The Tiger Times
Dear Amazing Tiger Families and Community,
March has entered like a RRRoaring lion🦁, and our Tiger community is matching that fierce energy with courage and determination. I'm moved by the powerful words of Nelson Mandela: "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." Courage isn't about never feeling scared; it's about moving forward despite the fear. Let's continue encouraging our Tigers to be brave, take healthy risks, and believe in their ability to overcome any challenge!
🌙 Iftar Dinner - A Beautiful Evening of Fellowship!
Huge shout-out to Mr. Metin. Mrs. Pinkard and Mr. Demirel for organizing and hosting our first-ever Iftar Dinner! It was truly amazing fellowshiping and learning with our families in such a meaningful way.
This special evening brought our Tiger community together to:
Break the fast together during Ramadan
Learn about Islamic traditions and culture
Share delicious food and warm conversation
Build bridges of understanding across our diverse community
Celebrate what makes our Tiger family so special, our rich diversity
Thank you to:
Mr. Metin, Mrs. Pinkard, and Mr. Demirel for your vision, leadership, and countless hours of preparation
All families who attended and participated with open hearts and minds
Our Muslim families for sharing your sacred tradition with us
Everyone who contributed to making this evening welcoming and special
It takes Courage to share your culture and traditions with others, and it takes courage to step into experiences that may be new to you. Our Tiger community demonstrated both beautifully! This is what building understanding, respect, and unity looks like. Look out for celebrations like this.
📸 Spring Pictures - Monday, March 9, 2026
Monday, March 9, 2026 - Spring Pictures Day!
Get ready for those beautiful spring smiles! Students should wear their best outfits and come ready to shine for the camera.
Picture Day Tips:
Wear your favorite spring colors or outfits
Get a good night's sleep for bright, rested eyes
Arrive at school with a big smile ready to go
Remember: You are amazing just as you are!
More details about picture packages and ordering is shared via ClassDojo!
🏀📣 Basketball Game & Cheerleading Performance - Monday, March 9, 2026
Monday, March 9, 2026 - Basketball Game & Cheerleading Showcase!
Join us for an exciting evening of Tiger athletics and spirit!
Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.
Location: CMIT South Middle/High School 9822 Fallard Ct, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Admission Fee: Required (all proceeds support our Basketball and Cheerleading teams)
Concession Stand: Open with snacks and drinks available for purchase
Special Performance: Our amazing cheerleaders will perform during the game!
You won't want to miss it! Come out and cheer loudly for our Tigers as they demonstrate the courage, teamwork, and athletic skills they've been developing all season!
More details about game time and ticket information on ClassDojo!
📊 MISA Testing - 5th Grade
Wednesday, March 11 - Thursday, March 12, 2026
Our 5th graders will be taking the MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment), an important opportunity to demonstrate their science knowledge and skills!
What is MISA? MISA is Maryland's comprehensive science assessment for 5th graders, measuring their understanding of scientific concepts, practices, and problem-solving abilities.
How to Support Your 5th Grader:
✅ Ensure adequate sleep the nights before testing (March 11-12)
✅ Provide a nutritious breakfast each morning
✅ Send them with fully charged devices and headsets
✅ Offer encouragement and positive affirmations
✅ Remind them that their effort and thinking matter most
Courage in Testing: Taking assessments requires courage—the courage to try your best, think critically, and demonstrate what you've learned even when questions feel challenging. Remind your 5th grader that this assessment is an opportunity to show their growth and scientific thinking!
5th Grade Tigers—you've got this! Show us your STEMTastic brilliance!
📚 MCAP Night for 3rd-5th Grade Parents
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM via Zoom
Don't miss this important informational session!
Join us for MCAP Night, specifically designed for parents of 3rd-5th grade students preparing for Maryland's Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) testing.
What You'll Learn:
MCAP testing schedule and format
What assessments measure and why they matter
How to support your child before and during testing
Test-taking strategies and tips
Resources to help your child feel confident and prepared
Question and answer session
Why Attend: Knowledge is power! Understanding MCAP helps you support your child effectively, reduce test anxiety, and approach assessments as opportunities to demonstrate growth rather than sources of stress.
Zoom link will be shared via ClassDojo closer to the date.
It takes courage for students to tackle important assessments, and it takes courage for parents to ask questions and seek understanding. Let's work together to ensure every Tiger feels prepared, supported, and confident!
