Dr. David R. Williams PS currently has 24 portables on site with space becoming very limited in accommodating future student enrolment. In order to bridge the gap between the current accommodation pressures and the eventual opening of new elementary schools (Oakville NE #3 PS and Oakville NE #5 PS), it has been determined that new student registrations will be directed to Palermo PS now that Dr. David R. Williams has reached maximum capacity.
When will the redirection begin?
Earlier this year (on Jan. 26, 2023), the community was notified that a redirection of new student registrations will occur once an enrolment and classroom cap at Dr. David R. Williams PS (3199 Post Road) of 1,300 students and/or 56 classrooms has been reached. This cap has now been reached and as a result, new student registrations will be redirected to Palermo PS (2561 Valleyridge Drive) effective Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Who will be impacted?
The affected school communities are in the current Dr. David R. Williams PS English and French Immersion boundaries. This impacts students who are not presently registered at Dr. David R. Williams PS at the time the redirection is initiated. New student registrations will immediately be directed to Palermo PS. Note that transportation will be provided to Palermo PS.
What does this mean for students in the Dr. David R. Williams PS
English boundary?
- There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Kindergarten to Grade 8 English.
- All Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) registrations will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS.
- New Senior Kindergarten (Year 2) to Grade 8 English program registrations will register at Palermo PS.
What does this mean for students in the Dr. David R. Williams PS
French Immersion boundary?
- There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Grade 2 to 8 French Immersion.
- Grade 2 French Immersion students will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS under the following requirements:
- Current Grade 1 students within the Oodenawi PS English program boundary; or,
- Current Grade 1 students within the Dr. David R. Williams PS English program boundary.
- New Grade 2 to Grade 8 French Immersion program registrations will register at Palermo PS.
When will the redirection end?
The redirection will reach a conclusion once one of the following occurs:
- Enrolment and/or classrooms utilization drop below the cap; and/or,
- The boundary review for Oakville NE #3 PS and Oakville NE #5 PS is completed and implemented, resulting in enrolment pressure relief at Dr. David R. Williams PS. Note this may require the opening of Oakville NE #3 PS and/or Oakville NE #5 PS..
The Board anticipates to commence the boundary review process this Spring (2023), and reach a decision in late Fall of 2023. A notice will be sent to the communities affected once the process begins. For more information on the future boundary review process, please review
Board Report 22148.
How can we find out more information?
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information that may address situations that are more specific to you and your family. You can also access
Board Report 23011 for more information.
Questions? Please contact the HDSB Planning Services Department by email at plan@hdsb.ca or by phone at 905-335-3663.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is a redirection necessary?
Dr. David R. Williams PS currently has 24 portables on site with space becoming very limited in accommodating future student enrolment. In order to bridge the gap between the current accommodation pressures, the eventual opening of new elementary schools (Oakville NE #3 PS and Oakville NE #5 PS), it has been determined that once the school has reached max capacity, new student registrations be directed to Palermo PS.
Q: My child(ren) would like to attend the FI program. We live in Dr. David R. Williams PS catchment.
- There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Grade 2 to 8 French Immersion.
- Grade 2 French Immersion students will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS under the following requirements:
- Students are current Grade 1 students within the Oodenawi PS English program boundary; or,
- Students are current Grade 1 students within the Dr. David R. Williams PS English program boundary.
- New Grade 2 to Grade 8 French Immersion program registrations will register at Palermo PS.