Last week CMIT North Middle School was visited by Jean-Luque Zephir, a reporter from Laurel TV. Mr. Zephir did a story on our 5 Star Rating from MSDE. The CMIT community if very proud of this accomplishment. Thank you Mr. McCormick, Sarrinah Farin, Amy Moscoso, and Zachary Ward for representing CMIT so well. Please view the story by clicking on the link https://youtu.be/7jfzMyPZ5VY

Mr. Andrew Brauer, Principal

At the last PTO Meeting a concern was voiced that the science classes do very few labs in class. My response was that our teachers follow the curriculum which includes labs designed to allow students to visualize and apply the skills taught in class. Additionally, I promised to review the curriculum with Dr. Clarke, Science Department Chair, in order to provide parents with a list of labs completed this year in science classes, as well as, possible labs they will experience later this year in this weeks Newsletter. Attached below is the list of labs for each grade and subject of science. Keep in mind, not all labs are designed the same. Some are teacher led with student inquiry and analysis. These labs are facilitated by the teacher due to safety concerns. Other labs may be hands on such as classifying and comparing different types of rocks. Teachers have different labs to choose from for each topic. These decisions are based on what they believe will best benefit their students in an effort to meet them at their needs. Ultimately, not all labs are going to meet the "Mad Scientist" cliche, however, they all include scientific analysis and inquiry. Please see the list of labs teachers can select from for each topic taught throughout the year by opening the appropriate attachment.

Attachment(s)

Mr. Andrew Brauer, Principal

The students have demonstrated their exceptional talent on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as well as their creativity as they competed for our 2018-2019 STEAM fair held at the CMIT High School gym on January 26, 2019. The STEAM fair participants envisioned a world of upcoming doctors using natural resources to provide cures for diseases. They are our future engineers, who utilize their imaginations to create exceptional design to build a future city. They are the innovators who create new uses for existent product. Please find the attached documents for the STEAM Fair winner. Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you to the entire parent, community teachers and pioneers of science that came out in support of our future leaders.

Attachment(s)

Gemma Y. Bognot - CLARKE, Ph.D. MS Science Teacher Science Department Chair School STEAM Coordinator

Students and teachers are working together to make this years Black History Month even more special. Students from grades 6,7,8 are diligently working to decorate hallways around the school with the theme of black migrations. Teams are being led by Dr. Clarke, Ms. Pettus, Ms. Brooks and Ms. Sumor. Each project will be judged using a rubric and the winners will receive a pizza party. All participants will receive PRS points for good citizenship by showing their pride in African American history and their school.

James Screven, Assistant Principal

2nd Quarter report cards were sent home on Friday, February 8th. Please review with your students to discuss their progress. The last day to contest a 2nd quarter grade is Friday, February 15th. In order to contest a grade, you must fill out the Parent Appeal Form and send it to that teacher, Mrs. Linnenkamp (jlash@cmitacademy.org), and Mr. Brauer (abrauer@cmitacademy.org) by that date.

Attachment(s)

CMIT Administration

Saloni Patel, Leonard Bourne and Brigham Pletsch will represent CMIT on the upcoming 71st Annual Prince George’s Area Science Fair (PGASF) at Charles H. Flowers High School, 10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale, Maryland 20774. Mark your calendar to witness how Saloni, will transform a penny into a radiant symbol and possibility to power a digital clock. Leonard designs a structure that can withstand an earthquake. Lastly, Brigham will show his skills in crafting a modern hydrophone which enables a communication with dolphins. Display and judging of all projects for students in grades 6-12 will begin March 16, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The PGASF Exhibit Hall will be open to the public from 4:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. The event will close with an awards ceremony from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Doors to the auditorium will open for guests at 6:15 p.m. and for student participants at 6:45 p.m. This year’s theme is "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Building a Sustainable Future". Over 400 student projects will be displayed and judged from public schools in three counties: Calvert, Saint Mary’s, and Prince George’s, as well as from several Prince George’s County Charter and Private schools. https://ektron.pgcps.org/science/index.aspx?id=220136 Gemma Y. Bognot - CLARKE, Ph.D. MS Science Teacher Science Department Chair

Gemma Y Bognot CLARKE, Ph.D Grade 8 Science Teacher Science Department Chair

On Tuesday, March 19th and Wednesday, March 20th, all 8th grade students will be taking the MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) Science 8. Please make sure that your 8th grade scholar is present and on time for the testing days. The test will cover science from grades 6 through 8. For practice tests: 1. Go to https://md.testnav.com/client/index.html 2. Click on Practice Tests on the bottom right corner. There is no username or password. 3. Under Grade 8, you can choose either Unit 1 or Unit 2 of the Computer Based Practice Test

Casandra Andrew

Hello STEAMazing Superstars! CLF Black History Month is here! This year, we were astonished by the tremendous increase in participation! CLF received over 350+ posters and 45 essays on January 25th! With so many unique submissions, we need your help! CLF invites all its staff, parents, teachers and seniors to participate in the poster evaluation process! Come to the CLF central office, grab some tea or coffee and check out the colorful projects on display. We are also encouraging visitors to take photos of their favorite projects and post them on social media. Don’t wait to evaluate, our staff will cycle through projects on display to keep the exhibit fresh and fun! CLF will also select posters throughout February to highlight on Twitter. Visit @CLF_CLF or @CLF_PR to check out posters in the social spotlight or tag us on your favorite posters! Let's celebrate the "A" in STEAM together! A special thanks to all the parents, students and teachers that contributed to this year’s Black History Month! I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap Ani DiFranco

