CMIT North Middle School Newsletter

In partnership with students, parents and the community, CMIT will attain educational excellence by providing a rigorous and technology-integrated education for middle and high school students with an emphasis on mathematics, science, and information technologies.

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.

11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break - Schools and Offices Closed

12/18: 2nd Quarter Progress Reports Released Online

12/20: 3-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students

12/23- 1/3: Winter Break

1/20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Schools and Offices Closed

1/24: End of 2nd Quarter

1/27: Grading & Reporting Day for Teachers – 3-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students

2/11: 2nd Quarter Report Cards Released Online

2/14: Professional Development – Schools Closed for Students

2/17: Presidents’ Day – Schools and Offices Closed

2/28: Teacher Planning Half-Day – 3-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students

We’d love to hear from you! Your feedback plays a crucial role in showcasing the strengths of our school community. Please take a moment to complete a review on Niche and let others know about your experience. To help with writing your review, we’re also sharing a helpful article from GreatSchools. Thank you for your continued support in making our school the best it can be!

Support with Writing a Review- Great Schools Article

Write a Review- Niche

As we begin the 2nd quarter, we will be holding the Students' Rights and Responsibilities/Code of Conduct Assembly. During the assembly, we will review the school's expectations and appropriate student behaviors. Additionally, we will share data from the 1st quarter, highlighting some of the great progress we’ve seen and areas that require improvement. Following the assembly, students will complete the Code of Conduct quiz to confirm their understanding of the school’s expectations. The assembly will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Grade 6- 1st period
Grade 7- 2nd period
Grade 8- 3rd period

https://www.pgcps.org/offices/pupil-personnel-services/student-rights-and-responsibilities-handbook

PE is offered as a semester course. PE uniforms should be worn only on the day your scholar has PE on their schedule. All 6th grade sections and select 7th grade sections (73, 74, 75, and 76) have PE for the first semester. If your scholar does not have PE for the first semester, they are expected to wear their standard school uniform (polo shirt and medium dark khaki or navy blue pants). Students in 8th grade do not have PE until second semester, which begins January 27th, 2025.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sIvAYsX9TCpNSfeFO2vxYFM8buKH387b/view

Please note that students are allowed a small clutch/purse (~6”x9”) is acceptable use to carry for personal needs. A pencil pouch that clips into a binder is suggested to minimize the chance of lost items.

Scholars are carry and wear to a Large purses / bookbags / backpacks / fanny packs will be asked to store them in their lockers. Only during short-term emergency situations will students be allowed to get these items which must be returned to lockers immediately
after use.

This month’s character trait is service. Service means helping others and making a positive impact in your school, community, and beyond. It can be as simple as lending a hand, sharing a kind word, or standing up for someone in need. When we serve others, we build a stronger, kinder community together. Look for ways to make a difference today—you never know whose day you might brighten! Who will be our students of the month for the month of November?

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

The CMIT NMS staff would like to thank the PTO for dropping in with breakfast this week! We truly appreciated it!

Students might say, the staff members were a little OFF this week!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pMHn_gE3A996d6huDwVm8GCB0uQYs3BV?usp=drive_link

Spread Warmth and Care This Season!

CMIT's Equity Team Presents: The Coat, Can, & Care Drive

Help us make a difference in our community!

We are collecting:

Canned goods
Blankets
Socks
Soap
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shaving cream
Feminine hygiene products

Donation Dates are
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Drop-off Locations are inside of the boxes located at the front office, the cafeteria, and the entrances.

Thank you for your generosity and support! Together, we can spread warmth and care to those in need.

This week, our CMIT students had the incredible opportunity to hear from Blake, a CodeHS representative who has already visited 43 states on his journey to inspire the next generation of tech leaders. Blake spoke to three of our classes, sharing his inspiring story of how his experiences as a student paved the way for a career that combines his passion for technology and education.

Students were captivated as Blake detailed his travels across the country, promoting the importance of coding, problem-solving, and creativity in shaping the future. His journey highlighted how early engagement in STEM can lead to exciting and impactful careers.

We’re grateful to CodeHS and Blake for sharing his expertise and enthusiasm, encouraging our students to dream big and embrace the limitless opportunities in tech!

