September 9

CMITN526 / September 9, 2024

As we dive into the third week of school, we’re excited to share highlights from our second week. Our robotics team is back in action, the Debate Team is preparing for upcoming competitions, and college application support sessions are in full swing every Thursday.

We’re also reflecting on our summer achievements, from impactful Summer Home Visits to our thriving IT and Language certification programs,.

A special shout-out goes to our exceptional STEM students—Joseph Tinio, Joselyn Iglesias, and Tovel Young II—and congratulations to our Posse Foundation Scholarship Semi-Finalists.

The Saturday Academy on September 7 was a standout event with 90 registrants from various PG County schools, 60% of whom are from CMIT North. The academy featured applicants for STEM Ambassadors and an introduction to the FIRE team. Here’s a look at these exciting updates!

Please also read very important announcements and PTSO updates:

When Saturday in CMIT looks like a School Day

After a brief one-week pause from the STEM Institute, Team Illusion has resumed meetings and is busy putting together plans. The team is actively engaging with its three robotics clubs—VEX, FRC, and SeaPerch—and is also collaborating with Science Olympiads and contributing to the technology aspects of the Green Ribbon Awards. Their renewed efforts highlight their commitment to innovation and excellence in multiple areas.

Our incredible Debate Team, coached by Ms. Jennifer Matson, English Teacher kicked off their practice sessions last Thursday, September 5, in Room 211 from 3:00-5:00 PM. With competitions set for the end of the month, the team is already demonstrating exceptional preparedness and energy. A huge shout-out to Ms. Matson for her outstanding leadership. The team’s progress in this scrimmage is a testament to their dedication and skill. We’re excited to see their continued success this season!

Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00 PM, CMIT North students enjoy exclusive afterschool support sessions with Dr. Gaudette, our college counselor, in the Media Center. These sessions focus on various components of the college application process. Students must have a gold CMIT North HS wristband to participate. They meet in the Cafeteria at 3:00 PM, where they are escorted to the Media Center. For the safety and organization of our afterschool programs, participation is strictly limited to those with a gold wristband.

CMIT is committed to enhancing the student experience through Summer Home Visits for rising Grade 9 students. As part of the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation's initiative to foster personalized support and community engagement, these visits help ensure a smooth transition to high school.

A special thanks to Mr. Ak, CEO of Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation, for his support in making this project possible, and to our hardworking Principal, who has been actively involved in visiting families. This effort reflects our dedication to building strong home-school connections and supporting every student's success.

• HS STEM Teams

Being part of a STEM team means committing to regular attendance, active participation, and teamwork. Manage your time effectively and contribute to projects to ensure success. This past Saturday, our STEM Ambassadors held a productive conference and planning session, highlighting their dedication.

Ready to embrace the challenge? Join a STEM team for growth opportunities, top university chances, and scholarships!

Cybersecurity, Salesforce, Graphic Design, and Language Classes at CMIT!

Cybersecurity: Join Mr. Tekin’s afterschool program on Thursdays and Fridays to prepare for the CompTIA Security exam and develop essential cybersecurity skills. Program Starts on October 3, 2024

Graphic Design: Gain practical knowledge and experience and earn a CMIT Certificate of Attendance and Participation. Program Starts on September 30, 2024

Salesforce Administration: Boost your career prospects by preparing for the Salesforce certification exam.Program Starts on October 5, 2024

Our Saturday Academy also offers language classes in French, Turkish, Filipino, and Arabic, with certification exam opportunities through Language Testing International, Don’t miss out—sign up now to enhance your skills and future prospects! Program Starts on October 5, 2024. Sign up for these enriching opportunities to advance your skills and boost your future!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca6CfMkPruKYKRA63qB7blzwHWZLPWuk2Ihd0r2cLgvuKH7w/viewform?usp=pp_url

At CMIT, we are proud to highlight the exceptional achievements of our students. Their dedication and talent across various academic and extracurricular pursuits are truly inspiring. From groundbreaking projects to leadership roles, our students are making a significant impact. Join us in celebrating their hard work and success as we acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our CMIT community.

We’re excited to highlight Joseph Tinio’s remarkable summer journey. Known for his STEM prowess, Joseph earned the Master Builder of the Year award in Grade 9 from Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation and one of the five awardees of BioGeographical Student award from University of Maryland in Grade 10.

This summer, he took his skills to new heights at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's "Mission Design Lifecycle Experience." Following his First Place Award from AIAA at the STEM Fair, Joseph received a $25 prize from NASA and delved into NASA's internship opportunities. His experience included engaging with professionals and visiting the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, fueling his passion for aerospace.

