Educator Information

School Groups at FOLD

The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) is Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers. Established in 2016, the festival provides literary events each spring virtually and in-person. In 2025, the festival will run from April 27 – May 4. Events April 27 to 30 will be virtual, while events May 1-4 will be offered in-person.

As part of the spring festival, the FOLD provides one-of-a-kind events for secondary school students. Educators who register for the festival will have access to an Educator Guide, which includes pre- and post-event activities for high school classrooms.

All events designed for school groups will be presented live each day on our virtual platform April 29 – 30 at 9:45am and 1:15pm ET. Virtual events will be made available for on-demand viewing on the festival platform within hours of their live presentation. For event details, head over to our School Group Events page.

A virtual pass allows teachers to access the entire virtual festival for use in their classrooms. Teachers can also opt-in to receive Student Access Logins (SALs) which allows students to view events on their own devices. See below for details.

If you are interested in purchasing a board-wide pass, please have an authorized representative from your board submit the School Board Pass form as soon as possible.

Educators in the following school boards should check their message board and reach out to a representative after March 19 for their School Board Code, which will allow you to register for a virtual pass at no additional charge:

Peel District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board
Durham District School Board
Halton District School Board

There will also be two in-person events on Thursday, May 1 at 10:00am ET and 12:30pm ET taking place at the Rose Theatre. Authors will be available following the event for book-signings. A recording of the panel conversation will be made available on the festival platform soon after the festival ends. For event details, head over to our School Group Events page.

In-person tickets are available through the Rose Theatre Box Office. See below for more details.

School Group events at the Festival of Literary Diversity are ideally suited for students grade 9-12 due to mature themes and subject matter. School group events in November, for the FOLD Kids Book Fest will be tailored to elementary, middle grade, and secondary students.

School Group Book List

Young Adult/Adult Crossover Titles

The Fragments that Remain by Mackenzie Angeconeb
Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju
Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill
i cut my tongue on a broken country by Kyo Lee
The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin
All the Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live with Anxiety by David A. Robertson
52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing by David A. Robertson
Secrets of Stone by Coltrane Seesequasis
On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino
The Knowing by Tanya Talaga

Another Story Bookshop, the FOLD’s official festival bookseller, will be onsite for the May 1 – 4 for in-person events. ASB also offers online sales of FOLD titles every year in the month leading up to the festival.

Registration

VIRTUAL PASS | $30

Available for purchase March 19 at thefoldcanada.org/register

A virtual pass allows teachers to access the entire virtual festival for use in their classrooms. In addition to the festival pass, which allows teachers to login to the festival starting April 27 using their registration email address, teachers can opt-in to receive Student Access Logins (SALs) during registration which allows students to view events on their own devices – including through our new festival app – until the platform closes on June 30.

For event details, head over to our School Group Events page.

IN-PERSON TICKETS | $7 per event | $10 for both events

Now available for purchase

In-person tickets are available through the Rose Theatre Box Office for $7 per student for a single event and free for educators.

Educators can book tickets online by heading to the Arts Adventure page and entering the code TEACH into the promo code box. Tickets can also be purchased by phone (905 874 2844 Ext. 62803 or 62804) or by email boxofficeEDU@brampton.ca.

Educators who want to attend both events can take advantage of the bundle price of $10. This can be redeemed ONLY by calling or emailing the Box Office.

For event details, head over to our School Group Events page.

SCHOOL BOARD PASS | $2500

A school board pass provides a school board with a designated code so that all staff within the board can register for a festival pass, including Student Access Logins (SALs) for teachers to distribute to their students. A representative from the board will need to complete a form in order to receive an invoice and a registration code that each teacher and teacher-librarian in the board can use to register on the platform starting March 29. School Boards need to confirm their interest by March 19, 2025.

If you are interested in purchasing a board-wide pass, please have an authorized representative from your board submit the School Board Pass form as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions for Educators

When does registration open?

Registration for all festival events* opens on March 19. Details will be shared closer to the date.

*In-person school group events are now open
How do I register my class for the festival?

An educator can register for a virtual pass starting March 19, which will give them access to all the virtual events from April 27 – May 4. During registration, you’ll have the option to opt into receiving Student Access Logins (SALs).

If your board has purchased a board pass, you’ll receive a code to register for a virtual pass for free. You’ll have the option to add in-person tickets at check out.

Educators registering for a virtual pass will be given the option to create a STUDENT ACCESS LOGIN (SAL)* during registration. It provides students with access to the platform by allowing them to login on their own devices with a generic account that’s connected to their educators. SALs limit a student’s reach on the platform for safety and security reasons. SALs can only be created at the time of registration.

*NOTE: Some boards may not allow the creation of SALs as part of their particular board policy.
Do I need a Student Access Login (SAL) if I’ll be showing the events in class?

If you’re planning to show the events in class, you will not need an SAL, but when you register as an educator who will be showing the events in class, one will automatically be created for you. SALs are helpful if a student is away or if they are planning to watch events on their own device. If you do need an SAL, you must select yes when registering for the SAL to be created.
How do I log into the platform to view an event?

You can login to the platform by visiting fold2025.vfairs.com. We recommend logging into the platform on the website or though the vFairs app as soon as you register. You’ll be prompted to create a password using your email. Please do this for your SAL as well so that you can share the code and the password with any student who needs it. On the day of an event, login and head to the Auditorium. Click on the screen and click “Play” on any completed or pre-recorded event.
What platform is being used?

The virtual festival takes place on an innovative, customized virtual platform called vFairs. All virtual events take place in the platform using Zoom. Events can also be viewed on the vFairs mobile app.
What security precautions are in place to make sure students are safe?

The FOLD is taking every precaution to keep all guests safe. SAL’s give students restricted access on the platform. They will never appear on video. While they can pose questions in Zoom, they cannot participate in the chat or on the leaderboard. All questions will be monitored by a designated FOLD team member. Any concerns with student use will result in the suspension of that code and a follow up with the teacher associated with the account.

Our Virtual Safe Space Policy will be posted on the platform. In the unfortunate event that inappropriate behaviour does occur, FOLD staff will act swiftly, in consultation with the teacher and school board.
For a live virtual event, when should teachers and students login to the platform?

We recommend logging in to the platform 10 mins before the event. The event will go live roughly 5 mins before start time to give people time to enter Zoom. You can test out your sound quality by trying out any of the previously recorded events. If tech issues arise, contact tech support via the email address at the top of the screen, through the chat, or through the Info Desk.
If I can’t attend the virtual event live, will I be able to access the videos afterward?

All FOLD virtual events will be made available within a few hours of being presented live. All videos will be available until June 30.
Will I have access to other FOLD virtual events?

All virtual passes and Student Access Logins (SALs) provide full access to all virtual events. In-person event passes, and specialty tickets must be purchased separately.
If I’m interested in one event, do I still need a full pass? Are individual event registrations available?

Other than our in-person school group events at the Rose Theatre, access to individual virtual events is not available. However, virtual passes are set at a reasonable rate, providing access to more than 25 incredible literary events. We’re confident that educators we be able to find a number of events for you and/or your class to enjoy.
How do I register my class for in-person school group events?

In-person tickets are available through the Rose Theatre Box Office for $7 per student for a single event and free for educators.

Educators can book tickets online by heading to the Arts Adventure page and entering the code TEACH into the promo code box. Tickets can also be purchased by phone (905 874 2844 Ext. 62803 or 62804) or by email boxofficeEDU@brampton.ca.

Educators who want to attend both events can take advantage of the bundle price of $10. This can be redeemed ONLY by calling or emailing the Box Office.