The Tiger Times

Dear CMIT South Elementary Families and Community,

​"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." — Aesop

​As we embrace our character word of the month Kindness, we have so much to celebrate across our school community! From spirit days and reading milestones to upcoming family events, our Tigers continue to shine.

​🎉 Read-a-thon Fundraiser: Goal Superseded!

​Our Reading Rally Fundraiser is officially complete, and the results are incredible! Together, our amazing Tigers logged a staggering 16,069 minutes of reading and smashed our goal.

​Our Goal: $30,000

​Total Raised: $40,810

​Whether your family raised $10 or $1,000, and whether your child read 20 minutes or 200 minutes, thank you for making a massive difference! Every dollar and minute read contributed to our collective success.

​🏆 Top Fundraising Groups

​Kinder-WINDSOR — $7,699

​1st-VALERA — $5,750

​1st-MATTHEWS — $5,502

​🌟 Top Student Participants

​Marley A. (Kinder-WINDSOR) — $3,204 (Will serve as Principal for the Day!)

​Yadirichukwu N. (Kinder-YOUNG) — $2,993

​D'Ajani T. (Kinder-WINDSOR) — $2,500

​Malcolm B. (1st-MATTHEWS) — $1,680

​Austen F. (1st-MATTHEWS) — $1,517

​Joanna W. (1st-VALERA) — $1,300

​Ella G. (2nd-SMITH) — $1,125

​Everett B. (5th-JONES) — $1,015

​Braxton K. (1st-VALERA) — $1,005

​Xavier W. (Kinder-LEWIS) — $905

​Note: Our Top 10 Student Participants have earned a special VIP Lunch Celebration with administration! Additionally, the top participant will be the Principal for the Day and the top class will receive a pizza party.

​🐾 Anti-Bullying Spirit Week Recap

​Thank you for your outstanding participation in our Anti-Bullying Spirit Week! It was wonderful to see our students and staff come together to raise awareness about kindness, respect, and standing up against bullying. Your enthusiasm in every themed outfit and act of inclusion helps us live our values every day.

​📊 Parent University: Data Night

​Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

​Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

​Format: Virtual via Zoom (Link will be posted on ClassDojo)

​Join us to understand your child's academic progress and learn actionable strategies to support their growth at home. We will cover schoolwide data trends, grade-level performance, and detailed breakdowns of assessment results including MCAP, NWEA MAP Growth, MISA, DIBELS, and i-Ready scores, followed by grade-level breakout rooms. For more information please contact Mr. Metin at fatih.metin@pgcps.org.

​Note: The grade level with the most parent participation at Data Night will receive a special dress-down day!

​🎃 Book Character Parade & Early Dismissal

​Get ready for a PaWWW-tacular Friday filled with literacy fun on Friday, October 30, 2026!

​Character Book Parade: Students may come dressed as their favorite book character and must bring the accompanying book to share. Please keep costumes school-appropriate, safe for learning activities, and free of weapons.

​Early Dismissal Schedule:

​Regular Students Dismissal: 11:30 AM

​Afternoon Enrichment - Star Students: 1:00 PM

​Afternoon Enrichment - Scholars Students: 3:00 PM

(Please make arrangements to have your child picked up on time if they are not enrolled in afternoon enrichment.)

​Let’s Gooo, Tigers! ROAR! 🐯📖

Tiger Pride,

Principal Lewis

“PUSH to ACHIEVE IT…the STEMTASTIC WAY

The CMIT South Shoe Drive is officially underway, and we’re working toward a BIG goal: 4,000+ pounds of shoes — approximately 160 bags!

Have shoes your family has outgrown or no longer wears? Put them to purpose! We’re collecting new and VERY gently worn shoes of all sizes and genders. Every pair donated brings us one step closer to our goal and helps create opportunity beyond our school community.

Every Pair Has Purpose. Let’s STEP UP, CMIT South!

Questions or concerns about the Shoe Drive Fundraiser? Contact the PTO at pto@cmitsouthes.org.

🍂 IT’S FALL, Y’ALL — HOODIE SEASON IS HERE! 🍂

Cooler days call for CMIT South ES hoodies! Our uniform-approved hoodie is available now in The Roar Shop.

Stay warm. Stay school-approved. Stay ready to ROAR.

🛒 Shop now: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/cmitelementarypto/shop?category=255127

🧡Thank You for Making Anti-Bullying Week a Success!

A big thank you to all of our students, families, and staff for participating in our Anti-Bullying Spirit Week! It was wonderful to see so many students showing their school spirit while spreading awareness about the importance of kindness, respect, and standing up against bullying.

Our daily bullying trivia gave students an opportunity to test their knowledge, learn how to recognize bullying, and understand the difference between being a bystander and an upstander. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this week engaging and meaningful!

The kindness doesn't stop here! Throughout the remainder of October, I will continue visiting classrooms to provide guidance lessons focused on the importance of kindness.

Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can make a BIG difference. Let's continue to create a school community where everyone feels safe, valued, included, and respected!

Together, we can STOMP OUT BULLYING! 🐯

Grade Level Blurb:

📖The Reading Rally Fundraiser 📖is done and CMIT reached their fundraising goal. ♥️Thank you to all families who could contribute and to those that helped spread the word. ♥️

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. 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

October 23: Pumpkin Project Due

October 27: Parent University: Data Night (Virtual), link on Classdojo school story

October 28: After School Club Showcase @ 5pm

October 29:Homework Due

October 30: Book Character Parade Day

October 30: Early Dismissal

October 30: End of the 1st Quarter

November 3: No School, Election Day

November 11: No school, Parent Teacher Conferences

Reading Updates:

UNIT 1 WEEK 6- Project Based Inquiry

At the end of each unit, students will get the chance to apply what they have learned about GOING PLACES in the WEEK 6 Project: Let’s Go! Students will research art and history museums and write and draw about which one is better.

• Gather and evaluate resources

• Compose opinion pieces

• Participate and share research projects

• Speak audibly and express ideas clearly

• Communicate conclusions and identify ways to take action

Math Updates:

Finish TOPIC 3- Numbers 6 to 10
Essential Understanding- Good math thinkers use math they know to show and solve problems

• There is more than one way to show a number

• Counting tells how many are in a set or a group, no matter which order the objects are counted

• The last number said when counting a group is the total number

• Use objects, drawings, and numbers to compare numbers

Vocabulary: six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Start: 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 1- Force: Pushes and Pulls

Essential Question: What happens if you push or pull an object?

• Observe how objects move

• Thinking of ways to make an object move

• Clarify how a push and pull makes something move

• Speculate why objects move and the effects on movement

Vocabulary: push, pull, speed, direction, change of direction

Social Studies Updates:

CHAPTER 2 LESSON 1- Our Country and State

Essential Question- What does it mean to be American?

• I will know about America

• There are 50 states in our nation

• Discuss the people who live in our country

Vocabulary: nation, state, country

Health Updates:

OCTOBER TOPIC: The Five Senses

Lesson 4: Problems with the senses

• List problems that people can have with their senses

• Develop empathy for people with physical challenges

• Practice being helpful to those in need

• Discuss the kinds of problems people would have if the senses were impaired

Vocabulary: senses, impaired, need, challenges

Grade Level Blurb:

Happy Sunday, First Grade Families!

We are excited to welcome everyone to another wonderful week of learning, growing, and making memories! We have an exciting week ahead, with our Pumpkin Patch Field Trip on Wednesday and Book Character Day on Friday! We can't wait for all the fun and learning experiences these special events will bring. As always, our first graders are sure to have a fantastic week!

Please be sure to read on for additional important updates, upcoming events, and reminders. Thank you for your continued support, and let's make it another STEMTASTIC week in first grade!

Important Reminders:

🎃 We are headed to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday, October 28th! Students should wear their CMIT uniform and please dress for the weather! The temperature during our trip will range from 50-60 degrees.