Joseph’s dedication and achievements underscore his exceptional talent and commitment to the STEM field.

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This past summer was nothing short of extraordinary for me. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the "Mission Design Lifecycle Experience" at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. My journey began back in March when I participated in the STEM Fair at Roosevelt, where I was honored to receive the First Place Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) at their National Capital Section's 2024 Science Fair Judging. This recognition not only came with memorable gifts from AIAA and other sponsors but also included a student membership in AIAA until my graduation.

Winning this award also earned me a $25 check from NASA, which was a delightful surprise. The two-day experience at Goddard was packed with invaluable insights. I learned about the internship opportunities available at NASA for next summer and had the chance to engage with various employees who shared their experiences about working at such a prestigious institution. One of the highlights was visiting the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a groundbreaking project set to launch in May 2027. This experience has further fueled my passion for aerospace and has inspired me to pursue a future in this exciting field.

Joseph Tinio. Grade 11

MIT, PC North, STEM Ambassador

This summer of SY2024, the Exelon Foundation's STEM Academy, held at the University of Maryland, College Park, brought together sixty Grade 11 students from various schools for a week of climate-focused challenges, STEM leader talks, and mentoring.

Josselyn Iglesias, who aspires to pursue biology or bioengineering for undergrad and medical school, was selected from a competitive pool at Chesapeake Math & IT North HS. Math Teacher Ms. Keskin and STEM Program Coordinator Dr. Clarke carefully reviewed academic and personal achievements to choose the top five Grade 11 students. Josselyn was honored to represent CMIT with the support of Principal Ms. Ozturk. As an advocate for Latinos completing high school and pursuing higher education, Josselyn gained valuable experience through the Academy’s hands-on learning, real-world projects, and collaboration with peers and professionals, enhancing her skills in STEM.

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Hi, my name’s Josselyn Iglesias and this summer I had the privilege of attending the week-long Exelon Foundation STEM Academy. At the STEM Academy, our goal and final project was to identify and solve a climate change issue that negatively affects power distribution in neighborhoods. Through this process I learned of the importance of efficient energy distribution systems and I was exposed to a whole new side of STEM. This new side involved problem solving, teamwork and innovation. Throughout the week, I was introduced to women in engineering and in other fields of STEM, who helped guide the girls in the academy through our program's final project. I also had the opportunity to speak to many Exelon employees including the CEO Calvin G. Butler Jr. and COO Tamla Olivier who offered words of wisdom. There was a lot to learn at the STEM Academy and it was truly an enriching experience.

Best Regards,

Josselyn Iglesias, Grade 12

We are thrilled to highlight Tovel Young II, a remarkable CMIT STEM student with an affiliation to the National Society for Black Engineers Innovation Team (NSBIT). Tovel's talent and contributions to our Team Illusion and Hack Club exemplify the innovative spirit fostered by our STEM programs.

Tovel recently participated in the prestigious National Space Club and Foundation Scholars Program, a summer internship sponsored by NASA. This program, offering a stipend of $2,400, provides valuable hands-on experience in aerospace fields. Tovel’s achievements underscore CMITs dedication to nurturing STEM students and leveraging impactful partnerships like NSBIT.

We look forward to Tovel’s continued success and the positive contributions he will bring to our community!

After previously doing an unpaid internship at Johns Hopkins APL in summer 2023, this year, I was offered an incredible opportunity to intern at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD courtesy of the National Space Club and Foundation. As a member of thenNational Society of Black Engineers, I was given this opportunity because of a man named Milton Davis. He’s the founder of the NSBE FIRE chapter and he was generous enough to put my name in for an internship with thousands of applicants. I then took the opportunity and officially started my internship in July.

To be brief, myself and a team of 11 other interns built two CubeSats and tried to wirelessly transfer between them. CubeSats are small, cube shaped satellites that have the same capabilities of satellites ten times its size. It has proven to handle projects like collecting space weather, measuring the Sun’s power, and measuring the electron density in the ionosphere. I worked on having the CubeSats communicate with each other and a ground station at Wallops Island via electromagnetic waves.

One of the biggest challenges with the experience was learning the concept of radio frequency communications work. I was given this task without having any background knowledge of rf communications, so I had to learn this myself. But I ended up having a basic understanding of the concept. One of the biggest highlights of the experience was a Luncheon that was for interns and their families. It was very nice to be appreciated for our hard work and see families of the other interns being very proud of their kids. Also, getting off topic a bit, one other highlight was having a cheesesteak that was shockingly incredible.

