Halton District School Board gears up for new school year with extensive upgrades

By Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is set to welcome approximately 67,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 on September 4, 2024. The day prior, September 3, will be a Professional Activity (PA) Day, during which HDSB staff will participate in professional development to enhance their skills to provide quality education.

With the school year approaching, the HDSB’s 2,915 elementary teachers, 1,407 secondary teachers, 2,610 non-teaching and support staff, and more than 200 principals and vice-principals have been diligently preparing. Their efforts have focused on outfitting classrooms, cleaning facilities, and organizing schedules to ensure a productive and engaging year ahead.

The HDSB is also excited to introduce Cedar Ridge Public School in Milton, a new elementary facility designed to accommodate over 750 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. This three-storey, accessible building features innovative teaching layouts, air conditioning with individual classroom controls, a double gym, a bus lay-by, and a student drop-off area. Additionally, it includes five childcare rooms that will serve 88 students.

“Whether you’re returning to the HDSB or joining us for the first time, we want you to know that this is a place where you belong, and we thank you for choosing us to support your education,” said Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board.

Over the past year, the HDSB has invested nearly $30 million in capital renewal and maintenance projects, including upgrades to roofing, windows, electrical systems, mechanical systems, building automation, accessibility features, and paving. Furthermore, more than $170 million in new school construction is either approved or underway. These efforts complement summer cleaning and preventative maintenance work conducted in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.

Mr. Collard added, “We are committed to ensuring our schools are environments where every student can thrive and see themselves reflected in their learning. We are focused, and will remain focused, on providing a culture of kindness, respect, inclusivity, and excellence in every classroom.”

“I want to extend a warm welcome to our more than 67,000 students and nearly 11,000 staff as we share in the excitement, possibilities, and enthusiasm that a new school year brings,” said Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board.

“We are proud that the HDSB is a place where everyone belongs, a place where students can feel safe and united in their love of learning and discovery, and a place where empathy, kindness, inclusivity, and student success are at the centre of everything we do.”