Thanks for the support from the many parents and guardians who have expressed renewed interest and support in what school is and should be about. Thanks for all your concerns that you have expressed during the PTO meeting this last week. As we plan and implement programs and activities, you will begin to see that we have our students' best interests at heart. Our teachers at CMIT Elementary South work diligently each day to make learning interesting and meaningful. I acknowledge and salute this effort and look forward to how our students will be benefactors of the hard work that our teachers put in. As we move towards the Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for your investment as we work towards making our school, the best elementary school in the city of Upper Marlboro.

L. Watkis (Interim Principal)

Hello parents, So far this year, I have introduced small auxiliary percussion to all of the grades (triangles, tambourines, etc) and have gotten a great response out of the students. I've decided to capitalize on this excitement by ordering even more percussion instruments to give the students an opportunity to be exposed to as many sounds as possible. With this in mind, I have also decided to introduce recorders as well. For those who do not know, recorders are plastic instruments that resemble a flute or clarinet. I would like to use this instrument to help introduce students to the concept of wind instruments and reading pitched music. In turn, this should also benefit our Band Club as future students will be able to enter Band Club with prior knowledge needed to succeed on concert band instruments. I would like all 3rd-5th graders to get this instrument (moving forward, it will be just 3rd graders and they will continue on the instrument as they matriculate). Below I have provided an Amazon link with multiple affordable options for buying a recorder. I ask that the parents buy these as this will be a personal instrument for that specific student (this instrument requires you to use your mouth so they cannot be shared). If you have any further questions regarding purchasing a recorder, please let me know. I would like each student to have one by January when we return from the holiday. https://www.amazon.com/Recorders-Student-Wind-Woodwinds/s?rh=n%3A11972101%2Cp_n_location_browse-bin%3A3749024011

Jared Bailey Music Teacher CMIT South Elementary

Dear Parents and Guardians, This week in P.E. class the younger grades as well as 3rd have been working on throwing and catching in the form of juggling ! We are using juggling scarves to practice the motion, rhythm and coordination. The rhythm is steady and involves 4 steps. Throwing upwards and across the body with one hand, then the other before catching the first item then the second. Throw-throw, catch-catch. Please allow your children to practice this at home with either tissues or soft items like balled up socks, tennis balls, etc. Tissues are somewhat easier to use for developing grades such as Kindergarten and 1st grade before moving up to soft items. Older grades may graduate to soft items after mastery. The older grades 4-5 are finishing up the sit ups and push ups portion of the Fitnessgram test. After all scores are in, students may inquire as to their individual score before discussing personal goals and the process in which to achieve improvement. PARENTS/KIDS vs STAFF BASKETBALL GAME !!!! When: November 21, 3 - 4 pm ( depending on turnout, may be longer if we have more teams ) Where: Gymnasium @ CMIT south ES What to bring: Water, athletic clothes and shoes How: You will need to sign an injury waiver and sign-in that you attended our first Parent/kids basketball game ! Please e-mail Mr. Loomer to let me know that you will be attending: gloomer@cmitsouthes.org

Garrett Loomer P.E. Teacher - Department Chair CMIT South Elementary gloomer@cmitsouthes.org

Thank you everyone for coming out to Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday. It was great to see everyone again and also discuss specific needs. We are all on the same team making sure the students grow and learn. We will take the Developmental Reading Test again in January and May. Please help your student read each night, with going over sight words and reading together. This is another great way to spend time with your child. We have started a new unit in math. We are learning to take a part a number, for instance, looking at 6, we can make it with 4 and 2, 5 and 1, 0 and 6 etc. This is the beginning place for adding and subtracting. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions. The students are working hard and making great strides with their writing and becoming authors. Please ask your child what they are writing about. We are in the process of publishing work and presenting it to the class.

Kindergarten Team Ms. Curtis, Ms. Lucas, Ms. Herbert & Ms. Derfler

In Kindergarten, we used 4 of our senses to explore pumpkins. We set out to discover: -What does the pumpkin look like? -Is the pumpkin heavy or light? -How does the pumpkin smell? Do you like the smell? -How does the pumpkin feel on the outside? How does it feel on the inside? -How does the pumpkin sound? Is it quiet or loud? Then we counted the seeds we pulled from the inside. The only thing left to do is taste the pumpkin to determine if you like it. This weekend, taste a pumpkin with your family. Maybe you can make a pie or a smoothie. Enjoy!

Kindergarten Team

Greetings Parents/ Guardians, This week students’ assignments are from 11/12 – 11/22 Assignment for K-1 graders: Keyboarding: Locate and Type Letters A, B, C, D, and E During this engaging and interactive digital lesson, the learners receive direct instruction and practice in keyboarding the letters A, B, C, D, and E as they locate and type the letters, recognize the letter sounds, and learn the relationship between the letters on the keyboard and on the screen www.learning.com Assignment for 2-5 graders: Word Processing: Creating and Organizing Content - Students will be able to learn to create bulleted and numbered lists, learn to identify and create materials for a specific audience and learn to insert pictures into a document. www.learning.com Thank you, Mrs. AK Technology Teacher

Mrs. Ak

Dear Saturday Academy Students and Parents, Select 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students will continue to sharpen their ELA and Math skills during the Saturday Academy. Saturday Academy parents please send your kids with a light snack to the Saturday Academy. Saturday Academy Dates: November 2; November 16; November 23; December 7; December 14; January 4; January 11; January 18; January 25; February 1; February 8; February 22; February 29; March 7; March 14; March 21; March 28; April 18; April 25; May 2; May 9; May 16. Have a great weekend

Fatih Metin Program Coordinator

Newsletters have moved to Class Dojo with videos! Check the class story for updates!

-Ms. Libebe

Hi, Clubs are continuing with full speed. The second S.T.E.A.M. Team Club will start for the Kindergartners and 1st Graders soon. The club sponsor will reach to the students who were in the waiting list in this week. Have a Great Weekend

Fatih Metin Program Coordinator

Hi, Talented and Gifted (TAG) test will continue for the 1st Graders on Monday and Tuesday. This test is given each year to first grade students in order to assist schools in making placement decisions for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program. Results of this test are only one factor used to identify students for the TAG Program. Other factors include student achievement, teacher ratings in academics, creativity, task commitment, and other data relevant to individual students. Please avoid appointments that may take your child out of school during this time period. Also, it will help your child perform best if he or she comes to school with a positive attitude, a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast. Results will be available in February, 2020. Sincerely, Fatih Metin, School Test Coordinator

Fatih Metin Program Coordinator & Testing Coordinator

PARENTS/KIDS vs STAFF BASKETBALL GAME !!!! When: November 21, 3 - 4 pm ( depending on turnout, may be longer if we have more teams ) Where: Gymnasium @ CMIT south ES What to bring: Water, athletic clothes and shoes How: You will need to sign an injury waiver and sign-in that you attended our first Parent/kids basketball game ! Please e-mail Mr. Loomer to let me know that you will be attending: gloomer@cmitsouthes.org

Garrett Loomer P.E. Teacher - Department Chair CMIT South Elementary gloomer@cmitsouthes.org

Mr. Johnson is our Volunteer of the Month He is at our every beck and call! He is out there with us for dismissal every single day and never loses the smile on his face. We greatly appreciate Mr. Johnson and the great energy he brings to our team. Congratulations Mr. Johnson!

Ms. Holder

This week our class became published authors and illustrators! We had a party to celebrate. We danced and checked out each work. Then our scholars received certificates recognizing their great work. Please be sure congratulate them on their amazing accomplishment!

Ms. Curtis