CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
Week of October 5, 2025
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.
Administrative Announcements
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.
10/2: Yom Kippur (Schools and Offices Closed)
10/6: Progress Reports Released Online
10/17: Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
10/31: End of 1st Quarter/Grading and Reporting for Teachers (Early Dismissal for Students)
11/11: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Schools Closed for Students)
11/26-11/28: Thanksgiving Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
12/19: Teacher Planning (Half-Day/ Early Dismissal for Students at 11:55am)
12/22-1/3/26: Winter Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
PGCPS 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Events & Opportunities
Collective Heritage Video Submissions (PGCPS)
September 15 – October 8
Students and staff are invited to share their voice and story! Submit a video clip (30 seconds or less) that responds to one of our of prompts.
Send an E-Card
Select from an assortment of celebration e-cards and add your personal touch with a message that communicates your deep appreciation for your Principal's efforts.
National Custodians Day – October 2
This week, we celebrated National Custodians Day and recognized Ms. Alejandra for all she does to keep our school clean, safe, and welcoming! Her hard work, positivity, and attention to detail make a huge difference every day. Thank you, Ms. Alejandra, for your dedication and care—you help make our school shine! 💙🧹✨
Picture Day – Friday, October 10
Say cheese! 📸 Picture Day is this Friday, October 10. Order forms have been sent home with students. Please ensure your child wears their oxford uniform and comes ready to smile! This is a great opportunity to capture lasting school memories.
Cell Phone/PED Policy
Cell phones must be turned off before entering the hallways in the morning.
Earbuds/headphones must be removed when entering the building unless permission is received from a faculty member to use them. Wired headphones are not to be worn around the school unless being used for educational purposes, as outlined by the classroom teacher.
During the regular school day, portable electronic devices must be turned off and placed in lockers.
1st Offense - Cell Phone will be confiscated and given back at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense - Cell Phone will be confiscated and needs to be picked up by a parent/guardian
3rd offense - Students will receive Saturday detention and the cellphone will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian.
p.8-9 of Student Handbook
Student of the Month and Staff Member of the Month
Congratulations to our Students of the Month for September! 🎉 These students were recognized for exemplifying the character trait Supportive, always helping others, offering encouragement, and making our school a kinder place. Winners were announced on Friday—thank you for showing how powerful it is to be supportive every day!
***Please note that student names and photos cannot be shared without permission on the publicity release forms. Please be sure to send the forms back to school if you have not already.***
This month’s character trait is Trustworthy! Being trustworthy means others can count on you to be honest, responsible, and do what you say you will do. Show trustworthiness by keeping your promises, telling the truth, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. Let’s all work to show how trustworthy we can be this month!
Uniform Policy
This year, we have two uniform vendors to choose from, All American Wear and Risse Brothers.
Please review the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy.
Please note the following:
Shoes must be MOSTLY BLACK (logo okay, different color sole okay, shoestring must be black), closed-toed dress shoes or athletic shoes only.
Slippers, slide-ins, thin-soled shoes, sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, high-heeled shoes (heels must be not more than 1 inch), Crocs, slides, roller shoes, shoes with wheels, and shoes with openings exposing the foot or socks are not permitted.
For safety purposes, shoes must be worn at all times and shoelaces must be tied properly, all buckles fastened - nothing may dangle or drag from shoes.
Socks, stockings, tights, or hose (solid black, navy blue, or white) must be worn with shoes. Clear or skin-colored hose are also acceptable.
Attendance and Early Dismissal
All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state laws and regulations. The schools, families, and communities must work together to foster exemplary attendance for all students. (Board Policy 5113)
Examples of Lawful Absences include: death in the immediate family, illness, suspension, observance of religious holidays, court summons, etc.
Please be sure to provide an Electronic note to the school when your child is absent. using this link https://shorturl.at/kmoL4 . This link is also located on our school website under CMIT Families tab/ Parents.
This form should be completed by parents when their child is arriving late/ early dismissal or absent from school. Students have 3 (THREE) school days once they return, to submit a note explaining their absence. (PLEASE NOTE: Family Trips/Vacations are NOT excused absences, you must submit a different form and get pre-approval from Principal Brauer) * Not all absence notes are excused. Families are encouraged to refer to Administrative Procedure 5113 for more information.
Please attach doctor's notes or any other supporting documentation that is related to the absence. Once an excused absence note is submitted , your child will be permitted to make up missing work. It would be helpful to have your child ask their teacher(s) and or email your child's teachers to see what missing work needs to be completed.
