CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
CMIT's Mission
In partnership with students, parents and the community, CMIT will attain educational excellence by providing a rigorous and technology-integrated education for middle and high school students with an emphasis on mathematics, science, and information technologies.
Introducing Our Core Values: STRIPES
At our school, STRIPES represents the qualities we strive to live by every day: Supportive, Trustworthy, Responsible, Innovative, Persistent, Empathy, and Service. These values guide how we learn, work, and treat one another, helping us build a strong, caring, and respectful community where every student can thrive.
Important Dates
CMIT Academy follows the PGCPS school calendar.
Import the CMIT North Middle School calendar to your own Gmail calendar to stay informed of all school-wide events.
9/23: Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
10/2: Yom Kippur (Schools and Offices Closed)
10/6: Progress Reports Released Online
10/17: Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
10/31: End of 1st Quarter/Grading and Reporting for Teachers (Early Dismissal for Students)
11/11: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Schools Closed for Students)
11/26-11/28: Thanksgiving Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
12/19: Teacher Planning (Half-Day/ Early Dismissal for Students at 11:55am)
12/22-1/3/26: Winter Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
Lockdown Drill on Wednesday 9/24
On Tuesday, September 24, our school will conduct our first lockdown drill of the year. These practice drills are an important part of keeping our community safe, ensuring that students and staff know what to do in the event of an emergency. While we hope to never need these procedures, practicing them helps us remain prepared and fosters a safe learning environment for everyone.
Apply for Free and Reduced Meals
We encourage all families to complete the Free and Reduced Meals application. Submitting the form benefits every student—eligible families can receive healthy meals at no cost, and our school receives important funding for programs, resources, and student services. Even if you don’t think you qualify, your application helps strengthen our school community.
Donors Choose
Parents and Guardians,
As you may know, our funding was cut this year which makes it more challenging to purchase technology and other STEM materials to enhance the learning and education of your scholar. Donors Choose, however, offers an alternative way to fund teacher projects and we are asking for your help. If you are able to make a donation please do so on Thursday, September 25 as all donations are doubled to equity focus schools. This means your $20.00 donation will actually be worth $40.00. The link to our school's projects is at https://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?school=102994 There tare several projects currently for color printers, a wide format printer for posters and anchor charts, athletic supplies and others. Any sized donation helps and we all appreciate your support.
Thank you for your continued support!
PBIS Pajama Dress Down Day on Friday 9/26
Get ready to show your school spirit and cozy style! Our first PBIS incentive of the year is a themed Dress Down Day. Students have voted and our theme will be "Pajama Day".
To participate:
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You will need 50 points on Kickboard to purchase your dress down pass.
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Mrs. Jones will be in lunches on Monday and Wednesday next week for purchases.
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On dress down day, students who purchased will receive a wristband from their 1st period teacher showing eligibility.
Be cozy but appropriate.
If you do not purchase a pass or do not have enough points, you must come in full uniform.
Student Rights and Responsibilities Acknowledgement, Home and School Compact, and Public Realease Forms
On Friday, students engaged in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Assembly. This assembly reviewed both the rights and responsibilities of the students as well as PGCPS and CMIT expectations. Families are encouraged to review and discuss the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook with their scholars.
At the conclusion of the assembly , students were given a copy of the Home and School Compact, Acknowledgment of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, and the 2025-2026 Student Publicity Release Form. Please review, sign, and submit this packet of documents to your scholar's first period teacher. Forms were due Monday, 9/15.
Arrival/Departure Routine
Please see the Traffic Flow Map of the driving routes and drop-off/pick-up locations. Please note: All parents, carpooling, or individuals, must drop off and pick up in the rear of the building. The side parking lots are designated for commercial vans/buses only. Only students who ride on a commercial van or bus will be permitted to exit to the side parking lot.
Everyone will become more accustomed to the drop-off and pick-up routine as the school year progresses. The process will become more and more efficient. Typically, by the third week of school, all vehicles are gone within 15 minutes of the dismissal bell.
Please be patient and follow the instructions from those directing traffic. No one's time is more valuable than the safety of OUR children. It takes all of us, faculty and parents, working together to ensure a safe environment at all times.
Please complete the Dismissal Questionnaire.
Cell Phone/PED Policy
Cell phones must be turned off before entering the hallways in the morning.
Earbuds/headphones must be removed when entering the building unless permission is received from a faculty member to use them. Wired headphones are not to be worn around the school unless being used for educational purposes, as outlined by the classroom teacher.
During the regular school day, portable electronic devices must be turned off and placed in lockers.
1st Offense - Cell Phone will be confiscated and given back at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense - Cell Phone will be confiscated and needs to be picked up by a parent/guardian
3rd offense - Students will receive Saturday detention and the cellphone will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian.
p.8-9 of Student Handbook
Student of the Month and Staff Member of the Month
As we kick off the month of September, we’re excited to focus on the character trait of being supportive. This month, we’ll be looking for a middle school student and staff member who go above and beyond to support others — whether that’s lending a helping hand, offering encouragement, or being a dependable team player.
