Student Senate

Student Senators provide the framework for student governance within HDSB, thus, they are in-trusted represent the hundreds of voices from a school's student body, articulating their classmates' views at the board level. We look to our senators to connect with students from all grade levels, backgrounds and interests to develop a comprehensive opinion to bring to the senate. Student Senators will be dedicated individuals who are passionate in creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all students within their school and the HDSB. Successful Student Senators are mature and responsible individuals capable of taking on large-scale projects, completing tasks in an efficient manner, and willing to commit 5-10 hours per week to representing Halton youth.

Senators and Non-Senators will have opportunities to join senate subcommittee meetings based on the pillars of the 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan​​. These subcommittees are split into themes of Equity & Inclusion​​​​, Mental Health and Well-being, Learning and Achievement, Environmental Leadership, along with Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness. Each of these subcommittees dive deep into their respective topics to create awareness, identify areas of change, and further student voice. 

​​​The HDSB student senate is a forum​ for students  in the Halton District School Board to discuss issues that relate to their education in the Halton District School Board. Student opinions are represented by two student ​trustees​ at the bi-weekly HDSB board meetings. ​ 

The opinio​n of more than 66,000 Halton students are conveyed to the provincial government through the Student Trustees via the Ontario Student Trustees Association (OSTA-AECO). This association collaborates with the province and the Minister of Education on legislation to solve youth issues in Ontario 

The local senate hosts Halton's ann​ual Youth Leaders​hip Symposium as well as other projects, providing feedback to the Student Trustees.

Do I have to be in student council or participate in extracurriculars to be in the student senate?

No. Student Senate offers the opportunity for all student​​s from Grades 7-12 to be a member, in order to diversify our student voice, and provide leadership opportunities to all students.   In many instances, students who are unable to participate in extracurricular activities are out of one’s range of control, thus it is not a requirement to be in the student senate. All schools will be asked to choose student representatives – a maximum of one (1) per elementary school, and a maximum of two (2) per secondary school.​  Administrators email the names of students who will be representing your school to: ​Cindy Wang, Ethan Ruggiero ​​​​​

Timelines for Student Trustee Elections ​

• ​​​Jan. 27, 2023 - L​etter to Students​ - Student Trustee Election​
  
• Jan. 31, 2023 - Virtual Student Trustee Candidate Information Meeting 
  
• Feb. 1, 2023 - Presentati​on (Google Slides)​
• Feb 6, 2023 - The first date  candidates can submit completed copy of application to the Director's Office
  
• ​Feb. 8, 2023 - Deadline for to submit candidacy applicati​on form, submitted to Director's Office by 8:00pm​
• ​​​​Student Trustee Nomination Form, which can be found on Appendix A of the Student Trustee Administrative Procedure. ​Download a fillable version of the Student Trustee Candidate Application​.​​​
  
Student Trustee Nomination Form Submission Instructions
If able to print the form...

1. Download the form, complete the editable fields and save the form to your computer with this format: “STUDENT-TRUSTEE-2023_LASTNAME​​​_FIRSTNAME.pdf”
2. Print the form, sign it and ask a parent/guardian to sign it 
3. Scan the form and email it to your principal. Ask for their approval and signature
4. Confirm with your Principal whether they or you will forward the form to Susan Thrasher at thrashers@hdsb.ca​ 
If unable to print the form…

1. Download the form, complete the editable fields and save the form to your computer with this format: “STUDENT-TRUSTEE-2023_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.pdf”
2. Get parent/guardian permission and have them write an email to your Principal stating their support of your candidacy
3. Email your form to your Principal, ask for their approval and signature (remind them to look for the email from your parent/guardian)
4. Confirm with your Principal whether they or you will forward the form and email from your parent/guardian to Susan Thrasher at thrashers@hdsb.ca ​
   
• ​ Feb. 13, 2023 - Deadline for Election Information submitted to Director's Office (8:00 p.m.), including:​​
  
• One 4 minute .mp4 video.  Please view video recording instructions.
• One 8.5 x 11" campaign poster for the Senate social media account
• Portrait Photograph for ballot
• Written answer to election question​​​​
  

• Feb. 15, 2023 - ​Candidate poster, written answer and photo of all candidates released on student senate website 
  
• ​​Feb. 22, 2023 - Candidate Speeches available by video link for all HDSB students
  
• Feb. 23, 2023 - Student Trustee Election - Online voting 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.​​
  

How to Become a Student Trustee​

Student Trustees 2022-2023​