[Skip to Content]
HWDSB Building

NOW @ HWDSB – October 2024

[Skip to Content]
Textsize
A+ A-

NOW @ HWDSB – October 2024

now@hwdsb banner october 2024 with student trustees

BE YOU. BE EXCELLENT. HWDSB. 

Thank you for reading NOW @ HWDSB, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s official newsletter! October’s cover photo features Student Trustee Victoria Li, Shakowennakara:tats Daunte Hillen and Student Trustee Oluwafikunayomi (Fikun) Alabi. Click here to meet the 2024-25 Student Trustees and Shakowennakara:tats!

In this update, you can click the following images and links to read about:

director's message at hwdsb now at hwdsb
elementary at hwdsb secondary at hwdsb
HWSTS Searching for School Bus Drivers  French Immersion Application Process Focus Programs Application Process
On MY Way Pathways Event for Grades 11 & 12 Board Improvement
Check-In
 
Important Dates
at HWDSB

We value effective communication with families. This newsletter is one more way keeping you informed. Families can also stay connected for the school year by subscribing to your child’s school website or the board website or following HWDSB on social media. 

Questions or comments? Please email [email protected].


Message from the Director @ HWDSB

Happy October, HWDSB students, staff, families and communities! It’s hard to believe we are already one full month into the 2024-25 school year.  

It’s been a busy five weeks at HWDSB, with many exciting and important updates to share. I hope this edition of NOW @ HWDSB helps you recap recent news and plan for the weeks ahead. 

At the last Board Meeting on September 23, I shared some updates of my own with the Board of Trustees. Please enjoy the Director’s Update video below to celebrate September’s school year start-up! 

Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini
HWDSB Director of Education


Now @ HWDSB

Code of Conduct Updates  

We appreciate the continued collaboration from students, staff, families and communities following changes to the HWDSB Code of Conduct and Provincial Code of Conduct at the start of the school year. The actions we take together as a school board community are about co-creating classroom conditions with a continued focus on learning outcomes, safety and well-being. 

These updates, which include new expectations surrounding personal mobile devices, vaping and social media, can always be found on the HWDSB website. Click here to find Code of Conduct information.  

Student Social Media Access

Social media remains a key area of focus in the Provincial Code of Conduct update. As communicated in September, HWDSB has followed steps outlined by the Ministry of Education to restrict student access to social media. Minimizing distractions, including social media, helps foster positive school climates in all HWDSB schools that support the achievement and human rights of every student.  

As of Monday, September 23, 2024, student access to social media platforms has been restricted. Click here to find key points for students and staff. You will also find links to a list of HWDSB-supported digital tools and a sample list of social media platforms that will be impacted. 

Continuing Education 2024-25 Programs 

Continuing Education kicked off the 2024-25 school year by sharing its latest Programs Brochure! Improve your skills, graduate high school, prepare for future work or education, or learn a language – Continuing Education has a program for you. Click here to explore 2024-25 programs.  

HWSTS Searching for School Bus Drivers 

School bus operators in the Hamilton-Wentworth region are actively hiring and training new drivers, however, they continue to face service challenges due to an ongoing driver shortage. In partnership with bus companies, Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS) is working to lessen the impact on students. HWSTS encourages interested individuals to consider a rewarding career as a school bus driver. Click here to learn more.  


Elementary @ HWDSB  

French Immersion 2025-26 Application Process  

French Immersion is a proven way of acquiring excellent language skills in French. The French Immersion program at HWDSB is designed for parents who do not speak French, but want their children to speak both official languages.  

HWDSB’s French Immersion program is open to students starting in Grade 1, which means only current Senior Kindergarten students (born in 2019) can apply. The online application process opens October 28, 2024 and closes on December 1.  

Before the online application process begins, Senior Kindergarten families are invited to a Virtual Information Night on Microsoft Teams. The session takes place October 17 at 6:30 p.m. Click here to learn more about French Immersion and the Virtual Information Night. 

Focus Programs 2025-26 Application Process 

HWDSB elementary schools offer a wide range of learning opportunities to prepare students for success in secondary school and beyond. In fall 2024, Elementary Focus Programs will be accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year.  

The online application form for Elementary Focus Programs opens October 28, 2024 and closes December 1. Students currently learning in these programs do not need to reapply. 

