School Week At A Glance
March 1 - March 6, 2021
The Clairemont School Week At A Glance (SWAG) is intended to provide students, staff, and families with timely information about upcoming events and important announcements for the coming week. Check out all the wonderful things happening at CHS next week.
Your CHS Admin Team
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Monday, March 1
- Softball Preseason Parent Meeting (4:00 pm) - More Info Below
Tuesday, March 2
- FAFSA Deadline for ALL Seniors - More Info Below
Wednesday, March 3
- Makin' It Together With CHS (4:00 pm) - Classic New York Cheesecake
- WACAC Virtual College Fair (4:00 - 8:00 pm) - More Info Below
Thursday, March 4
- Coffee With The CHS Admin Team (8:00 - 9:00 am)
- Textbook Pickup Makeup Day - (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
- Clairemont Community of Schools Meeting (5:00 - 6:00 pm)
Friday, March 5
- Circle of Friends (12:55 pm)
Saturday, March 6
SHOUT OUTS & SCHOOL INFO
PHASE 2 SCHOOL REOPENING UPDATE
On Tuesday, February 23, SDUSD Board President Richard Barrera shared that SDUSD students and staff would be returning to in-person learning on Monday, April 12th. Then on Wednesday, February 24, Mr. Barrera clarified that SDUSD has set April 12th as a TARGET DATE for students to return to in-person learning. Per the Tentative Agreement reached between SDUSD and SDEA, a return to in-person learning will occur when the following two criteria have been met: (1) San Diego must be in the red tier; and (2) school staff members who want a vaccination have the opportunity to receive the vaccine and be fully vaccinated. Last week, San Diego County announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to school district employees beginning, Feb. 27, for those working at schools in quartile 4 of the Healthy Places Index (HPI). San Diego Unified teachers and school staff in this first grouping have been notified of their eligibility already, a significant step toward the district's reopening goal.
SDUSD Leadership is currently working on the remaining details associated with Phase 2 and a return to in-person learning (i.e., transportation, food service, etc.). When an official date for return has been finalized, information will be sent out to all families outlining health and safety guidelines and next steps.
At this point in time, CHS is focused on increasing the number of Phase 1 (Learning Labs, Classroom Labs, Appointment Based Services) options for students while preparing for a return to in-person learning as soon as we are approved to do so. We appreciate your patience as we work to bring students and staff back in the safest way possible.
COFFEE WITH THE CHS ADMIN TEAM
The CHS Admin team will be hosting a virtual Coffee with the Admin Team on the first Thursday of every month. These Zoom meetings will be held from 8:00 am to 9:00 am and will provide families with an opportunity to hear updates from the admin team and engage in some informal Q&A about all things Clairemont. Please use the Zoom link below to join us for our next Coffee with the Admin Team this Thursday, March 4.
Please use the Zoom link below to join us.
https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/88593477125
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: In order to help families process the health and safety impacts of students returning to in-person learning, CHS has invited Dr. Marsha Spitzer to join this week's Coffee with the Admin Team. Dr. Marsha Spitzer is a pediatrician, a Clairemont HS parent, and a resident of Bay Park for almost 20 years. She is the immediate past president of the local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr Spitzer is a pediatrician at Family Health Centers of San Diego and also sees newborns at Scripps Mercy and Sharp Grossmont Hospitals. Dr. Spitzer will be sharing updates from the field and hosting a Q&A for parents with questions regarding health and safety concerns around a return to in-person learning.
FAFSA DEADLINE FOR ALL SENIORS - TUESDAY, MARCH 2
Class of 2021 Families,
From now until March 2, 2021, Cal SOAP will be hosting Financial Aid Workshops for all SDUSD students. Distance Learning has made helping our 12th graders complete their FAFSA/CADAA even more challenging than in years past. To assist with this challenge we will be holding 1:1 Financial Aid Workshops on the following dates and times:
- 3/1 @ 1:30pm – 4:00pm
- 3/2 @ 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Zoom Link: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/92830475920?pwd=QWo5OGJxTDdBT1Fjd01Fc2VJK2NPUT09
Meeting ID: 928 3047 5920
Password: 834005
All students and families are welcome to join any of these dates or times. We will be sending students into individual breakout rooms in order to ensure privacy and allow them 1:1 assistance. Please register for this event. Remember the deadline to submit the FAFSA/Dream Act is March 2nd!
