Daily News - Wednesday February 4
THE CHRONICLE
Wednesday February 4, 2026
It’s a great day to be a Spartan!
¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW – Safe Drop-off & Pick-up Reminders
There have been growing concerns about the safe flow of parent vehicle traffic in the mornings and after school. For the safety of students and staff, parents are reminded that the bus loop is NOT a drop-off or pick-up location for students, before and after school.
Mornings: for dropping off students, please use the entrance/exit of the student parking lot, or drop off on the ample areas along Claremont Road or Wesley Road. If you are using the student parking lot, please pull further down the lot, as to not block up the parent cars behind you. Please do NOT drive into the staff parking lot.
After school: for picking up students, please use the entrance/exit of the student parking lot or pickup along the ample areas along Claremont Road or Wesley Road. Please do NOT park on Strangcrest Place across the road from Claremont. This small cul-de-sac cannot support cars parking and interfering with their driveways.
A short fresh air walk is a wonderful way for students to start and end their school day.
NEW – Valentine’s Candy-Grams
Valentine’s Day candy grams are on sale TODAY in the student lounge. They will also be on sale THIS FRIDAY Feb. 6th and MONDAY Feb. 9th. $2.50 includes candy and a personalized card. Cash or card will be accepted. See Mr. Dunlop if you have any questions.
NEW – Coast Rica Meeting
All students travelling to Costa Rica during this Spring Break: there is an important meeting TODAY at lunch in room 327.
NEW – Spring Break 2028 Trip Opportunities: Peru/Japan
Peru Trip
Immerse yourself in the Art, Culture, & History of Peru. Visit Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Japan Trip
Journey through some highlights of Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto, Bullet trains, a Bamboo Forest, and the Hiroshima Memorial site.
Come to a meeting THIS FRIDAY Feb.6 at lunch in room 327 to find out more details. contact Mr. Gardner for more info: dgardner@saanichschools.ca
NEW – Meet The Teacher AND Course Info Night – Feb.12
More information regarding the Course Information Night will be provided in our next Message to Families publication (Sun Feb 8th.)
Meet the Teacher – Feb.12
An opportunity for current Gr 9-12 parents to meet Semester 2 teachers in their classrooms to hear an overview of the classes, by transitioning through each block during the early part of the evening. BRING YOUR CHILD’S CLASS SCHEDULE. Meeting rotation schedule:
Morning (AM) Block: 4:40 - 4:55pm
Block 1: 5:00 - 5:15pm
Block 2: 5:20 - 5:35pm
Block 3: 5:40 - 5:55pm
Block 4: 6:00 - 6:15pm
After School Blk: 6:20 - 6:35pm
Course Information Night – Feb. 12
An opportunity for Gr 8-11 students & parents (Gr 8’s making the transition from ROMS to CMont, as well as new students making the transition from out of District) to learn about and make informed decisions regarding course selection for the 2026-27 school year. We will be providing a wide variety of general course selection information & reminders.
Schedule:
General Information Sessions:
5:30 - 6:30pm: Out of Catchment + Gr 8 Parent/Student Presentation (Theatre)
6:45 - 7:30pm: Gr 9-11 Student/Parent Info Session (Theatre)
Program Specific Information:
6:45 - 7:15pm: Specialty Programs Round 1:
PEP (LC)
FOFA (Band Room)
IGS (Room 264)
Sport Performance (Gym)
7:30 - 8:00pm: Specialty Programs Round 2:
PEP (LC)
FOFA (Band Room)
IGS (Room 264)
Sport Performance (Gym)
NEW – Altered Class Schedule/Early Dismissal - Feb.12
Block 1 9:00 - 10:06
Block 2 10:12 - 11:18
Lunch 11:18 – 11:54
Block 3 11:54 – 1:00
Block 4 1:06 – 2:12
Skills Canada Competition
Registration is OPEN for this year's South Island Regional Skills Canada Competitions! Online or face-to-face competitions will be held, covering areas like Electronics, Graphic Design, Internet Website Design, Job Skill Demonstration, Photography, and Public Speaking... Registration in each competition is limited. Please see Mr. Bussoli in the Career Centre (Room 217), as soon as possible, if you are interested in competing. Competition Date: FRIDAY March 6, 2026
No news today.
¬ FINE ARTS
No news today.
¬ CLUBS
Math Club
This is the last full week to sign up for the Pascal/Cayley/Fermat math contests. Sign up on the bulletin board outside room 133 or speak to Mr. Skanks in room 130.
¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
NEW – New International Students Meeting
For our International Students, new arrivals only: there is a Homestay meeting TODAY at lunch in the Learning Commons (bring your own lunch).
¬ GRAD 2026
NEW - Grad Assembly – Feb.18
There will be an important grad assembly on WEDNESDAY Feb.18 in block 4. Please note this is a revised date (previously scheduled for Feb.4)
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
Butchart Gardens JOB FAIR 2026 – Feb.18
Butchart Gardens is recruiting for Spring and Summer, and is hosting their annual job fair on WEDNESDAY February 18, 5:30pm- 7:30pm (800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay). Come check it out and bring your resume.
--Competitive wages
--Employment in most departments
--Department representatives available
Women in Orthopaedics - Virtual Workshop - Saturday, February 21
UBC Department of Orthopaedics and BC Children’s Hospital are hosting a virtual workshop that will provide insights into what it is like to work as an orthopaedic resident, through guided discussion of real-world cases and clinical decision-making. The workshop is geared toward female students in grades 10-12. The workshop is SATURDAY Feb. 21, 10:00am-11:30am. Deadline for registration is SATURDAY, February 14. For more information and to register, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217) or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
Job Opportunity: Minor Test Shopper, Island Health
The Tobacco & Vapour Prevention and Control Program is looking to hire minors for compliance checking work. $22.50/hr. Requirements:
Good Communication Skills.
Reliable transportation to the main office (771 Vernon Ave.).
Ability to be scheduled for weekday shifts at 3:30 pm and occasional weekends.
You were born in late 2009 or 2010.
For more info see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217) or email her at cwatson@saanichschools.ca
Job Opportunity: Marketers
Student Works Painting is hiring Door-to-Door Marketers!
- $20/Hour to start
- Part-time, flexible hours
- No experience necessary - Full training provided
- Learn useful sales skills
- Work locally in Saanich area
- Working with friends is encouraged
For more info and to apply, email Lucc at lucc.f@studentworks.ca
¬ CLAREMONT PAC
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.