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

  • Focus: Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)-led
  • Formats: In-person
  • Learning delivery method: Self-directed
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) members will be engaging in self-directed learning and professional activities

Friday, January 16, 2026

  • Focus: Assessment and evaluation in support of student achievement and well-being.
  • Formats: In-person and online
  • Learning delivery methods:
    • Self-directed
    • Hands-on
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Elementary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • Assessment and evaluation in support of student achievement and well-being.
  • Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) System Training for applicable staff

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

  • Focus:
    • Subject-based professional development
    • Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)-sponsored Sessions
  • Format: In-person
  • Learning delivery method:
    • Presentations and lectures
    • Facilitated discussions
    • Small and large group activities
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)
  • Schools Participating: All Secondary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Course planning and development
  • Experiential learning and community partnerships
  • Human rights responsibilities
  • Pathways and outcomes
  • Subject-specific teaching strategies
  • Teaching and technology

Thursday, January 29, 2026

  • Focus:
    • School Learning and Improvement
    • Student Achievement
  • Formats: In-person
  • Learning delivery methods: 
    • Small and large group discussions
    • Individual work
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All Secondary schools

Content of Staff Learning

  • Professional learning in support of:
    • Student well-being and achievement 
    • School learning and improvement goals
  • Assessment and evaluation 

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.