Class is in for 67,000 students in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills

The sounds of children laughing, buses heading off and the class bell ringing will fill the air next Wednesday (Sept. 6) as Halton District School Board students begin the new school season in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills.

Some 67,000 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be attending class on the first day of school across our region

The HDSB’s 2,961 elementary teachers, 1,421 secondary teachers and 2,597 non-teaching and support staff, as well as more than 200 principals and vice-principals have been busy preparing for the new school season.

The classrooms have been outfitted, buildings cleaned and schedules organized in preparation for what the HDSB believes will be a productive, engaging and fulfilling school year.

“As we enter a new school year, we do so with hope, optimism and a great deal of enthusiasm for a successful and fulfilling year of learning,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “Our staff has been hard at work to ensure our schools have what they need to be ready to welcome students and families on Wednesday.

“We are ready, motivated and prepared to give students the best and safest educational experience we can.”

While Tuesday (Sept. 5) is a PA Day for students, HDSB staff will be in school preparing for the season of education.

Students will return to some freshly renovated schools as the HDSB has completed more than $36 million in maintenance across the region over the last 12 months.

Work includes new roofing, windows, electrical, mechanical, building automation, accessibility and paving upgrades. Oakville’s T.A. Blakelock High School also underwent upgrades to support implementation of the HDSB’s I-STEM program, which will now be offered at this school.

As well, more than $55 million of new school construction is underway at new elementary schools in Milton and Oakville.

All of this work is in addition to summer cleaning and preventative maintenance work completed in preparation for the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

“In the Halton District School Board, we will continue our commitment to our 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan which sets direction and actions to ensure our efforts as an organization are aligned and coordinated,” says Margo Shuttleworth, Chair of the Halton District School Board. “We have been so proud of this plan and the positive impact it has had on learning across the entire system.

“As we enter the final year of the current plan, we remain as committed and steadfast to ensure we fulfill its outlined strategies and goals as we have been since it was implemented three years ago.”

The HDSB will also be welcoming Tara Conner in her new role as a Superintendent of Education.

Connor joins the administrative team following six years as the Principal of Abbey Park HS, in addition to being an administrator for 20 years in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.

“Tara brings an incredible skill set and will help further strengthen education in the HDSB,” said the local education board.

For helpful tips and resources, including links to Transportation, Before and After School Care, Mental Health & Well-Being and more, parents/guardians can visit the HDSB Welcome to a New School Year webpage.

They can also view a Welcome to School message  from Ennis and Shuttleworth.