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

Shrena Sribalan

Grade 12 From CKSS

Shrena Sribalan is a grade 12 student at Craig Kielburger Secondary School, from Milton, entering her first term as an HDSB Student Trustee. Prior to being elected, Shrena served on the Mental Health & Wellbeing Senate Subcommittee, the Student Senate Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Project Group during the 2021-2022 school year as well as the Learning & Achievement Subcommittee and Student Mental Health Task Force as a preliminary member during the 2022-2023 school year. As a Student Trustee, she is excited to find herself facilitating crucial conversations between students, student leaders, administrators and educators, disrupting the status quo with innovative & impactful initiatives as well as being a part of legacy advocacy efforts, to ensure the HDSB education system and spaces serve the needs of and equips current and future HDSB student, to flourish in their future endeavours. In Shrena's free time, you can find her leading student initiatives within the HDSB and beyond, jamming to her favourite musical artists, volunteering with her community's non-for-profit organizations as an active changemaker, taking pictures to capture memories with friends & family or talking your ear off about something she's passionate about.  She always encourages students to reach out to her and is happy to connect with them in regard to their questions, concerns and/or ideas on Instagram @shrena.hdsb or via email at sribalans@hdsb.ca.

Sultan Alimzhanov

Grade 12 from APHS

Sultan Alimzhanov is a grade 12 student at Abbey Park High School and a first-term Student Trustee for the HDSB. Before his election, Sultan served a term as an elementary senator on behalf of Pilgrim Wood Public School, a secondary senator on behalf of Abbey Park High School, was an appointed Senate Regional Director of Oakville, and served on the Student Senate Environmental Subcommittee. As a Student Trustee, he hopes to commit tangible action and collaborate with passionate student leaders to ensure the best representation of youth voice within the board. In his free time, Sultan enjoys hiking outside, reading books, playing sports, or planning events with his school clubs. He is always open to connecting with students via his Instagram @sultan.hdsb or through email alimzhanovs@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 the 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:

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.