The Tiger Times

Dear CMIT South Elementary Families and Friends,

As we welcome the beautiful month of May, I want to take a moment to cheer on our students and families. We are in the final stretch of the school year—a time that requires extra focus and energy. You have all worked so hard, and the finish line is in sight!

Our character word for May is Perseverance. As we tackle new challenges this month, let’s keep this quote in mind:

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." — Walter Elliot

Whether it is finishing a tough testing session or mastering a new concept, our Tigers are showing that they have the heart to keep running those races until they reach success.

💜 A Heartfelt Thank You

A MASSIVE THANK YOUUUUUU to my incredible CMIT South ES students, staff, and parents for making National Principal Appreciation Day and my birthday so unforgettable. Seeing a sea of purple in the halls for Purple Day was absolutely phenomenal! It was a powerful reminder of the vibrant, unified community we are building here together.

This work is my true passion. I love these students deeply and am beyond grateful to serve and lead this community every single day. My greatest joy is watching our students, staff, and community Level UP! Thank you for all the love and the beautiful birthday wishes! 🥳✨

🍎 Honoring Our STEMtastic Teachers!

May 4th – 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week! It is time to celebrate the heartbeat of our school—our incredible educators. Our teachers do absolutely amazing work every single day, pouring their hearts, creativity, and expertise into our scholars. They are truly STEMtastic, and they deserve to be recognized for the heroes they are!

We want to give you a chance to share the love. Please take a moment to complete the form below to shout out a teacher (or teachers!) who has made a difference in your child's life:

• Submit Your Teacher Shout-Out Here

👟 Sneaker Ball Success!

I want to send a huge shout-out to our amazing PTO for hosting the Annual Sneaker Ball for our 3rd–5th graders on Friday, May 1st. It was truly a blast, and seeing our scholars dressed to impress while rocking their favorite kicks was wonderful.

The energy was electric! DJ TT was absolutely phenomenal, keeping the dance floor moving all night. From the delicious food and stunning decor to the fun photo opportunities, it was a night to remember. Thank you, PTO, for creating such a joyful experience for our students!

🌿 CMIT South is Going Green!

CMIT South Elementary is doing big things! We are thrilled to celebrate a historic achievement—our school has officially been named a first-time Maryland Green School! A huge thank you to Ms. Herbert and Mr. Holloway for spearheading this initiative. They will be accepting the honor on our behalf at the Annual Environmental Literacy Awards Ceremony on May 15, 2026.

🧮 Math Olympiad Success

On Saturday, April 25th, we hosted a spectacular Math Tournament with 8 schools and 13 competitive teams. Our Math Olympiad team is doing great things under the direction of Coach Jones and Mr. Metin!

• 1st Place Overall: CMIT South ES (47 points)

• 1st Place Team: Liam Santos, Arvik Naag, Everett Brace, and Tamara Crooks

• 1st Place Individual: Liam Santos

Congratulations to our math scholars for representing us so well!

📝 MCAP Testing: ELA Week

Our 3rd–5th grade scholars have successfully navigated the first week of MCAP Mathematics. Awesome Sauce! Next week, we transition to MCAP ELA.

Testing Success Tips:

• Charge Up: Ensure Chromebooks are fully charged each night.

• Gear Up: Students must bring wired headphones (no Bluetooth).

• Show Up: Please ensure students are on time to avoid missing instructional time.

• Reminder: We will not be loaning computers to K–2nd grade students during these weeks, as all devices are needed for testing.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we finish the year strong. Go Tigers!

Warmly,

Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Your PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers 🐯

Grade Level Blurb:

Hello Kinder Families,

The permission slips and payment for the next field trip to the Natural History Museum is due by May 12th. Kindergarten students will start the Countdown to Summer. Every Wednesday will be a different theme for students to participate in. Please check the link below for the calendar.

2026 Wacky Wednesday Countdown to Summer

This week Kindergarten will also be starting its Embroidery projects. Please sign up to volunteer in your scholar’s class for the embroidery project if you can. This project will engage students in the world around them through nature and the use of their fine motor skills. This in school project will last a couple of weeks so there will be multiple changes for signing up.

