Toronto District School Board
Skip to main content

Professional Activity (PA) Days

During the school year, TDSB school staff participate in a number of Professional Activity (PA) Days. On these dates, students remain at home and schools are open for staff to engage in professional learning. 

As per the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 151 , Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities , school boards are required to designate three Ministry mandatory PA Days. This year, these PA days will focus on the priority areas of Literacy and Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, and Student Well-being, School Safety and Violence Prevention. 

Additionally, school boards may designate up to four additional PA Days per school year with additional topics identified by both the Ministry and Toronto District School Board. Professional learning activities for PA Days will consider factors such as equity and human rights in education, anti-racism and anti-discrimination, Indigenous Education, and equitable learning opportunities for students with disabilities and special education needs.

Below, please find information about the 2023-24 PA Days, which will be available 14 days in advance of the scheduled date. 


Friday, October 6, 2023

Student Well-Being, School Safety, Violence Prevention and Compliance and Board-Mandated Training

Target Audience: All Staff

Topic: Violence Prevention  

Length: Half Day

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Asynchronous learning (content developed by TDSB staff)

Description: Staff will be required to complete courses related to violence prevention training. Asynchronous Courses include:

  • Workplace Violence Awareness and Reporting
  • Management for Risk of Injury Behaviours
  • Dealing with Abuse and Neglect of Students
  • Health and Safety Awareness at Work for Workers

Staff are also required to review the Online Incident Reporting Software and become familiar with the forms available on the Occupational Health and Safety TDSB webpage.

Target Audience: All Staff

Topic: Student Well-Being and School Safety

Length: Half Day

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Asynchronous learning (content developed by TDSB staff)

Description: Staff will complete annual compliance and board-mandated training on the legislative and regulatory requirements that govern their everyday work in supporting student well-being and school safety. 

Staff will also engage in learning on how to navigate and utilize all functions within the new online platforms for the following: Ministry and board Special Education and Inclusion processes and the Teacher Performance Appraisal process. This learning will be provided through a variety of resources and online tools. 

Friday, November 17, 2023

Target Audience: All Staff – Elementary

Topic: Parent Teacher Conferences

Length: Full Day (In-Person)

Facilitator(s): School-Based Staff 

Description: Parent-teacher conferences are held to facilitate communication and collaboration between parents or guardians and teachers. The primary purpose of these conference is to discuss a student’s academic progress, social development, and overall well-being. They provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to exchange information, celebrate successes, share concerns, and work together in the best interests of the student.

 

Target Audience: All Staff – Secondary

Length: Full-Day (In-Person)

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School-Based Staff

Topics: Learning for the day will focus on the following:

  • Literacy & Mathematics
  • Curriculum Implementation

Descriptions:

Literacy - School-based teams will review practical and effective strategies to support student learning with a focus on later literacy, literacy across the curriculum, and evidence-based systematic and explicit reading instruction.  By reviewing the Later Literacy Learning Guide and TDSB Literacy Success Diagnostic Kit, school-based teams will  make connections to the revised new de-streamed English, Grade 9 curriculum to consolidate foundational knowledge and skills.

Mathematics - School-based teams will review evidence-based strategies to support student improvement in K-12 Mathematics focusing on high impact instructional approaches. School teams will implement the Grade 9 Destreamed Mathematics course using the Ministry of Education’s curriculum and resources and OAME/AFEMO Lessons for MTH1W to support student learning in the Grade 9 Destreamed Math course.

Curriculum Implementation - School teams will examine practical and effective strategies to enhance student learning to implement the new Grade 10 Computer Studies- Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World with connection to skills trades and apprenticeship. In addition, school teams will continue professional learning in Mathematics, Science and Technology in connection with skilled trades and apprenticeship.