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PA Day Agendas

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 PA Days.

Timing/Format

  • Full-day, in-person
  • Elementary and secondary schools

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.

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: bullying prevention and intervention, duty to report children in need of protection to the Children’s Aid Society, information about child sexual abuse prevention and reporting.

Learning/Delivery Method

  • Whole group presentations and small group work

Timing/Format

  • Full Instructional Day of learning 8 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
  • Small and large group discussion
  • Department-based discussion 

Facilitators

Learning will be led by principals and vice-principals and school-based staff, supported with materials and guidance from central departments including Student Mental Health and Well-Being, Safe Schools and Special Education.

Description

School teams will review policy requirements and supports for safe schools regarding the Provincial Code of Conduct, violence prevention, violent incident reporting and debriefing, gender-based violence and the Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol. The content will include the role of police in providing high-quality, age-appropriate educational public safety presentations to students on subjects such as cybercrime, human trafficking, road safety and more. Information will be provided about the role of police in the school community, to support trust building between educators, policing services, students and parents/guardians. For schools currently in the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, a summary of the program's structure and objectives will be reviewed. Suicide prevention and intervention will also be reviewed. 

Learning Materials

  • Board-provided information on the HDSB Code of Conduct, violent incident reporting, Police/School Board Protocol, School Resource Offier program and the HDSB Suicide Prevention Protocol

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