THE CHRONICLE
Friday January 7, 2022
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Health and Safety Protocols at Claremont
Please click HERE for current and important information about Health & Safety protocols at Claremont.
Class Schedule for the Rest of January
Most parents/guardians and students will know by now that schools have been tasked with the Ministry of Education’s request for enhanced Covid safety protocols while providing in-person learning for all students. For the remainder of semester 1, Claremont will alter our class schedule to have two long half-day classes each day (alternating days of Blocks 1&3, and Blocks 2&4). The altered class schedule is on the front page of the Claremont Website AND in the Message to Families which outlines the schedule and other considerations.
Absences and Illness
A reminder that parents/guardians notify the school office every day that a student will be absent from school. PLEASE indicate if the reason for absence is for illness; the Ministry of Education requires that schools specifically track how many student absences are due to illness. The Attendance Line is easy to find under the Quick Links on the Claremont web page which gives the option of reporting absences by email: claremont_attendance@saanichschools.ca or by phone message: 250-658-6666.
Please perform BC’s K-12 daily health check before arriving at school by clicking HERE .
Breakfast Service & Lunch Cafeteria Service
Food services will be structured a bit different for the next two weeks during our adjusted schedule.
There will be NO before school breakfast service in the Spartan Store.
We WILL have mid-morning breakfast service in the Spartan Store during break times (roughly 9:50-10:50 am)....breakfast wraps, coffee, smoothies, muffins.
We WILL have lunch service open from 11:45-12:20 daily. Keep in mind, on some days, we will have a bit less than usual, on the blocks 1/3 days, as there is no Cafeteria class running those days.
There will be NO salad bar service at lunch time.
Brenda Has Retired
Most students know Brenda Oliver, who has worn many changing hats at Claremont for many years. In recent years, Brenda supports the International Students program at Claremont, runs the cash service at lunchtime cafeteria, helps with a full range of school events and activities, chops and dices with Souper Kids, solves problems with locks and lockers, and provides a huge range of support in the hallways whenever a student (or staff member) needs help, big or small.
Friday January 7 was Brenda’s official last day of work. We will deeply miss her positive energy, her warmth and her genuine commitment to our students and school. The timing of the school closure was unfortunate, as we know there are many students who will want to share their thoughts and best wishes with Brenda. We will plan an event in the Spring where Brenda will return and we can give her a true Spartan send-off. We wish her a fabulous retirement.
Winter Café
Performing arts students: Claremont is still hoping to have a music café (it was originally planned for Jan. 17) but it might be postponed and/or revised in how it is organized. Stay tuned for more information soon.
ATHLETICS
Tennis
All students interested in play tennis, please see Mr Gardner TODAY or TUESDAY at lunch in room 327.
CLUBS
Best Buddies
There will be NO Best Buddies meeting TODAY at lunch. We will resume our club meeting next MONDAY.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
No news today
GRAD 2022
Grad Parent Planning Committee
For all parents/guardians of the Grads of 2022: the Claremont Grad Parent Planning Committee 2022 is busy making plans for our students’ fun graduation events. Please stay in the loop by joining our Facebook Group! This is the link to join the Facebook Group: Claremont Dry Grad 2022.
Scholarships
There is lots of information about scholarships available throughout the school year. Three ways to access ongoing information include:
1) Follow @claremontscholarships on Instagram
2) Check out the Scholarships Tracker on the Claremont website.
3) See Ms Tong in room 323 with any questions.
CAREER CENTRE
District Career Programs & Dual Credit Opportunities – Jan. 27
Would you like to learn more about opportunities available to students in Grades 10-12 that will allow them to jumpstart their post-secondary pathway while still in high school? Join the Saanich Careers team on THURSDAY, Jan 27th at 7pm, to learn tons of great information. Register Here.
For LOTS of information about Post-Secondary and other Career Education links, check out our District site: https://careered.sd63.bc.ca/ Information is updated regularly.
NEWS FROM CLAREMONT PAC
Parenting Workshop – Jan. 17
The Confederation of Parents' Advisory Councils of Saanich (COPACS) and the PACs of School District 63 (SD63) are pleased to offer SD63 parents/guardians a series of workshops hosted by local parenting educator and counsellor, Dr. Allison Rees. The next upcoming workshop is: Sidestepping the Power Struggle - MONDAY, Jan 17, 7:00-9:00 pm. In this workshop we focus on practical solutions to questions like:
"Do consequences work, if so when and how?"
"How do we get kids to take responsibility?"
"How do we get out of the negative relationship patterns like nagging and power struggles?" Great information for parents with children of any age. Please register for the session by emailing: keating.pac@gmail.com
PAC Fundraiser: Country Grocer Receipts
Here is an easy way to support your PAC year-round. Save your Country Grocer receipts and bring them to the school front office. We appreciate your participation in this fundraiser which will benefit our school community with up to $2000 in grocery gift cards.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Peninsula Youth Clinic
The Peninsula Youth Clinic is located at 2379 Bevan Avenue in Sidney and is open every THURSDAY from 5:30-7:30pm for help with any medical concern (physical, mental, and sexual health). Call 250-656-4143 to make an appointment with a physician or counsellor. Services are 100% free, confidential, and explicitly inclusive of all genders and sexualities!
Central Saanich Little League
Online registration for 2022 Central Saanich Little League is open now. This is the link to register.
A copy of the announcements is posted on the wall outside of the main office door.