April 1, 2021
MDI Data
Thank you so much for participating in the MDI this year! Over 43,000 Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 students from across the country were able to tell us about their lives inside and outside of school, made possible with the support of teachers and administrators.
This year, School reports will be available on our e-MDI system on April 22nd, and School District and Community reports will be available on our HELP website May 20th.
We value your feedback on the MDI process in your school. Every year we make adjustments to the way we collect and report MDI data. If you have a few minutes, please fill in the Teacher/Administrator feedback form online.
SAVE THE DATE: Sharing your MDI Data with Your School Community
Time: Thursday, April 22 from 3:15PM to 4:15PM (PST)
Current research on the impacts of the pandemic on school-aged children are signaling an urgent and ongoing need to address the additional pressures on children’s mental health and well-being. MDI School Reports, slated for release on April 22nd2021, provide school district administrators and staff with valuable insights about their students and their experiences both inside and outside of school this past year. At HELP we understand that sharing MDI school-level data comes with its own set of challenges – and we’re here to support you through this process. On April 22nd, join Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl as she shares key strategies and tools to engage school staff and students in exploring their MDI data, encourage conversation, identify strengths and challenges, and move from data to action.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Schonert-Reichl will be joined by special guest Kate Kerr, Director of Instruction for Inclusive Education, School District 46 Sunshine Coast. Kate will share how the SD 46 team have connected with staff and students across the district in developing a staged approach to exploring their MDI data together. Kate will discuss their approaches to engaging students early on in the project cycle, and strategies for supporting teachers in their classrooms.
In addition, the webinar will provide an opportunity to walk participants through the steps to access and share your school reports and launch the newly redeveloped DiscoverMDI digital tool. As always there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions.
Registration: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IiP4TFCn9e7zxQ
Can’t make it? Don’t worry! A recording will be available on our DiscoverMDI website a few days after the broadcast.
DISTRICT RESOURCES K-12
- Instructional Services Website: For all your district-vetted resources K-12! Check it out!
- Aboriginal Resources vetted by the District
- District Learning Commons – K-12 Resources to book out! Kits, Lit Circle Sets and more!
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES and RESOURCES
Connecting the Dots: Primary Domino Math Games
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 [Register]
Langley Primary Teachers’ Association presents Jane Felling. Dominoes are one of the most versatile and easiest math manipulatives to use in your classroom whether you are teaching whole group, integrating centres, or solitaire. Dominoes are easy to socially distance too! Come prepared to play our favourite domino math games.
NEW Number Sense Routines: An Online Learning Series
April 14-May 5, 2021 [Register]
As part of an action research project through Western Washington University, Kim Cline will lead teachers through several different routines from Number Talks and Estimation scenarios, to hands-on and interactive activities. Sessions will be online and include synchronous and asynchronous learning through Microsoft Teams. The asynchronous presentations will use online, digital platforms that you can view at your convenience. Please note that participants will be asked to complete short surveys as part of an action research project through Western Washington University.
CONNECTING TO OUR COMMUNITY
Vancouver International Film Festival
May 31 – June 6
The 44th Annual Children’s Festival is offering online programming to schools. Take a virtual field trip with your class and enjoy the Festival’s exceptional theatre, music, dance and storytelling shows from the comfort of your classroom. For more information or to buy tickets click here or call 604-708-5655.
OTHER EXTERNAL STUDENT/STAFF OPPORTUNITIES and LEARNING RESOURCES
Outdoor Education Resources: CBEEN (Columbia Basin Environmental Education)
Outdoor Learning Spring Virtual Workshop Series is now open for registration.
Earthy Chats Podcast Launch – The premier episode of our monthly podcast, Earthy Chats, has arrived! Co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with Dr. Gillian Judson of imaginED and the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University.
BC’s Non-profit Outdoor Learning Store is going Canada-wide March 1st – please share the good news with your BCSSA colleagues far & wide across the country! Here is the website. New Spring Outdoor Learning Equipment Available – added a number of new resources and equipment for the season ahead! Click here to shop.
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) is a national Indigenous organization established in 2005 by the Government of Canada and funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public health renewal and health equity through knowledge translation and exchange. The NCCIH is hosted by the University of Northern BC (UNBC) in Prince George, BC. Knowledge Resources and Publications can be found here.