Let’s all work together to show what it means to be truly supportive. Who will be our Student and Staff Member of the month for September?
Uniform Policy
This year, we have two uniform vendors to choose from, All American Wear and Risse Brothers.
Please review the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy.
Please note the following:
Shoes must be MOSTLY BLACK (logo okay, different color sole okay, shoestring must be black), closed-toed dress shoes or athletic shoes only.
Slippers, slide-ins, thin-soled shoes, sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, high-heeled shoes (heels must be not more than 1 inch), Crocs, slides, roller shoes, shoes with wheels, and shoes with openings exposing the foot or socks are not permitted.
For safety purposes, shoes must be worn at all times and shoelaces must be tied properly, all buckles fastened - nothing may dangle or drag from shoes.
Socks, stockings, tights, or hose (solid black, navy blue, or white) must be worn with shoes. Clear or skin-colored hose are also acceptable.
Attendance and Early Dismissal
All students are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state laws and regulations. The schools, families, and communities must work together to foster exemplary attendance for all students. (Board Policy 5113)
Examples of Lawful Absences include: death in the immediate family, illness, suspension, observance of religious holidays, court summons, etc.
Please be sure to provide an Electronic note to the school when your child is absent. using this link https://shorturl.at/kmoL4 . This link is also located on our school website under CMIT Families tab/ Parents.
This form should be completed by parents when their child is arriving late/ early dismissal or absent from school. Students have 3 (THREE) school days once they return, to submit a note explaining their absence. (PLEASE NOTE: Family Trips/Vacations are NOT excused absences, you must submit a different form and get pre-approval from Principal Brauer) * Not all absence notes are excused. Families are encouraged to refer to Administrative Procedure 5113 for more information.
Please attach doctor's notes or any other supporting documentation that is related to the absence. Once an excused absence note is submitted , your child will be permitted to make up missing work. It would be helpful to have your child ask their teacher(s) and or email your child's teachers to see what missing work needs to be completed.
Early Dismissal ends at 2:30pm.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the front office @ 301-350-6051.
Synergy ParentVUE
Synergy is PGCPS' new Student Information System. It is critically important that families activate their ParentVUE account. This will allow parents to view student schedules, attendance, and grades.
If you have questions or need support please click here: ParentVUE Support and FAQ
Stay Informed! Sign Up for Important Updates
Dear CLF Families,
We are excited to announce that Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) now has a new text messaging system to keep you informed about important CLF events, advocacy efforts, and ways you can help support our schools.
If you would like to receive these important updates, simply text "CLF" to 301-823-6910.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to keeping you connected!
Mr. McSparron's Q1 Book Club (Brown Girl Dreaming)
Greetings.
On 9/10/25 all students received their first Book Club homework assignment. The expectation for all students has been clearly communicated in class, and will be repeated here for clarity. Students are expected to acquire their own copies of the book club novels. These texts are available via the public library, digitally on Sora (accessed via Clever), or through a retailer of your choice. Our novel for Q1 is "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson. By 9/30 all students should have read Part 1 and Part 2, and completed the homework assignment they received in class on 9/10. This assignment must be completed on paper. A printable version is available on Canvas, and extra copies will be available in the front of the classroom. Thank you for supporting your scholars on their path to becoming stronger readers.
-Mr. McSparron
STEM Fair Is Here!!
Parents and Families,
It's that time of that year where we begin our STEM Fair process. Attached to this announcement is a copy of the Science Department's timeline for all activities and tasks for the project. If you have any questions about the timeline or our process in general please reach out to your Science teacher!
📢 Stay Connected with CMIT STEM! (Mr. Field)
We’re excited to invite all parents to join our official CMIT North Middle School STEM Band App page. This will be our hub for quick updates, important announcements, and collaboration between parents, staff, and our STEM community.
👉 Click here to join the CMIT NMS Band: https://band.us/n/a3a8bdJ4J4b3c
By joining, you’ll:
Receive reminders about events and deadlines.
Stay informed on STEM clubs, activities, and opportunities.
Have a space to connect and share ideas with other CMIT families.
Let’s work together to make this a great year for our scholars—join us today!
Athletic Eligibility
CMIT North Middle School participates in competitive athletics with other PGCPS middle schools. To be eligible students must have the following:
1. Complete the Athlete Participation Packet and return completed forms to the Athletic Director;
2. Have and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA;
3. Review and agree to the PGCPS Parent/Student Athletic Handbook;
The requirements must be completed prior to stepping on the field for tryouts.
Fall Sports: Baseball, Softball
Winter Sports: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Cheer
Spring Sports: Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer
Families are encouraged to complete the requirements over the Summer months to ensure eligibility when seasons begin. Athlete Participation Packets and physicals are good for the entire school year.
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