Dear CMIT South Elementary Families,

As we move into the heart of our fall semester, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for your continued support and engagement in our school community. Your dedication to your children's education and well-being is truly inspiring, and it's what makes our school such a special place.

World Mental Health Day

Thank you for having your students participate in World Mental Health Day on Thursday, October 10th, by wearing green. This day served as a powerful reminder that it's perfectly normal and healthy to experience a wide range of emotions. We emphasized to our students that whether they're feeling happy, sad, excited, or a little worried, these feelings are all valid. We want to reinforce that our teachers, family members, and friends are always here to listen and support them.

During this special day, our students engaged in a school-wide meditation session and completed a worksheet exploring their emotions. These activities were designed to help them better understand and express their feelings, which is crucial for their overall well-being. Check out the video and see what staff and students had to say about mental health: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G4pKIbaxRyxmvW7-kHiPwUUDoDYh3F_C/view?usp=sharing.

Anti-Bullying Spirit Week (October 14-17)

We're excited to announce our upcoming Anti-Bullying Spirit Week! Each day has a special theme:

• Monday, Oct. 14: Wear your favorite CMIT South gear or school colors

• Tuesday, Oct. 15: Pajama Day to "put bullying to rest"

• Wednesday, Oct. 16: Wear orange (the color of bullying prevention)

• Thursday, Oct. 17: "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" - Dress like a friend or two

Let's come together as a community to promote kindness and respect!

Upcoming Events

• Oct. 14, 5-6 PM: Club Showcase - Discover the exciting clubs we're offering this year!

• Oct. 14, 6-7 PM: Parent University STEM Night (Session 2) - Get your STEM Fair project questions answered.

• Oct. 16, 6 PM: PTO Meeting

• Oct. 18: School closed for students (Professional Development Day for staff)

PGCPS Climate and Culture Survey

Your opinion matters! Please participate in the PGCPS Climate and Culture Survey, open from Oct. 1-31. Your feedback is crucial in shaping a positive school environment. Take the survey here: bit.ly/24ClimateSurvey

Scholastic Book Fair

Monday, October 14th is the last day of our Scholastic Book Fair. Remember, it's cashless, so ensure your child has an e-wallet set up. Don't miss this chance to foster your child's love for reading!

READ-A-THON Fundraiser Update

Our READ-A-THON is going strong! We've raised $12,567 so far, with just $7,433 to go to reach our $20,000 goal. The top classes currently are:

1. Kindergarten (Windsor) - $2,845

2. 3rd Grade (Madison) - $1,535

3. 4th Grade (Crusoe) - $1,335

Keep reading and donating! We're so close to getting our book vending machines and audio equipment for assemblies and performances. The fundraiser ends on October 21, 2024.

Principal's Monthly Updates

To keep you informed about our school's activities and events, I'm excited to announce that I will be providing monthly video updates. If you haven't had a chance to view the latest Principal's Monthly Update, please click on the following link:

Principal's Monthly Update

These updates will be posted on our website and all our social media outlets monthly. By doing these live updates, my goal is to keep you well-informed about our upcoming events and activities so you can plan your calendar accordingly. Be sure to check them out regularly!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Together, we're creating an environment where our students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. As always, remember that the STEM Journey Begins Here at CMIT South Elementary! We're looking forward to a year filled with exciting learning opportunities, personal growth, and impressive achievements for all our scholars. Your support and partnership in this journey are invaluable. 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, October 14, 2024!

Classroom Guidance Lesson

This week, I visited the Kindergarten classrooms to teach a lesson on bullying. The goal was to help students identify bullying behavior, understand how to respond, and become aware of the consequences. We watched and discussed the read-aloud story "Bully" and then created unity links as a symbol of standing up against bullying.

Week at a Glance

Thank you for having your students participate in World Mental Health Day on Thursday October 10th 2024 by wearing green. We informed the students that on this special day, we remember that it’s okay to feel all kinds of emotions—whether we’re happy, sad, excited, or even a little worried sometimes. And If you ever feel like talking about your feelings, remember that your teachers, family, and friends are here to help. The students participated in a school-wide mediation and completed a worksheet that focused on their emotions.

What's next?

Grade Level Blurb:

This week students had a great time at the Book Fair. We would also like to remind families to please update your scholar’s emergency contact and pick up list, if you have not already done so.

Please continue practicing logging into Clever with your students. Friendly reminder that CLEVER can be found on the PGCPS website. Within CLEVER, you can search for both Lexia and iXL to access the sites.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!!! Please visit Volunteer with PGCPS in order to register. Please follow all of the required steps and contact your scholar’s teacher with any questions. Inform the teacher when you are approved and ready to support. Thank you for your assistance!

