The Tiger Times

CMIT South Elementary January Themes

Character Theme: Confidence

STEM Theme: Engineering Design Process

Dear Amazing Tiger Families and Community,

Happy New Year 2026! Welcome back, Tigers! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful, restful, and joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and precious memories with your families. As we step into this brand new year together, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for all the incredible things we'll accomplish in 2026! This is OUR year to soar to new heights, embrace new challenges, and continue our journey of excellence. I'm so grateful to partner with families who believe in the power of education and the unlimited potential within every Tiger. Let's make 2026 our best year yet!

As we begin January with Confidence as our Character Word of the Month, I'm inspired by the powerful words of Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Confidence isn't about being perfect—it's about believing in yourself, embracing challenges with courage, and knowing that your effort and determination matter more than any obstacle. This month, let's help our Tigers build unshakeable confidence by celebrating their strengths, encouraging their growth, and reminding them daily that they are capable of amazing things!

🎉 Welcome Back to School!

We are back at school Monday, January 5, 2026! Let's hit the ground running and start this new year with energy, enthusiasm, and Tiger pride! Our students are ready to learn, grow, and level up in every way possible.

Program Start Dates:

Power Hour resumes: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Clubs resume: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Saturday Academy resumes: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Get ready for an action-packed return to our STEMTastic learning!

🔬 STEM Fair Projects - DUE THIS WEEK!

⚠️ IMPORTANT DEADLINE: STEM Fair Projects are DUE Wednesday, January 7, 2026

This is your Tigers' opportunity to showcase their scientific thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills! If you have questions or need last-minute guidance, please reach out to Mr. Holloway, our Science Department Chairperson, immediately.

We can't wait to see the innovative projects our Tigers have created! Remember, STEM Fair is about the learning process, not perfection. Let's approach our projects with confidence and pride in the work we've done!

📚 Read-A-Thon is Almost Here!

Mark Your Calendars: Read-A-Thon January 21 - February 11, 2026

Kick-Off Event: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
More detailed information coming soon via ClassDojo!

What is Read-A-Thon?
This exciting fundraiser encourages students to read daily while raising funds to support our school. Funds raised will be used to update our technology lab and purchase instructional supplies that directly benefit our Tigers' learning experience.

Why It Matters:
Reading just 20 minutes a day can help students create lifelong learning and reading habits. With Read-A-Thon, those are habits worth encouraging! This fundraiser tracks minutes, not pages, encouraging kids to read what they love—whether it's fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry, or anything else that sparks their interest and imagination.

The Best Part:
We earn more while helping kids read more. It's a win-win for literacy development AND for enhancing our school resources!

Building Confidence Through Reading:
When students read regularly, they build vocabulary, comprehension skills, and most importantly—confidence! Every book completed, every minute read, and every new word learned strengthens their belief in themselves as capable learners.

Stay tuned for registration details, tracking information, and how you can support your Tiger in this important literacy initiative!

📊 Mid-Year Assessment Window

This month, we will complete our mid-year testing to monitor student progress and growth:

Assessments Include:

iReady (Math & Reading)
DIBELS (Reading fluency and skills)
NWEA MAP Growth (Math, Reading, & Science)

Why Assessments Matter:
These assessments help us understand each Tiger's academic growth, identify areas of strength, and target areas where additional support can help them thrive. The data guides our instruction and ensures every student receives what they need to succeed.

How to Support Your Tiger:

Ensure adequate sleep during assessment weeks
Provide a nutritious breakfast each morning
Encourage your child with positive affirmations
Remind them that assessments show growth, not just achievement
Reinforce that effort and persistence matter more than perfection

Confidence Tip: Remind your Tigers that assessments are opportunities to show what they know and how much they've grown. Their worth isn't determined by a test score—but their effort and determination will always make you proud!

📅 Important January Dates

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - STEM Fair Projects DUE

Monday, January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Schools and Offices Closed

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - Read-A-Thon Kick-Off

Monday, January 26, 2026 - Grading & Reporting Day
Early Dismissal for Students (dismissal times will be shared via ClassDojo)
End of Second Quarter (46 Days)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - PTO Meeting
6:00 PM (Zoom link to be shared)

Mark these important dates on your calendars and plan accordingly!

