The Tiger Times
Dear Amazing Tiger Families and Community,
What a phenomenal week of celebration, achievement, and Tiger excellence we've experienced! As we approach the final days of 2025, I am absolutely overwhelmed with pride as I watch our students shine in so many ways…from entrepreneurial ventures to academic achievements to artistic performances. Your unwavering support and encouragement fuel our Tigers' success, and I'm grateful beyond words to partner with families who believe in celebrating every accomplishment, big and small. Together, we're finishing this year strong!
As we continue celebrating Generosity as our Character Word of the Month, I'm inspired by the profound words of Anne Frank: "No one has ever become poor by giving." This past weekend, we witnessed this truth come alive as our Shark Tank students generously shared their talents, vendors gave their time, and our community provided free haircuts. True generosity enriches both the giver and the receiver, and our Tiger community exemplifies this beautiful principle every single day. Let's continue spreading generosity throughout this festive season!
🦈 Shark Tank Holiday Bazaar - A Spectacular Success!
WOW! Our Shark Tank Holiday Bazaar was absolutely SPECTACULAR! Witnessing our Shark Tank club scholars shine as entrepreneurs was nothing short of amazing! These young Tigers sold their items and talked about their products like seasoned professionals—with confidence, enthusiasm, and genuine business savvy. LOVE IT!!
A Heartfelt Thank You:
To Our Shark Tank Scholars: You demonstrated incredible entrepreneurship, creativity, and professionalism. We are SO proud of you!
To All Who Supported Them: Your purchases, encouragement, and presence made this event successful and memorable for our young business owners.
To Our Amazing Vendors and Food Truck Businesses: Thank you for generously giving your time, sharing your businesses, and supporting our students! We are grateful for each of you:
Black Beautiful Beads
Estijeff
Kay Cakez
Momma & Love Bug
R & R Bracelets
Rex Azagba
Sauce Queens
Shae's Tees
TAWJ
That Girl's Heavy Head
Touch Line Sports
Tyrik Ball
Whatever Things Are Lovely
Your participation elevated our event and provided wonderful examples of entrepreneurship for our students to witness and learn from. Thank you for being part of our Tiger community!
To Our Generous Barbers/Stylists - A Special Recognition: The free haircuts provided by The Cut - Cutz4Clint (Clint Jessup, MD) from Jessup, Maryland (@Cutzforclint) were an absolutely awesome and generous way to give back to our community! What a beautiful gift of service and selflessness! Your willingness to donate your time, talent, and expertise to serve our Tiger families embodies the true spirit of generosity. You didn't just provide haircuts—you provided dignity, care, and a tangible expression of community love. Thank you for blessing our families and demonstrating what it means to use your gifts to uplift others!
This event perfectly embodied our theme of generosity—students sharing their entrepreneurial talents, vendors giving their time, and community members serving others with excellence and compassion. This is what Tiger excellence looks like!
🎨 Art Gallery Showcase - December 15-19, 2025
A Celebration of Creativity and Artistic Excellence!
We're thrilled to invite you to our Art Gallery Showcase, masterfully led by Ms. James, Art Teacher! Our talented Tigers' brilliant and breathtaking artistic work will be beautifully displayed in the Media Center, transforming it into a stunning gallery that showcases the incredible creativity, skill, and imagination of our young artists.
This is a wonderful opportunity for families, friends, and our entire community to experience firsthand the remarkable talent flourishing within our school walls. From vibrant paintings to innovative mixed-media creations, each piece tells a story and reflects the generous spirit our Tigers bring to their artistic expression.
Gallery Viewing Hours:
December 15-18: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
December 19: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Why You Should Attend: Art is a generous gift that enriches our entire community! When students share their creative work, they give us a glimpse into their hearts, minds, and imaginations. Supporting our young artists by viewing and celebrating their work encourages them to continue developing their talents and expressing themselves through art.
Action Required: Please mark your calendars and plan to visit the Media Center during viewing hours! Bring family members, friends, and neighbors to celebrate our Tigers' exceptional artistic achievements. Your presence and encouragement mean the world to our budding artists!
Special Thank You to Ms. James for nurturing our students' artistic talents and creating this beautiful showcase opportunity!
