News & Upcoming Events
April 22, 2024
Exploring Post-Secondary Pathways Resources
Dear parents, guardians and students,
The Halton District School Board and Sheridan College would like to thank all of the Grade 7-10 students and families who attended the Exploring Post-Secondary Pathways event on Saturday, April 13.
We were thrilled to see such enthusiastic engagement from attendees who had the opportunity to explore the many opportunities that lie ahead. The feedback we received has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to continuing to support students as they navigate their educational journey.
To further assist students and families in your pathway planning, resources from each of the information sessions have been made available:
Exploring Post-Secondary Pathway Options Slides and Accompanying Notes
Student Life at College and University Slides (note this session was primarily a panel discussion)
Financial Planning for Post-Secondary Slides and Accompanying Notes
Additional post-secondary planning resources can be found on the Transition to Post-Secondary webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
If you have any questions about the event or these resources, please contact Lisa Galay, Secondary Instructional Program Leader for Student Supports and Regional Programs at galayl@hdsb.ca.
April 18, 2024
Important information related to measles activity in Halton
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On April 10, 2024, Halton Region Public Health issued a media release regarding a confirmed travel-related case of measles in Milton. In Ontario, there have been 11 confirmed cases to date (10 travel-related and one with unknown source). Globally, there is a concerning pattern of measles outbreaks occurring in every region of the world.
Measles virus is easily spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for hours, making it easy to catch. Measles symptoms usually include fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads over the body and can cause serious complications.
The best way to prevent measles and other vaccine preventable diseases is staying up to date on all immunizations. Many people may have fallen behind during the COVID-19 pandemic. Halton Region Public Health reminds families to check that their vaccine records are up to date according to the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
How to check your records
You can view your immunization record here or check your physical yellow card.
In Ontario, children routinely receive two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first is given at 12 months of age. The second is given before school entry, between four and six years of age with the chickenpox vaccine (MMRV). Adults born after January 1, 1970 should have two doses of measles containing vaccine.
If travelling to areas where measles is circulating, infants 6 to 12 months of age can receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Two additional doses would still be required after the first birthday. Some countries may have specific guidelines or additional vaccines that are recommended. See the Public Health Agency of Canada's website for more information.
Where to get vaccinated
If you or your family need to catch up, contact your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, routine vaccinations are also available at walk-in clinics. Report all vaccines to Public Health here.
Sincerely,
Halton Region Public Health
April 16, 2024
Secondary Summer School Programs (Grades 9-12)
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is pleased to offer the following summer school opportunities for secondary students. Please read through the information below for course descriptions, dates and registration links.
This year we are offering in-person, teacher-led classes in Burlington (Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS), Oakville (Garth Webb SS) and Milton (Craig Kielburger SS) as well as independent online eLearning classes.
Student transportation is available for in-person classes. School bus transportation will be available from Acton District School and Georgetown District HS to Milton and from Aldershot School and Burlington Central HS to Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS.
Online eLearning classes offer independent, fully online, lesson-based courses delivered through Brightspace at flexible times for the duration of summer school. Full-credit eLearning and Half-credit eLearning courses meet the criteria towards earning the two mandatory eLearning courses required for graduation. Upgrade courses are excluded from this criterion.
How to register: Registration is now open. HDSB students can register with myBluePrint. For myBlueprint support, please view Submitting Summer/Night School Courses - myBlueprint.
Grade 9 - 12 Full-credit Courses: The Secondary Summer School Credit Program provides students with the opportunity to complete additional secondary school credits during the month of July. A full list of course offerings can be found on the Gary Allan Learning Centre website. When registering for full-credit courses, please note:
Co-op: Pre-approved students should complete their registration on myBluePrint. This applies to students who are either enrolled in SHSM courses or who are approved by their Guidance Department for “Student Success” co-op.
Dates/Times: All full-credit classes run for 20 days: July 2 - 29. In-person class times are 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Teacher support is available for online eLearning classes from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Co-op dates are July 2 - Aug. 2.
Grade 9 - 12 Half-credit Courses - Civics & Careers: Our half-credit courses are being offered as eLearning courses, in an independent online learning environment.
Dates/Times:
Session 1: CHV20 - July 2 - 15
Session 2: GLC20 - July 16 - 29
Teacher support is available for online eLearning classes from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grade 11 - 12 Credit Upgrades: This is an opportunity for Grade 11-12 students to upgrade their achievement for a full-credit course they passed (achieved a minimum of 50%) during the school year. The upgrade course is completed over 55 hours, rather than the regular 110 hours for a regular course credit. Upgrade courses are being offered through eLearning, with students submitting a series of assignments.
Dates/Times:
Session 1: July 2 - 15
Session 2: July 16 - 29
Teacher support is available for online eLearning classes from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Maximum course load: Students may enrol in a maximum of 220 hours of coursework. For more information, contact your school Guidance Counsellor.