We’re in the final stretch of our CMIT North MS Mega-Raiser, and WOW—our school community has outdone itself! With just 5 days left, we’ve already surpassed our $20,000 goal, raising an incredible $30,709! 🎉

Top Fundraisers:
Laila L. (7th Grade) - $2,230
Paris M. (7th Grade) - $1,765
Madison B. (6th Grade) - $1,650
Grade-Level Standings:
6th Grade is leading the charge with an impressive $14,098 raised!
7th Grade follows with $8,505.
8th Grade isn’t far behind with $8,106.
It’s not too late to support our students and their efforts to fund STEM events, supplies, and activities. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Click below to find your student’s fundraiser page and help us finish strong:
https://app.pledge-drive.net/Campaign/cmitnorthms24


Together, we are building a brighter future for our school and STEM education. Thank you for your support! 🚀

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, which takes place December 9-13, 2024, the Department of Career and Technical Education is hosting the annual PGCPS Level Up with Code Virtual Event for parents and students. The goal is to have parents and students participate in an Hour of Code activity and learn more about computer science education. This event will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please see the flyer for more details.

Dear CMIT North Families,

As we prepare for our annual STEAM Fair on Saturday, January 25, 2025, we are excited to invite members of our wider community to participate as judges. This event is an excellent opportunity to build partnerships and showcase the dedication of our students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

We are looking for judges who are not CMIT North teachers or parents of students participating in the fair. By broadening our judging pool, we can prevent bias and deepen community involvement through this exciting event.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Location: CMIT North High School, 14800 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707
Time: 9 AM to 1 PM
Role: Judges will review students’ projects, engage in interviews, and score using provided rubrics.
Perks: Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in serving as a judge, please sign up using the following form: STEAM Fair Judge Sign-Up Form. Once signed up, you’ll receive further details from Mr. Field, our STEM Coordinator.

Thank you for helping make our STEAM Fair a memorable event for our students and school community!

STEAM Fair Judge Sign Up: https://forms.gle/dP5twEbbANJRMLa7A

Days: Every Monday and Friday (when school is in session and not dismissed early)

Time: 3:05 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Pick-up at the back of the building
Focus: Current math topics covered in class, IXL-recommended practice and skill building, and additional practice based on student ability (if no specific assignments are brought)

Pick-Up: Promptly at 4:30 PM
Sign-Up: Parents can sign up using the Google Form in the following spreadsheet: After-School Math Tutoring Signup: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IMhw7Av02sON_X2BI-BIkDTTkw1H5_LlZTrQX0n8T7M/edit?usp=sharing

We're excited to launch our Saturday Academy, a special opportunity for students to reinforce and expand their skills in key subjects! Through engaging, focused rotations, students will participate in three 40-minute sessions that provide targeted support in RELA, Math (IXL recommended skills, PSAT prep, or classwork), and Retrieval Practice. Each group will rotate through these stations for a well-rounded learning experience. Here’s our Saturday schedule:

9:20 - 10:00 AM: Session 1

Group 1: RELA
Group 2: Math
Group 3: Retrieval Practice
10:05 - 10:45 AM: Session 2

Group 1: Math
Group 2: Retrieval Practice
Group 3: RELA
10:50 - 11:30 AM: Session 3

Group 1: Retrieval Practice
Group 2: RELA
Group 3: Math

Our closing session will run from 11:30 - 11:45 AM, giving students time to wrap up, gather materials, and head out by noon. Please drop off students at the back of the school between 9:00 - 9:10 AM and pick them up promptly at 12:00 PM.

Join us for this exciting opportunity! Click the link below to sign up for Saturday Academy. We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s growth and confidence!

Saturday Academy Sign Up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YLVSpcIV_eEcjq8qFcbNonI4RH-Q-kZ62t3LI48SM6g/edit?usp=sharing

We’re thrilled to share that your scholar has the chance to dive into Johns Hopkins University's STEM Academy, a program offering engaging, hands-on courses designed to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!

Course Highlights STEM Academy offers a wide variety of courses tailored to various interests and skill levels, all taught by expert instructors. From foundational courses in Critical Thinking and Design Thinking to hands-on labs in Robotics and Circuits, there’s something for every budding scientist or engineer. These courses provide practical skills, foster problem-solving abilities, and encourage innovation—core competencies in today’s world.

