CMIT South Elementary School
Dear CMIT South Elementary Families,
As we continue our journey through this academic year, I'm reminded of President Barack Obama's inspiring words: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Your continued support and partnership in our children's education exemplify this spirit of positive change and growth.
I'm delighted to share both important updates and recent highlights from our vibrant school community:
Important Dates and Schedule Changes:
This week is C-Week/Week 3: Please ensure your child follows their C-Week schedule for Creative Arts (CARTS) classes
Friday, February 28, 2025: 3-hour early dismissal (11:25 a.m.) for Grading & Reporting Day
Monday, March 3, 2025: READ Across CMIT South ES Day:Read Across CMIT Day: Parent Sign-Up Sheet
Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Parent University: MCAP & MISA Night 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. virtually
Black History Program: Rescheduled to Friday, March 7, 2025 • K-2nd Grade: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. • 3rd-5th Grade: 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Calendar Adjustments Due to Weather Closures: PGCPS adjusted our calendar to ensure adequate instructional time following our five school closures and four delayed openings/early dismissals:
March 5: Full school day (No Delayed Opening)
March 17: Regular school day for students
June 16-17: Regular school days for students
June 18: Full school day (No Early Dismissal)
Recent Success Highlight: Our SGA scholars experienced an incredible educational opportunity at the Maryland State House & Legislative Complex. They met with Delegate Karen Toles, J.D., attended a committee meeting where they received special recognition, and witnessed our state government in action. These real-world civics experiences create lasting impressions that extend far beyond the classroom.
Critical Safety Reminders:
Arrival: Enrichment lane drop-off ends promptly at 7:20 a.m. Please follow arrival procedures.
Dismissal: Please remain in your vehicle and follow established dismissal procedures
Student Safety: Direct any concerns to teachers, guidance counselors, or administration rather than approaching students directly
Important Action Items:
Complete your Emergency Contact and Pick List for each scholar
Submit your Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARM) Application at www.myschoolapps.com
Career Opportunity:
Join our CMIT South Elementary Hiring Event!
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: 9601 Fallard Terrace, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Positions Available:
K-5th grade teachers,
Special Education teacher,
Lego STEM teacher
Register at: https://forms.gle/oP9XA5j4QDMPqEdF9
Special Education Services Update
As mentioned previously we have vacancies in our special education department. While we navigate the national shortage of special educators, we are working closely with the Department of Human Resources to fill these positions. Please be assured that we remain fully committed to implementing services and accommodations specified in your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Our available staff are providing these essential services. Any questions or concerns, please email t.lewissimmons@pgcps.org.
As always, remember that the STEM Journey Begins Here at CMIT South Elementary! Let's continue to fill this school year with exciting learning opportunities, personal growth, and impressive achievements for all our scholars. Your partnership in education makes a profound difference in our students' success and we thank you for making CMIT South Elementary a vibrant and supportive learning community. Together, we're creating meaningful experiences for our scholars! Remember, we can't continue this STEM journey without you!
Let's make this year a roaring success! 🦁📚
Wishing you all a 🐾 PawwRific 🐾 day and see you all Monday, February 24, 2025!
With Tiger Pride,
Ms. Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Acting Principal
Chesapeake Math & IT Academy Elementary South (CMIT)
Please take a look at these February 2025 calendar reminders:
February 1- Coat Drive Distribution 10am - 2pm.
February 11- Second Quarter Report Cards Released Online
February 14- Inclement Weather Make-Up Day- Schools Open (Converted from Professional Development Day)
February 17- Presidents' Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
February 19- In Person PTO Meeting
February 28- First Day of Ramadan (starts sunset of 2/27)
February 28- Teacher Planning Half-Day – 3-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students
Birthdays are so much fun to celebrate with classmates. However, during the school day, the health and safety of each student are important, especially students with food allergies. Students are ONLY permitted to bring in NON-FOOD items to distribute to classmates at the end of the school day. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping all of our students safe at CMIT South ES.
Additionally, please note that teachers and staff are unable to participate in distributing communications/invitations or email addresses related to birthday celebrations. All planning for birthdays needs to happen outside of school so that it does not take away from the purpose of instruction.
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.
Grade Level Blurb:
Hello Kinder Families,
We had a great time presenting the Black History Month posters. We all were able to learn about the amazing contributions of so many different African American men and women who have helped shape our nation. Students did a great job sharing the information that they have learned and the posters were so creative.
Here are some virtual books to go along with Black History Month. Kindergatern Newletter Black History Month Virtual Library. Once in the powerpoint, you should be able to click on a book that your family finds interesting and it will take you to a youtube read aloud of that book.