Registration deadline: Registration for all secondary credit courses closes June 16 at midnight. Confirmation of registration will be sent to the student's HDSB email.
Grade 9 -10 Credit Recovery: This is an opportunity for Grade 9 and 10 HDSB students to recover a full or half-credit course where their achievement is between 40-49% during the school year. Credit Recovery is completed over 55 hours, allowing students to meet course expectations through a series of assignments and evaluations based on overall course expectations. Credit Recovery is being offered in-person only. To register for credit recovery courses, please contact your school’s guidance department. Families may also register in-person at summer school sites from July 2-5 if there is space available.
Dates/Times:
July 8 - 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Locations:
Burlington (Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS), Oakville (Garth Webb SS) and Milton (Craig Kielburger SS)
For more information about all summer school options, please visit garyallan.ca or email summerschool@hdsb.ca.
April 15, 2024
Important Information Regarding HSTS Courtesy Seats
Dear HDSB parents/guardians,
Each year, in accordance with Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) Operating Procedure regarding Courtesy Seats, families with children who are not eligible for school bus transportation to and from school may apply for a courtesy seat.
We are writing to inform you that the HSTS Courtesy Seat online application form is now open for submissions until Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 5 p.m.
HSTS will complete the courtesy seat application review and allocation process over the summer in order to allow courtesy riders to begin riding the bus on the first day of school in September 2024. All applicants will be advised of the status of their application by the third week of August via email to the primary contact provided to the school.
Approved applicants can access their transportation schedule via the HSTS Parent Portal (Parent Portal Instructions) during the third week of August 2024.
Visit the HSTS website for more information: www.haltonbus.ca
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
The Halton District School Board has received final approval from the Ontario Ministry of Education for the 2024-2025 school year calendar.
View the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
The calendar includes Professional Activity (PA) days, school breaks and holidays. The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year is Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
The school year calendar is developed with input from the School Year Calendar Committee consisting of representatives from interested and affected groups including HDSB employee groups and parents/guardians.
Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians
The Halton District School Board has announced additional Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Spring. The upcoming sessions include:
Storytime and Strategies - Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register online by completing the registration form. When you register, you can also submit a question for the presenters.
Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Registrants will be emailed a Google Meet link to access the session. Captioning in various languages is available.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Group For Grade 8 Students
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is offering Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills group sessions for Grade 8 students. This group is a skills-based program that supports emotional resilience by teaching students how to:
Observe and describe what they are feeling in the moment
Navigate emotions differently
Tolerate distressing emotions in the moment
Develop smoother relationships
The eight-week program will run in-person on Wednesdays after school from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Milton Staff Learning Centre (215 Ontario St, Milton). Families are required to provide transportation for their child however, if this would preclude participation, please speak to your school for assistance or send an email to Marla Cameron, Manager of Professional Services, Department of Student Well-Being, at cameronm@hdsb.ca to discuss.
Program Dates for Students:
Wednesday, April 17 Wednesday, April 24 Wednesday, May 1 Wednesday, May 8 Wednesday, May 15 Wednesday, May 22
These sessions are open to all Grade 8 students who show an awareness of difficulties in the following areas:
Identifying or expressing emotions, (i.e. “I feel upset but I don’t know what it is”)
Frequent emotional changes and/or difficulty tolerating intense emotions
In moments of intense emotion, student tends to say or do things they later regret or that make things worse for themselves
Have the ability to communicate verbally (English) and manage reading content with or without assistive technology
Are willing and able to participate independently in a small group setting
Demonstrate a desire and readiness to learn strategies to support mental health
Are committed to attending all eight sessions
A DBT Skills group is suitable for most, but not all students. If, during the intake interview, it is determined that this group service is not the best fit for your child, alternative support will be suggested.
Referral Process:
Ensure that your child fulfills the criteria outlined above. If you are unsure if your child would be an appropriate candidate, please feel free to reach out to Larissa Pipe, pipel@hdsb.ca, or Lisa Sedore sedorel@hdsb.ca, Mental Health Psychologists, for a no-name consultation before completing the form.
Be sure to have a conversation with your child, explaining the program and the time commitment, and ensure that they are genuinely interested in participating before making the referral.
Complete the DBT Skills Group Referral Form. This form is due by midnight on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Mental Health Psychologists will reach out to parents/guardians to complete informed consent, after which we will meet with all students individually to determine readiness for the group and obtain student consent.
There may be a high volume of interest in the program, and we will only be able to accept a limited number of students. If your child is not offered a spot in the group, there will be a waitlist for the next available group.
This program will be facilitated by two HDSB Mental Health Psychologists. If you require any assistance or have any questions, please contact Larissa Pipe, pipel@hdsb.ca, or Lisa Sedore sedorel@hdsb.ca.