As we are entering warmer weather, many students have their allergies reawakened and sometimes it can be severe; if your scholar is one of those students and needs medication please remember to fill out a doctor’s form for medication to go to the nurse. Also families, please have your scholar’s shoes tied when they come to school and continue to assist your scholar in their efforts of learning to tie their shoes independently. Students should have a school approved sweater or jacket to wear in the classroom, in case they get chilly.

PGCPS_medication_form.pdf

For the graduation each student has been assigned a role, the role is either a video or a speaking role. Thank you for working with our team to make this a success.

Please remember 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-

May4 - May 8: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8:Videos for Promotion Due

May 11: Muffins with madams; details to come

May 14: Career Day

May 15: Save the date: Field Trip to the Natural History Museum in DC

May 25: School Closed

May 27: Now a full day of school

June 5: Field Day

June 11: Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony 8:30 & 10

June 12: Kindergarten End of the Year Party

Reading Updates:

UNIT 4- Week 3: Grandma’s Phone

Essential Question: What can we learn from the past? How do we learn about the past?

• Phonological Awareness: Initial and Final Sounds; Segment and Blend Phonemes

Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime

• Phonics:Vowel sounds - short e (/e/) and long u (/e_e/)

• High-frequency words: black, brown, white

• Story Vocabulary: farm, visit, pumpkin

• Unit Vocabulary: time, discover, change, tradition

Learning Goals:

• Learn about the past

• Visualize details from a story

• Syllables and compound words

• Find details in a text

• Main idea and details

• Capitalization for the beginning of a sentence

• Types of Punctuation, go with different types of sentences

• Prepositions, adjectives, and articles

• Organize the story element: character, setting, plot

Math Updates:

Finish Topic 10: Compose and Decompose Numbers 11 to 19

Essential Understanding: How can the number 11-19 be made up of?

• Show numbers in many way

• Count and write numbers 11-20

• Represent groups of objects with a number to 20

• Practice counting on from any number within 20

• Show different numbers as a group of ten and some more

Vocabulary: eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, patterns

Start Topic 14: Describe and Compare Measurable Attributes

Essential Understanding:

• Compare by Length and Height

• Describe how objects can be compared by weight

• Distinguish and Describe the Length or Height, Capacity, or Weight of Objects

• Contrast objects to determine capacity

Vocabulary: measurement, length, height, capacity, weight, attribute.

Science Updates:

TOPIC 1: Push and Pull

Experience 3: How do objects change motion?

• 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

• How will movement change if they hit each other

• Observe how an object speed can change

• Use directional words to describe movement

Vocabulary: motion, speed, direction, compare, predict, collide, data, anzyle

Social Studies Updates:

Finish up Chapter 5 : Time and Chronology

Essential Question- How do we track time?

• Understand different that different words tell about time

• Look into measuring time

• How do we make a timeline

• Interpret how to we use a timeline

• Explore sequencing of events

Vocabulary: future, past, calendars, months, week, year, decade, seasons, weather, pattern generation and century

Health Updates:

May Topic: Keeping Clean and Healthy

• Describe what it means to be healthy, sick and why is it is important to stay well

• Discover daily routines that people do to stay healthy

• Encourage confidence in knowing how to show concern for others that might be sick

• Demonstrate respect for our bodies and encourage others to practice proper hygiene.

• Explain what is it means for the community to be clean and healthy

Vocabulary: scrub, clean, yard, clothes, hands, community

Grade Level Blurb:

☀️ The Final Countdown is On! ☀️

Hello Second Grade Families! Can you believe it? We have just 33 days left until summer break! 🏖️ As we gear up for the end of the year, we have a few important reminders to keep our scholars on track for success.

Chromebooks & Tech Prep

Our 3rd–5th grade neighbors are finishing up their MCAP testing this week. Because of this, the school will not have any loaner Chromebooks available. To ensure your child can participate in all our classroom activities, please make sure they bring:

• A FULLY CHARGED Chromebook (every single day!)

• A pair of headphones

The seasons are shifting, but the weather is still a bit unpredictable! 🌦️ Please be vigilant when checking the forecast each morning. We recommend dressing in layers so your scholar stays comfortable whether they are in a chilly classroom or out on the sunny playground.

