HDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan 2020-2024: Learning and Achievement

The first of five videos showing how the HDSB is fulfilling the obligations of the areas of focus within the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. In this video, we highlight Learning and Achievement.

Full transcript:
In the Halton District School Board’s 2020-2024 Multi-Year Plan, Learning and Achievement focuses on creating learning conditions to elevate student achievement across the Halton Board, to support all members in our community as we learn, grow and inspire together.

We foster a culture of high expectations to maximize student and staff achievement throughout our schools and corporate offices. Our commitment is to provide a responsive learning environment for each student, which enables them to grow, achieve academic success and realize their full potential.

We provide students with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that are connected to the curriculum expectations and the world around them. Our staff work collaboratively to create the conditions necessary in order to provide safe, welcoming and engaging learning spaces for our students. We know that focusing on staff development is a significant part of our learning and achievement work. That is why we provide many learning opportunities and resources for our staff to support their work, which ultimately maximizes the positive experiences our students have at school.

Part of our commitment in the Multi-Year Plan is to strengthen innovative strategies that connect learning to the world and prepare students for a dynamic future. We are focused on providing inquiry-based and experiential learning opportunities for students from Kindergarten through to Grade 12.

Our youngest learners are encouraged to nurture their natural curiosity and think and explore through play and inquiry. They are provided with numerous opportunities to further develop their literacy and math skills through these experiences.

Elementary students continue to learn through problem solving and inquiry while incorporating hands-on learning and through outdoor education.

Our secondary students can choose varied opportunities that appeal to their interests and learning styles. They are supported in their decision making through our Pathways, cooperative education, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship, I-STEM, Dual Credit and Specialist High Skills Major programs. Our goal is to get students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. We are committed to providing many different engaging opportunities for our students so that they can build on their interests and strengths and to be successful now and in the future.

In the HDSB, our goal is to differentiate teaching and learning to support each unique learner. We know our students have unique identities, experiences, strengths, talents and needs. We encourage staff to differentiate instruction based on the strengths and needs of learners to help them build confidence and cultivate independence.

We recognize the power of student voice and choice and encourage staff to engage students in constructing learning experiences. We know that by being responsive to our students, we are better able to create engaging and challenging learning environments where our students feel a sense of belonging in order to thrive and succeed.

The HDSB is very excited about the learning journey ahead as outlined in our Multi-Year Plan. We are strongly committed to creating learning opportunities throughout our system to elevate achievement and success for every single learner in Halton.