Construction and Property Updates

Why is the school opening delayed?  

While the build of Josiah Henson PS continues to move forward, the extended winter and spring weather has resulted in delays to the school’s construction. The DDSB Facilities team continues to work actively with the contractor to minimize the delay; however, the updated timeline targets a building occupancy date of October. 

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Josiah Henson PS in the coming months.  

Why can’t students stay where they are until the new school opens?  

Through the temporary school placements, Josiah Henson PS students and staff will be organized together as classes, effectively operating as a ‘school within a school’. Josiah Henson PS students will operate independently from their host school (e.g. separate learning spaces, assemblies, etc.) This reduces overall disruption and supports students through the physical transitions by establishing familiar routines, having consistent classmates, and to the best of our ability, teachers and support staff.  

If students were to remain in their current schools and move to the new school halfway through the first term, a larger number of students and staff would be impacted, as many classes would need to be reorganized. This would result in more students having different teachers and different classmates. 

Why do Josiah Henson PS students have to attend different schools?  

Until the new school building is ready, Josiah Henson PS school students and staff will be using available space at two nearby schools. This space will be supplemented by portables so that all the JHPS classes can be accommodated at two locations. 

As part of the temporary school placements, staff have prioritized reducing disruption as much as possible for students and staff within the school communities involved. 

In the plan, Josiah Henson PS students and staff will be organized together as classes, as this will enable them to move together into the new school. This reduces overall disruption and supports students through the physical transitions by establishing familiar routines, having consistent classmates, and to the best of our ability, teachers and support staff. 

Therefore, Josiah Henson PS JK-Grade 4 classes will be located at Rosemary Brown PS, and students in Grades 5-8 will be located at Michaëlle Jean PS.  

How will the increased traffic at Rosemary Brown PS and Michaëlle Jean PS be accommodated?  

While every family has unique circumstances and driving may be the most suitable option, we also encourage carpooling, riding a bike or walking to school where it can be done safely to help reduce traffic in school zones and school parking lots. To support the safety of students, we will have the presence of school safety patrollers and adult crossing guards, in cooperation with the local community. School staff are also available every morning and after school, to support safe entry onto school property. 

Can the school opening be delayed an entire year, instead of moving students partway through the first semester?  

To manage accommodation pressures at partner schools within the Josiah Henson PS community, it is important to assume occupancy of the new school as soon as possible. 

Can I apply for my child to remain at their current school next year, instead of moving schools?  

All requests for ‘out of area’ (not your designated home school) students are subject to the Permission to Enrol Procedure. Families should note that an application to transfer to an out of area school does not guarantee they can be accommodated, and transportation for out of area students is not provided. 

When will we know if we have space at the Josiah Henson childcare centre?  

We are collaborating closely with our licensed childcare partner to support before and after-school care needs at the temporary host school. Families on the waitlist for childcare at Josiah Henson PS should expect communication from our childcare partner by the end of July.  

Will there be more before and after-school capacity at Michaëlle Jean PS and Rosemary Brown PS to accommodate the delayed opening? 

SKD Child Care is working with the DDSB to determine available before and after school care capacity to accommodate the Josiah Henson PS program while it is temporarily located at Rosemary Brown PS and Michaëlle Jean PS. 

Dear Josiah Henson Public School Families,

We continue to be very excited about the new Josiah Henson Public School, which will help support our growing student population in the Pickering Seaton community.

We are writing to inform you that, unfortunately, the opening of the new school, originally scheduled for September 2025, has been delayed. This update is being shared with families of students currently attending Westcreek PS, Elizabeth B. Phin PS, Highbush PS, and DDSB@Home – Elementary, who were scheduled to transition to Josiah Henson PS.

We recognize the delay in the opening of Josiah Henson PS impacts families in different ways, and we appreciate what families have shared about these specific impacts. Please know that we recognize these impacts and are committed to supporting families throughout this transition. 

• School Placement:  Students in JK to Grade 4along with staff from Josiah Henson PS, as of September 2025, will be temporarily located at Rosemary Brown PS, at 270 Williamson Drive West, Ajax, until the new building is ready for occupancy.
  Students in Grades 5 to 8 along with staff from Josiah Henson PS, as of September 2025 will be temporarily located at Michaëlle Jean PS, at 180 Williamson Drive East, Ajax, until the new building is ready for occupancy.

• Transportation: For families requiring transportation, details will be shared as plans are firmed up during the summer. Once the Josiah Henson PS building opens, regular board transportation policies will apply, with service for those living more than 1.6 km away.