Families:
It’s the most WONDERFUL time of the year!
Starting tomorrow morning, your child(ren), along with more than 52,000 students from Pre-Primary through Grade 12 will walk through our doors as we begin the 2019-20 school year! If you are new to the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE), I welcome you and your family. If you’ve been with us for a while, welcome back! It’s going to be an exciting year of wonder, exploration and discovery.
What’s new?
The HRCE is GROWING!
To plan and prepare for growth, HRCE accepted student registrations throughout July and August for the first time ever. Since June, nearly 1300 additional students in Grades Primary to 12 registered for school. It’s been more than a decade since HRCE has seen student enrolment beyond 51,000.
This fall, we are opening 26 new Pre-Primary sites. Now, families in 57 school communities have access to the play-based program and all families will have access a year from now when we complete program implementation. These are exciting times!
What can you expect in the first few weeks?
September is all about establishing routines. It takes time to get back into the groove after a break.
As students (and teachers!) everywhere head back to class this week, we know there will be heavy traffic. As families capture “First day of School” photos of students getting on the bus, we know there will be delays.
We know that increased enrolment will result in class adjustments as schools work to meet provincial class cap guidelines. We also know that it will all settle out in the coming weeks.
I thank you for your patience as we all work to establish school year routines.
Does your child take the bus?
If your child(ren) rode the bus in 2018-19 and they haven’t changed schools or moved, they will be provided with transportation for 2019-20, whether they were eligible or riding the bus as a courtesy.
More information on student transportation can be found here.
If you have any questions or concerns about busing, please reach out to our Transportation Team at 902-431-HRCE (4723) or transportation@hrce.ca .
Who should you contact with other questions?
Positive home and school connections are critical to student success and well-being. Never hesitate to reach out!
- Your first point of contact should be your child’s teacher.
- If the question is unresolved, please reach out to your school’s principal.
- If your question is still unresolved, please contact HRCE at 902-464-2000 and we’ll put you in touch with the right person.
Tomorrow is a big day! Please remember to stop for school buses and drive carefully knowing students will be en route to schools.
Wishing your family a wonderful year ahead.
Elwin LeRoux
Regional Executive Director of Education