CMIT follows PGCPS calendar. Parents are encouraged to register text or email alerts for school closings and emergencies by filling out the online form on PGCPS website: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/PGCPS/subscriber/new

Students and their families are asked not to schedule any vacations or trips to coincide with school days for the 2016-17 school year. Maryland state law requires that all students between the ages of 5-16 attend school regularly. Absences from and tardies to school is disruptive to the learning process. Studies have shown that students who attend school on a regular basis earn better grades and learn more than those who are frequently absent. Students will earn incentives for Perfect Attendance.

Please note that June 12, 2017 – June 15, 2017 are assigned as inclement weather make-up days and students may be required to attend school on those days, depending on the weather conditions throughout the Winter. Please do not any family vacations until after June 16, 2017.

Parents and students are asked to visit PGCPS website for 2016-17 calendar updates: http://www1.pgcps.org/calendar/

The state of Maryland recognizes the following as lawful (excused) absences from school:

-Death in the immediate family
-Illness of the student
-Quarantine
-Court summons
-Principal-approved activity
-Mental or physical incapacity
-Violent storms
-Observance of a religious holiday
-State of emergency

*Please note that if students are out for 3 or more days, a doctors note must be presented to the school. Please make sure that you have submitted all attendance notes at this time for documentation in your child's permanent records.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

WE GOT BOOKS!!!!! Kevin Craft, Admin. Director of Governor Hogan's Office of Community Initiatives, Commission on African American Affairs and Middle Eastern American Affairs donated over 100 books to our scholars. We could not be more excited.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

Black History Month Updates!

Thanks to all parents/guardians who supported us during Black History Month.
Whether you came to read a book, attended a Friday celebration, or you shared your knowledge about the history, I applaud you.
Your energy and enthusiasm to share and learn motivated all of us- Thanks so much.
Black History Competition Results:-

Elementary Winners: Essays

FIRST PLACE: 4th Grade, @CMIT-E Adrienne Wright - Essay on "Harriet Tubman"

SECOND PLACE: 5th Grade @CMIT-E Fatima D. Mosley - Essay "On Top of the World: Matthew Alexander Henson"

THIRD PLACE: 4th grade, @ CMIT-E Sarah Chukwu - Essay on "Thurgood Marshall"

Poster Winners

1st Place: 3rd Grade, Kenneth Hall
2nd Place: 1st Grade, Jessica Magsalin
3rd Place: 3rd Grade, Ify Akabude

A reception to introduce and celebrate with the winners will be hosted by CLF next week Tuesday, March 7th, at 6.30pm
Black History Team

Lesma Watson Watkis

Please be reminded that we are not to park in our neighbors lot during the drop off and pick up process.

They have informed us that they will be eliciting the support of PG county police department to enforce their parking policies.

Thank you in advance for all role modeling best practices for our scholars.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

CMIT Elementary scholars will take following assessments in near future.

March 6th - 10th: Math Inventory Winter test for 2nd - 5th grades
March 13th - 31st: MISA (New Science Assessment for 5th graders)

*** 1st grade TAG Fall assessment report will be sent out on Friday, March 3rd with students. Please check your child's backpack for the reports.

Adam A. Akpinar
Program Coordinator

Our mobile rewards store is now open. This rewards system offers students a chance to cash in roar bucks earned for good behavior. A special shout out to third grade who cashed in the most roar bucks. Parents please send in donations of small toys for this cart. We need stickers, bouncy balls, pencils, pencil grips, etc. Thank you for you support. All items purchased for the cart thus far were earned from scholastic points from the last book fair and Wegmans Lanham. Your children were very excited to shop. The roar cart will be opened every other Friday. The Roar cart will visit the school on March 17th! Please see our donation link below!

