One of the most significant challenges of moving when you have kids is transitioning the kids to a new school. Changing schools is not just for those moving on to a new city. In Ontario, any move generally signals a change in school as your address determines what school you will attend and how you will get there.
Big changes can lead to big feelings (and not just for the little ones!) but we have the resources to help you navigate the Transitioning your children to a new school is one of the most difficult aspects of relocating with children. Changing schools isn’t simply for those who are relocating to a new city. In Ontario, every change in address usually means a change in school, because your address dictates which school you will attend and how you will get there.
Large changes may cause large sentiments (and not only in children), but we have everything you need to assist you in navigating the Ontario education system. While it is difficult, the dread of transfer should not prevent you from purchasing a house in any new location or school district.
Here are some suggestions for selecting a new school, preparing your child for the change, and ensuring a smooth transition for the entire family.
Locating a new school
School research is a significant component of the home-buying process for the majority of parents. To find out your catchment area, there are websites with School Locator tools that allow you to search by address. Catchment zones will change depending on the grade level and the programming. To view the precise boundaries of a school, you may also search by school. Please keep in mind that catchment areas can and often do alter as the population of the city changes. If you need information on a specific school, get in touch with the board directly.
Keep in mind that priority will be given to children who reside within the catchment region. If there is extra room, the school may allow a small number of children whose home address is beyond the catchment to enroll. If the school restricts enrollment to pupils outside of the catchment area, this could be dangerous for families with numerous children. Children who live outside the catchment area won’t have to leave, but their younger siblings won’t be allowed a space.
Parents will need to decide whether to pull their older children out of the school they adore or deal with the hassles of having their younger children in two different schools. While it is true that in Ontario, your home school is tied to your address, it doesn’t necessarily make this school your only choice. You can instead choose to place your kids in Montessori or a private school.
When you have your new address, take some time to visit both main school boards, and if you’re considering private school, research the options available nearby. When it comes to private school and Montessori options, prices vary wildly, so it’s worth looking at various schools to see which ones best fit your needs and budget.
You’ll need to register at your new school, so make sure you have your proof of address documents, your child’s birth certificate, vaccine report, and any other paperwork your school requests.
Arriving at school
Your child’s age and the distance from your home to their school will determine your transportation options. Walking, taking the board’s provided buses, and driving are all options.
Here are some examples of the minimal distance requirements for kids living inside Hamilton’s Urban Boundary to be eligible for school busing:
More than 1.2 kilometers between JK and SK
longer than 1.6 kilometers for grades 1 through 8.
Secondary School: more than 3.2 kilometers
If a student’s walking distance to school is more than .8 kilometers and they live beyond the Urban Boundary, bus transportation is an option.
Do your study to find the most recent information because there are additional influencing criteria, such as sidewalk accessibility and closeness to main roadways.
Choosing to drive your child to school is an option. Traffic enforcement officials frequently patrol the areas near your child’s school to guarantee the safety of the children and the neighborhood, so please be mindful of the parking and halting restrictions there. These areas have expensive fines.
Routines at a New School
Go to the School Earlier: If at all feasible, make plans for your children to see the school before the relocation day. Knowing what to anticipate will help reduce some worry and allow you to go through the issues that are most concerning.
Try to spend some time in the playground near you. We promise you’ll meet kids and parents who will become a part of your new neighborhood. On the first day of school, your kids will relish seeing familiar faces.
Practice your route to school: Knowing where the crosswalks are, whether they have crossing guards, and whether children must cross on their own is important if you have children who are walking to school. Kids should be aware of the proper locations to lock their bicycles when riding them.
Some schools offer racks for the whole student body in one location. If they plan to use public transportation, write down the stops they must know about, along with the bus numbers, so they may check wait times and arrive at the stop in plenty of time. And, if you’re driving, school drop-off zones, one-way streets, no-turn areas, and parking can all throw you for a loop, a few dry runs can make all the difference in those first few days of chaos.
Parent communication methods used by the school: Some schools utilize Slack or other apps, while others use Twitter and email newsletters. Others merely use school announcements and rely on students and word-of-mouth in the schoolyard. Learn how parents are informed by your teacher, your school, and your parent council. You adapt to new routines more rapidly if you have everything sorted out right away.
Obtain the school calendar: The school boards will publish their yearly schedules well in advance of the start of the new academic year. You may find start dates, finish dates, holidays, PA days, and more here. Check it out early to avoid being caught off guard and needing to find daycare. The school calendar will include crucial dates for kindergarten registration, French Immersion programming, and secondary school specialty programs. The year calendar for your new school gives you a bird’s eye perspective of significant days, major occasions like winter and spring concerts, and any other enduring school customs. Look for your child’s weekly, monthly, and yearly calendars. The weekly calendar will assist you in determining when to submit equipment for the gym, etc., as well as whether any regular tests or quizzes are scheduled. You may find information on upcoming spirit days, pizza lunches, and nighttime events like movie nights and concerts on the monthly calendar.
Join the Community: To communicate news and events with the parents in the school community, the majority of schools maintain Facebook pages. This might be a wonderful way to get to know other parents and find out more about your new neighborhood.
What can Parents Expect: There is always some expectation for parents to be as involved in school life as they possibly are, from snacks to playdoh lists to classroom time, school trip volunteers, and requests for baked goods. Parents who want to volunteer at the school or help out on field excursions must present a recent police background check for the vulnerable sector. If you wish to get engaged in your school, act quickly because the wait period can be long (up to 8 weeks).
Finding out what kinds of help are required so you can sign up for the ones you wish to do is the best way to avoid the request for cupcakes at 8 p.m. the evening before the class bake sale. Ask if there are chores that aren’t on the list that you may offer to undertake if you work during school hours rather than spending vacation time to serve pizza lunch. These jobs might include making event posters or adding auction goods to an online auction site.
Adapt to it: It can be difficult to adjust to a new school. There will be good days and bad days, and there will be unexpected meltdowns. Simply persevere. Over time, things will become simpler. Also keep in mind that for many parents, particularly those with children, making friends in a new neighborhood is frequently easier through school.
