The Tiger Times
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Themes of the Month
CMIT South Elementary February Themes
Character Theme: Peace
STEM Theme: African American Inventors and STEAM Professionals
Principal's Desk
Dear PAWW-Mazing Tiger Families and Community,
Celebrating Peace as our Character Word of the Month, I'm inspired by the profound words of Mahatma Gandhi: "Peace is its own reward." When we choose kindness, understanding, and cooperation, we create peaceful communities where everyone thrives. This week, let's continue spreading peace by celebrating our achievements together, supporting one another, and remembering that working in harmony creates beautiful results!
๐ School Closed - President's Day
Monday, February 17, 2026 - No School - President's Day Holiday
Enjoy this well-deserved day off with your families! Take time to rest, recharge, and celebrate all you've accomplished. We'll see everyone back on Tuesday, February 18th, ready to continue our STEMTastic journey!
๐ Read-A-Thon SUCCESS - We Did It, Tigers!
INCREDIBLE NEWS: Our Read-A-Thon fundraiser has ended with an amazing total of $34,630! We not only reached our campaign goal of $30,000, we EXCEEDED it!
What This Means for Our School: The school receives 70% of the proceeds ($24,241), which will be used to help update our technology lab and purchase instructional supplies that directly benefit every Tiger's learning experience!
๐ Celebrating Our Top Groups
Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Classes:
1st Place: ๐ฅ Kinder-Young - $6,756
2nd Place: ๐ฅ Kinder-Windsor - $4,175
3rd Place: ๐ฅ Kinder-Lewis - $3,470
These classrooms demonstrated incredible teamwork, enthusiasm, and Tiger spirit! Your dedication to reading and fundraising is truly outstanding!
โญ Top 10 Student Participants - VIP Lunch Celebration!
Congratulations to our Top 10 fundraisers who will enjoy a VIP lunch with Principal Lewis on Wednesday, February 18, 2026!
Top 10 Participants:
MALCOLM B. (Kinder-Young) - $2,411 ๐
SYDNEY G. (Kinder-Hughes) - $1,440
JAXSON H. (Kinder-Young) - $1,406
ELON R. (1st-Torrence) - $1,330
IMAABASI A. (Kinder-Young) - $1,029
JOANNA W. (Kinder-Windsor) - $1,005
IAN L. (4th-Weldon) - $1,000
MIKAELA M. (5th-Barr) - $985
BRYCE H. (1st-Torrence) - $936
DWIGHT M. (Kinder-Windsor) - $910
You amazing Tigers worked incredibly hard, rallied support from your families and communities, and showed what dedication looks like! I can't wait to celebrate with you over lunch!
๐ Thank You to Every Single Tiger Family!
Whether your family raised $10 or $1,000, whether your child read 20 minutes or 200 minutes, YOU
MADE A DIFFERENCE! Every dollar raised, every minute read, and every share on social media contributed to our collective success.
Special Thanks To:
Parents and guardians who supported your children's reading and fundraising efforts
Extended family and friends who donated generously
Teachers who encouraged daily reading and tracked minutes
Students who are committed to reading every day
โ Principal's Chat & Chew - RESCHEDULED
Join us in-person for our Quarterly Principal's Chat & Chew: Leveling Up with Principal Lewis!
Due to weather-related closures, we've rescheduled to ensure maximum family participation.
NEW 2nd Quarter Meeting Schedule (8:30 AM - 9:30 AM):
K & 1st Grade: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
2nd & 3rd Grade: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
4th & 5th Grade: Friday, February 20, 2026
What to Expect:
Important school updates and achievements
Grade-level successes and student progress
Answers to your questions and concerns
Meaningful discussions on topics important to your family
Submit Questions & Confirm Attendance:
https://forms.gle/qLogQcF8NFC6JD3r8
Light refreshments will be provided!
Your voice matters, and these sessions ensure every family feels heard, valued, and informed. We can't wait to see you!
๐ Cookbook Extravaganza - Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A Celebration of Creativity, Culture, Food, and Community!
The Library Media Center is thrilled to present The Cookbook Extravaganza, a special evening where our 4th and 5th-grade students will proudly showcase the recipes they created!
