Good Morning Parents/ Guardians, I will be hosting quarterly Parent Workshops during the 2018-2019 school year. These workshops are intended to provide parents with helpful skills and strategies that can be applied at home to help our young scholars at CMIT Elementary. I'm so excited about the first workshop that will take place on Thursday November 1st, 2018 from6-7:30 PM. This workshop will focus on how to better support the social/emotional needs of our scholars. I'm encouraging all parents to attend this workshop. This is one that you don't want to miss!

Attachment(s)

Ms. Morino (K-2 ILT)

We want to say congratulations to Mr. Tekin for being chosen to be the Staff of the Month and Mrs. Flanagan for being chosen to be Teacher of the Month for September. We are so lucky to have these two dynamic staff members in our building. Mr. Tekin is so dependable and hardworking. Anything we ask of him concerning our building needs, he is readily available with a plan of action, and he gets the job done efficiently and effectively. Mrs. Flanagan brings such a positive vibe to our staff and most importantly our students. She greets everyone with a smile. She goes the extra mile to make sure all of her students are learning as much as they can. Also, her teammates enjoys her collaborative spirit and her teamwork. Way to go Mr. Tekin and Mrs. Flanagan!

Administration

We want to celebrate our volunteer of the month, Mr. Josiah Koleosho. He directs our morning traffic and is always willing to help out where he can. We, the CMIT Staff, thank you for keeping our Tigers safe.

Administration

CMIT Elementary Teachers and Staff would like to extend our sincere THANKS to all of the parents who have donated so far. We feel so appreciated and yet humbled by your endless generosity. To those who would like to participate, there are still slots available for the remaining Friday's of the school year. Although there is a list of suggested items, anything you feel compelled to bless us with would be greatly appreciated. Below is the original message along with the SignUpGenious link: CMIT Elementary is requesting any assistance you can provide to help with a little pick-me up for the teachers/staff. By the week's end things have been hectic and our teachers/staff need a "Hurray you made it through another week!" At times, it can be difficult to run out to grab a bite to eat once the day gets started. If you are able, please use the sign-up below to donate a breakfast item(s) as a jump start to our weekend. The teachers/staff would be most appreciative. CMIT Elementary...Go Tigers! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48a5a72baaf58-cmit

Ecola Virgil

Our school is having a school-wide fundraiser. Students participated in an assembly and received packets on October 4th. Fundraiser items will be due on October 24th. Parents please collect all money and send in one money order with the total payment due. You may shop online at www.midatlanticfundraising.com and the school ID is CMITESN. Thank you!

CMIT PTO

Sign up as soon as possible. Club lottery will close next Monday, October 8th at 2:55 pm. Clubs will begin October 15th. You will be notified on October 12th, by club sponsor. Your scholar can only participate in one club. https://goo.gl/forms/oxitYap9AFnQkDbW2 Make sure you click on the link, attached to the form, to read a description of each club. If you have any questions or concerns please email me directly, mtolbert@cmitelementary.org.

Michelle Crosby-Tolbert, Club Coordinator

Stem Fair time is approaching. Students should start preparing their STEM fair projects. Please review the attached information packet. All students are required to complete a STEM fair project. Third through fifth grade must complete a traditional STEM fair project following the scientific method. Lower elementary may select a traditional project or a Model, STEM Occupation, or STEM Person (K-2 only). Project topics should be submitted to teachers by October 19th. Stay tuned for a STEM information session announcement. Please note our STEM fair project will be due December 14, 2018 (before Winter break this year). Our STEM fair and gallery walk will still be after winter break. We are excited to see all the amazing projects again this year. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_3XWF7Iliz-Th0v7lICe1UuhVYr5hFwckgYP_siriG8/edit?usp=sharing

CMIT STEM Committee

Greetings! Please don't forget to send snacks to school with your child on a daily basis. Snack time is each day at 1pm. Also, if you have not already done so please remember to send in an extra change of clothes. Don't forget MEN(TORS) Make A Difference Day is this upcoming Monday, October 8, 2018. We look forward to seeing some of you there!

Sincerely, The Kindergarten Team

Next Week in First Grade: RELA - We will be reading Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh. Reading skills: Making predictions, retelling key details, identifying character traits, Spelling: Short and long 'u' Grammar: Declarative sentences Math: We will finish up Chapter 7 by reviewing the topics covered and taking our Chapter 7 test. We will begin our next chapter with solving word problems with addition. Social Studies: Making Healthy Choices - How are decisions reached? How are problems solved? Science: Light and Energy - We will continue to look at light and how it's used. We will also start looking at sound and how it travels. Please remember that Homework is due on the Fridays and we will have our spelling tests on Fridays (or the last day of the week).

First Grade Team

Congratulations to all the second graders that reached their Dojo goal of 100 points. Points have been reset and students have another chance to reach their goal for next time. Next week in reading we will be covering main idea and details as well as important ideas. List A's spelling pattern will be inflected endings. In math we will be beginning Topic 2. During this topic we will be covering working with equal groups. Reminders: Students should be coming to school in full uniform every day. This includes all black shoes and tucked in shirts. Continue to check ClassDojo regularly. Have a wonderful weekend and we will see everyone next week.