📚 Celebrate Excellence in Black - March 25, 2026
Library Media Presents: Black Authors in Excellence
Join us for an inspiring and celebratory evening as we showcase the incredible literary talent within our own CMIT community!
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: School Library Media Center
(Concurrent with PTO Meeting)
Featured Authors: We're thrilled to celebrate published CMIT teachers, staff, students, and parent authors who have courageously shared their voices, stories, and creativity with the world through the written word!
What to Expect:
📖 Meet Our Authors - Connect with talented writers from our own Tiger community
✍️ Book Signings - Get personalized autographs from our published authors
🛍️ Purchase Books - Support our authors by purchasing their published works
💬 Hear Their Stories - Learn about their writing journeys, inspiration, and creative processes
🤝 Community Connection - Build meaningful relationships with the writers in our midst
Special Note: This event runs concurrently with our PTO meeting, so families can enjoy both opportunities to engage with our Tiger community!
Questions? Contact Ms. Washington, Library Media Specialist
We can't wait to celebrate our talented authors and demonstrate that writers aren't just people we read about in books—they're members of our own Tiger family! Come be inspired, support our authors, and discover the amazing literary talent within our community!
Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's continue MARCHing forward with courage, confidence, and Tiger pride as we tackle every challenge and celebrate every victory together!
With Courageous Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,
Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Your PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers 🐯
Omnia Ahmed
1st Grade
Shout out for: Kindness/Character
From:Ms. Garrett
I would like to recognize Omnia for her kindness toward others. She comes to school each day with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Omnia is consistently kind to her classmates and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She truly sets a wonderful example of what it means to be caring and respectful.
Ali Gamble
1st Grade
Shout out for: Leadership
From: Ms. Garrett
I would like to recognize Ali for her strong leadership skills. I can always count on her to make the right choices, and she naturally influences her classmates to do the same simply by being herself. Her peers truly look up to her, and she sets a positive example each day in our classroom.
Tahj Miles
3rd Grade
Shout out for: Leadership
From: Coach Jones
Tahj has demonstrated great leadership skills as the SGA Secretary. On numerous occasions, he has been witnessed exceeding the expectations in the hallway, cafeteria, and classroom. He's also been overheard encouraging others to make good choices. Great job leading by example Tahj.
Please take note of these important calendar reminders:
March 4 -10 - 2nd Qtr Parent Grade Appeal Window
March 9 - Spring Picture Day
March 9 - Basketball and Cheerleading Showcase 6:30PM
March 11- March 13 - Scholastic Discovery Book Fair
March 11 - March 12 - MISA Testing 5th Grade
March 16 - 3rd Qtr progress report release online
March 20 - Eid al-Fitr (starts sunset 3/19)
March 20 - Inclement Weather Make-Up Day
March 20 - K-2 Dance: Cuties and Cowboys Dance 6PM
March 25 - Black Authors in Excellence 4PM - 7:30PM
March 25 - PTO General Body Meeting 6PM
March 26 - Drama Club Production
March 27 -Grading & Reporting Day Q3 for Teachers –Early Dismissal for Students
March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break
April 16 - End of 3rd Qtr
April 25 - Math Tournament
April 30 - 3rd qtr report released online
May 7 - 3rd qtr report released printed (Hard-copy)
May 8 - 14- 3rd Qtr Parent Grade Appeal Window
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.
As we welcome the month of March, we are focusing on our schoolwide character theme: courage. Courage isn’t about not feeling afraid — it’s about doing the right thing, trying something new, or speaking up even when it feels a little scary.
At school, we are encouraging students to show courage by:
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Trying challenging work without giving up.
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Asking for help when they need it.
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Standing up for themselves and others in a kind and respectful way.
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Learning from mistakes and trying again.
You can support this theme at home by:
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Talking about a time when you had to be brave.
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Praising effort when your child tries something new.
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Encouraging positive self-talk like, “I can try,” or “I won’t give up.”
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Reading books together that highlight characters who show courage.
When we work together to build courageous hearts and minds, our students grow not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. Thank you for partnering with us to help our children shine!
Educationally,
Ms. Chandler
Grade Level Blurb:
The Kindergarten Team wanted to give a website that has some ideas about ways to practice phonemic awareness at home.
