Thursday, August 31, 2023 - PA Day 1
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023
Length: Full Day
Topic 1: AM - Creating the Conditions for Learning
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School administration
Description: Topics may include information on mental health and well-being, including the Indigenous wellness and mental health framework, operational procedures, and the spiritual theme for the year of Speaking with the Heart. This learning will involve discussion on student activities for the transition into school to build strong connections and community within the classrooms.
Topic 2: PM - staff will be engaged in learning using the agenda below.
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School administration, Guidance staff and Department Chairs
Agenda:
1. Unpacking New curriculum Documents
Staff will review and unpack revised curriculums for 2023:
- English De-streaming Grade 9 (ENL1W)
- Computer Studies Grade 10 Course Digital Technology and Innovations
2. Digital Student Portfolios
All departments will learn about the purpose of digital student portfolios in EDSBY. They will review student portfolios for incoming Grade 9 students and engage in discussions as to how these can be used to create the conditions for learning for students in our de-streamed classrooms.
Educational Assistants will prepare for student entry of students with special needs in the afternoon following the direction of school administration.
Friday, October 6, 2023 - PA Day 2
Date: Friday, October 6, 2023
Length: Full Day
Topic 1: AM - Creating the Conditions for Learning
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School administration
Description: Educators will learn about brain theory, how the brain seeks out conditions for safety, and how culture influences how the brain responds. Educators will also be provided with School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) resources and practical strategies from The Regulated Classroom (Daniels, 2022) to focus on creating the conditions for learning that students need. The focus will be on theoretical information and practical strategies to promote inclusion in the classroom, as a Tier 1 strategy for all learners.
Topic 2: PM - staff will be engaged in learning using the agenda below.
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School Administration and Curriculum Chairs
Afternoon Agenda
Using Assessment and Evaluation to Support Student Improvement - Part 1
Using the Growing Success document, the focus of the learning will be on the triangulation of data and how educators can be intentional in gathering evidence of student learning, in de-streamed courses and beyond, through observation and conversations with students, rather than relying on products only. They will work collaboratively to create tasks which can capture this student learning. Additionally, educators will begin to think about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this might impact their evaluation practices.
Using Assessment and Evaluation to Support Student Improvement - Part 2
Educators will be working in their departments to create new assessments based on the "Thinking" category in their course. This will involve agreeing on key indicators that can be used to measure where students are in their thinking and what feedback they need to improve. They will determine tools and processes on how observations and conversations can be used in assessment to counter the use of artificial intelligence in products.
Friday, November 17, 2023 - PA Day 3
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023
Length: Full Day
Topic 1: AM - Safe Schools
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: Kevin Cameron and School Administration
Description: Professional Development topics will include:
- Supporting safe spaces for students using trauma informed approaches;
- Using connecting and settling activities to support the mental health of students; and
- Safe Schools Reporting Tools for Students and Staff.
Topic 2: PM - Assessment and Evaluation
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School Administration
Description: Educators will continue to explore assessment and evaluation practices. Professional Development topics will include:
- Sharing strategies for gathering evidence;
- Developing common success criteria that students could use to self-assess their own work; and
- Role of Artificial Intelligence and how it intersects assessment and teaching practices.
Friday, February 16, 2024 - PA Day 4
Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Length: Full Day
Topic 1: AM - Artificial Intelligence and Academic Honesty
Location: Home Based Schools
Presenter/Facilitators: Principals and Vice Principals
Description: Educators will examine the Board’s revised Academic Honesty Guidelines for Students and then, in departments, will discuss ways to explicitly teach students to cite research appropriately and use AI ethically and responsibly. Educators will also explore ways in which they themselves might be able to use AI as a teacher resource to increase student engagement.
Topic 2: PM - Assessment and Evaluation through an Equity Lens
Location: Home Based Schools
Presenter/Facilitators: Department Chairs
Description: In departments, educators will examine assessment practices to ensure alignment with Growing Success, culturally responsive practices and updated curriculum documents, specifically within de-streamed courses.
Topic 3: PM - Classroom Management and Student Engagement
Location: TBD
Presenter/Facilitators: Facilitated in collaboration with OECTA Professional Development
Description: Select teachers will engage in professional learning surrounding topics in classroom management and optimizing safe and caring conditions for learning.
Monday, April 8, 2024 - PA Day 5
Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Length: Full Day
Morning: Faith
Location: In-person at home based schools
Facilitators: Facilitated by staff at each school
Description: Through professional learning, liturgical services, and/or Mass, educators will engage in faith formation activities for their students and themselves. Areas of focus may include Catholic Social Teachings, the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, Living in Faith and Speaking through the Heart.
Afternoon: Curriculum Support
Location: In-person at home based schools
Facilitators: Principals, Chairs and Educators
Description: In departments, educators will examine curriculum and assessment practices to ensure alignment with Growing Success, culturally responsive practices and updated curriculum documents.
Thursday, June 27, 2024 - PA Day 6
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Length: Full Day
Topic: Supporting the Year-End Transition
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School Administration
Description: Secondary Educators will be involved in end of year transition activities, including supporting graduating students.
Friday, June 28, 2024 - PA Day 7
Date: Friday, June 28, 2024
Length: Full Day
Topic: Health and Safety and Year-End Transition Support
Location: In-person at schools
Presenter/Facilitators: School Administration
Description: Secondary educators will be involved in end of year transition activities and self-directed professional activities on the topic of health and safety.
