Next week is a short week since schools close Wednesday, November 23rd in recognition of Thanksgiving. We wish you all a wonderful time of rest and reflection and would like to take this opportunity to say that we are thankful for you and the positive contributions you make to this community. We will see you when school resumes on Monday, November 28th.

CMIT Administration

Last Saturday, members of the Chess Club assembled holiday gift boxes for thirty (30) underprivileged children. This effort was coordinated through our Chick-fil-A affiliate store (Contee Road) as part of their annual Operation Christmas Child drive through Samaritan’s Purse to spread happiness to those less fortunate during this time of year. A Big Thank You to: Kyra Brown, Josiah Caldwell, James Dickens, Damon Edwards, III, Grant McDonald, Nigel Redd and their parents for donating gifts and their time!

CMIT Chess

Middle School and 9th and 10th grade students took MAP testing in the beginning of the school year.

1. What is MAP?

Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®),created by Northwest Evaluation Association TM (NWEATM), is different than paper and pencil tests. MAP is a computer adaptive test, which means every student gets a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions get harder. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions get easier. By the end of the test, most students will answer about half the questions correctly.

2. What does MAP measure?

MAP results are provided as a numerical RIT score. This score is used to measure a student’s achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth. Think of this like marking height on a growth chart. You can tell how tall your child is at various points in time and how much they have grown between one time and another.

3. What is a RIT score?

After each MAP test, students receive a RIT score. Think of the score as a student’s height. The score re ects the student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities like inches reflect height.

The RIT (Rasch Unit) scale is a stable, equal-interval scale, like feet and inches. Equal-interval means that a change of 10 RIT points indicates the same thing regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom, or middle of the scale, and a RIT score has the same meaning regardless of grade level or age of the student. Scores over time can be compared to tell how much growth a student has made, similar to measuring height with a ruler.

Students have received their reading and math MAP results this week. Please use the back of the paper to understand your child's scores.
Students will receive two sheets of paper if they completed both tests. Students who tested are enrolled in Math 6 - 8, Foundations of Algebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry, RELA 6 - 8, English 9.

If you have any questions about the scores or testing, please contact your child's teacher.

Here is a link for a Parent's Guide to MAP for more information.

https://www.nwea.org/resources/a-parents-guide-to-map/

Casandra Westerfield
Testing Coordinator

PGCPS will be offering an online webinar December 8, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. to help parents learn about the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Individual Student Score (Home) Reports for their child.

Parents and attendees should click the link below to register for this webinar:
http://www.surveytracker.net/scripts/survey.dll?AHID=08A00F

Information about this webinar is posted on the PGCPS main website and it's also posted on the PGCPS Parents’ website, on the calendar and PARCC webpage. Communications will be posting the information on individual school websites.

Please use the following link: http://www.pgcps.org/page.aspx?Pageid=234147&id=235398

Note: PGCPS will also offer two PARCC Parent Nights on January 17, 2017 and on January 26, 2017. More information will be forthcoming. All events take place from 6-9 p.m.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Oxon Hill High School

Thursday, January 26, 2017
Laurel High School

Thursday, February 2, 2017 (Inclement Weather Makeup Date, if needed)
Laurel High School

Thursday, February 16, 2017 (Inclement Weather Makeup Date, if needed)
Oxon Hill High School

Attachment(s)

Casandra Westerfield
Testing Coordinator

Being well rounded in todays global world means travel. We at CMIT like to provide opportunities for prepared students to experience the world. There will be an informational meeting on December 1st at 7:30pm-8pm in our cafeteria to learn about opportunities for students who meet the grade and attendance criteria to sign up for our tour. Trip chaperones will be available to discuss the itinerary and cost for our grand tour of Italy, set for summer 2018. This will be a great opportunity for students to learn about the language, food, culture, history and architecture of Italy. Makes a great holiday gift.

James Screven, Samantha Stewart

Students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are currently conducting their experiments at home for their STEM/Maker Faire project.

These are the following due dates:
***Final Paper Submission in Google Classroom--- on or before December 12, 2016
***Student Presentation to Peers--- December 12, 2016
***Poster Board and Research Paper Submission for Qualified Projects to join the CMIT STEM and Maker Fair school-level competition--- December 16, 2016
***CMIT STEM and Maker Fair--- January 12, 2017

MS Science Team

Bridging the Watershed (BTW) is an outreach program of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and area schools, designed to promote student academic achievement, personal connections with the natural world, lifelong civic engagement, and environmental stewardship through hands-on curriculum-based outdoor studies in national parks and public lands.

In connection to this project, two batches of 6th grade students participated in a scientific field study at Great Falls Park in Maryland last November 10 and 17. Students experienced to collect and see some benthic macroinvertebrates from streams.

