The Tiger Times

Dear Tiger-Rific Families and Community,

We have successfully made it to the fourth week of school, and I am absolutely thrilled by the momentum, dedication, and Tiger spirit that continues to flourish throughout our school community. Your children are demonstrating remarkable growth, curiosity, and resilience every single day, and it's a joy to witness their educational journey unfold alongside such engaged and supportive families.

As we continue building our respectful and caring Tiger community, I'm inspired by the timeless words of John Wooden: "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." This wisdom perfectly embodies what I see daily at CMIT South—students, families, and staff choosing to act with integrity, kindness, and respect not for recognition, but because it's simply the right thing to do. When we consistently demonstrate respect in our words and actions, we create a foundation where every Tiger can thrive authentically.

🎉 Thank You for an Incredible Back-to-School Night!

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the wonderful families who joined us for Back-to-School Night! Your enthusiasm, thoughtful questions, and positive energy made the evening truly special and memorable. It was heartwarming to see you exploring classrooms, connecting meaningfully with teachers, and getting genuinely excited about the incredible learning journey ahead for your children.

We were also absolutely thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony for our new book vending machine with so many of you! What an exciting addition to our school that will undoubtedly encourage and nurture our students' love of reading. This innovative resource allows our Tigers to earn tokens through academic achievements, positive behavior, and acts of kindness, which they can then use to select their very own books to take home.

Missed Back-to-School Night? No worries—we've got you covered! Access all the grade-level presentations through this comprehensive resource so you won't miss any important information about your child's classroom expectations and learning goals: Back-to-School Night Presentations

The partnership between home and school is absolutely essential to student success, and your active involvement means everything to our Tiger community. Thank you for your continued commitment and support!

📋 Action Required: Essential Digital Forms - Final Reminder

We're still missing some important forms for several students. Please take a few minutes to complete these essential documents immediately for each of your children:

• ✅ Emergency Contact and Pick-Up List

• ✅ Student Publicity Release Form

• ✅ Parent Compact Form

• ✅ Free and Reduced Lunch Application

These forms ensure your child's safety, enable us to share their STEMTastic achievements, and provide crucial support services.

📊 Ongoing Assessment Information

Our students continue participating in several key assessments that provide valuable insights into their learning progress and help us tailor instruction to meet their individual needs:

Current Assessment Schedule:

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA): September 8th - October 10th

• MAP Growth Assessments (1st-5th Grade):

• Reading: September 18th

• Math: September 19th

• Science (2nd-5th Grade): September 25th

• DIBELS Assessment (K-3rd Grade): September 22nd - October 16th

Your child will bring home detailed assessment information for your review. These assessments are valuable diagnostic tools that help our teachers understand each student's unique strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to provide the most effective and personalized instruction possible.

💻 Device Configuration Update

After thorough discussion with our IT team and careful consideration of both family ownership rights and our educational requirements, we've implemented an innovative two-profile system that respects your investment while maintaining appropriate safety measures:

Student Profile - School-Related Content:

• State testing applications

• Educational platforms (including Clever)

• Google Workspace for Education access

• All curriculum-based apps and resources

• Secure school network connectivity

Guest Profile - Personal Family Use:

• Access to personal email accounts

• Personal browsing capabilities

• Full family functionality

Key Benefits:

• Privacy Protection: Personal family data remains completely separate from school-managed information

• Ownership Respect: Families can utilize the full functionality of devices they purchased

• Safety Compliance: School profile maintains all required filtering and monitoring for educational use

• Flexibility: Students can seamlessly switch between school and personal use as needed

Next Steps: Our IT team will coordinate all technical updates within the next two weeks. No action is required from parents—we will handle all configuration changes professionally and efficiently.

⚠️ Critical Safety Reminders - Your Cooperation Saves Lives

The safety of our students, staff, and families depends entirely on everyone following our established arrival and dismissal procedures with respect, patience, and mindfulness:

Non-Negotiable Safety Requirements:

• Listen to and respect staff members on duty - Our dedicated staff are strategically positioned to ensure everyone's safety

• SLOW DOWN - Speed limits exist to protect our children; please drive cautiously on school grounds

• Never drop students off in the roundabout - This creates extremely dangerous conditions for children

• Remain in the car line until properly positioned - Wait for clear staff instructions before allowing students to exit vehicles

• Treat all community members with respect - Threatening or aggressive behavior toward staff results in immediate removal from school premises

Remember: Our staff members are dedicated professionals working tirelessly to keep our children safe. When we approach each interaction with mutual respect and understanding, we model the character and behavior we want our students to demonstrate while creating a positive, safe environment for everyone.

