Claremont Parents, Guardians & Students,

We hope you continue to enjoy a wonderful summer. We are getting close to the start of the new school year, so we wanted to send along important back-to-school information so that families can make appropriate plans.  Please read the following information carefully.  

The beginning of a new school year can bring a wide range of emotions. Students who are looking to calm their start-up nerves are encouraged to come into the school on Friday, September 4th to walk around the building and/or get a tour. Student-led tours will occur on Friday at 10:00 am, and tours with friends/family or a one-on-one tour can be organized by contacting administration.

¬ Start Up Schedule / Orientation – First Week Back to School!

¬ Bell Schedule

Please be advised that it would be a good idea for all students to take a quick photo of the image below using their cell phones so that they always have a copy at hand to reference.  It is also available on the Claremont Website under the “Our School” Tab.

¬ Student Account Login

Usernames are their student numbers when logging into the computer or any Saanich Schools login page.  The first step on Google would be to use student number@saanichlearns.ca (ex:  123456@saanichlearns.ca) If you are coming from a different district your student number is the same and then you must add @saanichlearns.ca

Student's accounts all have a temporary password that follows a pattern:

Birthday + st + last 3 digits of their student number (birthday has no zeroes in front)

So, for a student who was born July 6 and their student number is 123456

Their password would be: 6st456

NEW STUDENTS: go to the Claremont Website select STUDENTS and then STUDENT LINKS

Select Link here

Step 1   Select “UPDATE PASSWORD” ICON

                Enter Username

                Use Temporary Password (example above)

                Change to New Password

ALL STUDENTS – Must set up or renew Google Consent

Step 2   Select “GOOGLE CONSENT” ICON

                Enter Username

                Use New Password

                Google Workspace for Education – Select Drop Down and Click “Yes, I consent”

Step 3 – To view timetables or report cards – Login to reporting.saanichschools.ca 

**  If you have forgotten your password any teacher can reset your password for you.

      It takes approximately 15 minutes for the change to be processed in the system. 

¬ Parent Account Login – Brightspace Parent & Guardian Portal

Brightspace is an online learning management system that can be used as a gateway to the classroom, offering a secure and password-protected space to share insights into student learning. Parents/Guardians can set up their Brightspace account using the email address that is registered with our Claremont school office. This is where you will find timetables, learning updates (4 times per year) and other important student related information.

To create your account please use the following LINK or go to the parent tab on the Claremont Website (scroll down to Account Login/Setup Guide and follow the steps to make an account.  If you are having challenges PDF Resources are available at the bottom of the page - Account Setup Reference Guide and Parent Portfolio App)

¬ Class Timetables / Course Changes

Students were given DRAFT timetables last June.  All students will be provided with their updated schedule (uploaded to Brightspace by Friday, September 4th).

All Grade 9’s will receive their full year printed timetables on Tuesday, September 8^th at the orientation. All Grade 10-12 students will receive their full year printed timetables from their block 1 teachers on September 9^th. Students who require course changes should come to the main office front counter to pick up a Course Change Form. Take a picture of your timetable if you misplace your paper copy.  Changes may not be possible due to very limited space availability in classes as the timetable was built on selections made last spring.  Priority will be given to those students who require major changes and/or are missing required courses, also students that are closer to Graduation and are taking the course for the first time.

Course Changes: It is our hope that there will be minimal changes with student timetables.  Those students who requested timetable changes last June should see the changes made to their new timetables if they were possible.  Those wishing for any changes to their semester one timetable must have this completed no later than Friday September 11^th.  All course changes must now be completed by filling out a course change form and submitting it to the main office in the blue bin on the front counter.

Booking appointments with Counsellors will not be available during the first week of school.  Counsellors will be contacting students directly from the requests made on course change forms.  If there is an urgent matter please come to the office and we will assist you.

¬ Communication

Every two weeks we do our best to provide you with school-wide information in the form of a Family Update email. These messages should arrive in your inbox by Sunday evening. 

If you move during the school year, get a new address, phone number or email address please make sure you keep us informed.  Has your emergency contact or work phone number changed? 