The following are some thoughts of the students after they attended the said field trip:

"I like the field trip because I learned about vertebrates. Another thing I learned about Great Falls Park was it is supposed to be a highway but instead it was turned into a park. I loved seeing the Great Falls because it looks good. I loved going to the lake and getting into it." - Michael Dixon (Yale)

"My experience in Great Falls Park was great! I learned that macroinvertebrates are aquatic animals that don’t have backbone (spine). I also learned that Great Falls has two sides, the Maryland side and the Virginia side." - Jaycinth Kouadio (Yale)

"....When the field trip ended i was thinking if I can work there in the future." - Jaloni White (Yale)

".........there are no trash can allowed there it is a trash free park." - Thaddeus Johnson (Brown)

".....We walked to the river side and caught some invertebrates. My group caught so many! I think we caught the biggest clam I have ever seen. We also caught a crayfish. It was so fun! We later had lunch then left." - Marvin Nwachukwu (Brown)

"....My experience at great falls was great. I got to see a waterfall and find lake creatures. It was the best field trip. I got a little scared of the heights...." - Sapri Sise (Brown)

"I enjoyed the trip to Great Falls Park very much. The scenery was breathtaking. ......when we were waving to people in Virginia, that was very exciting. Also when we were picking up macro’s I also had fun, going into the water and shuffling my feet and kicking was very fun. After I got back from the trip I had told my mom and she said she wants to go. So maybe one day my whole family can go!" - Simone Hill (Brown)

"....When we went in the water it was really cool picking up the living organisms and identifying the things we caught in the water. I was soaking wet but at the end of the day all that matters is that I had a great time. When it was lunch time i was so happy. I ate a sandwich from Giant , I drank two juices and had an energy drink (Thanks Alyssa) I ate Salt and Vinegar chips and Purple doritos (My Favorite) And cookies! (Thanks Daddy, Thanks Mommy). And I got on the bus and I ended that day doing the Juju on that beat with Jennifer."- Angela Fokam (Howard)

"....I liked when we got to build the table to set up our tools. Then I liked when our lady instructor told us about the macroinvertebrate that was rare. We caught a lot of fish but when we got one of the macroinvertebrates, my friend Jamie said it looked like krill. Me and my fish hunting buddy Alijah, went back into the water and caught this huge huge fish it look like a baby catfish but, we had to let it go....." - Braylon Talley (Howard)

"Great Falls Park was a great field trip. We got to learn about watersheds, investigate rivers with macroinvertebrates, and see waterfalls. It was a long walk, but it was worth it. It was nice watching how one part of Earth works....." - Maya Miller (Howard)

....."I got to see different types such as a midge and a damselfly and a few clamshells.I learned that a watershed is any place where it rains. Everybody on earth lives in a watershed because it rain all over...."- Justina Kamara (Howard)

....."When we got of the bus we were greeted by a man and a woman. We went to a water thing and just saw the water going down. Then the man and woman talked to us about the water and gave us a quiz that we had to do and give back. We used each other as tables. (LOL) . After that the man talked about the equipment that we were going to use to examine the water in the creek. Then we had to walk for at least 24 HOURS!!!(Just incase you didn’t know. I’m exaggerating. LOL)".... - Sab'vea Edwards (Howard)

pictures
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-qdFgWCyQmOUXhhM0kycERMbkE

Ms. Chestang, Mrs. Crespo, Ms. Lash, Mr. McSparron
MS Teachers

CMIT seniors have done a great job! 100% of our students submitted their college applications through Naviance. It is important to remember that many colleges and universities are using a “Rolling Admission” process which is a policy that enables candidates to submit their applications to the universities anytime within a large window. So the decisions are made as students are submitting their applications, rather than waiting for the deadline. I highly recommend to complete all your application process ASAP.

I also would like to remind you that everyone should bring a copy of their acceptance letter to my office as you receive it, or you may send a soft copy to favsar@cmitacademy.org

So far our students got acceptance letters from these colleges and universities;

Norfolk State University
Johnson & Wales University
Anne Arundel Community College
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Marymount Manhattan College
Frostburg University
Saint Vincent College
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Howard Community College
Marymount University
Delaware State University
Wingate University
Morgan State University
Robert Morris University
Prince George’s Community College
Towson University

Exciting....

Ferhat Avsar

Our Cyber Patriot team has grown and successfully kicked off the year with a strong start during the Round 1 competition, held on November 12th. Cyber Patriot is an Air Force Association cyber security competition that pits students against potential threats to computer system security. This year, teams had a strong start with an average team score of 94 out of 100 in the Windows 7 security simulation and 92 out of 100 for the Linux/Ubuntu simulation. The team would like to thank our Principal, Mr. Gunes, the IT support Team led by Mr. Gardner, Team Assistants Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Hawkins for their outstanding support and help. Their help made it possible for our cyber teams to represent our school in the prestigious competition. We look forward to round two on December 9/11.