CLAIREMONT COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS MEETING
Clairemont Community of Schools are meetings in which parents and staff from all 5 feeder elementary schools, Marston and Clairemont High School discuss topics like K-12 alignment, district updates, enrollment, marketing and other items brought forth to the committee. Area Superintendents, principals and a SDUSD Board Trustee often attend these meetings. Please use this link if you would like to either make a presentation OR if you would like a certain topic to be addressed by site/district leadership: https://forms.gle/VCWys3L2uHajramD6 The deadline to submit an agenda item request is 3/1/21.
Please join us at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4 for our third meeting of the school year! All are welcome! Here is the link to the meeting: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/89520083791 Meeting ID: 895 2008 3791
FOOTBALL STARTING SOON
Football has been given the go ahead to start handing out gear(helmets/shoulder pads) and Coach Rose has been working diligently with the student-athletes who have been attending the Football conditioning practices we have had.
If you have an interest in playing football this year for Clairemont High please reach out to me at anowak@sandi.net or Coach Rose at coachdrose@gmail.com.
We are hopeful that we can get some young athletes that are going to come out and give their all at football practices and games and to build our football program in the close years to come.
Clairemont is excited that CIF has allowed us to start practicing full contact as soon as the case rates drop below 14 per 100,000.
Please again reach out to either myself or Coach Rose with any questions.
GIRLS SOFTBALL PARENT/PRESEASON MEETING
Hey CHS Softball Parents,
Coach Schmersal is inviting you to a preseason parent meeting on Monday, March 1 at 4:00 pm. Please use the Zoom link below to join Coach Schmersal as we prepare for the start of the 2021 Softball season.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/89173328169
Time: Mar 1, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 891 7332 8169
BOYS LACROSSE STARTING SOON
Boys Lacrosse is starting up soon. All interested athletes should reach out to Coach Whitmire with any questions mrwhitmire@gmail.com.
COVID TESTING COMING TO CHS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UCSD
Who will qualify for free routine COVID screening every other week?
- Students and staff participating in Phase One on campus learning
- Athletes and coaches in a current sport
Testing will occur every other Friday from 12-3 by appointment only.
Invitations, directions, and links will be shared when it opens up for our specific school site.
Testing is to be used for screening participants who do not have any symptoms, not for sick participants. This is important and a way to support the Chieftain Community. We now know approximately 50% of people who have transmissible COVID do not have any symptoms. Feel free to email Nurse Sascha Lopez-Nusser with any questions: alopez-nusser@sandi.net
WACAC VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR
Registration is now open for the WACAC Virtual College Fairs! Sign-up to connect with colleges and universities from around the country for free.
- Hear from college and university representatives & ask questions!
- Choose your sessions.
- Attend our knowledge sessions.
- Navigating the UC & CSU Application
- Paying for College
- Writing College Essays
- Learn More! www.strivescan.com/wacac
- Schedule
- List of Colleges
Student Registration (Pacific Time)
March 3, 2021, from 4 - 8pm - Register Now!
March 14, 2021, from 12 - 4pm - Register Now!
April 19, 2021, from 4 - 8pm - Register Now!
UNDERCLASSMEN, LEAVE YOUR MARK ON THE CHS YEARBOOK
Hey CHS Underclassmen,
The CHS Yearbook staff needs your help! Please use the Google form below to send in responses for the underclassmen features in the yearbook. Make sure your thoughts and memories are included in the yearbook using the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1v4plYhQ9K19oC4oaJCr-kqs7B522bMfx0S49MzHrdpE/edit
SAVE THE DATE
PLANNING ON ATTENDING MESA, MIRAMAR, or CITY COLLEGE NEXT YEAR?
Event: Mesa Enrollment for Fall 2021
Date: March 16th
Time: 2:30PM-3:30PM
Mesa College Staff and Clairemont Counselors are holding an event for students planning on attending Mesa College, Miramar, or City College this Fall 2021. Please see the flyer attached. You do need to complete a google form before we provide the zoom link for the event. The workshop is on Tuesday March 16th @ 2:30pm.
https://classroom.google.com/u/0/c/NjgwNDExNzg1MTda/a/MjgzNDM2NjgyODc2/details You must register for the event - see google form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9H5_Cf3aR_3PsxwKpViBWKCa6d3rlGTFIS9JFty1eg2VHGQ/viewform This applies to all senior grade students – even if you have taken Mesa classes before. The second workshop date is TBA (you must attend the first workshop to attend the second). This will include a Mesa College counselor to guide you to planning on future courses. If you attend this event, it is NOT a commitment to attending Mesa. Those who are still weighing their options are welcomed to attend.