Students will come home with a Demographic Form and it is extremely important for the school to have up-to-date information on your child. Please make any changes to this form and return it to the school by Friday September 11th.  If there are no changes required, please sign and return to the office.

¬ School Calendar / Year at a Glance / Events

The Year at a Glance is now posted on the Claremont Website under the “Our School” tab.  This document will provide you with all the scheduled dates we currently have on the calendar.  We will update the Year at a Glance periodically throughout the year. You will also find a monthly calendar and icons with details on our events on our Calendar/Year at a Glance/Events Page.

¬ Accidents Do Happen

Students are actively involved at school – from the playground to organized sports – and sometimes accidents do happen.  The school district does not provide insurance for any losses or costs that arise from such accidents, and we strongly recommend that parents consider purchasing student accident insurance.  Two plan options are provided at this link to our district website.   

¬ Meet the Teacher

Mark your calendar for Thursday September 17, 2026.  “Meet the Teacher” night will be on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm.  This is an opportunity for you to come and spend a few minutes with each of your students’ teachers and hear about the scope of each class.  This will also be our first early closure day.  School day will end at 2:12

• Parents please take a picture of their student’s timetable and bring it with them. No timetables are printed.

• 5:00 – 5:30 Meeting for Grade 9 parents and parents of students new to Claremont in the Ridge Theatre

• 5:30 – 7:00 Class Rotation to meet teachers and receive an overview of what will be taught in class and teacher expectations. These are group meetings and not individual appointments.

¬Grad Parent Meeting

Our first grad parent meeting will take place at 7:00 pm after ‘Meet the Teacher’ on Thursday, September 17^th, 2026. This will be an opportunity to come together, make some plans for the upcoming school year and look to form a grad parent committee. 

¬ Attendance

If your student will be absent from school, please leave a message with the name of the student and duration of absence on our Attendance Email claremont_attendance@saanichschools.ca or the Absence Line by calling our main phone line at 250-658-5221 and selecting Option 1 for Attendance.  ** Please spell the surname**

Absent but forgot to call or email the attendance line? If your student has been absent from school and you forgot to call the attendance line please send your student with a note to school and have them bring it to the Attendance Secretary in the office.

Please send your student with a note if they are to be excused from school early for appointments. All students are required to sign out at the office.  If you call in an absence for a single block in the morning or afternoon please refer to the blocks as before class, Block 1, 2, 3, 4 or after school.

¬ Picture Day with Artona – September 15, 20256

All students are required to have their photo taken for the MyEd database and for the yearbook, this is no cost to parents.  Full details on how to order will be available after the initial photo sessions have taken place, photos will be online within 48 hours. Also, if your child cannot be present on this day, a retake day will be on October 20, 2026.   Students should be dressed in clothing suitable to a school learning environment. 

All Students need photos taken for ID (purchase of package not req’d) 

¬ School Code of Conduct

All Students will be asked to review the Student Code of Conduct and we hope parents and guardians will also read this.  The information is also available on our website.  This document includes information about our expectations and routines and other significant topics.  It is very important for all students and parents to have a good understanding of the Ministry of Education Graduation Program. The graduating students should carefully read the section on our Graduation Ceremony.  If you have questions about any of the information, please contact the school.

Click here to view the School Code of Conduct

¬ School Supplies

A specific school supplies list is not provided for high school students. Students should be prepared for all classes with a supply of the basics:

• Binders with loose-leaf paper and dividers or Notebooks (one 2” per course recommended)

• HB pencils (or mechanical pencils with sufficient lead)

• Blue or Black pens, non-erasable

• Highlighters (different colors)

• Hand held pencil sharpener

• Large glue stick

• White vinyl erasers

• 30cm ruler

• Pair of scissors

• pencil case

• Calculator with scientific functions, (graphing calculators are not required unless requested for a specific course)

• Box of Tissues to be kept in student locker for colds or allergies

Some classes or teachers may request specific items. Students will be informed of any course specific supplies during the course introduction.  These supplies may need to be replenished as necessary throughout the year.

