The Tiger Times
Dear CMIT South Families, Community Partners, and Scholars,
Thank you for everything you do for our Tiger family! Our Character Word of the Month for November is Gratitude, and November is also National Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the history, cultures, and contributions of Native American people and their Heritage.. Here is a thought from Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist, professor, and author:
"To carry a gift is also to carry a responsibility." — Robin Wall Kimmerer
Each of us has gifts to be grateful for: our families, our teachers, our friends, and our community. Let's say "thank you" often and find ways to share our gifts with others.
☕ Leveling Up with Principal Lewis: Chat & Chew
A huge thank-you to the parents who joined our K–1st Grade and 4th–5th Grade Leveling Up with Principal Lewis: Chat & Chew sessions. Your feedback is essential to us!
Reminder, up next: 2nd & 3rd Grade. I had to reschedule this session from Thursday, November 5th to Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Please use the link below to let us know if you can attend, submit your questions, and confirm your attendance so we can address your most pressing concerns:
⏰ The form closes Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Once all of our Chat & Chew sessions are complete, I will post the presentation along with the Q&As for those who couldn't make it.
📅 Parent/Teacher Conferences: No School Wednesday, November 11
School will be closed for students on Wednesday, November 11th for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please sign up or reach out to your child's teacher to schedule your conference. This is a valuable chance to discuss your Tiger's progress, celebrate successes, and partner with teachers to support continued growth.
Report card and appeal dates:
November 16: 1st quarter report cards available online
November 23: Hard copies distributed
November 24 – December 3, 2026: Parent grade appeal window
🐯 SGA Election Results: Official Announcement! 🎉
I am so excited about the leadership of our SGA Coordinator, Mrs. Leah Jones, who led our SGA election. Job well done! 🎉
As she stated, Thank you, Thank you, and Thank Youuuu to our families, scholars, and staff for your patience and understanding while we worked through a technical error that affected our SGA election results. To make sure every vote counted, we held a re-election and carefully reviewed the results from start to finish. We're happy to share that our official results are now confirmed! 🎉
🏆 Congratulations to our 2026–2027 SGA Leaders!
🐯 Grade-Level Mayors
Kindergarten: Justin Baca & Morgan Patton
1st Grade: Aubrey Kemp & Avery Kemp
2nd Grade: Cadence Adams
3rd Grade: Teniola Kareem
4th Grade: Zoe Anyanawu
5th Grade: Brynn Tribue
🎤 SGA Executive Board
President: Harper Anderson
Vice President: Kaiden Smith
Treasurer: Nehemiah Hughes
Secretary: Abigeal Motoni
Media Coordinators: Cameron Peterson & Skylar Overton
Top priority throughout this process was making sure the results were fair, accurate, and carefully verified. Thank you for trusting us and for your patience throughout this process.
To our newly elected leaders: Congratulations! 🥳 You earned your classmates' trust, and we can't wait to watch you step into your roles, speak up for your fellow scholars, and lead by example, both in the classroom and around the school. Remember that great leaders listen first, treat others with kindness, and always give their best.
And to every scholar who ran for office: thank you for having the courage to put yourself out there. Stepping up to lead takes bravery, and that alone is something to be proud of. We hope you'll keep that leadership spirit going and run again!
We are also grateful to the families who cheered on their scholars and to the staff who helped make this election possible. Here's to a great year of student leadership at CMIT South! 🐯❤️
🎁 Claws for a Cause: Holiday Support for Our Families
The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also be challenging for many families. Our Claws for a Cause program is here to support CMIT South Elementary families who may need a little extra assistance this season.
If your family could benefit from support this holiday, please complete the form below by Wednesday, November 11, 2026. All information shared will remain confidential and will be used only for this program.
🎟️ Charter School Lottery Information: 2027–2028
The 2027–2028 Charter/Specialty Lottery opened Monday, November 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM and closes Friday, February 5, 2027, at 5:00 PM.
How to apply:
Submit your lottery application through ScribOrder: PGCPS Registration and Specialty Program Lottery Application
Complete the Sibling Preference Application
Critical requirements:
Students must have a Student ID number to apply.
If your student needs one, complete the Student ID Application in ParentVUE.
Please enter all information accurately. Incomplete applications will delay processing.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Bull, School Registrar, at jamie.bull@pgcps.org.
