside. Students will be expected to complete one spelling homework nightly for a total of 4 by Friday. Students will be given a weekly spelling test on Fridays and all homework will be checked on this date as well. Please help your scholar make their homework neat and organized (not skipping pages or using multiple pages for one assignment). This will ensure ease of grading.
Reading:
Unit 1 Week 1 Continued
This week in reading, we will focus on the question, "How can neighbors help each other?" Students will evaluate the elements of a realistic fiction text as they read their first story of the unit, The Blackout. In this story, neighbors help one another when the power goes out! Students will focus on characters, setting, and events that seem real.
Phonics:
We will focus on the following letters and sounds: Aa (short a), Mm, Ss, and Tt. Our heart words are see, a, is, his, and i.
Math:
Topic 1
Students will add and subtract within 20. They will also learn to construct math arguments and evaluate the work of others. Please consider practicing addition and subtraction within 10 at home.
Science:
Topic 1
Students will describe sound, make sound, and explain the uses of sound.
Social Studies:
Topic 1
Students will focus on what their rights and responsibilities are as citizens.
Health:
Students will begin learning about safety this month. They will focus on following rules and directions, how to identify safe and unsafe situations, and about different hazards (fighting, poisons, matches, and fire safety).
Grade Level Blurb:
This week we have a few upcoming tests. i-Ready Reading Test will be on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Math i-Ready testing will be on Thursday, September 12, 2024. MAP Testing will take place September 18, 2024 - September 24, 2024. Also, Back to School Night will be held in person on Wednesday, September 11,2024.
Week 2 was fantastic! Thank you for sending your scholars to school ready to learn.
Reading:
Week 1 of this unit focused on Realistic Fiction. Students learned short vowel sounds, and describing and understanding the setting.
Math:
Lessons 1 and 2 of this week focused on counting on to add and using near doubles to the answers to equations.
Science:
The first lesson in matter will provide students with the knowledge needed to determine the difference between a solid, liquid, or a gas.
Social Studies:
Students will learn what a family is and why it is important.
Health:
Students will learn what an emergency is and who is a trusted adult they can seek out in the event of an emergency.
We look forward to another fantastic week! Stay tuned for pictures of your scholars!
Grade Level Blurb:
We have started instruction related to content this week! Please see what we have covered for each subject below:
We have started Unit 1, which involves texts about environments! This week, we read Grandma and the Great Gourd, a Bengali folktale involving how environments affect the way people travel. Students also worked on decoding VC/CV words (I.e. lumber, adventure, object, etc.).
Math: Topic 1 is our introduction to multiplication! Students have started learning about multiplication’s relationship to repeated addition, as well as using skip counting to multiple on a number line. Science: Topic 1 addressed forces! This week, students completed lessons on motion as a force(I.e. how force, speed, and distance are connected), in addition to participating in a motion lab! Social Studies: Unit 1 also covers environments! Specifically, this week’s lessons involved identifying landforms and bodies of water, as well as the characteristics of each! Health: September’s health topic is home safety! Students discussed making safe choices while at home, as well as what a safe home looks like. Please note that students will be taking their i-Ready diagnostic tests on Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th! Additionally, please plan on attending Back to School Night if possible. We will be covering a lot of important information at that time, and it is only taking place in person!
Grade Level Blurb:
Happy School Year Tiger Family,
Welcome to 4th Grade!!! We hope that everyone had an enjoyable and restful summer.We are so excited to be working with you this school year. This year our scholars are on their way to becoming the building leaders. Please look over the information we have posted below to
Important Upcoming Dates:
Back to School Night- Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Professional Development No School for students- Monday 16, 2024
i-Ready Testing- September 11-13, 2024
MAP Testing/ Make-ups- September 18-24, 2024
Important Information:
This is a friendly reminder that late work is only accepted if a student has an excused absence! If a scholar is absent and does not bring a note they will earn a 0 on the assignment that was missed. Please read the reminders to ensure that you are partnering with your scholars to make them successful for school.
Fourth Grade Reminders:
Students must bring their agenda book each day. Teachers will note the agenda book and it should be signed nightly by the adult at home.
Please check Synergy weekly to see scholar’s updated grades. Canvas is a Learning Management System in which scholars utilize to complete assignments and get access to materials.The grades provided in Synergy are those that will be used to calculate progress reports and report cards.
If your scholar is absent, please share a note with the homeroom teacher within 3 days of your scholar returning back to school. In order for students to receive make-up work you must provide a note stating; the student’s name, the date of absence, and reason for absence. Work is provided to students upon their return to school with an absence note.
Reading Updates:
This Week: We began reading our first text, “Reaching for the Moon.” This is a narrative nonfiction that tells the story of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. While reading the text students were able to monitor their inner conversations to ensure that they were understanding the text. This week we looked at the vocabulary words and determine the author’s purpose for writing this story.
Next Week: We will continue to read closely the text “Reaching for the Moon.” By reading closely students are able to notice something different from the previous read. By monitoring their inner conversations students are able to think deeply about the text. We will also complete our first writing assignment which will ask the students to write a response based on information in the text. Students will take a quiz on the events that happened in the story.