Afternoon Snacks & Donations

Each class may allow scholars to have a snack toward the end of the day. If you choose to send a snack with your child, please be mindful of peers with allergies—nut-free options are always the safest bet! 🚫🥜

Want to be a Snack Hero? Our classrooms are always accepting snack donations! These go a long way in supporting scholars who may not have a snack of their own.

Thank you for your incredible support as we sprint toward the finish line!

Reading Updates:

Bravo to Our Poetry Stars!

A huge round of applause to all the scholars who presented their poetry last week! We are so incredibly proud of the confidence and creativity they showed. They did an amazing job bringing their words to life!

Looking Ahead

This presentation was more than just fun—it provided our scholars with fantastic practice for our final unit in the reading curriculum!

Our upcoming focus will dive deep into the world of Literature, specifically:

• Drama & Plays

• Poetry & Rhythm

• Character Dialogue

It’s going to be an exciting way to wrap up our year as we explore how stories can be performed and felt. Thank you for supporting your readers and performers at home!

Math Updates:

Money & Time: Our Next Big Adventure!

Our brilliant scholars are officially wrapping up our lessons on Money! They’ve been doing a fantastic job identifying coins, adding up values, and making change. Now, we are ready to "watch" the clock as we transition into our next exciting topic: Time!

To help reinforce these real-world skills, here are a few quick and easy activities you can try at home:

Mastering Money

• The "Pocket Change" Challenge: Empty your loose change and have your child sort the coins and calculate the total.

• Home Grocery Store: Set up a mini-shop with items from the pantry. Label them with prices (e.g., $0.45 or $1.25) and have your scholar "buy" them using the correct coins.

• Skip Counting: Practice counting by 5s (nickels), 10s (dimes), and 25s (quarters) while driving or walking!

Telling Time

• Daily Schedule Check: Throughout the day, ask your scholar, "What time is it right now?" using an analog clock. Start with the hour and half-hour, then move to 5-minute intervals.

• Elapsed Time Talk: Use phrases like, "It’s 4:15 PM now. Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. What time will we eat?"

• "Beat the Clock": Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes during clean-up and have your child watch the hand move on a clock so they can visualize how much time has passed.

We are so proud of the progress these scholars are making! Thank you for partnering with us to make math fun and functional.

2nd Grade ROARY's Spotlight

Hendrix Harris: Academic growth, reading and completing work more independently.

Naddiyah Alaka: more confidence when completing work. Helpful to others

Ian Gomez-Flores : always on task, completing assignments and practicing good listening skills

Dakota Alexander: always on task, completing assignments and practicing good listening skills ; always willing to help out a friend

Skylar Hall: Taking more initiative with completing assignments

William Payne: Always willing to help. Eager to learn

Grade Level Blurb:

Greetings Parents,

We have completed our first week of MCAP!! The momentum needs to continue through next week as we start the English Language Arts sections. Students need headphones for the ELA sections. Our field trip is Friday, May 8. Please be on time and plan accordingly. The students may bring their own skates as long as they are able to keep track of them in the rink. The skates should be in a labeled bag. Just a reminder that lunch will be provided at the facility. If your child has dietary restrictions, please bring a lunch from home. Nothing else should ‘travel’ with the students: water bottles, food (including candy and gum), electronics, toys, pencils, etc. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Reading Updates:

Students continued to review for MCAP during the week.

Two groups of students are reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. As they engage with this novel, they are building their reading stamina and developing the confidence to tackle longer chapter books. Through stories like this, students are able to see themselves reflected in the main characters, which deepens their connection to reading and strengthens their identity as readers.

Math Updates:

When students were not completing the MCAP mathematics sections, we continued to build in lessons to review skills. There are several more EOY Math sections on the horizon.

Science Updates:

Some of our scientists continued to work on fossils. They watched a Bill Nye the Science Guy video on dinosaur fossils to deepen their understanding of how fossils are found and what we learn from those fossils about the past. This was followed by a fossil cartoon activity.

Social Studies Updates:

Part of our third grade students worked on ‘community helpers’ and discussed how those workers are vital to our communities. Additionally, some students completed a 50 states word search puzzle.

Health Updates:

Students started the ‘When Bodies Have Challenges” unit. They completed an activity to identify how a community might not be safe for people who have sight, hearing, or mobility challenges.

