A May 2011 New York Times article titled “Quality Time, Redefined”(1) used “Home-based iDistraction” phrase to describe today’s modern day family life for many homes. Since 2011, things did not get better but worse. Here is the quote from that article:

“One family. One room. Four screens. Four realities, basically. While it may look like some domestic version of “The Matrix” — families sharing a common space, but plugged into entirely separate planes of existence through technology — a scene like this has become an increasingly familiar evening ritual. As a result, the American living room in 2011 can often seem less like an oasis for shared activity, even if that just means watching television together, than an entangled intersection of data traffic — everyone huddled in a cyber-cocoon.”

What is your family time like nowadays? Is technology helping or hurting quality time together? How can us, parents, improve the quality family time for our children who are called Generation Z (2).

There are many resources and articles that list strategies for parents to increase the quality family time that is suitable for Generation Z. The “play children’s games” strategy is a great start to spend more time with the kids at home. Educational board games and card games are some of the options for family members from almost all ages to participate and interact with each other. Many of those games help students improve the following skills:

▪ Reflective Thinking
▪ Planning
▪ Problem Solving
▪ Decision Making
▪ Logical Thinking
▪ Emotional Intelligence
▪ Cooperation
▪ Competition
▪ How to Deal with Mistakes
▪ Deferring Gratification

The following board and card games received 4.5 or more stars (out of 5) from hundreds of reviews at Amazon.com. Their prices range from $5 to $35:

- Deluxe Blokus Game
- Karma Card Game
- Monopoly Deal Card Game
- Ideal Rage Card Game
- Smack it! Card Game
- SET: The Family Game of Visual Perception
- Phase 10 Card Game
- SKIP BO Card Game
- Reinhards Staupe's BLINK Card Game
- Sumoku Game
- Sequence Game

If you do not have any card or board games at home, it is time to pick up one from local stores or order online to spend more time with the children and family.

Sources:
(1): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/fashion/01FAMILY.html?pagewanted=1
(2): http://www.gettingsmart.com/2012/12/meet-generation-z/
(3): https://daringtolivefully.com/board-games-and-life-skills

Mr AG
Principal

On Saturday May 20, 2017, all newly enrolled incoming 6th grade students and their families will be at CMIT South for new families orientation. CMIT South family is excited as the family continues to grow.

New students will be taking assessments while their parents will participate in a series of information sessions.

For this event to be a success, CMIT South is asking for student and parent volunteers to help.

Click on the link below if you are able to volunteer on May 20, 2017 for any of the activities listed. Students will receive community service hours while the parents can fulfill some of their family service hours.


www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0C4CABA82BA6FC1-newfamily

Lara Asafa

Engineering is all about creating, building, and making things better! So what does it take to be an engineer? If you like math and science, you are off to a great start. If you enjoy discovering new things, solving problems, and learning how things work - even better! Creativity, persistence, and the desire to make the world a better place are also important qualities. Becoming an engineer requires hard work and a good education. United States Naval Academy (USNA) Summer Stem Program will be a great start to your career in science and engineering.

(USNA) Summer Stem Program is six days long. Campers live in our dorm, eat in our dining hall, and engage in hands-on math and science activities with our faculty and midshipmen (what we call our students).

2017 SESSION DATES

Session 1: Rising 9th Graders
June 5 - 10

Session 2: Rising 10th Graders
June 12 - 17

Tuition: $550
For more information please visit:https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM/index.php

Attachment(s)

Mr.Taner
Program Coordinator

Culturefest is at CMIT South This year!

Saturday April 1st 2017
12:00-4:00pm

You can now purchase your tickets in the front office at CMIT South for $2 advanced sale (Cash Only). Tickets will go up to $3 the day of the event.

Festivities will include,
- Cultural Song, Dance, Food, and Music
- Face Painting, Henna, Moonbounce & other free activities.

This is a great opportunity for families to educate, celebrate, and share their culture with the CLF Community!

If you would like to set up a booth, perform in the show (students), or share food with visitors to this event. Please register your interest here http://www.clfadvancedstudies.org/culturefest Presenters gain free admission.

