Grand Beginnings: Information for Back-to-School

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Schools are ready to welcome students back on Tuesday, September 3. Below you’ll find information and links to help make it a grand beginning to a new school year.

Transportation

Information about bus routes, pickup locations and schedule times can be found here.

For transportation information for students from Six Nations attending Grand Erie schools, contact Sharp Bus Lines directly by calling 519-751-3434. Students from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who attend a Grand Erie school can find bus details by calling Caledonia Transportation at 905-692-4488.

Registration

Returning students do not need to register, unless changing schools within Grand Erie. For families new to Grand Erie or who have moved within Grand Erie, find what you need to complete the Registration process.

For families new to Canada, The Grand Welcome Centre is a place where all new Multilingual Language Learners and First Nation, Métis, or Inuit students and their families are welcomed into the Grand Erie community. To start the school registration process, families must make an appointment by calling 519-756-6301 ext. 281031 or by email at welcome@granderie.ca.    

Starting Kindergarten

If you have a child who was born in 2020, they are eligible to start Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year. To register, visit our Kindergarten page. 

To help ease the transition of starting school for our youngest learners, check out Getting Ready for Kindergarten.

Kindergarten students start school in September through a gradual entry process:

• Tuesday, September 3: all year 2 Kindergarten students
• Wednesday, September 4: half year 1 and all year 2 students
• Thursday, September 5: other half of year 1 and all year 2 students
• Friday, September 6: all Kindergarten students

Before- and After-Care Programs

Looking for before-and-after school program information? Visit here to find a listing of program options.

2024-25 School Year Calendar

The calendar for the entire school year is available with separate calendars for elementary and secondary schools. Please contact your school directly for any school-specific questions about activities or schedules.

Preparing for school – especially during challenging times – can lead to stress and worry. These mental health and well-being resources are intended to help parents, caregivers and families navigate the return with wellness in mind. 

Mobile Devices, Social Media and Vaping

To promote healthy and welcoming learning environments, as directed by the Ministry of Education, starting in September, all Ontario school boards will be required to follow the updated Provincial Code of Conduct. This includes all students being required to follow strict anti-vaping, mobile device use and social media guidelines. For more information, visit our Mobile Devices, Social Media and Vaping information page.

Student Absences and Reporting 

Grand Erie uses a student absence reporting system called SafeArrival. This system makes it easy for you to report your child’s absence and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences. 

Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app, and select Sign Up to create your account. Parents and caregivers can also call the toll-free number 1-833-557-9420 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

SchoolCash Online

SchoolCash Online is an easy and safe way to pay for your child’s school fees and complete school start-up forms such as permission forms. You can sign directly in to SchoolCash Online or access it through the Grand Erie Mobile App.

Parents and caregivers will receive an email directly from SchoolCash Online (KEV) directly once the school year starts.

Public Health

The Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit have created school health resources for parents and caregivers, such as kindergarten orientation, immunization and dental screening information.

Stay Connected

Keep up with important updates throughout the school year by downloading the Grand Erie Parent App, or follow us on Instagram, X and Facebook. 

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