In the Loop – February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY

DISTRICT LEARNING COMMONS

The DLC is your one stop shop for useful resources to enhance your teaching available to all school staff in the Langley School District. You don’t need to buy everything for all of your lessons yourself! You can check it out in person in the basement of the School Board Office or have kits and resources delivered directly to your school! We deliver and pick up all the items you request through district mail twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Links to all the info below:

  • View and book online through Insignia Library system | Here
  • Find instructions, an area to check out new resources, request new resources and report lost or damages kits | Here
  • Sign out instructions | Here

Featured DLC Resource:
Four of our newest additions to the DLC! These literacy kits are a collection of stories written and told by authors from Canada’s Arctic, Cree, Metis, and Anishinaabeg regions. These stories are beautifully illustrated and guaranteed to provide poignant life lessons and exposure to Indigenous language. Check them out at the links and order them now for use in your classroom through the DLC!

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
We are in great need of experienced teachers with five or more years in the profession to support and guide newer educators as they transition into their roles.

We have many brand-new or early career teachers looking for a mentor. We need mentors at all grade levels but especially primary (K-5) and middle (6-8).

Time Commitment as a mentor: Mentors need to commit to ONE 45-minute learning-focused conversation every 3-5 weeks. There are optional workshops, networking and learning sessions available.

New to the District or a New Role?
If you’re a newer teacher looking for mentorship, please fill out the Mentee Information Sheet here. Once completed, email it to teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca to join our program! 

Ongoing: Classroom Library Kits – let us know if you would like one! Fill your classroom library by borrowing books from us – Kits for K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 available!

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Centering Indigenous Pedagogies in Mathematics Education: Assessment | Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre | February 26 & April 16, 2025 | More info
This series focuses on assessment practices in math education guided by Indigenous pedagogies and perspectives such as Indigenous Storywork, teachings from the land, and culturally responsive mathematics education. The target audience is teachers and TOC’s and will be done virtually. There is no cost involved.

DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
To see our full calendar of offerings, visit www.thinklangley.com

Career Spotlight – Business and Entrepreneurship l On-Demand Learning Feature
Learn about different careers in the business and Entrepreneurship industry! Presenters with backgrounds in Real Estate, Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship will talk about the occupation/role as well as their career journeys.

Odyssey – Monday February 10, 2025 I  Pre-registration is closed
The Langley School District’s annual Odyssey Conference will be taking place on Monday February 10, 2025 at the Langley Events Centre, RE Mountain Secondary and Peter Ewart Middle School.  All District Staff are invited to attend and participate in this wonderful day of learning! If you still wish to attend or change your breakout sessions, please arrive at the Langley Events Center at 7:00am to register. The Odyssey help desk will assist you.

Setting up an explicit Literacy Program in the Primary Classroom: Part 3: February 19,2025, Part 4: February 26, 2025 I Register
Are you looking to set up an evidence-based literacy program but unsure where to start or how to support small groups? We will start with discussing the Scope and Sequence to guide your instruction, then look at assessment tools that will inform your practice and allow for creating groups based on targeted skills. Then, we will go over ways to support instruction in the different areas such as decoding and fluency. Finally, we will have a check in to see what has worked and what next steps could be.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

The Anxious Generation: Learning Forward BC Book Club: Session Two | February 10, 2025 | Register | Book Summary
In the Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt examines the detrimental effect of excessive screen time and social media has on the healthy development of young minds. In the book he explores how it hampers crucial childhood experiences like unstructured play and face to face social interaction while amplifying harmful tendencies like cyberbullying and social comparisons. He lays out four points as being a starting point to address the problem:

  • No smartphones before high school. …
  • No social media before age 16.
  • Phone-free schools. …
  • More free play and responsibility in the real world.

Digital Classroom Webinars | Focused Education Resources | February 14, 2025 | More info
On Friday, February 14th, 2025, Focused Education is offering a variety of virtual sessions to explore Digital Classroom, and other resources. Learn more about the quality resources available to you now. Guide your students in the use of safe, quality resources to support their research, critical thinking, and content creation. These resources support:

  • Science and Math
  • Inquiry/project-based learning
  • French Immersion
  • Cybersecurity awareness
  • Access to Canadian- and BC-created content

Early Screening and Interventions Clinics: Removing Barriers and Providing Support | Feb 14, 2025 | Register
Join this Pro-D Opportunity  and learn how to jumpstart reading levels and intervene for struggling readers in Grades K to 3 with specific strategies.

    • An easy, new, Skill-screening Tool that will help organize small group interventions.
    • A downloaded Treasure Chest for each participant: Hundreds of playful games and activities that reinforce essential skills.
    • A research-based rationale for each essential skill.

Engaging All Learners in the Middle Years | Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre | February 20, 2025 | More info
Educators in BC are invited to a webinar series exploring the engagement of middle years learners in multi-age and multi-grade classrooms. The next session is  called “Pedagogy of Voice” on Thursday February 20. The target audience is educators working with students in grades 4-9, TOCs and Teacher Candidates. The format is virtual and there is not cost involved.

Virtual Leadership Workshop Opportunities
Langley School District Graduate Shaliza Jamal is the founder and Executive Director of Curated Leadership. Her company is offering these online workshops throughout the month of February.

  • Black Excellence and Navigating Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace (Pay what you can options ranging from 5.00 to 50.00) More info
  • Master DEI Fundamentals to Amplify Your Leadership | Free | More info

AVID Summer Professional Learning Offerings | AVID Summer Institute 2025 | More info
AVID’s professional learning is built around high-quality communities of practice designed to meet the diverse needs of educators, incorporating multiple learning styles and schedules. Two engaging formats are offered. Both experiences are designed to give educators the skills, inspiration, and actionable strategies to transform their teaching and drive student success. Early Bird Registration opens February 11, 2025.

  • In-person AVID Summer Institute | More info
    AVID Summer Institute is a 3-day, high-touch, interactive community experience featuring a rigorous curriculum that promotes student achievement at the highest levels and lays out a pathway to student success. Collaborate with educators nationwide and experience dynamic, hands-on sessions.
  • Virtual AVID Ignite | More info
    Experience AVID’s high-quality virtual professional learning and spark inspiration campuswide. Join live, interactive sessions and a Community of Practice to gain strategies you can apply all year. Perfect for educators new to AVID who want to expand their toolkit, or for those unable to attend in-person training.

Institut de francais | UBC a Quebec | Apply by Mar 1, 2025 | More info
Step into a summer of opportunity with this immersive three-week program designed to empower K-12 French educators. Program Highlights:

  • Hands-on Language Development: Morning classes and afternoon workshops tailored to your teaching needs, with opportunities to explore communicative methods and differentiated instruction.
  • Cultural Integration: Discover the charm of Québec City through community visits and cultural activities.
  • Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced language instructors who are dedicated to supporting your growth both inside and outside of class time.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

This Month in the Arts | February 2025 | More info
The Arts are alive and well in Langley Schools!  Please check out the poster at the link below for a quick glance and overview of all of the amazing Arts events and activities happening across schools in the Langley School District in February!

Virtual Family Math Day | February 22, 2025 | More info
The Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Faculty of Education at UBC is hosting a virtual Family Math Fair on Saturday February 22 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. UBC Faculty of Education Graduate Students and Teacher Candidates will engage students, teachers and parents in Hands-On, Minds-On Math Activities for all ages.  Click on the link to the poster above for more information.

LEC Wellness Event | February 26, 2025 | More info
Langley Education Centre is hosting its 6th annual wellness event, known as #thatwellnessthing on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 where you can learn about mental health and wellness. It is an open house and community resource fair.

Student Opportunities | Fraser Institute | More info
Encourage students to participate in these enriching opportunities and deepen their understanding of economics. Two opportunities are highlighted below:

  • High School Economics Field Trip | More info
    Give your students the opportunity to engage with economics in a fun and interactive way! Our free High School Economics Field Trips bring economic concepts to life with hands-on activities, pop culture videos, and collaborative learning. Encourage your students to participate in these enriching opportunities and deepen their understanding of economics. 
  • Student Essay Contest | More info
    Students can further their learning by entering the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Student Essay Contest—an opportunity to showcase their writing skills and economic understanding, as well as explore the Essential Scholars series.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES

Exploring Equitable Grading Practices Podcast | Listen Now
Education leaders Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson delve into equitable grading with renowned expert Thomas Guskey in one of the latest “Leaders Coaching Leaders” podcast episodes. Guskey, author of 27 influential books on education, including his newest release, “Grading With Integrity,” challenges longstanding assumptions about grading systems. In this engaging discussion, Guskey sheds light on common frustrations voiced by parents, the complexities faced by educators, and the path to developing grading practices that effectively inform schools, teachers, students, and families. His insights aim to support educators in fostering clarity and fairness in assessment. Tune in to learn how grading can become a tool for meaningful communication and improvement.

LEARNING RESOURCES

PLAYBuilder Opportunity | School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy (PAPL) | More info
If you are a K-7 PHE teacher interested in teaching side-by-side with a PLAYBuilder Ambassador to learn more about this fantastic resource, and ways to use it for planning and lesson delivery, please contact Kim Haber (khaber@sd35.bc.ca) for more information.

Instructional Services | #Think35

4875 222 Street, Langley
BC, V3A 3Z7
Phone: 6045347891
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