Students are losing their personal belongings. Please label all items, sweaters and jackets especially, so that students will know what belongs to them. Please use simple reminders to help students learn to become and stay responsible for their own items.
Also please continue to practice tying shoes and turning sleeves of jackets from inside out to the correct way with your scholars.
When your child has been absent please communicate to the teacher and complete the online document submission form, because we are not taking paper notes: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lp2fJsfDLjWNINllvX10OKjiGDn443yAB8Hq8BMBa-E/viewform
IMPORTANT KINDERGARTEN DATES-
March 9: Spring Picture Day - No uniform required
March 11-13: Spring Discovery Fair
March 16: Leprechaun Traps are Due
March 20: School now operates on normal schedule
March 20: Western Dance K-2 Spring event, hosted by the PTO has been moved from March 27
March 27: Early Dismissal
March 30 - April 3: Spring Break
Reading Updates:
UNIT 3- Week 3: Poetry Collection
Essential Question: What can we learn from stories?
Phonological Awareness: Initial and Final Sounds; Segment and Blend Phonemes
Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime
Phonics: Initial and final consonant sounds /z/ and /qu/
High-frequency words: was, said, where
Story Vocabulary: fast, soon, down, great, poetry, rhyme, rhythm
Unit Vocabulary: choose, explain, meaning, character
Learning Goals:
Learn about poems
Visualize details from a story
Syllables and compound words
Find details in a text
Capitalization for the beginning of a sentence
Possessive pronouns
Organize the story element: plot
Math Updates:
Topic 13: Analyze, Compare, and Create Shapes
Essential Understanding:
Identify 2-D & 3-D shapes
Analyze 2-D & 3-D shapes based on attributes
Represent subtraction as taking away from numbers up to 10
Examine the 2-D shapes that are on 3-D shapes
Compose 2-D shapes to form larger shapes
Create 3-D models of real world objects
Vocabulary: 2-D, 3-D, triangle,square, rectangle, cube, sphere, cone, patterns
Science Updates:
TOPIC 1: Push and Pull
Experience 1: What does motion mean?
Investigate the cause and effect of using pushes and pulls to change the motion of an object
Tell ways that a push or pull can move objects
Use directional words to describe movement
Vocabulary: motion
Social Studies Updates:
Chapter 4 : Geography of the Neighborhood
Essential Question- What is the world like?
Understand different places and areas that are around us
Look into the into a map as a tool
What is a globe?
The parts of a map
Analyze how we interact with jobs that help the community and the location of places
Vocabulary: street, community, neighbors, map, neighborhood, globe, legend
Health Updates:
March Topic: No Drugs, No Way!
Describe what a drug is, and what other dangerous substances might be found in the home.
Encourage confidence in saying no to drugs and other dangerous substances
Demonstrate respect for our bodies and encourage others to make healthful choices.
Explain why medicine is a drug and why it is important to be responsible with medicine
Grade Level Blurb:
First grade families,
Updates:
1. Students will participate in another in-school field trip with Science Guys on Friday, April 10th. All permission slips and money are DUE by this Friday, March 13th. Monday will be collected ONLY via MySchoolBucks.
Payments can be made HERE.
Reminders:
1. Spelling homework is DUE Tuesday, March 10th.
2. Students should be working on Topic 13 math homework.
3. Students should bring their yellow take home folder to school and home every day. Parents, please sign their behavior calendar in acknowledgment of daily behavior. Please also remove all papers on the "Keep at Home" side.
4. Check ParentVue regularly and review all graded work.
5. The weather has changed DRASTICALLY. Please ensure your scholar comes to school dressed in accordance with the weather. We go outside as long as the temps are about 32 degrees.
Reading Updates:
Students will continue to explore the elements of fables by reading The Cow and The Tiger.
Phonics:
We will wrap up e and ee this week and move into the vowel sounds of -y.
Math Updates:
This week, we will continue working through Topic 13 on time and money!
First grade families can easily support learning about time and money during everyday routines! When talking about time, practice identifying the hour and half-hour on analog clocks around your home and discuss daily schedules (ex: “What time do we eat dinner?” or “What time is bedtime?”).
For money, let your child help count coins, sort them by type, and talk about their value. When shopping, encourage them to look at prices and think about how many coins or dollars they would need.
