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.

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

Balancing Academics and Holiday Stress: A Guide for Middle School Students and Families

As the holiday season approaches, middle school students often find themselves juggling academics, extracurriculars, and the excitement of family celebrations. While this time of year brings joy and togetherness, it can also lead to stress if not carefully managed. Striking the right balance is essential to ensure students stay on track academically while enjoying the holiday season.

The Importance of Attendance

Consistent school attendance plays a critical role in a student’s academic success. Each day builds on the previous one, especially as teachers wrap up the semester’s lessons and prepare students for upcoming projects, exams, and activities. Missing even a few days can disrupt a student’s learning and make it challenging to catch up.

To ensure students maintain their academic momentum, families are encouraged to schedule trips and events during the scheduled Winter Break, which begins December 21st through January 5th. By aligning family plans with the school calendar, students can fully participate in classroom activities and maintain their focus on learning.

Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays can bring added pressures, from gift-giving to social gatherings. Students may feel overwhelmed trying to meet academic expectations while participating in holiday traditions. Here are some tips to help students and families stay balanced:

1. Plan Ahead: Encourage students to use a planner to keep track of homework, tests, and holiday events. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can make them more manageable.
2. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: A well-rested and nourished student is better equipped to handle stress and perform academically.
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Remind students that it’s okay to ask for help if they’re feeling overwhelmed. Teachers, school counselors, and family members are there to support them.
4. Make Time for Relaxation: Encourage students to take breaks, enjoy family traditions, and recharge their minds.

A Season for Growth and Celebration

The holiday season is not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity for reflection and growth. By staying engaged in their education and managing their time wisely, students can enter the new year feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Let’s work together to ensure that this holiday season is a time of joy, learning, and balance for all our middle school students!

Happy Holidays from Principal Brauer!

All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state laws and regulations. The schools, families, and communities must work together to foster exemplary attendance for all students. (Board Policy 5113)

Examples of Lawful Absences include: death in the immediate family, illness, suspension, observance of religious holidays, court summons, etc.

Please be sure to provide an Electronic note to the school when your child is absent. using this link https://shorturl.at/kmoL4 . This link is also located on our school website under CMIT Families tab/ Parents.

This form should be completed by parents when their child is arriving late/ early dismissal or absent from school. Students have 3 (THREE) school days once they return, to submit a note explaining their absence. (PLEASE NOTE: Family Trips/Vacations are NOT excused absences, you must submit a different form and get pre-approval from Principal Brauer) * Not all absence notes are excused. Families are encouraged to refer to Administrative Procedure 5113 for more information.

Please attach doctor's notes or any other supporting documentation that is related to the absence. Once an excused absence note is submitted , your child will be permitted to make up missing work. It would be helpful to have your child ask their teacher(s) and or email your child's teachers to see what missing work needs to be completed. For any questions or concerns, please contact the front office @ 301-350-6051.

CLF’s Elementary and Middle Schools have earned the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Schools badges for 2025! CMIT North Middle has also maintained its 4-star rating for the 2023-2024 school year by the Maryland State Department of Education.

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

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.

Congratulations to our November Students of the Month for exemplifying the character trait of Service! Students were announced and celebrated on Friday December 6th.

61- Anderson W.

62-Michelle O.

63- Kevin S.

64- Aleah C.

65- Nicole O.

66- Gabriel O.

71- Margaret C.

72- Eljirah K.

73- Nada E.

74- Liam D.

75- Pierce J.

76- Eric C.

77- Jayda A.

81- Moraie B.

82- Chisom A.

83-Melvin R.

84- Mateo A.

85-Toriola O.

86-Savannah M.

87- Jacob O.

Mixed- Cameron G.

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

Shout out to Ms. Wake for becoming a National Board Certified Teacher! CMIT is honored to have someone demonstrating best professional teaching practices for the academic and personal growth of our students. Her dedication is evident in her daily work and now, recognized nationally.

~Congratulations!!!

Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, December 11! Students should wear their Oxford Uniforms.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTZZZWGV. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.

Parents/Guardians, please make sure that your scholar is present for the mandated Maryland Youth Risk and Youth Behavior Survey, which will be administered during 2nd period on December 10. Low participation will result in the survey being rescheduled. All 'opt out' permission forms must be submitted by December 9, otherwise your scholar will be required to participate. Please check your email for electronic permission forms that provide more information about the survey. Paper copies of permission forms were also sent home.

