Information for Elementary Parents/Guardians
Date: October 24, 2025
Length: Full Day
Elementary AM Topics:
AI Cyber Security Month (50 minutes)
Keeping Schools Safe (50 minutes)
Upholding Human Rights and Tackling Racism (50 mins)
Elementary PM Topics:
Progress Report Writing
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Administrators/Individual
Elementary Description:
As part of the upcoming Professional Activity Day, staff will take part in cybersecurity training to help strengthen online safety and digital well-being across our school communities. The training includes an introductory “Ella” video on why cybersecurity matters, three short Vector modules focused on safe browsing, email protection, and strong passwords, and a review of 12 ECNO and Ministry infographics on topics such as cyber hygiene, online kindness, scams and phishing, privacy protection, online grooming, data backups, safe gaming, digital wellness, social media safety, summer cleanup, secure connected homes, and understanding Artificial Intelligence, including its risks and best practices. Staff are also invited to explore the Cyber Awareness Month classroom materials at www.k-12cyberawareon.ca/cyber-awareness-month-2025 to support ongoing learning and digital citizenship. Staff learning will also focus on how to enhance our ability keep our students safe at school by exploring the following areas of focus: the science of adversity and resilience and the importance of systemic factors to promote positive childhood experiences and resilience, understanding the role educators play to nurture resilience as well as key strategies to promote positive childhood experiences and resilience at school.
Upholding Human Rights and Tackling Racism
As part of the upcoming Professional Activity Day, staff will engage in a professional learning session led by HREA Office, focused on upholding human rights and tackling racism in schools.
This session responds to the Ministry of Education’s direction that all professional learning include a focus on antisemitism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, and racism towards Indigenous communities, and that educators are equipped with the knowledge and tools to promote and uphold human rights as required under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Participants will:
Deepen understanding of Human Rights and the Ontario Human Rights Code, including educators’ responsibilities in identifying, preventing, and addressing discrimination and harassment in any form.
Explore manifestations of racism and systemic discrimination in educational settings, with specific attention to antisemitism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, and racism towards Indigenous peoples.
Review Ontario curriculum program planning expectations related to Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusive Education across Grades 1 to 12, and examine how these expectations can be meaningfully embedded across subjects and disciplines.
Engage in discussions and case examples highlighting how to create supportive classrooms and workplaces free from discrimination, while fostering safety, belonging, and inclusion for all students and staff.
Through this session, educators will enhance their ability to integrate human rights principles into curriculum design, teaching practices, and school culture, ensuring that every learner is affirmed and every classroom remains a place of dignity, respect, and belonging.
The afternoon will be dedicated to progress report card writing.