Real-life practice makes these skills meaningful and fun. Thank you for reinforcing classroom learning at home!
Science Updates:
In science, students are exploring three learning experiences focused on animals. They are learning about animal body parts and basic needs, identifying patterns in animal behavior, and discovering how animal parents care for their young.
Social Studies Updates:
We are moving through Chapter 3- Symbols and Traditions of the United States. In this topic, students will learn more about American symbols, documents, songs, and heroes.
Health Updates:
We are wrapping up our topic on speaking and listening. Students have learned more about how we communicate and how our ears work! We will be beginning our new topic on emotions. Students will learn more about being happy, sad, and all of the emotions in between.
Grade Level Blurb:
Our First Field Trip was a Blast!
Hi Second Grade Families!
We had an absolutely stellar time on our very first field trip to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum! ✈️ It was wonderful to see our scholars’ faces light up as they explored the wonders of flight and outer space.
Here are a few highlights from our adventure:
Touching the Moon: We got up close to real lunar samples and learned what it’s like to be an astronaut!
Historic Planes: Students marveled at the Wright Flyer and imagined what it was like to take the very first flight.
Space Race: We stood beneath massive rockets and explored how technology has traveled from Earth to the stars.
Interactive Fun: From steering "planes" to learning about gravity, our scholars were true scientists in action!
Exciting News: Upcoming 2nd Grade Field Trip!
Hello families! We are so excited to announce that our scholars are heading to the Chesapeake Children's Museum! It’s going to be a day filled with hands-on learning and discovery.
Please keep an eye out for a permission slip in your scholar's purple communication folder (if you haven't received it already).
📝 Important Reminders:
To ensure everyone can join the fun, please read the entire permission slip carefully. We need the following completed by the deadline listed on the form:
Payment: Make sure fees are submitted via MySchoolBucks. Cash will not be accepted. The payment link and QR code can be found on the permission slip. 💰
Permission: Sign and return the slip. ✍️
Lunch: Select your scholar's meal option. 🍱
We want to make sure every scholar is accounted for, so please double-check those dates! We can't wait for this adventure. 🔎
📝 Just a Few Reminders:
To keep our momentum soaring back in the classroom, please ensure your scholar arrives each day ready to learn by:
Charging Chromebooks: Please plug them in every night so they are at 100% for instruction. 🔋
Dressing for Success: Ensure your student is wearing the appropriate school uniform daily. 👕
Supplies Check: Double-check that backpacks are stocked with the necessary school supplies (pencils, purple communication folders, and notebooks). ✏️
Thank you for your continued support in making this school year a success!
Reading Updates:
We are continuing our journey through Unit 5 of our reading curriculum! Here is a look at what our scholars are up to this week:
📖 Reading: We are revisiting Realistic Fiction! Students are diving back into stories that feel like real life, focusing on character feelings and lessons learned.
✍️ Writing: Our scholars are becoming biographers! We are using the writing process (planning, drafting, and revising) to write exciting biographies about a friend in our class.
It is so much fun watching them learn more about their peers while sharpening their writing skills! Thank you for your continued support at home. 🌟
Math Updates:
Topic 4 Wrap-Up!
Our scholars have officially reached the finish line for Topic 4: Using Addition Strategies! 🏁 They’ve been working hard on mastering different ways to solve problems, and it’s been wonderful to see their progress.
Here is what you need to know for the week ahead:
Assessment Time: Scholars will be taking their Topic 4 assessment this week to show off everything they’ve learned!
Math Packets: Please ensure all completed math packets are turned in by the end of the week.
Thank you for your continued support at home! Keep up the great work, superstars!
Science Updates:
Ready to dig back into the dirt? We are continuing our exciting journey across the Earth’s surface as we learn all about landforms!
From the highest peaks to the deepest valleys, our second graders are becoming experts at identifying the shapes of our world. Here are a few "low-prep, high-fun" ways you can explore landforms at home this week:
At-Home Landform Fun
Edible Landscapes: During snack time, use crackers for plateaus, grapes for hills, and whipped cream for snowy mountains! 🧀🍇
Blanket Fort Basins: Use pillows and blankets to build "mountain ranges" and "valleys" in the living room. 🛌
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk and look for local landforms. Even a small hill in the park or a drainage "canyon" counts! 🌳
Shaving Cream Geography: Spread some shaving cream on a tray and let your child "sculpt" volcanoes, islands, and plains with their hands. 🧼
Quick Tip: Ask your child, "What makes a mountain different from a hill?" or "Where would you want to build a house?" to get those geography gears turning! 🧠✨
Social Studies Updates:
Get ready to talk business, because our second graders are diving into the world of Economics! 💰 This week, we are becoming experts on Producers and Consumers.
