Below, you will find details on what staff will be learning for the 2025-26 professional development (PD) days.

What Are 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.

Detailed information will be available 14 days prior to each PD Day.

Elementary School PD Days for 2025-26

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

  • Focus: Mandatory Health, Safety and Awareness Training
  • Format: Online
  • Learning delivery method: Individual completion of online mandatory training modules
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary and Secondary

Content of Staff Learning

Individual online mandatory training modules hosted on a web platform, which include videos and presentation slide decks, dedicated to the following topics:

  • Anti-Sex Trafficking
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Concussion Management
  • Cyber Security Awareness Training
  • Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Training
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Workplace Violence Prevention Training
  • Accessibility Awareness – For New Employees Only
  • Worker Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
  • Supervisor Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only

Friday, October 10, 2025

  • Focus: School Learning and Improvement Process
  • Format: In-Person
  • Learning delivery method:
    • Small and large group discussions
    • Individual work
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary

Content of Staff Learning

  • School Learning and Improvement Process with a focus on anti-racism and equity through learning:
    • Staff will review student literacy and math data to plan lessons that meet students’ needs.
  • Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) Training for applicable staff

Monday, November 17, 2025

Friday, January 16, 2026

Friday, April 24, 2026

Friday, May 29, 2026

Friday, June 26, 2026

Secondary School PD Days for 2025-26

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

  • Focus: Mandatory Health, Safety and Awareness Training
  • Format: Online
  • Learning delivery method: Individual completion of online mandatory training modules
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary and Secondary

Content of Staff Learning

Individual online mandatory training modules hosted on a web platform, which include videos and presentation slide decks, dedicated to the following topics:

  • Anti-Sex Trafficking
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Concussion Management
  • Cyber Security Awareness Training
  • Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Training
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Workplace Violence Prevention Training
  • Accessibility Awareness – For New Employees Only
  • Worker Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
  • Supervisor Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only

Friday, October 10, 2025

  • Focus: School Learning and Improvement Process
  • Format: In-Person
  • Learning delivery method:
    • Small and large group discussions
    • Individual work
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Secondary

Content of Staff Learning

  • School Learning and Improvement Process with a focus on evaluation with anti-racism and equity in mind.
    • Oral Reading Fluency and Maze diagnostic assessment training for applicable staff.
  • Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) Training for applicable staff

Monday, November 17, 2025

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Friday, April 24, 2026

Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26, 2026

Extended Day Program Closures

Extended Day Programs will be closed on the following PD days:

  • Tuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Friday, October 10, 2025
  • Monday, November 17, 2025
  • Friday, April 24, 2026
  • Friday, June 26, 2026

Extended Day Program closures are to allow for full staff participation in the learning opportunities.