Date: September 2 & 3, 2026
Length: Full Days
September 2, 2026
Elementary & Secondary AM Topics:
Mentally Healthy Return to School
Professional Learning
School-based Planning
Special Education and IEPs
Elementary & Secondary PM Topics:
UGDSB School Staff Policy & Procedures Overview and Keeping Students Safe
Student-Well Being, School Safety and Violence Prevention
September 3, 2026
Elementary & Secondary AM Topics:
Assessment & Evaluation (All)
New Curriculum (Grade 10 History & Financial Literacy)
Literacy & Math
Elementary & Secondary PM Topics:
Cyber Safety & Artificial Intelligence
Human Rights and Indigenous Education
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Independent/Individual
Elementary & Secondary Description:
The September 2 and 3 PA Days will provide staff with a combination of required training, school-based planning, and professional learning to support key system and Ministry priorities for the 2026–27 school year.
September 2 – Special Education, School Planning & Mandatory Training
Elementary and secondary staff will begin the year with school-based goal-setting activities, followed by learning focused on a mentally healthy return to school and Special Education/IEPs. The IEP learning will emphasize thoughtful planning, implementation and collaboration to effectively support students.
The afternoon will be dedicated to mandatory annual health, safety and compliance training, including key UGDSB policies and procedures, student well-being and school safety requirements, health and safety refreshers.
September 3 – Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction
For elementary staff, the morning will focus primarily on assessment, mathematics and literacy, with learning differentiated by grade/division. Topics include the new Kindergarten curriculum, EMA@School math screening and use of assessment data, literacy assessment and resources, financial literacy, new Social Studies/History expectations, and CEFR implementation for Core French.
For secondary staff, learning will begin with a whole-staff overview of the new Ministry Assessment and Evaluation requirements, followed by department or subject-specific learning. Topics include revised Grade 10 History curriculum, literacy, MTH1W assessment and EQAO planning, updated MAT1L/MAT2L curriculum, the Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement, mental health modules, FSL assessment and other program-specific priorities.
Across both panels, the afternoon will include learning related to Human Rights in Everyday Practice, cyber security, and time for school/division/department teams to discuss key takeaways and plan for implementation.