This year CLF presented awards to student and staff selected staff members, volunteers, and students. We here at CMIT were excited to honor our DEN of Tigers. We sure do like to ROAR!

These young people truly deserve these recognitions. It was a hard choice because we have so many AWESOME and OUTSTANDING staff members, students, and Volunteers in our building.

Thank you all for all that you do.

Ms. Riley
Acting Principal

On Saturday May 20, 2017, all newly enrolled incoming Scholars and their families will be at CMIT Elementary for new families orientation. The CMIT Elementary family is excited as our CMIT DEN continues to grow.

More information will follow about this days events.

If you have any questions please contact Mr. Akpinar at programcoordinator@cmitelementary.org.

Program Coordinator
Mr. Akpinar

Mark your Calendars. CMIT Elementary staff and parents continue to plan great learning and fun activities for our wonderful students. Please mark your calendars for the following events. Students are reminded to present positive behavior as Roar bucks are required for most of the activities listed below.

More information for each of these events will continued to be shared in the school newsletter as the relevant information becomes available.

May 1st – 5th: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1st – 12th: PARCC Assessment, 3rd – 5th
May 8th - Casual Day for all student who took Parcc with no tardies or absences.
May 8th – 12th: i-Ready Assessment K-5
May 9th: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
May 12th: Six Flags STEM Grades 3,4,5
May 15th: Muffin with Mom @ 8:00am
May 15th: Career Day (Mrs. Ritchie)
May 15th: Lunch with Mom 10:15-12 (Depending on the grade level)
May 15th – 26th: MAP Spring Assessment
May 19th: Last day of CLUBS
May 19th - 1st grade field trip Baltimore Zoo
May 20th - New Families Orientation
May 25th: Kindergarten Field trip to see Suessical
May 29th: Memorial Day (Schools and offices closed)
May 30th & 31st: Camp Schmidt for 5th grade
May 30th:3rd-4th grade Air and Space Museum (tentative)
June 2nd: 5th grade promotion @ 8:30am
June 6th: Family fun day at CMIT ES and Field Day
June 6th: Final PTO meeting with election @6:00pm
June 7th: Kindergarten Promotion @ 8:30am
June 8th: 2 Hour Early Dismissal for students
June 9th: Last day of School for students (2 Hour Early Dismissal for students)
June 12th: Last day for teachers

CMIT Staff

CMIT Elementary 3rd - 5th grade scholars will take PARCC testing between MAY 1st and 12th. During this testing window your student will participate in both ELA and Math testing, using a computer device to access the test.

It is extremely important that your child is in school every day and on time when their class is scheduled to test.

Testing Dates:
4th & 5th grades: May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.
3rd grades: May 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th

Students have to bring their own headphones!!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT DOES HIS
OR HER BEST JOB. PLEASE…MAKE SURE…

1. Your child arrives at school on time. .

2. Your child eats a substantial breakfast in the morning that will give him/her the necessary energy and alertness for participation in the testing.

3. Your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before each testing day.

4. Your child is in school every testing day. Children absent on a testing day will participate in make-up testing.

5. Please encourage your child to do his/her best!

You may visit http://www.parcconline.org/resources/parent-resources for PARCC parent resources. You may also practice PARCC testing at home. This video shows how to practice PARCC testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9VToMFacLw

Thank you for your help. We know our scholars will do their best! Should you have any questions, please call our school.

Adam A. Akpinar
Program Coordinator

On behalf of all of the CMIT Administrators , a special thank you goes out to all of the parents, staff members, Ms. Santiago's kindergarten, Ms. Ahmed's 2nd Grade, Ms. Nick's 3rd grade, the PTO, and last but not least the students for making Administrative day special. Mrs. Kelley, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Caler, Ms. Ottman, Ms. Manuel, Mrs. Millet-Williams, and Ms. Wilson (just to name a few...) worked hard at preparing breakfast, providing delicious treats, or just simply stopping by to let us know how much we are appreciated. Again, thank you!