James Screven
Cyber Security Coach

High School NHS is starting a tutoring program for both middle and high school students. We are seeking students to serve as tutors in subjects they are strong in. This is a great opportunity for students to gain service hours! We will provide a location every Thursday from 3-4 where tutors and tutees can meet up. In addition, tutors and tutees can meet up at their own convenience. If your student needs service hours and they are strong in a particular subject, please encourage them to apply to be a tutor! Tutor applications can be picked up in Mr. Krystal's room 160 or on the NHS bulletin board.

Ben Krystal

All in Five Steps

1) Add colleges to your Naviance account under “Colleges I am applying to.” (We recommend to have at least 6 colleges in that list. The list should include a “safety,” “match,” and a “reach” school.)

2) In your Naviance account, colleges will have one of these three icons (symbols). If the college has... (Follow the instructions in the table above.)

3) Request letters of recommendation from your teacher(s) through Naviance. We suggest to talk to the teacher(s) and get a verbal confirmation before submitting the request. This process may take a while as far as for teachers to type your recommendation letter and to upload it. So, if you have not talked to your teacher yet, you should do this ASAP.

4) Submit your SAT and/or ACT scores to all colleges that are in your application list by login to your college board or act accounts.

5) We also recommend to apply to federal financial aid program (FAFSA).

Ferhat Avsar

On Thursday, December 1st from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, staff from the high school will be on hand to discuss what is in store for 8th grade students when they reach the high school next year. We will be discussing pathways to graduation including the Information Technology Early College (ITEC) program and Advanced Placement courses, athletics, clubs, and other opportunities. Come out and learn about what we are doing!

HS Administrative Team

Hi Parents and Students.

There will be NO Physics Tutoring after school on Tuesday, November 22. We will resume on Tuesday, November 29 the following week.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday!

Suzanne Coholic
High School Science Teacher

The brain is a complex organ and no topic is more complex than perception. This year, to tackle this difficult topic, students are preparing a training guide for astronauts using Gestalt theories of perception to prepare for an imagined journey to another planet. In applying difficult concepts, students tie complex ideas to practice, making those ideas concrete. The aim of this project is for students to prepare astronauts to deal with the problems of orientation in space. To accomplish this, students will apply theories of closure, similarity, proximity, figure-ground perception and top-down processing.

James Screven

Sixth grade science students are about to finish the chapter on "Introducing Earth." Students learned the Earth system, Earth's interior, and convection and the mantle. They created a scaled slice of the earth’s interior. By measuring, coloring and labeling, their creation, students can see the relative sizes and differences in composition of Earth’s internal structures, from crust, upper and lower mantle, to outer and inner core. They also created an "Earth Fan," to remember that Earth is much more than just the surface we see every day. Aside from doing creative works to model the earth's interior, students had a chance to do hands-on activities to observe how heat can be transferred through a liquid, and how convection occurs in Earth’s mantle.

To end the chapter, students will have a chapter test on Monday.

Mrs. Crespo-Montano
MS Science

Science is often described as a ‘hard’ subject. By the time our scholars reach secondary schools, success in science depends on the ability to handle abstract concepts and models as well as being, numerate, literate and able to recall a body of factual knowledge.

The Duke and Northwestern scholars were learning that Carbon is so important because of its unique bonding properties: Carbon forms the basic structures of life. During the experiments, our scholars discovered that Carbon is the basic constituent of Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats and Lipids, which are the groundwork of our body’s structure, support and energy. And what makes it more unique and exiting, is when they used samples to identify presence of these organic compounds and how doctors identify diseases through having too much or too less of carbohydrates, Lipids and Proteins.

Our lab has provided structured experiences that help to develop increasingly sophisticated mental models, moving from concrete to abstract.

Gemma Y. Bognot - Clarke, Ph.D
MS Science Teacher
Science Department Chair

Students, don't forget your listening assignments. It is important and is part of your long-term acquisition of the language.

Parents, do not forget to practice with your kids. It is an important part of the support and motivation process.

Spanish I is learning about how to ask questions in the mall in Spanish (i.e., How much is this, Colors, Sizes, etc.).

Introduction to Spanish is learning about numbers 50-100, and how to call people from other Spanish-speaking countries (e.g., Colombia=Colombianos, etc.).

Barbara Cabrera

Dear Parents;

We are currently on studying Heredity & Genetics that focuses on pattern of inheritance. Your child will be learning more about his/her own genetic makeup and the traits that make them who they are. For this project, we will be focusing on our immediate family members and will be creating a Pedigree Chart. The point of this project is to learn about the genetic traits that we inherit from our family members and that these traits are a part of us and don’t change. The project will be due on Thursday December 9, 2016. Students are responsible for drawing and creating the traits of their family and have it represented on a poster board, as well as fill out the Punnet square detailing the genotypes and phenotypes. I encourage their posters to be creative and that they have fun learning about themselves. Attached is the assignment information which was distributed in the class.