Early Dismissal ends at 2:30pm.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the front office @ 301-350-6051.
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
Stay Informed! Sign Up for Important Updates
Dear CLF Families,
We are excited to announce that Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) now has a new text messaging system to keep you informed about important CLF events, advocacy efforts, and ways you can help support our schools.
If you would like to receive these important updates, simply text "CLF" to 301-823-6910.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to keeping you connected!
From the Staff
School Year 2026-2027 Specialty Programs Applications/Information
Prince George's County Public Schools proudly offers a variety of specialty programs designed to ignite passion, foster talent and pave the way for promising careers. From health sciences to the arts, there’s something for every student.
For more information, please click on the links below:
https://www.pgcps.org/about-pgcps/applications
Testing Announcements (PSAT 8/9 and more)
Greetings everyone!!
I am the Program Coordinator (School Testing Coordinator, PDLT, Grade Manager, Master Scheduler, etc). You’ll be hearing a lot from me. Please make sure that you have marked my email address and mailing list as safe in order to receive important correspondence from me.
Our first test for the school year is MAP. Students are currently completing this test in their math, RELA, and science classes. MAP Testing should be completed by the October 1 deadline. Please reach out to your scholars teacher for a score report. This test is taken 3 times per year (fall, winter, and spring). Although there is no specific preparation, students are encouraged to do their best using their existing knowledge and critical thinking skills. We expect scores to increase throughout the school year as students learn grade level content.
Our second test for the school year is PSAT 8/9 (8th grade only). Please check your email for detailed information regarding testing date, allowable items, and free test prep. Emails were sent to all 8th grade parents by September 19. If you did not receive my email, please check your junk or spam folder. Also make sure that your email address is correctly listed in Synergy as that will be my primary method of communication with you all.
Power down and charge chromebooks nightly. Per the testing office, please make sure that your scholar powers down and charges their chromebook each night to receive necessary updates. Have a great school year!!
Mr. McSparron's Q1 Book Club (Brown Girl Dreaming)
Greetings.
On 9/10/25 all students received their first Book Club homework assignment. The expectation for all students has been clearly communicated in class, and will be repeated here for clarity. Students are expected to acquire their own copies of the book club novels. These texts are available via the public library, digitally on Sora (accessed via Clever), or through a retailer of your choice. Our novel for Q1 is "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson. By 9/30 all students should have read Part 1 and Part 2, and completed the homework assignment they received in class on 9/10. This assignment must be completed on paper. A printable version is available on Canvas, and extra copies will be available in the front of the classroom. Thank you for supporting your scholars on their path to becoming stronger readers.
-Mr. McSparron
From Nurse Kaba
Cold vs. Flu
PTO
Greetings Tiger Families and Staff!
October PTO General Body Meeting
Join us for our next PTO General Body Meeting on Thursday, October 9th at 6:30 PM. Information to Join the PTO General Body Meeting:
UPDATED Zoom Meeting Link:
https://zoom.us/j/92022825907?pwd=aca2i21jL3c3IRWAEa7GXcphT8XaZI.1
Meeting ID: 920 2282 5907
Passcode: baKwe2
Blaze Pizza Fundraiser 🍕
If you're in the mood for pizza this Thursday, October 9th, between 3:00–8:00PM, consider stopping by Blaze Pizza in Laurel, MD to support CMIT North Middle School in a delicious way! A portion of the proceeds will go toward our PTO, helping enhance the school experience for both students and staff.
Simply bring the flyer or show it on your phone for in-store purchases, or use promo code 1037A when ordering online via the Blaze Pizza App or blazepizza.com.
Whether you join us in person, order online, or support in spirit, we appreciate you. Every bit of encouragement makes a difference for our scholars and school community
Sweet Frog Fundraiser
Looking for a sweet treat on Tuesday, October 14th? From 12:00–10:00PM, Sweet Frog in Laurel is teaming up with CMIT North Middle School for a fun and flavorful way to show support. If you choose to stop by, a portion of the proceeds will benefit our PTO, helping fund programs that enrich the experience for students and staff.
Just mention CMIT North MS at checkout to participate. Whether you swing by for a cup of froyo or simply cheer us on from afar, your support means the world 💜
PTO Collection Drive: A Month of Meaningful Donations
Beginning this month, the PTO is launching a 4-week themed donation drive that invites students, families, staff and the CMIT community to come together in the spirit of giving. Each week features a unique theme—and we’re counting on our amazing community to make it a success!