Administrative Staff

This year's "Take Your Child to Work Day" theme was "Education leads to future career paths."

Our staff member's sons and daughters wrote about how their education was going to lead to their own personal career goals, what education meant to them, and what they thought a career was.

It was a day filled with role reversals. The children had the opportunity to step into their parents shoes in the world of education.

Please click the pictures to see all the pictures attached.

CMIT ES Staff

Years Books will be on sale again Beginning after Parcc testing for $25. Dont miss out on capturing some of our greatest moments this school year.

For more information contact Mrs. Breckenridge.

Mrs. Breckenridge.

Thank you to all the students who came out to Saturday Academy each week. Thank you to all the parents who supported our scholars academics growth. We are proud of your growth. You all rock!

Benora McCain

Club Parents;

May 19th is last day of clubs. Clubs will be continued during PARCC testing days, May 1st-12th.

Please continue to pick up your child (ren) from the club on time.

Thank you

Adam A. Akpinar
Program Coordinator

CMIT Elementary scholars will take following assessments in near future.

May 1st - 12th: PARCC Assessment for 3rd - 5th
May 8th - 12th: i-Ready Assessment K-5
May 15th - 26th: MAP Spring Assessment

Adam A. Akpinar
Program Coordinator

Students participated in the Mesa competition! They did a great job. We took home third place in scratch and the Storybook theme park ride! Go Tigers! We will meet again Thurdays from 3:00-4:00 until May 18th which is our last club day!

Benora McCain

Our mobile rewards store is now open. This rewards system offers students a chance to cash in roar bucks earned for good behavior. 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. Your children were very excited to shop. Thank you to all the prents who donated to donors choose! We are very close to our goal. The Roar cart will visit the school on May 19th. The Roar cart was not able to visit April 28th due to our Parcc Pep Rally. Thank you to all the parents who sent in donations.

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

Promotion
Thank you to all the parents that completed the promotion survey. Based on the responses, Kindergarten students are being asked to wear all White Dresses (Girls) and White Button down long sleeve shirts with Khaki Pants (boys). The theme will be "Oh, to First Grade We Will Go."

As a reminder, the promotion will be held in the cafeteria on Wednesday, June 7 from 8:30-10:00am. Tickets will be sent home on Monday, June 5 based on the survey responses. Remember, tickets should include siblings that are in the building. This will act as their pass to leave class. If you need to make changes to your ticket count, please contact Ms. Santiago at jlsantiago@cmitelementary.org and we will do our best to accommodate.

This week in Kindergarten...
English Language Arts
We will read the story "The Little Engine that Could." It is the classic story of a little blue engine who was able to complete a mission that others couldn't or refused! We will be discussing retelling a story in sequence. We will also be reading words having the medial U sound.

Mathematics
We are learning about money! We will identify different coins and their worth. Additionally, we will be counting money and closing out with determining if we have enough money to make purchases!
What you can do at home: take out your change and encourage your scholar to identify the coins and even try counting how much money there is! (Utilize their knowledge of counting by 5's and 10's for nickels and dimes.)

Science
We will be observing the life cycle of a butterfly in real time! Students will watch as our classroom caterpillars go through the metamorphosis stages to become a butterfly.
Towards the end of the week, we will be receiving our special visitors who will be staying with us for a month! Hint: They incubate in an egg! ;) Once our visistors arrive, scholars will spend each day observing and recording their observations. Scholars will also have the opportunity to hold and care for these visitors!

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, here, go, from, yellow, blue, green, what, said, was

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! Reading logs are due at the end of the month and will be given a zero if blank or missing from your child's folder.
- 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.

The Kindergarten Team
www.kindergarten.cmitelementary.org

Koala Lou
Reading skills – Retelling, connection
Spelling – al as in all
Sight words – Spell, air, away, animal, house
Grammar Skills – adverbs vs. adjectives

Math
First grade will be on chapter 13 this week. Chapter 13 is working on time to the hour and half hour.

