The Tiger Times
Dear CMIT South Elementary Families and Friends,
We have officially made it to the very last week of the 2025–2026 school year! There are just 4 more days of school left to go. I want to pour out a massive dose of encouragement and gratitude to our students and parents. You have run an incredible race this year, and because of your dedication, teamwork, and hard work, the finish line is right in front of us.
As we finish these final days together, we are keeping our focus on our character word of the month, Integrity. Let’s share this thoughtful reminder with our scholars this week:
"Image is what people think we are; integrity is what we really are." — John C. Maxwell
Even as the school year comes to a close and summer vacation is just days away, our Tigers continue to show that they are true leaders by doing what is right and giving their absolute best until the very final bell rings.
🌟 A Week of Monumental Milestones!
🎓 Moving Up and Leveling UP!
This past week was absolutely filled with monumental, emotional, and joyful moments. We officially celebrated our Kindergarten Promotion Ceremonies and our 5th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony! It was truly beautiful to see our families come together to cheer on our scholars. Whether watching our littlest Tigers step into primary excellence or sending off our 5th graders as they prepare to conquer middle school, we are so proud to watch all of them Level UP to the next stage of their academic journeys!
🦈 Shark Tank Club Business Presentations
Our brilliant young entrepreneurs in the Shark Tank Club took center stage last week to pitch their original businesses! Our scholars showed incredible professionalism, gaining invaluable real-world knowledge and even securing funds to help grow their business ventures. This amazing program thrived under the stellar leadership of Dr. McCannon. We know these innovative scholars will continue to soar, and we extend a huge thank you to Dr. McCannon for her exceptional guidance and dedication to nurturing our students' entrepreneurial spirits!
💻 Important Reminder: Loaner Chromebook Returns
As we finalize our school inventory for the summer, this is a critical reminder for all families who currently have a school-issued loaner Chromebook or charger at home. Please ensure that all loaner devices and cords are returned to the school immediately. We need these assets accounted for and refreshed over the summer so they are ready for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your prompt cooperation!
📅 Final Week Reminders
Stay Focused on ROAR: Parents, please continue to remind your children to follow our ROAR values this week: keeping hands and feet to themselves, using kind words, and following staff directions. Let's ensure a safe, joyful, and positive final 4 days for everyone!
June 15 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 16 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 16 (8:30 AM – 9:30 AM): Donuts for Dads and Dudes! We cannot wait to celebrate our amazing fathers, grandfathers, uncles, godfathers, and male mentors in the cafeteria for a Paw-Some morning.
June 17 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 18 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 18 - Last Day of School for Students - End of 4th Quarter
June 19- School closed - Juneteenth
June 24- Last day of school for teachers
July 17 - 4th Qtr report cards mailed
Thank you for an unforgettable school year. Let's finish this final week with unmatched Tiger Pride!
Warmly,
Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Your PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers 🐯
Please take note of these important calendar reminders:
June 15 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 16 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 17 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 18 - Inclement Weather Make-Up - Schools Open
June 18 - Last Day of School for Students - End of 4th Quarter
June 19- School closed - Juneteenth
June 24- Last day of school for teachers
July 17 - 4th Qtr report cards mailed
Cameron Hill
1st Grade Ms. Garrett's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Garrett
Shoutout For: Kindness/Character
Cameron has truly blossomed this school year! He is kind, helpful, and a true social butterfly. Cameron’s positive attitude and friendly personality brighten our classroom each day. He is loved by his classmates and is always willing to lend a helping hand. I am so proud of the growth he has shown this year!
Yahmir Rogers
1st Grade Ms. Garrett's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Garrett
Shoutout For: Academic Achievement
Yahmir has made great academic progress this school year! He is eager to learn and consistently demonstrates his growth in the classroom. Whenever I ask students to review or share what we learned the day before, Yahmir is always one of the first to participate. His enthusiasm for learning and willingness to contribute are truly commendable. Keep up the great work.
Alana Shelton
1st Grade Mrs. Valera's Class
Shoutout From: Mrs. Valera
Shoutout For: Kindness/Character
A special shoutout to Alana for consistently demonstrating excellent character both in and out of the classroom! She is kind, respectful, and always willing to lend a helping hand to her classmates. Her positive attitude, thoughtful actions, and willingness to do the right thing make our classroom a better place each day. We are so proud of the way she models kindness, responsibility, and respect for others. Keep up the great work!
