Sept. 11, 2025

Join us for the HDSB Secondary School Open House

Dear HDSB students and families,

You are invited to join the Halton District School Board (HDSB) for a board-wide, interactive Open House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

This event is designed to help students in Grade 6–10 and their families explore the full range of opportunities available across our secondary schools, including programs and pathways, academics, athletics, clubs, community, support and student life. 

This isn’t just another information session – it’s a celebration of what makes our HDSB schools vibrant and unique. With hands-on activities, student-led booths and real-time engagement, the open house will be a fun, inspiring and powerful first connection for future secondary students. 

Event Details
The HDSB Secondary School Open House will take place at Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton (1151 Ferguson Dr, Milton) from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all families, we are asking you to complete the registration form below, including a preferred attendance time slot. Parking is free but limited, and time slots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the HDSB Secondary School Open House Now

We look forward to welcoming you and your family for a fun, interactive day showcasing all that the HDSB has to offer!

Sept. 12, 2025

This message is sent on behalf of Halton Region Public Health

Halton Region Public Health - Immunization Information for Grade 7 and 8 Students 

This letter has been translated into the following languages: 

اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic)     Français (French)     हिंदी (Hindi)     ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)     中文 (Simplified Chinese)      

Español (Spanish)     اردو (Urdu)

Dear parents/guardians of students in Grade 7 and 8, 

Halton Region Public Health provides immunization clinics for Grade 7 and 8 students at Public, Private, Catholic and French schools across the region.

Starting this 2025-2026 school year, and continuing in future years, public health nurses will be visiting each school once during the school year to offer the vaccines listed below to Grade 7 students, and to provide additional doses to Grade 8 students who have not completed their vaccine series.

All school clinics will be scheduled to run between Oct. 6, 2025, and Jan. 19, 2026. There will no longer be a second clinic at each school in the spring, therefore students can receive missed or additional doses of the Meningococcal, HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines through their primary care provider, at a public health community immunization clinic or at a school clinic when the student is in Grade 8.

The following vaccines will be offered at school clinics to eligible students who have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian:

• Meningococcal Conjugate-ACYW-135 - Required for school attendance (single-dose vaccine)

• Human Papillomavirus – HPV - Recommended (two-dose vaccine)

• Hepatitis B – HB - Recommended (two-dose vaccine)

For parents/guardians of Grade 7 students:

1. Read the vaccine fact sheet (also available in Urdu, Chinese, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic and Hindi) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

2. Complete the paper consent form provided by the school, indicating the vaccines you would like your child to receive. If you do not receive a consent form from the school, please print and complete a consent form from halton.ca/immunize indicating the vaccines you would like your child to receive.

3. Return the completed consent form to your child’s school by Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. Only students with a signed consent form will be immunized on the day of the clinic. You will be notified of the clinic date by your child’s school. Clinic dates can also be found on Halton’s School-based Immunizations webpage.

For parents/guardians of Grade 8 students:

1. Read the vaccine fact sheet (also available in Urdu, Chinese, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. 

2. If you submitted a consent form in the 2024/2025 school year, you do not need to submit a new form. The consent form you previously submitted is valid for the duration of time needed to give a complete series of the vaccine(s). If you wish to verify, update or revoke your consent, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311 to speak with a nurse. If you did not submit a consent form in the 2024/2025 school year and you would like your child to receive one or more of the vaccines listed above, please print and complete a consent form from halton.ca/immunize indicating the vaccines you would like your child to receive.

3. Return the completed consent form to your child’s school by Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. You will be notified of the clinic date by your child’s school. Clinic dates can also be found on Halton’s School-based Immunizations webpage.

Update your child’s immunization record: Your child may have already received one or more of the vaccines listed above. Every time your child gets an immunization from their health care provider, you need to update Halton Region Public Health. Your health care provider’s office does not report these for you. Public Health nurses will review your child’s immunization record and vaccinate only if required.

To report immunizations:

• Visit halton.ca/immunize

• Call 311

• Mail to the Halton Regional Centre: 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, L6M 3L1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are these vaccines being offered now?

These vaccines are routinely offered to Grade 7 students in schools as part of Halton Region Public Health’s regular immunization programming. Completing all routine immunizations helps protect students, families and the community against disease, reducing unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations and further strain on the health care system.

What happens if I don’t want this vaccination for my child?