CLF Community Partnership

Where: The National Aquarium in Baltimore MD When: March 13, 2019 Cost: $17 Payment Due: February 28th on MySchoolBucks Chaperone Interest: https://goo.gl/forms/ZFPTmWE232xEALSG2 - Permission Slips can be returned to Mrs. Linnenkamp - Students may bring a bagged lunch or bring $15-$20 to purchase lunch - Students will wear their oxford shirt and tie

Attachment(s)

Jessica Linnenkamp

I am pleased to announce the classroom Spelling Bee winners for my classes. Tuskegee/James Madison University 1st place - Arianna Ndamo Alternate - Ashley Ayitey-Adjin Harvard/Stanford 1st place - Adaeze Akabude Alternate - Jaelynn Walker New York University 1st place - Alexander Akinmutimi Alternate - Ethan Malcolm Carnegie Mellon/Bowie State 1st place - Hailey Anye Alternate - Olamide Cole Congratulations! These students will represent their class in the school wide Spelling Bee to be held later this month.

Amy Sumor

Maryland public charter schools currently do not receive funding for facilities. This is funding that all other Maryland public schools receive and your tax money supports. House Bill 156/Senate Bill 172 has been proposed by Governor Larry Hogan and would support equitable funding for Maryland's public charter schools. The passage of this bill would increase funding to schools like CMIT by $1600 per pupil. That means the money we currently use for facilities at CMIT would go back into the classroom where it belongs. This bill directly affects your children and needs your support. Please review the attached documents for more information and how to voice your support including a sample letter to your representatives.

Attachment(s)

Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation

Dear Parent/Guardians: As we get into the heart of cold and flu season, please be mindful of the policy PGCPS has on sick children. It is important for students to be in school learning, but students need to be healthy to participate in the learning process. We know it can be difficult to determine if your child is well enough to attend school or not, so I have included a chart for clarification. Please assist us in keeping our school community healthy by following the policy above and consulting with your physician as needed.

Attachment(s)

James Screven, Assistant Principal

Lesson Goals: To empower and familiarize students with the many different kinds of tobacco products and teach them the attitudes, norms and laws about smoking in this country are changing. Major Objectives: * Compare the different types of tobacco products. * Identify ways that smoking laws are changing. * Identify facts about the effects of smoking (short-term & long-term). * Discuss reasons people choose to smoke or not smoke. Vocabulary: * Nicotine * Side-stream smoke * Second hand smoke * Emphysema * Cancer Both the immediate and long term effects of smoking are harmful to a smoker's health and well-being. Dear Family: Teen smoking has become an epidemic in our society. Children are starting to experiment with tobacco at younger ages than ever before. In order to combat this alarming trend, schools have begun to participate in smoking prevention programs. Your child has been studying smoking information in school. Today in class your scholar actually participated in experiments that demonstrated how smoking causes emphysema and what happens to the heart of a person who smokes. The class also saw what happens to the lungs if they smoke a cigarette. You might want to ask your child about these experiments. As a parent, you can begin now to help prevent your child from smoking in the future. Contact agencies such as the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and/or the American Heart Association to find out if they are offering any workshops for parents and children. Most importantly, children whose parents smoke are more likely to become smokers. If you smoke and have ever tried to quit, you can share this with your child. You might want to consider smoking only when your child is not around or leaving the room to smoke. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and support.

Sincerely, Dr. Sullivan-Williams, PH.D. (a.k.a. Dr.. BB) Senior Certified Life Skills/Character Education Instructor

Dear Parents and Students, Please be aware of the Tardy Policy for the middle school students. 5 Tardies will result in the parent or guardian being contacted 10 Tardies will result in Saturday Detention 15 Tardies will result in a loss of privileges for the quarter. This includes dances, casual days, field trips, and other quarterly activities 20 Tardies will result in In School Suspension The tally of tardies will reset each quarter. Please contact Mrs. Linnenkamp with any questions at jlash@cmitacademy.org

Middle School Administration

Q: Is CMIT North MS a public school? 

A: Yes We are a public charter school who is staffed by PGCPS teachers and administration, along with CLF staff. We also benefit from additional guidance, management and financial support from Chesapeake Light House Foundation, whose educational concept this school is based on. 

Q: Do siblings get preference in applying to CMIT?

A: The process of gaining entry to any charter school in Prince George's County is through a lottery. However, siblings of already attending CMIT students are weighted differently during the lottery process. This different weighting gives preference to siblings. 

Q: What makes CMIT different then any other school in the district? 

A: Although we are a PGCPS public charter, we are given some autonomy over curriculum. This autonomy allows us to fast track students, who are academically ready, through selected high school courses in math, foreign language and technology. It is that fast tracking that opens up opportunity to more advanced  coursework on the college level while still in high school.  Additionally, we offer students supports and enrichments to every student, not available at most schools.

Q: Do you offer everything the big middle and high schools offer? 

A: Unlike many school in Maryland, we do not have a  full spectrum offerings in sports.  Instead, our focus is on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). Therefore, our sports offerings are more limited.  We offer, boys and girls soccer, basketball, boy's softball, boy's baseball,  boys and girls track/field at the high school. With that said we recently (2017) won the girls county basketball championship and made it to the playoffs in soccer. Our High school recently opened a multi-million dollar, state of the art gym complex. The middle school has also added an indoor gym space.  Lastly, we do offer special educational services, but becuase we are a school of choice, the amount of service hours we can provide is limited to 7.5 hours a week. Services hours are delivered by special education teachers but are limited to literacy and math courses.