Parents/Guardians, We are almost ready to receive your scholars. Today we conducted several workshops in preparation for the opening of our new CMIT Elementary. I take this opportunity to encourage you to begin/keep the dialogue going with your children about the importance of always doing and giving of their best. Please continue to read and support reading daily. Here is a poem for your scholars:) Back To School B-back to school for a brand-new year! A-anxious to learn and meet new friends C-classrooms are being prepared and decorated just for me K-khaki pants, skirts and tees just waiting to be worn T-Talking about school all summer long-please O-oh, just can't wait, need to get going with lots of homework. S-school back-packs with lots of space inside C-colored paper, pens, and sweet-smelly erasers H-hollering to be used up, so mom or dad can buy lots more O-oops, just where did summer go, you had to ask O-only wish they had summer school-Nah L-laugh out loud.

Lesma Watson Watkis (Acting Assistant Principal)

CMIT South is happy to share that our renovations are on schedule and we are now awaiting final approval for occupancy. Until we receive final approval we are not able to invite our families into our shiny, gorgeous new building. With this in mind, we have not planned a general orientation, open house or any other gathering before the start of school on September 4th. Kindergarteners are tentatively invited to CMIT South ES for the Kindergarten systemic orientation on August 30th, 8:30 am -10:00 am. This is a PG county-wide, informal event with the purpose of a brief intro to the school and to our leadership team. September 4th is our first day of school and we are excited to receive your students! Due to parking restrictions, CMIT South ES is NOT able to allow parents to walk their students in on the first day of school. All staff will be on hand to assist with arrival and dismissal every day. All students will be escorted into the building and to their cubby/classroom during arrival period daily. Schedules Your student’s teacher will send a copy of your student’s schedule on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 to the email address you provided in your charter school application. If your child is in kindergarten, you will receive their schedule on the tentatively scheduled kindergarten systemic day, August 30, 2018, from 8:30-10:00. The schedules can be posted in the newsletter but the class lists cannot because it is a violation of FERPA. The students will find out there child's homeroom teacher when they arrive at school that day. Supplies We encourage all students to bring their supplies on the first day of school The opportunity to drop off school supplies is contingent upon when we are allowed occupancy into the building. Once we have that date, we will make a determination as to when school supplies can be dropped off. We ARE very excited to invite all CMIT South Students to our Back-to-School Night September 26th, 6:00-7:30 PM. Programming will include a presentation from our talented teachers and a meet-and-greet with our Leadership team. We thank you for patience and understanding as we get ready to start the 18/19 school year and earn our stripes!

Lucy Waters-Sutherland Secretary CMIT South Elementary Lwaters@cmitsouthes.org 240.619.0105 http://cmitsouthelementary.org/

Welcome! To a brand new year And a brand new you Only because, it's a brand new school With brand new students And brand new parents Collaborating with brand new colleagues To inspire and nurture brand new minds.

Lesma Watkis Assistant Principal

School Hours: Earliest arrival : 7:35 AM Class starts: 8:05 AM Class ends: 2:15 PM Dismissal period: 2:15 PM- 2:55 PM Any student who has not been picked up by 2:55 pm will be escorted to the enrichment program where they will stay until their ride arrives. There is a flat rate of $10 for this drop in enrichment service. Breakfast is optional but encouraged for all growing tigers! It costs $1.60. (THIS IS A CHANGE!--Ms. Williams was misinformed.

Stacy Williams, Receptionist swilliams@cmitsouthes.org

Hello Everyone! My name is Tyra Robinson and I will be the Student Support Specialist. I was born and raised in Southern Maryland. After graduating high school I went on to attend Howard University, where I earned a degree in Sports Medicine. My passion in life is traveling. I strongly believe that best way to learn about the world is to explore it for yourself. This will be my first year working with the CMIT family. I am so excited to see what this year brings.

Tyra Robinson

Welcome to CMIT South Elementary School. I'm Ms. Esra and I'm so happy to meet you! I know this is going to be a great year for all of us to grow and learn with fun together. I graduated from B.S in math and then earned MBA. This year will be my ninth year for teaching. I taught middle and high school math which included AP classes. I provided one-on-one mentoring and counseling for a group of students to prepare them for the university. I also worked as a special ed. teacher aide. We are going to learn so many great things this year, and I’m looking forward to every minute of it!

