The Tiger Times

Dear Amazing Tiger Families and Community,

Your dedication and partnership continue to inspire me every single day! As we move through this incredible school year together, I'm constantly amazed by the resilience, growth, and joy your children bring to our Tiger community. The positive energy radiating throughout our hallways is a direct reflection of the strong foundation we're building together as a school family.

As we continue nurturing our culture of respect and understanding, I'm moved by the powerful words of renowned Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez: "Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." This wisdom beautifully captures the heart of our Tiger community—we celebrate our diverse backgrounds while treating every person with dignity and respect. When we honor our differences and approach each interaction with genuine care, we create an environment where every Tiger can flourish.

🎉 Celebrating Our Amazing PTO!

Friday, September 26th was National PTO Appreciation Day! We are incredibly grateful for our amazing CMIT South Elementary School PTO! Your dedication, tireless support, and countless ways you help make our school community stronger truly make a difference in our Tigers' lives. From organizing events to supporting teachers and students, you embody the spirit of service and community that makes our school special. We appreciate you today and every day!

To all our PTO volunteers and supporters—thank you for being such vital partners in our students' success. Your commitment to excellence and community building inspires us all.

🔄 Important Schedule Update

School Closed: Thursday, October 2, 2025 - In observance of Yom Kippur, our school will be closed to honor this important religious holiday. We respect and celebrate the diverse faith traditions within our Tiger community.

We look forward to seeing you all bright and early on Friday, October 3, 2025!

⚠️ Critical Safety Reminders - Protecting Our Tiger Cubs

Show love for our Tiger community through respectful and mindful safety practices. These procedures exist to protect our most precious cargo—your children:

General Safety Guidelines:

• Drive slowly and carefully on school grounds—children's safety depends on your attention

• Follow car line procedures and staff instructions without exception

• Never drop students in the roundabout—this creates extremely dangerous conditions

• Treat all community members with kindness and respect—model the behavior we want our Tigers to demonstrate

Detailed Arrival Procedures - Please Read Carefully:

After 7:15 AM: BeforeCare dropoff is NOT allowed in the walking lane. It is extremely dangerous to drive your car down the lane, especially when students are exiting cars and walking. Please use designated areas only.

7:25 AM - Student Exit Time: Parents must NOT allow students to exit vehicles and line up on the ramp until a CMIT South ES staff member is present. It is dangerous to leave students unattended and vacate the premises. Please wait for staff supervision.

7:35 AM: Students enter building through designated doors

8:00 AM: Gates close—please arrive before this time to ensure smooth entry

8:06 AM and later: Late arrival requiring tardy pass

Remember: These procedures aren't just rules—they're lifelines that protect our children. César Chávez taught us that respect doesn't diminish our own values but strengthens our community. When we follow safety protocols with patience and understanding, we demonstrate respect for every family's most precious gift—their child.

🌟 Moving Forward Together

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment where every Tiger can thrive. Your commitment to following our safety procedures and treating all community members with kindness creates the foundation for everything we accomplish together.

As we continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and honoring the diverse traditions within our community, let's remember that respect is the bridge that connects us all. Together, we're not just keeping our children safe—we're teaching them valuable lessons about community, responsibility, and caring for one another.

Remember: We are Leveling Up the STEMTastic Way! Let's make every day extraordinary while always prioritizing the safety and respect that make our Tiger community truly special.

With Tiger Pride and Endless Gratitude,

October is National Anti Bullying Month!

The purpose of this spirit week is to help students learn the importance of kindness, respect, and standing up for one another. Through special activities and themed days, we’ll remind students that everyone deserves to feel safe, included, and valued at school.

By celebrating together, we are showing that our school is a place where bullying is not accepted and kindness always matters. We encourage families to join the conversation at home and help us continue building a caring community for all children.

From the Reading Specialist’s Desk 📚✨

Dear Families,

Did you know that September is Library Card Sign-Up Month? 📖 Even though we’re in the last week of September, it’s not too late to celebrate! Getting a library card is completely free for Prince George’s County residents, and it’s one of the best tools to support your child’s love of reading.

Here are a few things to know:

A library card opens the door to endless stories, resources, and learning opportunities. Let’s end September by setting our students up with the gift of a library card!

Grade Level Updates:

Hello Tiger Families!

Let’s give a Hooray for our scholars! Most Kindergarten students have finished with the KRA. The testing window for Dibels is open, not all classes will be tested on the same day. Be on the look out for your scholar’s teacher to announce the date of testing for their class.

This week our first homework packet will be coming home. It will be due back to school on October 10th. It will have the October Project attached as well. Also, please tentatively save the date for a field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium. Chaperone sign up and more information will be announced at a later date.

We are in the middle of Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month, so the Kindergarten team would like to share some options for reading together. The following link gives 15 picture books that families could read together; https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-celebrate-hispanic-heritage/.

Also please 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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lp2fJsfDLjWNINllvX10OKjiGDn443yAB8Hq8BMBa-E/viewform

Reading Updates:

UNIT 1 WEEK 3- Where is Twister?

Essential Question- What makes us want to visit a special place?

• Phonological awareness: Middle Sounds; Recognize Alliteration; Blend and Segment, Onset and Rime

• Phonics: Consonants Nn and Short Vowel Ii

• High-Frequency Words: my, we, make

• Spelling words found in weekly readings: slips, follows, chasing, scrambles

• Unit Vocabulary: map, move, land, special

Learning Goals:

• Plural Nouns

• Hear and identify the medial sounds in words

• Develop understanding of types of books

• Describe the Setting

• Demonstrate phonological awareness.

• Identify and match the common sounds that letters represent.

• Identify and read common high-frequency words by sight.

• Orally respond to realistic fictions

• I can write about my opinion

Math Updates:

Complete TOPIC 1 - Numbers 0 to 5

Essential Understanding: How can you can objects regardless of orientation/grouping?

• Count 0-5 objects and write the numerals for 0-5

• Counting tells how many are in a group, regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.

• Understand that counting is cumulative.

• There is a unique symbol that goes with each number word.

• Understand the order of numbers

Vocabulary: count, one, two, three, four, five, number, zero, none, order, numeral

Start TOPIC 2 - Compare numbers 0 to 5

Essential Understanding: Good math thinkers use math they know to show and solve problems

• Compare groups to see whether they are equal by matching

• Tell whether one group is less or greater than the other by matching

• Use objects, drawings, and numbers to compare numbers

• Vocabulary: compare, equal, group, model, same number as, greater than, less than

Science Updates:

TOPIC 3: Needs of Living Things

Experience 1 Question: What do plants need?

• Discover the needs of plants

• Explore planting seeds

• Learn plants survive and grow when needs are met

• Observe what happens to plants in different environments

Vocabulary: need, survive, grow, space, describe

Social Studies Updates:

CHAPTER 1 LESSON 2- Where we learn

• Identify different problems that students encounter

• Produce possible solutions to problems that people encounter

• Recognize ways that people cooperate in both class and in the community

• Analyze how to get along with others

Vocabulary: cooperate, problem, solution

Health Updates:

OCTOBER TOPIC- The Five Senses

Essential Question- What are the five senses?

• Identify the five senses and the body parts they are associated with

• Respect what your senses can do for you

• Practice routines for healthful care of sense organs

Vocabulary: hear, touch, sight, smell, see, senses

Grade Level Updates:

Hey Tiger Family,

Thank you for another great week of partnership! As a result of last week's testing we are continuing last week's lessons this week. Homework will resume this week. We are halfway through the First Quarter of Second Grade.This week, our scholars will take their DIBELS Assessment. Please check SYNERGY to stay up to date with your scholars grades.It is important to continue checking your scholar’s purple folder each day to stay informed about their daily progress and classroom updates. Initialing the folder helps teachers maintain a running record and supports open, ongoing communication between home and school.

A few important reminders:

1. There will be no school on Thursday, October 2, 2025

2. Please make sure ChromeBooks are brought to school fully charged each day.

Reading Updates:

This week in Reading, your scholars will be exploring poetry and learning about its key elements, such as rhyme, rhythm, and imagery.

In Phonics, we will be focusing on consonant digraphs—letter combinations like ch, sh, th, and wh—to help strengthen their decoding and reading skills.

Math Updates:

Scholars took their Topic 1 test.

Social Studies Updates:

By the end of this week in Social Studies, scholars will be able to explain why immigrant families come to the United States and why many choose to become citizens. They will explore the hopes, challenges, and opportunities that shape the immigrant experience.

Science Updates:

This week in Science, students will develop and use models to represent different types of areas on Earth’s surface. They will work on recognizing patterns across various landforms and explore how these patterns are represented in models.This hands-on learning will help deepen their understanding of Earth's features and how we study them

Health Updates:

This week in Health, scholars will learn about water safety and how to stay safe in and around water. They will discuss important rules and tips to help prevent accidents and make smart choices near pools, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Grade Level Updates:

Team Third Grade had a very busy week of testing and learning. We are preparing for our first round of progress reports for the new school year. STEM Fair booklets were distributed to our Science classes. Please keep it in a safe place and use it frequently as we navigate our way through the project process.

Reading Updates:

Ms. Howard:

This week, I met individually with students for student–teacher conferences to review MAP scores, reading levels, and set personal goals for growth. We also revisited the stories we’ve read over the past two weeks, practicing retelling and summarizing skills to strengthen comprehension.

Writing Updates:

Ms. Howard:

Students reflected on the theme of kindness and wrote short pieces that will be displayed on our October kindness bulletin board.

Social Studies Updates:

Ms. Howard:

We began our state research activity! Each student was assigned a state and started gathering facts about its history, culture, and geography.

Math Updates:

Ms. Hendy:

This week, our students worked hard and had a wonderful time learning. During MAP testing, they stayed focused and even had the chance to relax afterward with a fun “color by addition” activity, which let them be creative while practicing their math facts. Creativity is such an important part of learning – it helps students express themselves, think critically, and find joy in problem-solving.

Mrs. Flores:

My students continued to practice rounding while applying those skills to estimating in addition and subtraction. We hope to conclude this topic soon – continue to practice rounding at home.

Science Updates:

Ms. Hendy

In science, we continued our study of forces and motion, using hands-on activities to explore how pushes and pulls can change the way objects move. Students were curious and engaged, making thoughtful observations and sharing their ideas. It was a busy, creative, and meaningful week of learning!

Mrs. Flores:

We started assessing our understanding of force and motion this week. The students completed a performance task to explore force, motion, and friction. After the investigation, the students are responsible for writing and documenting their findings. I will post a few pics on our class website. (flores3.weebly.com)

Health Updates:

Ms. Hendy

In health, we focused on fire prevention and home safety. Students discussed how to make safe choices at home, such as keeping flammable objects away from heat sources, testing smoke detectors with an adult, and having a family escape plan. These lessons help build lifelong habits and empower students to take responsibility for their own safety.

Mrs. Flores:

We are preparing to close out our study on home safety. We assessed our knowledge of the many necessary rules that help keep us safe. Next up, will be to apply those skills in a small project.

Greetings Team 4Ward,

We have made it through the fifth week of Fourth Grade and the halfway point of the First Quarter. This week our scholars finish their MAP Diagnostic Testing for the fall. As we finish up makeup testing we will share all data with families. Now that we have this data we will use this to guide our instruction and small groups moving forward.

Progress report grades have been updated and are available for viewing on Synergy. Be sure to check ParentVue or StudentVue weekly to see grades updated on a weekly basis.

Please ensure that you have completed and updated your information for chaperoning for field trips. Only approved parents are able to attend field trips. Each year you must complete the Safeschools video and submit your completion to the school to be approved to chaperone. If updated Safeschool video completion is not shared with the school you will not be permitted to attend a field trip this year.

Finally speak with your scholar each night about what went well today and something that they can improve. Ensure that your scholar’s computer is charged and brought to school daily. Also please be sure to monitor your scholar's YouTube and cellphones. As our students grow older and gain more independence it is imperative that our expectations match the changing world.

Educationally Yours,

Team 4ward

Fourth Grade Information:

iReady:

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 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 provided in Synergy are those that will be used to calculate progress reports and report cards.

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Conferences with teachers are available with families as needed. Please reach out to the homeroom teacher about scheduling a parent teacher conference.

Reading Updates:

This Week:

This week our scholars finished our second story in our text “Rare Treasure.” In this biography we learned about scientist Mary Anning and her remarkable discoveries. Students wrote an opinion essay that described Mary and explained these traits. Students also completed a word study assessment and showed their understanding of the information from the text.

Next Week:

We will begin reading closely our third text magazine article called “Twins in Space.” This informative article discusses the experiment of identical twin astronaut brothers Mark and Scott Kelly. In this article one brother spent a year in space and the other lived on Earth. NASA compared and contrasted the effects of space on the human body. Students will monitor their inner conversations to ensure they are comprehending the information. Students will also identify the text structure the author used to organize this article.

Math Updates:

In Math, our 4th grade scholars are wrapping up Topic 1: Generalizing Place Value Understanding. This week and next, students will complete Lesson 1-5 on constructing arguments, which will prepare them for the End-of-Topic Test to follow. The Savvas Parent at home support guide has been uploaded to Canvas as well as ClassDojo. We will also continue with our math fluency timed test routines.

Looking forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth!

Science Updates:

In Science, due to diagnostic testing and make-ups, we will officially begin Experience 2: Motion, Speed, and Collision in the textbook next week. To build background knowledge, scholars explored BrainPOP lessons on collisions and the laws of motion, as well as Generation Genius activities on collisions, and balanced and unbalanced forces.

Continue having scholars practice the following important vocabulary: position, motion, speed, and collision while also making connections to real-world examples like bumper cars and racing. They are also learning to construct explanations using evidence and observations, strengthening both their science knowledge and their critical thinking skills.

Physical copies of the STEM Fair packets went home with scholars this week. The first assignment, choosing a project topic, is due October 9th. Please check with your scholar’s individual science teacher for any follow-up questions or guidance.

Social Studies Updates:

This week students began Lesson 2: Climate and Weather. In this lesson, they explored the difference between climate and weather and learned how weather patterns vary across the different regions of the United States. Students will examine examples such as snowy winters in the Northeast, hot and dry conditions in the Southwest, and frequent rain in the Pacific Northwest. They will also discuss how geography affects weather and begin connecting these ideas to how people adapt to their environments.

Grade Level Updates:

Dear Families,

We are moving right along in fifth grade with exciting learning happening across all subjects! Please see below for what we’re working on and upcoming reminders.

📝 Reminders

• Journals should travel back and forth from school to home. They serve as a valuable reference with anchor charts, notes, and examples.
  

• Encourage your scholar to set aside time each evening to review class material.

Reading Updates:

We are diving into the essential questions: How do journeys change us? and What can scientists discover by traveling to distant places? Students are practicing making inferences, analyzing text structure, and strengthening their writing. In writing, we are focusing on personal narratives that use sensory details and text features to bring stories to life.

Math Updates:

Our current focus is multiplying two- and three-digit numbers. Students are building accuracy and fluency while applying strategies step by step.

• Math Project Due Dates:
  

• Ms. Jenkins’ class: Friday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 5th
  

• Ms. Mitchell’s class: Monday, October 6th

Social Studies Updates:

In Chapter 2, Lesson 2: Explorers for Spain, students are studying how Spanish exploration influenced the world. They will learn about the motivations of explorers and how exploration connected different parts of the globe.

Science Updates:

We are finishing up our unit on Matter, reviewing the properties of ice, solids, and water. Students will demonstrate their understanding in our end-of-chapter test. Please encourage them to review their notes and journal entries at home.

🧩 STEM Fair

STEM packets were given out this week! Please encourage your scholar to stay on top of the activities and bring the packet to class for reference and project work. The packet is due October 9, and the topic is required to be completed by then.

Health Updates:

This week in health, we are learning about First Aid — how to make safe choices when responding to common injuries. We are also beginning a discussion on online safety, helping students think about smart and responsible choices when using technology.

General CARTS Message:

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

Art:

This week we kicked off one of my favorite parts of the year: The first big project!

K: Amate Bark Painting Inspired Designs

1: Line Landscape Inspired by Grant Wood

2: Origami Fox/Penguin and Story

3: Piet Mondrian Inspired Design

4: Huichol Yarn Painting Inspired Designs

5: Printmaking

Music:

Attention Parents! All students should have a music journal and folder by now. Students need them to copy their objectives and music notes. Students need folders to hold on to pertinent handouts. Points will be deducted for students who do not have journals. These items were on the summer supply list and critical to your child’s success in music.

Save the Dates:

Students who are interested in participating in Prince George’s County’s Honor Chorus must submit their names to me by Monday, September 29th. Auditions will be held in person on September 30th at Charles Herbert Flowers High School with the Honor Chorus staff this year. Auditions begin at 6pm.

We are excited to announce that our winter concert will be December 18th. Stay tuned for more details.

Kindergarten - Review Fast & Slow, Begin The 4 Voices (Whisper, Talk, Shout, Sing)

1st Grade - Finish Simple Rhythms, Begin Duple & Triple Meter

2nd Grade - Finish Meter, Begin Creating and Performing Simple Rhythms

3rd Grade - Finish Standard Notation, Begin Meter & Compound Meter

4th Grade - More with 16th Notes and Triplets - Student constructed rhythms

5th Grade - Finish 16th Notes and Triplets, Add Dotted quarter/Eighth/Ties

Technology:

Dear Families,

We are off to an exciting start in Technology class! Here’s what each grade level has been working on this month:

Grades 2 – 5: Graphic Design Exploration

Students in grades 2–5 are diving into the world of graphic design by creating their first digital project using Adobe Express. This project helps students:

• Build creativity and design skills

• Practice problem-solving and critical thinking

• Learn to express ideas visually using text, images, and color

Design Your Name. Clink on the link to view the expectations of this assignment and how they will be graded.

Some students have expressed that they are having some issues with Adobe Express loading at home. Please reach out if the problem continues.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Tech Basics

Our youngest tech learners are focusing on essential computer skills, such as:

• Properly using the mouse for clicking and dragging

• Becoming familiar with the keyboard layout

• Building hand-eye coordination through fun, interactive games

You can support your child at home by letting them practice simple skills like moving the mouse or finding letters on the keyboard.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build students’ technology skills for the future!

P.E.:

This week we learned about strategy and tactics and how to apply them to the games (such as Freeze Tag) we play!

Lego:

What we are working on in LEGO:

Boomtown Build Challenge

Over the next few weeks, students will work in pairs to design and build a building that could be part of their community. Once all of the buildings are complete, we will bring them together to create our very own Boomtown!

2025-2026 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