Zev Ezra Brown
1st Grade Mrs. Valera's Class
Shoutout From: Mrs. Valera
Shoutout For: Kindness/Character
A big shoutout to Zev Ezra for the incredible growth he has shown this year! Through hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude, he has made tremendous progress, especially in reading. He has taken on new challenges with confidence and continues to impress us with his determination and growth as a reader. We are so proud of all he has accomplished and the effort he puts into learning each day. Keep up the amazing work!
Arthur Miller
1st Grade Ms. Price's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Price
Shoutout For: Kindness/Character
A big shoutout to Arthur for his outstanding character! He consistently shows honesty, kindness, and respect to everyone around him. He is a thoughtful friend, a responsible student, and someone who can always be counted on to make positive choices. His willingness to include others, follow expectations, and encourage his classmates helps create a caring and supportive classroom community. We are proud of the integrity and leadership he demonstrates each day. Keep up the fantastic work, Arthur!
Savannah Jones
1st Grade Ms. Price's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Price
Shoutout For: Kindness/Character
A special shoutout to Savannah for her outstanding character! She consistently demonstrates kindness, respect, and responsibility in everything she does. Whether she is helping a classmate, showing good sportsmanship, or making thoughtful choices, she sets a wonderful example for others. Her positive attitude and caring heart make our classroom a happier place each day. We are so proud of the way she treats others and the strong character she shows every day. Keep shining, Savannah!
Bryce Harding
1st Grade Ms. Torrence's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Torrence
Shoutout For: Leadership
A special shoutout to Bryce for being an exceptional member of our classroom community! He consistently demonstrates strong character through his honesty, respect, kindness, and responsibility. He is a dependable student who comes to school ready to learn, completes his work thoughtfully, and always strives to do his best. His positive attitude, perseverance, and willingness to help others make him a wonderful role model for his classmates. He shows leadership by making good choices, encouraging those around him, and treating everyone with fairness and compassion. We are so proud of the integrity, confidence, and maturity he displays each day. Keep up the outstanding work, Bryce!
Charlotte Wright
1st Grade Ms. Torrence's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Torrence
Shoutout For: Leadership
A special shoutout to Charlotte for being an outstanding role model in our classroom! She demonstrates confidence in her abilities and consistently shows leadership through her actions each day. She is dependable, responsible, and always completes her work with care and effort. Whether helping a classmate, participating in class discussions, or taking initiative when needed, she is a supportive and reliable member of our classroom community. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic inspire those around her, and we are so proud of the example she sets for others. Keep up the PAWWWWriffic work, Charlotte!
William Hickman
1st Grade Ms. Torrence's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Torrence
Shoutout For: Leadership
A big shoutout to William for the incredible character he shows every day in our classroom! He is respectful, honest, and consistently makes thoughtful choices. He works hard in all subject areas and takes pride in completing his assignments with care and effort. He is also a kind and supportive classmate who looks for ways to help others and contribute positively to our learning community. His responsibility, perseverance, and positive attitude set a strong example for his peers. We are so proud of the growth he has shown and the wonderful character he demonstrates each day. Keep up the TIGERtastic work, William!
Meghan Afantchao-Biakou
1st Grade Ms. Torrence's Class
Shoutout From: Ms. Torrence
Shoutout For: Leadership
A big shoutout to Meghan for being such a confident and dependable leader in our classroom! She approaches every task with determination and always puts forth her best effort. Her responsibility and reliability make her someone her teachers and classmates can count on every day. She is also incredibly supportive of others, offering encouragement, kindness, and a helping hand whenever needed. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and natural leadership help make our classroom a wonderful place to learn and grow. We are so proud of all she accomplishes and the example she sets for those around her!
In November 2020, PGCPS launched an online volunteer application and approval process. Click here for more information on becoming a volunteer and to access the application.
School Meals
2025-26 School Year Meal Prices
Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 5)
Breakfast: $1.60/day
Lunch: $2.75/day
How to Pay
MySchoolBucks, owned and operated by Heartland Payment Systems, is an online payment service that provides parents the ability to securely pay for meals, monitor student cafeteria purchases, make tuition payments for Before and After School Extended Learning programs, and receive email notifications for low-account balances. With MySchoolBucks, payments can be made 24/7 using a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, credit or debit card, and mobile app.
Principal Lunch Account
ALL breakfast,lunch, and Principal lunch payments should be made via www.myschoolbucks.com.
All money comes/goes to 1 account (child's). All that is needed to set up account (if not done) is
students lunch pin or student id.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to consider applying for free and reduced-price meals! Visit www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict to apply online today!