Meningococcal ACYW-135 is a required vaccine as per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). If your child does not receive this vaccine, you will need to obtain a vaccine exemption from Halton Region Public Health for your child to continue attending school. To learn more, visit halton.ca/immunize or call 311.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B vaccines are recommended for students but are not mandatory for school attendance. Therefore, a vaccine exemption is not required for students who do not receive these vaccines.

If you choose not to vaccinate and later decide to do so after school clinics have taken place, your child can receive these vaccines through their primary care provider or at community clinics. Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines are offered free of charge until the student graduates from Grade 12. To learn more, visit halton.ca/immunize or call 311.

What happens if my child misses a second dose of the hepatitis B or HPV vaccine?

Students can catch-up on second doses of both the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines without needing to restart the series. The second dose is recommended to be given a minimum of six months after the first dose, however a longer than recommended interval between doses will provide the same immunity. 

Is it safe to receive more than one vaccine at the same time?

Yes. These vaccines have been safely administered together for many years, along with other routine childhood vaccinations. Receiving multiple vaccines at once ensures that students are protected against serious diseases as early as possible.

What can I do if my child is nervous about receiving vaccines?

Talk to your child about the vaccines they will be receiving and explain that vaccines protect them from certain diseases. Encourage your child to share any concerns they may have. Review and practice helpful ways to stay calm (e.g. count to ten, take slow and deep breaths, look away from the needle). Visit immunize.ca for more information about preparing your child for their vaccinations.

Will the COVID-19 vaccine be available at school clinics?

No. Visit halton.ca/immunize to find out where your child can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

For more Frequently Asked Questions and information, visit halton.ca/immunize.

Sept. 10, 2025

Executive Functioning Supports for Students

Dear HDSB students in Grade 9-12,

Are you interested in making a change but feel stuck? 

Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed with your assignments?

Are you easily distracted and have trouble staying focused?

Are you feeling disorganized and forgetful or struggling with procrastination?  

Are you interested in learning routines to support your wellness?

Do you want to learn more about your psychological assessment or diagnosis?

Consider the following supports offered to secondary students (Grade 9-12) by the Halton District School Board’s Mental Health & Well-Being team this year:

Single-Session Support: Sign up for a single session or consultation with a member of the HDSB Mental Health Psychology Team to discuss any of the areas listed above. This support is suitable for students who would like to discuss a specific issue without making a commitment to further sessions, or those who do not yet know what support they are looking for. This session may result in a referral for other services or short-term individual support, as needed. Please complete the Student Self-Referral Form for single-session support. 

Monthly Drop-in Sessions: These presentation-style sessions will cover a variety of learning skills, including time management, organization, effective study skills, managing attention/focus, managing stress and more. Please note: There is no need to register in advance or complete a referral form for these sessions. View the full list of available topics, dates, times and Google Meet links. 

Small Group Intervention: These groups provide students with an opportunity to meet virtually with peers who may be experiencing some of the same challenges managing their assignments and other responsibilities. Students will have the chance to delve deeper into why they may be feeling stuck and learn ways to shift thinking and create behavioural change. There will be a number of start points for these groups. Self-referrals can be made throughout the first semester of the school year through the Student Self-Referral Form. Following the group sessions, students will have the option of accessing individual sessions for additional support. There will be two different group offerings:

• Navigating the Chaos: This group is intended for students who experience difficulties with managing their approach to tasks and assignments and navigating the sometimes chaotic day-to-day of secondary school life. Do you find your school life chaotic or overwhelming? Do you often feel like you don’t know where to start? Are these challenges getting in the way of your goals? If so, this group might be for you.

• Productivity over Procrastination: This group is intended for students whose primary difficulty is putting things off and delaying getting started on tasks. Do you often put things off until the last minute? Do you find yourself scrambling to complete tasks, despite your best intentions? Does this cause you stress or impact the outcome? If so, this group might be for you. 

If you are unsure which support might be right for you, please book a single session with an HDSB Mental Health Psychology Team member using the Student Self-Referral Form to help you decide on the best fit. 

Students can self-refer to these services and no information can be shared with other people without a student's permission. Students must use their HDSB email account to access the referral forms. 

If you have any questions about these services please email Psychologists and Psycho-educational Consultants for the HDSB: 

• Lisa Sedore at sedorel@hdsb.ca

• Larissa Pipe at pipel@hdsb.ca

Additional resources for students can be found on the Mental Health & Well-Being webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).

Welcome to a new school year!

