Daily News - April 1, 2026
THE CHRONICLE
Wednesday April 1, 2026
It’s a great day to be a Spartan!
¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kindness Campaign
The "Kindness Campaign" continues TODAY, Claremont. Be kind to others and you might be noticed, win some chocolate and be entered into weekly draws for a chance to win pizza and gift cards!!! Thanks to our Leadership class for running this campaign over the next 3 weeks!!!
NEW – Bus Registration for 2026-2027: Opens April 15
Bus transportation registration for the 2026–2027 school year will open on April 15 at 12:00 p.m. through the School District 63 Transportation Department. The link to am info letter for parents/guardians from the Transportation Department is HERE. The Registration link will be sent out closer to April 15. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email the Transportation Department at: transportation@saanichschools.ca
NEW – SD63 is Seeking Host Families for International Students
The Saanich International Student Program (SISP) is actively looking for new Host Families for International students joining the Saanich School District in September 2026. If you are interested in becoming a young person’s “Home Away from Home”, complete this INTEREST FORM to sign up to come to one of our Open Houses!
DROP-IN Open House - Information Evening
Drop in anytime between 5:30-7pm at one of the Open Houses below, for a short presentation and the opportunity to ask questions to the SISP Homestay Team.
• Wednesday, April 8th @ Stelly’s Secondary School, drop in between 5:30-7 pm
• Tuesday, April 14th @Claremont Secondary School, drop in between 5:30-7pm
• Thursday, April 23rd @ Parkland Secondary School, drop in between 5:30-7pm
Quick Facts:
• Duration: students come to Saanich for a stay of 4, 5 or 10 months
• Schools: students attend Claremont, Parkland or Stelly’s Secondary Schools
• Provide: a private bedroom, three meals a day, healthy snacks, and inclusion in your family life
• Receive: a monthly reimbursement of $1,350 per student for expenses incurred, and continued support from the SISP Homestay Team
Visit studyinsaanich.ca/homestay or email homestay@saanichschools.ca to learn more.
NEW - SD63 Hairdressing Program “Studio 63”
Studio 63 is open for business, starting April 7th! Hair Program students have worked hard to gain skills, and are now ready to cut and style your hair for a great price... Walk-ins are welcome, or call to book an appointment! Located at Saanichton Learning Centre, 1649 Mt. Newton X Rd. 250-652-5381
Monday: 12:45-4:00
Tuesday: 10:30-4:00
Wednesday: 12:45-4:00
Thursday: 11:30-6:00
Friday: Closed
¬ ATHLETICS
No news today.
¬ CLUBS
No news today.
¬ FINE ARTS
No news today.
¬ INDIGENOUS NEWS
No news today.
¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
NEW – Rockies Trip Meeting
For all International Students going on the Rockies trip next week, there is a mandatory pre-trip meeting TODAY at lunch in the Learning Commons.
¬ GRAD 2026
NEW – Mandatory Grad Meeting – April 9 (block 1)
For all grade 12's: this is a reminder that you are required to attend a grad assembly next week on THURSDAY April 9 in block 1. Mark your calendars!! This assembly will provide all details about graduation: how to know if you are eligible to cross the stage, criteria for completion of courses at SIDES or ILC, grad ceremony, grad dinner/dance, how to get TICKETS (and how many tickets), deadlines, plus you will be provided with all of the necessary paperwork. If you have a spare or if you are not usually at Claremont for block 1, please make arrangements to attend this important assembly.
REMINDER - Spring Fling: April 15
Calling all grads! The Grad Spring Fling will take place 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. The deadline to buy tickets is TOMORROW (THURSDAY) April 2, so buy them now. The theme is “Enchanted Garden”. Dress is semi-formal, and it will be lots of fun!
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 – Krispie Kreme Doughnuts: Pre-Sales March 31-April 5
The Grad 2026 Parent Committee is hosting a Krispie Kreme Doughnut fundraiser.
PRE-SALES run March 31st – April 5th. Pre-Order as many boxes as you like.
PICK-UP is SATURDAY April 11th, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM @ 4240 Glanford Ave (Houle Electric parking lot).
Submit orders here: ORDER DOUGHNUTS and feel free to share the link with friends & family.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We need help with 1) selling at 4 locations and 2) delivering donuts to each site. Sign up HERE to volunteer.
This fundraiser could raise $4000 to help make Grad amazing! ❤️ WE NEED YOU! We can’t do this without your help… yes YOU, not someone else!
¬ CAREER CENTRE
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 deadline is TODAY April 1. See Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217) for more info, or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
REMINDER - Volunteer Opportunity – Easter Egg Hunt Event – April 4
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).
THIS 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
NEW – Virtual Women in Orthopaedics Event – April 25
The UBC Department of Orthopaedics and BC Childrens’ Hospital is hosting a session called "Unpack Olympic Injuries" at their virtual Women in Orthopaedics Event on SATURDAY, April 25 @ 10:00am - 11:30am. Registration deadline is April 22.
At this interactive session, students will explore how healthcare professionals work together to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate injuries that can happen to high-level Olympic and elite athletes. See Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217) for more info and to register, or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
NEW – Island Ignite Fire Camp
Are you a female in grade 11 or 12 interested in learning what it takes to work in Emergency Services? Island Ignite Fire Camp is coming to Victoria this July! Registration deadline is April 30th. See Mr. Bussoli in the Career Centre (Room room 217) to apply.
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 15th. For more information and to apply, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217), or email her at: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
¬ CLAREMONT PAC
NEW – Ministry of Education & ChildCare is Seeking Parent Feedback – April 22
The Ministry is inviting parents and caregivers to participate in a one-time engagement session to share their experiences accessing information from their child’s school. The session will take place on April 22, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and will be hosted via Zoom.
Families rely on information from schools that is clear, timely, and easy to find. This includes things like teacher communications, report cards, attendance, course selections, and school updates, to support their child’s learning. The Ministry wants to better understand what is working well today, where challenges exist, and what families need from the digital tools and processes that schools use to share information.
Your insights will help the Province design better digital tools that can support districts and schools in providing clear, timely, and easy to find information to parents and guardians across B.C.
More information about the Parent Engagement Session - Designing Better Digital Tools for Families can be found HERE:
If you’re interested in participating, please reach out to the Ministry team at myedbc@gov.bc.ca with your name, e-mail address, and school district. They’ll confirm your participation, arrange a calendar hold, and send the Zoom link closer to the session.
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.
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
Instagram Account
Claremont has an Instagram account: @claremontsd63. This is great way to keep in the loop on school-wide information.
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.