Social Studies
We are working on Our Environment, the students will continue with weather. Students will be introduced to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

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

1st Grade

We are learning so much!

Reading
Unit 6, Story 3
A Birthday Basket for Tia
Final syllables -tion, ture, -ion
Draw Conclusions
Questioning
Listen to a Description
Prepositions and Propositional Phrases
Invitation Letter Trait: Sentences

Math
Geometry

Science
Physical Science/Matter

Social Studies
Earth/Landforms

Mrs. Dougherty
Ms. Ahmed
Mr. Brilliantes
Mr. Trippe

Parents we are in need of your assistance! In the upcoming weeks, it is imperative that your scholar arrives to school on time. PARCC testing will begin promptly at 8:30. Your scholar should arrive to school on time, they should be well rested, and they should eat a healthy breakfast. (The cafeteria will not serve breakfast after 7:55.) If your scholar comes to school on time and does not miss a day of testing, they will have a Casual Day on May 8. We also need you to provide headphones for your child. We will keep them until third grade has completed PARCC testing.

In Language Arts and Social Studies, students will continue to learn about needs and wants. Their "Make My Dream Come True" Project will be due on May 5.
In Math students are practicing for the PARCC test, as well as reviewing elapsed time, area, and fractions.

Teachers and students enjoyed Spirit Week! We would also like to congratulate our Most Improved Third grade students!

Tammy Nick

PARCC testing will take place for fourth grade May 1-May 4! Please ensure that students arrive to school on time! Our day begins promptly at 7:55 AM. If students need to eat breakfast, please make sure they arrive a little earlier. Please allow students to bring their own headphones for testing. Practice test session are still available online on the PARCC website. Let's get focused and knock this assessment out of the PARCC!

We will start Parcc testing May 1st. Starting Monday our students should bring in headphones each day. Inexpensive headphones can be stored in lockers. Please ensure all students are on time each day for testing. Please send in some healthy snacks for Parcc. No homework should be completed during the week of May 1st-5th. May homework Calendars for Math will be distributed May 8th! Congratulations to Bryce Albury for winning the pi challenge. He won a prize back at the Bowie Baysox game! He is also students if the month for April. We had a great time last week. We made and used solar powered ovens and had a cookout. Business plans will be due May 19th. Goodluck on Parcc.

Benora McCain

Dear Parents,
Test Taking Tips for Scholars
-Skim the whole test before you begin to determine how many questions there are on each section. Then budget your time accordingly so that you have enough time on the questions that might require more time to complete.

• Listen closely to the teacher’s instructions.
• Read any written instructions very carefully. Never assume that you know what they say.
• Answer every question. Unless there is a penalty for wrong answers, it can’t hurt to guess.
• Identify key words and highlight or write them down them. This will help you focus on the most important aspects of the question.
• Rephrase difficult questions. It may help you to understand a question if you rewrite it in your own words, but be careful not to change the meaning of the question.
• Use all of the time that you are given. If you finish early, use that time to go over your answers.
• Read each question carefully. Many wrong responses occur because students fail to read the entire question. Often, wrong responses are written with that in mind.
• Try to come up with the answer on your own before reading the possible answers. Then check to see if your response is among the possible answers.
• Eliminate any answers that you know are wrong.
• Read all choices before choosing your final answer.
• Don’t change your initial answer unless you have a very good reason. Studies suggest that most of the time, your first choice is correct.
• Don’t get stuck on one question. Skip the question, mark it with an “X,” and come back to it later. Be sure to leave that line un-bubbled on your answer sheet until you come back to it.
• Adjust the font if your eyes get tired.
• Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test, and try to stay calm. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths to relax.