🎄 Holiday Spirit Week - December 15-19th
Get ready for a week filled with festive fun and holiday cheer! Join us for Holiday Spirit Week and show your Tiger spirit in style!
Daily Themes:
Monday, December 15th - Merry & Bright
Rock your ugly Christmas sweater or wear your favorite holiday attire! Let's see those festive colors and creative holiday outfits!
Tuesday, December 16th - Pajama Day
Wear your favorite cozy holiday pajamas! Comfort meets festive spirit—what's not to love?
Wednesday, December 17th - Grinch Day
Wear Grinch-inspired attire! Green, red, fuzzy, or festive—channel your inner Grinch (but keep that kind Tiger heart)!
Thursday, December 18th - Winter Concert Attire
Follow the specific attire guidelines for your grade level provided by Mrs. Duncan, Music Teacher. Let's look our best for our amazing performance!
Friday, December 19th - PTO Dress Down Day
Celebrate the last day before break with a relaxing dress-down day, courtesy of our wonderful PTO! Parents must attend the PTO meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6 p.m., or make a $10 donation to PTO, in order for the students to receive the dress-down pass for that day.
Let's make this week memorable with Tiger spirit and holiday joy!
🏆 1st Quarter Honor Assembly - December 16th
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
We're thrilled to celebrate our academic achievers at our 1st Quarter Honor Assembly! This special event will recognize Tigers who demonstrated outstanding academic performance, exceptional character, and dedication to excellence during the first quarter.
Format: Virtual for parents and families
Access: Zoom link and viewing details will be shared via ClassDojo
Get ready to celebrate our amazing Tigers who are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! These students have worked incredibly hard, and we can't wait to honor their achievements. Your child will be notified if they're receiving an award—please join us virtually to celebrate!
🎵 2nd Annual Holiday Concert - December 18th
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Mark your calendars for our 2nd Annual Holiday Concert—a joyful celebration of music, talent, and the season's spirit! Our Tigers have been working diligently under the exceptional leadership of Mrs. Duncan, Music Teacher, preparing beautiful performances that will warm your hearts and fill you with holiday cheer.
This concert is a wonderful example of our students generously sharing their musical talents and gifts with our community. Our Tigers are ready to shine and spread holiday joy through the gift of music!
Important: Follow Mrs. Duncan's attire guidelines for your child's grade level to ensure everyone looks polished and performance-ready.
More details about timing, location, and performance lineup coming soon via ClassDojo. You won't want to miss this festive showcase of Tiger talent!
⏰ Early Dismissal - December 19th
Friday, December 19, 2025 is an Early Dismissal Day
Dismissal Schedule:
Regular Students: 11:25 AM
Star Students (Afterschool Enrichment): 1:00 PM
Scholars Students (Afterschool Enrichment): 3:00 PM
Please make appropriate arrangements for pickup at these adjusted times. This early dismissal allows our dedicated staff to prepare for Winter Break while giving families extra time to begin their holiday celebrations together.
If you need clarification about your child's dismissal time, please contact the front office or your child's teacher.
Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's make this week extraordinary by participating fully in every celebration, honoring our achievers, sharing our talents, and approaching the holidays with generous, grateful hearts!
With Generous Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,
Tauheedah N. Simmons-LewisYour PAWW-rific Principal
CMIT South Elementary School
Home of the STEMTastic Tigers 🐯
Please take note of these important calendar reminders:
- December 15 - Claws for a Cause- ALL GIFTS DUE!
December 15 - December 19 - Art Gallery/Show (Media Center)
December 16 - 1st Quarter Honor Roll Assembly
December 17- PTO General Body Meeting 6 - 7 PM
December 18 - Winter Concert
December 19 - Teacher Planning Day – Early Dismissal for Students
December 19 - PTO Dress Down Day
December 22 - December 31 - Winter Break & Christmas Holiday – Schools and Offices Closed
January 1 - New Year's Day- Schools and Offices Closed
January 2 - Winter Break- Schools and Offices Closed
January 7 - STEM Fair Projects DUE
January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day- Schools and Offices Closed
January 26 - End of Second Quarter (46 Days)
January 26 - Grading & Reporting Day- Early Dismissal for Students
Attendance in school each day is important. Let’s stay in school.