RETURNING CHS STUDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MESA CLASS NEXT YEAR
Event: Taking Mesa College Courses in the 2021-2022 School Year (College and Career Access Pathways)
Date: March 24th
Time: 5:30PM-6:30PM
District Staff and San Diego Mesa College Staff will be presenting on students earning dual credit by taking college courses, expectations, criteria to enroll in college courses, process to enroll, college resources, etc. This is a mandatory meeting for student and their family if planning to take Mesa Courses in the 2021-2022 school year. Please register for this event using this link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UGjGj_ksU9mdLSMnQzu1_IZI6Ys7TeKQKZodYlZNZTY/edit
MAKIN' IT TOGETHER WITH CHS - CLASSIC NEW YORK CHEESECAKE
Every Wednesday at 4:00 pm the CHS ASB will be hosting a "Makin' It Together With CHS" event. Students, parents, and staff are all invited to join the Zoom each and every week to engage in a variety of hands on activities (i.e., learning to cook, craft, dance, etc.). This Wednesday, March 3, ASB students will be hosting the next "Makin' It" event and teaching you how to make a delicious quiche. Be sure to check out the flier at the link below for a list of ingredients to buy ahead of time and the Zoom link. We hope to see you all there.
ACADEMICS
TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION
A full list of CHS Staff Contact information can be found on our school website at https://clairemont.sandiegounified.org/.
TECH SUPPORT
SDUSD's Integrated Technology Division is committed to ensuring every student gets connected to online learning. As needed, please contact the Online Learning Technical Support Line at (619)-732-1400 or email at getconnected@sandi.net. We have been told by IT that wait times are getting shorter and parents are being encouraged to call later in the afternoon. Hours of operation:
Monday – Friday - 7:00am – 6:00 pm
Saturday - 8:00am – 12:00 pm Temporarily on 8/29, 9/5 & 9/12
Families are also encouraged to check out the SDUSD Technology Support For Families webpage.
TUTORING
UCSD is available to support our students academics! They are offering FREE tutoring for students K-12 on Tuesday & Friday from 5-7pm. Fore more information, please click on Tritons Tutor and scroll down to the Parent/Student link (https://hdhwellness.ucsd.edu/tritons-tutor/index.html).
In addition to UCSD's academic support, Gov. Newsom partnered with Parents Anonymous Inc. PAI launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parent Anonymous Support Groups. For more information click on this link Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Group.
The California Parent and Youth helpline is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Armenian and Russian.
ATHLETICS
SEASON 2 SPORTS STARTING SOON
With Season 2 sports starting up very soon the Athletic Director, Mr. Alfie Nowak and the CHS coaching staff want to see what the interest there is in the sports that are coming back to campus within the next few weeks.
Boys and Girls soccer is starting up soon. We want to know if you are interested! Please reach out to either Joe Paul at beachlifesd@gmail.com, Greg West at gregorymwest@gmail.com, Coach Bello at sbello@sandi.net or Coach Beaubien at jbeaubien@sandi.net. They have a slue of information that they want to share with you and will be holding a meeting in the next week or two. Zoom details to come.
Coach Schmersal, our softball coach can be reached at lschmersal@sandi.net . Please direct any sports specific questions to her.
Coach Glick is our girls lacrosse coach. Her email is casey.glick97@gmail.com. Please reach out to her with any questions you have about lacrosse.
Coach Pena is the baseball coach and they are starting AAU conditioning on Monday 2/22. Please reach out to our Athletic Director, Mr. Alfie Nowak, anowak@sandi.net or Coach Pena with any questions about AAU or baseball. mpena@sandi.net
Track and Field will be starting on or before March 1st! Please reach out to coachdrose@gmail.com or nepradel@gmail.com with any questions you have for track and field.
We are all working diligently to be able to bring the student-athletes back onto campus in the safest possible manner. Be sure to reach out to Alfie Nowak (anowak@sandi.net) with any questions concerning athletics.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Girls Volleyball is doing outside conditioning at Clairemont MWF!
Please reach out to Coach Knuppel or Coach Schmersal with any questions gknuppel@sandi.net or lschmersal@sandi.net.
