October 1

CMITN529 / October 1, 2024

We were honored to welcome District Superintendent Dr. Millard House II to CMIT North! During his visit, Dr. House engaged with our students and personally thanked our dedicated teachers and staff for their hard work. He highlighted the outstanding efforts of our school community and praised our ever-ready staff for their commitment to excellence. His visit truly celebrated the remarkable achievements and teamwork that drive CMIT North forward!

Gonul Ozturk, M.Ed

Principal

Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday, October 7th from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will be holding all conferences through video call. We will be using a platform built for parent-teacher conferences.

Attached is a guide on how to book appointments.

Key things to know:

• Please use the following website to schedule with your student's teachers. Website: cmitnorthhs.meettheteacher.com

• Appointments are on a first come first serve basis. If the teacher is fully booked or there is an issue, please reach out to the teacher directly via email.

• You have until Sunday, October 6th, at 5 pm to make or adjust your appointments.

• You can use this platform on a computer or smartphone or tablet.

• When you log in, make sure to type your student's name exactly as it is in Synergy. (For example, if your student's last name is Smith-Jones in Synergy, Smith - Jones will not work. Make sure that the spacing and hyphen are exactly the same as Synergy.) This needs to be done correctly because the platform will link your email to your student's classes and teachers.

• If you have multiple students at CMIT North HS, please log in using one student's name and then you can add the other student's teachers on the Choose Teachers section.

• If multiple parents want to be at the same conference with a teacher, it is possible! One parent will schedule the appointment and then that parent will have the ability to grant access to an additional parent. This is further explained in the "how to attend appointments over video call" link.

• All appointments are 10 minutes per teacher per student. When you join the call, you will notice a timer at the top. Once the time is up, the video will close out. Because of this, it is extremely important that you are on time to your appointments. If after the 10 minutes, you would like to speak further with that teacher, you will need to reach out via email to set up a separate time to talk.

• Each time you go to the website, you will need to enter in your name, email, student's name, and student's date of birth.

How to attend appointments over video call:https://support.meettheteacher.com/article/803-video-parents-how-to-attend-appointments-over-video-call

If you are having issues with video appointments: https://support.meettheteacher.com/article/811-video-troubleshooting-camera-and-microphone-access

Mrs. Casandra Andrew

Academic Dean

Explore the vibrant activities at CMIT North High School. From engaging extracurriculars to impactful projects and collaborative events, discover how students, staff, and the broader community come together to enrich our school atmosphere.

We kindly encourage parents to assist your students in selecting clubs this year. A new registration form was sent to all families on September 30, 2024. We appreciate your understanding as we work to improve the process, as the previous registration created some challenges with parents signing up their students resulting in multiple registrations in a single day

Registration is open only until October 10 This deadline allows time to print ID cards that will show the clubs students have signed up for using their CMIT email account. IDs will be color-coded: students in clubs from Monday to Saturday will wear a Gold ID.

Parent support is essential in helping students make informed choices and enhance their extracurricular experience!

Guideline and Procedure for 2024-2025 Afterschool programs

As CMIT prepares to submit its Green Ribbon Application Awards in December, the school is diligently working to satisfy all pillars of the application. Ms. de Guzman is actively involved in the recycling and composting initiatives, while Ms. Tarver leads the school-wide literacy programs and Mr. Hall focuses on innovative practices. Dr. Clarke is fostering partnerships with the community and various entities to ensure that all pillars are effectively addressed. Together, this dedicated team is committed to achieving recognition for our efforts in promoting sustainability and creating a greener future for our community!

CMIT is proud to announce that Dr. Clarke, school’s Program Coordinator, Ms. de Guzman, our Science Teacher, and Ms. Ramocan, our Technology Teacher Middle School, are attending STEM enrichment programs at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) on weekends. This initiative strengthens the ongoing partnership between USNA STEM and CMIT, allowing these dedicated educators to gain advanced training and resources that will enhance STEM opportunities for students. Their participation ensures that CMIT students will benefit from innovative, cutting-edge STEM education as this partnership continues to grow and thrive.

Marleni Iglesias' journey of self-discovery has been shaped by CMIT’s dynamic STEM clubs, where she explored the technical challenges of robotics and engineering alongside the creative fields of journalism and agriculture. Through CMIT's supportive environment, she competed in prestigious robotics competitions and led impactful sustainability projects, which helped her realize her passions. While each experience contributed to her growth, the hands-on opportunities in CMIT’s STEM programs guided Marleni toward a path in journalism and agriculture, where she now blends creativity and sustainability to make a meaningful impact.

Like many, I am still determining the path I want to take. My interests have taken me from the technical challenges of engineering and robotics to the creative demands of journalism and into the evolving world of agriculture. While each experience has been invaluable, I’ve realized that my passion lies in journalism and agriculture.

At the start of my freshman year, I immersed myself in robotics and engineering through after-school activities, competing in FRC, VEX, and Seaperch. Our team placed in the top 4 at the Naval Academy, outperforming 92 teams from 32 schools across Maryland, and I was awarded an $800 scholarship to attend an AI Bootcamp.

One of my engineering projects involved building a Solar Clock outside the school and setting up an LED Bulletin Board to display important information. These successes earned me recognition from CLF, which awarded me the STEM Student of the Year. Now, my interests have evolved toward journalism and agriculture.

With this passion, I am currently leading the Green Generation Club, where we maintain aquaponics and hydroponics systems to grow vegetables and herbs. Our goal is to eventually expand this project into a full outdoor garden for the school, promoting sustainability and hands-on agricultural education. While many see agriculture as simply farming, I believe it holds the key to addressing larger issues such as public health, food security, and even solving diseases through organic methods. Finding better ways to feed communities without genetically modifying crops is a challenge that truly inspires me.

At the same time, I’ve pursued my passion for journalism by working with the school program coordinator, Dr. Clarke, to edit the school newsletter. I am also in the process of creating a school newspaper website for the Journalism 10th-period class, where I serve as editor-in-chief. This role allows me to combine my technical skills with storytelling, bringing attention to important topics.

Outside of these pursuits, I enjoy photography, which helps me capture moments at school events for the newsletter, and playing the piano, a creative outlet that helps balance my academic and extracurricular activities.

Each step has shaped my journey, opening doors to new skills and perspectives, and helping me achieve milestones I hadn’t initially set out to reach. Whether building machines, telling stories or nurturing the earth, I’ve learned that a life of diverse experiences can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.

Marleni Iglesias, Grade 11

STEM Ambassador

Biology:

We're going to the zoo!

The 10th grade Biology students have been approved to go on a field trip to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024. The cost of the field trip is $20. Students are encouraged to bring their permission slips and payment as soon as possible since spots are limited.

Remember:

Students with referrals are not permitted to attend field trips.

For more information about this trip, please contact Ms. Maradiaga at Imaradiaga@cmitacademy.org

Thanks! Ms. Maradiaga & Mr. Marshall

Irania Maradiaga, M.S. (She/Her)

Science Teacher

Good afternoon,

On Tuesday, September 24th, Mrs. Cunning's AP Government classes engaged in a Scholar Exchange hosted by the National Constitution Center. During this dynamic 45-minute session, students explored the Debates at the Constitutional Convention, guided by Eric Kraeutler and U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Gates. At the conclusion of the meeting, students expressed their appreciation for the experience, noting how it enhanced their critical thinking skills and deepened their understanding of the topic.

Mrs. Jessica Cunning

Social Studies Department Chair

In English, students are responding to reading selections, annotating, and learning varied forms of inquiry, preparing students for real world application of their R/ELA skills.

The Lanham Consortium Grant at Luminu Health will provide educational sessions to 20 students, parents, and staff at CMIT Academy North High School for three weeks beginning Monday October 14th until Friday November 1st. Carla Wilkes from the Lanham Consortium Grant will attend the PTSO virtual meeting October 10th at 6pm to introduce herself and the services the organization will provide. Ms. Wilkes will also introduce herself to the student Friday October 11th at all four of the student lunches. There will be a SignUp Genius link that will be shared with the school community, so students are encouraged to sign up for the sessions of their interest. The following topics will be discussed throughout the three weeks the Lanham Consortium Grant will be at CMIT NHS:

1. Anxiety and Depression (5 sessions)

2. LGBTQiA (5 sessions)

3. Marijuana and Vaping (5 sessions)

Please plan to attend the PTSO virtual meeting October 10th at 6:00 p.m. to hear more about this service available to our school community.

Mr. Conde

Professional School Counselor

The University of Austin (UATX) is now accepting applications for Fall 2025! All students in the Class of 2029 will receive a full-tuition Founders Scholarship, covering four years of tuition entirely.

UATX offers an innovative curriculum that blends the best of the liberal arts with a robust entrepreneurship program, preparing students for success both personally and professionally. Our unique approach embraces the dynamic tensions of human life, including tradition and innovation, freedom and necessity. If you know a high school student looking for a refreshingly different college experience, UATX may be the perfect fit!

For more details, visit UATX’s profile on CollegeXpress and hear directly from our founding class!

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Esra Inci, M.Ed.

