Toronto Catholic District School Board - Growing in Knowledge, with Justice and Hope.

Starting in September 2026, targeted adjustments will be made to bell times at some elementary schools as part of a board-wide effort to better align school schedules with bus routing, improving coordination and helping maintain reliable transportation service for students.

As a result, some schools will see adjustments of 30 minutes to their start and end times. For example, a start time of 8:30 AM instead of 9:00 AM or vice-versa, with a corresponding change to dismissal time.

Please note that transportation eligibility is not changing, and all eligible students will continue to receive bussing.

We recognize that even small shifts in schedules can affect daily routines and are providing as much advanced notice as possible to support planning for the upcoming school year.

Schools with Bell Time Adjustments

Below is a list of schools with bell time adjustments for the 2026-2027 school year.

Families are encouraged to follow the Board’s social media accounts for updates:

• Instagram

• Facebook/Meta

• X

• Bluesky

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Below are answers to frequently asked questions. If you do not see your question below, you can submit it for consideration in an upcoming social media Q&A.

School Day Schedule (Bell Time)

When will the new bell times begin?

On the first day of the 2026-2027 school year: September 8, 2026.

Are all schools changing bell times?

Adjustments to bell times are limited to approximately 25 percent of the Board’s elementary schools. Families are encouraged to review the list above to see if your school is included.

Why are you changing bell times?

The Board is making these adjustments to improve coordination, increase efficiency, and enhance the reliability of student transportation.

These adjustments also help address ongoing driver shortages and rising transportation costs, while continuing to maintain service for eligible students.

By making these changes, the Board is able to use resources more effectively, supporting efforts to reduce its deficit while ensuring every possible dollar is invested in student and classroom learning.

What is a staggered bell time system?

A staggered bell time system strategically establishes bell times for schools that allow school buses to be used with maximum efficiency at more than one school. Staggered school schedules help buses run more efficiently and support more reliable service for students and families. Some schools have start times that are earlier in the morning (i.e. 8:30 AM at the earliest) while others will have start times that are later (i.e., 9:00 AM at the latest).

Is my school impacted by the bell time changes?

Families are encouraged to review the list above to see if your school is impacted. You can also access and view this information on your school website for information changes to your bell times. The maximum bell time change at impacted schools will be 30 minutes.

How were the schools selected for bell time changes?

Schools were selected where adjustments to bell times would improve route efficiency and coordination, helping ensure reliable, consistent transportation service for students.

Why adjust elementary bell times as opposed to secondary schools?

Bell times are being adjusted to improve the efficiency and coordination of bus routing. As the majority of transported students are in elementary grades, focusing on these schools allows for the greatest improvement in transportation reliability and overall system efficiency. Transportation services will continue to be provided to all eligible students, including those with special needs at both the elementary and secondary level.

Student Transportation

How do I find out if I’m eligible for bussing?

In order to be eligible for transportation, elementary students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 must live 1.5 km away from the school and reside within an approved transportation area. Families are encouraged to visit the Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) website to determine if they are eligible and can register your child(ren) for school transportation services. If you are eligible for school bus service, please follow the instructions on the website .

With the change to school start and end times, will my child be eligible for transportation if I am no longer able to drive them?

Transportation eligibility is determined based on criteria set by the TCDSB and the Toronto Student Transportation Group and is not changing as a result of the shift in bell times.

In order to be eligible for transportation, elementary students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 must live 1.5 km away from the school and reside within an approved transportation area. Families are encouraged to visit the Toronto Student Transportation Group website to determine if they are eligible to register your child(ren) for school transportation services. If you are eligible for school bus service, please follow the instructions on the website.

How will this impact daycare service?

If you are currently enrolled in childcare services at your local school, these changes will not impact operations of the respective childcare provider.

With the later end to the school day, how will before-and-after school care capacity be addressed at our school?

The Board has notified all third-party before- and after-school care providers so they can plan for these changes and support a smooth transition.

Will my bus stop change?

TSTG may make minor adjustments to bus stop locations in advance of the school year to support operational needs. Affected families will be notified directly of any changes.

Will bus rides be longer?

The changes are intended to improve overall efficiency, and most bus rides are expected to be the same length or shorter. Factors such as traffic conditions or inclement weather, which are beyond TSTG’s control, may occasionally affect travel times.

My child's school only has supervision for 15 minutes before the bell. The letter to parents said there will be supervision 30 minutes before and 20 minutes after school. Will there be additional supervision starting in September?

Buses can arrive as early as 30 minutes before the bell and leave at the end of the day as late as 20 minutes after the bell. For students who are bused, you can be assured that appropriate supervision will be provided from the time they are dropped off at school in the morning until the time they get on the bus to go home at the end of the day. For students who are not bused, the normal before school supervision of 15 minutes before the day will continue to be provided.

My child(ren) is/are not eligible for bus transportation. How will my child(ren) get to school if my work schedule no longer allows me to transport them to school?

We understand that changes to bell times can create challenges for families’ schedules. Buses can arrive as early as 30 minutes before the bell and leave at the end of the day as late as 20 minutes after the bell. For students who are bused, you can be assured that appropriate supervision will be provided from the time they are dropped off at school in the morning until the time they get on the bus to go home at the end of the day. For students who are not bused, the normal before school supervision of 15 minutes before the day will continue to be provided.

If you require further assistance, we encourage families to contact their local school office who will reach out to the Toronto Student Transportation Group, which manages student transportation services for any assistance.

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