THE CHRONICLE

Monday April 17, 2023

 

¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grad Package – Due April 20

If any grade 12 students missed the Grad Assembly last week, please come to the office to pick up your Grad information package.  All forms and payment are due THIS THURSDAY April 20 to the Accounting Office.

 

After School Homework Club

For all students who would like extra help in academic classes, help from Education Assistants is available four days a week (MONDAY-THURSDAY) for one hour after school in room 235. All academic subjects are welcome, but especially if you are struggling in Math & Science. This is open to all students in all grades.

 

¬ FINE ARTS

Choir

Congratulations to our Claremont Choir, who wowed the crowd at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival last Friday.  Their energy and love of the songs impressed the audience and adjudicators. Max Wang was noted as one of the best accompanists the judges had ever seen.  Well done!!

 

¬ ATHLETICS

Girls Rugby

For all Girls Rugby players: there is a meeting TODAY at lunch in Belvedere's room 134. Please consider this mandatory.

 

Rowing

This past Saturday saw the rowers at Quamichan Lake in Duncan for some races against other Vancouver Island teams. This marked the first ‘away’ regatta for the club season, and the debut of boat combinations that are headed for Nationals at the end of May. Of the 15 events we entered, we walked away with 9 first place finishes, 2 second place finishes, and 3 third place finishes. 

There was some doubling up on the podium too with our Under 17 Womens’ Doubles and Under 17 Mens’ Coxed Quads sharing the podiums, with 1st and 3rd for both  events.  Go Spartans!

 

¬ CLUBS

Chess Club

The Claremont Chess Championship starts this week.  Sign up in Room 327 at lunch or see Mr. Gardner or Mr. Horncastle.  The top 5 players qualify for the Claremont Spartan Team competing in the City Championships.  Get your game on!

 

Key Club: Childrens’ Books Donation Drive April 17-28

Starting TODAY, the Key Club is hosting a book donation drive to support the 1000x5 childrens’ literacy program. We will be collecting gently used picture books, suitable for ages infant to kindergarten. Donations will be accepted at the office from April 17-28.

 

¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

No news today.

 

¬ GRAD 2023

Grad Fundraiser: Oasis Nails and Spa

Oasis Nails and Spa in Oak Bay is donating $1 from every service in the month of April to the Grad Class!  So, book your pedicure and spa day in the Month of April and support our Grads at the same time.

 

Grad Fundraiser:  Ongoing Bottle Drive

An easy way to support the 2023 Grad Class is by donating empty bottles and beverage containers throughout the school year until June at the Bottle Depot location at Glanford/Quadra.  Account name is “Claremont Grad 2023.” Thank you for supporting the grad class of 2023.

 

¬ CAREER CENTRE

Trades & Technology Event – April 20

If you identify as female and are interested in exploring a variety of different trades and technology areas (including Electrical, Culinary, Sheet Metal, Automotive, Computer Science, Electronics and Mechanical Engineering), there is a Women in Trades and Technology event being hosted at Camosun College THIS THURSDAY, April 20. If you are interested in this 1-day field trip, please see Ms. Catherall or Mr. Bussoli for more information before WEDNESDAY. There are limited spots available!

 

Island Camp Ignite: July 7-9

Island Ignite Camp is happening this summer in Victoria, July 7-9th!  This FREE camp is an amazing mentorship opportunity for young women (grades 11 & 12), regardless if they are interested in a career in emergency services, or not.  The program focuses on challenging and empowering participants with team building activities and fire ground tasks, skills and drills, led by an amazing group of volunteers from across the fire-fighting service. Applications are due May 1st.  Applications are available on the website - www.islandignite.com

 

SD63 Hairstylist Program

Did you know School District 63 has its own Hair Salon?  You can book your haircuts, styles, and scalp massages starting on April 11, at Studio 63, where students from the SD63/VIU Hairstylist Program perform their skills and services.  For more information, see Mrs. Watson in room 222 or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca.  Please see Mr. Bussoli if you're interested in enrolling in the Hairstylist Program.  Studio info.

 

Butchart Gardens Job Fair – April 20

Butchart Gardens will be holding their 2023 Job Fair THIS THURSDAY April 20, from 6:30-8:00pm.  Bring your resume and meet the hiring team. The Gardens generally hire for five departments for the summer season:

Food Services: The Gardens has several restaurants which require waitstaff, cashiers, bus persons, and counter-service persons.  We also have two kitchen facilities which produce a la carte, pastry, and industrial production.

Visitor Services: Primarily an outdoor position, responsibilities include pedestrian and vehicle traffic control, grounds maintenance, collecting admissions, and all other services provided for our international and local visitors.