But, I took a lot away from this experience including career opportunities, the concept of RF communications, the importance of networking, and that getting paid feels great. But, this internship showed me how far hard work and a good attitude can take anyone. I hope that other people my age can see that one day.

With gratitude,

Tovel Young, II ("TJ"), Grade 12

For more than 30 years, Posse has identified and trained young people with extraordinary potential by placing Scholars in supportive, multicultural groups of 10 students at partner colleges. Through mentoring and a full-tuition leadership scholarship, Posse Scholars go on to achieve their dreams with the support of the Foundation's resources and support.

CMIT Academy North High School has six semi-finalists this year, who are all in the running for the full-tuition scholarship: Sperra Vittor, Maia Wilson, Liani Almonte, Momoore Oyewole, Omolara Awesanmi, and Aisha Mbaye. Congratulations to our outstanding seniors! We are wishing them luck on their second-round interviews!

Dr. Natalie Gaudette, NCC

Professional School Counselor (Caseload: College Counseling)

Last week, Seniors worked on finalizing their College Lists and setting up their SchooLinks accounts. They also learned more about the history and importance of HBCUs and were able to complete the Common Black College Application for free using a PGCPS fee waiver code for ALL students if they were interested in doing so. They should also have set up their College Application Checklist and shared it with Dr. Gaudette (College Counselor) and their parents/guardians.

This week, Seniors will be working on getting their CommonApp accounts set up. Though they will have some time this week to work on them in College Summit, students are expected to spend more time outside of class working on their CommonApp materials. Though they are not difficult to fill out, there are a lot of questions. Students will also spend the week formally requesting their Letter of Recommendation from Teachers and Counselors.

College Counseling Tip: Now that students have set up their CommonApp accounts and finalized their college lists, students should begin writing down all of the writing prompts for all of the colleges they are applying to.

Last week, Juniors began taking personality assessments in our new College and Career Readiness platform: SchooLinks. They took an assessment related to their Learning Style, which should have provided some useful information that they can apply to all of their classes!

Our Juniors also took some time in class to participate in Career Exploration within SchooLinks, identifying some careers they may be interested in pursuing in the future.

Next week, our Juniors will be spending time working on their Resumes.

College Counseling Tip: Make sure your SchooLinks Resume includes everything you've done in High School, especially if it will be relevant to a future opportunity. Your resume should be personalized prior to submitting it for each opportunity (i.e. college admissions, internships, etc.), choosing a subset of your SchooLinks resume items in lieu of including everything from your baseline resume.

We at CMIT Academy North High School value wellness for staff, students, parents, and all members of our school community. Ninth and 10th grade students who would like to be a more active part of the wellness focus at CMIT are invited to consider becoming a certified yoga instructor through our very own student yoga instructor training that will be offered at CMIT Academy North High School this school year.

If you are interested in receiving this valuable training, please fill out this Yoga Instructor Training Interest Form by Friday September 13, 2024. Only fill out the form if you are seriously interested in fully finishing the program and if you are willing to commit to the following:

1. Attend ALL the lessons in the training schedule

2. Remain at CMIT North High School for at least the next two years

3. Commit to lead yoga sessions for students at CMIT North High School for at least the next two years

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jconde@cmitacademy.org, and I will be glad to answer any additional questions you might have.

Jose Conde, M.Ed.

Professional School Counselor (Caseload: Grades 9 & 10)

EOP Coordinator

We are excited to offer students the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, a prestigious honor that recognizes proficiency in two or more languages. This achievement is not only a testament to students' dedication and skill, but it also enhances college applications. Colleges and universities value bilingualism, and listing the Seal of Biliteracy on applications can set students apart in the competitive admissions process.

Additionally, the Seal of Biliteracy can open doors to earning college credit. Through programs like Avant Assessment, students may qualify for college credits based on their language proficiency. For more information on how to obtain these credits, visit Avant Assessment's website.

Take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate your linguistic talents and gain a valuable credential for the future. For any questions or further information, please feel free to contact me at einci@cmitacademy.org

Here is the list of the languages;

Meet Ms. Blackwell, our new Special Education co-teacher who brings a fresh and vibrant energy to our team! A proud Bowie State alumna with a degree in Child and Adolescent Studies, Ms. Blackwell is passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for all students. Her background in child development equips her with a deep understanding of the unique needs and strengths of each child.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Blackwell is a big fan of arts and crafts. She loves incorporating creative activities into her lessons, helping students express themselves and develop new skills. Whether she's leading a fun craft project or organizing a classroom art show, her enthusiasm is infectious and makes learning feel like an adventure.