What’s the Scoop?
We’ll be exploring how people in our community work together to get the things they need and want.
Here is what we’re learning:
Producers: People who use resources to make goods or provide services (like a baker 🥖 or a doctor 👩⚕️).
Consumers: People who pay for those goods and services to use them (like us when we buy groceries! 🛒).
How to Help at Home
Next time you’re at the store or out for dinner, ask your child:
"Is the person behind the counter a producer or a consumer?"
"Are we being consumers right now?"
It’s a great way to see these big concepts in the real world! We can’t wait to see their inner entrepreneurs shine. ✨
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings from The Third Grade Team,
We had a busy and productive week of learning with our students. Picture day is coming up on March 9. Flyers were sent out and you may find details in our school’s newsletter. Our students will attend the STEAM book fair this coming week. Flyers were also distributed for the fair. Once again, check the school’s newsletter for more details. The county, to make-up a snow day, has now made March 20 a normal school day.
Reading Updates:
This week we started our biography unit. Students learned what a biography is and the important parts it includes. We also began learning about figurative language, focusing on similes and metaphors. We read Mama Miti, a biography about Wangari Maathai, who helped women in Kenya plant trees and protect their environment.
Writing:
Students started a mini biography project where they will write a biography about one of their classmates.
Math Updates:
Many of our mathematicians are working on fractions. We started by learning to read, write, and identify fractions. Additionally, we learned how to plot fractions less than and greater than one on a number line.
Science Updates:
Our scientists are working on seasons in weather. This will lead into discussing the differences between weather vs climate.
Social Studies Updates:
Students continued presenting their African American Hero projects and sharing about important historical figures.
Health Updates:
In health, we are learning how to take care of our bodies which includes keeping us safe. We focused on when it’s safe to take medications. We learned that it’s only safe to take medications when a parent or health caregiver is present.
Don’t forget to spring forward this weekend! As always, thanks for your support on our educational journey!
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Team 4Ward,
We hope this message finds you well. We are grateful for the trust you place in our school community and for the partnership that helps our students thrive each day. This was our first full regular week of school in many weeks.
Writing is being incorporated in all subjects this year. Students will practice expressing ideas in reading, science, social studies, math, and specials. Encourage your child to talk about what they write and ask questions about their work that supports growth and confidence. Our Student Government Association has launched activities this week. Student leaders are already planning ways to support classmates and school spirit. We’re excited to see their ideas come to life and welcome family support at upcoming events.
💻Many class activities use online tools. A charged computer ensures your child can fully participate in lessons and complete assignments. Our students also need a pair of wired headphones to complete activities and for testing. Students who arrive on time are better prepared for learning and reduce classroom disruptions. Please plan to have your child at school a few minutes early each day. A healthy breakfast helps students focus and have energy for learning. School breakfast is available daily until 8:00 when students arrive in the morning.
In our classrooms, we will be working on a variety of assignments and projects designed to challenge and inspire them. We encourage you to check in regularly with your scholar about what they are learning.Your support at home is greatly appreciated and makes a significant difference in their academic success.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in helping students feel safe, prepared, and excited about learning. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a positive school year.
Warmly,
Team 4Ward
Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday March 20, 2026 Snow Makeup Day School will be open
Fourth Grade Information:
i-Ready:
i-Ready is a computer based math and reading program that is available for all of our scholars. Scholars have completed their diagnostics and are working on programs based on their areas of need. This program 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 to grow their abilities.
Absences:
This is a friendly reminder that late work is only accepted if a student has an excused absence! If a scholar is absent and does not bring a note they will earn a 0 on the assignment that was missed. Please read the reminders to ensure that you are partnering with your scholars to make them successful for school. If a scholar leaves early or arrives late to school and it is not excused they will earn a 0 for all work that is not completed.
