CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
Attendance Matters!
Dear CMIT North Middle School Parents and Guardians,
As we progress through the school year, I want to remind you of the critical role that consistent attendance plays in your child’s academic success. Whether excused or unexcused, all absences count and can have an impact on your student's learning and progress.
Excused absences, as authorized by the State of Maryland, include reasons such as a death in the immediate family, illness (with parent notification and a doctor's note for absences of 3 or more days), court summons, religious observances, suspensions, and mental health days (limited to 1 day per semester). However, please note that unexcused absences—including family vacations—are unlawful. Teachers are not required to provide make-up work for unexcused absences.
In addition, chronic absenteeism is defined as being absent for 10% or more of the school year, whether the absences are excused or unexcused. It’s crucial to plan family activities around the school calendar to ensure your child does not miss valuable instructional time.
For more detailed information, please refer to Section 5 of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Let’s work together to ensure our students are present, engaged, and equipped to succeed.
https://www.pgcps.org/offices/pupil-personnel-services/student-rights-and-responsibilities-handbook
Educationally Yours,
Principal Brauer
Important Dates
CMIT Academy follows the PGCPS school calendar.
Import the CMIT North Middle School calendar to your own Gmail calendar to stay informed of all school-wide events.
9/16: Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
9/27: 3-Hour Early Dismissal
10/7: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Schools Closed for Students)
10/18: Professional Development Day (Schools Closed for Students)
10/31: 1st Quarter Ends
11/1: 3-Hour Early Dismissal
11/5: General Election Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
PGCPS Systemic Lockdown Drill on 9/19/24 at 10am
We would like to inform you that on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM, Prince George's County Public Schools will conduct a system-wide lockdown drill. The drill will last no more than 10 minutes. These drills are essential to ensure our students and staff are well-prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations. By practicing, we enhance school safety and help everyone feel confident in knowing what to do in the event of an actual emergency. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe.
Student of the Month Character Trait for September: Responsible
**Please note that students must have a publicity release form on file, granting us permission to be highlighted around the school and in the newsletter.**
Student Rights and Responsibilities and Publicity Release Forms
This past Tuesday during 6th period, students participated in the Student's Rights and Responsibilities assembly. This assembly was an important opportunity for students to learn about their rights, understand school and county expectations, and review the PGCPS Student Code of Conduct and discipline policies. Students have received an acknowledgement of review form that must be signed by both students and their families and returned to school. You should have also received the Publicity Release form to sign and return to school. Please take time to review the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook here:
Acknowledgement Form- https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/pupil-personnel/docs---pupil-personnel/acknowledgement-of-review-of-the-students-rights-and-responsibilities-handbook---form.pdf
Publicity Release Form- https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/newsroom/docs---newsroom/pgcps-publicity-release-form.pdf
Food and Nutrition Services (School Meals): Free and Reduced Meal Application
All parents are encouraged to apply for Free or Reduced Meal Services (FARMS). This information impacts school funding which equals $$dollars$$ in our classrooms.
Even if parents don't think they qualify, they are encouraged to apply at MySchoolApps.com. Online applications are processed within 24-48 hours.
Students who are not eligible for free or reduced-priced meals must pay for their meals. See Meal Prices. Parents and guardians can easily monitor and add funds to student meal accounts using MySchoolBucks.
Synergy ParentVUE
Synergy is PGCPS' new Student Information System. It is critically important that families activate their ParentVUE account. This will allow parents to view student schedules, attendance, and grades.
If you have questions or need support please click here: ParentVUE Support and FAQ
Communication
We are pleased to have you as partners in this educational year. As the year progresses, and as you become either more informed or more puzzled, we encourage you to call the school and talk with those who might be of help. If your question deals with in-class events, grades, or curriculum please ask to speak with the teacher. Teacher contact information will be provided to you on the student’s syllabus, as well as, on our school website at https://ms.cmitacademy.org/about-us/staff-directory/.
We always encourage parents and students to call our Main Office to be directed to the appropriate personnel at any time. Our Main Office phone number is 301-350-6051 or email Mrs. Petit-Homme, Receptionist, at monica2.petithomme@pgcps.org.
Each Sunday a Newsletter is published and emailed to parents and students. Please review this newsletter with your scholars to promote them being informed citizens in the CMIT community. The newsletter often has information about Teacher of the Month, Student of the Month, class projects, assessment dates, clubs, athletics announcements, PTO announcements, and other activities.
PGCPS transitioned to a new Student Information System (SIS) this year. Rather than using Schoolmax, Synergy will be the new platform used to manage student information such as home addresses, phone numbers, grades, transcripts, schedules, etc. Faculty and staff will be attend training on the use of Synergy when they return to school later this month. Training and assistance will also be available to parents throughout the school year. Opportunities will be shared via this newsletter, email, and other methods of communication.
Arrival/Departure Routine
Arrival/Departure Routine
Please see the Traffic Flow Map of the driving routes and drop-off/pick-up locations. Please note: All parents, carpooling, or individuals, must drop off and pick up in the rear of the building. The side parking lots are designated for commercial vans/buses only. Only students who ride on a commercial van or bus will be permitted to exit to the side parking lot.
