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PA Day Agendas

2026-2027 School Year

On Professional Activity (PA) days, staff engage in professional development. Our school, along with all schools in the Halton District School Board (HDSB) have several Professional Activity (PA) Days throughout the school year. The purpose of these days is to enhance student success. Staff focus on professional development activities, participate in training or planning sessions. There are no classes for students on these days. ​ ​

To learn about what schools across the HDSB are focusing on during each PA Day, visit hdsb.ca.

Topic: Consistent Classroom Delivery and New Curriculum Updates, Special Education and Individual Education Plans & AI and Cyber Security

Format: 

  • Full-day, in-person

Description: Staff will take part in learning focused on supporting students with special education needs. This will include reviewing key components of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including student strengths and needs, accommodations, modifications, learning expectations, teaching strategies and ways to monitor student progress.

Educators will also strengthen their understanding of how to develop clear and measurable learning goals, use appropriate instructional and assessment strategies and effectively implement and update IEPs in classroom practice. Learning will also focus on communication and consultation with families about special education programs and services, as well as educators’ roles in the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process.

Additionally, staff will explore required learning in the Ontario curriculum related to artificial intelligence, digital literacy and cyber security. This will include professional learning on cyber safety, online privacy and technology-related risks to help support student safety and responsible use of digital tools.

Facilitators: School administrators and school-based staff supported with materials and guidance from central departments including Special Education Services and Information Services.

Learning/Delivery Method: Whole group presentations and small group learning and reflection

Mandatory Health and Safety Training

-Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning

-Concussion Protocol

-Anti-Sec Trafficking

-Code of Conduct

-HRPS-HDSB Working Together

School Improvement Planning:  Mathematics

-Numeracy Readiness Checks

-MathUp

-Knowledgehook

-Curriculum Standards

-Assessment

-Grade team planning

 

Student Mental Health and Wellness

-Suicide Prevention and Life Promotion

-Monitoring student needs

-Promoting wellness

Literacy

-Wilson Fundations

-Early reading skills

-Fluency

-Comprehension

-Tiers of support

-Planning in grade teams

Special Education

-Early Identification and Intervention

-Education of the whole child

-Inclusive Design

-IEPs

-Problem-Solving Pathway

-Behaviour and Safety Plans

Topic: Assessment and Evaluation Activities

Format: 

  • Elementary only
  • Full-day, in-person or remotely 

Description: Elementary educators will be engaged in assessment and evaluation activities including report card writing. This is time designated by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) collective agreement.

Facilitators: 

  • Self-directed day for teachers

Learning/Delivery Method: 

  • Individual work time

Topic: Provincial Education Priorities - Artificial Intelligence

Format: 

  • Full-day, in-person

  • Elementary and secondary schools

Description: Elementary and Secondary school staff will engage in learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential as a teaching and learning tool within HDSB and Ministry of Education policies related to cyber security, responsible use of technology and protecting student privacy. Staff will engage in learning activities to become familiar with HDSB-approved AI tools and how to use them effectively and safely. They will explore mandatory learning in the Ontario curriculum on AI.

Facilitators: 

  • School administrators and school-based staff supported with materials from various central departments.

Learning/Delivery Method: 

  • Whole group presentations and small group work

Topic: School Improvement Initiatives

Format: 

  • Elementary only

  • Full-day, in-person

Description: School Based Activities: School teams will engage in numeracy and literacy activities that will support School Improvement Initiatives.

Facilitators: 

  • Facilitators: Learning will be led by principals and vice-principals and school-based staff, supported with materials from central departments including School Programs, Student Mental Health and Well-Being.

  • Learning/Delivery Method: Whole group presentations and small group work by division: Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate. 

Topic: Assessment and Evaluation Activities

Format: 

  • Elementary only

  • Full-day, in-person or remotely 

Description: Elementary educators will be engaged in assessment and evaluation activities including report card writing. This is time designated by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) collective agreement.

Facilitators: 

  • Self-directed day for teachers

Learning/Delivery Method: 

  • Individual work time

  • Learning/Delivery Method: Whole group presentations and small group work by division: Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate.