Essay Requirements (Grades 6-12 ONLY): At least 250 words, but shall not exceed 500 words • Typed and double-spaced • Original work only • Be sure to properly cite your sources. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/ • Due on Friday, January 24th Scoring Rubric Comprehension (20 points) How well does the essay reflect a thorough comprehension of the essay topic? Does the essay provide supported reasons for the student’s topic selection? Organization (20 points) Does the argument/discussion follow a logical and easily understood progression? Does any outside evidence contained in the essay support the essay’s main points? Conclusions (20 points) Do the conclusions follow logically from the main body of the essay and reflect what the student has learned from research? How compelling are the conclusions? Creativity (20 points) Use of diverse resources, language &/or style, unique angle? Writing (20 points) Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure. Poster Requirements (Elementary ONLY): • Poster MUST be 18x14 inches • Illustrates & supports a significant African American • Illustrates the contribution clearly and with artistic energy • Is it Colorful? Creative? Innovative? Legible? Different? Finished? • Poster should have a caption of at least three sentences, but no more than 10 to include who, what, and how the person contributed to shaping history. • Poster should mention at least one NEW thing the student learned during this contest? (E.g. arts in STEAM, African American role models, about oneself, society, African American history &/or culture, etc.) CLF will have 3 winners from each division who will receive a $50 gift card. Student winners and their parents will be invited to an awards reception hosted by CLF. One honorary mention from each school/division will be asked to read their essay or present their poster submission. Refreshments will be served and community leaders, special guests, fellow students, teachers, school officials, and board members will be in attendance.

CLF Community Partnerships

I am organizing a trip to Japan for students, parents and family members. If you are still interested in traveling to this beuatiful and mysterious country please contact Mr Screven at jscreven@cmitacademy.org. This trip is being offered through EF tours, this trip is not affiliated with either PGCPS or Cheaseapeake Lighthouse foundation.

James Screven, Assistant Principal

What is SeaPerch? SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem-solving, teamwork, and technical applications. Check the following website for more info https://www.seaperch.org/index CMIT-N High School and Middle School Seaperch Teams started having meetings on Saturdays from 9 AM to 11 AM at High School.(Room 146) If you would like to join the team, please send an email to Mr.Bayram at nbayram@cmitacademy.org

Nuri Bayram STEM Coordinator

CMIT-N FIRST Robotics Team (TEAM ILLUSION) started to meeting 4 times a week right after the Kick Off. This week, Team Illusion worked out the team`s priorities and set the preliminary requirement: There are 4 priorities for the team 1.Lift 2.Shooter 3.Control Panel Spinner 4.Drive Subsystem After 3 days of the meeting, Team Illusion decided to possible Robot Design: A Star Wars Robot! On Saturday meeting, Team Illusion set up two laptops with the 2020 Code and reimaged a test RoboRIO. We have PVC for the lift, good cord rated at better than 120 lbs and we are ready to start test the lift. The Team has 6 weeks to complete the robot. Since there is a short deadline to complete the robot, Team Illusion meets 4 times a week: Mondays : 3 PM - 5 PM Wednesdays : 3 PM - 5 PM Fridays : 3 PM - 5 PM Saturdays: 10 AM - 2 PM Even if you are only available one or two of the meeting days, It is OK. If you want to Join the team, send an e-mail to Mr.Bayram at nbayram@cmitacademy.org

Nuri Bayram STEM Coordinator

The SGA Executive Board is here to inform you that our newly elected student government system is back and better than ever! We are listening to students and staff to ensure CMIT Academy is a comfortable environment for everyone. SGA is including staff in the fun with an MLK breakfast, similar to annual events taking place around the country. Exciting things students will love have already been approved with plans in action! SGA has planned some fantastic fundraisers and events for the school with guidance from teachers and administrators. The Executive Board values the opinions of educators and students. Representatives are also welcome to the team. Executive Members include...President: Leah Brooks Ikeme Garuba, Vice President: Theresa Merrifield Kefira Boyd, Secretary: Genesis Edwards Ore Adeyemo, Treasurer: Halle Halle Marrana Nwozo, Moyosoreoluwa Adeyemo.

James Screven, Assistant Principal

We will be having an interest meeting on June 30th @ 7pm at CMIT middle school room 108 for the July 2021 trip to Isreal ,to visit the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth Jericho and Bethlehem. This trip is to experience the historical sites and cultural sites of a modern country representative of the Middle East. You will have the oportunity to see the important sites of the birthplace of 3 of the world's religions, walk the streets that historical figures have walked, explore ancient Jewish, Roman and Muslim architecture and eat authentic middle eastern food. Although this trip is open to families, all children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult traveler. This trip is not a field trip and is not sponsored by PGCPS or CMIT. You must attend meeting to get inromation for this trip.

