One of our goals this year is to create a culture of improvement here at Claremont. We are seeking to cultivate a growth mindset for students, faculty, and administration. To that end, we invite you to provide feedback on your Back to School Night experience. Your feedback will help us to improve future events of… Read more »
Back to School Night – This Thursday at 5:30
Please join Claremont this Thursday, Sept. 13, for Back to School Night. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the gym. Parents will follow their student’s schedule and visit classes. Parents should pick up schedules on the blacktop by the gym. This is a great opportunity to get to know your student’s teachers and get a… Read more »
Thank You Ride for a Reason – $19,200!
Josh Polston, Claremont parent and Ride for a Reason organizer, delivered a giant check for $19,200 at the PTA meeting on Thursday night. In April, more than 250 people pedaled to Sacramento as part of Ride for a Reason and raised money that is then divided equally among eight Oakland public schools, including Claremont. Ride for… Read more »
NEW: Prospective Families – Tours Announced
Claremont Open House: Families interested in attending Claremont in the 2019-20 school year are invited to attend the Prospective Family Open House at Claremont on Saturday Oct. 20, from 2 p.m. to 4:30. Tours of Claremont for 5th Graders and their Parents / Guardians Fifth graders and their parents/guardians are invited to tour Claremont on… Read more »
Welcome from Principal Mayer
Hello Claremont Families! We are very excited for the 2018-19 School year. Once again, it is an honor to have the opportunity to be the instructional leader of such a great school and community. I never take this opportunity for granted and I really appreciate everyone’s continued support! This is going to be a fantastic… Read more »
School Supply List for 2018-19
Please see below to find the school supply list for each grade. 6th Grade School Supply List 6th Grade Students will need 7 pencils (mechanical or wood are okay) 2-3 pens of different colors (such as black, blue, red &/or green for class notes) 1 handheld pencil sharpener (that holds shavings) 2-3 highlighters (any color is… Read more »
Mandatory Student Registration FAQs: What you Need to Know and Do Before the First Day of School
Hello, Claremont families! Registration is set for Aug. 6 and 7, and is mandatory for all students in order to secure their enrollment. 6th Grade: Monday, Aug. 6, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 7th & 8th Grades: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. You must be inside the gym by 3 p.m. to… Read more »
Registration Dates: August 6 and August 7
Please plan on registering your student the week before school starts. Registration Days: Incoming 6th graders register on Monday August 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Incoming 7th and 8th graders register on Tuesday August 7 from 8:30 to 3 p.m. Check back here for forms as they become available. Note: If you are… Read more »
Mr. Lesser Says Goodbye to Students, Parents and Staff
Dear Claremont Students, past Students and Parents, It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to inform you that the 2017 – 2018 school year will be my last as a teacher at Claremont. After eight wonderful years here, I will be moving South to obtain the professional degree of Doctor of Physical… Read more »
8th Grade Promotion and Dance Info (And Call for 7th Grade Families to Help!)
Dance 8th Graders are invited to the 8th Grade Dance on Wednesday., June 6 at 6pm at Claremont’s gym. Finger food and deserts will be served!! Promotion When: Thurs., June 7 at 2pm. Students need to be on-site by 12:30pm. It will be held at the Temple Hill Auditorium, Mormon Temple in Oakland, located at… Read more »
OPEN BOOKS, OPEN MINDS: A Big THANKS for Your Support for the Library Campaign!