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: School Library
What to Expect: During this delightful evening, 4th and 5th-grade students will present their original recipes, and we will enjoy sampling a variety of American and International dishes that reflect our diverse Tiger community!
This event celebrates:
โจ Student creativity and writing skills
๐ Cultural diversity and traditions
๐ฝ๏ธ The joy of food and community
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Family engagement and support
We would love your presence and support as we celebrate our young chefs and authors!
Questions? Contact Ms. Washington, Library Media Specialist
๐ New 100th Day of School: Thursday, February 19, 2026
We'll celebrate this special milestone with fun activities and recognition of how far our Tigers have come this year!
๐ฌ STEM Fair Showcase - Saturday, February 21, 2026
Celebrate Innovation and Scientific Thinking!
Our Tigers have worked incredibly hard on their STEM Fair projects, and we're excited to showcase their innovative work!
STEM Fair Showcase Details:
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: School Gymnasium
Audience: Families & Community
This showcase celebrates excellence in STEM education and provides students the opportunity to present their innovative work to peers, teachers, families, and the community. Come see the amazing scientific thinking, creativity, and problem-solving our Tigers have demonstrated!
Questions? Contact Mr. Holloway, Science Department Chairperson
โ๏ธ Summer 2026 Academy & Camp - Interest Form
Planning Ahead for Summer Fun and Learning!
CMIT South Elementary is excited to begin planning our Summer 2026 Academy & Camp, a program designed to combine learning, enrichment, and fun in a safe and engaging environment for our students.
Action Required: Complete the Interest Form
To help us plan effectively and ensure we can meet family needs, we ask all interested families to complete our Summer Camp Interest Form.
๐ Complete the form here:
Summer Camp Interest Form
Form Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Important Notes:
All program options, schedules, and pricing listed are tentative and subject to adjustment based on enrollment interest and staffing needs
Final details will be shared after interest forms are reviewed
Completing the form does not commit you to enrollmentโit simply helps us plan appropriately
Start planning now for a summer filled with learning, discovery, and Tiger fun!
Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's continue spreading peace, celebrating achievements, and building a community where every Tiger feels valued and successful!
With Peaceful Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,
Tauheedah N. Simmons-LewisYour PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers ๐ฏ
๐ฏ Roary's Spotlight ๐ฏ
Roaryโs Spotlight recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, effort, or character. Teachers nominate students who exemplify academic excellence, athletic achievement, a strong growth mindset, or exceptional kindness. This spotlight celebrates those who go above and beyond and make our school community shine.
Michael Lee
4th Grade- Ms. Pearson
Recognized for: Artistic Achievement by Ms. James
Since Michael's first year, I've admired his out of the box thinking for his compositions! Differences in problem solving is what makes our school so great!
Ademayowa Oshiyoye
Raymond Kinlaw
1st Grade- Ms. Torrence
Recognized for: Artistic Achievement by Ms. James
Raymond always takes his time and pays attention to his artworks. Plus he's got a great eye for design!
๐ What's Happening Around Our School ๐
Fourth Grade Living Wax Museum
Fourth grade students spent time researching and learning about people and events that have shaped America. They shared their knowledge by hosting a living wax museum for students in grades K-2. Below are some pictures from the event!
Dates to Remember
Please take note of these important calendar reminders:
February 16 - Presidents' Day - Schools and Offices Closed
February 17, 18, & 20 - Principal's Chat and Chew
February 18 - First Day of Ramadan
February 18 - Cookbook Extravaganza
February 19 - 100th Day of School
February 20 - Black History Fridays - Rep your Favorite HBCU, Sorority, or Fraternity
February 21 - STEM Fair Showcase
February 22 - Summer Camp Interest Form Deadling
February 27 - Black History Fridays - Dress to Impress like you are attending the BET Awards Show
February 27 - Black History Performance
March 1- Women's History Month
March 2 - Read Across CMIT South ES Day
March 4 - CMIT South ES Iftar Dinner 6 PM
March 11- March 13 - Scholastic Discovery Book Fair
March 20 - Eid al-Fitr (starts sunset 3/19)
March 20 -Inclement Weather Make-Up Day
March 27 -Grading & Reporting Day Q3 for Teachers โEarly Dismissal for Students2
March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break
โ๐พ Share Your Black History Moments! #PGCPSBHM26 โ๐พ
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month with PGCPS by helping us tell the story of this historic milestone.
We invite students, staff, families, and community members to get involved by sharing a photo or short video reflecting on what Black History means to you โ whether itโs honoring a legacy, celebrating culture, recognizing achievement, or inspiring future generations.
Selected submissions may be featured on our district platforms throughout February as we uplift the voices and perspectives that make our community strong.
Submit your photo or video and be part of the centennial celebration!
Make your uploads here!
๐ Black History Month Friday Dress Down๐
๐ Cookbook Extravaganza ๐
Dear Families of 4th and 5th Grade Students,
Library Media is excited to present The Cookbook Extravaganza, a special evening where our students will proudly showcase the recipes they created!
๐
Date: February 18, 2026
โฐ Time: 6:00โ7:00 PM
๐ Location: School Library
During this event, 4th and 5th grade students will present their recipes, and we will enjoy a variety of American and International dishes. This evening is designed to be a celebration of creativity, culture, food, and communityโand we would love your support!
We are inviting parents and guardians who are willing to help their student prepare and cook their recipe for the event to sign up using the Google Form below.
๐ Sign-Up Form
Thank you for supporting your child and helping make this evening a fun and memorable experience for everyone. We look forward to celebrating together!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jqdLEZevo0QkdJscEWccL6Jn5VKkJ7YiVuibkv5fhPM/viewform
Warmly,
Sahron Washington
Library Media
CMIT South Elementary
๐ฏ 100th Day of School ๐ฏ
Celebrating the 100th Day of School!
Due to inclement weather days, our 100th day of school will be on Thursday, February 19th! Please take note of this important change! (Any additional weather-related closures may extend this date further.)
To make the day extra fun, students are invited to dress up like they are 100 years oldโthink gray hair, glasses, suspenders, pearls, or cozy cardigans. This optional dress-up day is a fun way to mark how much weโve learned and grown over the past 100 days. We canโt wait to see our โ100-year-oldโ students and celebrate together!
For girls:
Fake glasses
A scarf or shawl
Hair styled in a bun or tied with ribbon
Wigs or temporary gray color spray
Pearls or simple jewelry
A small handbag
Cozy cardigan or sweater
Cane or walker
For boys:
Suspenders
Bowtie or necktie
Vest or cardigan
Newsboy cap or other caps
Fake glasses
Wigs or temporary gray color spray
Oversized pants with a belt
Cane or walker
Get creative and Have Fun!
๐ฌ๐ฅผSTEM Fair Showcase ๐ฅผ๐ฌ
๐ Summer Academy and Camp ๐
PTO Updates
๐ Book Fair ๐
The Scholastic Book Fair is returning to CMIT South Elementary this spring! ๐โจ
Get ready for a STEAM-powered adventure featuring books, science, technology, art, and more!
๐ https://www.scholastic.com/bf/chesapeakemathanditsouth
Make checkout easy by setting up or adding funds to your scholarโs cashless eWallet:
๐ https://www.scholastic.com/bf/chesapeakemathanditsouth
Parents, we need YOU! Volunteers help make the Discovery Book Fair a memorable experience for our students. Sign up to lend a hand:
๐ https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4BADAF2AA0FD0-62336900-spring
Letโs spark curiosity, inspire readers, and make this our best Book Fair yet! ๐๐
๐ Rising 6th Grade Orientation ๐
Hot off the press! Please find attached the flyer for the CMIT-South Elementary Rising 6th Grade Orientation.
This orientation is exclusively for families of CMIT-South Elementary.
Please do not share this information with families of students attending other schools. We want to ensure that this session remains focused on supporting the specific transition needs of our CMIT-South ES students and families.
๐ Iftar Dinner ๐
Weโre excited to share that our school will be hosting an Iftar Dinner, EVERYONE is invited! ๐โจ
What is Iftar?
Iftar is the evening meal that marks the breaking of the daily fast during Ramadan, a holy month observed by many Muslims around the world. During Ramadan, people fast from dawn until sunset, and Iftar is a special time to come together, reflect, and share a meal as a community.