Open House
In-person
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m
Virtual : Wednesday January 13, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
📞 Parent Communication Protocol
This school year, we created a Parent Communication Protocol to help you reach the right staff member quickly. Please follow it when contacting staff: Parent Communication Protocol SY26-27
Thank you for all you do for our Tiger family. Let's Gooo, Tigers! ROAR! 🐯📖
With Grateful Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,
Tauheedah N. Simmons-Lewis
Your PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers 🐅
Sanai Blake
Ms. Windsor's Kindergarten Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, School Citizenship
Sanai deserves to be recognized as a Student of the Month for consistently demonstrating a positive attitude, enthusiasm for learning, and a strong commitment to doing her best. She shows kindness, respect, and compassion toward others while serving as a positive role model for her classmates. She is also responsible, prepared, follows expectations, and contributes to a positive classroom environment through teamwork, cooperation, and the encouragement of others. Her actions reflect our school’s values and make her a wonderful member of our school community!
Chanse Montague
Ms. R. Lewis' Kindergarten Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
Chanse displays kindness, respect, outstanding growth, positive attitude, and demonstrates leadership qualities. His efforts, accomplishments, and dedication make him a deserving of this special recognition.
Nabilaa Alaka
Ms. Garrett's First Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility
Nabilaa is an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates leadership, kindness, and responsibility. She is always eager to help others, actively participates in class, and takes pride in her work. Her dedication and positive attitude make her a wonderful role model for her classmates. Keep shining, Nabilaa!
Seth Gilbert
Ms. Torrence's 1st Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, School Citizenship
Congratulations to Seth Gilbert, our Tiger of the Month! 🐯 Seth is a natural leader who is always willing to lend a helping hand to his peers. He consistently stays focused, remains on task, and completes his classwork with responsibility and care. Seth is a reliable, hardworking scholar who sets a wonderful example for others. Keep shining, Seth! We are proud of you!
Edie Bassil
Mrs. Matthews' 1st Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Growth & Perseverance
Edie is a hardworking student who always puts forth her best effort! She demonstrates wonderful perseverance, never gives up when faced with challenges, and takes pride in everything she does. She consistently shows her Tiger Pride through her positive attitude, determination, and willingness to learn. We are so proud of her! Congratulations, Edie!
Ariana Rogers
Mrs. Valera's 1st Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
This phenomenal first grader is a natural leader who consistently sets a wonderful example for those around her. She works incredibly hard, always gives her best effort, and approaches each day with a positive attitude. Her dedication, responsibility, and willingness to help others make her a wonderful role model in our classroom. We are so proud of her!
Ali Gamble
Ms. J. Lewis' 2nd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility
Ali consistently shows up ready to learn, following all directions and consistently looking for opportunities to expand her knowledge. When she is done early she does extra IXL and iReady or learning a new language.
Alyssa McQueen
Ms. Parker's 2nd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Growth & Perseverance
Alyssa always gives her best effort and demonstrates wonderful perseverance, even when faced with challenges. She never gives up and continues to work hard to reach her goals. She is also a kind and caring friend who treats all of her classmates with kindness and makes everyone feel included. We are so proud of her positive attitude and determination. Congratulations, Alyssa!
Taylor Williams
Ms. Womack's 2nd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character
She is always eager to learn and approaches each day with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. She consistently demonstrates respect toward her teachers and classmates and is a wonderful example of kindness and good character. Her willingness to learn and respectful nature make her a valued member of our classroom.
Myar Shadul
Mr. White's 3rd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
Myar consistently demonstrates outstanding character, responsibility, and leadership. She treats others with kindness and respect, makes thoughtful decisions, and helps to create a positive learning environment. Her willingness to support classmates and lead by example makes her a valuable member of our classroom community.
Jeremiah Pollard
Mrs. Flores' 3rd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
Jeremiah treats all adults and classmates with kindness and respect. He participates in lessons and is a positive role model for his peers.
Zahra Adediran
Ms. Howard's 3rd Grade Class
Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
Zahra is an extremely bright scholar who is always striving for excellence! She comes to class each day ready to learn, is respectful to both her teachers and peers, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Zahra is a natural leader who sets a great example for those around her. Her hard work, positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond never go unnoticed. Zahra has so much potential, and I truly believe the sky is the limit for her. She is more than deserving of being our Tiger of the Month!
Everett Brace
Mrs. Jones 5th Grade Class
Recognized for: Recognized for: Commitment to Learning, Respect & Character, Responsibility, Growth & Perseverance, School Citizenship
Everett is truly a pleasure to have in class! He comes to school each day ready to learn, consistently makes good choices, and treats everyone with kindness and respect. He leads by example without even trying and is someone his classmates can look up to. Everett is so deserving of this recognition!
