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.

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

Dear CMIT North Middle School Families,

As the winter months bring colder temperatures, we encourage all our scholars to dress warmly each day. Please ensure your student wears a coat, hat, gloves, and any other necessary winter gear to stay comfortable during their commute and outdoor activities.

We also want to remind families about our morning schedule: Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM, the school opens at 8:15 AM, and classes start promptly at 8:30 AM. Arriving on time allows students to enjoy breakfast, settle in, and start their day ready to learn.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students warm, punctual, and ready to succeed this winter season!

Sincerely,
CMIT North Middle School Administration

Consistent school attendance is essential for academic success, social growth, and future opportunities. Missing just two days a month—about 10% of the school year—qualifies as chronic absenteeism and can lead to learning gaps, disengagement, and lower graduation rates. Additionally, chronic absenteeism directly impacts CMIT's MSDE Star Rating, a key measure of our school's overall performance.

It’s important to understand that both excused and unexcused absences count toward chronic absenteeism. While some absences, such as for illness or family emergencies, may be unavoidable, scheduling appointments, vacations, and other activities outside of school hours whenever possible can help minimize disruptions to learning.

To address this, CMIT will launch a campaign to improve schoolwide attendance upon returning from Winter Break. Families of scholars who are chronically absent will receive targeted support, including emails, phone calls, and scheduled conferences, to identify challenges and develop solutions.

Finally, students with 10 consecutive unexcused absences may face involuntary withdrawal from school. Let’s prioritize attendance to ensure every scholar has the opportunity to thrive and to help maintain CMIT's high standards. Remember, every day counts!

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

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

This month, we’re focusing on the character trait INNOVATIVE! Being innovative means using your creativity to solve problems, think outside the box, and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Look for ways to show your innovation in class, during activities, or by helping others in new and exciting ways. Let’s make this a month full of creativity and bold ideas.

Who will be our Students of the Month for January?

ACCESS testing for ELLs (English Language Learners) begins January 14. ACCESS testing is a state required assessments for all ELL learners regardless of receiving ELL services. There are four parts of the ACCESS test. Please see the testing schedule below to ensure that your scholar is present for testing. (email notification has been sent to parents)

ALL students are REQUIRED to place CELL PHONES and BLUETOOTH DEVICES (headphones and smart watches) in their locker daily. This is especially important during testing as having these devices during a test can cause the student and all other students in the testing room to have their test voided.

Please remind your scholar to put their device away in the morning during drop-off to ensure that all classroom time is used for testing. Collecting these devices (required for testing security) takes away testing time. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The time has come to begin considering the CMIT North High School Information Technology Early College (ITEC) program! Students in the ITEC program begin taking college-level courses through Prince George's Community College in the summer before their 9th Grade Year and increase their college course load each year, finishing a full Associate's Degree at the same time as they earn their High School Diploma.

Applications for our ITEC Class of 2029 cohort will be released on Monday, January 6th and will be due on Friday, January 24th. We will also host a virtual Information Session for students and families on Thursday, January 16th from 4:30-5:30pm. Attendance at the Information Session is MANDATORY for students and parents/guardians who plan to submit an ITEC application for the Class of 2029. To RSVP for the Information Session, please email Dr. Natalie Gaudette at ngaudette@cmitacademy.org by Wednesday, January 15th.

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

The big game is finally here! We have been waiting for this playoff game and it is finally here, CMIT vs Samuel Ogle! The game is Monday, January 13th at 6:00 pm at Samuel Ogle Middle School. You can purchase your tickets online at Hometown ticketing. Please come and support our boys as they start their playoff run! See you there!

https://www.hometownticketing.com/

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. Happy New Year!
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, January 14, 2025 from 3-9pm
5. Fundraiser: Snack Sale on February 9, 2025 (At Dismissal in the Cafeteria)
6. Volunteers Needed: CMIT Clubs
7. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 6:30-7:30pm
8. Remaining PTO Meetings for 2024-2025 School Year
9. Become a Volunteer!


1. Happy New Year!
Welcome back! We hope that everyone enjoyed the (extended) holiday break. Although we’re all returning a bit later than expected, we are excited for the second half of this school year. Please stay tuned for exciting opportunities to support our scholars, teachers, and parents.


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, January 14, 2025 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. Fundraiser: Snack Sale on Friday, February 7, 2025 (At Dismissal in Cafeteria)
At our concession stand, we will be selling snacks and candy to fundraise for the PTO. Prices will range from $1 to $2. Examples of snacks include variety packs of chips, fruit snacks, M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, and Trolli Sour Bite Crawlers.

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)


7. Next PTO Meeting - Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 6:30-7:30pm

Because we cancelled the January 9th meeting, our next meeting will be on Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. If you missed the December 2024 meeting, check the PTO Events page for the presentation and recording (https://ms.cmitacademy.org/pto-events/).

Please review the draft minutes for the December meeting before the next meeting (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lUD1asxn_pSk9cwdzRyM57G5Y3ujyRfL/view?usp=sharing). 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, 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!
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).

Please read the flyer below for an opportunity to volunteer and support a good cause. Student participants will receive credit for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Remember to complete the SSL form and get it signed by a supervisor.

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