¬ School Locks / Lockers

Students will be given a “Locker Selection Form” during block 1 on the first days of school.  All students will be given instructions on the process for selecting a locker if they choose to have one.  All unassigned and open lockers will be locked with a reverse lock.  These are available if a student should choose to have one at a later date.  LOCKERS ARE NOT MANDATORY

All students must use district-approved locks - returning students or ROMS students can use their locks from last year. New locks can be purchased from the accounting office for $12 or a Used Lock is $5.00 (if available). 

Once students select a locker they must immediately place a lock on the locker, complete and submit the selection form to the Blue Bin on the front office counter.  Students must remain in the chosen locker for security reasons.  We discourage sharing of lockers.  Lockers will only be opened for the student registered to the locker. Students are not selecting a locker until they have a lock to secure it.  We will not be able to provide combinations to locks during the first two days of school.  Please remember your combination, Claremont has combinations for the Silver Locks provided by Claremont.  We do not have combinations for locks purchased at Middle School.

¬ Fee Payment in Saanich School District 

In an effort to reduce time, money, and paper waste, statements will be emailed to parents and parents have the option to pay their children’s fees securely online.  Please keep us updated if you change your email address.  You can create an account or access your existing account through the district website at saanichschools.ca.  Please click on Resources then Pay School Fees Online. If you have any concerns, please contact Belinda Waller at 250-658-5221 local 81572.

¬ Transportation - Busing for Orientation Days (Tuesday Sept 8th / Wednesday Sept 9th): 

Students will be picked as per the Regular morning route with arrivals at Claremont by 12:00 pm. 

To help families determine their morning bus pick-up time for the first two days of school:

If a student normally catches the bus at 8:35 a.m. to arrive at Claremont Secondary for a 9:00 a.m. start, they should plan to be at the bus stop approximately 30 minutes before the special 12:00 p.m. start time on Tuesday and Wednesday. In this example, the expected pick-up time would be around 11:35 a.m.

Since bus loads will be lighter than usual during the first two days, routes may run slightly ahead of schedule. We recommend that students arrive at their bus stop 7 to 10 minutes before their estimated pick-up time to ensure they do not miss the bus.

BUS SCHEDULES FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 

AM Times:     Claremont ……11:30-12:00               PM Times:     Claremont ……Regular PM Schedule  

BUS SCHEDULES FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 

AM Times:     Claremont ……11:32-12:00               PM Times:     Claremont ……Regular PM Schedule  

***Regular AM and PM schedules start Thursday Sept 10th, 2025*** 

Students are required to register to ride the school bus, through the following link:

https://saanichschools.ca/resources/studentsfamilies/transportation 

¬ School Volunteer Information

The Saanich School District appreciates the many volunteers who support our students throughout the year.  We are committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and therefore ask volunteers to provide schools with the following information:

Criminal Record Checks

Volunteers are required to complete a Criminal Record Check every three years.​

Please apply online to the Ministry of Justice Criminal Records Review Program at https://justice.gov.bc.ca/criminalrecordcheck and use Access Code UV53DWHBYX. Your Criminal Record Check will be sent to the School Board Office for review.  Alternatively, you are able to share the results of a previous CRC completed through the Ministry of Justice within the past five years.

** Applicants who do not have a BC Services Card can visit their catchment school office to complete a 'Volunteer Consent to a Criminal Record Check' Form. You must bring two pieces of ID and one must have picture.

Volunteer Drivers

In addition to completing a Criminal Record Check, Volunteer Drivers are required to complete the following steps each school year:

1. Request a copy of your Driver’s Abstract. You can either:
   1. Apply online: https://onlinebusiness.icbc.com/clio/
   2. Visit your local ICBC branch. Please bring your driver’s license and another form of ID. OR
   3. Call ICBC on 250-978-8300. Please have your driver’s license number ready.
2. Complete Volunteer Driver Application.
3. Bring the completed form to your school office along with a copy of your Driver’s Abstract, Driver’s License and insurance document.

We greatly appreciate all our volunteers taking the time to complete this process. All information will be kept strictly confidential. Please feel free to contact your school office for more information.  Saanich Schools Website Volunteer Information Link

Sincerely, 

Ryan Braun, Principal                                      Jason Earnshaw, Vice Principal                    Wendy Laws, Vice Principal

rbraun@saanichschools.ca                          jearnshaw@saanichschools.ca                   wlaws@saanichschools.ca