🦸🏽‍♀️🦸🏻‍♂️ Book Character Day is on Friday! Students must bring their books WITH their costumes!

🚨 Friday is also an early dismissal day. Dismissal will begin promptly at 11:30 AM.

➕ Math Topic 3 homework packets were sent home last week. These packets will be due TENTATIVELY on or about October 27th. Please stay tuned for updates/due dates from your scholar's teacher. Remember, students should work on one lesson per night in alignment with the lesson taught in class.

🔤 We will not send home a homework for Unit 1 Week 6. We will practice these spelling words in class, but will not take a spelling test. Spelling homework will pick up again next week when we begin Unit 2.

Phonics & Spelling

This week in Phonics, students will review words with qu-.

We will review the following high-frequency words go, me, for, here, where. 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 3

We are moving through topic 3! In this topic, students are learning strategies (counting on, open number line, doubles, doubles plus, making 10) to help them add to 20.

🏠 How Can Families Help at Home?

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, "Head to Toe." In this issue, students will learn more about their great body parts, how these parts function, why they're important, and what makes us special.

🏠 How Families Can Help at Home?

Families can support learning at home by talking about different parts of the body and how they help us each day. Encourage your child to practice healthy habits such as washing their hands, brushing their teeth, eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and staying active. Families can also discuss body safety and the importance of listening to their bodies and telling a trusted adult when something hurts or feels uncomfortable. Ask your child to share something new they learned about their body and explain how it helps them stay healthy!

Grade Level Blurb:

October is quickly coming to a close, but there is still plenty of excitement ahead! With the first quarter ending next Friday, this is a great time to check your child's grades and make sure all assignments are completed. Anything outstanding should be turned in ASAP as we prepare to wrap up our first marking period.

The fun continues with our grade-level Candy Wars competition! Let's see which CMIT grade level collected the most candy! We are also looking forward to our upcoming Character Book Parade, when students will have the opportunity to bring their favorite literary characters to life. The students must have the book their costume represents. Students should refrain from wearing anything scary or that may include play weapons. The focus is on books and not Halloween. Thanks for your cooperation. Be sure to review school communications for important details and reminders about these exciting events.

As the excitement builds, we also want to gently remind our students about the importance of making good choices, following directions, and treating others with kindness and respect. Please take a moment to reinforce these expectations at home. A little reminder goes a long way in helping us maintain a positive and productive learning environment.

***Several parents have answered the call for copy paper. THANKS so very much for the support. However, this is still a need. When able, please keep our paper wishes in mind.

Reading Updates:

This week in Reading with Ms. Howard, third graders practiced identifying the main idea and finding supporting details that explain and prove it. Scholars worked through reading stations, including small groups with Ms. Howard, a main idea card game, IXL, and i-Ready. They also became Text Feature Detectives, finding text features and explaining how they help readers understand nonfiction texts. In word study, we continued practicing vowel digraphs.

In Ms. Madison’s class, we have been working on reading informational text! Specifically, we have been practicing using text features such as captions, headings, maps, glossaries, indexes, etc. This week, we read Living in Deserts. We are also working on reading and spelling words with vowel digraphs (ea, ee, ay, ai, oa, ow).

Math Updates:

The students are working diligently to master the distributive property in Topic 3. Thanks to the many parents trying to support your third grader in their learning. Working as partners makes all the difference. Before the end of the week, we also managed to squeeze in the associative property as well. Students should continue to practice the multiplication facts outside of school.

Science Updates:

We are wrapping up Experience 1 in our Electricity and Magnetism unit. Students focused on static electricity and discovered how it connects to their previous learning about forces and motion. To build a stronger understanding of the science behind static electricity, we explored the roles of electrons, protons, and neutrons in a supplemental lesson. Students then put their knowledge into action through fun, hands-on investigations using balloons and combs to observe static electricity at work!

Social Studies Updates:

In social studies, we have been learning about ecosystems, natural hazards, and natural disasters. We have also continued to review weather, climates, and vegetation of North America.