Parents-Please do the following:-

• Make sure your children have eaten well on test days. Studies suggest that good nutrition is related to improved attention and concentration.
• Help your children by encouraging a good night’s rest before exams. Children who are tired will have difficulty focusing on their work.
• Make the morning of test days pleasant. Stress will impair
your children’s ability to perform their best.
• Remind your children to dress comfortably, perhaps in layers, so that they are able to adjust to the temperature in the room.
• Ensure that your children make it to school on-time so that they do not miss any instructions and are allowed ample time to settle in and relax before the test begins.
Copied from Scholastic
Mrs. Watkis
Thanks for all you do-

Lesma Watson Watkis

Phonics works! Is sounding words the best way to teach reading?

There has been intense debates concerning how children should be taught to read. Researchers from Royal Holloway, University of London and the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit tested whether learning to read by sounding out words is more effective than focusing on whole-word meanings. In order to assess the effectiveness of using phonics the researchers trained adults to read in a new language, printed in unfamiliar symbols, and then measured their learning with reading tests and brain scans.

Professor Kathy Rastle, from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway said, "The results were striking; people who had focused on the meanings of the new words were much less accurate in reading aloud and comprehension than those who had used phonics, and our MRI scans revealed that their brains had to work harder to decipher what they were reading."

Keep calm and sound it out scholars!!

Shannon McVeigh

Wow! What an amazing night we had on Wednesday the 27th. PGCPS had the awards reception for the juried show. Let me put this in perspective. 208 PGCPS schools were represented at the art show last month each school displayed 10-15 works of art and digital submissions were also accepted. From all of that art (about 2,000-3,000 works of art) about 40 works of art from elementary schools were accepted. CMIT Elementary represented 4 of those. All 4 scholars came to receive their awards. Not only that but one scholar received first place!

It is with great joy that I present to you:
Josephine Davis (1st Grade, front)
Cassidy Salisbury (2nd Grade, far right)
Genesis Edwards (5th Grade, center)
Last but not least,
Laila Kuyateh (4th Grade, far left behind Josephine)

Congratulations scholars!

You can stop by and see the art at The Shops at Iverson at:
3737 Branch Ave #203, Temple Hills, MD 20748
The art exhibit will be up until May 7th. The exhibit is in a store on the upper floor by Roses.

To the parents, thank you so much for helping us represent our school so well! You are all amazing and appreciated!

Megan Breckenridge

Hello,
I would like to inform you that we started to build amazing mechanics in the lego classroom.Students have been learning to use lego programming in the class.I am so excited that students will be able to build next couple of weeks those activities.
Hungry Alligator,
Roaring Lion,
Flying Bird,
Goal Kicker.

Mr. INCI
Lego Teacher

CMIT North PTO is an organization of parents and teachers/staff who helps in building a better educational environment for our children. In order for the PTO to be successful, it is essential to have parental involvement. We will be holding our CMIT North PTO Board elections for the upcoming 2017/2018 school year soon.

We currently have several openings that need filling. If you are interested in running for a board position or have questions, please contact the CMIT-North PTO at information@cmitnorthpto.org

There are endless possibilities in the ways you can help! Whether you have 30 minutes or a couple of hours; your ideas, your time, and your talents are truly needed! Please consider volunteering - It really does make a difference in the lives of our children.

On behalf of CMIT-North PTO - Ms. Cooper

May 9th -- Chic-fil-a Spirit Night Chic-fil-a is a proud supporter of CMIT Elementary. They donate food for several events and donate gift cards for our honor roll student and STEM fair participants. Please stop by on May 9th order your favorite and mention CMIT at checkout. They will donate a portion of the bill to the school.

PTO

RSVP Required. We are looking for volunteer and donations for this event. If you are interested please email cmitespto@gmail.com. Sign-Ups are available through the PTO.

Ms. Riley is also inviting Moms who would like to stay and have lunch with their scholars to do so this day as well.

PTO

May 1st-5th -- Teachers Appreciation Week " A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. ~Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, translated from Turkish" Planning is underway!! If you would like to participate, volunteer or donate for this fun filled week please email cmitespto@gmail.com

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.