🌈 Moving Forward with Tiger Pride

Thank you for your unwavering partnership in making CMIT South Elementary a place where every Tiger can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Your commitment to working together respectfully and collaboratively sets the foundation for our students' success and creates the positive, supportive community culture that makes our school truly special.

As John Wooden reminds us, it's our character—our consistent choices to act with integrity, kindness, and respect—that defines who we are as a community. Every day presents new opportunities for growth, learning, and building meaningful connections that will last a lifetime.

Here's to a fantastic year of learning, reading, and growth together! Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's make this year extraordinary, transformational, and filled with achievements that exceed every expectation while always treating one another with the respect and kindness that makes our Tiger community truly special.

With Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,

🌟 Congratulations to Our New Safety Patrols! 🌟

We are so proud to announce our new Safety Patrol hires! We had over 100 applicants this year and could only select a few—what an amazing response from our scholars! The students chosen have shown leadership, responsibility, and dedication, and we know they will do an excellent job serving our school community. 👏✨

Let’s all give a big round of applause to our new Safety Patrols for the 25-26 SY! 🎉

• Harper Lee Smith

• Savannah Gilbert

• Peyton Womack

• Everett Brace

• Dawson Edwards

• Josiah Day

• Eden Savoy

• Finley Reaves

• Elijah Aime

• Brynne Littlejohn

• Brynn Tribue

• Demi Turner

• David Ucheatu

• Jacoby Wooten-Grace

• Zaila Abubaker

• Sydney Pierre

• Cassidy Williamson

From the Reading Specialist’s Desk 📚✨

Dear Families,
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How do I know if this book is just right for my child?” A simple way to check is by using the Five Finger Rule—a quick, kid-friendly strategy to help students choose books that match their reading level.

Here’s how it works:

1. Have your child open a book to any page.
   

2. As they read, put up one finger for each word they don’t know or can’t figure out.
   

3. Count how many fingers are up by the end of the page:
   

• 0–1 fingers: Too easy
  

• 2–3 fingers: Just right!
  

• 4–5 fingers: Might be too hard for independent reading (better as a read-aloud or buddy read)
  
  

This simple tool helps children feel confident when selecting books that are a good fit—not too easy, not too hard, but “just right.”

Encourage your child to use the Five Finger Rule during library visits, at the bookstore, or even when browsing books at home. It empowers them to take ownership of their reading and builds independence.

Grade Level Updates:

Hello Tiger Families!

Thanks to all our families who attended Back to School Night. It was great to see you. If you did not have a chance to attend, there will be more opportunities throughout the school year for you to visit. Please continue to work with your scholar to help them tie shoes independently.

This week Kindergarten will be starting KRA testing this week, check with your scholar’s teacher for the specific date. Students will need to bring in their computer for the KRA testing.

When your child has been absent please communicate to the teacher and complete the online document submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lp2fJsfDLjWNINllvX10OKjiGDn443yAB8Hq8BMBa-E/viewform

Reading Updates:

• Review sounds of letters Aa, Ss, Mm, &Tt; words: like, to, a, am, I,& the; and reading/listening comprehension

• Progress Check for weeks 1 & 2

UNIT 1 WEEK 3- At the Library

Essential Question- What makes us want to visit a special place?

• Phonological awareness: Middle Sounds; Recognize Alliteration; Blend and Segment, Onset and Rime

• Phonics: Consonants Pp and Cc

• High-Frequency Words: he, is, have

• Spelling words found in weekly readings: library, movie, librarian, computers

• Unit Vocabulary: map, move, land, special

Learning Goals:

• Use text evidence to identify the main idea in informational text.

• Develop understanding of types of books

• Explore parts of an informational text

• Demonstrate phonological awareness.

• Identify and match the common sounds that letters represent.

• Identify and read common high-frequency words by sight.

• Identify real-life connections between words and their use

• I can write about my opinion

Math Updates:

TOPIC 12: Identify and Describe Shapes

Essential Understanding: How can two- and three- dimensional shapes be identified and described?

