Please note: The Welcome Centre is not open for in-person service due to Covid-19. We will continue to do remote registrations and language assessments until further notice. Families need to fill out the
HDSB Welcome Centre Google Form (preferred method of contact), send an email or call to book an appointment.
HDSB WELCOME CENTRE FORM
Email:
welcomecentre@hdsb.caCall: 905-335-3665 ext. 3440
Welcoming New/Returning Students and Families to Halton
Who comes to the Welcome Centre?
Students from Grade 1 to age 21 must register through the Welcome Centre if any of the following apply:
-
Entering from Ontario school system for the first time, and whose first language is not English (or is a variety of English)*
- Entering HDSB with an International Student Visa (or any visa including Visitor Visas)
- Entering with a Work Permit or a Study Permit (student and/or parent/guardian holds the permit)
- Entering HDSB with their Permanent Residence Status application in progress
- Entering from a French language school in a French language school board (if first language is not English)
- Re-entering Ontario after an absence of a year or more (if first language is not English)
*where student is a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee Claimant
Effective April 1, 2019, the Welcome Centre will no longer register JK/SK students except where
- The parent has a Work Permit AND is registering their first child in the family with HDSB
- The parent/child has a Study Permit/Visa
- The parent is a Permanent Resident applicant on visitor status
What should you bring?
Registration Documents
- Registration Form (1 form for each child)
- Verification Form (1 form for each child)
- Kindergarten Parent Questionnaire (for JK and SK students only)
- Early Years Experience Collection at Kindergarten Registration Questionnaire (for JK and SK students only)
- Proof of custody (if applicable): if you are not the child’s parent and the child is under 18, you must provide proof of custody (court order)
- Education records - Transcripts and/or report cards (if available); if the student previously attended an Ontario public school, please provide OEN number
Immigration Documents
- Passports for parents and child(ren).
If Canadian citizens, only passports or birth certificates required, not any additional immigration documents
- Immigration documents for parents and child(ren): Record of Landing (IMM1000) or Permanent Resident cards
(please scan or take a picture of PR Cards for ALL family members together: front side together, back side together), Work Permits, Study Permits, Visitor Permits, Refugee Claims etc.
- Youth Settlement Form (1 form for all the children registering)
Proofs of Address
Any two of the following (current) documents: lease or deed, car registration, utility bill, residential telephone bill, moving bill, property tax bill, bank statement, credit card statement, correspondence with a government agency Note: A driver’s license will not be accepted as documentation for “proof of address”.
What happens at the Welcome Centre?
- Family interview to discuss your child’s school history, interests and goals
- Meeting with our settlement team to assist with a smooth transition to school and life in Halton
- Initial assessments of students’ English proficiency and mathematics skills
- Credit equivalency recommendations (new to Ontario with Secondary School credits)
- Registration of students to the appropriate school
- Orientation to education in Ontario
- Meeting to discuss results of assessments
- Appointment arranged with the elementary and/or secondary school
How long is the appointment?
- Elementary students: 2-3 hours
- Secondary students: 3-4 hours
Contact us
- email: welcomecentre@hdsb.ca
- 905-335-3665 ext: 3440 or ext: 3435 for fee-paying International Visa Students
- The Welcome Centre is inside Gary Allan High School in Milton, 215 Ontario Street South, Milton, L9T 4N5. Via Milton Transit, take bus #5 or #8.
The Welcome Centre is partially funded by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