Ms. Blackwell is also known for her warm and friendly demeanor, always ready to share a laugh and make the school day enjoyable.

Ms.Brianna Blackwell

Special Education Teacher

Hello Parents and Students!

We're off to a great start! You may notice that some assignments in Canvas are marked 'missing' for your student. That is due to my changing some of the assignments to an all-class discussion without the use of a chromebook. This approach would give students an opportunity to verbally express their ideas and share opinions with each other instead of sharing with their chromebooks.

Physics students have begun to move into the first concepts of Newtonian physics. Students moved through the basics of the Physics Toolkit, SI units, conversions, and a few of the fine points of measured quantities (displacement, vectors, etc.). For added practice, each student received a workbook last week they can use to help themselves when outside of the classroom.

Thanks for all your efforts, students!

Suzanne Coholic

High School Science Teacher

During the second week of school, my students participated in an essential Lab Safety Tour. This in-depth session was designed to familiarize students with critical safety protocols and procedures they will need throughout the year. We covered important topics, including the correct use of safety gear like goggles, gloves, and fire extinguishers.

I walked students through emergency procedures, highlighting the locations and functions of eyewash stations and emergency exits. We also discussed the proper handling of chemicals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Safety is always our top priority in the lab. This tour not only ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves, but it also fosters a sense of responsibility and attentiveness in all our scientific endeavors. I am confident that, with this strong foundation, students are ready to safely dive into the hands-on learning that awaits them this year.

Ms. Michelle de Guzman

Environmental Science Teacher

The Social Studies Department will be monitoring a Padlet Discussion Board for the Presidential Debate on Tuesday, September 10 that begins at 9pm.

Students who are interested in watching are encouraged to post questions they have about topics that are being discussed, and must sign in with their CMIT Account. This is not a requirement for students, but a safe space for them to ask important political questions that are brought up throughout the debate.

Thanks,

Mrs. Jessica Cunning

Social Studies Department Chair

Hello CMIT family,

I would like to share some news about our art classes in the second week of school.

First, I utilized the classroom technology to teach my art classes for my 9th through 12th graders.

I used the touch screen white board to show them the class rules, visual references such as videos for drawing, and to actually draw things on the board with a touch pen to teach them lessons. It was such a useful tool to work with each class as a teacher and good for our students.

Secondly, we finished the first self portrait project and learned how to draw various types of shapes and forms including circle, rectangle, sphere, cylinder, and cube. They also learned and practiced how to draw a real person's face with hair and human body figures. This drawing practice will guide them to draw things and objects in real life as exactly as they see. We will start a new second project next week with a new art material, colored pencils. For the last project, they used pencil, black pens and sharpies for the black and white self portrait, and this time, they will use colored pencils to use colors creatively in their drawings by drawing 3D objects realistically.

Teachers and staff, thank you for helping me adjust to the school system.

Paige Kim

Art Teacher

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024

Time: 9 AM - 1 PM

Location: CMIT North High School

Experience the vibrant array of clubs and activities CMIT North High School has to offer! This exciting event is open to the entire community, showcasing the diverse opportunities for students to engage and excel.

🌟 Explore various club offerings

🍔 Enjoy delicious food from local vendors

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and enjoy a day full of exploration and fun! We look forward to seeing you there!

If you would like to be a food vendor during this event please use the link below for more information.

Club Expo September 21st

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and the Board of Education publicize school activities throughout the year. This may include interviews, photos, videos, or student work featured in media or on platforms like websites and social media.

To ensure proper documentation, all CMIT parents must submit the Publicity Report.

Please click the link below to complete it:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKOxcsCwAsm1-eZjbP9I0SUq-PLHlt5kJtP3I6KV_YPoBliA/viewform?usp=pp_url

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Dear CMIT Parents and Guardians,

We encourage you to apply for the Free and Reduce Meals (FARMS) (FARMs) program, which not only provides valuable meal benefits for your family but also helps increase our school’s budget! By qualifying for FARMs, CMIT can access additional funding to support academic programs, extracurricular activities, and resources for our students.

Applying is quick and confidential, and every application, whether approved or not, contributes to our school’s success. Please take a moment to apply today to support both your child and our CMIT community!

Free and Reduce Meals (FARMS) link

Thank you for your continued partnership!

National Honors Society School Supply Drive

For the next two weeks, the National Honor Society is hosting a School Supply Drive! Students are encouraged to drop off school supply donations in Dr. Gaudette's office throughout the week. Your contributions will directly support students in need and help them succeed this school year!

