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Welcome Centre

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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.ca
Call: 905-335-3665 ext. 3440
Website: ​welcome.hdsb.ca


​Welcoming New/Returning St​udents and Families to Halton

Who comes to the Welcom​​​e Centre?

Students from Grade 1 to age 21 must register through the Welcome Centre if any of the foll​owing 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 shoul​​​d you bring?​

​Registration Documents

  • Registration Form (editable link) - 1 form for each child
  • Verification Form (editable link) - 1 form for each child
  • Kindergarten Parent Questionnaire (editable link) - for kindergarten 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 document).
  • Education records - Transcripts and/or report cards; or 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 Welco​​​me 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 lo​ng is the appoin​​​tment?

  • Elementary students: 2-3 hours
  • Secondary students: 3-4 hours

Conta​ct us

  • Email:  welcomecentre@hdsb.ca​ 
  • 905-335-3665 ext: 3440 or ext: 3435 for fee-paying International Visa Students
  • Website: ​welcom​e.hdsb.ca​
  • 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)

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    Wlcome Centre Map
Board Office

Halton District School Board
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Burlington, Ontario, L7P 5A8

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Fax: 905-335-9802

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