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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Banned and Challenged Books Week

This week in the library we are celebrating our freedom to read. Since 1982 the American Library Association has been commemorating this freedom by promoting books that have been banned or challenged at some point in time in the United States. Many were banned or challenged on the grounds that they were “not age appropriate… Read more »

Support the Claremont library: Give to the Claremont Fund

If you remember your middle school library as a hushed, foreboding place full of mildewing books that nobody touched, then the Claremont library might be a shock to your senses. “It’s important to me that the library be a welcoming space for kids,” says longtime librarian Carla Reimer. “I never expect it to be totally… Read more »

Seeking Party Hosts for the 2017 Claremont Auction: Download the Form Here

Parties and events hosted by members of the Claremont community are an important part of the annual Claremont Auction. These events turn fun social activities into a significant fundraising opportunity for our PTA. You can register your planned part or event by submitting this downloadable 2017 Auction Party Donation Form » If you want to… Read more »

The 2017-18 student planner and handbook

Student Planners 2017-18 All students should have received a student planner through their advisory classes.  This tool will help students record their assignments in all classes. As we move forward, it will also be a place to be reflective on progress and allow students to make goals.  Students will gain more calendar pages every 6… Read more »

School tour dates announced

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 feeder schools will be touring with their entire… Read more »

Come to the first PTA meeting – Thurs., Sept. 7

Find out more about programs supported by the PTA The first PTA meeting of the year is this Thurs., Sept. 7 in the band room! A free community meal will be served at 6 p.m. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Come for all of it.  On the agenda: School programs supported by the PTA – what… Read more »

Let’s make the 2017 auction a hit

On Saturday October 28, we will have Claremont’s 11th annual fundraising auction at St. Peter’s Parish. Festivities starts at 6 p.m. …The theme this year is The Dead Celebs Ball.   We need your help! The success of our annual auction depends largely on the work of an amazing group of parent and family volunteers. We are… Read more »

Introducing Mr. Watson, Claremont’s new vice principal

We’d like to welcome Gary Watson as Claremont’s new assistant principal. He takes the position held for three years by Ms. Tonia Coleman, who has taken an assistant principal position at Berkeley High School. Mr. Watson comes to Claremont after seventeen years teaching in elementary schools in the Bay Area. He decided to switch to becoming an… Read more »