As a reminder, please have your scholar utilize the online resource of Clever. Through Clever you can access other resources such as IXL, Lexia and i-Ready to help your scholar further their understanding of topics taught in class. Such as numbers 1-10, addition up to 10, shapes, sight words, and short vowel cvc, consonant vowel consonant, words. Should you have trouble login in through Clever to any of these sites please let your scholar’s teacher know.
February 27: Dress Down: Black Out- Wear All Black
February 28: 3hr Early Dismissal (Teacher Planning)
March 5: School now operates on normal schedule, no delay
March 7: Black History Month Program K-2nd 8:30am
March 17: School now open
March 21: Tutus and Bow Ties, K-2 Spring Dance, hosted by the PTO
March 24: Spring Picture Day
Reading Updates:
UNIT 3- Week 2: Gingerbread Man/ Cornbread Man
Essential Question: How are two versions of the same story alike and different?
Phonological Awareness: Initial and Final Sounds; Segment and Blend Phonemes
Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime
Phonics: Constant sounds initial /V/ and middle short vowel sound /U/
High-frequency words: any, come, play
Unit Vocabulary: choose, explain, meaning, character
Learning Goals:
Learn about fairy tales and explore themes of a story
Visualize details from a story
Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between two stories
Find details in a text
Capitalization for the beginning of a sentence
Verbs and pronouns
Story elements: characters, setting, plot
Math Updates:
Topic 6: Understanding Subtraction
Essential Understanding: What types of situations involve subtraction?
Show numbers in many way
Express smaller parts of a bigger number with actions
Represent subtraction as taking away from numbers up to 10
Practice using an subtraction equation
Show subtraction using number lines, ten frames and pictures
Vocabulary: minus, take away, equal sign, take apart, left over, patterns
Science Updates:
TOPIC 4: Earth’s Weather
Essential Question: How do different weathers affect Earth?
Learn how the relationship between the temperature and the type weather that happens
Describe how the weather affects what people weather
- Observe the relationship between the weather and the sky
Social Studies Updates:
Chapter 3 lesson 3: Jobs in Our Community
Essential Question- How have jobs changed over time?
Understand why people work
Look into the different jobs that can be found in community
Analyze how those jobs help the community
Vocabulary: carpenter, market
Health Updates:
February Topic: Going to the Doctor and Dentist
Describe the difference between a doctor and a dentist
Encourage confidence in the doctor’s or dentist’s office by discovering what happens when getting a checkup.
Demonstrate respect for bodies and our teeth
Explain why it is important to make healthy decisions
Vocabulary: doctor, dentist, teeth, help, and care
Grade Level Blurb:
Please continue to check in with ParentVue to review your scholar's grades. Also, review all graded work arriving home! This is a great way to see what your scholar may need additional help with.
1st grade students will complete a Black History Month project. Information about this project came home on Friday. Students will learn about one important African American in history and create a poster to show their name, date of birth, and important contribution. Your scholar should come to school on Thursday, February 27th dressed as their person. Their poster will count as an assessment grade in social studies and their presentation grade will count as an assessment grade for oral and written. A rubric will come home this week for reference.
Mrs. Brown Taylor's Digital Agenda
Updates:
1. The new school goal for iReady Math is 10 lessons per week. We are actively working on this in class, but we could use your help! If you have access to a device at home, please consider having your scholar work on his/her lessons. Participation may be graded.
2. A new spelling packet will be sent home, this week, on Monday. This packet will be due on Friday, February 28th.
Reminders:
1. In math, we are working through topic 6. This is a short topic, so be sure to monitor for important due dates and test dates-- likely the end of this week or early the following week!
2. Resources are available on CANVAS! Check for extra practice and review!
3. The weather has changed DRASTICALLY. Please send your child to school with appropriate clothing in order to participate in outdoor recess.
Reading Updates:
This week, students will begin reading poetry!
Math Updates:
We are wrapping up topic 6 and getting ready to move into topic 7! In Topic 7, students will extend counting to 120, practice counting by 1s and 10s, and write numbers in number and word form.
Please also help us ensure students are completing 10 iReady math lessons, INDEPENDENTLY, per week! You can check their work by going to "My Progress," "Completed Work," and then counting the lessons completed during the current week.
Science Updates:
We are wrapping up our chapter on the sky and Earth. Please stay tuned for important information about testing from your scholar's teacher!
Our next topic will be on weather and seasons. Students will learn about different types of weather, how the weather changes, and the different seasons.
Social Studies Updates:
We are continuing through our topic on United States symbols and traditions. Students are learning what it means to be American. Our first symbol we are focusing on is the United States Flag.