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/hear-us-roar/2460892/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=project_submitted&rf=email-system-2017-02-project_submitted-teacher_2870376&utm_swu=2457&challengeid=20573570

Benora McCain

We have been nominated for a school grant. We are trying to build an outdoor classroom. Please vote once each day starting March 6th-17th. Share with your family and friends!
http://wtop.com/contests/2017-click-for-kids-voting/

Benora McCain

Third quarter progress reports will be released Tuesday, March 7th. However, we are now roughly three weeks away from the end of the third quarter. For the most updated grade information for your student, please be sure to check SchoolMax. Reach out to your student's teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

Our Spring Fundraiser with Mid-Atlantic Fundraiser kicked off Feb. 28, 2017 during lunch times. Students may sell gifts, kitchen items, flowers, seeds, popcorn and more! Students will have two weeks to sale their items. All orders are due March 14, 2017. Orders will be back before Spring break. Our top sellers from our last fundraiser will go on their limo ride to Chuck E. Cheese April 7th! Thank you for your support!

Benora McCain

Check the lunch menu to ensure that we eating a balanced meal.

Attachment(s)

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

We are EXTREMELY excited.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

We had a great time celebrating and honoring Dr. Seuss this week for Read Across America Day! Kindergarten created their own wacky poems, created Cat in the Hat Hats, and even had a guest reader Mr. Rashad read "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Lorax."

If you're interested in doing more activities, you can download this free Dr. Seuss Activity book: https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/seuss-activity-book/

This week in Kindergarten...
English Language Arts
We will read the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." It is the iconic story of the little girl who rummaged through a bears house! We will be working on character and review parts of a sentence. We will also be learning all of the /g/ sounds.

Mathematics
We are closing out composing and decomposing numbers! Students will be expanding on their basic addition and subtraction to now create sums and writing number sentences to match these sums. We will then be transitioning to measurement!

Science
Over the next few weeks, students will be learning about various life cycles. This week, we will be learning about the Lady Bug Life Cycle.

High Frequency Words
Here are our sight words we have learned so far. Remember to practice reading and writing these words regularly! (When reading at home, if you see these words, have your child point it out!) All of the words we will learn this year are available on our grade level website under "Sight Words."

I, am, little, to, a, have, is, the, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, they, you, of, are, that, do, one, two, three, four, five

REMINDERS
- Homework is due on FRIDAY each week. Remember to look for their new homework packet on Fridays. Homework that is not submitted by the due date will be given a ZERO.
- Please read regularly! Remember that just 20 minutes a day can boost your child's reading levels!
- As the weather gets colder, remember that we still go outside for recess when the weather is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately!
- If you would like to chaperone any future field trips, you must have a fingerprint background check. This can be obtained from the Fingerprint office at the county building 14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD Monday-Friday from 8:00am-3:45pm. For more information or to contact the fingerprinting office, please look at the fingerprint office website: http://www1.pgcps.org/fingerprinting/
- Please remember to send an extra pair of uniform clothes to keep in your child's cubbie at school in the event of accidents or spills.
- Uniform is enforced daily, including uninterrupted black shoes. Please go to http://cmitelementary.org/uniform-policy/ for more information.

The Kindergarten Team
www.kindergarten.cmitelementary.org

Hooway For Wodney Wat
Reading skills – Visualize, Retell, connection, character traits and opinion
Spelling – igh and ie as in high and pie
Sight words – Tell, follow, came, show, also
Grammar Skills – Verb Tense

Math
First grade will be working on chapter 14 this week. Chapter 14 is working 3D shapes. Students must be able to define each shape.

Social Studies
We are working on Chapter 3, Land and Water. How humans effect the environment. Describe different land and water features.

Science
First grade will be starting to work on life science.

Donations
We are in need of play dough or modeling clay. If you are able to donate any play dough or modeling please bring it to school this week. Thank you

CMIT LEGO Night
Students will build a cool car out of 50 legos and bring it in on March 15, 2017.

Favorite Author Project Due March 17, 2017

If your child draws a 4-leaf clover and brings it to their teacher by Tuesday, March 7, 2017 they will get 5 ROAR Bucks.

1st Grade Team

Hello Parents,
This month is Women's History Month. Here are a few incredible women you can continue the conversations about with your child.
Jeannette Rankin (R-Montana), the first woman to become a member of the U.S. Congress.
Sandra Day O'Connor, becomes the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mo'Ne Davis becomes the first girl in Little League World Series history to pitch a winning game.
Hillary Clinton becomes the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM?
This week in Science students will develop models to describe organisms that have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Students will begin a new project next week that involves their life cycle and the timeline of technology. (more information to follow)

In math students are continuing to understand fractions. This week the focus is to compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >,=,< and justify the conclusions by using a visual fraction model. Students will be assessed this week.

