PA Day Agendas

Topic: Provincial Education Priorities - Consistent Classroom Delivery and New Curriculum Updates, Special Education and Individual Education Plans, Keeping Schools Safe

Format: Full-day, in-person

Description: School staff will participate in learning focused on student and school safety, support for students, curriculum and assessment and school improvement. Topics will include safety in schools, bullying and violence prevention, student support and reporting responsibilities, Special Education planning and effective assessment and evaluation practices.  Staff will also learn about new Ontario curriculum expectations. School teams will use this learning to support consistent, safe and effective practices for all students.

Facilitators: School administrators and school-based staff supported with materials and guidance from central departments including Student Mental Health and Well-Being, Safe Schools and Special Education

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

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

Description: 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 Goals and Effective Learning Strategies 

Format: 

• Full-day, in-person

Description: School teams will focus on school improvement work. School teams will focus their attention on district and school data analysis and planning effective strategies for student learning in literacy, mathematics, assessment and evaluation, monitoring student achievement and student safety and well-being. They will engage in learning related to the school improvement goals and effective learning strategies. 

Facilitators: 

• School administrators and school staff

Learning/Delivery Method: 

• Whole group presentations and small group learning/planning

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: Student Led Conferences

Format:  Full-day, in-person

Description: Educators will be facilitating Student Led Conferences with students and parent/guardian(s).

Facilitators: Educators

Format:  Full-day, in-person

Description: School teams will engage in learning focused on how to create supportive classrooms and schools free from discrimination in any form. There will be a particular focus on antisemitism, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia and racism towards Indigenous communities. Learning will equip educators to uphold human rights, as required by the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Ontario curriculum program planning information on the instruction of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusive Education, which is applicable to all grades and disciplines, will be reviewed.

School teams will review practices, policies/procedures and resources to support Student and School Safety using resources prepared by central departments. The content includes:  Provincial Code of Conduct, violence prevention, bullying prevention and intervention, duty to report children in need of protection to the Children’s Aid Society, progressive discipline, violent incident reporting, gender-based violence, sex trafficking, the Provincial Model for a local Police/School Board Protocol, information about child sexual abuse prevention and reporting and the School Resource Officer program.

Facilitators: Learning will be led by principals and vice-principals and school-based staff, supported with materials and guidance from central departments including Indigenous Rights and Education and Human Rights, Equity and Inclusive Education departments.

Learning/Delivery Method: Whole group presentations and small group work