Length: AM

Topic of Focus: Literacy

Presenter/Facilitator: Angela Gainer, Literacy Lead

Description: This session will provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Right to Read inquiry and its alignment with the revised Language Grades 1-8 curriculum, building on the foundational work covered in last year's Professional Development session. Facilitated by Angela Gainer, this session will empower all educators with a deeper understanding of the learning continuum and the application of the Ministry-approved Acadience assessment tool, which will be fully implemented starting in September. Educators will enhance their capacity to employ practical, evidence-based strategies within a structured literacy block, enabling them to support all students effectively through targeted classroom instruction and interventions that address diverse learning needs.

Length: PM

Topic of Focus: Cell Phones and Vaping

Presenter/Facilitator: Thunder Bay District Health Unit

Description: Policy/guideline cell phone, vaping (training is required for educators and school staff that supports understanding of the risks and health impacts of vaping and excessive cellphone use among students. This training will provide resources and strategies to promote healthy decision-making by students, with emphasis on classroom management practices to remove distractions and strengthen student achievement), bullying.

Length: PM

Topic of Focus: Curriculum implementation with an emphasis on literacy and Stem/Guidance and Career Education

Presenter/Facilitator: Magic School AI

Description: The afternoon session will provide an opportunity for educator teams to build on prior learning of digital technologies that support staff and student learning around career/life planning, pathway exploration and effectively integrating artificial intelligence to enhance student learning. This session will specifically provide staff with training to educators to enable them to continue to support all SNCDSB students to build their digital citizenship and meet their own unique career and pathway goals.

Length: AM

Topic of Focus: Student Achievement Plan and School Improvement Planning 

Presenter/Facilitator: School-Based

Description: All schools will be provided with dedicated time to review the Board’s Staff Handbook , as well as revise & update their 2024-2025 SIPSA. Schools will update their School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (SIPSA) by examining their academic programs and Board priorities using the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA), Math Action Achievement Plan (MAAP), Literacy Plan and Strategic Plan.

Length: PM

Topic of Focus: PPM 161 Training

Presenter/Facilitator: Online

Description: All educators will receive training to advance their capacity to support children and students with prevalent medical conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy) in schools as per PPM 161 related to Prevalent Medical Conditions.

Length: PM

Topic of Focus: Bullying and School Safety

Presenter/Facilitator: Online

Description: This professional development session will equip educators with resources and strategies to effectively address and prevent bullying in the classroom. The training will focus on fostering a positive school environment, implementing proactive interventions, and empowering students to build respectful relationships, thereby enhancing overall student well-being and academic success.

Length: Full Day

Topic of Focus: Mathematics

Presenter/Facilitator: Doug Duff

Description: We will be looking at Phase 1 additive and Phase 2 multiplicative reasoning data collected through a Board-wide common task from MathUP Leadership.. Schools will determine students' needs and work collaboratively to plan their next instructional steps. Doug Duff will be returning to work with all the schools to support and solidify Phase 2 learning. Doug will also be working with all principals to strengthen their Mathematical knowledge and confidence in classroom monitoring, modelling and data analysis. We will also launch our SNCDSB Math website and Support Guidelines to the system.

Length: AM

Topic of Focus: Supporting Educator Mental Health and Resilience / Faith Day

Presenter/Facilitator: Paul Tsekouras, Superintendent of Education, Carlo Porretta, System Catholicity Lead and Fr Terry Sawchuk, Board Chaplain

Description: The morning session will bring SNCDSB staff together for a meaningful time of liturgical and professional reflection, facilitated by the Board Chaplain and the System Catholicity Team. Staff will engage in collective dialogue to identify the supports required at both the school and system levels to strengthen Catholic Education programming and promote student faith development. Recognizing that educators are at the core of student achievement, as well as child, family, and community well-being, the session will also prioritize activities that support educator self-care and resilience. Opportunities will be provided to enhance well-being, reflect on teaching practices, and engage with colleagues to share best practices. Additionally, the morning will include time for staff to review and discuss digital resources that can further enrich religious education, focusing on strategies that integrate faith into daily learning while promoting effective classroom practices. This collaborative approach aims to foster a unified and supportive environment for all staff and students.

Length:PM

Topic of Focus: Mental Health

Presenter/Facilitator: Hanna Beach

Description: The afternoon session is designed to further enhance staff capacity to identify, respond to, and support student mental health and well-being needs, in alignment with PPM 169: Student Mental Health in Ontario. Through an exploration of mental health literacy resources, staff will be equipped with the necessary tools and insights to effectively promote student well-being. Additionally, staff will engage in a presentation on fostering the conditions for positive change within their schools and classrooms, learning to identify key drivers for change and create an environment of emotional safety that supports student growth.

Length: Full Day

Topic of Focus: Report Card Preparation/Reporting 

Description: Teachers and Early Childhood Educators will work in their respective schools on report card preparation and reporting. Principals will support this work.

Length: All Day

Topic of Focus: Indigenous Education

Presenter/Facilitator: Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

Description: This is our 8th annual system session that builds on the critical work from prior years that focused on cultural awareness capacity building, Canadian Indigenous history, and implementing Indigenous content into classroom instruction with emphasis on local impacts. This full-day session will be designed and informed by the SNCDSB Indigenous Education Advisory Committee (IEAC) with input from the SNCDSB Elder's Council to address key Indigenous Education goals contained in our Multi-Year Strategic Plan and inform further school and system planning. 

Length: Full Day

Topic of Focus: Report Card Preparation/Reporting

Description: Teachers and Early Childhood Educators will work in their respective schools on report card preparation and reporting. Principals will support this work.