I greatly appreciate you support in helping our amazing scholars learn more about themselves as well as their family members. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please let me know.
Thank you for all your support.

Very Respectfully Yours;

Attachment(s)

Gemma Y. Bognot - Clarke, Ph.D.
MS Science Teacher
Science Department Chair

Current Algebra I (William and Mary) students are given insight from former Algebra I students about Algebra I, high school, and what it takes to be a great student.

In addition, the CMIT high school students answered questions and shared personal experiences including failures and successes. They shared what high school teachers expect from their students and how they became intrinsically motivated to be successful.

Ms. Fagan

6th Grade: Students will start learning about North America when we arrive back from Thanksgiving Break. Students will be taking their test on Section 3 - Human Geography before we go on break.

Howard and Yale: Monday, November 21st
Brown: Tuesday, November 22nd

7th Grade: Students will be finishing up learning about Modern Day Africa when we return from break. We have gone over the essays about Africa and the Silk Roads in class. I have given students feedback on what they could've done better. If they would like to resubmit their essays to improve their grade, they can do so by e-mailing their essay by Tuesday, November 29th. Please e-mail me if there are any questions!

Ms. Jessica Lash

I will be starting after school baseball conditioning for any boy who wants to tryout for baseball. The dates and days of the week will be determined. Whichever day or days of the week I choose, the conditioning will last until 4pm.

Mark Snyder

An informational meeting for students already signed up to attend our July 2017 Trip to China will happen on Thursday, December 15th, 2016, from 6:00-6:45 pm in Room 164. Topics discussed will be Passports, Visas, Items to bring, Clothing, and Date for starting the educational component.

James Screven & Samantha Stewart

Ways to Communicate with the PTO

Website: www.cmitnorthpto.org
Online Membership Form: http://tinyurl.com/cmitnpto-membershipform
Online Store: https://squareup.com/store/cmit-north-pto
Email: information@cmitnorthpto.org
Sign Up for text Alerts via Remind: Text @cmitn to 81010 or download Remind App

Ways to Help Your PTO

Become a PTO Member – Sign up to become a member of PTO for $10 per family member. The dues are used to support many activities and events sponsored by the PTO. It also entitles you to voting rights during meetings.

Amazon Smile – Shop at smile.amazon.com and select CMIT North PTO and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to PTO.

Harris Teeter Together in Education – Link your VIC card to CMIT North (#3104). When customers purchase select Harris Teeter Brand products using their VIC card, Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars to PTO.

First Friday – On the 1st Friday of each month, donate the cost of your lunch ($10 or more) to help towards CMIT North PTO fundraising efforts. If you would like, you can pay the entire year ($90).

Giant Bonus Card - Register you Giant Bonus Card for CMIT North (#17899) and A+ spending rewards will be converted into cash for our school!

CMIT Spirit Nights will be held quarterly! Have dinner at the Contee Road/Route 1 location between 3PM to 9PM and be sure to mention “CMIT” when ordering. Our school will earn 20% of the proceeds during this time!

Box Tops for Education – Each Box Top collected = .10₵ for CMIT! Help may be needed to count/compile box tops.


For more information, please contact the CMIT NORTH PTO BOARD Information@cmitnorthpto.org

CMIT North PTO

Want to be connected with other parents within the school and have an opportunity to give back. High School and Middle School Committees has bi-weekly calls that you can join to learn more about the school and ways you can help.



High School Conference calls held bi-weekly on Monday @ 8PM. Call-in details provide by emailing highschoolreps@cmitnorthpto.org.


Middle School Conference calls are held bi-weekly on Tuesday @ 7PM. Call-in details provide by emailing middleschoolreps@cmitnorthpto.org.

CMIT North PTO

The holidays are approaching and your will be busy shopping for gifts, decorations, and more. Please remember to shop at smile.amazon.com, CMIT North PTO can increase its AmazonSmile donations. Please use the link below to get started.

#StartWithaSmile at (smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1975548) for your holiday gifts and Amazon donates to CMIT North PTO.

CMIT North PTO

Dear Parent & Staff

Please mark your calendar, December 2nd, as this is the first Friday for the month of December. We are asking parents/guardians/staff to "brown bag it" on the first Friday of each month and donate the money (what they would have used to purchase their lunch) to our school.

You may send in your donation ($10) in the form of cash/check on the first Friday of each month during the school year or you may pay in advance for the entire school year ($90). Donation envelopes, clearly marked with your child's name and university, may be turned in at the front desk during homeroom. You can also payments at https://squareup.com/store/cmit-north-pto .

We appreciate any donations!

CMIT North PTO

Click here to open FAQ page