Everyone will become more accustomed to the drop-off and pick-up routine as the school year progresses. The process will become more and more efficient. Typically, by the third week of school, all vehicles are gone within 15 minutes of the dismissal bell.
Please be patient and follow the instructions from those directing traffic. No one's time is more valuable than the safety of OUR children. It takes all of us, faculty and parents, working together to ensure a safe environment at all times.
Please complete the Dismissal Questionnaire.
School Hours
8:00 am: Student Breakfast
8:15 am - 8:30 am: General Student Arrival
8:30 am - 2:49 pm: Instruction
2:50 pm: Car Rider Dismissal
2:55 pm: Bus/Van Dismissal
3:00 pm: After-School Activities Dismissal
Fees will be assigned to parents for students dropped off early and/or picked up late.
Before and After Care Enrichment is available through the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) Enrichment Program.
6:30am - 8:15am: Before Care (Zero)
3:00pm - 4:00pm: After Care (Stars)
4:00pm - 6:00pm: After Care (Scholars)
School Uniform
This year, we have two uniform vendors to choose from, All American Wear and Risse Brothers.
Please review the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy. Uniforms are expected to be worn on the first day of school for all students, August 26, 2024.
Please take note that we have updated our shoe policy on page 2 of the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy.
Shoes must be MOSTLY BLACK (logo okay, different color sole okay, shoestring must be black), closed-toed dress shoes or athletic shoes only.
Slippers, slide-ins, thin-soled shoes, sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, high-heeled shoes (heels must be not more than 1 inch), Crocs, slides, roller shoes, shoes with wheels, and shoes with openings exposing the foot or socks are not permitted.
For safety purposes, shoes must be worn at all times and shoelaces must be tied properly, all buckles fastened - nothing may dangle or drag from shoes.
Socks, stockings, tights, or hose (solid black, navy blue, or white) must be worn with shoes. Clear or skin-colored hose are also acceptable.
PSAT Bootcamp Saturdays (9/21 - 10/19)
The PSAT 8/9 test will be administered during the week of October 21st. This year, CMIT North Middle School is offering a PSAT 8/9 Bootcamp for 8th grade students. This bootcamp will prepare students for the PSAT 8/9 test by reviewing math and reading skills necessary for the test. The bootcamp will also introduce students to test taking strategies that students can use during the test.
The Saturday dates for the bootcamp are 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, and 10/19. Each Saturday session will occur between 9 AM and noon. Students must be able to be picked up by noon to attend. The cost is free for all CMIT North Middle School students. The sign up for the bootcamp is first come, first serve. Once the sessions are full, the sign-up form will be closed. Please sign up using the link below:
https://forms.gle/j1zgANn1Hzeo6uTBA
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Wake at dana2.wake@pgcps.org.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month! During this month we will honor the culture and contributions of the Hispanic community. The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month this year is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” To honor this month, the CMIT North Middle School community will engage in activities that educate and celebrate the richness of the Hispanic culture. Students will have the opportunity to learn through trivia, classroom lessons, and various schoolwide engagement activities.
The CMIT North Equity Team
STEM Club Expo: First Chance to Sign Up for STEM Clubs!
Exciting news! On Saturday, September 21st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, CMIT North High School will be hosting our annual STEM Club Expo. This is the first opportunity for students to explore and sign up for our STEM clubs this school year. Whether your scholar is interested in robotics, coding, engineering, or other STEM-related activities, this event will provide them with all the information they need to join and get involved.
We encourage all students and parents to attend and learn about the amazing hands-on experiences our STEM clubs have to offer. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Athletic Eligibility
CMIT North Middle School participates in competitive athletics with other PGCPS middle schools. To be eligible students must have the following:
1. Complete the Athlete Participation Packet and return completed forms to the Athletic Director;
2. Have and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA;
3. Review and agree to the PGCPS Parent/Student Athletic Handbook;
The requirements must be completed prior to stepping on the field for tryouts.
Fall Sports: Baseball, Softball
Winter Sports: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Cheer
Spring Sports: Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer
Families are encouraged to complete the requirements over the Summer months to ensure eligibility when seasons begin. Athlete Participation Packets and physicals are good for the entire school year.
Greetings Parents and Students!
I’m Cassandre Mais, your new Care Coordinator at Healthlincs. Through the Mental Wellness Continuum (MWC) grant from the state of Maryland, I’ll be offering support to your school this year.
As your Care Coordinator, I’m here to help with a variety of needs, including:
- Food and nutrition assistance
- Guidance on health insurance
- Tutoring and academic resources
- Career support
- Medical transportation
- Clothing
- Rental assistance
We also have a team of licensed therapists available for both in-person and virtual (Zoom) therapy sessions to support your student's mental health and well-being. For CMIT N Middle School, Toni Sessions LPC, LCPC, will be the assigned therapist.
Please feel free to reach out if you need any support. We’re here to assist you throughout the school year.
https://forms.office.com/r/mus0mb3cwN
Looking forward to serving you!
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