If your scholar is absent, please complete the CMIT South ES Absence Google Form within 3 days of your scholar returning back to school. https://forms.gle/euXzCpDvNGbLwb8U6 In order for students to receive make-up work you must provide a note stating; the student’s name, the date of absence, and reason for absence. Work is provided to students upon their return to school with an absence note.
Communications:
Students must bring their agenda book each day. Teachers will note the agenda book and it should be signed nightly by the adult at home.
Please allow up to 48 business hours for all responses to emails and Classdojo messages. Teachers are not actively monitoring their emails during the day because we are engaged in instruction. Emails are not monitored over the weekend or in the evening hours when teachers have gone home. If the message sent relates to dismissal changes please call the school directly to leave a message with the front office.
Grading:
Please check Synergy weekly to see scholar’s updated grades. Canvas is a Learning Management System in which scholars utilize to complete assignments and get access to materials.The grades entered in Synergy are those that will be used to calculate progress reports and report cards.
It is imperative that work is complete and turned in on time in order to receive full credit. Our district has set policies regarding assignment completion and make-up assignments. Only students that have an excused absence will be given an opportunity to receive and complete missing assignments.
Uniforms:
We are a uniform school. Students must be in the proper uniform each and every day. Students are expected to have mostly black shoes. They may wear a navy blue or school logo jacket or pullover during class. Students will be asked to remove any jacket or sweater that is not following the uniform policy. Students are not allowed to wear Crocs on school grounds.
Reading Updates:
We have concluded Unit 4 in Volume 2 Impacts and will return back to Volume 1 to work with Unit 2 Adaptations. In this unit students will learn about how different living things adapt to the environment using informational and literature texts.
This Week:
We began Unit 2: Adaptations in class. In this unit students will read text about how living things adapt to the world around them. This week we read closely “Feathers: Not Just for Flying.” In this text students discovered the different ways that birds use their feathers for other than flying. Students determined the main idea of this text and composed an informative essay about birds and their feather adaptations. We also revisited the word study of regular plural nouns.
Next Week:
We will continue in Unit 2 by reading the text “Animal Mimics.” In this text students will explore ways that living things mimic other living things to survive. In this text we will analyze the text structure the author uses to organize the text. Identifying text structure helps students to organize the information that is presented. This week’s word study will focus on the vowel diphthongs, these are two letters that when combined make the “oi” or the “ow” sound when given in a word.
Math Updates:
Scholars continued working through Topics 3 and 4, focusing on using strategies and properties to solve 1-digit and 2-digit multiplication problems. Please continue to build math fluency through repetition of basic math facts to build speed and math confidence.
Please encourage scholars to practice their facts at home using Prodigy, IXL, i-Ready, and XtraMath to boost automatic recall. A few minutes of daily practice goes a long way!
Science Updates:
In Science, scholars will describe how fuels humans use for energy are derived from natural sources. They will learn that some of these resources are renewable over time, and others are not, and that human use of these energy resources can affect the environment in multiple ways.
Social Studies Updates:
This week, students continued in Chapter 3 and learned about the three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—and explored the role and responsibilities of each branch. We also discussed how the branches work together to create laws, enforce them, and ensure fairness within our government system.
Next week, we will complete the last lesson in Chapter 3 which focuses on our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Students will discover how citizens participate in government and how this participation supports the community. We will discuss the differences between rights and responsibilities and how we exercise them in our communities.
Grade Level Blurb:
We have exciting updates! Our Camp Schmidt field trip is rescheduled for April 16–17, and no additional chaperones are needed. If any confirmed chaperones’ availability changes, notify the homeroom teacher. MISA testing is Wednesday and Thursday next week—please ensure students are well-rested, have breakfast, and bring their Chromebooks fully charged!
Reading Updates:
Students completed opinion essays, expressing their viewpoints with clear reasons and supporting details.
Math Updates:
Mr. Barr’s class is finishing multiplying decimals, while Ms. Jenkins’ class is wrapping up dividing decimals. Both classes have end-of-topic assessments this week.
Science Updates:
Mr. Barr’s class is working on interactions of Earth’s spheres, while Ms. Jenkins’ class is focusing on natural resources.
Social Studies Updates:
We explored Chapter 6, Lesson 1: “A New Nation.”
Health Updates:
Next up, we’ll dive into a unit on mixed emotions.
Thank you for your continued support!
Fifth-grade team
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