Health Updates:
Students are wrapping up their magazine on talking and Listening. Students are learning about how they hear and different ways that people communicate!
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Tiger Family, Again we ask to ensure the well-being of all students, we kindly ask that if your child is feeling unwell or showing symptoms of illness, please keep them at home until they are fully recovered. We have a few important dates
Friday February 28, 2025 is an 3 hours early dismissal
Reading Updates:
This week we will be reading a legend. Within the legend we will focus on finding the author's purpose. In phonics we will cover comparative endings.
Math Updates:
Throughout topic 6 students will be displaying their ability to fluently subtract within 100.
Social Studies:
Students will continue to learn about the government and how each branch works.
Grade Level Blurb:
Please check in with your child’s morning homeroom teacher and/or afternoon content teacher for updates!
Reading Updates:
All classes starting to wrap up Unit 2! We have truly enjoyed exploring our Unit’s essential question: How do plants and animals live together? This week, we have expanded on this by asking our weekly question: Why is it important for plants and animals to rely on each other?
Math Updates:
We are reviewing numbers and operations, as well as order or operations! Specifically, all classes are reviewing multiplication patterns, in addition to addition and subtraction within 1,000 (three-digit addition)!
Social Studies Updates:
We are currently working on Chapter 2, our chapter centered around economics! The essential question surrounding this chapter is as follows: How do people get what they want and need? We have focused on needs vs. wants, as well as the importance of human capital and education!
Science Updates:
We are continuing to learn about everything related to climate! Specifically, classes completed a lab in which students investigated the following question: “How do Tree Rings tell about Climate?”
Health Updates:
We are concluding our unit on families!
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Tiger Family,
I hope this message finds you warmly. We have our first field trip of the year, this Monday February 24, 2025. We are asking that all students arrive at school by 8:00. Once we have loaded the buses, if your scholar is not here they will not be able to attend the trip. We have the count for all students that require a bag lunch from the school. Please discuss with your scholar proper behavior they should be showing while on the bus and at the Spy Museum. All students must be in uniform for the trip and must have their lunch. We ask that the lunch is something that can be thrown away when finished, we will not have a place to store lunches while on the trip.
The character trait of the month of February is Peace. We have been discussing with our students about the power of changing your mindset even when things get a little challenging. Please have your scholar practice creating positive affirmations that they can say to themselves. Please continue to read to get updates and important information from Fourth Grade.
Thank you for your continuing support and partnership.
Warm regards,
4th Grade Team
Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday February 28, 2025- Wear All Black Day
Friday February 28, 2025- 3 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday March 5, 2025- Full School Day
Friday March 14, 20, 2025- MakeUp School Day
Uniforms:
We are a uniform school. Students must be in the proper uniform each and every day. Students are expected to have mostly black shoes. They may wear a navy blue or school logo jacket or pullover during class. Students will be asked to remove any jacket or sweater that is not following the uniform policy.
Fourth Grade Reminders:
i-Ready:
i-Ready is a computer based math and reading program that is available for all of our scholars. Scholars have completed their diagnostics and are working on programs based on their areas of need. If scholars have access to a computer at home, we recommend that your scholar is getting at least 45 minutes of practice a week in both reading and math. Please encourage your child to complete lessons and ensure they complete the lessons independently to accurately improve their skills. i-Ready is accessed through clever.pgcps.org, and scholars will use their PGCPS logins to access the program.
Absences:
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. If a scholar leaves early or arrives late to school and it is not excused they will earn a 0 for all work that is not completed.
If your scholar is absent, please share a note with the homeroom teacher and attendance managers 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.
Communications:
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 allow up to 48 business hours for all responses to emails and Classdojo messages. Teachers are not actively monitoring their emails during the day because we are engaged in instruction. Emails are not monitored over the weekend or in the evening hours when teachers have gone home. If the message sent relates to dismissal changes please call the school directly to leave a message with the front office.
Grading:
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.
Parent Teacher Conferences:
Conferences with teachers are available with families as needed. Please reach out to the homeroom teacher about scheduling a parent teacher conference.
Scholastic Book Club:
Dear Tiger Family,
This year, our class is reading with Scholastic Book Clubs! You’ll have access to expertly curated, affordable books that help boost your child’s reading skills, build your home library, and maybe even create moments of quality time you can share together.
Plus place an order of $25 or more and you can pick a FREE $5 book (use code READS at checkout).
Family Order Due Date: 03/10/2025
Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/MF27J
Shop Flyers: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers
Invite relatives and friends to help your child discover the joy of reading when you share our class page link. Every order benefits our classroom, helping me earn FREE books and resources that every child can enjoy.
