In the Loop – February 20, 2025

February 20, 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

Enter the Indigenous Youth Art, Photo, Video Contest | FORED BC | Deadline: May 23, 2025
To celebrate the rich cultural and heritage traditions of the Indigenous people of Canada, FORED is sponsoring its annual artwork, photography and video contest. $150 cash prizes available for Indigenous youth, aged 5-18. This contest is a wonderful opportunity to find a mentor in the Elder community to pass down this important knowledge to Indigenous youth. Previous award winners are sometimes even featured in local community newspapers. No commercial use of entries is permitted.
The theme is Indigenous Traditional Knowledge & Medicine. The Prize is: 4 x $150 with at least one national winner. Group work shares prize.

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

NEW !! Student Inclusive Conferences – Guide for Teachersl On-Demand Learning Feature
In this video, District Inclusion teacher Athina Velonis, and District Teacher of Instructional Services, Rica Durnin, provide an overview of Student-Inclusive Conferences for K-7 teachers. You will hear from teachers, parents, support staff and admin about the benefits of student inclusive conferences. You will watch video clips of conferences in action broken down into steps. Athina and Rica will walk you through the steps you need to take to prepare for your conferences, complete the SIC documents, and the next steps for uploading and sharing. You will benefit from having these supporting documents on hand while watching the video. Documents will be included in your confirmation E-mail.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

CoSN2025; the Educational Technology Conference of the Year | March 31-Apr 2, 2025 | More info
The CoSN2025 Conference is coming to Seattle, WA this year from March 31–April 2, 2025—and it’s a perfect opportunity for Canadian EdTech leaders to share their voices, network, and collaborate with peers from throughout the United States. CoSN is offering a special discount for Canadian attendees; just enter the code CANADACOSN2025 when registering to receive the member registration rate of $899 (a savings of $200 off the regular non-member rate).

2025 Networks of Inquiry & Indigenous Education (NOIEE) Symposium: Connections and Curiosity | May 9-10, 2025 | Register
Registration for the 2025 NOIIE Symposium is NOW OPEN! The 2025 Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIEE) Symposium is taking place on May 9 and 10 in Richmond. Strengthen connections and ignite curiosity with colleagues dedicated to ensuring that every learner crosses the stage with dignity, purpose and options.
Kath Murdoch, a leading global expert on inquiry learning, is joining along with Rebecca Winthrop from the Brookings Institution. Kath’s practical strategies for engaging young learners in deeper forms of inquiry are second to none. Rebecca has spent the past three years researching student engagement in adolescents. Her new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping kids learn better, feel better and live better, will be an invaluable resource for educators and families. Pete Bombacci is the driving force behind Genwell, a Canadian social movement designed to address the issues of social isolation and loneliness through the power of social connection.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

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.

2025 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching | Deadline March 24, 2025 | More info
Each year, Canada’s History Society recognizes six teachers for innovative and impactful approaches to teaching Canadian history through the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award places a spotlight on teachers that foster a deep understanding of the past and actively engage students in historical work through meaningful projects and initiatives.

The 2025 recipients will be awarded:

  • $2500 for their school
  • $1000 individual cash prize
  • A medal
  • Travel and accommodations for two from a major city to attend the award ceremony

If you or a teacher you know makes history come to life in the classroom, submit a nomination or apply online today! Stage 1 applications are due March 24, 2025.

WorkSafeBC Student Video Contest | Grades 8-12 Students | Skills Competences Canada | More info
The theme for the 2025 Student Safety Video Contest is Show up, speak up for safety. When you are new to work, some things may feel beyond your control. But you have the power to make your workplace safer and healthier. Show up and speak up when something feels unsafe. Take part in health and safety activities in the workplace.
Tell us how young workers can do more than just show up at work. What can you and other young workers do to improve safety at work for everyone by showing up and speaking up? Submit your original production for a chance to win cash!

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES

From the Operating Room to the Classroom: Dr Sanjay Gupta on Life and Learning | Listen Now
In this week’s My Legacy Podcast & Syndicated Radio Show, hosts Arndrea Waters King, Martin Luther King III, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger sit down with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Rebecca Gupta for a powerful conversation on love, legacy, and well-being. From performing emergency brain surgery in a war zone to raising three daughters in a fast-paced world, the Guptas share wisdom on resilience, balance, and the small habits that create a meaningful life.

Conceptual Agency – How do we empower our students to take more responsibility for their learning | Video
In this video, Lee Crockett introduces Conceptual Agency, one of the four Agency Learning Models that empower students to Ask meaningful questions, Reflect and refine their work, and Build success criteria and take ownership of their learning. He also shares how to plan, activate, implement, and reflect on learning experiences using this framework, making it practical for any classroom or school.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Black History Month Resources |  More info
February is Black History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. This year’s theme is Black Legacy and Leadership to celebrate the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership and the legacy being built for future generations. Check out the Government of Canada website at the link below for access to a wealth of information and resources to help bring Black History Month alive in your classroom in February!

FORED BC Society | Free Lesson Plans Here
FORED BC is a local, BC organization which provides a number of great resources and supports for schools and teachers related to forests, natural resources, climate and Indigenous knowledge. They maintain a library of free lesson plans for teachers of students Grades K to 12 on subjects related to forests, natural resources, climate and Indigenous knowledge. Please see the link above to access these resources.

Book Creator | 2025 Guide | One Page Resource
Book Creator is a fabulous, versatile digital tool that empowers students to create and read multimodal digital books. All teachers in the Langley School District have access to the web-based version of Book Creator to use with their students.  Be sure to check out Book Creator’s 2025 Guide for teachers to help get you started with using Book Creator or to give you some ideas for how you can use Book Creator with your classes over the next few months.
And if you are new to Book Creator, please refer to the Book Creator One-pager at the link below which is a great resource for helping you get started with using Book Creator for the first time or also a helpful refresher of everything the tool can do for you and your students.

Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre: Educational Database | More info
The Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre is also home to a rich, diverse educational database full of free educational resources from all subject areas and grade levels, absolutely free for educators. You can access the Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre Educational Database at the link above.

TECH TIPS

Microsoft EDGE Browser
If you are not already doing so, the District would highly recommend that all District Staff use the Microsoft EDGE browser as their default web browser.  Microsoft EDGE is a Microsoft product that is provided to all Langley District staff as part of the Office 365 package that is part of our District system.  As a result of it being a Microsoft product, it is therefore most compatible and easiest to use with all of the other Microsoft tools available for staff.  It is also the safest and most secure browser to be using from a privacy and protection lens as well.

SD35 Inclusive Technology Resource Hub | HUB
The SD35 Inclusive Technology Resource Hub is a brand new District Resource Hub that is available to all staff across the District. The resource hub provides access and information to staff on the various Inclusive Technology tools that are included in our Microsoft Office tools that all staff have access to and are available to use these tools with students to help with their learning. These tools include things like Immersive Reader, Dictation, and Translation. The Resource hub provides both written instructions and video tutorials for staff on how to access the tools with things like Microsoft Word or Power Point and also how to effectively use these tools to assist students who would benefit from having access to these tools to enhance their learning opportunities. The hub also includes an Accessibility Guide which is a great starting point for educators on how to create a more inclusive learning environment that provides access for all learners.
Above is the link to the Hub – more resources and tools will continue to be added to the Inclusive Technology Resource Hub over the coming weeks and months.

Instructional Services | #Think35

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