In order for an absence to be considered excused, the following Google Form must be completed no later than three (3) days after return to school.
Late or make-up work will not be accepted unless the absence is an excused absence. Please review Administrative Procedure 5113, AP 5113 - Student Attendance, Absence, and Truancy, for further information.
Students who are absent for ten consecutive days will be withdrawn on the 11th day and will need to re-enroll.
Lawful Absences
Students enrolled in public schools are considered lawfully absent from school for any portion of the day, only under the following conditions:
- Death of a family member
- Illness of the student
- Court appearance
- Work approved or sponsored by a school
- Observance of a religious holiday
- State of emergency
- Suspension from school
- Mental Health (Students may receive as an excused absence one (1) day of absence
- in each semester of each school year for a student’s mental health needs.
- Other emergencies
- Deployment-related absences
Unlawful Absences
Unlawful absence – any time a student does not attend school that does not qualify as the above-listed reasons for a lawful absence.
Tardy
Scholars will be officially tardy if they are not in the building at 8:05 a.m.
If your scholar enters the building after the 8:05 a.m. bell, a parent must escort them into the building and electronically sign them in the late arrival portal. Scholars will be given an orange tardy slip to be permitted to class.
Parents of students who have 10 or more tardies in a semester will be required to meet with the principal/designee to discuss the reasons for the tardies and to develop a plan for improvement.
In November 2020, PGCPS launched an online volunteer application and approval process. Click here for more information on becoming a volunteer and to access the application.
School Meals
2025-26 School Year Meal Prices
Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 5)
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, make tuition payments for Before and After School Extended Learning programs, 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 www.myschoolbucks.com.
All money comes/goes to 1 account (child's). All that is needed to set up account (if not done) is
students lunch pin or student id.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to consider applying for free and reduced-price meals! Visit www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict to apply online today!
To apply, you will need:
- The name, school, and grade of your school-age children
- The name of all adults living in the home
- Income information for all adults living in the home
- Student ID Numbers for your school-age children
Applications will also be sent home with students the first week of school. Applications are available at all PGCPS schools and can be submitted at any time.
Grade Level Blurb:
Our field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium has been rescheduled for January 15, 2026. As winter is setting in it is getting cold outside. Please ensure that students have a heavy coat and gloves to go outside for recess. We do not go outside if the temperature is under 40 degrees otherwise we try to get the students outside.
Winter parties will be taking place on December 17, 2025. For more information about the activities for your scholars class please check ClassDojo or reach out to your scholar’s teacher.
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. Also please continue to practice tying shoes and turning sleeves of jackets from inside out to the correct way with your scholars. When your child has been absent please communicate to the teacher and complete the online document submission form, because we are not taking paper notes: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lp2fJsfDLjWNINllvX10OKjiGDn443yAB8Hq8BMBa-E/viewform
Have a great Winter Break!!!
IMPORTANT KINDERGARTEN DATES-
DECEMBER 15- Homework Due
DECEMBER 15-17- Holiday Spirit Week
DECEMBER 17- Kindergarten WINTER WONDERLAND Parties
DECEMBER 18- Winter Concert (please have students dressed in festive outfits, can include antlers or light up necklaces)
DECEMBER 19- 3 hour early dismissal
DECEMBER 22- JANUARY 2: Winter Break
JANUARY 7- STEM project Due
JANUARY 15- National Baltimore Aquarium
Reading Updates:
UNIT 2- Week 5: Run, Jump and Swim
Essential Question: How do some living things make what they need?
Phonological Awareness: Initial and Final Sounds; Segment and Blend Phonemes
Blend and Segment: Onset and Rime
Phonics: Short /e/ middle sound and Letters W and Y
High-frequency words: go, from, yellow
Spelling words found in weekly readings: swim, push, climb, and carry
Unit Vocabulary: grow, need, share, depend
Learning Goals:
Learn what a persuasive text is
Understand Informational Text Structure
Find details in a text
Capitalization for the beginning of a sentence
Adjectives preposition and Verbs
Rhyming Sort
Math Updates:
Topic 6: Understanding Addition
Essential Understanding: What types of situations involve addition?
Students are working on understanding the different types of strategies that can be used to to practice addition
Show numbers in many way
Express smaller parts of a bigger number with actions
Represent addition as putting two or more numbers together
Practice using an addition equation
Vocabulary: plus, addition, equal sign, altogether, in all, patterns
Science Updates:
TOPIC 4: Changes to the Environment
Experience 1: How do Plants and Animal change their environment?
Review living vs non-living things
Inquiry about the relationship between plants and animals and where they live.
Demonstrate the relationship between the needs of plants and animals and the places they live, which together make up a system.
Describe habitat relationships using relational language and simple adjectives.
Vocabulary: environment, system, model, change
Social Studies updates:
Chapter 4 : Geography of the Neighborhood
Essential Question- What is the world like?
Understand different places and areas that are around us
Look into the into a map as a tool
What is a globe?
The parts of a map
Analyze how we interact with jobs that help the community and the location of places
Vocabulary: street, community, neighbors, map, neighborhood, globe, legend
Health Updates:
DECEMBER TOPIC: Healthful Foods
Lesson 3:Healthful Food Comes in Many Forms
Identify how family and culture influences food choices
Describes how healthful foods come in a variety of forms
Identify goals for healthful eating routines and food preparation.
Compare and contrast the needs of living things.
Grade Level Updates:
Welcome to Our Final Week Before Winter Break!
Families, we can’t believe we’ve reached our final week before winter break! Our first graders have been working so hard, and we are looking forward to a fun and festive week ahead. We have several exciting activities planned to celebrate the season while continuing to learn and grow together.
As a reminder, please check backpacks daily for important notes and make sure students come to school dressed for the weather. Thank you for your continued support at home—it truly makes a difference. We’re excited to end the week with joy, learning, and lots of smiles as we head into winter break!
Updates:
1. Spelling homework will resume AFTER BREAK.
2. We are continuing to work through Topic 3 in math. Some of the strategies are a bit tricky-- especially making a ten to add. Please check CANVAS for additional resources to practice and wait for an update from your scholar's teacher regarding the due date of the Topic 3 math packet.
3. First grade parties will take place on Wednesday, December 17th. Please stay tuned for updates from your scholar's teacher.
Reminders:
1. Students should bring their yellow take home folder to school and home every day. Parents, please sign their behavior calendar in acknowledgment of daily behavior. Please also remove all papers on the "Keep at Home" side.
2. Check ParentVue regularly and review all graded work.
3. Students may eat one, DRY snack at the end of the day. If your student would like to participate in snack, please be sure to send them with one.
4. The weather has changed DRASTICALLY. Please ensure your scholar comes to school dressed in accordance with the weather. We go outside as long as the temps are about 32 degrees.
Reading Updates:
Students will begin learning about how animals change with the seasons by reading poetry. They will learn more about the elements of poetry--specifically rhyme and rhythm. This topic will be continued after break as well.
Phonics
Students will read and decode words with consonant digraphs (2 letters together that make 1 sound) sh-, th- (unvoiced like thumb), and th- (voiced like them).
Math Updates:
We are continuing to work through Topic 3. In this topic, students are learning strategies to add within 20.
Science Updates:
We have begun Chapter 4. In this chapter, students are learning more about how animal parts help them to survive.Social Studies Updates:
We are continuing to work through our unit in geography. Students are learning about location, maps and models, continents and oceans, and more about our state!Health Updates:
This week, and after break, students will learn more about medicine and how it can be both helpful and hurtful. Students will learn more about how to stay safe around medicine.
Grade Level Blurb:
Hello Tiger Families!
Next week is going to be an exciting and eventful week, and we would love to have volunteers join us! Bring your brightest holiday spirit!
🌲 Monday 12/15 – Charlie Brown Christmas
Students should bring in a small tree to decorate throughout the week.
Trees can be found at Dollar Tree, Five Below, or craft stores.
🛌☕ Tuesday 12/16 – PJs & Hot Chocolate Day
Scholars will be recognized during the First Quarter Honor Roll Assembly
After the assembly, students will enjoy hot cocoa and build gingerbread houses!
⛄ Wednesday 12/17 – Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
Students will create their very own edible snowman! ⛄🍬
🎁 White Elephant Gift Exchange:
Please send in a unisex gift valued at $5–$10 by Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Scholars will take home their tree and gift on this day!
