THE CHRONICLE

Friday March 13, 2026

It’s a great day to be a Spartan!

Wishing you an enjoyable 2-week Spring Break! 

¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spirit Theme Day – March 13

TODAY’s theme day is March Monochrome!  It is great to see Spartan Spirit with your monochrome outfits!

NEW – Congratulations Skills Canada Winners

Claremont students made excellent efforts to win their Gold level placements at our regional Skills Canada, and now have the opportunity to attend Provincial Competitions. Our gold winners are:
Zoie BHATTI - Public Speaking
Trent DOLAN - Photography
Aaron SPALTEHOLZ - Electronics
Congratulations to ALL students who participated.  Way to go, Spartans!

Found

A house key on a Spartan helmet key ring was found in the community. If you think this may be your key, please come to the office to identify it.

¬ ATHLETICS

No news today.

¬ CLUBS

Debate Club

Reminder that Claremont’s Debate Club runs on MONDAYS at lunch. Whether you are a returning member or new to this club, come to room 235 at lunch on Mondays. We will start back up on the first day after we return from Spring Break. This is a great opportunity to practice skills in public speaking!

¬ FINE ARTS

No news today.

¬ INDIGENOUS NEWS

REMINDER - Indigenous Youth: Canadian Armed Forces Info – March 13

Reminder that we have a presentation TODAY at lunch from Canadian Armed Forces, regarding programs for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or non-status Indigenous students.  These programs are 1) a six-week Indigenous Summer Program (CAFISP - Raven Program), and 2) an Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year (a paid, one-year program at the Royal Military College of Canada.  The info session is TODAY at lunch in the Claremont Career Centre.  

¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

No news today.

¬ GRAD 2026

NEW – Spring Fling: April 15

Calling all grads! There is going to be a Spring Fling on WEDNESDAY April 15, from 6:30 - 9:30pm.  Tickets are on sale at the accounting office for $10. Once you buy your tickets, please come to the Ridge Theatre at lunch so that we can check off your name. Tickets will be on sale until April 3, so buy them soon. The theme is “Enchanted Garden”. Dress is semi-formal, and it will be lots of fun!

REMINDER - Yearbook Write-Ups and Grad Slide-Show Photos

Unfortunately, we still have many Grads who have not completed their Yearbook Write-up and/or submitted their Baby/Middle years photos using the Grad 2026 Google Classroom instructions.  It is very important to get both tasks completed NOW.  The absence of a Yearbook Write-up will result in a blank spot beside your Grad photo in your yearbook, for eternity, and the absence of your Baby/Middle years photos will mean that your slide in the Grad Night Slideshow will be noticeably empty. If you haven’t completed these tasks, please log into the Grad 2026 Google Classroom ASAP and follow the instructions. If you are having trouble, please see Mrs. Knapp in the office. 

Grad Wear Borrow/Rental Options

Magic Wand

The Magic Wand is a non-profit organization that offers an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to grad outfits for any students (boys and girls) This is a great opportunity to borrow, rather than buy, a complete special outfit for graduation. The only cost to the student is a small fee which covers the cost of cleaning.  Please contact Elizabeth Suresus to view her selection of grad dresses, suits, tuxedos, shoes, and accessories.

Website: www.themagicwandproject.ca

Borrow Me Boutique

Borrow Me Boutique is another low-cost option to RENT grad dresses.  For more information and to browse their selection of dresses.

Website: borrowmeboutique.com

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

¬ FUNDRAISING

NEW – Bottle Drive: SATURDAY March 21

Claremont’s VEX Robotics Club will be having a Bottle Drive in the middle of Spring Break on SATURDAY, March 21, 9:00-1:00pm.  Refundables (bottles, cans, milk containers, etc) can be dropped off in the bus loop at the front of Claremont Secondary School.

Claremont has qualified three teams for the VEX Robotics World Championships; they will represent Vancouver Island and compete against 800 other teams from around the world.  Registration alone for each team is $2500 so we are asking for help from our Claremont community. Thanks for your continued support of Claremont programs.

¬ CAREER CENTRE

REMINDER - Camosun School of Business Showcase: March 24 (during Spring Break)

Meet the faculty and ask all your questions, regarding:

--Accounting & Finance

--Office Administration Programs

--Economics

--Hospitality & Tourism Management

--Management & HR Leadership

--Marketing

--Sport Management

--Co-op & Career Services

--Enactus

This showcase is on TUESDAY March 24, 6:00pm-7:30pm @ Camosun Interurban Campus, Centre for Business & Access 219.  No registration necessary - simply attend!

Volunteer Opportunity

Vancouver Island Health's “Step Up” Youth Volunteer Program offers an opportunity for youth to volunteer at select Island Health hospitals and long-term care homes. Volunteers gain practical exposure to a healthcare environment and explore a variety of health careers. The expected commitment is one 2-hour shift per week, after school, through the school year. There are also monthly online guest speakers who provide insight into professions such as medicine, nursing, medical imaging, pharmacy, psychiatry, social work, and more. Volunteers must be aged 15-18. 

Applications are open until May 15^th. For more information and to apply, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217), or email her at: cwatson@saanichschools.ca

Mentorship/Training Opportunity Working With Children

Are you interested in spending your summer working with kids? Do you want to be a leader in your community? Apply for the Saanich Youth WYLD Leadership Program!
This hands-on mentored placement program is perfect for those interested in working as a summer camp leader, teacher, lifeguard, fitness instructor, police officer, first responder and in other career areas....
Applications are open until April 1. See Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217) for more info, or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca

Volunteer Opportunity – Easter Egg Hunt Event

The Neal Estate Group is holding their 27th annual Easter Egg Hunt, supporting BC Children's Hospital!  Volunteers are needed for hiding the eggs, helping the kids find them, crafts, face painting, cupcake decorating, and set-up/take-down. 

Location: Beaver Lake Park (South Shelter, filter bed location).

SATURDAY April 4th - Volunteers should be at the park at 8:30am - until the early afternoon... Rain or Shine!  To sign up, email Hailey from Ron Neal: hailey@ronneal.com

¬ CLAREMONT PAC

PAC Donation Button

A new CPAC Donation button is now available in the Student Fees Portal under your Student Profile. This feature allows you to make a voluntary donation at any time during the year to support CPAC initiatives.

Your contributions help fund programs, clubs, and activities that enrich students’ learning opportunities and enhance the overall school experience. Thank you for helping support a vibrant and engaging student community.

https://saanichschools.ca/resources/studentsfamilies/pay-school-fees-online

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.

¬ ONGOING REMINDERS

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.