• Review topic

• Assessment for Topic 12

TOPIC 1 - Numbers 0 to 5

Essential Understanding: How can you can objects regardless of orientation/grouping?

• Count 0-5 objects and write the numerals for 0-5

• Counting tells how many are in a group, regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.

• Understand that counting is cumulative.

• There is a unique symbol that goes with each number word.

• Understand the order of numbers

Vocabulary: count, one, two, three, four, five, number, zero, none, order, numeral

Science Updates:

TOPIC 3: Needs of Living Things

Experience 1 Question: What do plants need?

• Discover the needs of plants

• Explore planting seeds

• Learn plants survive and grow when needs are met

• Observe what happens to plants in different environments

Vocabulary: need, survive, grow, space, describe

Social Studies Updates:

CHAPTER 1 LESSON 1- Where we learn

• Identify ways children act at school

• Recognize why people share and make good choices

• Analyze what it means to take turns

Vocabulary: school, learn, choices

Health Updates:

SEPTEMBER TOPIC: How to Stay Safe

• Understanding safety rules at home and school

• Acknowledging safety helpers at home, school, and community

Vocabulary: stay, safe, helpers, danger, emergency

Grade Level Updates:

We are so excited to have concluded our third week of second grade. Thank you to all of those who attended Back to School Night. We enjoyed being able to interact with you. We look forward to the ongoing partnership with you to ensure a successful second grade school year. All scholars have received their purple communication folder which should be returned to school each day. Inside of these folders, your scholar should have brought home a behavior calendar/chart to be reviewed, initiated and sent back to school the next day. You will also find various forms from the class/school which will be organized in the folder in the pocket labeled “Keep at Home” or “Return to School”; please check folders daily and keep/return forms as identified in the folder. Scholars also have agenda books/planners where they will write down important information including homework and due dates. Be sure to check agenda books/planners each day and return to school.

Each afternoon scholars are allowed to eat a snack before dismissal. Please send a snack with your scholar. If you are able to donate snacks to your child’s class, please send dry snacks that are considerate of those students who may have allergies. These donations help to ensure that all scholars have a snack, even on the days when someone may not have one. Thank you to those who have already donated snacks. They are greatly appreciated.

Please, if you have not already done so, send your scholar to school with a chromebook. There will be many assignments given to your scholar for them to complete online. To ensure your scholar is not falling behind, it is imperative that each scholar has access to their own Chromebook. You can find some inexpensive Chromebooks on Amazon. If you are not able to purchase a Chromebook, you may rent a Chromebook for the school year from our IT Department for $100. Please reach out to Mr. Demirel at IT@cmitsouthes.org if you would like to pursue this option.

Testing season is upon us. This week our scholars will begin MAP Testing. It is imperative that they come to school on time and well rested. Also they should start the school day with a fully charged Chromebook.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your scholar’s teacher via Class Dojo or email. Please be mindful that teachers are allotted 48 hours to respond to communication.

Reading Updates:

We have begun our RELA instruction. Each day, scholars participate in phonics instruction to help with reading before we delve into our RELA lessons. This week the scholars will read an Informational Text and learn how to identify the main idea. In phonics we will center our lessons around consonant blends.

Each spelling packet will have a due date on the packet that will also identify the date for the spelling test. Please practice these words throughout the week to prepare for the spelling test.

Math Updates:

Our math instruction continues to focus on adding within 20. Scholars are not thinking of addition to subtract. Also they have begun to make a 10 to subtract.

Science Updates:

STEM Fair is fastly approaching. Please continue to look out for STEM Fair packets as they will be coming home soon. This year, your second grader will complete a STEM Fair project on a topic of their choice using the Scientific Method. Teachers will send out information for how your scholar is to submit each part of their STEM Fair project. Please try to keep up with the dates so that projects are completed correctly and on time

Social Studies Updates:

Our first unit is about family today and in the past. We would like for you to continue to engage in conversation at home about your family, close/extended family members. Focusing on their relations throughout the course of different generations. You can also share your family history, achievements/accomplishments as well as triumphs over challenges, of different family members and how those various situations have affected your family today.

Health Updates:

We have begun discussing “Staying Safe”. Please use everyday activities (i.e eating properly to prevent choking, wearing a helmet while riding a bike, looking both ways before crossing the street, using plugs/outlets, encounters with strangers, etc.) to discuss ways to be safe in different situations.