Why weโre hosting it:
Our Iftar Dinner is about community, learning, and togetherness. Itโs an opportunity to celebrate diversity, build understanding, and enjoy a meal side-by-side with neighbors, friends, and families.
Who can attend?
Everyone. All families, students, staff, and community members are warmly welcomed.
To ensure everyone can enjoy the meal, all food options will be Halal.
When?
Please join us for dinner on Wednesday, March 4th. Weโll be gathering at dusk, right around 6:00 PM.
Where?
The dinner will be hosted in the school cafeteria.
Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly:
https://forms.gle/1aYaFLqyjZTh2gmj6
We hope youโll join us for an evening of connection, culture, and community. ๐
๐ Lottery Season ๐
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The lottery closed on February 13th and we will no longer be accepting Sibling Preference Applications.
๐ Attendance Information and Absence Notifcation๐
๐ Important Forms to Complete ๐
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.
๐ Sign Up to Volunteer ๐
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.
Please read the important information regarding volunteering for school activities/events, and chaperoning field trips.
Should you have any questions, please email Ms. Reese at lreese@cmitsouthes.org .
Cafeteria Updates
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.
๐ฒ MySchoolBucks ๐ฒ
Good morning/afternoon/evening,
Please take a moment to check your childโs 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 Principalโs 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 childโs 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 appโno 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.
Hazel Health
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!
๐ Birthday Celebrations ๐
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.
Portable Electronic Policy
(Administrative Procedure 5132)
Saturday Academy
Students in Saturday Academy are showing remarkable dedication and determination as they spend their weekends learning, practicing, and growing. Through focused lessons, collaboration, and perseverance, they are strengthening their skills and building confidence beyond the regular school week. Their hard work and commitment reflect a strong desire to succeed and make the most of every learning opportunity.
Please see the following link for weekly academic updates!
Counselor's Corner
February is a special time to honor Black History Month and reflect on our school theme of peace.
Families can make this month especially meaningful by having thoughtful conversations at home about leadership, courage, and standing up for what is right in peaceful ways.
You might talk with your child about leaders such as Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, Shirley Chisholm, or John Lewis. Discuss how these individuals showed perseverance, fairness, and bravery while working toward justice and equality. Ask your child questions like, โHow did this person help others?โ or โWhat does peaceful leadership look like today?โ
Here are a few ways to continue building peaceful habits at home:
-
Encourage respectful conversations, even when opinions differ.
-
Practice using โI feelโ statements to solve small conflicts calmly.
-
Highlight peaceful choices when you see your child showing patience or kindness.
-
Set a family goal to complete acts of service or kindness together.
When families intentionally talk about character, courage, and compassion, children develop the skills they need to create peace in their own friendships and communities. Thank you for partnering with us to support both strong character and strong hearts.
Math Department
Reading Department
As we celebrate Black History Month in February, itโs a wonderful opportunity for families to explore stories at home that highlight courage, resilience, and the power of peaceful change. Reading together is one of the most meaningful ways to help children build understanding and empathy.
You might choose books about inspiring leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, or Ruby Bridges, and talk with your child about how their actions reflected bravery and a commitment to peace. For younger readers, picture books by authors like Jacqueline Woodson can open the door to meaningful conversations about kindness, fairness, and understanding others.
Here are a few simple ways to support learning at home this month:
-
Read together daily, even 10โ15 minutes makes a big difference.
-
Ask thoughtful questions like, โHow did this person show courage?โ or โHow can we show peace in our own lives?โ
-
Encourage reflection by having your child draw or write about someone who inspires them.
-
Model peaceful problem-solving and point it out when you see your child making kind choices.
When families talk about history, celebrate diverse voices, and connect reading to real-life values like peace, children grow not only as readers but also as compassionate leaders. Thank you for continuing to nurture both strong literacy skills and kind hearts at home.
Warmly,
Mrs. A. Matthews
Grade Level Updates
Kindergarten
Grade Level Updates:
Hello Kinder Families,
Here are some virtual books to go along with Black History Month. Kindergatern Newletter Black History Month Virtual Library. Once in the powerpoint, you should be able to click on a book that your family finds interesting and it will take you to a youtube read aloud of that book.