🚂 Thursday 12/18 – Polar Express Day
Scholars will shine in the Winter Concert, directed by Mrs. Duncan!
Please have students wear holiday colors, sparkles, or lights, and they are encouraged to wear antlers!
After the concert, classrooms will celebrate with their winter parties. Teachers will share more details about snacks, drinks, and treats.
🍿 Friday 12/19 – Popcorn & a Movie
Scholars may dress down and enjoy popcorn and a movie as we kick off a wonderful winter break!
If you'd like to volunteer, we’d LOVE to have you! ❤️✨
Don’t forget to continue working on your STEM Fair projects — we can’t wait to see all of your hard work and creativity! 🔬💡✨Keep those skills sharp by spending a little time on iReady or IXL over the break.
Have a wonderful winter break, Tiger Families!
Enjoy your time with family, stay safe, and have tons of fun!
Grade Level Blurb:
This week, our third-grade students completed their i-Ready Math and Reading Middle-of-Year (MOY) Diagnostic. We are proud of the effort students showed during testing. The students are very excited as we are quickly approaching our final week before winter break.
Reading Updates:
This week in Ms. Howard’s reading class, students worked hard across several reading skills! We completed our review of compound words and practiced how to synthesize information by using both illustrations and text evidence from a passage. We also revisited the author’s purpose—to inform, entertain, or persuade—and discussed how to identify it while reading. Students continued building their comprehension by using context clues and applying test-taking strategies to better understand questions and eliminate incorrect answers.
Ms. Madison’s students finished up Unit 2 in their reading textbooks this week! They have been sent home with their reading textbooks for practice. Ms. Madison will distribute their Volume 2 (Units 3-5) reading textbooks before winter break! We also completed iReady reading testing, and scores will be shared as soon as possible. We also learned about contractions this week!
Social Studies Updates:
Ms. Howard’s students began our new mini group project on America’s First People, where students explored what life was like for early Native American communities. Groups are preparing to dive deeper into different regions and share what they learn.
Ms. Madison’s Social Studies students are finishing up Chapter 2 in our social studies textbook! Students have been learning about economic concepts such as cost, opportunity cost, benefits, and different kinds of resources (natural, human, and capital). We will start Chapter 3 when we return from winter break!
Math Updates:
Ms. Hendy's Class
Growth Highlights from Ms. Hendy’s Class:
12 students are currently performing on grade level based on their MOY Math scores.
Several students made exceptional progress, with some growing over 30 points since the beginning of the year. This level of growth is outstanding and shows tremendous determination and hard work.
Please help us celebrate their success — they truly earned it!
What This Means
The MOY Diagnostic helps us understand:
What skills students have mastered
What skills they still need support with
How to plan targeted small-group instruction moving forward
These results will guide our math instruction for the rest of the quarter and ensure every student continues to grow.
Next Steps
Over the next few weeks, we will:
Review individual student data
Use small groups to support specific learning needs
Continue building fluency and problem-solving skills
Support students in achieving their end-of-year growth goals
Thank you for your continued support, and congratulations to our hardworking mathematicians!
Mrs. Flores’ Class:
Along with iReady testing, we completed our Topic 2 Math Unit and moved on to the distributive property in Topic 3. This skill is a tricky one so please practice. It is used to help solve multiplication facts. We will see how far we get into topic 3 before winter break.
Science Updates:
Mrs. Flores’ science class was a bit slow this week due to testing. However, the students did complete an online vocabulary review game and a second written review for homework. We also looked at the life cycle and characteristics of the monarch butterfly. We will wrap this unit up and move on to the adaptations and survival unit. At some point, when our schedule allows, we will complete the lima bean lab that I promised my students.
Health Updates:
This week in Health, as we continue to explore community health, we discussed pollution. The students are creating posters on various pollution problems and how they are able to help solve them.
The third grade team hopes everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend as we navigate the hustle and bustle of the season.