To apply, you will need:
- The name, school, and grade of your school-age children
- The name of all adults living in the home
- Income information for all adults living in the home
- Student ID Numbers for your school-age children
Applications will also be sent home with students the first week of school. Applications are available at all PGCPS schools and can be submitted at any time.
Dear Families,
Can you believe there are only 4 school days left in the school year? As we approach the finish line, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all the learning, growth, and accomplishments our students have achieved this year.
Our character trait for the month of June is Integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Throughout the month, students will be encouraged to demonstrate honesty, responsibility, and strong character in their words and actions. Families can help reinforce integrity at home by talking about the importance of being truthful, keeping promises, taking responsibility for mistakes, and making positive choices.
As summer approaches, it is also important to continue supporting your child's social-emotional learning (SEL). Here are a few simple ways to nurture SEL skills over the summer:
- Encourage open conversations about feelings and emotions.
- Practice problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills during everyday situations.
- Create opportunities for your child to show responsibility through chores and routines.
- Model kindness, empathy, and respectful communication.
- Maintain consistent routines that promote healthy sleep, physical activity, and family connection.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Wishing all of our families a joyful and relaxing summer season as we finish these final days of school strong!
Warm regards,
Ms. Chandler
Grade Level Blurb:
Students had a great time at the promotion ceremonies and the end of the year parties.
Also, as we come to the end of the wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership throughout this academic journey. Your involvement and dedication have been instrumental in fostering a positive and enriching learning environment for our students. This year has been filled with growth, challenges, and countless achievements. Your support at home, whether through helping with homework, attending parent-teacher conferences, or encouraging your child to do their best, has played a crucial role in their success. Together, we have worked to help students meet their academic and personal goals and we are so excited to see them move on to 1st grade.
We are incredibly proud of the progress and accomplishments of our students. Watching them learn, grow, and thrive has been a rewarding experience, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in all of us to guide them through this important phase of their education. Thank you for your open communication, your involvement in school activities, and your constant encouragement. Your partnership is vital to our school community, and it is through this collaborative effort that we create a supportive and nurturing environment for our children.
As we move into the summer break, we encourage you to continue fostering a love of learning at home. Engage in reading, explore new activities, and enjoy quality time together. These experiences will continue to build on the foundation we have established throughout the school year. We look forward to seeing all of our friends next school year and wish you and your family a restful and enjoyable summer.
Love,
Dr. Hughes, Ms. Moncrieffe, Ms. Mamman, Ms. R. Lewis, Ms. Day, Ms. Windsor, Mrs. Gilbert, Ms. Young and Mr. Jones
We made it to the final week of school! It is hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. We are incredibly proud of all the growth, learning, and achievements our first graders have accomplished this year. From becoming stronger readers and writers to developing their math skills and building friendships, it has been wonderful to watch each student grow.
This week, we will be reviewing and reinforcing important skills across all content areas. These activities will help students celebrate what they have learned and prepare them for a successful transition to second grade. We will also enjoy some fun end-of-year activities as we reflect on a fantastic year together.
As we begin cleaning out our classrooms, students will be bringing home personal belongings, completed work, and other items each day. Please take a few moments to check backpacks and folders regularly so these items can be removed and enjoyed at home.
Thank you for your partnership, support, and encouragement throughout the school year. We have truly enjoyed spending this year with your children and are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their first-grade journey. Let's finish the year strong and make these last few days memorable!
Aloha First Grade!
Grade Level Blurb:
Hello Second Grade Families!
Can you believe it? We only have four days left of school! As we cross the finish line of this amazing school year, here are a few important updates and reminders to help us close out smoothly:
Chromebooks: If your student is returning to the building for these last few days, please make sure they bring their Chromebook to school fully charged each morning.
Student Belongings: If your scholar has not yet collected all of their personal belongings and textbooks, please prepare for them to bring these materials home next week. A reusable tote bag is always helpful!
End-of-Year Celebrations: All of our end-of-the-year classroom celebrations will officially conclude on Monday. We can't wait to celebrate all of our hard work!
Mental Health Days: If your scholar has not yet utilized their allotted two mental health days for the school year, keep in mind that this is the final week to use them. If you choose to take advantage of these days, please be sure to complete the Attendance Form so their absence is recorded accurately.
End-of-Year Skill Review Challenge!
Now that we are in our very last week, it is the perfect time to review everything we've learned this year! Here are some fun, quick activities you can do at home to lock in those second-grade skills over the summer:
Math: Practice counting coins up to $1.00, review addition and subtraction math facts within 20, or go on a measuring scavenger hunt around the house! Have your scholar measure an item (like a book or a toy) using a standard tool like a ruler in inches or centimeters, and then measure it again using a non-standard unit like paperclips or building blocks. Compare the results!