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
As a reminder, please have your scholar utilize the online resource of Clever. Through Clever you can access other resources such as IXL, Lexia and i-Ready to help your scholar further their understanding of topics taught in class. Such as numbers 1-10, addition up to 10, shapes, sight words, and short vowel cvc, consonant vowel consonant, words. Should you have trouble login in through Clever to any of these sites please let your scholarโs teacher know.
IMPORTANT KINDERGARTEN DATES-
February 16- No School
February 19- 100th Day of School : Students are invited to dress like they are 100 years old
February 20- Dress Down: HBCU Proud
February 20- Homework Due
February 20- 3rd Annual STEM FAIR Showcase
February 27-Dress Down: BET Awards; Students are invited to dress as if they are attending the BET Awards in a school appropriate way
February 27: Black History Month Program K-2nd 8:30am
March 9: Spring Picture Day
March 11-13: Spring Book Fair
March 27: K-2 Spring event, hosted by the PTO
Reading Updates:
UNIT 3- Week 1: How Anansi Got His Stories
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: Constant sounds initial J and final consonant X
High-frequency words: was, said, where
Unit Vocabulary: choose, explain, meaning, character
Learning Goals:
Learn about folktales and explore themes of a story
Visualize details from a story
Find details in a text
Capitalization for the beginning of a sentence
Verbs and pronouns
Story elements: characters, setting, plot
Math Updates:
Topic 6: Understanding Subtraction
Essential Understanding: What types of situations involve subtraction?
Show numbers in many way
Express smaller parts of a bigger number with actions
Represent subtraction as taking away from numbers up to 10
Practice using an subtraction equation
Show subtraction using number lines, ten frames and pictures
Vocabulary: minus, take away, equal sign, take apart, left over, patterns
Science Updates:
TOPIC 4: Changes to the Environment
Experience 3: How do People protect their environment?
Review living vs non-living things
Inquiry about the relationship between people and where they live.
Demonstrate the relationship between the needs of people and the places they live, which together make up a system.
Describe habitat relationships using relational language and simple adjectives.
Vocabulary: environment, system, model, change, recycle, reuse
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:
February Topic: Going to the Doctor and Dentist
Describe the difference between a doctor and a dentist
Encourage confidence in the doctorโs or dentistโs office by discovering what happens when getting a checkup.
Demonstrate respect for bodies and our teeth
Explain why it is important to make healthy decisions
Vocabulary: doctor, dentist, teeth, help, and care
1st Grade
Grade Level Blurb:
Dear First Grade Families,Dear First Grade Families,
Weโre excited to welcome our students to a brand new week of learning, growing, and fun! This week is full of opportunities for students to practice their skills, work together, and shine in our classroom.
Please see below for important updates and reminders to help your child have a smooth and successful week. As always, thank you for your continued support and partnershipโwe truly appreciate all you do at home.
Have a wonderful week!
Updates:
1. Spelling homework is DUE Wednesday, February 18th.
2. Students will receive their topic 12 math packet this week. This topic is short and homework will be DUE tentatively Wednesday, February 25th.
3. All first grade students will complete a Black History Month project. Please follow your teacher's instructions for submission dates!
4. Students will be participating in an in-school field trip with the Maryland Science Center on Friday, March 6th. The cost of this trip is $7. All money will be collected via MySchoolBucks ONLY beginning 2/9/26 through 2/20/26. If you have not yet returned the permission slip, please do so ASAP.
Click here to pay online!
Reminders:
1. 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.
2. Check ParentVue regularly and review all graded work.
3. Students may eat one, DRY snack at the end of the day. If your student would like to participate in snack, please be sure to send them with one.
4. 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 Ant and the Grasshopper." In this fable we learn an important lesson! There is a time for work and a time for play.
Phonics:
The focus this week will be on words with digraphs and trigraphs (2-3 letter that combine to make one sound such as ch- in chin, -tch in catch, -ph in graph, and wh- in whale.)
Math Updates:
This week, we will move into topic 12-- measuring lengths. This is a very short topic with only 4 official lessons. Homework and test date scheduled tentatively for Wednesday, February 25th.
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 into our next topic on 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 beginning our next topic on speaking and listening. Students will learn more about how we communicate and how are ears work!