Esra Keskin

Hello my name is Monica Hill , I have been working with Prince George's County Public Schools for over 20 years. I have worked with students from ages 5-21. I am a graduate from Bowie State University in Child Studies. I am very passionate about working with all students. I consider education very important, and give of my time and energy to ensure that all students succeed. Currently, I am completing cousrework for my MASTER'S dergree in Early Childhood education. I am looking forward to working with you and your child. Monica Hill

Monica Hill

I grew up in Howard County. I went to Frostburg for my undergrad and UMBC for my graduate degree in teaching. I then moved out to Phoenix and taught for 3 years -1st, 3rd, and 7th grade (math). I moved back to Fulton in July after taking two weeks for a road trip visiting the southern part of the country. I look forward to teaching 4th grade Math and Science at CMIT this coming year!

Kristen Girch

Mr. Jared Bailey is a graduate of Howard University and Rutgers University’s School of Music. A product of the Prince Geroge’s County school system, Mr. Bailey has performed in the DMV area for the past ten years with a variety of local ensembles as a trumpeter and vocalist. Mr. Bailey has had the privilege of headlining the St. Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal, Africa with the Howard Jazztet, performing with Grammy-nominated recording artist Christian Scott, and touring with award winning R&B legend Ginuwine. Although he has taught in multiple settings and counties, this will be Mr. Bailey’s first time as a Prince George’s County instructor.

Jared Bailey

Greetings, my name is Victor Hawkins and I am the 5th grade Reading and Social Studies teacher at THE CMIT South Elementary School. I have been teaching for the last 7 years in a variety of educational settings. I have a Bachelors degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology. I have a passion for learning and consider myself a lifelong learner. I like to read( especially comic books). I love fitness and have participated in 3 Spartan races. I am married with 2 children. I am excited to be a part of the CMIT South family and look forward to a great school year.

Victor Hawkins

See attachment. I will be the Student Suppot Specialist.

Tyra Robinson

Greetings CMIT South Elementary School family!! My name is Tiffany Worrell and I am Special Education teacher here at CMIT South Elementary School. This will be my fourth year as a Special Education teacher and my first year with Prince Georges County Public Schools. I am a native of this area and a proud graduet of Prince Georges County Public School. I am also a graduate from Norfolk State University as well as Grand Canyon University. My husband and I are the proud parents of a one year old daughter. If you ever have any questions I can assist with, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I can best be reached via email at Tiffany.worrell@pgcps.org or tworrell@cmitsouthes.org. I look forward to supporting your students this school year!!

Tiffany Worrell

It's finally here! The school year is quickly approaching and I can't wait to get to know all of my third grade students and families! Here's a little about me! I grew up 2 hours up I-95 North in Newark, Delaware and stayed in the area to go to the University of Delaware to get my degree in Elementary Education. I enjoy all things sports and am a proud fan of the (Super Bowl Champion) Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, and Flyers. Something that you wouldn't guess by looking at me is that I love to play the piano! An accomplishment that I am proud of is that I was able to coach the University of Delaware men's volleyball team to a national championship a two years ago in 2016. I can't wait meet you all and get what is a promising and exciting school year started!

Mr. Rowland

My name is Amy Derfler and I am very excited to be teaching Kindergarten this year with CMIT South Elementary School. I am a mother of three kids ages 8, 9 and 11. I have taught in Botswana, Africa as well as Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kindergarten is my favorite grade to teach. I received my undergraduate at Bowie State and my Master's degree at College of Notre Dame. My favorite things to do are watching my kids play sports as well as traveling. This is going to be an exciting year. I am glad you are a part of this adventure.

Amy Derfler

My name is Chrissy Cunningham, I am a Kindergarten teacher at CMIT South ES. I am from Dexter, Maine and just recently moved here! I earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Following this I began working in middle school special education for the past couple of years. While teaching the past year few years I have also been working on my Masters in Special Education and will graduate in May 2019. I first decided to become a teacher around fourth grade. In my early education I had a difficult time learning and it was not fun. However, in fourth grade I had a teacher that changed everything. She worked with me on my needs and interest in order to help me succeed in the classroom. It was from that moment I knew I wanted to be like her. I wanted to and still strive everyday to be the teacher who provides an experience for my students where they not only learn all they can, but they have fun and enjoy it! That is what learning is all about! In my experience and my hope for the upcoming school year is to have excellent communication with parents! If both parents and and teacher can be on the same page, collaborate, and understand one another in order to better understand the child, that child is better off and is more likely to succeed. When students see collaboration between their parents and their teacher they know they have a team supporting them. Outside of the classroom I enjoy many different things! Hockey is a big aspect of my life, both on the field and on the ice. I have played field hockey for sixteen years and coached back in Maine. I am also a HUGE Washington Capitals fan, GO CAPS!! I like to spend my time with my family, exploring and going on road trips with my significant other and our dogs Otto and Leo, antique shopping, and fun fact I am a avid mini golfer! I am enjoying the start of my time here in Maryland and I already know it is going to be a fabulous year that I am truly looking forward to!