Flexible Options Courses are available both in-person and virtually, allowing for flexible learning that fits your family’s schedule. Sessions run based on instructor availability, so be sure to check the course schedule for specific offerings. Here’s a taste of what’s available:

Cybersecurity I & II – Learn how to protect digital information in this in-person series.
Python for Girls I & II – Tailored for middle school girls interested in coding, available virtually.
Inventing with Arduino – A hands-on introduction to creating with Arduino technology.
MATLAB I & II – Offered virtually for students ready to explore data analysis.
Unity I & II – Dive into the world of 3D game design with this engaging course.
Affordable Pricing All courses are offered at an affordable rate of $49, with the exception of Robotics ($99), making it accessible for families looking to invest in their child’s future.

Ready to Enroll? Don’t miss this opportunity! These courses are popular and spots fill quickly, so visit the course catalog and sign up soon. Let’s empower your scholar with the skills to succeed in STEM fields!

Sign Up Link: https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/stem/stem-academy/new-students/application-process

Please reach out to Mr. Field with any additional questions justin.field@pgcps.org

CMIT North High is hosting a open house. Please feel free to choose a date for attendance.

14800 Sweitzer Ln

Laurel, MD 20707

• Thursday, November 7th at 6pm in the high school cafeteria
• Saturday, December 7th at 9am in the high school cafeteria

Basketball season is finally here! Please come out and support our student athletes this season! Support our cheerleaders and our girls and boys basketball players this season. Come and support another exciting year of our fantastic cheerleading squad and our dynamic basketball program! We will see you there!

The basketball program is off to a great start this year! The boys are 3-0 at this point; beating Tasker 52-38, Sotomayor 48-10 and MLK 41-15! The girls are 1-2, beating Sotomayor 15-12 in a very tough win. The Cheer team put on an awesome show, the ladies kept the crowd highly entertained, great show ladies! The next game is at NICHOLAS OREM MIDDLE vs OREM, on November 25th at 6pm. See you all there!

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.

Looking to explore new interests and make new friends? Now’s your chance! We have a variety of exciting clubs open for sign-up on a first come, first serve basis—so don't wait! From robotics to chess, aviation to environmental initiatives, there’s something for everyone. The clubs listed in the attached form are open to all students, no invitation or application needed. Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your place! For other clubs not listed, participation is by invitation or requires an application through the club sponsor.

Sign up for the available STEM Clubs using this link: https://forms.gle/ZZLwuF5njMAjsqVp6

Greetings Tiger Families and Staff!

Below, please find information on:
1. PTO Shows Appreciation
2. Joining the PTO and Paying Dues for SY 2024-2025
3. Joining a PTO Committee
4. Fundraiser: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, Support a Sweet Cause at Dirty Dough Cookies on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 10am-10pm
5. Fundraiser: Sweet Scoops, Big Impact at SweetFrog Laurel on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 3-9pm
6. Volunteers Needed: CMIT Clubs, Scoreboard for Basketball Season (Updated with Dates and Times)
7. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm
8. PTO Meetings for 2024-2025 School Year
9. Become a Volunteer!

1. PTO Shows Appreciation
The PTO again thanks the CMIT North Middle community for continued support of the fundraisers and other events. In particular, we are appreciative of the overwhelming support of our recent Scholastic Book Fair. Our scholars thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it was a pleasure to see their excitement. But we could not have pulled this off without the full support of school administrators, teachers, staff and of course our wonderful volunteers.

To show our appreciation, the PTO Executive Board used a bit of the proceeds from the Book Fair to treat our wonderful administrators, teachers, and staff with a Chick-Fil-A breakfast on Thursday. They allowed us to be in their space, especially by taking over the gym, as well as walking the hallways and helping to get scholars to and from the Book Fair. We are so grateful for their commitment and patience so that all scholars could fully experience the event. In addition, we used the “Share the Fair” funds raised during the week and randomly selected two teachers to receive $25 gift cards–Mrs. Knox and Mrs. Torres.

Again, thank you all for your support! We sold about $7000 worth of books and accessories, and the PTO warns about 25 percent. Go Tigers!

2. Joining the PTO and Paying Dues for SY 2024-2025
We invite you to join the CMIT North Middle School PTO to help advance our purpose and support our scholars. Our members vote on how we use our resources, what initiatives to focus on, and who should lead the organization.

Remember that per our bylaws, “Any parent, guardian, or other adult standing in loco parentis for a current student at CMIT North Middle, or a parent, guardian, or other adult standing in loco parentis for an incoming student who will attend CMIT North Middle beginning the next school year, may be a General Member of the Organization. A General Member who has paid dues consistent with [the bylaws] shall be considered a member in good standing and shall have voting rights.”