IMPORTANT KINDERGARTEN DATES-

OCTOBER 14- CLUB SHOWCASE AND PARENT UNIVERSITY FOR STEM FAIR

OCTOBER 14-17 ANTI-BULLYING SPIRIT WEEK

OCTOBER 18- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

OCTOBER 25- PUMPKIN PROJECT DUE, Please send pictures to your scholar’s teacher through class dojo messages.

OCTOBER 28- PARENT UNIVERSITY : DATA NIGHT 6:30-7:30PM

Reading Updates:

UNIT 1 WEEK 5- Going Places

Essential Question- How can we describe special places?

• Phonological awareness: Phonological Awareness: Middle Sounds; Initial Sounds

Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime

• Phonics: Consonants Bb and Rr

• High-Frequency Words: for, me, with

• Spelling words found in weekly readings: markers, brushes, tools, pencils

• Unit Vocabulary: map, move, land, special

Learning Goals:

• Learn words that can tell about art stores

• Make connections between author’s purpose and society

• Orally respond to informational text

Math Updates:

TOPIC 3- Numbers 6 to 10

Essential Understanding: Counting tells how many are in a set, or group, no matter which order the objects are counted. The numbers said when counting a group is the total. Counting is cumulative.

• There is more than you way to show a number

• Counting tells how many are in a set or a group, no matter which order the objects are counted

• The last number said when counting a group is the total number

• Use objects, drawings, and numbers to represent numbers in different ways

• Vocabulary: six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Science Updates:

TOPIC 2 LESSON 1- Senses

Essential Question: How can you classify different objects?

• Name the five senses

• What can our senses tell us about structure and function

• We observe using the senses

Vocabulary: senses, structure, function

Social Studies Updates:

CHAPTER 2 LESSON 1- Our Country and State

Essential Question- What does it mean to be American?

• I will know about America

• There are 50 states in our nation

• Discuss the people who live in our country

Vocabulary: nation

Health Updates:

OCTOBER TOPIC: The Five Senses

Lesson 3: Let’s use our senses

• Our senses help us learn

• How do senses help before and during a meal

• Practice using our sense

Vocabulary: senses, see, touch, feel, smell, taste, body

Grade Level Blurb:

Greetings Tiger Families, Thank you for another amazing week. It was a great being able to see and meet you all on Monday. STEM Fair Topics should have been turned in. Please check with your scholars’ teacher to determine whether or not their topics were approved.

Reading:

Students will continue to learn the features of a poem. These features include stanzas, rhythm and imagery.

Math:

Students are learning about numbers separated into equals groups.

Science:

Scholars are finishing up this topic and preparing to showcase their knowledge on the topic assessment.

Social Studies:

Scholars will be learning about family history as they wrap up this topic.

Health:

Students will learn about the brain and how it works. Topics that will be covered include but are not limited to your 5 senses, brain waves and memory.

Grade Level Blurb:

Greetings Tiger Family,

We are now in the second half of the first quarter! We have concluded all of our diagnostic testing for the beginning of the year and this data was given to scholars to take home. Please make sure your scholar has given you a copy of their diagnostic data. This diagnostic data will be used to inform instruction. Invites for Power Hour, Pull Out Groups, and Saturday Academy are forthcoming. Invitations will be based upon performance on Math & Reading MAP scores. Other inventions will continue to occur within the instructional class.

This month we have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Students will also learn about people of Hispanic origin that made a difference in the lives of others here in America and around the world.

Countries:

Crusoe- Cuba

Felton- Costa Rica

Holloway- Uruguay

Ramsey- Panama

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Although Monday October 7, 2024 was an official day given for conferences teachers are available to conference with families as needed. Please reach out to the homeroom teacher about scheduling a parent teacher conference.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Anti Bullying Spirit Week Monday October 14- 17, 2025

• Friday October 18, 2024- No School for Students: Professional Development

• Monday October 14, 2024- Club Showcase In Person 5-6 PM

• Monday October 14, 2024- STEM Fair Parent University In Person/ Virtual 6-7 PM

• Monday October 14- October 25, 2024 Candy Wars

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.

Important Information:

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.

Fourth Grade Reminders:

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 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.

If your scholar is absent, please share a note with the homeroom teacher 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.

Reading Updates:

Students have been given a copy of both Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 of their reading textbooks to be kept at home. They also received a pack of trade books that are to remain at home as well. Students should revisit the text of the week and can Please check your scholars backpack to ensure that they are not carrying these books back and forth to school.