Grade Level Updates:

Team Third Grade wants to thank all of our parents for their time and attention at Back to School Night 2025. We enjoyed meeting all of you and sharing about our individual classes.

Reading Updates:

From Ms. Howard and Ms. Madison:

This week in reading we focused on traditional tales and practiced First Read and Close Read strategies using Grandma and the Great Gourd. Students worked on asking questions, making connections, and summarizing key events using our SWBST graphic organizer.

In word study, we learned about the VC/CV syllable pattern (Rabbit Rule). Students practiced clapping out syllables, splitting words between consonants, and using this strategy to read and spell multisyllabic words more accurately.

We are continuing to build strong routines during Morning Choice, spelling practice, and partner work.

Math Updates:

From Ms. Hendy and Mrs. Flores:

This week was full of learning and excitement as we explored new topics in all subject areas! In math, we focused on place value and used addition tables and properties of addition (commutative, associative, and identity) to deepen our understanding of how numbers work together. Students practiced solving problems in multiple ways and explained their reasoning. While problem solving, the students also looked for number patterns and tried to use mental Math to find sums.

Science Updates:

From Ms. Hendy and Mrs. Flores

Students learned that practicing safety habits helps protect themselves and others. We continued to explore science and observation tools while reviewing lab safety expectations. Students practiced using tools responsibly and safely.

We also introduced the exciting topic of force and motion, exploring how pushes and pulls make objects move.

Students in room 135 stayed in their homeroom on our half-day and completed a motion investigation. This followed the introduction to our ‘force’ lessons. More will be posted on Mrs. Flores’ website: flores3.weebly.com

Health Updates:

From Ms. Hendy and Mrs. Flores

Our health lessons centered on safety in the home. We discussed everyday hazards, ways to stay safe in the kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces, and how to prepare for emergencies. Some of us also discussed fire safety in our homes.

Reminders:

• Please check your child’s folder for classwork and homework.

• Encourage your child to practice addition facts at home to build fluency.

• Encourage your child to practice multiplication facts

• Review science safety rules together as a family.

• Be prepared for NWEA MAP testing this coming week. Please be on time, be rested and nourished, and ready to show what you know!

Grade Level Updates

Greetings Team 4Ward,

We have made it through the third week of Fourth Grade and have gotten into the curriculum. This week our scholars complete their i-Ready diagnostics. Scholars should be practicing the lessons given to them by i-Ready each night in both reading and math. Students have a personalized program that gives them lessons to help to improve their reading and math skills.

This week students will complete their MAP Diagnostic tests.Please support your scholar by getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and eating breakfast in the morning. Team 4Ward lunch isn’t until 12:20 most days. This year we are working to “Level Up” our data this school year with a big focus being in writing across all subject areas. It is imperative that your scholar has a computer to use in class. The SAVVAS platform offers many digital assignments, activities, and tools that cannot be printed for students.

We enjoyed seeing everyone at Back to School. We are excited for a successful school year for our fourth grade scholars. Please speak with your scholar each night about what went well today and something that they can improve. Ensure that your scholar’s computer is charged and brought to school daily. Also please be sure to monitor your scholar's YouTube and cellphones. As our students grow older and gain more independence it is imperative that our expectations match the changing world.

Team Name: 4ward We are moving minds forward and leveling up the STEMTasTic Way!

Introducing the team:

Section 4.1- Ms. Crusoe’s Curators- “Collecting Knowledge, Shaping the Future”

Section 4.2- Ms. Felton’s Force- “Strength in Learning”

Section 4.3- Mrs. Weldon’s Wildflowers- “Bloom Where You’re Planted”

Section 4.4- Mrs. Pearson’s Pathfinders- “Blazing New Trails”

Educationally Yours,

4th Grade Team

Important Upcoming Dates:

• MAP Reading Diagnostic Thursday September 18, 2025

• MAP Math Diagnostic Friday September 19, 2025

• Professional Development Schools Closed to Students Tuesday September 23, 2025

• Map Science Diagnostic Thursday September 25, 2025

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.

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.

iXL:

iXL is a computer based math and reading program that is available for all of our scholars. This program helps students to practice various math and reading skills on their instructional level. Grade level letter is F but if students are struggling with a skill they are able to practice that same skill but on another letter level.

