Daily news - Monday February 23, 2026
THE CHRONICLE
Monday February 23, 2026
It’s a great day to be a Spartan!
¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW - Pink Shirt Day – Feb 25
Pink Shirt Day is THIS WEDNESDAY Feb 25. Please support Claremont's commitment to a bully-free environment by wearing and ‘thinking’ pink. Let’s join together and visibly show our support for a more inclusive, accepting and compassionate society. Practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying.
NEW - Future International Trips
Peru - Spring Break 2027
Japan - Spring Break 2028
Come to Mr. Gardner’s class (room 327) any day at lunch this week for more information about these amazing trips. info: dgardner@saanichschools.ca
NEW – Draw for Free Coffee at the Zero Cafe
Enter your name to win free coffee for a week at the Zero Cafe! Visit the IGS room to sign up or look for the sign-up sheet near the cafeteria. Did you know you can get a free coffee at the Zero Cafe on your birthday? Just show the baristas an ID card with your birthday on it!
REMINDER - Course Selection Forms
Reminder to please return your completed course selection forms (signed by a parent/guardian) to the office by THIS THURSDAY Feb.26.
NEW – Exchange Trip Information – Feb.24
There is a family information session for the Saanich-Lyon Language Exchange program, TOMORROW (TUESDAY) evening at Bayside Middle School at 6:30pm. Come hear about opportunities for 4-week exchange programs to other countries. For current grade 9/10 students.
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 – Tennis Team
If you are interested in playing competitive tennis, please see Mr Gardner in Room 327 for tryout information. Come by TODAY or TOMORROW at lunch time.
¬ FINE ARTS
No news today.
¬ CLUBS
NEW – Dungeons & Dragons
The Dungeons & Dragons club is meeting TODAY at lunch in Room 301. Even if you missed the info session last week, but are curious to learn to play, or if you're an experienced player who wants to come lend a hand, swing by Room 301 at lunch today or talk to Mr. Scheurkogel.
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.
¬ INDIGENOUS NEWS
NEW – Lahal Tournament
Last week, the 3rd annual Lahal Tournament was hosted at Spectrum Community School. Lahal is a traditional Indigenous guessing game, played by two teams and involved hidden bones, scoring sticks, drumming and singing; there were 12 Lahal courts set up for the tournament. Our tiny (but mighty!) team of 5 proudly represented the Claremont Bone Dancers.
There were two pools of 12, and each team played 6 games. We lost our first game, but came back strong, winning the next 5 games in a row, finishing 1st place in our pool and qualifying for finals! In the championship game, the Bone Dancers battled hard and finished 2nd place overall out of 24 teams! Way to go, Bone Dancers!! We are proud of your teamwork, spirit, and determination.
¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
No news today.
¬ GRAD 2026
NEW - 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.
¬ 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.
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
“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.