- The Second Grade Team

The third grade teachers would like to invite third grade parents to an informational session on Tuesday, October 9, from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm. We realize that there has been some confusion with homework, classwork, and student expectations. We would like to take this hour to share our expectations and to answer any of your questions. We hope that you can join us on this day! ELA/SS The students will ask questions to demonstrate understanding of a text while using text features and search tools to locate information relevant to a given topic. Math/Science In math, the students will solve addition and subtraction word problems using two steps. In Science, the students will continue investigating temperature, climate, and weather. Important dates: Tuesday Oct. 9 6:00 pm-7:00 pm Parent Information Session Friday Oct. 12 Progress Reports released Friday Oct. 19 Community Project Due

Third Grade Team

Reading/Social Studies Updates- We are having a ton of fun in RELA and Social Studies! So far we have read the stories "Because of Winn Dixie," "Lewis and Clark and Me," and "On the Banks of Plum Creek." We are working hard to monitor our inner conversations while reading, and sharing what we are thinking as we read a text. We encourage parents to ask your students to explain to you how they monitor their inner conversation while reading. Start this discussion at home to help build even stronger readers! In Social Studies we are learning about Maryland's state government and how a bill become a law. We even created our own "Silly Bills!" Next week we will be reading "Letters Home From Yosemite." Math/ Science Updates- In math, we are exploring place value understanding and extending this understanding to rounding, estimating, and adding and subtracting multi-digits. We have finished Topic 1 and are starting Topic 2. Our focus is using math strategies and properties to help with mental math and fluency. For science, we are wrapping up our exploration of the nature of science. We will begin discussing the engineering design process. Please remember STEM Fair project research should be underway at home.

4th Grade Team

Next week marks the 6th week! We got this ! Students are well into the first quarter and lots of learning has already taken place!! Please be sure that your scholar has all materials that they need for each class. ELA/SS: This week students will be reading the story "Satchel Paige". We will be focusing on how people can overcome personal challenges in their lives. We will also be working on facts and opinions throughout the week. For phonics and language students will review and learn more about idioms. In Social Studies we will begin learning about the first Americans. This covers Native American lifestyles and early settlers. Science: 1.The multiple spheres and layers of earth. Hydrosphere Cryosphere Geosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Atmosphere More on the universe and placement of solar system. More on stars, and natural objects in the galaxy. Math: Continuation on multi digit multiplication and division. Review of all last 5 weeks contents. Reminders: -First Quarter Progress Reports coming soon - ELA book reports DUE October 10 (No late projects will be accepted) - Please check Schoolmax weekly to stay updated on your students progress If you have any questions please feel free to reach out via dojo

5th Grade Team

Hellooooo Tigers Den! DATA is NOT a four letter word, I PROMISE! At least, not with me... I use it for EVERYTHING! Come see me next week, and let me explain how :) Each year in October, I get to fully begin my proactive efforts, since my data collection is completed in September. I have completed my classroom needs assessments as well as my parent surveys. I have completed my teacher collaborations, and put all of that invaluable information together to create a "snap shot" of where we are this year, and where we would like to go. I would like to invite you to come and share in dialogue with me about the School Counseling program here at CMIT-North-ES. I was going to present at Back to School Night, but simply put: I have too much to say! This will be a casual "Chat with your School Counselor", as I share with you the results of our efforts last year, and our goals based on your feedback for this year! I have a rather large initiative that I am creating this year, all about Pro-Kindness (Anti-Bullying), that will heavily rely on partnership with parent team members, and so I will share a bit more about that too, with an invitation to those who are able to commit/want to be on the team to stay for further dialogue and planning. DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 10, @ 8:30am Wednesday, Oct 10 @9:30am Please let me know if you plan on attending! This helps me better plan space, and time (I may combine the sessions depending on number of RSVP) https://goo.gl/forms/HD5wAfZ83aEV0WJE3 Upcoming Dates TBD ASAP: "Coffee Collaborations with Your School Counselor”- Our Parent Workshops, hopefully bi-monthly this year! Book Club!- I have 3 selected books for our book club this year, and hopefully mother nature and I have resolved whatever it is she feels I did to offend her, so that she does not thwart our plans like she did last year… Stay Tuned!

Graciously, Your School Counselor [Mrs. Whitney Green]

Hello Tigers' Den! Here are some GREAT READS that I have come across this week, through the ridiculous number of publications I subscribe to, & because of some fabulous Parents who shared with me! (Thank You, Ms. Ottman!) There are so many ideas. So many opinions. So many feelings out there, circulating and requiring much navigation. It is easy to get flooded with all the "new conversations" and "new ideas and theories" about how to do what we do, and how we 'should' do it... When I share these articles, I do so, not with full committed conviction hanging in every word or thought expressed in them, rather: I share because in reading and reflecting, I then grow in my own thoughts and feelings and practices. In my wondering and my investigation, I develop my own efforts and in dialogue and perspective sharing (agreeing and disagreeing), I learn the world around me better. "How to Teach Boys to be Better Men"- Justin Minkel https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2018/10/01/how-to-teach-boys-to-be-better.html?cmp=eml-enl-eu-news2-rm&M=58627441&U=2840743&UUID=e99119a40b78a6a14920920d1efce80e "How to Respond when your Child is Disrespectful"- Nicole Schwartz https://imperfectfamilies.com/how-to-respond-when-your-child-is-disrespectful/ PLEASE continue to grow with me, and share with me any thoughts or opinions, ideas or feelings these articles bring up. I love to engage further :)

Graciously, Your School Counselor [Mrs. Whitney Green]

Focusing on who students are as individuals—instead of on learning differences or other descriptors—starts with empathy. As educators strive to be inclusive of all children, one way to begin is to actively use person-first language, a form of linguistic etiquette in which we describe a trait or diagnosis as something a person has rather than as who they are—e.g., “a person with diabetes,” not “a diabetic.” This is a way to honor and welcome students with different abilities. Indeed, how we discuss and describe our students profoundly impacts their sense of inclusion in the classroom. Continue reading here: https://www.edutopia.org/article/getting-started-person-first-language

Shannon McVeigh