Reading/Writing students will continue the novel study with the novel, Lowji Discovers America. Students will describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Social Studies the students will collect and examine information about people, places, or events of the past using pictures, photographs, maps, audio or visual tapes, and or documents. They will also compare family life in the local community by considering jobs, communication, and transportation.

Check out the interaction of our fantastic music teacher with our students during small group reading. See above

Third Grade Team

This month is Women's History Month, let's us take a moment and celebrate a few of them. Share them with your children as they discover the rich history of women in America.
Michelle Obama, the first African American first lady of the United States.
Christiana Amanpour, an award winning journalist.
Elizabeth Blackwell the first woman to attend medical school.
Misty Copeland, first African American to be promoted to top dancer for the American Ballet Theatre.
Sandra Day O'Conner, the woman to sit on the Supreme Court.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM?
This week in Science students will continue to focus on models to describe organisms that have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

In math students are continuing to understand fractions. This week the focus is to compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >,=,< and justify the conclusions by using a visual fraction model.

Reading/Writing students will continue the novel study with the novel, Lowji Discovers America. Students will describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Social Studies the students will collect and examine information about people, places, or events of the past using pictures, photographs, maps, audio or visual tapes, and or documents. They will also compare family life in the local community by considering jobs, communication, and transportation.

Student of the Month
This month for demonstrating exemplary character education traits these students are being recognized as the February Student of the Month.
Matthew Willis- Ms. Nick's Homeroom
Xavier Bowen- Ms. Tolbert's Homeroom
Shawna Robinson- Mrs. Fryson's Homeroom
Morgan Jackson- Ms. Daniel's Homeroom

The Third Grade Team

Please review the website for updates. http://grade4.cmitelementary.org/.
Our Womens history posters are due March 10th. Students should be taking the online practice PARCC assessment for fourth grade math and reading. Tenmarks is still due every Saturday. Students who have iready may substitute two Tenmarks assignments for Iready lessons. Please discuss the importance of following school rules with your child. Behavior challenges are on the rise. As we near the wnd if the quarter, students will have opportunities to earn field trips. We will have MI testing the week of March 6th! Please eat breakfast! Thank you!

Benora McCain

Mrs. Watkis and I would like to thank 5th-grade parents for their ongoing support as we are working in partnership to prepare our students for Middle School! This week, the following topics were covered:

Reading: Novel Studies
Social Studies: Colonial Period
Character Ed: Setting Goals
Math: Dividing Fractions
Science: Cells-DNA
Health: Diseases

The pictures show students observing plant and animal cells using microscopes. It also shows them conducting a “Performance Assessment” for Science where they had to create and label parts of a cell for either a plant or an animal.

Reminder:
1. Saturday Academy meets 9:00a.m. -11:55 a.m. (Math & Reading – Invites Only)
2. Tuesday, March 7th Topic 9 Assessment (Dividing Fractions)
3. Tentative Dates for upcoming State Assessments
-Math Inventory (MI: March 8-9)
-Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA: March 13-17)
-PARCC (April) – Students can begin practicing using the Computer Base Units for 5th Grade at: https://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/math/

PGCPS’ Live Math Homework Helpline: http://www1.pgcps.org/countonus/

Scholars|Parents: Please visit our grade level website for next week’s pacing guide. http://grade5.cmitelementary.org

Ms. Cooper

Some of our scholars will be exhibited at this art show.

