Building bridges

How can schools can work more effectively with parents and communities?

Parent and community engagement is a perennial challenge in schools across Ontario. This session provides practical solutions for real engagement.

Indigenous Education

How can we move away from thinking of Indigenous Education as an add-on, and make it central to all K to 12 education?

This session will focus on how we can embed Indigenous histories, traditions, perspectives and contemporary realities into K-12 education; the role of Friendship Centres across Ontario; and the education priorities of urban Indigenous communities.

Redesigning education

The future is here. How does education need to change? 

Participants will use a “foresight process” in this hands-on workshop to explore what a future-ready public education system might look like in Ontario.

The pros and cons of e-Learning

Should all students have to take 4 online courses?

The province plans to make e-learning mandatory for graduation. This panel focuses on the use of e-learning and technology in the classroom and beyond. Does it prepare students for the future? How is it an issue of equity and access?

Reclaiming Education

What do young people want?

In this workshop, youth researchers share the results of their action research project that asked young people about their aspirations for public education.

Schools as centres of mental health and wellness

What are some schools doing to build staff and student well-being?

Mental health is one of the biggest challenges principals identify in their schools. In this session, panelists will outline practical strategies to manage stress for students and staff, and build a whole school well-being action plan.

Beyond tokenism

How can we ensure students have a real voice in education policy and curriculum?

Panelists will discuss the benefits of youth inclusion in policy conversations, as well as practical examples of projects where students were able to exercise autonomy and leadership.

Addressing barriers to post-secondary education

How can we ensure multiple pathways stay open for all students?

Students’ race, socioeconomic status, and parents’ education continue to have an impact on their destinations after high school. How is Toronto different than Chicago, New York and London (UK)? What do we need to change in K to 12 to ensure more students have access to post-secondary education?

Building real community in schools

How do we need to change to ensure that all of Ontario’s diverse students have equitable opportunities at school?

Unconscious bias, streaming, everyday discrimination, the hidden curriculum; the panelists will examine how people in schools engage with students – of various gender identities and sexual orientations, and from different ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds – and how schools have to change.

School yards and playgrounds

Are they a core part of education?

Looking at school yards from two perspectives – safety and fun. How could or should policies change to make sure school yards are high quality across Ontario?