Please take note of these important calendar reminders:
- November 10- Leveling Up with Principal Lewis (2nd & 3rd)
- November 11- Schools Closed for Students (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- November 16- December 14 - Claws for a Cause
- November 16- Parent University (STEM Fair)
- November 19- Education Support Professionals Day
- November 21- Substitute Educators Day
- November 25-November 27- Schools and Offices Closed (Thanksgiving)
- December 2- Special Education Appreciation Day
- December 11- Early Dismissal for Students | Teacher Professional Half-Day
- December 16- PTO Meeting
- December 21-December 31 Schools and Offices Closed (Winter & Christmas Break)
School Meals
2026-2027 School Year Meal Prices
Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 5) *Price may change
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, 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 MySchoolBucks
All money comes/goes to 1 account (child's). All that is needed to set up an account (if not done) is the student's lunch PIN or student ID.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to consider applying for free and reduced-price meals! Visit Apply for Free and Reduced Priced Meals to apply online today!
To apply, you will need:
The name, school, and grade of your school-age children
The names of all adults living in the home
Income information for all adults living in the home
Student ID Numbers for your school-age children
Grade Level Blurb:
We are excited to announce that Kindergarten will be doing a class camp-in on November 20, 2026. On this day students will be able to wear school appropriate pajamas or leisure wear, bring a stuffed animal and a blanket/ sleeping bag. Students will be doing fall arts and crafts in the morning and camping in the classroom in the afternoon.
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!!! We can not have any field trips until we have enough chaperones to have a 1 to 4 ratio, according to PGCPS policy. Please visit Volunteer with PGCPS in order to register. Please follow all of the required steps and contact your scholar’s teacher with any questions. Inform the teacher when you are approved and ready to support. Once you get the email stating that you are cleared, please forward it to Ms. Reese so that you can be put on the approved chaperone list. Thank you for your assistance!
Also, we are halfway to our goal for a project on donorschoose, if you have the ability to donate or can spread the word that would be great. This project will benefit the whole Kindergarten team. THANK YOU ♥️!
https://www.donorschoose.org/sl/C7XLaWDHb9
Please make sure that students are dressed for the weather as it changes and have school approved jackets and sweaters as the thermostat is typically kept at 70 but controls all four Kindergarten classrooms, so the temperature may vary from class to class.
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.
Important Dates
November 11: No school, Parent Teacher Conferences
November 13: Homework Due
November 20: Family Tree Project Due
November 20: Classroom Camp in
November 25 - 27: Thanksgiving Break
Reading Updates:
UNIT 2: Living Together
Week 1: Animals on the Move
Essential Question: Why do some animals move from place to place?
Phonological Awareness: Initial and Final Sounds; Segment and Blend Phonemes
Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime
Phonics: Consonants Dd and Kk
High-Frequency Words: of, are, that
Spelling words found in weekly readings: butterflies, geese, whales
Unit Vocabulary: grow, need, share, depend
Learning Goals:
Identify the main idea to understand informational text
Find the Main Idea and Supporting Details
Make Inferences About Main Ideas
Words that Name Different Animals
Adjectives and Articles
Rhyming Sort
Math Updates:
TOPIC 4- Comparing Numbers 0 to 10
Essential Understanding: Two groups can be compared by counting the number of objects in each group and telling which group has more objects or fewer objects.
Finding the position of each number within the counting sequence helps to compare
The number that tells more is greater than the other; the number that tells fewer is less than the other.
The use of matching, drawing, ten frames, and counting to compare numbers
Vocabulary: zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, compare, ten frame
Science Updates:
TOPIC 2: Weather and Climate
Experience 1: Sunlight and Earth’s Surface
Investigate the cause and affect the sun’s light on different materials
Describe how they can reduce that affect
Design ways to help avoid the sun’s light
Vocabulary: sunlight, shade, problem, design
Social Studies Updates:
CHAPTER 2 LESSON 2- Symbols of our Nation
Essential Question- What are the important symbols of America?
Recognize the American Flag, what it looks like, and what it represents
Identify important national symbols that represent the U.S.
Recognize different songs important to our nation
Vocabulary: pledge, landmark, flag, capital
Health Updates:
NOVEMBER TOPIC: Healthy Foods
Lesson 2: Healthful or Less Healthful
Identify food as being more or less healthy.
Explain how choosing healthful food promotes a positive self-image.
Identify routines for healthy eating.
Compare and contrast how the types of food make our bodies feel.
Vocabulary: healthy, routine, decision
Grade Level Blurb:
Happy Sunday, First Grade Families!
We hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready for another exciting week of learning, growing, and making memories! We are looking forward to all the wonderful things this week has in store. Please be sure to read below for important updates, upcoming events, and classroom reminders. Thank you for your continued support! Have a wonderful week!
Important Reminders:
🚨 There is NO SCHOOL for students on Wednesday, November 11th. Parent conferences will be conducted on this date.
➕ Math Topic 4 Homework packets have been sent home. Please ensure scholars are working on roughly one lesson per night--in accordance with each daily lesson.
🔤 Unit 2 Week 1 Spelling Bingo was sent home. This will be DUE on Friday, November 13th. This will also be the date of our spelling test.
🔬STEM Fair: Students should begin thinking about which STEM career they would like to explore further. Begin working on your project a little each day to allow enough time for successful completion.
💻 Charged Chromebooks: Students should bring their Chromebook to school every day. It is imperative that Chromebooks are fully charged at home each night so students are prepared to participate in learning activities throughout the school day. We encourage families to make charging the Chromebook each night part of your scholar’s regular bedtime routine.
Mrs. Valera's Weekly Digital Agenda
Mrs. Matthew's Weekly Digital Agenda
Ms. Torrence's Weekly Digital Agenda
Ms. Garrett's Weekly Digital Agenda
Thank you for your continued support!
With gratitude,
The First Grade Team
Reading Updates:
Unit 2 Week 1
This week, students will dive deeper into the elements of informational text through our weekly story, "The Life of a Frog."
🏠 How Can Families Help at Home?
Families can support students at home by reading nonfiction books, magazines, or informational articles together and discussing what the text is mostly about. Encourage your child to think about the most important information the author wants readers to learn. After reading, ask questions such as, "What is this text mostly about?" "What are the most important details you learned?" and "How do those details help us understand the main idea?" Have your child explain the main idea in their own words and identify a few supporting details. Everyday reading opportunities, from animal books to signs and informational websites, are great ways to build these important reading comprehension skills!
Phonics & Spelling
This week in Phonics, students will review words with initial consonant blends: sn-, st-, tr-
We will review the following high-frequency words my, saw, come, help, little. High-frequency words are words that appear often in books and everyday reading. Sometimes, these words follow regular spelling patterns and can be sounded out. Other times, they have irregular spelling patterns that must be memorized. We call these spelling patterns “heart parts” because students must know them by heart. Learning these words helps students recognize them quickly and read more smoothly and confidently.
Math Updates:
Topic 4
We are moving into topic 4! In this topic, students are learning strategies to subtract within 20.
🏠 How Can Families Help at Home?
Families can support subtraction skills at home by incorporating fun, everyday math activities that involve taking away and finding the difference. Practice subtraction within 20 using small objects such as toys, coins, snacks, or crayons. Encourage your child to use strategies such as counting backward, using a number line, drawing pictures, or thinking about related addition facts. Ask questions like, "If you have 15 crackers and eat 6, how many are left?" or "How can you solve 13 - 5?" Practicing these skills through everyday activities and math games will help build confidence, accuracy, and number sense!
Science Updates:
Our first graders are working through Topic 1 in Science, where we are observing and investigating light and sound! Students are exploring where light and sound come from, making observations, asking questions, and investigating how they interact with the world around us.
🏠 How Can Families Help at Home?
Encourage your child to be a scientist at home! Look for different sources of light and sound, discuss what they notice, and ask questions such as, “What do you see?” “What do you hear?” and “What do you think will happen?” You can even explore how sounds change when objects are tapped, shaken, or plucked. 🔎✨
Social Studies Updates:
This week, students are continuing through Chapter 1 in Social Studies, where they are learning what it means to be a good citizen and explore how our community and government work together. Students are learning about rights and responsibilities, rules and laws, community leaders, and the role of government. They are also practicing important skills such as distinguishing fact from fiction, solving problems, and making thoughtful choices.
🏠 How Families Can Help at Home?
Talk with your child about ways your family members can be good citizens. Discuss rules, responsibilities, and why we have laws, and encourage your child to share examples of how they can help make their classroom, school, and community a better place.
Health Updates:
We are working through our monthly issue, "Why Do We Eat" In this issue, students will learn more about healthful & unhealthful foods and the importance of food.
🏠 How Families Can Help at Home?
Families can support learning at home by talking about the importance of making healthy food choices and how nutritious foods help our bodies grow, stay strong, and give us energy. Encourage your child to identify fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods during meals and grocery shopping. Try preparing a healthy snack together and discussing how different foods help our bodies. You can also challenge your child to create a colorful, balanced plate or keep a daily food journal. Making healthy eating fun and part of everyday conversations helps students develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime!