Grade Level Blurb:

Greetings Team 4Ward,

I hope that message finds you well. The countdown is on and there is plenty to accomplish between now and the end of the school year. The 3rd Quarter has come to an end and teachers have published their grades for the quarter. As we enter into the final quarter of 4th grade, talk with your scholar about their ambitions they have as they complete this school year. Please be mindful that the next two weeks of school will be extremely busy with MCAP testing occurring.

MCAP

This week we will continue MCAP. Students will sit for eight sessions, four, 40 minute sessions of Math this week. Next week will have four, 70 minute sessions of Reading. Testing is set to begin by 8:30. This means that students will be in their testing groups with their testing materials distributed. Once testing has begun, tardy students will be unable to enter into the classroom until testing has concluded in that room.

Help your scholar prepare by:

• Getting at least eight hours of sleep

• Eating breakfast the day of testing

• Having a charged computer

• Have a pair of wired headphones

• A quick snack for after if wanted

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. Let’s finish strong together!!

Warmly,

Team 4Ward

Important Upcoming Dates:

• MCAP Testing (Reading) May 4-7, 2026

• Field Trip to Natural History Museum Friday May 22, 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 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. Assignments not completed will receive a final grade of “0.”

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 completed MCAP Math Testing and this affected our reading block. During this week we reviewed ways to manage stress and causes of stress in children. We also began previewing the last story in Unit 2.

Next Week:

We will continue MCAP testing and this will affect the regular reading block. Throughout the week will begin reading the last paired texts in the Unit 2 “The Weird and Wonderful Echidna, and the Very Peculiar Platypus.” In these tests students will integrate information to write an informational text article about strange animal adaptations. Since these are the last texts in the unit we will begin our Unit 2 project. Students will research an endangered animal to present in our Endangered Animal Museum.

Math Updates:

In math, scholars will take their Division, Topic 5 Assessment next week. Please check your child's agenda book for their specific date. Next week, we will be practicing for MCAP and look out for a MCAP practice packet to be sent home. We are also strengthening math literacy through Daily Reviews, problem-solving tasks, and math journals, which allow students to reflect on their thinking and analyze mistakes.

Parents can support learning at home by encouraging scholars to:

• Explain how they solved a problem (not just the answer)

• Practice multiplication facts regularly

• Complete assigned IXL skills that reinforce division concepts.

Science Updates:

In science, scholars are exploring the unit Human Uses of Energy. We will be completing this unit.

Students are learning how energy plays an important role in our everyday lives and how humans harness different energy sources to power technology and systems we depend on.

Topics we are exploring include:

• Types of energy

• How energy is transferred and used

• Real-world examples of energy in transportation, electricity, and machines

• How energy systems help communities function

Scholars are also engaging in research-based activities and project tasks where they apply math skills such as division, measurement, and data interpretation to scientific situations.

This interdisciplinary approach helps scholars see how math and science work together in real-world problem solving.

Skills We Are Building

Across both subjects, scholars are developing important academic habits including:

• Perseverance when solving challenging problems

• Explaining and defending their thinking

• Collaborating with peers

• Using academic vocabulary

• Applying knowledge to real-world situations

Helpful Reminders for Families

Please encourage your scholar to:

• Check Canvas regularly for assignments and resources
• Complete IXL practice to reinforce skills
• Bring their math journal to class daily
• Ask questions when they need clarification

Social Studies Updates:

This week, students continued in Chapter 4 and read lesson 2 that focuses on trade and markets. In this lesson students explored how businesses supply goods and services to match demand. We discussed different forms of currency and how entrepreneurs take risks to start businesses.

Next week, students will read Chapter 4, Lesson 3, which explores global trade and how the exchange of goods and services between countries impacts their everyday lives. Students will learn how products they use—such as food, clothing, and technology—often come from different parts of the world, and they will examine how trade connects communities across the globe.

Grade Level Blurb:

Happy May, Families!

We are officially in the final stretch of the school year! Our scholars have been working incredibly hard, and we are so proud of their effort and growth. As we continue with MCAP testing next week, please remind your child to get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and come to school on time with a fully charged Chromebook.

We are also reinforcing end-of-year behavior expectations, especially during testing, to ensure all students are focused, respectful, and giving their best effort.

Reminder: We are still accepting baby photos for our promotion ceremony! Please be sure to submit them as soon as possible.