James Screven, Assistant Principal

Dear Parents, Great News! Our school has partnered with Smile Programs to offer in-school dental care. Best of all, in most cases there is no cost to you if your child is insured with Medicaid or CHIP! Private insurance and affordable self-pay options are also available. Easy & Convenient Having your child seen by the in-school dentist saves you valuable time. Top quality care is provided by local, licensed dentists’ right in the familiar surroundings of your child’s school. Dental care includes a complete exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when needed. Restorative care, such as fillings, may also be provided. Keep Your Child Healthy By having your child see the in-school dentist, you can help reduce the risk of: Early Tooth Loss caused by dental decay Gum Disease Heart Disease Impaired speech development Taking care of your child’s teeth is an important part of keeping them healthy Simply fill out a permission form and return it to the school TODAY. Register online: www.myschooldentist.com

CMIT Nurse

Look for ordering instructions within the next couple of weeks.

Amy Sumor

Five teams from eight grade students and one seventh grade student were thoroughly preparing for the National TRAC Bridge Competition. TRAC Bridge Competition is designed to allow students the opportunity to develop a Truss Bridge that will be tested for strength-to-weight ratio. Student teams from grades 7 and 8 will be competing against other TRAC student teams from across the country. In preparation to the national competition, MDOT SHA will hold the First Annual Maryland Bridge Challenge on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Morgan State University; and TRAC Bridge Builder Invitational 2.0 on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High School. These events will allow the students to test and record their bridge efficiency ratio and practice their oral presentation in preparation for the national competition.

Mrs. Crespo-Montano (Science Teacher)

COMMUNICATION SKILLS session Goals and Objectives: * To empower students how to communicate effectively Major Objectives: * Define communication * Discuss verbal and nonverbal communication * Define misunderstanding * Discuss how misunderstandings develop * Discuss how misunderstandings can be avoided Vocabulary: * communication * interpersonal * message * response * effective * verbal * nonverbal * misunderstanding * ambiguous * contradictory * paraphrase We are primarily "social" beings in that we spend most of our lives with other people. Therefore, it is important to learn how to get along with others and function in social situations. Certain communication skills help us deal more effectively in interpersonal relationships. Realizing there are two (2) major forms of communication, verbal and nonverbal Any other form of communication falls under one of those headings (of verbal or nonverbal). POINTS to MAKE: * Frequently we are communicating a message that is somewhat different from the one we intend to send. * Sometimes our unconscious feelings are manifested in the form of nonverbal behavior. * It is important that we be conscious of the messages we are sending. SUMMARY: * Communication is the process by which a person sends a message to another individual with the intent of evoking a response or transmitting information. * Verbal communication refers to the specific words that we use and our voice inflections. * Nonverbal communication refers to body language (facial expressions, body positions). * We should be conscious of our nonverbal cues. We may be unconsciously giving contradictory messages. * Effective communication exists between two persons when the sender and the receiver of a message interpret it in the same way. * Misunderstanding is a failure in communication. * There are several ways to attempt to clarify an ambiguous or contradictory message (asking questions, being specific, paraphrasing). Sincerely, Dr. Sullivan-Williams (aka Dr. BB) Senior Certified Life-Skills/Character Education Instructor

James Screven, Assistant Principal

Students in CMIT are encouraged to show off their talents and world curiosity by creating a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math skills, but approaching their projects with a creative, or Artistic, perspective (the “A” in STEAM). A STEAM fair project is a unique way for students to pose questions, find answers, and to meet their own curiosity about the world. This project is an experiment, a demonstration, and a research effort. Students present their findings and overall project layout to a group of judges at the STEAM Fair event. As part of CMIT STEAM FAIR activity, students present their project to their peers. STEAM FAIR Project Presentation in Mrs. Crespo's class was conducted last January 9 and 10, 2020 during their science period.

Mrs. Crespo-Montano (Science Teacher)

2020 is here and your new PTO wants your input! Let your voice be heard... Our goal for 2020 is to increase parent participation and membership in the Middle School PTO. We need YOU - CMIT to help us achieve this goal. You tell us when YOU think we should hold PTO meetings and we will do our best to coordinate meetings when the majority of our parents can attend! We will offer options to join in-person at the middle school or online through Facebook Live or Zoom Meeting. The survey only takes about 2-3 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish. Respond before the survey closes on Saturday, January 18th at midnight. A raffle for two gift cards will be held for all participants. We thank you for your support. Survey in English https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XW2PZD7 Survey in Spanish https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWTVJVS

Thank you, Middle School Executive Board CMIT North PTO

Q: Is CMIT North MS a public school? 

A: Yes We are a public charter school who is staffed by PGCPS teachers and administration, and support staff who work along side of a limited CLF staff. We have access to PGCPS support but 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, science 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. Lastly, we are a uniform school which takes away the distraction, the competition and the social stratification that is brought on by non uniform dress in a school. 

Our test scores oustrip not only county averages but also state avaerages. This, along with other metrics has made us a 5 star school. 

Q: Do you offer everything the big middle and high school's 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, girl's softball, boy's baseball and club lacrosse in the middle school. Additionally, boys and girls basketball, track/field and volleyball at the high school level. With that said we recently (2017) won the girls county basketball championship and made it to the playoffs in soccer. Our high school opened a multi-million dollar, state of the art gym complex, competitive with all schools of their size. 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, split between literacy and math. Services hours are delivered by special education teachers but are limited to literacy and math courses.