Grade Level Blurb:
We have officially entered the second quarter of second grade! We are so proud of our scholars' progress and excited about all the wonderful learning experiences and activities ahead! Let's keep the momentum going!
📅 Next week is conference time! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held this Wednesday, November 11! Please be sure to sign up for a conference slot with your scholar's classroom teacher. If you are unavailable on November 11, please reach out to arrange an alternative date or time. This is a great opportunity to discuss your scholar's test scores, academic progress, classroom performance, and goals for Quarter 2!
📈 Stay Informed! Please continue checking Synergy regularly to monitor your scholar's grades and progress. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact your scholar's teacher. You should also be checking the green communication folder each day. Communication is key to success!
🎒 Come Prepared EVERY Day! Please make sure your scholar arrives at school with a fully charged Chromebook and working headphones 🎧 so they are ready to learn!
❤️ Thank you for your continued support and partnership! We have so many exciting things ahead, and we can't wait to see how much our second graders continue to grow!
Quarter 2, here we come! Let's keep LEARNING, GROWING, and SHINING!
Reading Updates:
We are continuing our journey through Unit 2 of our Reading curriculum! Our scholars are exploring informational texts and learning how different text features help readers locate, understand, and organize important information.
🏡 Bring the Learning Home! As you read informational books with your scholar, encourage them to identify and discuss these text features:
📌 Headings & Subheadings: Tell us what a section is about.
📸 Photographs & Captions: Help us visualize information and explain pictures.
🔤 Bold Words: Highlight important vocabulary.
📑 Table of Contents: Helps us locate specific information in a book.
🏷️ Diagrams & Labels: Help explain parts of an object, animal, or process.
💬 Ask Your Scholar: "What text feature do you notice? Why did the author include it? How does it help you understand what you're reading?"
🌟 Remember, reading is more than just saying the words—it's about understanding the information! Please continue reading with your scholar for at least 20 minutes each night and engaging in meaningful conversations about the text.
Let's keep READING, EXPLORING, and GROWING!
Math Updates:
Our scholars are getting ready to move into Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100! It's time to put all those addition strategies we've been practicing to work!
Throughout Topic 3, scholars explored strategies such as the hundreds chart, open number line, break apart, and compensation. Now, they'll apply these strategies to solve addition problems within 100 with greater accuracy, confidence, and efficiency!
🏡 KEEP PRACTICING AT HOME! Encourage your scholar to solve two-digit addition problems using their favorite strategies. Remember, scholars should still be able to explain HOW they solved each problem and WHY their strategy works!
🌟 Our Goal: Build confident mathematicians who can add fluently, choose effective strategies, and explain their mathematical thinking!
❤️ Thank you for continuing to reinforce these important skills at home. Practice makes PROGRESS!
Let's keep ADDING, THINKING, and GROWING!
Science Updates:
By now, ALL scholars should have received approval for their STEM Fair topic/question and submitted their hypothesis, procedures, materials, and variables! If your scholar has not completed these requirements, please reach out to their classroom teacher as soon as possible!
📅 IMPORTANT DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2027! All completed STEM Fair projects must be submitted by this date!
📊 EVERY PART COUNTS! Each component of the STEM Fair project will receive its OWN Science grade! Missing or incomplete work can negatively impact your scholar's overall Science grade, so please make sure all requirements are completed and submitted on time!
🏡 Families, please continue supporting your young scientists as they conduct their experiments, record their findings, and prepare their final projects!
Let's stay on track, meet our deadlines, and make this STEM Fair a STEM-TASTIC success!
Social Studies Updates:
We are wrapping up Chapter 6: Our American Culture! Our scholars have been learning about the traditions, values, and responsibilities that help shape our country.
🗳️ The 2026 Midterm Elections Have Taken Place! This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss what happens AFTER Election Day and how our government works!
🏡 Keep the Learning Going at Home!
🇺🇸 What's Next? Talk about how votes are counted, election results are confirmed, and newly elected officials prepare to take office.
🏛️ Our Leaders: Discuss the responsibilities of elected officials and how their decisions can affect our schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
🤝 Working Together: Explain why elected leaders must work together, even when they have different opinions.
💬 Family Conversation Starter: "Now that Election Day is over, what do you think our elected leaders should do to help make our community better?"
🌟 Our Big Takeaway: Democracy doesn't end on Election Day! Being a good citizen means staying informed, respecting others, and helping make our communities better!
