Below, you will find details on what staff will be learning for the 2026-27 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 2026-27

Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3, 2026

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

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-Human Trafficking
    • Anaphylaxis Training
    • Concussion Awareness
    • Cyber Security Awareness Training
    • Violence and Harassment in the Workplace
    • Workplace Violence Prevention Training
    • Asbestos Awareness
    • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
    • Accessibility Awareness – For New Employees Only
    • Worker Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
    • Supervisor Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
    • Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) Training for applicable staff
  • School Learning and Improvement Process with a focus on literacy, numeracy and inclusion:
    • Staff will participate in professional learning on curriculum, assessment, IEPs and artificial intelligence to support student achievement through equitable and inclusive practices.

Monday, October 26, 2026

  • 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 15, 2027

Friday, April 23, 2027

Monday, May 31, 2027

Wednesday, June 30, 2027

Secondary School PD Days for 2026-27

Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3, 2026

  • Focus: Mandatory Health, Safety and Awareness Training and School Learning and Improvement Process
  • Format: Online and In-Person
  • Learning delivery method:
    • Individual work
    • Small and large group discussions
  • Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Schools Participating: All 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-Human Trafficking
    • Anaphylaxis Training
    • Concussion Awareness
    • Cyber Security Awareness Training
    • Violence and Harassment in the Workplace
    • Workplace Violence Prevention Training
    • Asbestos Awareness
    • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
    • Accessibility Awareness – For New Employees Only
    • Worker Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
    • Supervisor Health & Safety Orientation – For New Employees Only
    • Behaviour Management Systems (BMS) Training for applicable staff
  • School Learning and Improvement Process with a focus on literacy, numeracy and inclusion:
    • Staff will participate in professional learning on curriculum, assessment, IEPs and artificial intelligence to support student achievement through equitable and inclusive practices.

Monday, October 26, 2026

  • 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

Wednesday, February 3, 2027

Friday, April 23, 2027

Tuesday, June 29, and Wednesday, June 30, 2027

Extended Day Program Closures

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

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2026
  • Thursday, September 3, 2026
  • Monday, October 26, 2026
  • Friday, April 23, 2027
  • Tuesday, June 30, 2027

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