THE CHRONICLE
Tuesday January 11, 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) MONDAY to THURSDAY (no break service on FRIDAY) ....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.
Literacy & Numeracy Assessments: Jan, 26-28
Numeracy 10 and Literacy 10 & 12 Assessments will be offered January 26th - 28th. If you are in grade 11 or 12 and have not written these or would like to rewrite any of them, please see Mrs. Martin at the front office to sign up. If you are currently in a grade 10 English class, you do not have to sign up, you are already signed up with your class. Reminder, these assessments are required for graduation. Please see Ms. O'Brien for any questions.
Grade 9 Immunizations – Forms Due Jan.17
Immunization consent packages for grade 9 students are being sent home today. Please follow the instructions inside the consent package and return the signed consent form to the school office by MONDAY January 17. Students in grade 9 will be offered immunizations in school-based clinics. Parents, please discuss the information in the consent package with your child and include them in the decision to provide consent to immunization. This is an opportunity for adolescents to start making decisions about their own health.
A grade 9 student can make an informed decision about immunization regardless of their parent/guardian/representative decision to consent or refuse immunization. For more information visit HealthLinkBC: The Infants Act, Mature Minor Consent and Immunization.
Contact the local Health Unit at 250-544-2400 if you have any questions.
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 postponing the Winter Café for now. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule for Spring, in hopes that an in-person café is possible.
ATHLETICS
Tennis
All students interested in play tennis, please see Mr Gardner TODAY at lunch in room 327.
CLUBS
No news today.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
No news today
GRAD 2022
Scholarships
$5000 BC Excellence Scholarship: Grads, Claremont can nominate one exceptional student to be considered for the BC Excellence Scholarship. The nomination deadline is THIS SATURDAY, Jan 15. To be considered, please complete a nomination application. The application link can be found on the Scholarship Tracker, on Instagram @claremontscholarships, or here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bPo_EtJDJqeA26TAzzQkRKaINP_Bz-R9NtbnzZRT7X4/edit See Ms Tong in room 323 with any questions.
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.
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.