💪 Building Confidence in Our Tigers

Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us that no one can make us feel inferior without our consent. This month, let's intentionally build confidence in our Tigers:

Parents Can Build Confidence By:

Praising effort, not just outcomes ("I'm proud of how hard you worked!")
Allowing children to struggle and problem-solve independently
Celebrating mistakes as learning opportunities
Sharing stories of when you faced challenges and overcame them
Using affirmations: "You are capable," "You can figure this out," "I believe in you"

Students Can Build Confidence By:

Trying new things, even when they feel scary
Speaking up in class and sharing their ideas
Asking questions when they don't understand
Celebrating their own progress and growth
Supporting classmates and being kind encouragers

Teachers Build Confidence By:

Creating safe spaces where all answers are valued
Providing specific, actionable feedback
Highlighting individual student strengths
Encouraging risk-taking and creative thinking
Believing in every Tiger's potential

🌟 2026: Our Year to Shine with Confidence!

As we begin this new year, let's commit to building a community where every Tiger feels confident, capable, and empowered to reach for their dreams. Confidence isn't something we're born with—it's something we build through encouragement, practice, perseverance, and the unwavering belief that we can grow and improve.

Thank you for being partners who invest in your children's confidence by:

Supporting their academic journey
Encouraging them to take healthy risks
Celebrating their efforts and growth
Partnering with teachers to address challenges
Believing in their unlimited potential

Together, we're not just teaching academics—we're building confident, capable, compassionate leaders who will change the world!

Welcome back, Tigers! Let's make 2026 extraordinary by approaching every challenge with confidence, every setback with resilience, and every opportunity with enthusiasm!

Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's start this year with confidence in ourselves, faith in each other, and determination to make every single day count!

With Confident Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,

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:

January 5 - Schools and Offices RESUME
January 7 - STEM Fair Projects DUE
January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools and Offices Closed
January 21 - Read-A-Thon Kickoff
January 26 - End of Second Quarter (46 Days)
January 26 - Grading & Reporting Day - Early Dismissal for Students
January 28 - PTO Meeting
February 6 - Charter/Specialty Lottery Closes
February 13 - Teacher Planning Day - Early Dismissal for Students
February 16 - Presidents' Day - Schools and Offices Closed
February 18 - First Day of Ramadan

2025-2026 School Calendar

School Menu Viewer

Attendance in school each day is important. Let’s stay in school.

In order for an absence to be considered excused, the following Google Form must be completed no later than three (3) days after return to school.

Late or make-up work will not be accepted unless the absence is an excused absence. Please review Administrative Procedure 5113, AP 5113 - Student Attendance, Absence, and Truancy, for further information.

Students who are absent for ten consecutive days will be withdrawn on the 11th day and will need to re-enroll.

Lawful Absences

Students enrolled in public schools are considered lawfully absent from school for any portion of the day, only under the following conditions:

Death of a family member
Illness of the student
Court appearance
Work approved or sponsored by a school
Observance of a religious holiday
State of emergency
Suspension from school
Mental Health (Students may receive as an excused absence one (1) day of absence
in each semester of each school year for a student’s mental health needs.
Other emergencies
Deployment-related absences

Unlawful Absences

Unlawful absence – any time a student does not attend school that does not qualify as the above-listed reasons for a lawful absence.

Tardy

Scholars will be officially tardy if they are not in the building at 8:05 a.m.

If your scholar enters the building after the 8:05 a.m. bell, a parent must escort them into the building and electronically sign them in the late arrival portal. Scholars will be given an orange tardy slip to be permitted to class.

Parents of students who have 10 or more tardies in a semester will be required to meet with the principal/designee to discuss the reasons for the tardies and to develop a plan for improvement.