2nd Grade
Grade Level Updates:
Chromebook Reminder
Please continue to send your scholar to school daily with a fully charged Chromebook
Second Grade Field Trip Update
Dear Parents & Families,
We are excited to share that our field trip to the Air and Space Museum has been rescheduled to
Friday, March 6, 2026! ๐๐ Please mark your calendars with the new date.
โฐ Important Reminders:
The payment window has closed, and there will be no refunds.
Please make sure to complete the lunch form to let us know if your scholar will be:
๐ฅช Bringing lunch from home
OR
๐ซ Receiving a school lunch
Completing the lunch form helps us ensure everyone is prepared and ready for an amazing learning experience!
We are also planning for more field trips in the upcoming months! If you are interested in volunteering or serving as a chaperone, please be sure to complete the necessary PGCPS volunteer approval steps and submit all required documentation to Ms. Reese in the front office.
We appreciate your continued support and partnership! ๐ If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. We canโt wait for a fun and educational day exploring! ๐โจ
Reading Updates: Weโre getting ready for our Unit 3 Reading Test!
This unit has been all about folktales, fables, and fairy tales ๐ฐ๐บ๐งโโ๏ธโ exploring important lessons, character traits, themes, and story elements. Weโve learned how fables teach morals ๐ฆ๐, folktales share cultural traditions ๐๐ฅ, and fairy tales bring magic and adventure to life โจ๐.
As we prepare, make sure youโre reviewing story elements, themes, and the lessons each tale teaches ๐๐. Keep practicing your close reading skills and thinking deeply about the messages in each story ๐ญ๐ก.
Letโs do our best โ weโre ready to shine! ๐๐๐ช
Math Updates:
Weโre putting our math strategies into action!
This week, weโre applying the strategies weโve learned to addition and digging deeper into place value and regrouping๐ขโจ. Weโre breaking numbers apart, understanding the value of each digit, and learning how to regroup to solve problems accurately .
Keep practicing, show your work, and use those strategies with confidence. Weโre building strong math skills one step at a time!
Science Updates:
Congratulations to the students selected to participate in the STEM Fair!
We are so proud of your hard work, creativity, and dedication to innovation ๐ง โจ. Your projects truly showcase your talent and commitment to learning!
The big showcase will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 ๐๏ธ๐. We invite everyone to come out and show your support for these amazing students as they share their incredible work ๐๐.
Letโs celebrate their achievements together! ๐๐๐ก
Social Studies Updates:
๐ค๐ Weโre halfway through Black History Month! ๐๐ค
So far, weโve learned so much about inspiring Black scientists ๐งชโจ, inventors ๐ง๐ก, and trailblazers who made a powerful difference in the world ๐๐. Their achievements, courage, and contributions continue to shape our lives every day.
We will continue to celebrate these remarkable individuals and explore even more stories of excellence, leadership, and impact throughout the rest of the month ๐๐พ๐. Letโs keep learning, honoring, and growing together! โ๐พ๐
Health Updates:
๐ค๏ธ๐ท The season is changing! ๐ฌ๏ธ๐
As the weather shifts, scholars should continue taking the necessary steps to stay healthy ๐ช๐งฅ. Remember to dress appropriately for cooler mornings and warmer afternoons ๐งฃโ๏ธ, wash hands often ๐งผ, and get plenty of rest ๐ค]
.
Letโs stay mindful, take care of ourselves, and keep our bodies strong for learning each day ๐โจ!
3rd Grade
Grade Level Updates:
This coming Friday, February 20th, is our big day! We will leave the building on our first (but hopefully not last) field trip! As you know, students will attend GMU Center for the Arts to see a dynamic performance from โSole Defined.โ The show will serve as a meaningful and engaging connection to this monthโs Black History objectives.
Donโt forget:
Monday, February 16th - no school
February 19th - 100th day
Saturday 21st - STEM Fair showcase (be sure to support our mini scientists!)
Students should arrive at school with a fully charged chromebook and pencils to complete the dayโs assignments
Reading Updates:
This week we continued working on historical fiction. Students reviewed subject-verb agreement and learned how setting impacts the plot of a story. We focused on the idea that the setting makes the events in the story possible. Ask your child: How does the setting make the events possible in a story?