Custodial Services: These positions require work both indoors and outdoors.  Responsibilities include maintenance of administrative buildings, visitor and staff washroom facilities, and garbage collection.

Seed & Gift Store: These positions require work both behind-the-scenes and with our visitors.  Responsibilities include extensive merchandise knowledge, cash transactions, unpacking, stocking and reconciling paperwork.

Gardening: Primarily outdoor positions or work in our Plant Identification Centre.  Most positions require eight hour shifts of heavy to moderate labour and require good public relations skills.

 

Job Opportunities

Healthcare Jobs. If you are interested in a job or career within the healthcare system, join in on an info session regarding summer employment opportunities at Island Health.  THIS THURSDAY, April 20 @ lunch (11:48-12:28) in Lab/Classroom 215.

 

Local book publisher, Robert Thomson (of Godwin Books), is looking for a student with computer skills to help with formatting his next book. This is a paid position, and the work could be done at the public library or other computer desks.  For more information, see Mrs. Watson in room 222 or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca

 

Summer Employment with Saanich School District

Grade 12 Students: The Saanich School District #63 will be hiring summer staff in the Custodial Department!  Full-time, union positions will be available from the end of June until end of August, with the opportunity for continuing employment.  Earn competitive wages vs. minimum wage.  You must have your own transportation, and you must be a graduate by the end of June. For more information, see Mrs. Watson in office 222, or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you be interested in gaining work experience related to website design, facebook management, and creating content regarding community news? The Cordova Bay Area Association is looking for a volunteer (with possibly a future as a paid job), for their newsletter, ‘The Cordovan’.  See Mrs. Watson in room 222 or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca for more information.

 

Sports for Kids is a before-school sports program created by former Claremont students. A volunteer’s role is to help teach kids ages 5-10 how to play sports and gym games. The program will begin mid-April, running on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30am to 8:30am, at Lochside Elementary.  For more information, see Mrs. Watson in room 222 or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca

 

30 Hours of Work Experience/Volunteering

30 Hours of Work Experience OR Volunteering are required for Graduation. Hours can be counted from any grade. See Mrs. Watson in room 222 to find out how to confirm your 30 hours. If you're not working, there are lots of ideas for looking into Volunteerism.  You can discuss ideas with Mrs. Watson and she can point out a list of possibility volunteer opportunities.

 

¬ NEWS FROM CLAREMONT PAC

Claremont PAC Meeting: April 18

The next Claremont PAC meeting will be TOMORROW (TUESDAY) April 18th @ 7pm (both online and in person in our Learning Commons). Nominees are being accepted for the CPAC AGM in May.  Available roles: Secretary, COPACS Rep, Members at Large. If you’re interested in joining our meeting online, please use this LINK.

 

Claremont PAC: Staff Appreciation Lunch – May 10 

To recognize the hard work of teachers, support staff, and admin at our awesome school, CPAC is planning a Taco Bar Staff Appreciation Luncheon on WEDNESDAY, May 10th!  Please help us celebrate our amazing Claremont staff. For more information and to sign up, please visit the following link: Staff Appreciation Potluck.

For any parent who might prefer to make a monetary donation (for food or flowers), please send an e-transfer to Judy Sam at judysam84@live.ca.  If you have any questions, please contact:  claremontstaffappreciation@gmail.com 

 

Anti-Racism and Equity Presentation

For parents who were unable to attend the April 13th Conference with Dr. Lisa Gunderson (award-winning educator, community speaker, organizer, leader, and equity consultant and trainer) regarding equity, understanding, disrupting, and dismantling racism and other “isms”.  A presentation recording will be made available shortly on the CPAC site/Principal Aaron Buckham’s next Newsletter.

 

COPACS - is seeking a Vice President next year (Sept 2023-June 2024)

The COPACS Vice Presidents support the President. In practice, this means: attending general and executive meetings; liaising with PACs and their voting delegates (i.e. you folks); liaising with education partners; supporting COPACS committees; and taking on other tasks delegated by our esteemed President. The time commitment isn't huge and can be shaped to your availability. If you would like to know more about the executive positions, please reach out to copacssd63@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

“Collaborative and Proactive Solutions” Virtual Presentation – May 4

Dr. Ross Greene will speak about how Collaborative and Proactive Solutions can help us show our kids we care about them. Solving problems together creates connection and allows our children to be a part of finding solutions to what is causing their concerning behaviour. Dr. Greene’s work reminds us that things go better for everyone, when we solve problems together and that kids do well if they can.

Date: THURSDAY, May 4, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: familysmart.ca/events

 

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!

 

A copy of the announcements is posted on the wall outside of the main office door.