Attachment(s)

3RD ANNUAL CMIT ELEMENTARY LEGO NIGHT
CMIT Elementary School is providing an opportunity for students to show off their creativity and Engineering abilities with a Lego Challenge. All submissions will be showcased at our third annual LEGO NIGHT, held on Friday March 24, 2017 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. See the chart below to find your child’ grade level challenge requirement. Note: Projects must be constructed at home and may not be a prepackaged Lego kit. The key to this challenge is CREATIVITY.
Grade Level Topic
Kindergarten Animal: Build your favorite animal.
1st Grade Car: Build a cool car.
2nd Grade Transportation: Build any type of vehicle.
3rd Grade Robot: Build your favorite robot.
4th Grade Symbol of Maryland: Create a Lego structure That symbolizes our state.
5th Grade Architecture: Design a Lego structure representing A particular style of architecture. You may want to research different cultures or time periods to aid in your design.
All entries must: Arrive at CMIT Elementary School no later than, March 15th,2017. Be delivered in a shoebox (The student’s name and grade should be clearly written on the box). Feature a base for the structure no larger than 6” by 12” Please remember to follow the Lego piece requirement for each category. All projects will be on display at the 3rd ANNUAL LEGO NIGHT on Friday, March 24, 2017. If your child is interested in participating in the 3RD ANNUAL LEGO NIGHT. Please fill out the bottom portion of this Letter and return to Mr. INCI latest by: Wednesday, March 15th,2017. Participating students will receive extra credits for Lego class and students will be given certificate of participation.

Attachment(s)

Mr INCI
Lego TEACHER

The PTO is excited to announce the St. Patty's Day After School Dance Party from 3-5PM on March 17th. The PTO is requesting donated bottles of water, individually bagged chips, bananas, oranges, granola bars and juice boxes. Items can be left at the front desk.

Tickets are $8 on/before March 16th and $10 on March 17th. Flyer with more information is attached.

Attachment(s)

PTO

Transportation: Student Drop Off /Pick Up and Early Departure
Note: The parents/guardians are responsible for the daily transportation of their child(ren). CMIT-Elementary does not provide transportation during student arrival or student dismissal. Please update the authorized person(s),including the bus company or the childcare business, that will pick up your child(ren)by submitting an email or written notice to , Crystal.Dubon@pgcps.org and the Principal’s Secretary, Stefanie.Powers@pgcps.org.

Q: What is the earliest that I may drop off my child?
A: 7:35 a.m.

Q: Where should we drop off students in the morning?
A: All car riders should be driven to the rear of the building and dropped off at the cafeteria entrance. Parents must remain in the car in order to keep the process constant and mobile. Carpoolers that include 3 or more students may be dropped off at the main office entrance along with the bus riders.

Q: What is the earliest time that I may pick up my student?
A: Student dismissal begins around 2:30 p.m.

Q: What is the latest time that I may pick up my student?
A: Student dismissal ends at 2:55 p.m. Otherwise, students will be sent to Enrichment and charged Enrichment late fees.

Q: Where should we pick up students in the afternoon?
A: All car riders should be picked up in the rear of the building at the cafeteria entrance. Parents must remain in the car in order to keep the process mobile. Please notice the flow of traffic and refrain from stopping in the middle of the pathway. If you need to buckle in your students we ask that you do not block the flow of pick up so that we can dismiss all students in a timely manner.

Q: What is the latest time that I may pick up my student for early departure?
A: Student dismissal ends at 2:55 p.m. Otherwise, students will be sent to Enrichment and CHARGED ENRICHMENT DROP IN FEES (PAYABLE UPON PICK UP).

Q: Where should we pick up students in the afternoon?
A: All car riders should be picked up in the rear of the building at the cafeteria entrance. Parents must remain in the car in order to keep the process mobile. Please notice the flow of traffic and refrain from stopping in the middle of the pathway. If you need to buckle in your students we ask that you do not block the flow of pick up so that we can dismiss all students in a timely manner.

Q: What is the latest time that I may pick up my student for early departure?
A: Students should be picked up from the Main Office no later than 2:10 p.m. To expedite the process, please send an email to the classroom teacher, the receptionist, Mrs. Virgil, EVirgil@cmitelementary.org and the School Secretary, Crystal.Dubon@pgcps.org and the Principal’s Secretary Stefanie.Powers@pgcps.org or submit a handwritten note in order to expedite the process.