Also, “A General Member must have paid their dues at least 10 calendar days before a General Membership Meeting to be considered a member in good standing with voting rights.”

Membership Dues: $15 per school year. The membership year runs from July 1 through June 30 of the current school year.

Please click here to join the PTO: https://forms.gle/GioZCXCopzziBPXg6


3. Join a PTO Committee
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the PTO’s operations and increase engagement from the PTO community, the Executive Board will be soliciting the interest of members to serve on a couple of our Standing Committees. Please stay tuned for more information. We encourage you to consider engaging with the PTO and CMIT North Middle community by serving on a committee, especially if you’re interested in running for a position on the Executive Board in upcoming elections. You may learn more about the Standing Committees in Article VI of the Bylaws (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NrKKdT6FJScc04tIKjqDjKQeUtLLJqNe/view?usp=drive_link).

4. Fundraiser: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, Support a Sweet Cause at Dirty Dough Cookies on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 10am-10pm
Please join us on November 26 at Dirty Dough Cookies, located at 14123-B Baltimore Ave, Laurel MD. Just let them know that you’re there to support CMIT North Middle School. The PTO will receive twenty (20) percent of net sales from the day!


5. Fundraiser: Sweet Scoops, Big Impact at SweetFrog Laurel on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 3-9pm
Please remember to visit SweetFrog every second Tuesday of the month from 3-9pm and twenty-five percent (25%) of earnings will go to our PTO!

When you visit SweetFrog, you can show them the flyer (below) or just tell them that you’re there to support CMIT North Middle School.


6. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

CMIT Clubs (Parent Volunteers for SY 2024-2025) - This form is to gather a list of parents willing and able to assist in CMIT's After School Activities program. (https://forms.gle/b8jrRoG9nCWq9pna8)

Scoreboard for Basketball Season - If you are interested in working the scoreboard for CMIT North Middle basketball games (home games only), then please sign up here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeK2N0H1AIy4ZFviCb5cfTPlLeq9cu0MnLFAMQnRWYMIAbMQ/viewform). The form has been updated with dates and times.

Judges Needed for STEAM Fair - As CMIT North prepares for its annual STEAM Fair on Saturday, January 25, 2025, staff is excited to invite members of our wider community to participate as judges. This event is an excellent opportunity to build partnerships and showcase the dedication of CMIT North Middle students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
The school is looking for judges who are not CMIT North teachers or parents of students participating in the fair. By broadening the judging pool, they can prevent bias and deepen community involvement through this exciting event.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Location: CMIT North High School, 14800 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707
Time: 9 AM to 1 PM
Role: Judges will review students’ projects, engage in interviews, and score using provided rubrics.
Perks: Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in serving as a judge, please sign up using the following form (https://docs.google.com/forms/u/2/d/e/1FAIpQLSciPRabqLGJtJ32BWile_LOisCyQ-KhTR2OOvhw316Ya_aFgw/viewform?usp=send_form). Once signed up, you’ll receive further details as the time for the STEAM Fair approaches.
Thank you for helping make our STEAM Fair a memorable event for our students and school community!

7. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm

If you missed the meeting on November 14th, the presentation and recording are posted on the PTO Events page (https://ms.cmitacademy.org/pto-events/).

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, December 12th. See below for the Zoom information. If you have any questions, please email us at info_nmspto@cmitacademy.org.


8. Remaining PTO Meetings for the 2024-2025 School Year
PTO meetings are held the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 6:30pm ET. These dates also can be found on the PTO home page and Events page. (https://ms.cmitacademy.org/pto/)

Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 6:30pm ET (Tentative)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91837250197?pwd=vCsu0ZymxK9eTBCJPhnbJ2qs8NjRP9.1

Meeting ID: 918 3725 0197
Passcode: PTO2425

Presentations, meeting minutes, and meeting recordings can be found on the PTO’s Events page (https://ms.cmitacademy.org/pto-events/).

9. Become a Volunteer!
It’s a new school year, so whether you are a new or returning volunteer, it’s time to submit your application and complete the approval process. In order to volunteer at CMIT North Middle Academy, you must be a PGCPS-approved volunteer. Visit the PGCPS Volunteer page for more information and to access the application: Volunteer at Your School (pgcps.org) (https://www.pgcps.org/offices/ograc/volunteer).

Stay up to date with the monthly breakfast and lunch menu with Meal Viewer.