Chrissy Cunningham

Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Lucas I am a recent graduate from Salisbury University with an early childhood education degree. I am incredibly excited to start this journey at CMIT with all of the staff, parents, and wonderful Kindergarten students. I hope to foster an open and engaging environment which accommodates all learners and I plan on using all of my years of experience working with children to make this a creative, fun, and exciting school year!

Diana Lucas

Greetings Parents and Guardians, My name is Mr. Loomer and I am proud to call myself the new P.E. teacher for CMIT South Elementary. I am new to Prince George's County Public Schools, but not new to the teaching world. I have had the privilege of teaching physical education in Baltimore City for 6 years prior to making a move to a new county. I also taught in a 3rd grade classroom for a year to broaden my experience in the field of education. I can say with confidence that I am impressed with the training and resources that I have been provided with thus far and feel that this start of my 8th year of teaching is going to the best by far ! The curriculum for P.E. ( at the elementary level ) consists of mainly skill building activities to ensure that your children will grow in the areas of: personal fitness, hand/eye, eye/foot coordination, basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements, cooperative games and team building, dance, and many more. My instruction methods involve differentiation in order to cater to each child's learning style while also creating an environment that allows them to progress at different readiness levels. I believe that giving students leadership roles throughout each class period ( if they so choose to accept ) will help develop skills that will guide them towards being a future team captain, group leader, or manager someday. I will never demand participation, but expect each student to make a strong effort and I will encourage them to do so. I strive towards independence while also reinforcing team work, as each student will surely require both skill sets to lead a successful life. I ask that parents and guardians please have your children wear tennis shoes with rubber soles on days that they have physical education. I look forward to meeting all of you throughout the school year as well as back to school night on September 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. I personally have a few fun activities planned for parents to get involved with here at our beautiful new school.

Garrett Loomer P.E. Teacher - K-5 CMIT South Elementary

I grew up in Maryland and received my BS degree in Elementary Education from Union College in Lincoln Nebraska. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I am so fortunate to be living my dream. In my spare time, you can find me in a small coffee shop reading or in DC at a museum!

Makhela Libebe

My name is Chanel Brown and I'm thrilled to say this is my first year teaching first grade. I grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bethune Cookman University in 2012. I enjoy swimming, going to the beach, and trying new food. I'm so excited to take this journey with you! It's going to be a great year full of new friends, new adventures, and new discoveries.

Chanel Brown

Hello! My name is Ms. Curtis and I am going to be your kindergarten teacher. This will be my first year teaching kindergarten, but my fifth year teaching overall. I am a native of Prince George's County and a proud graduate of Prince George's County Public Schools. I earned a B.S. in Family Science from the University of Maryland-College Park. Go Terps! I have a passion for teaching and sparking creativity. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring new playgrounds with my two beautiful daughters. I look forward to spending the next year learning and growing with you and your family!

Cherrelle Curtis

Hello, my name is Ms. Kylie Fleet and I will be teaching 1st-grade at CMIT South Elementary School. I was born and raised here in Prince George's County, MD and am a product of Prince George's County Public Schools. Teaching has always been a dream of mine since I was younger. I have 4 educators in my family and a host of other educators in other aspects of my life. Through these people and my own teachers, I have been inspired to change the lives of young people. I have 2 younger siblings, a host of younger siblings and have worked at a summer camp for the last 3 summers. Through these experiences, my love for children has grown tremendously. Although this is my first year teaching I am super excited about the things we are going to experience at school this year. I look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces and creating new relationships. My goal for our classroom is to create a safe and family-like environment where everyone can express themselves. I hope you all have truly enjoyed your summer and I look forward to seeing you on the first day of school.

Ms. Kylie Fleet

My name is Leah McDonagh and I was born in Allendale, New Jersey. I lived there for 20 years with my parents and my older brother. I have one dog named Stella; she is a black lab mix rescue dog. When I was younger, I lived in Europe for 2 years. I went to college at High Point University in North Carolina and I received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I now live in Silver Spring, Maryland. I will be teaching 1st grade at CMIT South Elementary!

Leah McDonagh

Hi! My name is Ms. Pavignano. I am so excited for my first year at CMIT South Elementary. I have a strong passion for helping children learn and grow. I graduated from Stevenson University with my bachelors in Elementary Education: Liberal Arts and Technology. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our daughter, Madison. We love to go to the park, swim at the beach, and dance silly in our living room. I look forward to an amazing year with my third grade students!

-Ms. Pavignano

Hello, my name is Mrs. Baynham. I grew up in Ft. Meade, Maryland and graduated from Bowie State University with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Throughout my teaching career I have earned two master degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. This is my tenth year teaching in Prince George’s County. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am married with two sons, Mason and Logan. I also enjoy going to the gym, playing sports, shopping, and traveling. I look forward to working with you and your child this upcoming school year!

