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PA Day Agendas

2025-2026 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.

Topic: School Improvement - Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Awareness Training

Format

  • Full-day, in-person
  • Webinar
  • Cyber Awareness Training Modules

Description: Elementary educators will be engaging in a full day of programming centered around HDSB led sessions on Artificial Intelligence.

  • Discussing AI’s potential as a teaching and learning tool; how using and understanding AI is important in preparing students for success post-graduation; and how using AI should be done within the board’s and ministry’s policies related to cyber safety, cyber security, responsible use of technology, and protecting student privacy. 

  • Learning activities to become familiar with the board’s approved AI tools and how to effectively and safely use those tools with students (e.g., how to use AI to draft and edit work as part of the writing process, to strengthen skills such as critical thinking, or as a research tool, with academic integrity).

  • Exploring mandatory learning in the Ontario curriculum on AI and digital literacy, including learning on cyber security. 

  • Providing educators with targeted training on cyber safety, cyber security, and online privacy to address technology-related risks and ensure student safety.

Staff will also continue their learning on implementing Building Thinking Classrooms.

Facilitators

HDSB Central Board staff

Admin and Teachers - Math Leads

Learning/Delivery Method:

  • In person

Topic: School Improvement - Building Thinking Classrooms

Format

  • Full-day, in-person
  • Elementary School

Description: Elementary educators will be engaging in a full day of programming centered around our school improvement goals. Educators will be evaluating student monitoring student math samples, and attending a session on trauma informed practices and mental health

Facilitators

Admin and Teachers - Math Leads

Learning/Delivery Method:

  • In person

Topic: ETFO Assessment and Evaluation Day

Format

  • Full-day, in-person
  • Elementary School

Facilitators

Teachers - Independent

Educational Assistants - Board level staff

Learning/Delivery Method: 

Teachers - Student portfolios, Progress Reports, Assessments and Evaluations from Term 1

Educational Assistants: Lumina Spark training

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.

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

Agenda

  • Review common processes that support SIPSA
  • Review Code of Conduct, Emergency Preparedness Planning/Training, Safe Schools Incident Reporting, Life Promotion Protocol
  • Grade team planning

Timing/Format

  • All Staff - full day

Facilitators: ​

  • Administration

Learning Materials:

  • Slide deck provided by the HDSB

Additional information: