November 2

CMITN555 / November 2, 2025

Empowerment thrives where leadership listens, guides, and inspires. This week, we honor the unwavering dedication of our program and testing coordinators, athletic directors, department chairs, and club sponsors—educators whose work extends far beyond classroom walls to shape a culture of curiosity, purpose, and growth.

Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Gaskins, Academic Dean Mrs. Casandra Andrew, and Assistant Principal Ms. Tammy Collandrea, our school community continues to embody the power of collective vision. Together, our teachers and leaders transform goals into action—creating spaces where students are supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve more than they imagined.

Their commitment reaches beyond academics. It builds teamwork, fosters creativity, and strengthens responsibility—empowering students not only to learn but to lead. Across every classroom, afterschool program, and initiative, their impact reminds us that true education extends from minds to communities, leaving a legacy of excellence and care.

📌 CMIT North HS Newsletter is published every Sunday

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

SY25-26: CMIT North HS Newsletter Publication dates

Gemma Clarke, Ph.D. - Program Coordinator

Families are invited to make a $50 program support contribution to help us continue offering high-quality afterschool and weekend enrichment sessions. This support helps cover materials, instructional supplies, and resources that directly enhance your child’s learning experience.

Financial difficulty should never prevent participation. Families needing assistance may email gclarke@cmitacademy.org for support or registration help.

How to Support::

• Visit clfmd.org → click Donate → select $50 USD and choose CMIT Academy North High from the dropdown.

• In the note, write: Support CMIT North HS Afterschool Club/Tutoring – Student’s Full Name.

• Pay using PayPal, debit, or credit card. In the note, write: Support CMIT North HS Afterschool Club/Tutoring – Student’s Full Name. or (Click this video below for a quick walkthrough)

OR

• Write a check or money order to Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation.

• Memo: Support Afterschool CMIT North HS Club/Tutoring – Student’s Full Name.

• Submit to Dr. Clarke (Room 103) after school or during lunch.

Please note that “no” cash is accepted. Donations should be made by online, money order, or check only.

Your support helps sustain quality learning opportunities for all CMIT North students.

Support Rho Kappa and enjoy a delicious Chick-fil-A meal! Pre-order your Chick-fil-A box Monday through Wednesday with Mrs. Cunning in Room 310 for $15 — cash only.

Then, on Friday at dismissal, pick up your box in the Main Lobby, which includes a chicken sandwich, bag of chips, chocolate chip cookie, and a bottle of water. Don’t miss out—orders close Wednesday! And remember - CASH ONLY!

Club Coaches, Ms. Ayde Sunbul & Ms. Michelle de Guzman, Counselor, Ms. Esra Keskin, and Program Coordinator, Dr. Gemma Clarke recently participated in a Service to Humanity Engagement program designed to deepen understanding of community service and strengthen the bridge between education and empathy.

Inspired by this initiative, our educators are partnering with the soon-to-launch LEAD-UP Student Leadership Team—a group dedicated to promoting unity, inclusion, and service within and beyond CMIT North. Together, they are working to build a culture where leadership and compassion meet—helping students grow not only as learners but as changemakers in their communities. (See more about Lead Up from UMD and instagram)

As part of this effort, our diverse cultural and faith-based clubs—including the Culture Club, Turkish Students Association, Caribbean Students Association, Muslim Students Association, African Students Association, Bible Study Club, East & Asian Association, and Hispanic Heritage Group—are invited to collaborate in leading future Service to Humanity projects.

💫 Parents and families are warmly invited to be part of this new community program as it begins to take shape. To learn more or support this inspiring initiative that empowers students and strengthens our community, please contact gclarke@cmitacademy.org to share your interest or get involved.

Together, we can help our students build compassion, confidence, and character—empowering minds and uplifting our society through service.

AP Government Students Connect Learning to the Real World!

On Monday, October 27, Mrs. Cunning’s AP Government students participated in their second Scholar Exchange with the National Constitution Center. During the session, students explored Article I of the Constitution to gain a deeper understanding of the powers of Congress.

One student shared, “It helped me understand more about how Congress’s powers are divided and how laws are made. Hearing the explanations and examples helped connect what we’ve been learning in class to real government actions.”

Students are already looking forward to their third Scholar Exchange, scheduled for mid-November!

This week, our survey drew responses from 135 students, and the clear favorite music genre is R&B, selected by 54% of you!

Thanks for voting — check back next week for the next question and results!

Students across our CMIT North community proudly pledged to live healthy, drug-free lives and to encourage their peers to do the same. This pledge reflects the pride we share in promoting responsibility, integrity, and care for one another. Each student who signed the pledge earned 100 Kickboard points, recognizing their positive choices and commitment to living drug-free.

Kickboard points are part of our schoolwide system for celebrating positive behavior, responsibility, and leadership. Students earn points when they demonstrate actions that reflect our values and expectations, helping to build a supportive and encouraging school community.

We’re so proud of our students for setting the standard and leading by example!

A huge thank-you to our PTSO for sponsoring this fun and festive fall activity! The event was a wonderful success, bringing together students, staff, and families to celebrate creativity and school spirit.

The beautifully decorated pumpkins showcased incredible imagination and artistic talent — our CMIT North community truly captured the joy of the season!

Congratulations to our contest winners: Mambo, Charisma, and Adepero!

Each winner will receive 300 Kickboard points for their outstanding creativity and participation.

We deeply appreciate our PTSO President Ms. Rosales for their continued support in creating engaging and memorable experiences for our students.

As the temperatures begin to drop, please keep the following in mind:

• Dress Code: Students should continue to follow the uniform policy. Hooded sweatshirts, blankets, and outerwear (such as coats and jackets) should not be worn during class.

• Arrival & Dismissal: Please plan accordingly for colder mornings and potential delays.

• Health & Safety: Encourage students to wash their hands frequently and cover coughs/sneezes to help prevent the spread of illness.

• Building Comfort: If your classroom feels too warm or too cold, please notify the main office or custodial staff.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe, healthy, and comfortable as we move into the colder months!

Outerwear

• Hoods are not permitted. Tucking the hood is not an option.

• Any outerwear worn without the CMIT logo must be placed in the student's locker once they enter the school building. These items should not be held, stuffed in backpacks or wrapped around the waist.

• Jackets, sweatshirts, pullovers, windbreakers, and other similar items worn in the school building must have a CMIT logo and be pre-approved by the administration and purchased by a pre-approved vendor.

• Blankets are not permitted.

Student Identification Badges

To ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, Chesapeake Math & IT Academy North High School requires that every student wear their school-issued identification badge each day while on campus.

Policy Guidelines:

• ID badges must be worn visibly on the upper body at all times during the school day.

• Students must present their ID badge when requested by any staff member or security personnel.

• Lost or damaged badges must be reported immediately and replaced. A replacement fee will apply.

Bathroom Sensor and Search Policy

To maintain a safe and healthy environment, bathrooms are equipped with sensors that detect smoking, vaping, aerosol sprays, and signs of aggressive behavior.

If a sensor alarm is triggered, all individuals present in the bathroom at that time are subject to a search.

During the search, personal belongings such as bags and purses may be visually inspected and physically handled by staff to ensure compliance with school rules. However, staff will not touch students at any time during the search.

Individuals who refuse to participate in the search will be required to leave the building immediately and will not be permitted to return until the search process has been completed.

This policy is designed to promote safety, prevent prohibited behaviors, and ensure accountability within the school environment.

Kickboard:

We encourage families to check Kickboard regularly to stay updated on student behavior, participation, and progress.

To better understand our expectations and guidelines, please review the following resources:

• Kickboard Points: If you don’t yet have access to your account, you can:

• Download the Unified Classroom Behavior App, or

• Visit behavior.powerschool.com/family-portal

• Student Handbook & PGCPS Student Code of Conduct: These documents, along with our Rituals & Routines Presentation outline expectations for behavior and help support a positive learning environment.

We appreciate your support as we work together to help your child make positive choices and find success in school. Encouraging consistent, positive behavior will help avoid further concerns and ensure a strong, successful school experience.

The following grade levels will be receiving their corresponding MCAP/MISA score reports this coming week of November 3 - 7, 2025

• 9th Graders: Received their 8th grade MCAP Reading, MCAP Math, MCAP Social Studies, and MISA Science reports.

• 10th Graders: Received their 9th grade MCAP Geometry report.

• 11th Graders: Received their 10th grade MCAP Geometry, MCAP English 10, MCAP Government, and MISA Biology reports.

Please review the attached reports carefully. Please review the attached reports carefully. If your student attended a different school last year, I have not yet received their reports. Once those reports are received, I will distribute them accordingly.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Thank you for your attention and continued support.

Friday, November 14, 2025: A Celebration of Our Afterschool Green Initiatives

In honor of America Recycles Day on Friday, November 14th, students are encouraged to wear green tops and green bottoms to show their support for sustainability and environmental action!

Recycling activities will take place during all lunch periods, led by students involved in our Afterschool Green Programs — including the Green School Club and the Environmental Justice Club. These clubs continue to inspire change by integrating environmental awareness into our school culture and everyday practices.

CMIT North is proud to be recognized as a Maryland Green School, recycling and composting daily thanks to the leadership and teamwork of our afterschool clubs and their sponsors: Ms. Michelle de Guzman (Green School Club), Ms. Ryan Tarver (Environmental Justice Club), and Mr. Emre Tekin (School Operations Support for Compost and Sustainability).

Let’s celebrate our afterschool programs and students who are turning green goals into action — keeping CMIT North and our planet clean, green, and thriving!

The English Honor Society and the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society will proudly host a joint induction ceremony on Monday, November 17, celebrating academic excellence and leadership in the humanities and social sciences.

This special event will honor 17 outstanding students who have demonstrated scholarship, service, and a deep commitment to learning. Families, teachers, and staff are invited to share in this moment of recognition and celebration.

Students should arrive by 5:00 p.m., and the program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.

We are also honored to welcome Mayor Sydnor, who will share a few inspiring remarks as we recognize our newest inductees and their achievements.

For women pursuing STEM degrees at Towson University in 2026, consider applying for the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program, which offers a $1,000 annual scholarship (become a scholar) along with academic and professional support. You can also explore Towson University’s general scholarships, including the Freshman Scholarship of up to $12,000 (priority deadline: December 1, 2025).

Additional opportunities are available through external organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), EMPOWER Financing, and the Science Ambassador Scholarship, Now offering five $20,000 tuition scholarships for the 2026 academic year!

MPOWER Financing Women in STEM Scholarship

• Eligibility: Female students (including international and DACA) who are enrolled or accepted full-time in a STEM degree program at a school supported by MPOWER in the U.S. or Canada. (TUN - The University Network)

• Award amount: Up to approx. US $5,000 (varies) for eligible candidates. (mpowerfinancing.com) Deadline / Key date: Deadline listed as January 31, 2026 for the next cycle. (mpowerfinancing.com)

Science Ambassador Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women or non-binary individuals (in many listings) who are high school seniors or undergraduates planning to study STEM at an accredited institution. The application often involves submitting a short educational video in a STEM topic. (GooMack)

• Award amount: Full-tuition scholarship for undergraduate STEM study. (projectgurus.com.ng)

• Deadline / Key date: Some listings show a deadline of December 15 or December 16, 2025 for the coming year. (StudentScholarships)

Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship

• Eligibility: Female students (undergraduate or master’s) enrolled in an accredited U.S., Canadian or Mexican institution, planning to major in computer science, software engineering or a closely related technical field. Must not have been a previous recipient. (scholarships.com)

• Award amount: Approx. US $7,000 (for some years) and may include development workshops and professional development. (scholarships.com)

• Deadline / Key date: Example deadline shown as March 22, 2026 in one listing. (scholarships.com)

BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Some listings say you must attend a U.S.-based school. (smartscholar.com)

• Award amount: Usually US $3,000. (Scholarships That Work)

• Deadline / Key date: Often due April 15 (for example April 15, 2025) for that year’s application. (The BHW Group)

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships & Grants

• Eligibility: Varies by program. For example, the International Fellowship is for women (non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents) pursuing full-time Graduate, Doctoral or Post-doctoral study in the U.S. (Collegedunia) Other AAUW programs (e.g., Selected Professions Fellowships) focus on under-represented fields including STEM. (GradRight)
  
  

• Award amount: Varies; e.g., International Fellowships offer US $20,000–50,000 per year in some cases. (scholarshiproar.com)

True leadership begins with reflection—seeing not faults, but opportunities to grow, guide, and uplift together.

- Dr. Clarke

Stay informed and get involved!

Click the PHOTO below to explore the update!