WHAT IS STUDENT SENATE?
We're a group of passionate leaders from public schools across the Halton District School Board. We meet once a month to provide the student perspective on board issues and to voice the questions and concerns of Halton students. The Student Trustees relay these perspectives to the Board of Trustees to ensure that students are being represented. Each year, we also organize and run the Halton Youth Leadership Symposium, a conference for Halton students.
OUR STUDENT TRUSTEES
Ethan Ruggiero
Ethan Ruggiero is a grade 12 student at Dr Frank J Hayden Secondary School. This is Ethan’s first term as a Student Trustee for the HDSB. Prior to being elected Student Trustee, Ethan served a term as student senator, was appointed Senate Regional Director for Burlington and served on the HDSB Indigenous Subcommittee. As Student Trustee, he eagerly anticipates working with the next generation of leaders to find innovative solutions to address the challenges students face within our board. In Ethan’s free time, you can find him leading school clubs, sitting on advisory boards, heading to the nearest jazz festival or playing trumpet. He is always accessible to connect with students on Instagram @ethanruggiero_hdsb or through email ruggieroe@hdsb.ca.
Cindy Wang
Cindy Wang is a grade 12 student at Oakville Trafalgar High School and a first-term HDSB Student Trustee. Prior to being elected, Cindy served as a secondary Student Senator for a year and was appointed as the Secondary Representative on the HDSB's Mental Health Strategy Advisory Committee for one term. As a Student Trustee, she hopes to empower student voice as a means to ensure positive educational experiences for all. As part of her provincial work, she is this year's OSTA-AECO Ontario Student Voice Awards Working Group Co-Chair. In her free time, you can find Cindy running school clubs, writing, finding a new TV show to cry over, or saving up for a concert. She is always happy to connect with students on Instagram @cindy.hdsb or through email wangc@hdsb.ca.
JOIN US
To join the HDSB Student Senate, students must be in grades 7 to 12 in a Halton District School Board school. In early September, all school principals receive a letter inviting them to select 1 Student Senator per elementary school or 2 Student Senators per secondary school (*if your school exceeds a student population of 1500, principals may select 3 Student Senators). It is up to each school to select their Senators. The letter to principals will contain all necessary information for Student Senators, including the pre-set meeting dates.
Senate meets once a month . Consistent attendance is critical. Meetings shall be held virtually from 6 - 9 PM for all senators.
Join us in advocating student voice
Are you passionate about advocating for student voice on board topics? The HDSB Student Senate is looking for non-senators to join our subcommittees! This year we will be searching for 4-6 students from each region from grades 7-12 to join one of our four (4) subcommittees, applications will open in the coming months here!
What is HDSB Student Senate
Importance of Voting
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQs
How do I join Student Senate?
In early September, the Student Trustees send a letter to all HDSB principals indicating that each school is to select its senators (1 per elementary school, 2 per secondary school). Each school has its own method of selecting Senators, but the most common approach is to put out an announcement inviting any student to express their interest. If a school does not announce the opening for the Senate position, we would recommend the student schedule a meeting with the principal to express their interest. If this is not possible or if you have any questions/concerns about the selection process, then please email Vandy at widyalankarv@hdsb.ca or Kacy at 1baok@hdsb.ca
Who Can Be A Student Senator?
Any student from Grades 7 to 12 who currently attends a school in the HDSB can apply/be selected
Do I Have To Be In Student Council To Be In Student Senate
Nope! Student Senate offers the opportunity for all students. If you're passionate about making a difference in your school and community, we want to hear from you!
What is HYLS?
The Halton Youth Leadership Symposium (HYLS) is the conference the Student Senate puts on every year. Watch for conference details in Spring 2021. Click here for more information.
Where Are Senate Meetings?
All Senate meetings are on Tuesday evenings every month. See the specific dates here.
What Is A Student Trustee?
A Student Trustee represents students at the board table. Their job consists of three main parts:
Running Student Senate
Attending Board Meetings
Attending the Ontario Student Trustee Association’s (OSTA-AECO) conferences and other provincial organizations.
All details are here.
What Grade Do I Need To Be To Run For Student Trustee?
All grade 10 and 11 students in the HDSB are eligible to run for the position of Student Trustee. Newly elected Student Trustees begin their terms in the following school year.