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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 PA Days.

Friday, Nov. 27, 2026 

Format: Full-day, in-person

Description: Elementary staff will engage in student, parent/guardian and teacher conferences focused on Student Growth and Progress Reports.

Secondary staff will engage in subject-specific professional learning focused on strengthening instructional practice and improving student learning and achievement.

Learning will deepen educators’ knowledge and application of Ontario’s updated secondary school evaluation policies, with particular emphasis on the development and implementation of final evaluations that promote alignment and consistency across courses and schools. Professional learning will emphasize early intervention, asset-based approaches and intentional preparation to support student success throughout the evaluation period.

Key areas of focus for subject-specific learning will include high-impact instructional strategies that support student engagement, achievement, and success, as well as the continued implementation of recently revised Ontario curriculum expectations. Additionally, focus will be placed on effective assessment and evaluation practices aligned with current policy and curriculum, the implementation of the financial literacy graduation requirement and the continued board-wide onboarding and implementation of Edwin as a curriculum-aligned learning resource to support teaching and learning.

Learning/Delivery Method:

  • Elementary: Small group conferences with students and parents.
  • Secondary: Whole group presentations and small group work.

Facilitators:

  • Elementary: Teachers hosting small group conferences with students and parents.
  • Secondary: The School Programs Department and school-based administrators and educators.

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

Consistent Classroom Delivery and New Curriculum Updates, Special Education and Individual Education Plans & AI and Cybersecurity

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.

Learning/Delivery Model: Whole group presentations and small group learning and reflection.

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

Topic: 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, including Kindergarten STEM and updated History curriculum, as well as changes to secondary school evaluation requirements, including final evaluations, attendance and participation. 

School teams will use this learning to support consistent, safe and effective practices for students across Kindergarten to Grade 12. 

Learning/Delivery Method: 

  • Whole group presentations and small group learning and reflection

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

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 Goals and Effective Learning Strategies 

Format: 

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

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

Friday, November 28, 2025 - Student-Led Conferences K-12

Topic: Student-Led Conferences K-12

Format: 

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

Description: Teachers will be meeting with parents/caregivers and students in Student-Led Conferences which is part of the Reporting Student Achievement section in the Ontario curriculum. Student-led conferences allow students to be at the centre of their learning. They are able to take ownership at each stage of the conference, from selecting the items they want to share and determining how they want to present them, to leading the conference, and reflecting on the experience afterwards. Giving students this input and making them a part of the conference allows their voices to be heard and contribute to what is happening in their own classroom. 

Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 - Provincial Education Priorities - Tackling Racism & Keeping Schools Safe

Topic: Provincial Education Priorities - Tackling Racism & Keeping Schools Safe

Format: 

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

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.