September 22nd, 2023

Friday, October 6, 2023, is a professional development (PD) day for elementary and secondary school staff.

  • Students will not attend school, in person or virtually
  • All board-operated Extended Day and Youth Development programs will be closed

About Professional Development (PD) Days

PD days are held throughout the school year to provide learning opportunities for school-based staff. This professional learning focuses on providing educators and staff with the knowledge and skills needed to support and enhance student achievement and well being.

What Elementary School Staff Are Learning

Friday, October 6, 2023 – Full Day Session

  • Focus:
    • Structured literacy
    • Unpacking the curriculum and curriculum implementation
    • School Learning and Improvement Plans
  • Formats: Online and In-Person
  • Learning delivery methods:
    • Live Stream video
    • Asynchronous video or slide deck
    • Workshop
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • Introduction to Acadience Early Reading Screener (Live Stream)
    • The What
    • The Why and the How
  • Unpacking the Language Curriculum with Emphasis on Strand B (Live Stream)
  • An overview of the multi-year plan and structured literacy approach (Live Stream)
  • Acadience Early Reading Screener (Year 2 Kindergarten)
  • Asynchronous learning opportunities (videos and/or slide decks) for specialized subjects like: French, Math, SciTech,
  • Physical Education, changes in social studies:
    • Holocaust Education expectations in Grade 6 and Indigenous Education expectations in Grades 1-3

What Secondary School Staff Are Learning

Friday, October 6, 2023 – Full Day Session

  • Focus:
    • Destreaming
    • School Learning and Improvement Plans
    • Experiential Learning
  • Format: In-person and Online
  • Learning delivery methods:
    • Small team meetings
    • Whole staff sessions
    • Shared and customizable slide decks
    • Experiential learning with the Business Education Partnership
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board, Business Education Partnership
  • Schools Participating: All Secondary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • School Learning and Improvement Plan connected learning
  • Destreaming with a focus on Tier 1 supports for students
    • Universal Design for Learning, Differentiation, Literacy Development
  • Trades-based Professional Development for guidance counselors offered by the Business Education Partnership in concert with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and Conestoga College

Learn more about Professional Development for School Staff on the WRDSB website.