December 15

CMITN561 / December 15, 2025

Our program’s success is rooted in the strong partnership between Dr. Rosalyn Gaskins, Principal (right), and Dr. Gemma Clarke, Program Coordinator (left)—a collaboration made possible by the CLF’s initiative to have Program Coordinators work closely under school Principals. This model has expanded across many schools in PGCPS, highlighting the vital role of teamwork in driving student success and program growth.

Together, Dr. Gaskins and Dr. Clarke creates a supportive environment where leadership and execution align seamlessly, inspiring both students and staff to reach their full potential. One of our former CLF CEOs once stated, “When leadership and passion come together, there’s no limit to what students can achieve,” a reflection clearly embodied in their collaborative work and shared commitment to student success.

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📌 CMIT North HS Newsletter is published every Sunday

(or Monday if the Monday follows a holiday weekend).

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Gemma Clarke, Ph.D. - Program Coordinator STEM

The Holiday Door Contest was a beloved CMIT tradition that brought festive cheer and creativity to our school community each year. This fun and spirited competition encouraged classrooms and staff to decorate their doors with holiday themes, fostering a joyful atmosphere that boosted school spirit and camaraderie. It became famous not only for its colorful and imaginative designs but also for how it brought everyone together—students, teachers, and families alike—to celebrate the season and spread holiday happiness throughout the halls.

As you view these photos, you’ll see the unique stories of holiday cheer and teamwork captured in each door’s decoration—reflecting the vibrant spirit of our school community.

Under the expert supervision of Dr. Clarke and Coach Lawyer Muhammad Bashir, our Forensic Mock Trial program provides students with an exceptional opportunity to sharpen their legal reasoning, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. Participants engage in realistic courtroom simulations, taking on roles such as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Recent Scrimmage:

Incoming Practice Schedule:

• December 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, and 30 (online)

• January 3 (in person at the Laurel Library; exact time to be emailed to members)

This immersive experience aims to inspire future legal professionals while enhancing confidence, teamwork, and analytical skills. We look forward to seeing you in court!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Parents

We sincerely thank all the parents for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the Forensic Mock Trial program. Your commitment to your students’ growth and success makes all the difference. Together, we are building confident, skilled young leaders ready to excel both in and out of the courtroom. We truly appreciate your trust and partnership on this journey!

On Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, Mrs. Cunning, Mrs. Freeman, Mr. Elrod, Mr. Grant, and Dr. Gaskins had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Conference for Social Studies in Washington, D.C.

During the conference, our team explored a wide variety of vendor booths, where we learned about exciting new resources, student opportunities, and innovative tools that we can bring back to our classrooms. We also attended multiple workshop sessions that sparked new ideas and strengthened our instructional practices.

One of the highlights of the weekend was hearing from several inspiring speakers, including Carl Azuz, Sharon McMahon, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Taylor Cassidy, and even Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Their insights, stories, and passion for education were truly motivating.

We’re excited to bring everything we learned back to our students and continue making Social Studies engaging and meaningful!

Winter Glow is a special annual event at CMIT now in its second year, designed to celebrate and honor the hard work and achievements of our teachers and staff. It serves as a mid-year gathering where the community comes together to recognize dedication and excellence, with the PTSO presenting gifts to show appreciation. This celebration also offers an opportunity for parents to connect, share in the festive spirit, and support our educators who make a difference every day.

We learned about this opportunity at the National Social Studies Convention. It is not sponsored by CMIT North HS or CLF. Students who are interested are encouraged to apply using the link below.

New Voters 250 Fellowship - a national civic leadership program for current high school sophomores and juniors to shape the next 250 years of democracy. This fellowship will support exceptional student leaders as they run voter registration drives and complete community impact projects. Current sophomores and juniors are invited to apply here.

Rho Kappa: On Tuesdays We Vote The Results Are In!

Our Holiday Movie Showdown has officially wrapped, and we have a winner!

Home Alone won with a huge 55% of the vote! Looks like Kevin and his booby traps are still legendary.

Hello Esteemed Roaring PTSO Members,

Behind every successful Golden Tiger student is a dedicated Golden Staff member who provides constant encouragement and support.

This Winter Glow 2025, the PTSO wants to recognize our staff's hard work and show our appreciation. We aim to send them into the holidays with a sweet memory of gratitude from the entire CMIT community.

We are seeking your support to make this event successful. Here’s how you can help:

• Volunteer Your Time/Donation: Please review and sign up for the available slots and join us even if it's for 30 min. Your time and assistance are invaluable. Click Here to view Slots

• Share Kind Words: We are collecting holiday cards filled with messages of appreciation for our staff. Please coordinate with Ms. Tarver to get a card and contribute your kind words.

We wish all families a safe and happy holiday season. Thank you for your continued support. Your involvement directly contributes to a positive school environment for both students and staff.

The Flyer is below and as PTSO Members we want to show out for our school with a big smiling ROAR. I want to take the opportunity to also thank PTSO Families for sharing the Laurel Blaze Pizza Fundraiser for tonight with friends and family. Our next PTSO General Body Meeting is upcoming this 12/18/2025, until then I am sharing the January PTSO Month Calendar. A separate email will be sent for Members who ship to RSVP to help set up for Dec. 17th at 2pm! :)

Please email me directly if you have any questions or suggestions.

Monetary Donations:

Zelle: CmitNorthPTSO@gmail.com

Venmo: CMITNorthHSPTSO

PayPal: CmitNorthPTSO@gmail.com

Proceeds will go towards this past Staff Thanksgiving Dinner, National Cookie Day for Staff and Students, and PTSO/Staff Winter Glow 2025 where PTSO will be sponsoring all gifts for the Staff.

Thank you to our CMIT North Families for your generosity in sharing your time and energy with our school community. The programs and events you support would not be possible without your invaluable contributions.

Meeting Link : https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/81121451477

Denise Rosales

PTSO President

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

E-mail: president_nhspto@cmitacademy.org

Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek

- Dr. Clarke

Click HERE to view the full update.