CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
Week of September 28, 2025
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.
Administrative Announcements
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.
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)
PGCPS 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Events & Opportunities
Collective Heritage Video Submissions (PGCPS)
September 15 – October 8
Students and staff are invited to share their voice and story! Submit a video clip (30 seconds or less) that responds to one of our of prompts.
Schools Closed on Thursday, October 2
As a reminder, there is no school on Thursday in observance of Yom Kippur.
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.
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? We will be announcing and celebrating on Friday, October 3.
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!
From the Staff
Testing Announcements (PSAT 8/9 and more)
Greetings everyone!!
I am the Program Coordinator (School Testing Coordinator, PDLT, Grade Manager, Master Scheduler, etc). You’ll be hearing a lot from me. Please make sure that you have marked my email address and mailing list as safe in order to receive important correspondence from me.
Our first test for the school year is MAP. Students are currently completing this test in their math, RELA, and science classes. MAP Testing should be completed by the October 1 deadline. Please reach out to your scholars teacher for a score report. This test is taken 3 times per year (fall, winter, and spring). Although there is no specific preparation, students are encouraged to do their best using their existing knowledge and critical thinking skills. We expect scores to increase throughout the school year as students learn grade level content.
Our second test for the school year is PSAT 8/9 (8th grade only). Please check your email for detailed information regarding testing date, allowable items, and free test prep. Emails were sent to all 8th grade parents by September 19. If you did not receive my email, please check your junk or spam folder. Also make sure that your email address is correctly listed in Synergy as that will be my primary method of communication with you all.
Power down and charge chromebooks nightly. Per the testing office, please make sure that your scholar powers down and charges their chromebook each night to receive necessary updates. Have a great school year!!
📢 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!
PTO
Greetings Tiger Families and Staff!
Join us for our next PTO General Body Meeting on Thursday, October 9th at 6:30 PM. Information to Join the PTO General Body Meeting:
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://zoom.us/j/92022825907?pwd=aca2i21jL3c3IRWAEa7GXcphT8XaZI.1
Meeting ID: 920 2282 5907
Passcode: baKwe2
Blaze Pizza Fundraiser 🍕
Join us on Thursday, October 9th at Blaze Pizza in Laurel, MD for a tasty way to support CMIT North Middle School! Bring in the flyer or show it on your phone for in-store purchases or use the promo code: 1037A for orders placed online using the Blaze Pizza App or blazepizza.com. Bring your family, enjoy delicious pizza, and help support our scholars!
Sweet Frog Fundraiser
Join us at Sweet Frog (Laurel) on Tuesday, October 14th to support CMIT North Middle School! A portion of the proceeds will go directly to our PTO to help fund programs for our students and staff. Be sure to mention CMIT North MS at checkout.
FUNDrive - Gently Used Collection Drive: October 13th - November 7th
Together, we can turn gently used items into powerful acts of kindness and lasting impact. Each week for the CMIT NMS PTO FUNDrive, families can donate gently used clothing, shoes, household items, books, and small accessories to support our fundraising efforts. Proceeds from the collection will help support upcoming CMIT NMS PTO initiatives that benefit our students, teachers, and school community. Stay tuned for details on items to bring in each week.
Volunteers Needed - Fall Festival! 🍁
Our CMIT North Middle School Fall Festival is coming up on Friday, October 24th from 8:15-10:15AM, and we need your help to make it a success! From set-up and decorations to running games, concessions, and clean-up, there’s a spot for everyone to lend a hand. Sign up today to be part of this festive community event! All volunteers must be PGCPS-approved and have completed the CMIT Approved Volunteer and/or Chaperone form. https://signup.com/go/tiZDOPm
Visit the PGCPS Volunteer page for details on becoming a volunteer and to access the application. www.pgcps.org/volunteer
Transportation
CMIT Families: Got a great way to get to school? We’re gathering transportation tips from CMIT families to help new students and parents find the best routes. Help others by sharing your transportation experience in our 2-minute survey! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-K8YaSgWYxaeboK2eqd-fO8YLLIJuLd-P6I-DGbJd7lYCMQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=100503087458786287824
Parent Workshop Survey
We’re planning a Saturday workshop for our CMIT North Middle School families and want your input! From academic tips to college savings, your feedback will help us choose the topics that matter most to you. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UEgS4GEodX8B0rrwQ1N6Zdelnwd1K8Zb_KwD1_1kces/edit
Chromebook Sleeves Survey
Are you interested in securing a Chromebook sleeve for your scholar? If so, please take a moment to complete this quick survey. https://forms.gle/4nvRcrVtEameDU5d8
Connect with the PTO!
•Monthly PTO Newsletter: Event highlights, volunteer opportunities & more
https://tinyurl.com/CMITNMSPTOSEPT25
•Remind Alerts: Quick messages to your phone/email https://www.remind.com/join/cmitnmspto
•Social Media: Follow for updates, photos, and community spirit
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cmitnorthmiddle_pto/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577739693333&sk=about
•PTO Website: All things PTO in one place
https://sites.google.com/cmitacademy.org/cmitnmspto/home
To join the PTO for SY25-26, please click on this link, complete the membership form, and pay your dues (https://forms.gle/AagVgdfg4mBuUvRz9).
Please contact us with any questions: info_nmspto@cmitacademy.org.
Athletics, Clubs, and Enrichment
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.
CMIT North Middle School Cheer Interest Meeting
Is your student interested in joining the CMIT N. Middle School Cheer Team? An interest meeting will be held for interested students on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 3:00 to 3:30p.m. Parents are welcome to attend. We will discuss tryouts and team expectations.
Please be aware that the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form must be completed and turned in before the student can try out for the team. The completed form must be turned in to Mr. McCain. A copy of the form has been attached to this email and will also be available at the meeting.
If you require a place to take your child for a physical, here are a few locations:
1. Concentra in Beltsville.
10452 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705
2. ExpressCare Urgent Care
10416 Campus Way S
Largo, MD 20774
301-316-9620
Open 9 am – 9 pm, walk-ins welcome
Sports physicals for $20
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
This week our games were canceled due to rain. However, hopefully next week the weather will be clear, sunny, pleasant and favorable for play! Please find the game schedule attached. Let's Go Tigers!
Baseball and Softball Schedule 2025
mark2.mccain@pgcps.org
Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Stay up to date with the monthly breakfast and lunch menu with Meal Viewer.