For Further Questions, please contact Ms. Fay at kfay@cmitsouth.org

Attachment(s)

Kelly Fay

Every performance at the Middle School Talent show was incredible!

The following act's were our top 5!

1) Geremie Anderson (7th) & Azure Rivera (7th)

2) Kira Coates (6th)

3) Isiah Gallaway (8th)

4) Ashley Goode (7th) & Nivea Brown (7th)

5) Eseme Eseme (7th)

Kelly Fay

As many may have noticed, there is road closure planned for Dowerhouse Road around North Pearl Harbor at Andrews Air Force Base. According to the sign, this road closure will occur from April 03 - April 07, 2017.

Please plan accordingly.

CMIT South

Students put together some really awesome Roller Coasters in Science this week utilizing their gained knowledge from the last two units of science on forces, gravity, and now potential and kinetic energy!

The following link has a video of some of the best projects presented on Friday March 24th. CMIT South email log in is required to view the video: https://drive.google.com/a/cmitsouth.org/file/d/0Bzk3rainSqyoTXZIeXlhdU1UTDg/view?usp=sharing

Students received a quiz grade for this project.

Kelly Fay

We are encouraging Adults to participate on April 8, 2017 from 11:30am - 2:30pm to paint for a purpose at the Muse Paintbar at National Harbor. The cost is $45 with 40% of each ticket cost will go back to support the CMITSouth Class of 2021. We need at least 26 people to meet our targeted goal. Please view the attached flyer for more details. If you have any questions, please reachout to Parent Lead - Tamika Spencer - tamikaspencer@hotmail.com . We hope you can support!

Admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities will participate in 2017 Prince George’s County National College Fair which will be held on Thursday, April 6th and Friday, April 7th at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland.

National College Fair* program provides free resources and opportunities for students and parents who are navigating the college admission process. The event will share information on admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings and campus environment. 

Please register at: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/prince-georges-county-college-fair/

For more information, visit:
https://www.nacacfairs.org/globalassets/college-fair--homepage/ncf-documents/spring2017-newsletters/prince-george_ncf-spring-17_english.pdf

Event Name: Prince George's County National College Fair
Where: Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, MD
Date & Times: Thursday, April 6, 2017 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 7, 2017 9:45 a.m. – noon

*This event is sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Mr.Taner
Program Coordinator

We have continued to hold Saturday Academy each Saturday for students who need the assistance. As you review your student's grades, please note that CMIT South stands ready to help with any struggles in Reading and Mathematics.

Saturday Academy starts at 9:00am and ends at 1:00pm every Saturday.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Lara Asafa

Attention CMIT-S Parents and Guardians,

I am happy to announce that this year we will be having our first ever PARCC Spirit Week! We are looking for your support to donate treats for the students to enjoy throughout testing. If you are able, please sign-up to donate! The deadline to drop off the snacks/drinks is Thursday April 13th.
Thank you for your help and support.


www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0848ADAE22A6FE3-parcc

Ms. Warehime, School Counselor

CMIT-S Students, Parents and Guardians,

We will be holding a PARCC Spirit Week April 24-28 to help kickoff PARCC testing. This years theme is "CMIT-S is Hitting it Out of the PARCC." Each day ALL students will have the opportunity to participate in the days theme. On Friday April 28th we will be having a pep rally where selected students will be able to silly string CMIT-S teachers and staff. Every day that a student participates by dressing up, will earn them a chance to silly string the teacher or staff member of their choice. We are excited for the weeks events.

Again, this is open to EVERY CMIT-S student (6th-9th grade)

Theme Days

Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Hat/Crazy Sock Day
Wednesday: Class Color Day
6th-Green
7th-Purple
8th-Blue
9th-Red
Teachers- Black
Thursday: Neon Day
Friday: Sports Day

Remember: No hooded top/sweatshirts or pants with holes. Dress code must be followed.

Ms. Warehime, School Counselor

Parents! Friends! Family Members!

