August 31, 2011: New elementary and secondary schools within the Halton District School Board are just one highlight of the upcoming 2011-12 school year, which begins on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
Students, staff and parents will be welcomed to the Board’s newest elementary school, called John William Boich Public School. Located in Burlington at 2474 Sutton Drive, it will accommodate 677 JK-Grade 7 students; it will begin welcoming Grade 8 students next year. The school is named after Boich, a dedicated Burlington community supporter and Halton District School Board superintendent (1972-79).
“We are looking forward to opening up as a community-based school with strong relationships with all of our students, parents and families,” says Peter Milovanovic, Principal at John William Boich Public School.
The roof of John William Boich Public School is made entirely of solar panels, a first for a Halton District School Board school. The goal of this environmentally-proactive system, which has the potential to produce enough electricity equivalent to power approximately 50 homes, is to provide as much of the Burlington school’s hydro needs as possible.
This school year will also see the Board nearing completion on the construction of two high schools in Oakville and Milton. Both schools are scheduled to open in 2012. Construction of a new Burlington high school in the Alton community – a shared facility with the City of Burlington, to include a public library and community centre – is set to begin this fall and is scheduled for completion in 2013.
Additionally, the Board is enhancing its existing absence check process by introducing a new student attendance system in 51 elementary schools this school year. The new Student Attendance System will reduce the time spent identifying and locating absent students. Parents can access the system through an automated telephone system (toll-free: 1 877 409-6310) or log in to a designated website (hdsb.schoolconnects.com) to report student absences. This system will enhance collaboration between parents and the schools, allowing access to reporting and tracking absences 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information and updates about Halton District School Board initiatives, visit www.hdsb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Jason Misner, Communications Officer
Halton District School Board
(905) 335-3663 or Toll-free: 1 877 618-3456