Q: What is the process for walkers?
A: CMIT-Elementary does not recognize walkers since there are no residences within walking distance. Please call the Main Office at 240.573.7240 if you have unique circumstances relevant to the pick up of your child. Please consider that CMIT-Elementary does have a student body of 500 and we are unable to accommodate 500 different unique circumstances.

Uniform Policy
Q: How do I order uniforms?
A: All uniform shirts and tops are handled by the All American Wear. Please call 301-459-5000. All khaki or navy uniform bottoms may be purchased here or at any retail store that sells uniform pants, shorts (except cargo pants), skorts, etc. Full dresses are not allowed for females. The CMIT-ES logo must show during the school day.

Q: When will the uniform policy be enforced?
A: The uniform policy will begin during the first week of school. Please ensure that students are wearing a burgundy or royal blue polo until official uniform tops are received prior to September 19, 2016.

Q: When does the student wear the Physical Education uniform?
A: Please confirm the day of the week that the students enrolled in Physical Education class. Then, students report to school and wear the gym uniform all day. Parents may wish to send the students with wipes for sanitary purposes.

Q: Must the uniform shoe have all black?
A: Yes, the shoe worn with the uniform must be ALL BLACK. Any tennis shoes can be worn for PE and PE only.

Visitations and Volunteers
Q: How does a parent make an appointment to visit a class?
A: Please email EVirgil@cmitelementary.org to request an appointment. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response to the email. All classroom observations will be limited to 15 minutes.

Q: How does a parent volunteer for classroom assistance, chaperone of field trips, etc?
A: Please email the classroom teacher to express an interest in volunteering. The classroom teacher will contact the parent to establish a date, time, and the nature of the task(s). however, we ask that parents participate in a brief orientation sponsored by the PTO prior to volunteering. Please contact the PTO at cmitespto@gmail.com for assistance.

Parent’s Corner

Parent Teacher Conferences
Q: How is a Parent Teacher Conference scheduled?
A: Please email the classroom teacher to request a conference date. The parent will have no more than 30 minutes to meet with the teacher. The conference date scheduled by PGCPS is November 11, 2016. Any other conference requests must be scheduled with the teacher.

Parent Teacher Organization
Q: When will the Parent Teacher Organization Meet?
A: The PTO is scheduled to meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. except when a holiday, school closing and/or early dismissal has been scheduled. The following dates have been designated for PTO meetings: September 13, 2016; October 4, 2016; December 6, 2016; February 7, 2017; ; April 4, 2017; and June 6, 2017.
Student Academic Performance

Q: How do I know if my student is missing assignments and/or homework? How do I follow up on my student’s progress in the class?
A: Please check the School Max website first. If there are further questions, email the teacher for information on your child’s academic progress or call 240.573.7240 to leave the teacher a voicemail message.

Q: To whom do I express my concerns about academics?
A: Please contact the teacher first. If the teacher fails to respond, then contact the Program Coordinator, ProgramCoordinator@cmitelementary.org. The next line of communication is the administration.

Home Visits
Q: When will the home visits begin?
A: Parents should submit a request to the teacher. A teacher and/or staff member will contact the parent to schedule a date and time that is convenient for the parent and the CMIT Staff.

Student Breakfast/Lunch

Breakfast/Lunch
Q: What time does breakfast begin?
A: Breakfast is served from 7:35 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. in the cafeteria. Students arriving at 7:50 a.m. or later should have breakfast prior to being dropped off.

Q: How much are the breakfast/lunch?
A:

ELEMENTARY (Kindergarten - 5)
	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
Reduced Price Breakfast	$0.30	$1.50	$6.00
Full Price Breakfast	$1.60	$8.00	$32.00
Reduced Price Lunch	$0.40	$2.00	$8.00
Full Price Lunch	$2.75	$13.75	$55.00

Q: How do I pay for the breakfast/lunch?
A:

METHODS OF PAYMENT
Cash	Send Cash payment to the school cafeteria so your child’s account can be updated.
Online Payments using a debit or credit card	Visit www.MySchoolBucks.com to set up, review, and add money to your child’s account. The account balance follows the student as long as they are enrolled in a Prince George’s County Public School.

Q: Where can I find the menu for the breakfast/lunch?
A: Please click on the link for the School Menu.