Let's continue raising informed, thoughtful, and responsible future leaders!
Health Updates:
This month in Health, we are exploring "The Wide World of Food!" Our scholars are learning about the different food groups, how foods help our bodies grow, and how what we eat can affect our energy, focus, and overall health!
🏡 Bring the Learning Home! Throughout the week, encourage your scholar to pay attention to the different foods they eat and identify which food groups they belong to. Have conversations about how they feel throughout the day after eating different meals and snacks!
💬 Questions to Ask Your Scholar:
🍎 "What food groups did you eat today?"
🥦 "Did you eat any fruits or vegetables? Which ones?"
⚡ "How did you feel after eating? Did you feel energized, full, or still hungry?"
🥪 "Did your meal include foods from different food groups?"
🤔 "What is one new food you would like to try?"
🌟 Our Big Takeaway: Different foods provide our bodies with different nutrients! Learning to recognize food groups and listen to our bodies helps us develop healthy habits and make balanced choices.
❤️ Remember, healthy eating is about balance, variety, and learning what helps our bodies feel their best!
Let's EAT, EXPLORE, and GROW together!
Grade Level Blurb:
Hello Team Third Grade!
We are officially moving right along in the second quarter! As we continue to build on the skills and concepts learned during the first quarter, we encourage our students to stay focused, work hard, and put forth their best effort each day.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, November 11. Please be respectful of everyone's time by arriving promptly for your scheduled conference. If you are unable to attend, kindly cancel your appointment as soon as possible so another parent may take advantage of that time slot.
As we move forward, let's work together to set our third graders up for success! Please make sure your child arrives at school on time each day prepared with a fully charged Chromebook, completed homework, and necessary school supplies. Parents, staying informed is just as important! Be sure to regularly check Synergy, read ClassDojo updates, and review the school's weekly newsletter for important announcements, upcoming events, and reminders.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let's make this second quarter a successful one for all of our third graders!
Reading Updates:
This week in Ms. Howard’s Reading class, scholars practiced identifying nouns, verbs, and adjectives and reading words with diphthongs. Through our reading, we analyzed descriptive language and used details to visualize what was happening in the text. Scholars also practiced adding specific details to make their own writing more descriptive!
Ms. Madison’s class has finished reading origin myths for now, and we are wrapping up Unit 1: Environments. Students had two opportunities to answer our unit's essential question: How does our environment affect us? We have worked on reading and spelling words with vowel diphthongs (specifically ou, ow, oi, and oy).
Math Updates:
Our third-grade mathematicians are currently learning how multiplication and division are related using fact families! Scholars are practicing how the same set of numbers can be used to write related multiplication and division equations.
For example:
6 × 4 = 24
4 × 6 = 24
24 ÷ 6 = 4
24 ÷ 4 = 6
This work helps scholars understand the inverse relationship between multiplication and division rather than viewing them as completely separate operations. Please continue practicing multiplication facts at home, as strong fact fluency will make our transition into division much easier!
Mrs. Flores’ class has also moved into practicing the 2 - 7 facts using the related division fact. We have also discussed the correct vocabulary for the parts of a division fact: divisor, dividend, and quotient.
Science Updates:
Mr. White’s Class: We Should Be Moving Forward with the Stem Fair! At this point in the STEM Fair process, scholars should have ALREADY submitted the following components:
✅ STEM Fair Topic
✅ Testable Question
✅ Hypothesis
✅ Materials
✅ Variables
✅ Procedures
If your scholar is still missing any of these components, they are currently behind in the STEM Fair process. Please check Canvas and reach out to me as soon as possible if you need clarification about what your scholar should be working on or how to move forward. Each section of the project builds upon the previous one, so it is extremely important that scholars get caught up before we move into the next stages of conducting their investigations, collecting data, and developing conclusions.
Mrs. Flores’ Class: We moved further along in our study of magnetism. We reviewed the unit vocabulary and read the text selections. We are eager to start hands-on explorations with magnets this coming week.
We too are moving along in the STEM Fair process. The same six components mentioned above in Mr. White’s write-up should now be completed. I am asking that the students start to prepare this information for their display boards. Use it as a checklist to make sure you have all needed requirements for the board.
Mr. Holloway will hold the next STEM Fair Parent University on November 16.
Thank you for helping our scholars stay organized and on track in the STEM Fair process.
Social Studies Updates:
In Ms. Howard’s Social Studies class, scholars learned about Election Day, the requirements for voting, and how often midterm and presidential elections take place. They also had the opportunity to participate in a classroom vote!