Thanks so much for your support!
Ms. Crusoe
Reading Updates:
All texts that are being read in the classroom are also available for students to reread at home in their Vol. 2 textbooks. Please have students continue to read and discuss with you information that they find in the text. Students should always read a portion of the text and share any thoughts or questions they had while reading. Students should also note the text underlining, circling, and highlighting parts of the story that were important to know. Homework continues to be sent home on a weekly basis on the first day of the week.
This Week: We finished reading the first story in Vol. 2 textbook and began a new unit on “Diversity.” In this unit we will read stories from diverse backgrounds to gain a better understanding of how diversity brings us together. This week's story is called “Out of My Mind” found on pages 21-27 in the textbook. This story has also been made into a movie on Disney+ and is a full novel available in the library by Sharon Draper. This week students showed their mastery but writing about traits that were shown by the character of “Melody.”
Next Week: Next week we will begin reading a story called “Mama’s Window.” This story is in Vol.2 textbook pages 49-61. In this realistic fiction students will read the story about a boy named Sugar and how he grows and changes in the story. As students read they will monitor their inner conversations to notice how the events of the story affect what happens to the character. Students will also explore how the setting of the story affects the events from the story. Students will seek to answer: How do our experiences help us see the world differently?
Math Updates:
This week in math we closed Topic 3: Use Strategies and Properties to Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers with our topic assessment quiz.
Next week we will start Topic 4: Use Strategies and Properties to Multiply by 2-Digit Numbers.
Please check Synergy ParentVue and Canvas with your scholar to ensure the completion of assignments.
Science Updates:
This week students begin our next topic focused on How Humans Interact with the Environment. This unit will focus on natural resources and the environmental impact from our everyday lives.
Please check Synergy ParentVue and Canvas with your scholar to ensure completion of assignments
Social Studies Updates:
This week: Students read Chapter 3, Lesson 2, "How Our Government Works," and explain the responsibilities of the three branches of the United States government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Next week: Students will read Chapter 3 Lesson 3: Our Rights and Responsibilities”, and understand that citizens in a democracy have both rights and responsibilities. They will explore the fundamental rights granted to individuals, such as freedom of speech and voting, and recognize the importance of fulfilling civic duties like obeying laws, voting, and participating in community activities. Through discussions and activities, students will be able to explain how these rights and responsibilities work together to maintain a functioning democracy.
Health Updates:
In health we are learning about our Mouths and keeping our Teeth Healthy and clean.
Grade Level Blurb:
Thank You for Your Participation!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents who participated in the survey for the overnight field trip. Your input is invaluable, and we appreciate your continued support and involvement. We will keep you informed as plans develop.
Black History Month Presentations
A huge congratulations to our students for their incredible presentations during Black History Month! The creativity and depth of research displayed were truly inspiring. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Thank you, parents, for supporting and encouraging your child’s participation!
Reading Updates:
Assignment: Summary Writing
This week, students practiced summarizing a narrative by focusing on the main ideas and key details. They read and wrote concise summaries. Ask your child to share their summary and what they found most interesting about the story in class!
Math Updates:
Topic 7-2 – Finding Common Denominators with Common Factors
We are continuing our journey through fractions, focusing on finding common denominators using common factors. Students are practicing strategies to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators. Please encourage your child to review their notes and practice at home for extra confidence!
Social Studies Updates:
Topic: Revolutionary War – Chapter 5, Lesson 1
We have begun exploring the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Students are learning about the causes and key figures involved in the fight for independence. Encourage your child to discuss what they’ve learned about the early tensions between the colonies and Great Britain!
Science Updates:
In science, we are exploring the wonders of space! Students are learning about inner space and the factors that influence the brightness of stars. They are discovering how distance and size affect a star’s appearance from Earth. Have a stargazing session at home and ask them to explain what they’ve learned!
Health Updates:
We are wrapping up our study on the throat, focusing on its functions and how to maintain good throat health. Encourage your child to share interesting facts they’ve learned about this vital part of the human body!
Lego:
Hello,
This week in Legos and Robotics we learned various strategies for finding the missing numbers and order of operations. The students displayed higher order thinking to create and solve mathematical word problems.
Technology:
Hello CMIT PARENTS, what a “Pawriffic” week we had in Technology Class! We started off with some challenges but finished strong, celebrating our Winners and high scores in the vocabulary Kahoot test/game!
I eagerly await next week when the other classes get to showcase their talents🙌🏾 Happy Last Week of African American History Month ‼️
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
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.