Jessica Baynham

Greetings! My name is Erika Herbert and I have the privilege of being a Paraprofessional here at CMIT South ES. I am thrilled to have the role of assisting the students and teachers, as we all work towards the goal of an amazing educational experience for our young scholars. I have been with PGCPS for 4 years, primarily working within the Special Education and Autism programs that our county offers. Although my degree is in Business Administration, my passion for educating our youth has drawn me to this wonderful path. I look forward to continuing my journey at this great new school. Best wishes for a fantastic school year!

Erika Herbert

Hello! My name is Brittney Frei and I am the art teacher here at CMIT South Elementary School. This is my very first year as a classroom teacher and I am extremely excited to share my warmth and knowledge with the CMIT community. I was born in Baltimore City and have lived in Maryland for the majority of my life. I attended The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore City, MD where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching. As an artist, my passion lies in the materials and processes found within the realm of fibers. Some of my work has been exhibited in several group shows including, The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Open Studios in 2011, CCBC Becoming Transfer Show in 2012, The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Merging Spaces Sculpture Show in 2012, MICA Commencement Exhibition in 2015 and MICA Grad show in 2016. For the past three summers, I have worked with an organization where I instructed children in creating their own fiber artworks such as garments, soft sculptures and weavings. Beyond my professional and artistic pursuits, I enjoy spending time with my family, trying new recipes and playing the guitar and piano.

Brittney Frei

Hello fantastic CMIT South students and parents! My name is Ms. Nicholls and I will be teaching 4th grade ELA and Social Studies this year. This will be my first year teaching and I am so excited to be a part of the CMIT South community. I know that this will be an amazing year! I grew up in a small town in New Jersey where I lived with my parents, younger sister, and two dogs. I recently moved to DC this summer and I absolutely love it here! I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and a certificate in child advocacy and policy in 2015 from Montclair State University. While attending Montclair State University, I worked as a teaching assistant and realized that my passion in life is teaching. As a result, I decided to further my education by attending Monmouth University for my master’s degree. In 2018, I graduated with my master’s degree in teaching students K-6, and in teaching students with exceptionalities. In my free time, I enjoy baking and exploring new places to eat. I also love to play my guitar, write songs, and spend time with my family and friends. I am looking forward to a year of learning, exploring, and fun!

Ms. Nicholls

Dear students, parents, faculty, and staff, Welcome to CMIT South Elementary! My name is Ms. Madison and for the 2018-2019 School Year, I have the privilege of serving as a 1st Grade Classroom Teacher in Room 162! When Ms. Harrell-Carter offered me a position on this team, it was an offer I could not refuse. As a recent graduate of the University of Delaware, I student taught in a 2nd Grade classroom, as well as a 7th Grade Social Studies classroom. These experiences have prepared me for the year to come. I wanted my first year of teaching to be at a school where community is at the center of everything, and that perfectly describes CMIT! I am in awe of the well-oiled machine that is the CMIT family, and I look forward to working with your students, getting to know them, and passing on the love of learning that made me pursue this profession. Here’s to a wonderful year. Go Tigers!

Ms. Madison

"CMIT South ES recognizes that the strength of our community originates in and radiates from our Parent-Teacher Organization. We would LOVE for you to get involved! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5G_f_9BgdIo5HoGjjGA62lIXW2fB-XWVgUlUQecIwB9yRTg/viewform

Ms. Waters

Welcome to Thee CMIT South Elementary Family! My name is Dionne Davis, I am originally from Jamaica, West Indies. I share the joy of having a wonderful spouse, three fabulous adult children, the best daughter-in-law for me, and two amazing granddaughters. I enjoy traveling, shopping...more shopping..and more shopping. :):), reading, learning and growing from others and spending quality and quantity time with family. As we are now family, I am anxiously waiting to learn and grow from each and everyone of you and your babies. I am excited to be starting a new career and chapter of my life with you and your babies after retiring from the military where I served 21 ½ years of active military service. While serving in the military, I served as a Chaplain Assistant which provided me the opportunity to learn and grow from individuals who traveled from many walks of life. This experience also allowed me to grow as a compassionate counselor and developed my love and understanding that each student will need to have a great mental support system in order to be successful in his or her journey of life. My education includes a Master of Education for Professional Counseling and all requirements for a Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor from Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Virginia and a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Psychology, concentrating in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, while earning a minor in Sociology, from Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri. I am energized and motivated to learn and implement the development of young bright minds through the effective manner of Professional School Counseling with our amazing parents, staff and students. Graciously, DM Davis

Dionne Davis