📖 “Read It Forward” Week (Oct. 13–17)
Let the stories flow! We’ll be collecting gently used books of all kinds—from picture books to page-turning novels. No encyclopedias or textbooks will be accepted.
Proceeds from the collection will help support upcoming PTO initiatives that benefit our students, teachers, and school community. See the attached flyer for more details. Please hold off on bringing items until the fundraiser officially begins.
Volunteers Needed - Fall Festival! 🍁
Our CMIT North Middle School Fall Festival is coming up on Friday, October 24th from 8:15-10:15AM, and we need your help to make it a success! From set-up and decorations to running games, concessions, and clean-up, there’s a spot for everyone to lend a hand. Sign up today to be part of this festive community event! All volunteers must be PGCPS-approved and have completed the CMIT Approved Volunteer and/or Chaperone form. https://signup.com/go/tiZDOPm
Visit the PGCPS Volunteer page for details on becoming a volunteer and to access the application. www.pgcps.org/volunteer
Used Uniform Collection Has Ended
We appreciate the tremendous volume of clothing donations received this school year—thank you for your continued support.
Effective immediately, uniform drop-offs will no longer be accepted in the front lobby. As a reminder, the 2025–2026 school year is the final year that uniforms featuring the old CMIT logo may be worn in the building. Because of this, items with the outdated logo cannot be resold at our gently-used uniform sales.
If you still wish to donate clothing, please hold your items for Week 4 of the FUNDrive (November 3–7). For questions, feel free to contact the PTO.
Support Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF)
On Monday, September 29, our charter foundation (CLF) began an initiative to support equitable funding for Maryland Charter Schools. Already we have over 8,000 emails sent to elected officials to support this initiative.
You can easily support this initiative by clicking on the link, https://clfmd.quorum.us/campaign/138963/, to send prepared letters to your elected officials. Need to learn more? Here’s a Q&A document with more information, including on current funding formats, drafted regulations, and how it will impact charter schools.
Parent Workshop Survey: Share your input on helpful topics for upcoming Saturday Parent Workshops. From academic tips to college savings, your feedback will help us choose the topics that matter most to you. https://tinyurl.com/CMITParentWrkshp
Connect with the PTO!
- Monthly PTO Newsletter: Event highlights, volunteer opportunities & more
- Remind Alerts: Quick messages to your phone/email https://www.remind.com/join/cmitnmspto
- Social Media: Follow for updates, photos, and community spirit
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/cmitnorthmiddle_pto/
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577739693333&sk=about
- PTO Website: All things PTO in one place
To join the PTO for SY25-26, please click on this link, complete the membership form, and pay your dues (https://forms.gle/AagVgdfg4mBuUvRz9).
Please contact us with any questions: info_nmspto@cmitacademy.org.
Athletics, Clubs, and Enrichment
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.
Cheerleader Tryouts
Dear CMIT Students,
We’re excited to announce the upcoming Cheerleader Tryouts! Tryouts will take place on the following dates:
October 15 – First Cut
October 16 – Second Cut
October 17 – Final Cut
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (each day)
All participants must attend each session to be eligible for the final cut.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talent, school spirit, and teamwork skills, and to potentially join our CMIT Cheerleading Team!
Please ensure students arrive on time and are picked up promptly after each session. Late pickups will result in disqualification from tryouts.
Tryout Requirements:
Attire: Black shorts, white t-shirt, and sneakers
Water: Please bring a water bottle
Physical Form: A completed and signed athletic physical form is required to participate. Forms are available in the front office and must be signed by a physician.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing our students bring their energy, enthusiasm, and skills to tryouts!
Boy's Basketball Interest Meeting
There will be a interest meeting for the Boy's Basketball team on Tuesday, October 7th at 4:00 PM. This meeting will be held via zoom. We will go over expectations and answer any questions that parents may have for the upcoming season. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR SCHOLAR'S PHYSICAL FORM COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 15TH!!!
Join instructions
https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/meetings/87105724029/invitations?signature=wEU224CIq0UTzK1wVHiz7wtbdxDHGbJE11-Qv9aouxM
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
This week our games were canceled due to rain. However, hopefully next week the weather will be clear, sunny, pleasant and favorable for play! Please find the game schedule attached. Let's Go Tigers!
Baseball and Softball Schedule 2025
mark2.mccain@pgcps.org
Community Connections
Breakfast & Lunch Menu
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