CALLING ALL GOLFERS - CHS GOLF TEAM
Calling all golfers! If you are interested in playing on the CHS Golf Team this year, be sure to email Coach Beaubien ASAP so that he can provide you with the necessary information and paperwork to be completed before the start of the season.
Coach Jon Beaubien - jbeaubien@sandi.net
CIF TIERING
Good Morning Chieftains,
I wanted to share this graphic with you so that you had a visual of what we are going to be dealing with starting in the next couple of weeks.
The only Season 1 sports that are allowed to start on Feb 1st in a CIF capacity are Cross Country and Swim and Dive. The coaches names are Coach Pradel(XC) and Coach Carlon(S&D). Their emails are nepradel@gmail.com and stephaniecarlon@yahoo.com. If you have sport specific questions please direct them to the coaches.
Once the stay at home order has been lifted Field Hockey will be able to practice as a CIF team with social distancing, etc. and all sports in the Purple Tier will be able to hold competitions. Once we reach the Red Tier then Field Hockey can start playing competitions and when March 13th reaches us then Baseball, Girls Lacrosse and Softball will be able to start practicing as CIF teams and holding competitions(Once in Season 2). Once we are in the Red Tier then all Orange teams will be allowed to practice social distanced, etc.
I understand that this might be confusing for some so if you have any questions please reach out to me at anowak@sandi.net
As you can see looking at Season 2 Girls Golf starts 2/8 and Boy’s Golf, Co-ed Tennis and Track and Field start 2/15. These sports have been pushed forward for practices by CIF and they will be able to start practicing on those dates. Competitions for these sports will remain relatively stable moving into Season 2.
Again, if you have questions please reach out to either myself or the coaches.
Thanks everyone,
Alf
CHS Player's Creed
It is the mission of the CHS athletics program to teach our student-athletes principles that will guide them for the rest of their lives. CHS athletics isn't just about better athletes, but better people. That is why we are so excited to launch our new CHS Player's Creed (see below). In collaboration with the CHS Athletic Leadership council and various stakeholders, the CHS Player’s Creed was developed to outline what we believe it means to be a CHIEF. Every student participating in athletics at CHS, as well as their parent/guardian will be required to sign the CHS Student-Athlete Contract which states the following:
As a student-athlete at Clairemont High School you have the privilege of being part of a memorable and life changing experience. With this privilege comes great responsibility. Therefore, it is the expectation of the CHS admin team and Athletic Director that all who participate in athletics actively work to model character and integrity of the highest quality in the classroom, on the court/pool/field, and in our community. By signing this contract, you agree to strive to live a life worthy of emulating by exhibiting Courage, Humility, Integrity, Endurance, and Focus in all that you do.
ATHLETICS COACHING CONTACTS
Badminton (Co-Ed) Gerry Knuppel gknuppel@sandi.net
Baseball (Boys) Mike Peña mpena@sandi.net
Basketball (Boys) Ernie Biagioni ebhoopsbb@gmail.com
Basketball (Girls) Michelle Mannisto mannistore@gmail.com
Beach Volleyball (Boys) Chico Chakarian robert@chakcpa.com
Beach Volleyball (Girls) Chico Chakarian robert@chakcpa.com
Cross Country (Co-Ed) Nick Pradel nepradel@gmail.com
Field Hockey (Girls) Scott Bello sbello@sandi.net
Football Desmond Rose coachdrose@gmail.com
Golf (Boys) Jon Beaubien jbeaubien@sandi.net
Lacrosse (Boys) Matt Whitmire ClairemontLax@gmail.com
Lacrosse (Girls) Casey Glick casey.glick97@gmail.com
Sideline Cheer (Co-Ed) Allison Suits allisonsuitts@gmail.com
Soccer (Boys) Jon Beaubien jbeaubien@sandi.net
Soccer (Girls) Joe Paul beachlifesd@gmail.com
Softball Lori Schmersal lschmersal@sandi.net
Swimming & Diving (Co-Ed) Stephanie Carlon stephaniecarlon@yahoo.com
Tennis (Boys) Gary Jimenez gjimenez@sandi.net
Tennis (Girls) Gary Jimenez gjimenez@sandi.net
Track & Field (Co-Ed) Nick Pradel nepradel@gmail.com
Volleyball (Boys) Sean Alcaraz sean.alcaraz@yahoo.com
Volleyball (Girls) Lori Schmersal lschmersal@sandi.net
Water Polo (Boys) Joey Kienle jkienleiii@sandi.net
Water Polo (Girls) Joey Kienle jkienleiii@sandi.net
Wrestling (Boys) Gerry Knuppel gknuppel@sandi.net
Wrestling (Girls) Gerry Knuppel gknuppel@sandi.net
Alfie Nowak - Athletic Director
For questions regarding athletics at CHS, please contact Mr. Nowak at anowak@sandi.net
Additional information regarding CHS Athletics can be found on our CHS Chieftains webpage.