Grade Level Blurb:
Happy Holidays Team 4Ward,
We hope this message finds you warmly. It is the last week before Winter Break and we have a full week of activities planned. Please be sure to check Classdojo to stay up to date with the different activities that will be occurring in school. Each class will have their own Winter Break Celebration. Please check with your scholar’s homeroom teacher’s Classdojo for more information about how you can help and be a part of the celebration. Progress report grades have been posted and are available for viewing on Synergy. Please ensure that you are regularly checking your scholar's grades.
🚌Field Trip
4th Graders will attend our third field trip of the year to the Howard B. Owens Science Center on Friday January 16, 2026. Here students will deepen their understanding of the universe by learning in an immersive environment. This lesson helps to build on the virtual field trip our student had about Cosmic Collisions. Field Trip permission slips have been sent home with students. All payments must be made through the MySchoolBucks link provided on the permission slip. All money and permission slips are due by Monday January 5, 2026.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHVZTLU9O052WP_ZZ696XL29JSGL55
➡️If your scholar will need a bag lunch for the trip please complete this form: https://forms.gle/yGoSjxKPPYnzUFKu8
💻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.
In our classrooms, we will be working on a variety of assignments and projects designed to challenge and inspire them. I encourage you to check in regularly with your scholar about what they are learning.Your support at home is greatly appreciated and makes a significant difference in their academic success.
Thank you for your ongoing support in your child’s learning journey. We are grateful for the partnership between home and school — together we help every student thrive.
Educationally Yours,
Team 4Ward
Important Upcoming Dates:
Honor Roll Assembly Tuesday December 16, 2025
Half Day for Students Friday December 19, 2025
Winter Break December 22, 2025- January 2, 2025
Fourth Grade Information:
i-Ready:
i-Ready is a computer based math and reading program that is available for all of our scholars. Scholars have completed their diagnostics and are working on programs based on their areas of need. This program will be available all summer for students to continue to utilize in both reading and math. Please help your child complete at least 45 minutes of math and reading to grow their abilities.
Absences:
This is a friendly reminder that late work is only accepted if a student has an excused absence! If a scholar is absent and does not bring a note they will earn a 0 on the assignment that was missed. Please read the reminders to ensure that you are partnering with your scholars to make them successful for school. If a scholar leaves early or arrives late to school and it is not excused they will earn a 0 for all work that is not completed.
If your scholar is absent, please complete the CMIT South ES Absence Google Form within 3 days of your scholar returning back to school. https://forms.gle/euXzCpDvNGbLwb8U6 In order for students to receive make-up work you must provide a note stating; the student’s name, the date of absence, and reason for absence. Work is provided to students upon their return to school with an absence note.
Communications:
Students must bring their agenda book each day. Teachers will note the agenda book and it should be signed nightly by the adult at home.
Please allow up to 48 business hours for all responses to emails and Classdojo messages. Teachers are not actively monitoring their emails during the day because we are engaged in instruction. Emails are not monitored over the weekend or in the evening hours when teachers have gone home. If the message sent relates to dismissal changes please call the school directly to leave a message with the front office.
Grading:
Please check Synergy weekly to see scholar’s updated grades. Canvas is a Learning Management System in which scholars utilize to complete assignments and get access to materials.The grades entered in Synergy are those that will be used to calculate progress reports and report cards.
It is imperative that work is complete and turned in on time in order to receive full credit. Our district has set policies regarding assignment completion and make-up assignments. Only students that have an excused absence will be given an opportunity to receive and complete missing assignments.
Uniforms:
We are a uniform school. Students must be in the proper uniform each and every day. Students are expected to have mostly black shoes. They may wear a navy blue or school logo jacket or pullover during class. Students will be asked to remove any jacket or sweater that is not following the uniform policy. Students are not allowed to wear Crocs on school grounds.
Reading Updates:
We are in Volume 2 of our textbooks Unit 4: Impacts. Within this unit students will explore diverse literature styles from all over the world.This year writing is a main focus within our school. As we enter the second quarter scholars' writing will increase in frequency and length. We are expecting them to write at least 8 sentences per essay. How they organize and how clearly they share their points and ideas will also be important in scoring their writing.
This Week:
This week we brought a close to the tall tale “Thunder Rose.” In this tale students learned about a girl who did amazing things to help others. Students this week thought of words to describe the character of Rose and how these traits affected the events in the story. Also students complete an opinion essay that asks them to answer the question of the week: How can being different be an advantage?