Reading Updates:
Students are exploring historical fiction, focusing on how stories connect to real events, time periods, and perspectives.

Math Updates:

Students are working on dividing fractions using strategies such as models, equations, and real-world word problems. We are focusing on understanding why the process works, not just memorizing steps, and helping students explain their thinking clearly.

• Mrs. Jones’ Class: Topic 9 – Dividing Fractions with Fractions

• Ms. Jenkins’ Class: Finishing up Topic 9

Science Updates:
Students are learning about Human Impacts on Earth’s Systems:

• Mrs. Jones Class (Experience 2: Human Activities and Earth’s Environments

• Ms. Jenkins’ Class (Experience 3): Protecting Earth’s Systems

Social Studies Updates:
We are learning about American Indians and the Trail of Tears along with Chapter 7, Lesson 4, building understanding of important historical events and their impact.

General CARTS Updates:

Please remember to check your student's Canvas assignments and Synergy grades regularly.

Music:

5th Grade spent this week learning what the blues is. Next week, we will go into putting our ideas down on paper. I also mentioned the illegalities of copyrighting songs. We will be recording our songs soon!

4th Grade will begin their theme and variation presentations. This is one of my most favorite lessons. I can’t wait to hear what students come up with.

3rd Grade will finish up recorder. I will be videoing each class performing 1 or 2 songs. My hope is to share with our school community by the end of the year.

2nd Grade will get to know the pentatonic scale and learn the difference between solo and ensemble.

1st Grade will finish up Instrument Families and have fun with Solfege. Solfege is the system that uses do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do to learn pitches.

Kindergarten will have fun with melodic contours. We will use scarves and movement to feel how the music moves and changes in our bodies.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am looking forward to having a blast with our students next week!

Media/Library:

Hello families! Here’s what’s coming up:

K&1- Peer reading to prepare for group reading to their parents

2&3-MAP/MCAP review

4&5- Creating infomercials

PE:

Hello Families! We are working on a striking unit in Physical Education. This works out students’ hand-eye coordination.

Technology:

Dear Families,

We’ve officially entered the final quarter of the school year, and it’s a very important time for our students to finish strong and showcase everything they’ve learned in technology class!

Typing Goals for All Students (K–5)

All students in Kindergarten through 5th grade are expected to complete the “Learn the Keys” unit on Typing.com by the end of the school year. This unit helps build foundational typing skills that directly support writing, testing, and overall digital literacy. Students are encouraged to practice at home to stay on track!

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

Our youngest learners are continuing to build essential computer skills by:

• Strengthening fine motor skills
• Practicing mouse control through engaging, hands-on activities

5th Grade – PSA Project (Due May 15th)

5th grade students are working on a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Project.

Focus: Digital citizenship and responsible technology use

Due Date: May 15th

Details & instructions: Available on their Canvas Technology page

This is a major project that allows students to be creative while making a positive impact with their message.

3rd & 4th Grade – Digital Literacy Animation Project (Due May 15th)

Students in 3rd and 4th grade are creating an Animation Project focused on digital literacy concepts.

Due Date: May 15th

Full instructions: Located on their Canvas Technology page

We’re excited to see students bring their ideas to life through animation!

2nd Grade – Final Project Coming Soon

Second grade students will begin working on their final project of the year this week.

Project details will be shared in class

Stay tuned for more information coming home soon!

Important Reminder

To ensure all assignments are completed on time and with quality effort, students are strongly encouraged to:

• Work on projects outside of class when possible
• Regularly check their Canvas Technology page for updates and resources

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students stay focused, responsible, and successful as we close out the school year. Let’s finish strong!

If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Mr. Dickens

Maker’s Lab:

Hello families! This week we worked on learning how to control small drones with coding!

Art:

Hello CMIT families!

This week I saw something that made me remember my “Why”! The 5th graders made pipe cleaner figures in action poses and turned them into free standing sculptures by adding a base to them. The next day, while they were still drying, our 3rd graders discovered them and were so excited that they began to have some animated discussions about them!

2025-2026 School Calendar

School Meals

School Violence Resources and Support

PGCPS TV

CMIT South ES Enrichment Program

Vendor Managed Child Care

Parent Handbook

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Synergy ParentVUE Support for Parents and Guardians

Student Absence Form