Also, our students completed the Dibels test this week. Scores for iReady and MAP have been sent home with your third grader.
Social Studies Updates:
In Social Studies, we continued learning about Black History Heroes. This week students read and discussed Rosa Parks and George Washington Carver
Math Updates:
Students working in Topic 5 continued to perfect the multiplication and division facts. On Thursday, we completed an activity in which we moved around the classroom to search for problems, solve those problems, and record our answers on the answer grid. We are working hard to catch up from our winter weather days!
Science Updates:
Our students working on Topic 5 continued the Animal Adaptations and Survival unit. We read and completed hands-on activities to discover why animals form groups.
Health Updates:
In Health, we continued to work in the โHealthy Familyโ unit. We started our study of genes by discussing what they are and what they do.
As always, thanks for your support as we continue on this third grade journey. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentineโs Day!
4th Grade
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Team 4ward,
Warm greetings to each of you. We hope this message finds your household well. Thank you to all those that support our scholars for our annual 4th Grade American History Museum. The students from K-2 and the adults all enjoyed the presentation of our scholars and their displays. The younger students didnโt want to leave and wondered when they could come back and learn more from the 4th graders. We also had the CLF photographer present who was able to capture pictures of our students. The teachers are currently gathering all pictures and videos and will create a folder to share with families. This project helped students become better researchers and helped them become more comfortable with presenting to others.
๐Field Trip
4th Graders are going on a field trip to the Publick Playhouse on Tuesday February 24, 2026. We will watch a musical performance about the first two Black Olympic gold medalists, and the challenges they overcame to reach their goals. All money is due by Monday February 16, 2026. If the trip is cancelled refunds will not be issued but applied to another trip to the Publick Playhouse. Chaperones for this trip have already been selected and informed. If you are interested in chaperoning a field trip before the end of the year, please contact your studentโs homeroom teacher.
๐ตPlease submit your payment using the link here: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHVZTLU9O052WP_ZZ69VXCHU84OLTK
๐Permission slip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBRVD1HO8u3zPJQKbzbAPzLbro4fsOWY/view?usp=sharing
๐If your scholar will need a bag lunch please complete the Google Form here: https://forms.gle/Ltd8FhgyEFMCe7J57
๐ปMany 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. I 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.
Thank you for your ongoing support in your childโs learning journey. We are grateful for the partnership between home and school โ together we help every student thrive.
Warmly,
Team 4Ward
Important Upcoming Dates:
Presidentโs Day Monday February 16, 2026 No School
4th Grade Field Trip to Publick Playhouse Tuesday February 24, 2026
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 studentโs 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 scholarโs 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 are in Volume 2 of our textbooks Unit 4: Impacts. Within this unit students will explore diverse literature styles from all over the world.This year writing is a main focus within our school. As we enter the second quarter scholars' our focus for writing will be to expand their sentences using adverbs and adjectives. Moving forward we expect that students will write complex sentences with multiple dependent clauses.
This Week:
This week students finished working with the Historical Fiction โThe Secret of the Winter Count.โ A historical fiction is a story that has narrative elements but the story is set in the past. This story is about a girl named Emma who tries to help her family find water during a drought. Students sought to answer how stories help to influence the decisions that we made. We concluded this story by writing original sequel stories using narrative elements that were in the story.
Next Week:
This week students will read two myths โPandoraโ and โRace to the Top.โ A myth reflects human beliefs about why and how the world is the way it is. Both of these stories will explain the how and why something happens on the Earth. Students will seek to answer: How can being disobedient cause problems? As we are reading the text closely we will fully describe characters, determine a theme, and monitor inner conversations while reading. Students will compare and contrast similar themes across both myths. The word study for this week will be homophones which are words that sound the same but are spelled differently.
Math Updates:
This week and next in Math, 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 we will begin our next topic, Human Use of Energy. In this topic, 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 finished their research and presented it at the 4th Grade American History Museum.
Next week we will go into chapter 3 which is about the U.S. Government. This week students will learn about the branches of government and what is the role of each branch.
5th Grade
๐ฐ Fifth Grade Team Newsletter
Hi Fifth Grade Families!