If you have a job- ANY JOB! Please sign up to present during career day on May 26, 2017!

This is a REALLY important event for our students in terms of motivation, commitment to school, and commitment to their future!

Each Speaker can sign up for a partial, or whole day- and presentations will last about 30 minutes each (I'll put you in as many classes as possible during the time you are available)

Prepare for 15-20 minutes of talking about your job, how you got it, and what you like or dislike about it, and 10-15 minutes of student questions.

If you are interested in presenting at this function, please sign up at the following link. https://goo.gl/forms/TCfMFWq7JmEP8pru1 We will provide you with breakfast and lunch and be in touch!

Kelly Fay

I am very excited to announce that CMIT south will be joining Washington DC's Youth Rugby league through Play Rugby USA this Spring!

Attached is the finalized dates for rugby practice and our spring tournament.

Tryouts are Next Wednesday March 29th from 3-5pm - You need to show up to make the team!

Both girls and boys in grades 6-8 are eligible to play, no prior experience needed. This program will establish students within the sport in a safe, non contact flag rules environment.

Below is a link to a recent Washington Post article about our program.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-inner-city-youth-theres-a-new-game-in-town-rugby/2016/07/28/606083dc-538a-11e6-b7de-dfe509430c39_story.html

Students who commit to the team will be able to compete against other teams at a major tournament in May 2017.

Students must possess and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in order to participate in Interscholastic Athletics. Also, remember all students are required to have a signed parent permission slip and signed medical physical evaluation form to be completed by a Licensed Physician before they may participate in any school sponsored interscholastic athletic activity.

If you are interested, have any further questions, or need more information, please contact Ms. Fay directly (kfay@cmitsouth.org), or drop your e-mail address into the link below, and I will contact you!

https://goo.gl/forms/qxPh91CJeZP0dSJm2

Attachment(s)

Kelly Fay

The Science Team needs help!

We are looking to have an awesome Earth Day this year on April 13th 2017!

We need speakers from any of the following career fields, or similar fields.

Waste Management
Riverkeepers
Water Quality
EPA
Parks Department
Recycling
Bay Studies
Energy

If you are interested in volunteering to speak- please contact Brian Davidson at bdavidson@cmitsouth.org

Kelly Fay

Good Neighbor Day

The 6th Annual Good Neighbor Day is a collaborative partnership between the University of Maryland, the City of College Park, the Prince George's County Department of the Environment, and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The event brings together the College Park Community to beautify shared spaces, educate and engage in sustainable practices, and take pride in the greater City of College Park.

Good Neighbor Day 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
College Park Community Center
5051 Pierce Avenue

Sign Up Here

https://vpaf.umd.edu/current-projects/good-neighbor-day

Ms. Warehime, School Counselor

Mark your Calendars. CMIT South staff and parents continue to plan great learning and fun activities for our wonderful students. Please mark your calendars for the following events. Students are reminded to present positive behavior as SIS points are required for most of the activities listed below.

More information for each of these events are being shared on the school newsletter as the relevant information becomes available.

March 24 - High School Parent Night
April 3 - Casual Day
April 7 - SIS Event
April 10 - Spring Picture Day
April 10 -13 PARCC Rally Week
April 13 - Earth Day
May 4 - ITEC Capitol Tech Uni Visit
May 5 - SIS Event
May 8 - Casual Day
May 1-3 Basketball Tournament
May 19 - Tentative Spanish Trip
May 20 - New Families Orientation
May 25/26 - JA Financial Park Field Trip - 8th grade
May 25 - Nifty Fifty Guest Speaker for MS
May 26 - Career Day
June 2 - SIS event
June 5 - Casual Day
June 6 - Zoo Field Trip
June 8 - Busch Garden field trip day
June 9 - Tentative PTO Field Day

Lara Asafa

Word 2013 - 6th Grade
Excel 2013 - Upenn, Columbia, Dartmouth,

Parents,

We wanted to let you know that we have set the dates for the MOS Exam for 2017. Registration information will be available soon; please continue to check future newsletter blurbs to register for one of the testing dates.