As for social studies in Ms. Madison’s class, we have started learning about renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, and we are reviewing concepts from Chapter 1, Lesson 1 and 2. Specifically, we are reviewing landforms and bodies of water, as well as climates and vegetation. We will continue to do so next week, and we will discuss how humans interact with their environments!
Health Updates:
The students started their new booklet: Let’s Eat. They will learn about the digestive system parts, healthy eating habits, and reading packaging labels. This unit is just in time for preparing those healthy and hearty Thanksgiving meals!
Grade Level Blurb:
Greetings Fourth Grade Family,
We have concluded our first week of the second quarter. As the school year continues we will continue to build on lessons and skills covered during the first quarter.
Parent/ Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday November 11, 2026. At this time teachers have sent invitations to parents to join us virtually. Please note that it is not possible to meet with every parent in one day. Teachers are available to schedule conferences throughout the year.
Here are some ways to help your scholar be successful for the 2nd Quarter:
Check the agenda book daily for homework assignments
Review Synergy weekly, students can monitor their progress using StudentVue found on their Clever
Ensure your scholar get at least 45 minutes on i-Ready (Reading & Math)
Ensure your scholar arrives at school on time and stays the entire day (Students are working until 2:20 daily!
💻Many class activities use online tools. A charged computer ensures your child can fully participate in lessons and complete assignments. Our students also need a pair of wired headphones to complete activities and for testing. Students who arrive on time are better prepared for learning and reduce classroom disruptions. Please plan to have your child at school a few minutes early each day. A healthy breakfast helps students focus and have energy for learning. School breakfast is available daily until 8:00 when students arrive in the morning. CARTS begin at 8:05 AM
We are grateful for your teamwork, and we appreciate everything you do to support learning, safety, punctuality of our scholars.
Warmly,
Team 4Ward
Important Upcoming Dates:
Parent Teacher Conferences Wednesday November 11, 2026
Thanksgiving Break- No School Wednesday- Friday November 25--27, 2026
Fourth Grade Information:
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. To keep all students safe during recess, PE, and daily hallway transitions, please remember that closed-toe shoes are required every day as part of our uniform policy. Students are not allowed to wear Crocs, slides, or slippers on school grounds.
Students may only wear these items if we are having a specific, pre-announced themed dress-down day (such as "Pajama Day").
Reading Updates:
This Week:
We have concluded our biography “Barbed Wire Baseball” and Unit 1 Networks. In this unit students sought to answer how a place can affect how we live. Students explored various texts that focused on people and things that they did to overcome challenges. This week students had an opportunity to complete a writing about how Zeni was able to influence others while he was in the internment camp. Also students showed their mastery of the text and vocabulary words from the text by completing an assessment.
Next Week:
Next week we will begin Unit 2 Adaptations. In this unit we will read various texts about how living things adapt to survive. Our first text we will read is “Feathers: Not Just for Flying.” In this informational text students will explore how birds use their feathers in various ways besides flying. Students will answer: what different purposes do animal adaptations serve? Students will read the text closely to monitor their inner conversations and determine the main idea of the text. Students will also analyze graphic features provided in the text to determine how it supports their understanding. Our Word Study words for this week will be plural nouns that end in (-s and -es).
Math Updates:
Mathematics | Multiplication
We are wrapping up our work with single-digit multiplication and preparing to transition into double-digit multiplication with Topic 4.
This week, scholars explored:
Partial Products: Breaking apart factors into smaller, more manageable numbers to solve multiplication problems.
Commutative Property: Understanding that changing the order of the factors does not change the product.
Associative Property: Understanding that changing the grouping of factors does not change the product.
Family Math Connection
Challenge your scholar to demonstrate or explain the Commutative and Associative Properties of Multiplication.
For example:
Commutative: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3
Associative: (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
Encourage your scholar to explain why the answer stays the same. These conversations help strengthen mathematical reasoning and build confidence!
📋 Topic 3 & 4 Pick-Up Project
Scholars received their Pick-Up Project this week. They will have the opportunity to choose between Project 3 or Project 4.
Please review the project directions and expectations in the corresponding Canvas module. Encourage your scholar to carefully review the requirements and plan accordingly.
A Note to Families
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we begin a new quarter. A little encouragement, a quick math conversation, and checking Canvas regularly can go a long way in helping our scholars stay on track.
Vocabulary to Support Learning
Please review the following terms with your scholar:
Factor: A number that is multiplied by another number.
Product: The answer to a multiplication problem.
Partial Products: A strategy that breaks numbers apart and multiplies smaller parts before combining the results.
