Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year at HWDSB!
The following message was emailed to all HWDSB families on Monday, August 28, 2023.
First Day of School
HWDSB is excited to see elementary and secondary students and staff back in classrooms on WEDNESDAY, September 6. Click here to visit our Back to School webpage.
Parent Portal is Now Open
Families can visit Parent Portal to view classroom teachers for elementary students and class timetables for secondary students. We also encourage you to explore the ‘Forms’ section on the platform to review and complete relevant forms for the start of the school year. Click here to access Parent Portal.
Please note that the web version is preferred, as the Parent Portal app (by PowerSchool) may be experiencing a delay in updated information.
Staying Connected
Elementary and secondary school offices are open for the school year. Office staff are available to support questions related to Parent Portal, back to school, and more. Contact your school via email or phone (click here for the elementary listing and click here for the secondary listing).
To learn about more ways that families can stay connected for the school year, click the links below:
- View a list of digital tools for families.
- View a list of digital tools for students.
- Learn how to update your SchoolMessenger information.
- Subscribe to your child’s school website or the board website.
- Follow HWDSB on social media.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten families should have received an email once their Parent Portal account was created. If you have not received your email, please contact your child’s school.
Before this weekend, every new Kindergarten family should be notified by their school team when their child’s Kindergarten orientation visit is scheduled on Wednesday, September 6. All Kindergarten students will begin their first full day on Thursday, September 7. Click here for more information about Kindergarten.
Elementary Remote Learning
Elementary families interested in switching between in-person and remote learning will have an opportunity to register students starting Monday, August 28.
The 2023-24 Remote Learning Registration form is now available on Parent Portal and will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6. Families can complete this form if they wish to transition from in person to remote learning, or transition from remote learning back to in person.
Families selecting a new learning option will be choosing this for their student for the entire 2023-24 school year. Students will begin attending their new classes when the re-organization process takes place in early October. Click here for more information about Elementary Remote Learning.
Student Transportation
On August 21, a message was emailed to families eligible for student transportation to let them know the Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS) Parent Portal is open. Families with children starting Kindergarten this year will receive their bus stop information by mail. Click here to read the message that was shared.
Starting the School Year with Wellness
HWDSB will continue to offer a wide variety of mental health supports for students, knowing that the return to school can be stressful.
Students and families can find tips for the start of school by clicking here to read our We Help Update. For additional mental health services and supports, click here to visit our We Help webpage.
Have a wonderful week! We look forward to welcoming students and families back to HWDSB schools on Wednesday, September 6.
Additional Resources for School Readiness:
- Back to School at HWDSB
- Starting the School Year with Wellness
- 2023-24 School Year Calendars
- Registering a New Student at HWDSB
- Student Transportation Website
Updated on Sunday, August 27, 2023.