Health Updates:

In Health, we wrapped up our unit on “Our Eyes” by exploring ways to keep our eyes healthy and protected. Students read and discussed the importance of proper eye protection, healthy nutrition, and everyday habits that help maintain good vision. This final lesson reinforced the importance of caring for our eyes and making healthy choices to protect our sight.

Thank you for your continued support as we finish our first quarter strong and head into another exciting month of learning!

Grade Level Blurb:

Greetings Fourth Grade Family,

🍂The end of the 1st Quarter is approaching fast. At this time no late will be accepted as teachers finalize to publish their report cards for the quarter. Please ensure that you continue to monitor Synergy, weekly to stay up to date about grades. Remember an assignment that is not submitted will earn a 0 and make up for the assignment cannot occur if the first attempt was not completed. If a student leaves early they may only make up the missing work with an excused early dismissal.

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!

📝As your scholar grows older this is now the time to start setting routines for your child to follow independently. A suggestion could be a checklist of tasks your scholar must do before bed or when they wake up in the morning. Create incentives and other rewards for your scholar when they are able to complete their tasks independently or without reminders.

💻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:

• Character Parade Friday October 30, 30326

• Early Dismissal for Students Grading and Reporting Friday October 30, 2026

• Election Day School Closed Tuesday November 3, 2026

• Parent Teacher Conferences Wednesday November 11, 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.

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 complete the CMIT South ES Absence Google Form within 3 days of your scholar returning back to school. https://forms.gle/euXzCpDvNGbLwb8U6 Work is provided to students upon their return to school with an excused absence.

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.

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:

This week, our classes conclude the text “Life at the Top.” In this text students learned about the advantages of training at high altitudes. Students composed an essay this week that focused on these advantages and had to support the importance of these advantages. Students also completed a story quiz based on this text.

Next Week:

We will read a biography called “Barbed Wire Baseball.” In this text students will read the story of a baseball player named Zeni who was sent to an internment camp during World War II. In this text we will identify the text structure of chronological order to retell the events of Zeni’s life. Students will also monitor their inner conversations while they read the text closely. This week’s word study will be prefixes (em-, en-, mis-) students will determine the meaning of these prefixes to determine the meaning of multiple words.

Math Updates:

Topic 3 — Multiplication

Greetings, Families!

We have completed Topic 2: Adding and Subtracting Multi-Digit Numbers and will now move into Topic 3: Multiplication!

In this topic, scholars will focus on multiplying single-digit numbers by multi-digit numbers. They will explore and practice several strategies, including partial products, the area model, arrays, and the standard algorithm. Scholars will also learn about the properties of multiplication, including the commutative, associative, identity, and distributive properties.

In Ms. Felton and Ms. Crusoe’s cohort, scholars will receive recommended IXL skills and Iready recommendations to practice at home and during available classroom practice time. These targeted skills will help reinforce previously taught concepts, strengthen foundational math skills, and support continued growth.

Families can support their scholars by encouraging regular practice at home.

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, students explored the relationship between people and the land. We learned how people interact with their environment, how they use the land and its resources, and how people can change and adapt to the places where they live.

Next week, we will begin preparing for our first in-class Quest project! Students will research one region of the United States, identifying its natural features and resources, climate, recreational activities, and how people adapt to the land. They will use their research to create an informative brochure highlighting the unique characteristics of their chosen region.

Grade Level Blurb:

A Message from the Fifth Grade Team

As the first quarter comes to an end, we want to take a moment to recognize the hard work, growth, and dedication of our scholars! We are proud of the progress they have made and look forward to seeing their continued success throughout the school year.

We encourage all families to check Synergy for updated grades and missing assignments as we prepare to close out the quarter. Thank you for your continued support in helping our scholars stay focused, motivated, and ready to succeed!