Dear HDSB students and families,

Welcome to a new school year! We hope your summer has been filled with fun, rest and time spent with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming students to school next week. The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year is Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.

As we begin a new school year, our staff have been preparing learning environments that inspire achievement, support well-being and position every student for success. From readying classrooms to planning lessons and activities, our dedicated educators and staff are working hard to ensure that students enter the year with every opportunity to thrive.

View a Welcome to a New School Year video message from Chair Amy Collard and Director of Education Curtis Ennis.

PA Day reminder

Tuesday, Sept. 2 is a PA Day and staff across the HDSB will be engaged in professional development to further strengthen their skills, support the Ontario Ministry of Education’s priorities and start the year off strong to provide quality education to HDSB students. Learn more on the PA Days page of the HDSB website and your school’s website. Families can view the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar for more information. 

Welcome to a New School Year webpage

To make the beginning of a new school year as smooth as possible, families can visit the HDSB Welcome to a New School Year webpage for helpful tips and information on transportation, before and after school care, getting involved, mental health and well-being resources and more. 

Refreshed HDSB website

We are excited to share that we’ve updated the Halton District School Board website (hdsb.ca). The site features a fresh, modern design, simplified and intuitive navigation, improved organization of content, and a focus on clarity and accessibility to better reflect the needs of our students, families, staff and the Halton community. We encourage you to explore the updated website and share your feedback through the Google Form on the homepage.

Save the date – HDSB Open House - Explore secondary programs

 We are hosting an HDSB Open House on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton. All parents/guardians and students are invited to attend the event and learn more about secondary program opportunities in the HDSB. The event will be an interactive experience for families to learn more about secondary school academics, co-curriculars, programs and pathways and more. More detail about the event and registration will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Get Involved 

By joining the school council at your child's school or by joining the HDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), parents/guardians can take an active role in the school community and help create a positive and engaging learning environment where all students are empowered to succeed. Learn more about how you can help shape your child’s educational journey by visiting the Get Involved webpage of the HDSB website.

Walking & Wheeling to School

As the first day of school approaches, we want to ensure students get started on the right foot! Walking and wheeling to school is a great way to support students’ well-being, reduce traffic and build a stronger sense of community in our neighbourhoods. To learn some safety tips and find an estimate of how long it will take you to walk or wheel to school, visit our Walk & Wheel to School webpage. 

Changes to HDSB networks and social media access

Please note that as of Wednesday, Sept. 3, access to all social media platforms will no longer be available on HDSB devices and networks, with secondary students permitted to use YouTube for educational purposes. This change is being made to enhance network performance, cybersecurity and data protection. It also ensures our technology is focused on supporting the academic success of students, in alignment with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s expectations as outlined in the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct (Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128, requiring all school boards in Ontario to restrict access to all social media platforms on school networks and devices. 

Annual Notice of Information Regarding Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol

The HDSB is a signatory and active partner in the region-wide Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol along with many community partners. This Protocol enables us to more effectively respond to situations where students may pose a threat to themselves or others, so that we can provide healthy and caring learning environments for all students and staff. View this letter to learn more about the VTRA Protocol. 

Halton Learning Foundation Back to School campaign

Halton Learning Foundation’s 2025 Back to School campaign aims to provide emergency support to students in need of food, school supplies, clothing and other necessities. If you are in a position to, please consider donating online to help students in the HDSB whose families cannot afford the basics they need to fit in and focus on learning.

A message from the Minister of Education 

As we begin a new school year, the Ontario Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, is sharing a message for students and families. Click here to read the Minister’s message. 

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources

As we settle into a new school year, we encourage families and students to take care of their mental health and well-being while adjusting to new routines. For information and resources, visit the Mental Health & Well-Being webpage of the HDSB website. 

Every new school year brings fresh opportunities for learning, growth and connection, and we are eager to see all that this year will bring. We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 3!

Aug. 18, 2025

The below message is sent on behalf of Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS)

Bus schedules now available - HSTS portal is now open 

Dear parents/guardians, 

We are writing to inform you that the student transportation schedules for the 2025-2026 school year for eligible students and approved courtesy seat riders are now available through the HSTS online parent portal. 

We encourage you to review your child's busing information as soon as you can. If you have any questions regarding your child’s bus schedule, please email us at transportation@haltonbus.ca. Please note that response times may be longer as we approach the first day of school.  Instructions on how to create an HSTS parent portal account can be found here.

Helpful information regarding transportation procedures and processes can be found on the HSTS website: haltonbus.ca.