Yearbook

Due to a publishing delay, the 2024 yearbooks are running behind. We thank you for your patience. All underclassmen who have previously ordered will receive them at school when they arrive, and all former students and graduates will have options for pick-up/delivery. Further communication will be sent as information is received from the publisher. There will be extra copies available for purchase for those who did not pre-order.

Katie Houston, M.L.A.

English Department Chair

AP English | Yearbook Advisor

Academic Resource 10

Picture Day 9/20

Welcome back Tigers! Picture day will be September 20, 2024 during Academic Resource and College Summit 11 classes. Remember to wear your CMIT white oxford. These pictures are also used for student IDs.

Katie Houston, M.L.A.

English Department Chair

AP English | Yearbook Advisor

Academic Resource 10

Back to School Night

We are excited to announce that our Back to School Night will be held on **September 19th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM**. This event will be **in person**, and parents are invited to follow their child's schedule to meet teachers and learn more about their courses.

Teachers will present a short overview to highlight key information about their classes.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYYpfIHfhqRIy7bkcLceRo-gkbmdufBi06Mcj8t9_G5m3iig/viewform

Respectfully,

Jasmine Upshaw M.Ed

ELA Educator

CMIT North Academy

Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.

When your scholar is absent, a parent or guardian must fill out the following link: https://forms.gle/HiqRvfYDSmBYGTs57

A parent written or doctor’s note MUST be UPLOADED directly into the form. Parents or guardians who call or email to notify the school of an absence will still be asked to complete the form.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with uploading the note, please contact Mrs. Fermin at the front desk via phone contact 240-767-4080 or neammerman@cmitacademy.org immediately to ensure timely submission of all notes and to avoid absence being considered UNEXCUSED.

Absence from school, including absence for any portion of the day, shall be considered lawful only (excused) for the following reasons:

• Death in the immediate family (i.e., parent, guardian, brother, sister, grandparent) of extended family and close non-relative.

• Illness of the student. The principal requires a physician’s certificate from the parent/guardian after three school days.

• Court Summons

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Mental Health Day - 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. A note from a physician to excuse a student’s absence for mental health needs is not required.

• Family vacations and/or visiting relatives out of state/country are NOT lawful reasons for absence.

Attendance at non-CMIT educational activities MAY be excused upon pre-approval by the principal. Families should contact the front desk to obtain an excused absence request form. This form must be returned to the front office at least one week prior to the planned absence.

Make Up Work:

Late or make-up work will not be accepted unless the absence is an EXCUSED absence and a form has been completed within 3 DAYS upon your student’s return to instruction.

Once the note is submitted online, it is the STUDENT’s RESPONSIBILITY to request makeup work from their teacher(s). The front desk will NOT notify teachers regarding make up work.

Please take note that every day the School Communication System (SCS) calls all households to inform parents regarding your child’s tardiness and attendance issues. For questions or concerns related to your student absences or tardiness, please check SchoolMAX to see what attendance or tardiness has been entered by the teacher. If there is a question or concern about a specific class, please contact that specific teacher. For all other concerns, please email neammerman@cmitacademy.org

Tardiness Policy

Students will be officially tardy to school if they are not in their prospective classrooms at 8:05 am.

If your student arrives at school between 8:05 - 8:15 am, they will be accepted through the cafeteria doors. At that time they will be issued an E-Hall tardy pass to their first period class. The time and code of T will be reflected in SchoolMax.

Students who are tardy after 8:15 am should enter through the main doors to sign in and receive a tardy pass to class.

Sometimes there are highway closures, weather conditions and traffic delays that may cause many students to be tardy. At that time, it will be to the discretion of the school principal to excuse ALL tardiness within a reasonable time frame for that specific day.

Please keep in mind that it is of great importance to us that your student arrives safely to school and we are aware of these incidents that do occur from time to time.

As defined in PGCPS AP 5113, a student is chronically absent if the student has been enrolled in a school for at least 10 days and is absent 10% or more of the school days while enrolled at that school. A student is habitually truant if the student has been enrolled in a school for 91 or more days in a school year and is unlawfully absent from school for a number of days or portion of days equal to or in excess of 20% of the school days within any marking period, semester, or year. There may be legal consequences when a student is habitually truant.

Regards,

Mrs. Christine Fermin, M.S.

Principal Secretary / Registrar Assistant/Attendance Manager

Please complete the form to join the CMIT North PTSO for this school year. One membership per family PTSO SY24/25 Membership
PTSO Membership is $15 per school year, please use the following cash app $CMITNorthHSPTSO