Applicable ONLY to the following classes:

Ms. Adefemi - Tech Section 77
Mrs. Curry - Health Section 83
Mrs. Hinton - World Cultures Section 61
Mr. Ouedraogo - Math 65
Ms. Mbakop/Mrs. Stankovich - Blended Learning Section 64 and Section 71

On Monday December 9th, we will have our honor roll assemblies to recognize students who received honor roll for quarter 1. Students should wear their Oxford uniforms.

6th Grade - Monday, December 9th (8:40 am - 9:20 am)

7th Grade - Monday, December 9th (9:35 am - 10:20 am)

8th Grade - Monday, December 9th (1:30 pm - 2:10 pm)

STEM powerpoint presentations will begin December 9th.

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

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 boy's basketball team rebounded back against Hyattsville on Wednesday night, after losing a close game against SAMUEL OGLE , on Monday night. The Tigers showed a lot of determination and effort against Hyattsville, beating them 44 to 22 at Hyattsville. Chisom Amadi, came off the bench to give the Tigers a much needed spark of energy that got the team headed to victory! Also, our lady Tigers came up short against Hyattsville; however, newcomer, Charlie Arnold is starting to become the future of the lady Tigers! Charlie Arnold plays hard and tough, we are look for big things from her in the future! The next game is December 9th, against Beltsville at their place. The girls play first at 6pm, followed by the boys, at 7pm. We will see you 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. Holiday Gifting For CMIT North Middle Teachers & Staff
2. Joining the PTO and Paying Dues for SY 2024-2025
3. Joining a PTO Committee
4. Fundraiser: Sweet Scoops, Big Impact at SweetFrog Laurel on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 3-9pm
5. Volunteers Needed: CMIT Clubs, Scoreboard for Basketball Season (Updated with Dates and Times)
6. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm (Review November Meeting Minutes)
7. Remaining PTO Meetings for 2024-2025 School Year
8. Become a Volunteer!


1. Holiday Gifting For CMIT North Middle Teachers & Staff
Let’s show CMIT North Middle Teachers & Staff our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to our scholars! The PTO Board would like to offer GiftCrowd as an easy, FREE, and virtual way for parents & students to show appreciation to our School Teachers & Staff. The deadline for joining gifts is 12/19/2024 12:00 PM ET.

How Does It Work? Here is a step-by-step video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11WT2RBqBzzotmuhpSubOFZa6ARszdzpn/preview?usp=sharing

GiftCrowd will present you with a list of all CMIT North Middle’s Teachers & Staff. Click on “Join” next to the Teacher or Staff member you wish to gift.
Enter your name as you'd like it to be displayed to the teacher and your email address. You are welcome to include a personal greeting as well as upload a photo or a video! Now you can leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on GiftCrowd to create personalized greetings for your gifts. GiftCrowd will suggest unique and thoughtful greetings that are tailored to the recipient.
Enter your contribution amount of choice ($2 and up) and click “Add to Cart.” Repeat this process for all the teachers and staff members you wish to gift. Then, enter your payment information and click on “Place your Order” to complete your transaction.
On 12/19/2024 12:00 PM ET, every gift recipient will receive an email indicating the total gift amount they received together with personal greetings from all the contributors. Each teacher & staff member will then be able to use their gift amount to select cards from hundreds of brands, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora, Nike, Visa and many other fashion, travel, electronics, furniture, DIY stores as well as restaurants and entertainment chains.
Again, the deadline for joining gifts is 12/19/2024 12:00 PM ET.

To access the CMIT North Middle Gifting Page, please follow this link: https://app.giftcrowd.com/app/join-event/DYsHuXn-C-

Happy Gift-Giving!


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: 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.


5. 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!

6. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm
Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, December 12th. See below for the Zoom information. Also, please review the minutes from the November meeting (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P26cqCkvBbDLy8x0QpcH_sQ6VmfHWJkU/view?usp=drive_link).

If you have any questions, please email us at info_nmspto@cmitacademy.org.


7. 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, 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/).

8. Become a Volunteer!
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.