Dear CMIT South ES Families,

We are excited to share that CMIT South Elementary has launched a new Student Absence Notification System. Parents/guardians will now use the PGCPS/CMIT Student Absence Notification Google Form to notify both Teachers and Office Staff of their child’s absence. Please review https://www.pgcps.org/offices/ograc/administrative-procedures/students--5000/ap-5113---student-attendance-absence-and-truancy for the

PGCPS attendance policy.

This form also provides the option to conveniently upload a doctor’s note when required.

How to Submit an Absence Notification:

Click here to access the PGCPS/CMIT Student Absence Notification Google Form

Complete the required fields, including your child’s name, grade, and date(s) of absence. A separate form should be completed for each student. A separate form should also be submitted for non-consecutive absences. For example, if a student is absent for 3 consecutive days, you can submit on one form. If a student is absent for 2 consecutive days and then a few days later is out for 1 day, 2 separate forms are required. There is also a comment section where you can provide additional information. Upload a doctor’s note (if applicable). Submit the form. We kindly ask that you use this form for all future absence notifications to ensure timely and accurate record keeping.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

CMIT South Elementary School Administration

2026–2027 Charter/Specialty Lottery & Sibling Preference Application

Dear Families,

The 2026–2027 Charter/Specialty Lottery will open on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and close on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Attached, you will find the Sibling Lottery Application for the 2026–2027 school year.

The lottery process will remain the same as last year:

Parents must submit lottery applications through ScribOrder before completing the sibling preference application. After submitting the ScribOrder application, you will receive an order number, which must be added to the sibling application. Please ensure all required information is entered accurately when completing the forms, as incomplete applications will delay processing.

All sibling applications should be submitted directly to Jamie Bull, Registrar, at mailto:jamie.bull@pgcps.org for processing.

Students must have a student ID number in order to apply. If a student does not have a student ID, parents must complete a Student ID Application located in ParentVUE.

The deadline to apply for a student ID for the Charter/Specialty Lottery is Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The Pupil Accounting Office will continue to process student ID requests through Synergy.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Warm regards,

Click on here for the link!

We are going digital!!! Don't forget to complete your Emergency Contact and Pick List, Student Publicity Release Form, Parent Compact form, and apply for Free and Reduced Lunches for each of your scholars.

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.

Good morning/afternoon/evening,

Please take a moment to check your child’s MySchoolBucks account and add funds if there is an outstanding balance. When no money is available on the account and your child receives lunch, the cost is temporarily covered by the Principal’s Lunch Account. No student will ever be turned away from lunch, even if they bring a bagged or boxed lunch from home.

You can easily monitor your child’s purchases and set up automatic payments within the MySchoolBucks app to ensure the balance never falls below your preferred amount. Please remember that all payments must be made through the app—no cash should be sent to the school for this purpose. To set up an account, download the MySchoolBucks app using your child's student ID. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your prompt attention and continued support.

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.

School Menu Viewer

In partnership with Prince George's County Public Schools, Prince George's County Health Department and Hazel Health, your student can get physical and mental telehealth services at school or at home, at no cost to your family.

Click here for more information!

Birthdays are so much fun to celebrate with classmates. However, during the school day, the health and safety of each student are important, especially students with food allergies. Students are ONLY permitted to bring in NON-FOOD items to distribute to classmates at the end of the school day. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping all of our students safe at CMIT South ES.

Additionally, please note that teachers and staff are unable to participate in distributing communications/invitations or email addresses related to birthday celebrations. All planning for birthdays needs to happen outside of school so that it does not take away from the purpose of instruction.

Cell phones may be used on school grounds before school and after school. Cell phone use is prohibited in classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria, hallways, and school offices unless otherwise stated by a teacher. During the instructional day, cell phones must remain out of sight and must be turned off or on silent mode and stored in a backpack, book bag, pocket, purse, or locker. “Cell phones” include, and are not limited to, iPhones, “smart” phones, smart watches (i.e., Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch), internet-enabled phones, and other PEDs that are capable of placing and/or receiving telephone calls (including personal listening devices such as earphones, earbuds, “Bluetooth”, etc.), text messages, browsing the internet, creating and distributing videos, taking photographs, and the like. Please click to review the Portable electronic Policy (Administrative Procedure 5132).