Area Model: A visual strategy that uses a rectangle divided into smaller sections to represent multiplication.
Array: An arrangement of objects in equal rows and columns used to represent multiplication.
Standard Algorithm: A step-by-step method for solving multiplication problems by organizing numbers vertically.
Commutative Property: Changing the order of the factors does not change the product. Example: 3 × 4 = 4 × 3.
Associative Property: Changing the grouping of factors does not change the product. Example: (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4).
Identity Property of Multiplication: Multiplying any number by 1 gives the same number. Example: 7 × 1 = 7.
Distributive Property: Multiplying a number by a sum is the same as multiplying the number by each addend and then adding the products. Example: 4 × 23 = (4 × 20) + (4 × 3) = 80 + 12 = 92.
Science Updates:
As we continue through the first quarter, scholars will keep exploring the different forms of energy and how energy is transferred from one place or object to another.
This week, scholars also began learning how to write Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) responses. In a CER response, scholars make a claim that answers a question, provide evidence from an investigation, text, observation, or data, and explain their reasoning by showing how the evidence supports their claim.
Families can support this skill during everyday conversations by asking questions such as, “What do you think?” “What makes you say that?” and “What evidence do you have?” Whether discussing why an ice cube melted, which route to school is faster, or why a favorite team won a game, encouraging scholars to explain their thinking helps strengthen the same reasoning skills we use in science.
Social Studies Updates:
This week, we brought a close to Chapter 1. Students learned that the United States is divided into five different regions and each region has its own characteristics. Students created advertisements about a region of their choice. They had to research information to highlight the unique characteristics of their chosen region.
Next week, we will begin working on Chapter 2: Americans and their History. This chapter will focus on important events that have occurred in this country since Europeans arrived. In the first lesson students will explore how the meeting of Europeans and Indigenous people forever changed both groups and the world.
Grade Level Blurb:
CMIT South Elementary | Week of November 9–13, 2026
Dear Fifth Grade Families,
We had a great first week of the second quarter! Our fifth graders have started the new quarter strong, and we are excited to continue building on their academic growth and success. As we move forward, we encourage students to stay focused, remain responsible, and continue putting forth their best effort.
A few important reminders for families:
Chromebooks: Please ensure your child's Chromebook is fully charged each night and ready for school the following morning.
Grades: Please regularly check Synergy/ParentVUE to monitor your child's grades, missing assignments, and academic progress.
Assignments: Encourage your child to complete assignments on time, follow directions, and take pride in their work.
📅 Important Dates
Tuesday, November 10: Math Pick a Project Due
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day – Parent-Teacher Conferences (Invitation Only)
Thursday, November 12: Topic 4 Math Assessment
💙 Thank You for Your Support!
Thank you, families, for helping us begin the second quarter on a positive note! Your continued partnership makes a difference in our students' success. Let's continue encouraging responsibility, academic growth, and a positive attitude toward learning.
Reading Updates:
English Language Arts (ELA) – Unit 2, Week 1
Students will complete assessments and continue developing their informational writing skills. We will also begin introducing Unit 2, Week 2.
Math Updates:
Mathematics – Topic 4: Multiplying Decimals
Students will focus on Lesson 4-7: Using Properties to Multiply Decimals. They will apply multiplication properties and strategies to solve problems involving decimals.
Important Math Dates:
Tuesday, November 10 – Pick a Project Due
Thursday, November 12 – Topic 4 Math Assessment
Please encourage students to review their math journals, practice multiplication facts, and show their work.
Science Updates:
Science – Topic 3: Earth's Systems
We will introduce Topic 3, Earth's Systems, and begin Experience 1: Biosphere and Hydrosphere. Students will explore Earth's living organisms, water systems, and how these systems interact.
Social Studies Updates:
Social Studies – Chapter 5: The American Revolution
Students will begin Lesson 1, learning about the events and historical circumstances surrounding the American Revolution.
Health Updates:
Health – Nutrition
Students will begin exploring the importance of nutrition, healthy food choices, and how a balanced diet supports overall health and wellness.
CHESAPEAKE MATH AND IT SOUTH ELEMENTARY
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
• Grades: K-5
• Uniform: Yes
• Before After School Enrichment: Yes
http://clfmd.org/enrichment-2/
• School Colors: Orange and Black
• Uniform Colors: Hunter Green, Navy Blue, or white Oxford tops and Khaki or Navy Blue bottoms
• School Mascot: "Roary" the Tiger• School Website: http://www.cmitsouthes.org
For more information