Preparing for a new school year can bring up a lot of questions, especially if your family is new to the area, transitioning to a new school, or navigating the busing and registration systems for the first time. At the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), we believe that getting ready for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, should be as smooth and stress-free as possible.

That said, we're here to help. If you have a question, concern, or need support, we will help you to find the answer you are looking for, and direct you to your next step.

For almost all school-related matters, your very first step is simply to contact your child’s home school office. Phone numbers can be found on your home school website, or by visiting the UGDSB School Directory and clicking on your home school. Our school staff are happy to guide you, answer your questions, or immediately connect you with the right support if they are unable to answer all of your questions.

Elementary Registration

Elementary Registration for the 2026-27 school year is taking place September 1-4, 2026, at all UGDSB elementary schools.

Please note that only new students to the UGDSB are required to register. If your child attended a UGDSB school last year, you do not need to re-register. If you registered your child for JK or SK in winter 2026, you do not need to re-register.

Please register at your local school. To determine which school your child is eligible to attend, visit the UGDSB’s School Locator.

To learn more about registration, including how to register your child if you are new to Upper Grand, visit the board website.

Transportation

If your child takes the bus with the UGDSB, here’s how you can easily access their transportation details and stay updated on delays or cancellations. Choose the option that works best for your family:

Bus Transportation Details:

• Visit family.ugdsb.on.ca

  • Click "Sign In"

  • Your username is the email address you provided to the school

  • The first time you sign in you will need to reset your password. Use the "Forgot Password" button and follow the process

  • Click "BusPlanner" tile after login

Delays or Cancellations:

• Download the Bus Planner app on your mobile device [click here for instructions]

  • Sign up to receive status updates on your child’s bus route, or

• Check the Student Transportation website for bus cancellations [click here]

The UGDSB is also a partner in the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) Committee. The vision of the Committee is that walking, cycling and other active modes will be attractive, realistic and safe modes of transportation for school students in Wellington, Dufferin, and Guelph. For more information on ASRTS, visit https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/active-and-safe-routes-to-school.

School Year Calendars

If you're looking for important dates, including PA Days, exam schedules, or school breaks, elementary and secondary School Year Calendars can be found on the board website. These calendars outline the school days, PA Days, and holidays for the school year.

Another option to find important dates is our Events Calendar, which can be found at https://www.ugdsb.ca/events. Along with PA Day and holiday information, the Events Calendar includes information on Board and other committee meetings.

UGConnect

To make sure you never miss the latest UG news, be sure to download the UGConnect app. This app allows users to follow their school's news feeds, events calendars, and receive direct push notifications from the school and the board. Please note, if you already have the UGConnect app, but installed the app prior to October 4, 2024, please delete it and download the newest version.

You can also follow UGDSB on Facebook and Instagram (@UpperGrand) for regular updates.

Wherever you are starting your journey this school year, remember you don't need to know the whole system to get support. Reach out to your local school team, or reach out to the board through the contact page and let us help you. The Contact Us page is laid out in a simple manner to help direct you where you need to go.

We look forward to welcoming all of our new and returning families this September 8th for the first day of school!