ACADEMY INFO
Liz Rush - Academies Coordinator
For questions regarding Academies and/or Community Partnerships, please contact erush@sandi.net
COUNSELING CORNER
MEET OUR NEW COUNSELING INTERN: JORGE VILLA
Hi everyone,
Please join me in welcoming our newest counseling intern: Mr. Jorge Villa! Jorge will be joining our counseling staff on Monday’s and Tuesday’s starting January 25th, 2021. Jorge earned his BA of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2002 and attends Point Loma Nazarene University working towards his M.Ed. in Counseling with a PPS credential. Jorge is originally from San Diego and an alumni of Clairemont High, class of 1997. During his time at CHS, Jorge served as ASB Class President. He currently oversees the daily operation of the Dolphin Interaction areas at SeaWorld. In addition, he has worked with the stranded animal team, killer whales, sea lions, Asian small clawed otters, Florida manatees, and walruses. In his free time, Jorge enjoys cooking and kayaking. We are excited to have Jorge on our team! Let’s welcome him aboard!
SD FOUNDATION COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (One Application To More Than 100 Scholarships)
The San Diego Foundation Community Scholarship program provides scholarship opportunities for local students to help pursue their educational goals and achieve their higher education dreams. The San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application gives San Diego students access to more than 100 scholarships that comprise our Community Scholarship Program by filling out just one application.
More info can be found HERE.
FREE Academic, Career, and Financial Counseling
Do you want one on one help with College and Career Planning? Need help finding Scholarships? Need help with the FAFSA/Dream Act?
WAHUPA is a program that provides FREE academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue to college. TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student service programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Sign up today!
MESA COLLEGE AMBASSADOR
Do you have questions regarding Mesa College? Need help planning going to Community College? Are you struggling with a Mesa class and need to know where to get tutoring? As of this Monday, November 9th we have our Mesa Ambassador! His name is Nhulong Vo. He will be helping students with any Community College questions, FAFSA and Dream Act, completing the College Promise. He will be available Monday-Thursday from 1:30-3:30PM
CAL-SOAP READINESS COACH
Let's Welcome Ms. Hannah S. Cubos! She will be starting this Monday, November 9th! She will be assisting Seniors with completing their FAFSA or Dream Act. Her schedule is:
- Monday 3:00-7:00PM
- Tuesday 2:00-6:00PM
- Wednesday 2:00-6:00PM
- Friday 9:00AM-12:00 noon
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS IS BACK
Hi everyone!
Circle of Friends is FINALLY happening. The club will be meeting each Friday during lunch (12:55-1:25). The Zoom meeting information is below.
Join Zoom Meeting - https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/82664068851
If you have any questions please contact Speech and Language Pathologist, Ms. Monique Hale at mhale2@sandi.net.
CHS COUNSELING GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
The CHS Counseling Staff has created grade level Google Classrooms to provide students with resources and supports during Online Learning. Although students were automatically enrolled in these classrooms based on their grade level, please have your child check their Google Classroom suite to be sure they are able to access this valuable resource.
9th Grade Counseling Google Classroom
Google Classroom Code: 44qrazt
10th Grade Counseling Google Classroom
Google Classroom Code: 7lhkm5t
11th Grade Counseling Google Classroom
Google Classroom Code: a74efrd
12th Grade Counseling Google Classroom
Google Classroom Code: ubtvxtz
For more information about CHS Counseling, check out our Clairemont Counseling webpage.
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (VAPA)
ANOTHER HIT FROM THE CHS THESPIAN CLUB
Congratulations to the CHS Thespian Club on their virtual production of Everyone Gets Eaten By Sharks. 23 students (and a few family members) worked together to produce our first online production, working both on screen and behind the scenes. The club will produce another show in 2021 - look for details in the new year! If you are interested in joining the Thespian Club, email clairemont.theatre@gmail.com for the Zoom meeting info!