CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
CMIT's Mission
In partnership with students, parents and the community, CMIT will attain educational excellence by providing a rigorous and technology-integrated education for middle and high school students with an emphasis on mathematics, science, and information technologies.
Introducing Our Core Values: STRIPES
At our school, STRIPES represents the qualities we strive to live by every day: Supportive, Trustworthy, Responsible, Innovative, Persistent, Empathy, and Service. These values guide how we learn, work, and treat one another, helping us build a strong, caring, and respectful community where every student can thrive.
Important Dates
CMIT Academy follows the PGCPS school calendar.
Import the CMIT North Middle School calendar to your own Gmail calendar to stay informed of all school-wide events.
9/7: Labor Day - Schools Closed for Students
9/16: Professional Development - Schools Closed for Students
9/21: Yom Kippur - Schools and Office Closed
10/9: Yearbook Picture Day
Parking Lot Traffic: Important Safety Reminders
We would like to remind everyone to drive slowly and cautiously while entering and exiting the school parking lot. During arrival and dismissal, students, families, and staff walk throughout the parking lot, and their safety is our highest priority.
We kindly ask that all drivers:
- Follow the designated traffic flow for drop-off/pick up locations.
- Observe a safe speed throughout the parking lot.
- Watch carefully for students and staff crossing.
- Allow extra time during arrival and dismissal to avoid feeling rushed.
All parents, carpooling, or individuals, must drop off and pick up in the rear of the building. Only students who ride on a commercial van or bus will be permitted to exit to the side parking. By working together and exercising patience, we can provide a safe environment for everyone. Everyone will become more accustomed to the drop-off and pick-up routine as the school year progresses. The process will become more and more efficient. Typically, by the third week of school, all vehicles are gone within 15 minutes of the dismissal bell.
Thank you for helping us keep our scholars, families, and staff safe.
Please complete the Dismissal Questionnaire.
SY27 CMIT North MS Dismissal Type Questionnaire and Permissions
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy for 2026–2027 School Year
As we prepare for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, we want to ensure all families are reminded that CMIT Academy is a Bring Your Own Device School. Each student is expected to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school each day.
Why This Policy?
The BYOD policy was approved by the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) Governance Board in February 2024. This decision was necessary due to the expiration of ESSER federal funding and changes in Maryland’s school funding formula under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. These changes have resulted in significant budget reductions for our school. Adopting a BYOD model helps us continue to offer quality educational programs while minimizing costs.
Why Chromebooks?
To maintain a safe and focused digital learning environment, all student Chromebooks must be configured by CMIT North’s IT department. This configuration ensures compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and enables us to apply secure filters and tools such as Google ContentKeeper and Hapara to monitor online activity.
Key Benefits of Managed Devices:
Online Safety: Students are protected from inappropriate or harmful content.
Instructional Focus: Devices are optimized for academic use only, minimizing distractions.
Secure Testing Access: Students can access all state and local online assessments through properly configured devices.
We recognize this program may pose challenges for some families, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Please take a moment to review our full BYOD Program FAQ and device recommendations. If you have any questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to our main office.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students’ success.
📚 Attendance & Early Dismissal Reminders
Every Day Counts! Regular attendance is an important part of your child's academic success. Students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state laws, regulations, and PGCPS Board Policy 5113. Schools, families, and communities all play an important role in supporting excellent student attendance.
✅ When Your Child Is Absent
If your child is absent, arrives late, or needs an early dismissal, parents/guardians must complete the Electronic Attendance Form:
The form is also available on our school website under:
CMIT Families → Parents
📝 Important Attendance Reminders
- Parents/guardians should submit an electronic note for each absence, late arrival, or early dismissal.
- Students have 3 school days after returning to school to submit documentation explaining an absence.
- Please attach a doctor's note or other supporting documentation, when applicable.
- Not all absences are excused. Families should review Administrative Procedure 5113 for additional information regarding excused absences.
- Once an absence is determined to be excused, students may make up missed work. Students should communicate with their teachers regarding assignments they missed.
⚠️ Family Trips & Vacations
Please be advised that family trips and vacations are NOT considered excused absences.
If your child will be absent due to a family trip or vacation, the appropriate form must be submitted in advance and receive prior approval from Principal Brauer.
⏰ Early Dismissal
Early dismissal ends promptly at 2:30 p.m.
Please plan accordingly. Early dismissal requests will not be processed after 2:30 p.m.
📞 Questions?
If you have questions or need assistance regarding attendance, late arrivals, or early dismissals, please contact the CMIT North Middle School Front Office:
📞 301-350-6051
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our scholars arrive at school on time, every day, and ready to learn! 💙
Synergy ParentVUE
Synergy is PGCPS' new Student Information System. It is critically important that families activate their ParentVUE account. This will allow parents to view student schedules, attendance, and grades.
