Monday, May 1st – Friday, May 5th will be Education Week across Ontario.
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) will school boards across the province in celebrating the occasion. They will dedicate each day to focusing on one of the five areas of focus in the 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYP) to show the importance of schools, staff, families and the community working together to support the well-being and success of students.
This year’s theme from the Ministry of Education is ‘Education for a Brighter Future’.
“Education Week provides a wonderful opportunity for the Halton District School Board to demonstrate and share the deep, varied and inclusive learning taking place across our school board at all levels,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB. “During this week, we proudly share the importance of a strong, reflective, vibrant and innovative education system. In Halton, we strive to provide students an inclusive and safe learning environment where they can learn, grow and be inspired.”
Here’s what the week will include for HDSB students:
- Monday, May 1st – Equity and Inclusion – This area of focus shows how schools champion supportive and inclusive practices to ensure equitable access to positive opportunities and outcomes for all.
- Tuesday, May 2nd – Mental Health & Well-Being – This area of focus highlights how students strengthen safe and caring school environments that promote well-being, and enhance relationships and positive learning and working climates where everyone belongs and feels safe. May 1-7 is also Mental Health Week, as designated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which promotes mental health awareness, decreasing stigma and helpful resources.
- Wednesday, May 3rd – Environmental Leadership – This area shows how students and staff take action to help create a sustainable world and will be showcased to demonstrate how HDSB schools are providing opportunities to learn about connections between ecosystems, social justice and climate, as well as elevate local environmental initiatives and practices.
- Thursday, May 4th – Learning & Achievement – Examples will be shared of how the HDSB strives to create learning environments to elevate student achievement, foster a culture of high expectations to maximize student and staff achievement and promote innovative strategies.
- Also on May 4th, the HDSB is proud to recognize the success of students through the annual Celebration of Student Excellence event. This virtual event will start at 7:00 p.m. Each year, one student per school is honoured for their excellence in self-improvement, enhancing the school and/or local community, citizenship, student leadership, academics, vocational studies and specialized programs or extra-curricular activities. A link to view the ceremony will be on the HDSB website on Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 5th – Indigenous Perspectives & Awareness: On the final day of Education Week, the HDSB will highlight the many learning opportunities for students and staff that help promote knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and realities.
“Our 2020-2024 Multi-Year Strategic Plan sets the direction and prioritizes the collective actions of all stakeholders to ensure our efforts are aligned and coordinated to support the more than 66,000 students, 11,000 staff and the broader HDSB community,” adds Ennis. “We are proud to use this week to highlight the ways in which we are bringing to life this important plan. Throughout Education Week, we will be sharing examples of how each of the five areas of focus in our Multi-Year Plan guide student and staff learning in classrooms and throughout the HDSB.”