Registration information will be announced soon.

Cost: $50 each test

Dates:
Monday May 22nd
Tuesday May 23rd
Thursday May 25th.
Time: 3:00 to 4:15 pm

Where: CMIT South Technology labs

Happy Spring!!!!

Tech Dept

Congratulations to Kody Thomas and Afolajimi Abe on earning a perfect score on their Quarter 3 Test this week!!

Other Top Performers:
Kingsley Adekanmbi
Rylee Johnson
Jazmyn Watson
Janae' Wilson
Jalen Adams
Stephanie Entzminger
Christian Payne
Addyson Powell
Aubriana Powell
Stephen Reddick

Keep up the good work!

The Seventh Graders will take a Final Exam the Week of May 30th 2017. Two hours will be provided, and the exam will be a cumulative final of the Physics Unit. Students should prepare for about 35 Multiple Choice Questions and 3 BCR Questions.

Topics will include
- Motion (Ch 7)
- Forces (Ch 8*)
- Energy (Ch 10*)
- Thermodynamics (Ch 11*)
- Waves (Ch 12*)
- Light (Ch 15*)
- Electricity and Magnetism (Ch 17*)

* Chapters Marked - Entire chapter not covered in class or on test - students will need to refer to notes / slides, and sources from class to evaluate what material is important to study and review.

Kelly Fay

The following students will receive a ‘pick a casual day’ pass because of finishing the week of March 13 with the

highest SIS balances:

- Scholars of the Week for middle: Holland (Yale), Efrata (Bowie), Jasmine (Yale)

- Scholars of the Week for high: Rachel (Stanford), Angie (Stanford), Orian
(Stanford)

Congratulations and continue to model the exemplary behavior.

CMIT South

This is another gentle reminder that popcorn, shelled nuts or sunflower seeds are not allowed. Please provide alternative snacks to your student.

CMIT South

What is the Uniform Policy?
The uniform policy can be found on our website, under Students tab.

How do we order uniform items?
Uniform items can be ordered by completing the online order form: www.cmituniforms.com

Do I have to purchase uniforms from this vendor?

No, however, uniforms purchased from other vendors must have 100% identical color tone and the CMIT South logo. The current uniform vendor provides donation to the CMIT South PTO based on sales. Each uniform purchase from Minuteman Press is contribution to the school. 

What is CMIT's Daily Schedule?
7:35- 7:45am:
- Student arrival (drop off is at the side entrance)
- Doors close at 7:45am (after 7:45am parents need to sign late students in at the Front Office)

7:35 - 7:57am:
- Homeroom (Breakfast is available during this time until 7:50am)

8:00am - 2:49pm for 6th&9th grades and 2:54 for 7th & 8th grades: 
- Academic instruction

2:49/2:54 - 3:10 pm: 
Student pick-up outside (Students who are not picked up by 3:10pm will be waiting outside for their ride. There is no adult supervision for these students during this time).

Clubs and enrichment activities will begin immediately following dismissal. All club/enrichment participants must report directly to the cafeteria. Students who continuously fail to report directly to their designated locations will lose the privilege to participate in any after school activities. 

How do I pay for my child's lunch?
Breakfast and lunch are served every day. You can add money to your child's account by visiting this link. You can also pay by cash or money order in the cafeteria. 

Can my child bring their own lunch to school?
Students can bring a lunch from home. Lunches can be stored in the student's locker. Microwaves are available in the cafeteria to warm food. Refrigerators are not available for students.

What do they serve for school lunch?
A monthly menu is provided by Food and Nutrition Services. Click here for lunch and breakfast menu.

What is the academic calendar?
CMIT follows the Prince George's County Public School calendar found here. To receive notifications of PGCPS school cancellations by providing information here.

Where can I find information about CMIT events and updates?
Every Friday CMIT South publishes its weekly newsletter. It is HIGHLY recommended that you subscribe to the newsletter. It is a vital means of communication between CMIT South and stakeholders. Please click here to subscribe to CMIT South Newsletter. Please visit www.cmitsouth.org for more information.