board news

June 27, 2025

Have a great summer HDSB families!

Hello HDSB families,

As we wrap up another school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the many achievements of our students and staff. This year has been filled with inspiring moments of learning, growth and success across our schools. We are deeply grateful to our students, families and staff for your unwavering dedication and partnership in creating a vibrant, engaging and supportive learning environment.

View our year-end video message: https://youtu.be/kgp-vZnrYEM

Note: Closed captioning is available on YouTube, and a full transcript can be found in the video description. If you require a text-only transcription of the video, please email contact@hdsb.ca.

Save the Date! HDSB Open House: Explore What’s Possible

Get ready for a fun and engaging day of discovery! Students in Grade 6–10 and their families are invited to explore the exciting programs, athletics, clubs and student life that make HDSB secondary schools unique. This interactive event will feature hands-on activities and opportunities to ask questions and get inspired for what’s ahead.

Event Details:

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

🕗 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

📍 Craig Kielburger Secondary School (1151 Ferguson Dr, Milton)

Mark your calendar – more details coming soon!

Mental Health Resources: We would like to encourage everyone to rest and care for your mental health and well-being over the summer. Parents/guardians and students are reminded of the information and resources available through the HDSB Mental Health & Well-Being webpage.

As a reminder, the first day of school is Wednesday, Sept. 3. Families can view the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar for more information.

We encourage everyone to stay safe this summer, take time to relax with loved ones and reflect on all that you have accomplished.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Curtis Ennis
Director of Education

June 19, 2025

A message from the Minister of Education

The following message is being sent on behalf of the Minister of Education. Please click here to view this letter as a PDF.

Dear parents/guardians and students,

As the school year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that has been accomplished in classrooms across Ontario. It’s been a year filled with learning, growing and plenty of hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything you’ve achieved.

To all our incredible students: Congratulations on reaching the end of another school year. Whether it was mastering new subjects in the classroom, giving it your all on the field or stage, or simply doing your best each day, you’ve shown what it means to rise to the challenge. You’ve earned this summer break, enjoy it!

To the graduating class of 2025: Congratulations on reaching this important milestone. Graduation is more than a ceremony; it’s the start of your next phase of life. Your time in our schools has prepared you for an exciting future. Whether you are heading to college, university, the skilled trades, or directly into the workforce, you carry with you the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a positive difference. The entire province celebrates your success.

To parents and guardians: Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your children’s education. Your involvement is vital to your children’s success, and your encouragement throughout the year helps shape the leaders of tomorrow. As we head into the summer months, I want to wish all of you a restful and enjoyable break.

Stay safe, have fun and take a moment to celebrate all you’ve achieved this year.

Thank you for making the 2024-2025 school year one to remember.

June 19, 2025

Support Groups for Students this Summer

Dear parents/guardians of elementary students,

We are writing to let you know that the HDSB is offering support groups for elementary students who would like to learn new skills and enhance their well-being. These programs are offered in-person in July by HDSB Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYC-P).

TRAILS for Wellness

What is the program: A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed educational program to help students strengthen their well-being by learning coping strategies to manage worrying, stress and low mood.
Who is this for? Students entering Grade 4-6 in September
Details: July 14 - 17 and July 21 - 24 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Alexander’s Public School in Burlington

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) (modified)

What is the program: An evidence-based, social skills intervention program for motivated students interested in learning ways to help make and keep friends in conventional ways.
Who is this for? Students entering Grade 6-8 in September
Details: July 7 - 10 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Silver Creek Public School in Georgetown OR July 14 - 17 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Alexander’s Public School in Burlington

What is the program: This program teaches social learners the power of observation, reading context and interpreting clues to then choose how to respond in ways that meet their social goals.
Who is this for? Students entering Grade 3-5 in September
Details: July 7-10 from 9 - 10 a.m. at Silver Creek Public School in Georgetown OR July 14 - 17 from 9 - 10 a.m. at Alexander’s Public School in Burlington OR July 20 - 24 from 9 - 10 a.m. at Hawthorne Village Public School in Milton

Chill Club

What is the program: Chill Club helps students recognize and normalize signs of stress and worry and supports students in the development of coping strategies.
Who is this for? Students entering Grade 3-5 in September
Details: July 7-10 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Silver Creek Public School in Georgetown OR July 20 - 24 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Hawthorne Village Public School in Milton

Mindful Self-Regulation

What is the program: This program helps kids understand how their bodies and emotions are connected. Using the Interoception Curriculum, children learn to notice body signals (like hunger, tiredness or feeling upset) and what they mean. Through fun, hands-on activities like games, movement, art and mindfulness, kids build emotional awareness, calm-down strategies and confidence.
Who is this for? Students entering Grade 6-8 in September
Details: July 7-10 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Silver Creek Public School in Georgetown OR July 14 - 17 AND July 21-24 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Alexander’s Public School

Please note that transportation is not provided for these programs. Students will need to be dropped off and picked up as there is no after-group supervision provided.

Registrations Details

Is your child interested in one of these groups? To express interest in your child attending one of these programs, please complete the Referral Form by July 1 and indicate which group your child would like to attend. Please register your child for one group only, and note that spots are limited and this form may close early if maximum capacity is reached. Submitting the form does not confirm participation in the group. You will receive an email from one of our Child and Youth Care Practitioners with a mandatory intake date and time. Please note these times are subject to change based on registration numbers with time slots to be confirmed during intake.