Daily News - Friday February 20, 2026
THE CHRONICLE
Friday February 20, 2026
It’s a great day to be a Spartan!
¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Theme Day TODAY
It is great to see so many students and staff dressed up cozy today, for FEBRUARY FUZZY FLANNEL FRIDAY!
NEW – Spring 2027 Trip to France
For all current grade 9 and 10 French students who are interested in spending 4 weeks in France next spring: there will be an information meeting of the Saanich-Lyon Exchange Program TODAY at lunch in room 303. Brind a friend!
NEW – Support for Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
This past week has been an unbelievably traumatic time for the community of Tumbler Ridge. As a school community, we would like to send our thoughts of support and caring to the students and staff at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. There are cards available, both in the admin office and in the Learning Commons, if any student or staff member would like to add a message. Cards will be available until the end of TODAY.
Course Selection Forms
Reminder to please return your completed course selection forms (signed by a parent/guardian) to the office by THURSDAY Feb.26. If you are applying for a CSI program, those application forms/course selection forms are due by the end of TODAY (Feb. 20).
Spartan Wear
Spartan Wear is on sale now. You can get your order form from Mrs. Waller in the Accounting office to order Claremont hoodies, sweat pants, t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts. Orders and payments are due at the accounting office by FRIDAY, March 6th. Products will be at school after Spring Break.
TC10K (April 26)
Calling all runners and walkers, staff and students…. if you are interested in being part of our Claremont team for the annual TC10K event, please sign up on the TC10K website to join the team asap. All levels of running/jogging/walking are welcome. If we have a minimum of 10 participants sign up, we will have our team name printed on the event t-shirts. This is the registration LINK. Under “View Teams”, search for “Claremont Secondary” to join the team. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Laszlo.
NEW - Golf
Attention Golfers! There is an important information meeting about Golf Team tryouts TODAY at the beginning of lunch in the portable. This is a change of date and location for this meeting. If you are interested in trying out, you must attend. If you are unable to be there, please see Mr. Ryan in the PE office at lunch in advance.
¬ FINE ARTS
NEW - Music Café – Feb.19
Congratulations to our talented music students who performed in last night’s “Music Café.” This was a sold-out event, and the audience was definitely treated to your vibrant showcase of instrumental and voice performances. We have some amazing talent at Claremont! Bravo!
¬ CLUBS
Clubs at Claremont.
There are many clubs to get involved with at Claremont. Here is a list of the current club opportunities. Details are posted outside of the office. Check them out!
Board Game Club
Chess Club
Gardening Club
Math Club
Grad Exec YCI (Youth for Change and Inclusion)
Claremont GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance)
Trivia Tournaments
Key Club
Movie Club (lunchtime movies)
Movie Club (watch 7 discuss new films)
Lunch Time Gym/Weight Room
Indigenous Leadership
Team
Peer Tutoring
Girl Power Robotics Club (*might be FULL*)
Model UN Club
Knitting, Crochet & Cricut Craft Club
IBPOC Club
Wolf Pack
Movie Club
Film Production
Dance Club *by audition
Japanese Club
Psych Sessions
Writing Club
Debate Club
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Minecraft Club
Zine Club.
¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
No news today.
¬ GRAD 2026
Scholarships
Don't miss out on exciting scholarship opportunities! To find out the latest scholarship opportunities, be sure check out Claremont's Scholarship Update e-newsletter (https://secure.smore.com/n/be359) and follow 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 on Instagram.
¬ INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
No news today.
¬ FUNDRAISING
No news today.
¬ CAREER CENTRE
Camosun's Student Services & Program Info Fair – Feb.25
This information event will include booths from Camosun’s various programs, specifically to support undecided students who are still exploring their program options. Applicants and their parents can visit the campus, connect with a range of student services, and meet other newcomers. Admissions, Registration, Academic Advising, Centre for Accessible Learning, and other student services will be in attendance.
WEDNESDAY, February 25, 4:00 – 7:00pm at the Lansdowne Campus (3100 Foul Bay Road), primarily in Wilna Thomas building.
Campus Tours: 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30pm. No registration necessary.
NEW – UBC Doctor of Medicine / Island Medical Program info: March 4
Would you like to become doctor? You can earn your MD on Vancouver Island! You are invited to a special information session for the Island Medical Program, which delivers UBC’s Doctor of Medicine program at UVic. You will learn about the program and its admissions process, what it takes to become a doctor, and what it’s like studying medicine on Vancouver Island. This info session will be presented simultaneously on Zoom and in-person at the University of Victoria.
WEDNESDAY March 4th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom or in-person at the University of Victoria (Medical Services Building 150). Everyone is welcome to attend, including students, guardians, teachers, and counsellors. This is a FREE information session, but to learn more and to register, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217), or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca (Or, you can visit: https://imp.med.ubc.ca/eveninginfosession2026/)
¬ CLAREMONT PAC
NEW – “Sidestepping the Power Struggle” Series
Dr Allison Rees is running a Sidestepping the Power Struggle series - 8 week course. Further details at this LINK
Sidestepping the Power Struggle offers parents a refreshing, practical approach to reducing conflict and building cooperation at home for all aged children and teens. Instead of getting pulled into arguments, repeating yourself, or resorting to consequences that don’t work, this course teaches you how to work with challenging behaviours, understand them and recognize antecedents.
When: TUESDAY evenings, starting February 17th , 7:00 to 9:00pm, with a week off for spring break and to accommodate parents who can’t make a class with a recording.
Cost: $50 for SD63 school families. Subsidies are also available (contact Dr. Rees). In-person seats are held in Dr Rees's studio
Returning Parents: If you have taken Sidestepping, you can re-attend on Zoom, free of charge.
To register, please email: allisonrees@shaw.ca
Mental Health Resources and Supports
Taking time to check in with one another and reaching out for support can make a meaningful difference. We are sharing this resource list from BCCPAC to ensure families are aware of the mental health supports available for youth and caregivers across British Columbia.
This is the LINK for Mental Health Resources and Supports. The document includes 24/7 crisis supports, phone and text lines for children and youth, parent and caregiver resources to help families navigate mental health concerns and have supportive conversations with young people.
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.
Instagram Account
Claremont has an Instagram account: @claremontsd63. This is great way to keep in the loop on school-wide information.
If a Student is Absent or Late
Parents are asked to please email your student’s teacher AND the Attendance Line if your student will be absent or late for class. The Link for the Claremont Attendance Line is always quick to find on the Quick Links on the Claremont website’s home page: claremont_attendance@saanichschools.ca
Student Drivers
Reminder to all students who are parking their vehicles in the student parking lot: you are required to be registered with the school. Permission forms and parking passes ($2 each) are available with Mrs. Waller in the Accounting office; students will be required to show their drivers licence, their insurance papers, and their ICBC Driver’s Abstract.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Peninsula Youth Clinic at Shoreline Medical
At this Youth Clinic, services are 100% free, confidential, and explicitly inclusive of all genders and sexualities! This clinic operates on THURSDAYS, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, for Mental and Sexual Health education (there is no physician scheduled). Appointments with a physician are offered on FRIDAYS from 10:00 am – 12:00pm. Both telehealth and in-person appointments are offered for our physicians and counselors.
Youth Clinic: 2A – 2379 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, BC
To book an appointment:
Call 250-656-4143, then press 7, then press 1.
A copy of the announcements is posted on the wall outside of the main office door.