Next Week:
Next week we have a full week with testing, Honor Roll Assemblies, and Winter Celebrations. We will take a break from the curriculum and work on winter themed activities and continue to practice skills and standards that have been covered so far. When we return from Winter Break we will read a drama called “La Culebra.” A drama is a type of text that has a cast of characters with stage directions,which is seen in plays. In this drama students will read about making choices and the importance of doing good deeds.This drama also incorporates many Spanish words. Students will seek to answer: Why should we do good deeds without expecting anything in return?
Math Updates:
This week in Math, scholars continued working through Topics 3 and 4, focusing on using strategies and properties to solve 1-digit and 2-digit multiplication problems. Students practiced identifying whether numbers were prime or composite, used multiplication facts to create pixelated art, and engaged in fluency warm-ups to build speed and confidence.
Students are also strengthening their understanding of the Distributive Property, Area Models, and partial products, which help them solve more complex multiplication problems. We will continue within Topic 4 after the Thanksgiving Break to deepen their conceptual understanding before shifting into division.
Please encourage scholars to practice their facts at home using Prodigy, IXL, i-Ready, and XtraMath to boost automatic recall. A few minutes of daily practice goes a long way!
Social Studies Updates:
Next week, students began their Chapter 2 In-Class Quest project, where they will research and present information about an important American who helped shape our nation. Students will explore their figure’s contributions, analyze their impact on U.S. history, and create a presentation to share their learning with the class.
Grade Level Blurb:
Dear Families,
We’ve had a fantastic week filled with learning, growth, and exciting experiences! Here’s a look at what our fifth graders have been up to:
Baltimore Aquarium Field Trip
We had an amazing time on our recent field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium! Students explored a variety of marine life and were especially excited to see jellyfish, sharks, and many different types of fish and animals. It was a wonderful hands-on learning experience that sparked curiosity and great discussions back in the classroom.
i-Ready Testing Week
Reading Updates:
In reading, students are working with informational texts, focusing on identifying the main idea, supporting details, text features, and using evidence from the text.
Math Updates:
Ms. Jenkins’ Class: We have completed Chapter 2, focusing on adding and subtracting decimals. An assessment will be given to check for mastery.
Mr. Barr’s Class: Students are currently working on Chapter 2: Adding and Subtracting Decimals.
Science Updates:
In science, we are on Topic 3, learning about Earth’s systems including the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere,and how these systems interact.
Social Studies Updates:
In social studies, students are working through Chapter 4, Lesson 2, deepening their understanding of key concepts and real-world connections.
Health Updates:
In health, students are learning about the importance of fiber in food and how it supports digestion and overall health. They are also practicing how to read and understand nutrition labels to make informed food choices.
Winter Wonderland Classroom Parties ❄️
We are excited to celebrate our upcoming Winter Wonderland classroom parties!
Ms. Jenkins’ & Ms. Mitchell’s classes: Tuesday, December 17
Mr. Barr’s & Ms. Akinbaniyak’s classes: Thursday, December 18
More details and donation information will be shared soon. We can’t wait to celebrate with our scholars!
We’re looking forward to another great week and appreciate your continued support.
Warm regards,
5th Grade Team
General CARTS Message:
Please remember to check your student's Canvas assignments and Synergy grades regularly!
Media:
Here’s a video of Ms. Washington reminding 1st grade that computers are tools for reading and writing, not crutches! This was a part of their collaborative rhyming words song project.
Technology:
This week, students learned all about e-mails! What their school e-mail address is, what it is used for, etc. All the basics for succeeding in a STEM world!
Art:
I'm pleased to announce the first art gallery for CMIT South Elementary! It will be open after school all next week in the media center. I will post pictures of the finished panels on Class Dojo as well!
Birthdays are so much fun to celebrate with classmates. However, during the school day, the health and safety of each student are important, especially students with food allergies. Students are ONLY permitted to bring in NON-FOOD items to distribute to classmates at the end of the school day. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping all of our students safe at CMIT South ES.
Additionally, please note that teachers and staff are unable to participate in distributing communications/invitations or email addresses related to birthday celebrations. All planning for birthdays needs to happen outside of school so that it does not take away from the purpose of instruction.
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