Reading: Read a favorite story together and ask your scholar to identify the main character, setting, and the lesson learned (central message). Ask them to point out prefixes and suffixes in the words!
Science: Go on a backyard nature walk! Have your scholar identify different plant parts (roots, stem, leaves) or describe the life cycle of an insect or animal you see.
Social Studies: Have your scholar draw a map of their bedroom or neighborhood, complete with a map key/legend and a compass rose (North, South, East, West).
Health: Talk about the different food groups and have your scholar help you design a "perfectly balanced" dinner plate filled with colorful fruits, veggies, and proteins.
Thank you all for an incredible school year and for your endless support! Let's make these last four days wonderful!
Grade Level Blurb:
Summer is almost here! All third classes have celebrated the close of a wonderful school year with their end of year festivities. Our last school day is June 18. Prepare now for the learning to continue over the summer to prevent the summer slide.
Reading Updates:
This week, we wrapped up our Holes book/movie study and began watching Akeelah and the Bee to prepare for our spelling bee tournament during our final week of school!
Math Updates:
Some of our mathematicians reviewed and concluded the Cartesian Coordinate System by watching a fun pirate video. The students then completed an assessment showcasing their understanding of ordered pairs.
Science Updates:
Some scientists are now applying their new knowledge of simple machines in a STEM project. We are completing our version of a “Home Alone” house that includes simple machines to nab the “bad guys” who invaded our house. We will complete this project next week and then present them to our classmates.
Health Updates:
The students wrapped our unit on the skeletal system by demonstrating their learning through an end of unit assessment. They did a nice job!
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Team 4Ward,
I hope that message finds you well. Although we have come to the end of the road, just know that learning continues. Team 4Ward wants to thank you all for your continued support, dedication, advocacy, hugs, and kind words you have shown this year. We are proud of the effort that was shown by our students this year. We hope that they continue to show integrity as they move through the rest of their educational journey. Finally we hope that you have enjoyed your experience in 4th grade and have memories to cherish.
As our scholars enter their final year of elementary school please continue to have discussions with them around your expectations for behavior and work completion. These talks are more important than ever since expectations and requirements will increase for them in middle and high schools. If you can connect with parents at the middle and high schools to get a better understanding of what is on the horizon.
Packing Up:
Please allow your scholar to bring an extra bag to bring home their materials that are in their cubbies. Items have begun going home. All cubbies will need to be cleaned out by Tuesday June 16, 2026.
⛱️Plan for Summer:
Summer break is fast approaching and this is the time to plan how your scholar will continue to grow. i-Ready and IXL will be available to our students throughout the summer. Also take some time to look into the different offerings given by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. Students should have at least 45 minutes of practice in math and reading weekly. Begin planning now how your scholar will reach this goal each week. The county also releases an enrichment packet each school that can be used.
Warmly,
Team 4Ward
Important Upcoming Dates:
Last Day of School Thursday June 18, 2026
i-Ready/ IXL:
i-Ready and IXL are a computer based math and reading program that is available for all of our scholars. Scholars have completed their diagnostics and have activities that are based on their areas of need. These programs will be available all summer for students to continue to utilize in both reading and math. Please help your child complete at least 45 minutes of math and reading a week to grow their abilities.
Grade Level Blurb:
On Friday, our fifth graders officially crossed an important milestone—they were promoted! We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished this year. From academic growth to personal achievements, they have worked hard and shown resilience every step of the way.
Thank you, parents and families, for your support, partnership, and encouragement throughout the year. As we begin summer break, we encourage students to continue learning by reading daily, practicing math facts, and utilizing resources such as i-Ready and IXL to keep their skills sharp.
We are so proud of the growth we’ve witnessed and excited for all that lies ahead. Congratulations, Class of 2033! We wish you success, happiness, and a wonderful summer as you prepare for middle school. We will miss you!
CHESAPEAKE MATH AND IT SOUTH ELEMENTARY
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
• Grades: K-5
• Uniform: Yes
• Before After School Enrichment: Yes
http://clfmd.org/enrichment-2/
• School Colors: Orange and Black
• Uniform Colors: Hunter Green, Navy Blue, or white Oxford tops and Khaki or Navy Blue bottoms
• School Mascot: "Roary" the Tiger• School Website: http://www.cmitsouthes.org
For more information