Update: The OPEN MINDS OPEN BOKS campaign has been a huge success. We raised over $13,000 (including donations via the website and checks) from about 100 unique donors! Thank you to everyone who shared the campaign with their networks! If you still want to make a gift or want to share the campaign with your networks via… Read more »
2018 Claremont Middle School Play-a-Thon: May 30 at the Rockridge BART Plaza
Mr. Brown and our Claremont student musicians will take over the Rockridge BART Plaza from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th, to showcase our wonderful school music program, including the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble at the 2018 Claremont Middle School Play-A-Thon! This annual fundraiser will support our ongoing efforts to make music… Read more »
Our School Library – It Makes a Difference So Please Give Today
It’s a staggering statistic – More than one-fourth of Oakland public school libraries are closed. “The schools that have highly qualified libraries and librarians, those children benefit from the parents that understand how important it is to have a library in their school,” Kari Hatch, the executive director of the nonprofit Friends of the Oakland… Read more »
Open Books, Open Minds: Students Say Why They Like Our Great Claremont Library
“I like books, I like every book,” said Xavier Robertson, a 6th grader. “I like this library because if your book is overdue, they give you a pass, but others might charge you.” Students at Claremont shared recently what they like about the Claremont library. The PTA is running an end-of-year fundraising campaign for the library… Read more »
Raising Money for the Future of Claremont’s Library
The PTA is excited about the impact donations have had at Claremont this year — more classroom aides than ever before, support for after school clubs, sports, art, music, field trips, teacher development, and supplies. Our families have given generously — Thanks to Each and Every One of You! Yet, even with the incredible fundraising… Read more »
Support Oakland Public Libraries – Vote Yes on Measure D
YES on Measure D: You can help keep libraries open! Have you noticed that for many Claremont kids, the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library is basically a de facto after school program? This is the same throughout Oakland. But the Oakland Public Library is in trouble. Measure D is a $75 parcel tax… Read more »
Nominations for Claremont PTA Board Seats 2018-19 School Year
The nominating committee is putting forward this slate of candidates for next year’s PTA board. At an upcoming PTA general meeting, there will be an election. President Shona Armstrong Executive Vice President Pam Mullins Secretary Mark Fickes Communications Michelle Quinn-Lisa Fernandez Treasurer Ruth Woodruff Events Elaina Garvin Bryant Nicole Arudea Fundraising Laura Deehan Parliamentarian Amy Golden… Read more »
Key Info on Eighth Grade Events
8th Grade Events! Mark them on your calendar The following 8th grade activities have been calendared! Information will be coming in the next few weeks in terms of volunteer and donation needs. Permission slips will also be coming home soon for the overnight field trip. May 31-June 1 is the overnight in Occidental, CA June 6 is… Read more »
Time to tell the PTA about your volunteer time spent this year
Thank you for your support this year. Please tell us about your volunteer time for the 2017-18 school year! Knowing the time you have put in helps us understand what you value and what areas may need more support. As part of the California PTA, reporting our volunteer hours helps maintain our nonprofit status and… Read more »
2018-19 OUSD School Year Calendars Now Available Online
The Oakland Unified School District has published calendars for the 2018-19 school year showing all district holidays and professional development days. Families should take note that the next school year begins one week earlier than usual and ends in May. You can always find downloadable OUSD calendars in the Quick Links section on home page… Read more »
Reserve Your Tickets Now for the 9th Annual CMS Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24
Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Claremont Middle School Pancake Breakfast at the Rockridge Masonic Hall on College Avenue. This annual community event is generously hosted by the Oakland-Durant-Rockridge Masonic Lodge #188 in association with the CMS Dads Club. Advance tickets may be reserved online for $10 per person. There is no fee… Read more »
Please Take the California Healthy Kids Survey
All parents & guardians- Have your opinions and voice heard by taking the annual on-line California Healthy Kids Survey. It is anonymous and takes only 10-15 minutes. The results are used to make policy decisions to support our students. Read more »
Marijuana and Drug Educator to Speak at Feb. 1 PTA Meeting
Ralph Cantor, a long time drug and alcohol educator in the East Bay. will speak at the PTA’s Feb. 1 meeting. The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Claremont’s Music Room. With marijuana legal now in California along with the rise of prescription drug abuse nationwide, parents and educators of… Read more »
PTA Goal Surpassed: $69,000 Raised for the Claremont Fund
Dear Claremont Families, The Claremont PTA wishes to extend a big THANK YOU to all of our supporters. Because of your generosity, the we have raised $69,000 for the 2017-18 Claremont Fund, exceeding our fundraising goal of $50,000! The Claremont Fund provides crucial support for our Claremont faculty and staff, the library, outdoor education, sports… Read more »
Holiday Greetings to Claremont Middle School From Pen Pals in the Philippines
Last school year, students in Ms. Fortaleza’s 6th grade classes (now Claremont 7th graders) raised money to send to pen pals in the Philippines at General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City – a school where Ms. Fortaleza had taught during summer break. The money they raised was used to buy essential supplies for the… Read more »
Give to the Holiday Gift Fund For Our Amazing Teachers & Staff
Now is the time to contribute to our 2017 Claremont Middle School Holiday Gift Fund! All contributions – big or small – are welcome. We will use the gift fund contributions to purchase Trader Joe’s gift cards for everyone (more than 60 people) who works at Claremont: teachers, custodians, administrative staff and all the others… Read more »
