PA Day Agendas

Topic: Provincial Education Priorities - 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. 

Facilitators: Learning will be led by 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 work

Topic: Consistent Classroom Delivery and New Curriculum Updates, Special Education and Individual Education Plans and 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.

Kindergarten Staff will focus on the new Kindergarten Curriculum related to Literacy and Numeracy expectations, integrating Science and Technology and effective instructional approaches.

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: Learning will be led by school administrators and school based staff supported with materials and guidance from the Special Education Services and Information, Communication and Technology Services departments.

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

Topic: 

• Elementary school teams will engage in Student/ Parent/Guardian/Teacher conferences focused on Student Growth and Progress Reports.

Format: 

• In person

Description: 

• Student Led Conferences aim to communicate and share observations to date, Highlight Student Strengths and achievement
• EAs will be learning about ways to support neuro-diverse students, strategies to support all students in schools, stay physically safe when dealing with difficult situations and sharing and collaborating with other EA teams from across the HDSB

Facilitators: 

• Elementary teachers and DECEs hosting small group conferences with students and parents.
  Educational Assistants will have a number of guest speakers presenting and sharing knowledge specific to their daily work

Timing/Format

• Elementary-individual work time - Self-Directed Day for teachers

Topic/Content: ​

• Elementary educators will be engaged in assessment and evaluation activities including report card writing. This is time designated by the ETFO collective agreement.

Facilitators: ​

• School administrators and school staff

Topics/Content:

• Cyber Safety and Artificial Intelligence 
  • Educators learn about LUMI and board-approved AI tools; explore Ontario curriculum on AI, digital literacy and cyber security; and receive cyber awareness training on phishing/malware, responsible use, privacy/EDSTA duties, incident response, student risks (cyberbullying, scams, deepfakes), and the Trustworthy AI Framework
• HDSB Suicide Protocol training

Facilitators: ​

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

Format:

• Full day, in person or remotely

Learning and Delivery Methods:

• Elementary-individual work time 
• Topics/Content
  Elementary educators will be engaged in assessment and evaluation activities including report card writing. This is time designated by the ETFO collective agreement.

Facilitators: ​

• Self-directed day for teachers