Reading Updates:

Unit 1, Week 6 Project-Based Inquiry

Students researched a country of their choice and used their findings to develop an argumentative piece of writing. This project encouraged students to strengthen their research, critical thinking, and persuasive writing skills while supporting their opinions with evidence.

Math Updates:

Topic 4: Multiplying Decimals

We are wrapping up Topic 3: Multiplying Multi-Digit Whole Numbers and transitioning into Topic 4: Multiplying Decimals. Next week, students will build on their understanding of place value and multiplication strategies to accurately multiply decimal numbers and solve real-world problems.

Science Updates:

Scholars will continue exploring Topic 2, Experience 3: Mixtures and Substances. Our Topic 2: Changes in Matter Assessment will take place later this coming week. Please encourage your scholar to review their Guided Notes and textbook to prepare.

Social Studies Updates:

Chapter 4, Lesson 1

New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies

Students will explore the three colonial regions and compare their geography, climate, economies, and ways of life. They will examine how the environment and available natural resources influenced the development of each region.

📌 Reminders for Families

• Encourage your child to practice multiplication facts regularly.

• Review classwork and assignments at home.

• Check Synergy for updated grades and academic progress.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s learning!

General CARTS Updates:

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

Technology:

Dear Families,

Here’s how we’re finishing the Quarter in Technology!

Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Building Digital Foundations

Our K–1 learners are continuing to build essential computer skills! Students will focus on getting comfortable with using a mouse and navigating a keyboard through interactive, age-appropriate lessons on Typing.com. These foundational skills help set them up for success in all future digital learning.

2nd Grade: Creative Express with Adobe

Second graders are finishing their custom Kindness Posters made in Adobe Express. This project allows students to combine graphic design, typography, and visual layout skills while spreading positive messages throughout our school community.

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade: Graphic Design & Digital Citizenship

Upper elementary students are finishing their Positive Message & Kindness Posters made in Canva. They are learning how to select complementary fonts, balance layout elements, and choose impactful visuals to communicate inspiring ideas.

How You Can Support at Home

• K–1 Families: Encourage your child to practice finding letter keys or guiding a computer mouse on a home device.

• 2nd–5th Grade Families: Ask your student about the message they chose for their poster and what design choices they made to make it stand out!

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning journey in Tech! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Warm regards,

Mr. Dickens

Your Technology Teacher!

LEGO:

Hi 5th Grade Families!

Fifth grade will soon begin our Build the World: A LEGO Country Challenge. Students will research a country and create a more detailed LEGO model that represents its landmarks, cities, transportation, environment, and other important features. Students may also design a solution to a real-world problem connected to their country.

We are asking for donations of LEGO bricks,architecture or landmark kits, vehicles, wheels, trees, plants, people/minifigures, building pieces, Technic pieces, and country-themed LEGO sets.

New or gently used LEGO materials are welcome. Donations will help students create more detailed projects and give them the opportunity to apply STEM, research, design, and problem-solving skills in a hands-on way.

Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping our students bring the world to life with LEGO!

Maker’s Lab:

Hello Families! Here’s what’s happening in Maker’s Lab:

Going through scientific method

K: Sense of touch

1-2: Handwriting trials

3-5: Ramp building simulator

PE:

Hello Families!

Right now in P.E., we are working on muscular strength and muscular endurance!

Music:

Hey CMIT family!

As a reminder 2nd - 5th graders need music journals. Report cards for Quarter 1 are quickly approaching and journals will be graded. Students should have 3 to 4 entries in their journals for the first half of Quarter 1.

Here’s what’s going on in music:

Kindergarten will continue to work on the 4 voices, whisper, talk, shout and sing.

1st grade will perform rhythms using quarter note, barred eighth note, and the quarter rest.

2nd grade will create 4-beat rhythms using quarter notes, barred eighth, and quarter rest.

3rd grade will begin compound meter, 6/8.

4th grade will be singing solfege with a focus on FA.

5th grade will be introduced to the pentatonic scale.

Art:

Here are some project finished pictures! Please refer to Canvas for more details.

2026-2027 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