2018 Ride for a Reason: Early Bird Discount Registration Ending Soon!
Through Dec. 8 you can register for our low, early bird rate of $75, rising to $100 on December 9. Signing up now helps us plan a better ride for you. As always, teachers and students get a huge registration break — only $30. The 10th Ride for a Reason happens on Saturday, April 28,… Read more »
Claremont Knights Spirit Week Activities
Spirit Week from Dec. 4 to Dec. 8 will feature a different theme each day, culminating with a pep rally on Friday, Dec. 8. We are also holding a grade level spare change contest. From Monday through Thursday, each grade level will have a container to collect loose change. The grade level that collects the… Read more »
Head lice happens…Here’s some tips and advice
A letter has gone home to 6th and 8th grade students about head lice, which has been identified in some classrooms. Copies of the OUSD Head Lice Policy are available upon request. As a reminder, head lice do not fly or jump from one head to another. If you have any questions, please contact the… Read more »
OUSD Open Enrollment Period From Nov. 13 to Jan. 26
Enrollment applications for public schools in Oakland will be accepted from Nov. 13 through Jan. 26. This is the time when 8th grade students can request high school placement for the 2018-19 school year. Starting Nov. 13, 8th grade families can apply online for OUSD high school placement, or submit a paper application form available at… Read more »
School Tours for Prospective Claremont Families
School Tours Each fall, Claremont hosts tours for 5th graders and their parents. Please consider joining us for a tour this year with your future middle schooler on one of the dates listed below. You will get to speak with school leaders and students, as well as current CMS parents. Some North Oakland elementary schools that are OUSD “feeder”… Read more »
Mr. Brown Makes The Music With Claremont Students
To the average set of human ears, a bunch of sixth graders making their first attempt at playing together as a band might not be a welcome sound. But to music teacher Ariel Brown, making sure students get the notes right isn’t even close to the most important part of his job. “A band is… Read more »
What’s for Lunch? Introducing Our CMS Cafeteria Staff
Meet Ms. Iesha, our Claremont Middle School Cafeteria Manager, and Ms. Tyler, our Cafeteria Assistant. Your students can go to the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch, and to the courtyard for a free Grab-N-Go snack during break. Breakfast is free for all students, and lunch is $3.25, or $0.40 for reduced,or free based on your… Read more »
The Dead Celebs Ball Auction Party
The Online Auction is now CLOSED. If you won any items online, please log into your account and complete payment. Online ticket sales are now CLOSED. Admission on the day of the even is $30 at the door. Come to the Dead Celebs Ball, our 11th annual Halloween-themed auction party, which takes place on Saturday, Oct.… Read more »
CMS Math Club Launch Meeting on Nov. 15 After School
The Claremont Math Club is back! The first meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Ms. Thacher’s room (Room 17). Hosted by eminent math grandparents Ed Berne, Joe Lindsay, and Adrienne Yank, the CMC is open to all Claremont students in all grades. Participants do not have to have math knowledge beyond sixth grade —… Read more »
Free Teen-Focused Parenting Workshop Featured at Nov. 2 Claremont PTA Meeting
Join us for the next PTA meeting for a parenting workshop! Our guest speaker, Deb Levine, a leading health educator, will present, “Patient Parenting in Puberty: It Pays Off Later.” Crazy and even rude behavior from kids in early puberty is normal. It might even be considered a good sign. So, which teen behavior do… Read more »
CMS Girls Volleyball Beat Westlake on Saturday: Two games to zero!
The Lady Knights dominated the first game behind Zeya’s 12 aces for a final score of 25-2. Great teamwork for the starting six: Zeya, Sissy, Andrea, Holland, Gabby and Il”lysia. Game two was closer with a new line-up. They were able to close it out 25-18 with strong passing and serving. Next match: 11 a.m.… Read more »
East Bay Science Fair – Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Science Festival 2017 Hosted by the College of Science at Cal State East Bay (FREE admission, FREE parking, NO registration required!) Saturday, October 28, 2017, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard, Hayward, California 94542, North & South Science buildings and Valley Business & Technology Center (Directions) Approximately 50… Read more »
Reserve Taste of Temescal Tickets Online to Benefit Claremont PTA
Back for the eighth time, the Taste of Temescal will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Scintillate your palates with this culinary crawl, one of Temescal’s most delectable fall happenings. Enjoy an evening of food, drink, live music and fabulous prizes (including gift certificates to your favorite local eatery),… Read more »
In-School Dental Check Ups – Oct. 31
Do you need to get your child to the dentist, but have not had time to get them there? Our community partner, Big Smiles Dental Care, will be on campus on Tuesday, Oct. 31 providing in-school dental care with eligibility for the students with medical or private dental insurance. If you have no insurance, you can call… Read more »