In-school Support
The DSBN provides a high level of international student support. The following professionals provide a wide range of supports, including: classroom teachers, ESL teachers, Student Success teachers, Special Education teachers, academic guidance counsellors, settlement workers (who speak the student's language and know the culture), and DSBN student buddies.
Periodic student progress reports are issued by the school and sent to the custodian where the student is a minor, or to the student where he/she is 18 years or over. The custodian communicates regularly with parents about the student's progress and well-being. Where language is a barrier, the school's settlement worker can communicate with the parents.
Custodianship
A custodian must be named for any student who is a minor (under the age of 18 years). The Custodian must be at least 19 years of age and be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is residing with or within a reasonable distance from the student.
Custodianship requires that legal arrangements be made to give the custodian in Canada permission to act in place of a parent/legal guardian. Custodianship Declaration Form is available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website:
- The first page needs to be signed by the custodian and notarized (certified by a lawyer or notary) in Canada
- The second page needs to be signed by the parents or legal guardians of the minor child and notarized in their home country
Two pages of the Custodianship Declaration form must be signed, notarized, and presented to the DSBN Welcome Centre at the orientation/assessment appointment prior to starting school.
Expectations for Roles and Responsibilities of Custodian
Homestay and Student Support Services
Homestay, Custodianship, Airport Transfer, etc.
International students and their families must choose appropriate living arrangements while studying at DSBN.
Niagara Homestay & International Student Services (NHISS) is the only DSBN-recommended homestay provider in the Niagara Region. They also offer custodianship services for students under 18.
To apply for homestay and/or custodianship services with NHISS, submit your application here: Niagara Student Services - Admission & Homestay Form
For more information about the services provided by NHISS, please visit their website: Niagara Student Services
Niagara Homestay & International Student Services (NHISS) is a separate and distinct entity from the DSBN. Parents/guardians are solely responsible for doing their own research to satisfy themselves of the acceptability of NHISS prior to engaging them for homestay and/or custodianship services for their children under 18. Parents/guardians acknowledge and agree that they are voluntarily entering into any agreements with NHISS and assume all risk associated therein. Parents/guardians agree to hold the DSBN harmless from any and all claims or losses as a result of hiring NHISS for homestay and/or custodianship services. Parents/guardians agree that they will direct any questions or concerns to NHISS (and not the DSBN) for any issues that arise related to the homestay and/or custodianship.
If a homestay is not chosen, students must live with a parent, relative, or a family friend who is at least 19 years old.