Math Updates:
This week we took the 4th grade math readiness assessment and began an introduction to our first math topic. Our first math topic this year, Topic 1: Generalized Place Value and Base Ten Understanding’ focuses on how numbers are written, how whole numbers are compared, and how place values are related. We will also be taking our upcoming Math Diagnostic assessments for IXL and iReady in the coming week.
Please check Synergy and Canvas with your scholar to ensure completion of assignments.
Science Updates:
This week we began with an introduction to 4th grade science with an introductory activity addressing the question “What is science this year?” in preparation for the science concepts we will be focusing on this school year.
Please check Synergy and Canvas with your scholar to ensure completion of assignments
Social Studies Updates:
This week: Students this week work on map skills by using the compass rose to find their way. We also explore the hemispheres of Earth and determined what hemisphere North America is in.
Next week: Students will continue to work on map skills by exploring the differences between political and physical maps. STudents will interpret information from different maps.
Next week:
Health Updates:
In health we are learning about our Digestive Systems! How does our digestive system contribute to the overall function of our bodies? What can we do to promote a healthy digestive
Happy second week of school!
We are excited to share updates on the fantastic learning happening in our classroom. This week, students will begin their i-Ready testing. Reading testing will be on Wednesday, and Math testing will follow on Thursday. Please ensure your child is well-rested and ready to do their best!
Exciting News! I’m excited to share that we will be getting a class pet in the near future! We are in the process of preparing for this new addition to our classroom, and the student will have the opportunity to help name and care for our new friend. More details will be coming soon, including information about pet care responsibilities and ensuring a safe environment for students.
Here’s a quick update on what we’re focusing on in each subject:
Reading:
Our focus is on determining the main idea of a text and explaining how it is supported by key details. Students are also learning how to summarize the information they read, using evidence to make inferences and deepen their comprehension.
Math:
We are wrapping up on Topic 1 on Understanding Place Value with both whole numbers and decimals.
Science:
We are nearing the end of Topic 1: Matter, where students have been exploring the properties and states of matter through engaging hands-on activities and discussions .
Social Studies:
In our map and graph skills unit, students are interpreting cultural data maps. They are analyzing and using these maps to understand geography and cultural influences, focusing on how to ask compelling questions and use sources to support their thinking.
Makers Lab:
Updates from the Art Room!
Week 2 went great! This week I’m spotlighting 3rd grade. They recalled that shapes (2D) and forms (3D) are different, learned how to make forms out of shapes, and discovered that the word “value” has a similar meaning in art as it does in math! In math, value is a range in price and in art it is a range of lights and shadows. Here are some pictures of 3rd graders in Ms. Madison’s class making a value scale!
LEGO:
This week in Legos and Robotics, we continued to conduct interviews for the class
positions. Students will receive their offer letters next week. We also had a great time using
strategies to build a sturdy bridge that could hold 20 pounds. The students used math,
science, and engineering skills to complete the task.
P.E.
Hello Families,
This week in PE, students explored the concepts of self space and general space. We reinforced these ideas through engaging games and discussions, helping students understand how to move safely and effectively within their own personal space and in shared spaces with others.
It’s been a fun and active week, and we’re excited to continue building on these important skills!
Music:
Announcements:
Kennedy Center
Attention all singers! Here is an opportunity to audition for the Kennedy Center. They are gearing up for a production of Jungle Book. Please see the details and any additional information at https://www.kennedy-center.org/wno/home/about/opportunities/ .
Julliard Opportunities
Additional Opportunities for Students Ages 8-18
Have students who aren’t yet ready to apply for college? Juilliard offers year-round opportunities for students as young as 8 years old. Follow the links below to explore program and application information as well as financial aid opportunities available for many of our programs, including the tuition-free Music Advancement Program.
Pre-College and the Music Advancement Program (MAP), two Saturday music programs in our Preparatory Division designed for ages 8-18 and held at our Lincoln Center campus in New York City. Learn more at juilliard.edu/prep.
A variety of summer programs including Juilliard Summer, a series of intensives at Juilliard’s campus designed for high school musicians interested in pursuing advanced music study at the college level. Learn about recent summer programs at juilliard.edu/summer and check back this fall for summer 2025 details.
Year-round virtual and in-person Music Theory and Ear Training courses with the potential for high school students to earn college credit. Learn More: juilliard.edu/extension/highschool.
What we’re working on:
Kindergarten - Continue Steady Beat
1st - 2nd Grade - Steady Beat & Rhythm Writing
Tech:
Welcome back! This week’s happenings in Technology are:
Kinder - working on how to use a computer.
1st-2nd - working on how to build a game.
3rd-5th - working on Google Suite features such as Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
Thank you,
Ms. DiMond
CHESAPEAKE MATH AND IT SOUTH ELEMENTARY
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
• Grades: K-5
• Uniform: Yes
• Before After School Enrichment: Yes
http://clfmd.org/enrichment-2/
• School Colors: Hunter Green, Navy Blue
• School Mascot: "Roary" the Tiger
• School Website: http://www.cmitsouthes.org
For more information