Professional School Counselor

Parents, it is vital that you notify the health office if your child needs to **self-carry medication** in school, such as an inhaler for chronic asthma or similar conditions. A doctor’s note is mandatory to ensure that your child is authorized to carry and use their medication on campus. This is crucial for their safety and health while at school. Please ensure this process is completed promptly to ensure your child is properly cared for.

For any questions or further information, please email **nurse@cmitacademy.org**. Thank you for your cooperation!

Get ready for some Halloween fun! Our **Boo Bags**, inspired by candy grams, will be filled with spooky goodies like candy, stickers, glow sticks, vampire teeth,chocolates and more! We’re offering different bag options of Halloween-themed characters or motifs

This project is part of the Robotics Club’s efforts to fund their uniforms, which will be worn during competitions. All proceeds will directly support their activities and upcoming projects.

Order Details:

- Orders will be accepted electronically during the **first two weeks of October**.

- Boo Bags will be delivered during students' lunch periods on **October 15**.

Click to Order

Join us in raising essential funds while spreading festive cheer throughout our school community! We’re committed to making the sales process organized, safe, and compliant with school policies.

Thank you for your support! 🎉

Team Illusion of CMIT

Join us for **Boys Scout Night** on **October 24, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM**! Qualified scouts will share their experiences, offer guidance on earning **community service hours**, and discuss the role of **parental involvement** in scouting. **Parents are welcome to join**, and **light refreshments** will be provided. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how Scouts can benefit your child’s growth and development!

The final dates for senior portraits held at the school will be 11/20/2024 and 11/21/2024. If you are unable to schedule one of those days, you may contact Legacy and schedule an appointment at their studio.

Seniors can access the scheduling site either through the customized link provided or by visiting the Legacy Studios website and searching by school.

Both the school customized link and a link to the Legacy Studios website are provided here:

https://seniors.legacystudios.com/ https://seniors.legacystudios.com/cmit-academy-hs-laurel-md/

Below is the contact information for our customer care service in case you require any assistance.

• Call: 716-512-6336

• Email: customercare@legacystudios.com

• Chat: https://seniors.legacystudios.com

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are treating our students with music during their lunches to build appreciation and awareness of the diverse music from all over Latin America. As part of our effort to build appreciation and awareness, we have invited the Cultural Dance Center to present a visual and experiential event in which our students will be able to view dance and possibly take part in the presentation. The Cultural Dance Center has provided information about the dance style the presentation will focus on during our assembly scheduled for Friday October 4 at 10th and 11th periods.

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As you know, Collaboration is one of our school's top priorities. Not only are we committed to home-visits, but we also encourage our parents to be active members of our school community. We believe that parents are our partners and we invite all parents and guardians to become volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to engage in your child's education.

There are many reasons for parents to volunteer. It’s a great way to show your child that you take an interest in their education, and sends a positive message that you consider school a worthwhile cause.

Click LINK to learn more about becoming a volunteer!

All volunteers are required to complete the online volunteer application annually. If you previously completed a fingerprint background check/CPS clearance and were approved to serve as a volunteer, be sure to indicate that you are a “Returning Volunteer” on this application. Once approved, your eligibility as an approved volunteer will expire on the last day of school for each academic year.

Thanks so much!

Dr. Gaskins, Assistant Principal

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Students, please remember to submit your Student Service-Learning hours (community service hours) to Dr. Gaudette in the College Counselor's Office, Room 203. Be sure to complete all forms using blue or black ink.

You can download the form here Student Service-Learning Verification Form

Submission Deadlines

October 15, 2024: For independent hours obtained between July 1 & August 30, 2024

January 31, 2025: For independent hours obtained between September 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025

July 15, 2025: For any independent hours obtained between February 1, 2025 & June 30, 2025

Be sure to meet the deadlines for your service hours to be counted!

Thank you to those who have already completed the Student's Rights and Responsibilities and Publicity Release Form SY24-25 . If you haven’t yet submitted the form, please do so as soon as possible. This is required by PGCPS and is essential for us to celebrate and showcase your child’s achievements.

Your prompt attention helps us continue highlighting the great work of our students. Thank you for your cooperation!

Ensuring all students have access to nutritious meals is crucial for their success and helps us maintain a supportive learning environment. With recent budget cuts, your application for Free and Reduced Price Meals not only benefits your child but also supports the school in managing its resources effectively.

For more details and to apply, click here: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/food-and-nutrition/free-and-reduced-meals

FARMS QR Code

Thank you for helping us provide essential resources for every student to thrive!

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville, MD, will host its annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. High school seniors, students, and parents are invited to connect with HBCU representatives from across the country to learn about programs, courses, and scholarships.

This event is open to the broader community. For more details, check out the attached flyer. Don’t miss the chance to explore HBCU opportunities!

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