As we head into a three-day weekend, we want to encourage our students to continue spreading kindness. ๐ Kindness can be as simple as sharing a smile, helping a classmate, or even sharing a small treat to brighten someoneโs day. Letโs continue building a classroom community where everyone feels valued and appreciated!
๐ข Important News
Publick Playhouse Field Trip:
๐ Next Monday is the LAST day to submit payment for the Publick Playhouse field trip. Please be sure to complete payment by the deadline. Thank you for your prompt attention and support!
Reading Updates:
Students are learning about:
Realistic Fiction
Opinion Writing
Prepositional Phrases
We are strengthening comprehension skills and identifying how grammar enhances writing.
Writing Updates:
Continuing Opinion Writing
Students are developing strong opinion pieces with clear reasons, supporting details, and organized paragraphs.
Social Studies Updates:
Chapter 5, Lesson 2 โ Declaration of Independence
Students are exploring the purpose of the Declaration of Independence and its impact on American history.
Math Updates:
Ms. Jenkinsโ Classes:
Chapter 4: Multiplying Decimals
๐ Chapter Test next Wednesday
Mr. Barrโs Classes:
Finishing Chapter 7: Adding & Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators with a test.
Moving into Topic 4: Multiplying Decimals
Science Updates:
Ms. Jenkinsโ Classes:
Wrapping up Chapter 3 โ Earthโs Four Spheres (Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere)
๐ Chapter Test next week
Students are focusing on how the four spheres interact with one another. For example, we discussed how an avalanche begins in the geosphere (snow and land), moves through the atmosphere (air and wind), impacts the biosphere (plants, animals, humans), and may affect the hydrosphere when snow melts into water. Students are analyzing how changes in one sphere can cause a chain reaction in the others.
Mr. Barrโs Classes:
Chapter 3, Lesson 3 โ Earthโs Water
Students are learning about the percentage of Earthโs water, freshwater vs. saltwater, and how water is distributed across the planet.
Learning how the lungs are impacted by different activities
Students are exploring how exercise and environmental factors affect lung health.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We hope everyone enjoys the extended weekend, stays safe, and continues spreading kindness! ๐
โ Fifth Grade Team
CARTS
General CARTS Message:
Please remember to check your student's Canvas assignments and Synergy grades regularly!
Media:
Hello CMIT Family!
Just a reminder, Library/Media Presents: The 4th & 5th Grade Cookbook Extravaganza is happening Wednesday February 18th in the CSES cafeteria. It will go from 6pm-8pm!
Music:
Hello CMIT Family!
Weโre off to a great start! I encourage you to motivate your students to stay focused and engaged with their lessons. It's important for us to work together to catch up, as we are currently two weeks behind.
Rather than overwhelming students with unnecessary assignments, I plan to strengthen their understanding by revisiting and connecting closely related concepts. This approach will ensure that everyone is exposed to the essential information they need to succeed.
Thank you for your support and dedication! Letโs make this a fantastic journey together!
Art:
Our Black History artworks are going great! Here are a few collaged landscapes inspired by Romare Bearden from Ms. Convertโs class!
Quick Links
FAQ
CHESAPEAKE MATH AND IT SOUTH ELEMENTARY
โข Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
โข Grades: K-5
โข Uniform: Yes
โข Before After School Enrichment: Yes
http://clfmd.org/enrichment-2/
โข School Colors: Orange and Black
โข Uniform Colors: Hunter Green, Navy Blue, or white Oxford tops and Khaki or Navy Blue bottoms
โข School Mascot: "Roary" the Tigerโข School Website: http://www.cmitsouthes.org
For more information
Newsletter Archive
๐พ February 8, 2026
๐พ February 1, 2026
๐พ January 25, 2026
๐พ January 18, 2026
๐พ January 11, 2026
๐พ January 4, 2026
๐พ December 21, 2025
๐พ December 14, 2025
๐พ December 7, 2025
๐พ November 23, 2025
๐พ November 16, 2025
๐พ November 9, 2025
๐พ November 2, 2025
๐พ October 26, 2025
๐พ October 19, 2025
๐พ October 12, 2025
๐พ October 5, 2025
๐พ September 28, 2025
๐พ September 21, 2025
๐พ September 14, 2025
๐พ September 7, 2025
๐พ August 31, 2025