Halton public schools welcome students and staff back to school

On September 2, 2008, the Halton District School Board welcomed back to school more than 52,000 students and 4,300 staff in 100 public schools and facilities located in Halton Region’s four municipalities. This enrolment increase represents a growth of approximately 1,200 students from the previous year.

“While the Halton District School Board continues to grow, our challenge is to continue our commitment to every student,” says Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “With the opening of two additional elementary schools this year, and plans for new construction in Milton during the upcoming years, this is an exciting time for education in Halton.”

In order to accommodate the increase in student enrolment within the Oakville community, the Halton District School Board opened the new Emily Carr Public School. This elementary school is built to accommodate 650 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7, with Grade 8 being added the following year.

In January 2009, Gardiner Public School in Georgetown will open its doors to more than 600 students. While construction of Gardiner Public School is being completed, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2 students will be temporarily accommodated at Harrison Public School, and Grade 3-8 as well as students in the gifted program will attend Silver Creek Public School.

The 2008-09 school year will see the continued implementation of initiatives of the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan. Three goal areas (students, staff and system) address improvements in literacy/numeracy, student success, safety and wellbeing, as well as leadership, staff development, wellness, communication, program and accommodation, and technology. A number of new and ongoing initiatives for the 2008-09 school year will include:

• A parent conference will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville. The conference is organized by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). More information is available on the board website
• A review of the Board’s Long Term Accommodation Plan will take place in late September and early October. Meeting dates are posted on the Board’s website under Announcements”
• A review of accommodation and programs in Ward 4 Oakville schools
• Begin construction of three new schools in Milton for September 2009

This year marks a change to the Board meeting schedule for Halton District School Board Trustees. In an effort to be more accessible to the public, and have the ability to respond to issues in a timely manner, Board meetings will occur twice monthly. The meetings, held at the JW Singleton Centre (2050 Guelph Line, Burlington) will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Public session begins at 7 p.m. and the public is welcome to attend. Meeting agendas, reports and minutes are available on the Board’s website at www.hdsb.ca

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