If you have questions or need support please click here: ParentVUE Support and FAQ
🎒✨ CMIT NMS Enrichment Registration is OPEN! ✨🎒
Looking for before- and after-school care that is both fun and educational?
Our Enrichment Program provides students with a safe, structured, and engaging environment where they can:
Receive homework support
Participate in reading and academic activities
Utilize educational technology programs
Enjoy recreation, games, and playground time
Build friendships and social skills
Program Options Available:
• Zero Period: 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
• Stars Program: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Scholars Program: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Registration is now open for both new and returning families!
Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis!!! Once capacity is reached, registration will close and students will be placed on a waitlist.
For registration, contact information, program details, and rates, please visit the Enrichment website using the link below.
https://clfmd.org/enrichment/#NORTHMS
We look forward to supporting your family during the 2026–2027 school year!
Register Now: Back To School Skate Party!
The PTO will be hosting a skate party to celebrate the start of a new school year. The event will be Sunday September 13th from 6:30-8:30pm at Skate Zone Crofton. This is a great opportunity for our CMIT community to get together, catch up with old friends, and meet some new friends. All are welcome- including teachers, staff, and administrators.
Registration Now Open! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/back-to-school-skate-party
Thank You Volunteers & Donors!
A special thank you to our volunteers who helped pass out popsicles on the first day of school and for those who made donations to stock the teachers lounge with snacks! Be on the lookout for more volunteer opportunities coming soon.
Continue to help us keep the Teachers Lounge stocked by visiting our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/06NAPmaC
Your generosity keeps the lounge a bright spot in their day.
Athletic Eligibility
CMIT North Middle School participates in competitive athletics with other PGCPS middle schools. To be eligible students must have the following:
1. Complete the Athlete Participation Packet and return completed forms to the Athletic Director;
2. Have and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA;
3. Review and agree to the PGCPS Parent/Student Athletic Handbook;
The requirements must be completed prior to stepping on the field for tryouts.
Fall Sports: Baseball, Softball
Winter Sports: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Cheer
Spring Sports: Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer
Families are encouraged to complete the requirements over the Summer months to ensure eligibility when seasons begin. Athlete Participation Packets and physicals are good for the entire school year.
CLF Suggested Donation Program
Dear Parents,
Thank you for being part of the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) school community. Our schools — Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School in Anne Arundel County, CMIT North in Laurel, and CMIT South in Upper Marlboro — exist because of families like yours who believe in a rigorous, supportive, STEM-focused education for every student.
We are writing to share an honest update about our finances and to invite you to take part in something new: the CLF Suggested Donation System.
Why are we reaching out
Over the past several years, our schools have operated at a deficit. As public charter schools, we must cover the full cost of our buildings and facilities directly from our school budgets — costs that traditional district schools do not bear in the same way. At the same time, changes tied to Maryland's Blueprint for the Future, along with broader budget reductions, have tightened the per-student funding we receive. The rising cost of after-school clubs, athletics, and enrichment activities adds further pressure.
The result is a gap between what it costs to run an excellent school and the public funding available to do it. We are committed to closing that gap without cutting the programs that make our schools special.
Our ask: a voluntary, suggested donation
This is a voluntary donation — it is not tuition, and it is not required to attend any CLF school. No student's enrollment, placement, or participation is affected in any way by whether a family chooses to give, or how much. Your child's education is not contingent on this contribution.
For families who are able and willing to help, voluntary contributions help each school's budget absorb some of the lost revenue in the upcoming school year. It creates flexibility and provides additional resources for the activities, clubs, and programs that directly enrich our students' experience.
Any amount helps. If the suggested amount is not feasible for your family, a gift of any size — or simply your encouragement and involvement — is deeply appreciated.
How to give
Giving is simple and secure. Visit the CLF Suggested Donation System at sds.clfportal.org and sign in as a Parent/Guardian. You can use the same email and password you already use for the enrichment portal at cec.clfportal.org — your accounts are connected, so there is no need to create a new login.
From there, you can choose a monthly, quarterly, or one-time contribution that fits your budget. All payments are processed securely through PayPal, and because CLF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donation is tax-deductible with an instant receipt for your records.
Where your contribution goes
Every dollar stays within the CLF schools and goes directly toward closing the budget gap and sustaining the programs students love:
After-school clubs and athletics
STEM activities
Classroom resources and technology
Facilities management and maintenance
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and everything you do for our students. Together, we light the way.
Sincerely,
Yilmaz Ak
Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation
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