Elementary families are invited to a Virtual Information Night to learn more about the application process for the Hockey Academy, Mandarin Language Transition Program, SAGE – Scholastics, Arts and Global Education, SAGE Quest and R.A. Riddell Sport Academy. This Microsoft Teams event takes place October 22 at 6:30 p.m. Click here to learn more about Elementary Focus Programs and the Virtual Information Night. 

Early Reading Screening 

Reading is a foundational skill critical to student success, both in the classroom and beyond. Beginning in 2024-25 school year, HWDSB elementary schools will be administering annual early reading screenings for all students in Year 2 of Kindergarten through Grade 2. Early reading screening is newly mandated by the Ministry of Education through Policy/Program Memorandum 168. 

HWDSB elementary schools will use Acadience Reading K-6 as the early reading screening tool. Elementary families with students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 2 received an email with information last month. Click here to learn more about Early Reading Screening. 

Grade 7 & 8 Secondary School Information Night – October 23 

HWDSB invites Grade 7 and 8 students and families to attend a virtual presentation about the progression to secondary school. Attendees will learn about what to expect in Grade 9, including application timelines, course selection processes, Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements, system programs available at HWDSB and more. 

Later this month, all Grade 7 and 8 families will receive an email with a link for the October 23 session. In November, Grade 7 and 8 students and families will be invited to visit their future secondary school for in-person information nights. Click here to learn more about secondary school at HWDSB.  


Secondary @ HWDSB  

On MY Way Pathways Event – October 24 

On MY Way is an information night for Grade 11 and 12 students and families to explore opportunities as they continue their secondary school journey and plan for next steps. Visit presentations and booths to learn about HWDSB and post-secondary opportunities in the five pathways: Apprenticeship, College, Community, University and Workplace.  

On MY Way takes place Thursday, October 24 at LiUNA Station. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and students and families can drop in any time until 8:30 p.m. All Grade 11 and 12 families received an email about this event last month. Click here for more information about On MY Way.  

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test – Fall 2024 

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 

Students will write the OSSLT in the semester they are enrolled in their Grade 10 English course. Fall 2024 testing will take place between November 5 and December 3, 2024, with dates differing by secondary school. Click here for more information about OSSLT. 

Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day – November 6 

Take Our Kids to Work is Canada’s most recognized career exploration event, with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. For more than 25 years, Grade 9 students across Canada have participated in Take Our Kids to Work Day to explore potential careers. 

On November 6, 2024, Grade 9 students are welcome to participate in an observational job-shadowing experience at the workplace of a family member, friend or other trusted adult. Schools will also intentionally take time to engage all Grade 9 students in learning related to careers and pathways. More information will be shared with Grade 9 students and families this month. Click here to learn more about Take Our Kids to Work Day. 


Engage @ HWDSB

Engage HWDSB 

Engage HWDSB is an online space where students, staff, families and communities can learn more about work at HWDSB, share their voice and follow processes as they happen. Visit the platform to provide feedback on projects, policy consultations and initiatives. Click here to explore Engage HWDSB. 

Board Improvement Check-in – New School Year 

As we commence the 2024-25 school year, we are excited to continue building on the work we have done with the Multi-Year Strategic Plan and Board Improvement Plan, which we launched in January 2024. 

Now, with the new school year just beginning, we are eager to engage with you about the work ahead. As we implement strategies to meet our goals and advance our mission, we want to hear your valuable feedback on what we are doing and how we are doing it. Your insights are crucial as we work together to ensure the success of students. Click here to share your thoughts through the Board Improvement Check-In. 

School Council Start-Up Event – October 15

HWDSB is pleased to invite School Council Chairs, members, Home & School Association members, Principals and Vice-Principals to the 2024-25 School Council Start-Up event. The session takes place at the Education Centre on October 15, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. Click here to learn more and RSVP. 


Important Dates @ HWDSB

Saturday, October 5 – World Teachers’ Day
Monday, October 14 – Thanksgiving (no school)
Thursday, October 17 – Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Appreciation Day
Monday, October 21 – School Bus Safety Week
Wednesday, October 23 – Professional School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Thursday, October 31 – Halloween
Friday, November 1 – P.A. Day (all elementary and secondary schools)

Click here for the 2024-25 School Year Calendars. 

Click here for more information about 2024-25 P.A. Days. 

Click here for a list of 2024-25 events.

Updated on Monday, October 07, 2024.
Back to the top