This Week: Students continue to read our story of the week “Twin in Space.” In this magazine article students read about a NASA experiment that was conducted by twin astronaut brothers Mark and Scott Kelly. In this text students explored the text structure of compare and contrast. The text structure is how an author organizes information. Students were able to determine the main idea and support it with details from the text.

Next Week: Students will continue to closely read the Magazine Article Twins in Space. Students will continue to explore the text structure and be able to write their own compare and contrast response using signal words. Students will also write an opinion piece about whether or not spaceflight is stressful using details acquired from the text. Students will also take their spelling quiz and story quiz this week.

Math Updates:

This week we spent time focusing on some Topic 1 assessment remediation. We are beginning Topic 2: Fluently Add and Subtract Multi-Digit Whole Numbers. Our Essential Question for this unit, “ How can sums and differences of whole numbers be estimated? What are standard procedures for adding and subtracting whole numbers?”. The focus standards for this topic are, 4.NBT.B.4 Use Place Value Understanding And Properties Of Operations To Perform Multi-Digit Arithmetic. 4.OA.A.3 Use The Four Operations With Whole Numbers To Solve Problems.

Please check Synergy ParentVue and Canvas with your scholar to ensure completion of assignments.

Science Updates:

This week we will spend some time focusing on the STEM process in preparation for the STEM Fair. Scholars have been working on mini science labs, gaining practice using the scientific method. All scholars have received the 2024-2025 STEM FAIR Packet.

Please check Synergy ParentVue and Canvas with your scholar to ensure completion of assignments

Social Studies Updates:

This week: Students explored various regions of the United States, focusing on their unique characteristics and available resources. They will examine how geography influences the economy, culture, and environment of each region. Through interactive activities, discussions, and research, students will identify key resources—such as natural, human, and capital resources—and analyze their significance in regional development. By the end of the lesson, students will have a deeper understanding of how resources shape communities and contribute to global interdependence.

Next week: Students will explore the concept of adaptation and how individuals and communities modify their environments to meet their needs. Through engaging activities and discussions, they will examine various examples from history and modern society, such as agriculture, urban development, and technology. Students will learn about the interplay between human actions and environmental changes, fostering an understanding of sustainability and the importance of responsible resource management. By the end of the lesson, students will appreciate how adaptability shapes cultures and influences the way people live and thrive in diverse environments.

Health Updates:

In health we are learning about our Incredible Ears! How does the ear work? How do our ears and brain make connections to each other?

Grade Level Blurb:

This week in 5th grade has been filled with exciting learning experiences! Here’s a look at what our students have been working on:

Reading Updates:

In reading, students have been focused on words ending in "-able" and "-ible." They’ve also been practicing how to read like writers, participating in reading workshops to sharpen their comprehension and writing skills.

Math Updates:

Students have been mastering the skill of multiplying larger numbers by powers of 10. They’ve done a fantastic job so far! Next week, we look forward to exploring different multiplication strategies to expand their problem-solving abilities.

Science Updates:

In science, we’ve been diving into the differences between physical and chemical changes in matter. Some of our classes even made "Oobleck" using cornstarch and water, a fun and messy way to explore these concepts! Don’t worry—soon all students will have a chance to join in on this exciting experiment.

Social Studies Updates:

We’ve just begun our journey into the early history of North America, learning about how the first colonies were established. The students are curious and eager to learn more about the lives of the early settlers.

Music:

What we’re working on:

• Kindergarten - Loud and Quiet

• 1st Grade - Improvisation with quarter and eighth notes, voice types

• 2nd Grade - Solfege; Mi, So, La. Creating Rythms w/eighth, quarter & rest

• 3rd Grade - Review Compound Meter & Pentatonic Scale

• 4th Grade - Review Solfege & Pentatonic Scale

• 5th Grade - Review Pentatonic Scale, The Grand Staff

Announcements:

Again, congratulations to those who made PGCPS Honor Chorus. Please be sure to attend the rehearsals as scheduled. Please let me know if you have a conflict and will not be able to remain in chorus.

PE:

This week in PE, we continued our unit on pacing--focusing on helping students find the right jogging and walking speed for themselves. They practiced pacing in various virtual settings and learned about two self-tests they can use to check if they are maintaining appropriate pace.

This weekend, I encourage you to ask your student to demonstrate these self-tests at home. It is a great way to reinforce what they've learned!

Thank you for your support!

2024-2025 School Calendar

School Meals

School Violence Resources and Support

PGCPS TV

CMIT South ES Enrichment Program

Vendor Managed Child Care

Parent Handbook

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Synergy ParentVUE Support for Parents and Guardians