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 share a note with the homeroom teacher and attendance managers within 3 days of your scholar returning back to school. 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 provided in Synergy are those that will be used to calculate progress reports and report cards.

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Conferences with teachers are available with families as needed. Please reach out to the homeroom teacher about scheduling a parent teacher conference.

Reading Updates:

At the conclusion of last year, students were given the textbook for this year to take home. Please allow your scholar to reread the text of the week at home to support their understanding and discover things that were missed in previous readings.

This Week:

This week our scholars finished their first assessments on the text of the week “Reaching for the Moon.” In this story students learned of the determination shown by Buzz Aldrin all his life that led him to being one of the first people on the moon. Students also completed a writing assignment in which they explored the question of the week “

Next Week:

The story of the week is called “Rare Treasures.” In this biography we will read the true story of Mary Anning who is known as “the mother of paleontology.” This week we will monitor our inner conversations as we learn about Mary and what makes her remarkable. Students will also determine the main idea of the text and support it with details, suffixes, and begin drafting their personal narratives.

Math Updates:

We had a great first week in 4th grade math! This week are jumping into our curriculum! Our first topic, Topic 1 Generalize Place Value will focus on basic place value conceptual understanding. We will be posting a parent at home support guide in all students Canvas next week after we go over how to use Canvas with the scholars. We will also continue with our math fluency timed test routines.

Looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth!

Science Updates:

This week, our scholars continued exploring Energy and Motion! Scholars have been working with KWL charts in both station work and teacher-facilitated activities to connect what they already know, generate thoughtful questions, and record new information they discover along the way.

Through collaboration, students are uncovering how energy transfers as well as building key science vocabulary like transfer, sound, light, and heat while sharpening their skills in observation, reading, writing, and teamwork.

Social Studies Updates:

This week, students read about Yellowstone National Park and discovered its many unique features. They learned about geysers, hot springs, wildlife, and the park’s remarkable landscapes. Students also practiced identifying key details from the text to better understand why Yellowstone is such a special place.

Next week, students will begin learning about the five regions of the United States. We will explore the unique landforms in each region and discuss how geography shapes the way people live.

Grade Level Updates

✨ THE FIFTH GRADE NEWSFLASH

We are diving into exciting new learning this week! From building stronger reading and writing skills, to exploring cultures, solving math with powers of ten, and describing matter in science, our class is on the path to becoming critical thinkers and problem solvers. Stay focused, ask questions, and remember—you are capable of amazing things!

Reading Updates:

• Skill Focus: Main Idea and Supporting Details
  

• Strategy: Using Text Evidence to prove answers
  

• Grammar: Identifying and writing different Types of Sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)
  
  

Social Studies Updates:

• Exploring American Indian Cultures
  

• Understanding how geography, traditions, and resources shaped their daily lives
  
  

Math Updates:

• Topic 3-1: Multiply by tens
  

• Practice multiplying whole numbers by powers of ten and writing them using exponents
  
  

Science Updates:

• Focus: Matter
  

• Learning to describe matter by its properties (color, shape, texture, hardness, etc.)
  

• Finding real-life examples of how matter can be observed and classified

Health Updates:

• Topic: First Aid
  

• Learning about the decisions you need to make when faced with an emergency
  

• Understanding when you can handle a situation on your own and when to get help from an adult

✨ Keep up the great work, 5th graders—let’s make this week full of effort, curiosity, and success!

General CARTS Message:

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

Music:

This week we will finally start digging into the curriculum. All classes are working on beat and steady beat. All students will use body percussion and/or instruments to express beat and rhythm. In addition, 2nd, 4th and 5th graders will also explore the difference between beat and rhythm. Students will analyze music to identify and distinguish the difference between beat and rhythm.

Please remind all students to bring their music journal and folder to class every week.

Technology:

This week we worked on Keyboard/Computer Fundamentals!

P.E:

In Physical Education classes this week, we learned some different locomotor skills!

Makers’ Lab:

This week we started talking about the scientific method when used in science. Yes, the scientific method can be used in every subject, so we got specific!

Art:

The highlight of this week was vocabulary! Below you will find 3rd expanding their word bank of color family terms with a new group: Complementary. Complementary colors are colors across from each other on the color wheel. Additionally, you'll see 5th grade writing down words about printmaking!

These terms can be found on Canvas.

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