Danger of a Single Story
While this amazing 18-minute Ted Talk from 2009 is not specific to the subject of Truth and Reconciliation, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie cautions us against listening only to a single story. “Danger of a Single Story,” Those who do, risk continuing to develop stereotypes and misunderstandings of other cultures and of others. For many decades in Canada, a single narrative was told about Indigenous Peoples that resulted in Indian Residential Schools, treaties and agreements, 60’s scoop, and forced relocation of Inuit peoples causing a multitude of intergenerational trauma. Today, as we learn to listen and include the stories of Indigenous People, we engage in respectful and genuine relationships through multiple stories. (with thanks to David Keohane)
10 Indigenous Firsts
Despite the challenges Indigenous Peoples have faced, many have helped shape Canada. “10 Indigenous Firsts” showcases Indigenous leaders in the fields of medicine and law, to war veterans, chiefs, and politicians. Learn about these leaders in this quick five-minute read and then help celebrate these trailblazers by forwarding on this story.
EASE Training
Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators (EASE) is a collection of evidence-informed lessons for teaching K–7 students effective anxiety management skills. The EASE lessons are designed to fit into existing school routines and practices—and to benefit all children. And while they are written for classroom teachers, they can be adapted for use by school counsellors, administrators and support staff.
There is an online training program you can find here or contact Gail Markin gmarkin@sd35.bc.ca or Leanne Fleming lfleming@sd35.bc.ca for more information.
SOGI-Inclusive Education Resource Guide
In case you missed it, an exciting new resource launched recently: the SOGI-Inclusive Education Resource Guide. This is just one of the many great classroom resources you will find on the SOGI 123 All Educators Resource Page.
Pro-D Resources to Boost Your Physical Activity and Physical Literacy Teaching Skills
Looking for resources connected to the K-7 Physical and Health Education curriculum? Check out the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project. This free school-based health promotion initiative is intended to help educators build capacity and increase their confidence in delivering quality physical activity and physical literacy opportunities.
Anti-Racism Public Education Campaign
The Government of B.C. is launching the Anti-Racism Public Education Campaign to create awareness across the province that we are all responsible for addressing racism. The campaign will spark open, honest and empathetic conversations about racism and encourage reflection of experiences and behaviours. Posters with artwork created by B.C. artists from the IBPOC community will be mailed to secondary school principals in the next two weeks for display in classrooms and hallways. Click on link above for resources.
Black and Indigenous Realities: an RCtv Livestream Series
This culminating event, happening on Wed. April 21 – National Canadian Film Day – will involve a conversation about the intersections of Black and Indigenous Realities, feature two important films and filmmakers:
- Mighty Jerome, presented by director Charles Officer: Black Canadian track star Harry Jerome was on his way to the Olympics when a life-changing leg injury led everyone to believe that his racing days were over. Instead, he heroically faced down the odds, navigating a culture of racism and fraught politics in this triumphant story of courage and redemption.
- Rustic Oracle, presented by director Sonia Bonspille Boileau: Set in the late 90’s, this heartfelt feature follows Ivy, an 8-year-old girl trying to understand what happened when her big sister vanished from their small Mohawk community. It deals with the larger issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women from a very personal point of view.
Click here for more information.
National AccessAbility Week is May 31-June 6
BC is making its own mark for the 1st Annual BC AccessAbility Week with a province-wide school flag contest. Students from grades 6 to 12 will be invited to let their creativity shine in this flag artwork contest and for a chance to win prizes for the school, class and the flag artist. Watch for contest Information packages following BC’s spring break. The contest is presented by Easter Seals BC – helping to make a better BC through accessibility. For more info contact 778.772.2223.
Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge
As part of the Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge, 20 finalists will be chosen to receive $25,000 each to develop their ideas and launch their community-based campaigns. Finalists will spread the word about COVID-19 vaccines through creative, community-driven and culturally sensitive means. At the end of the Challenge period, a grand prize of $100,000 will be awarded to one winner to reinvest in their community to protect and promote public health.
The deadline for PHAC to receive submissions is 3 pm EST April 9, 2021. Finalists will be selected by May 7, 2021. Details of the Challenge can be found here.
YOU dance Livestream
Tuesday, May 11 12:45-2:00pm EST
The National Ballet of Canada is pleased to offer school boards across Canada the opportunity to enjoy a ballet performance livestream direct from our rehearsal studios in Toronto. Advanced registration by each individual teacher will be required and curriculum-based resources will be available. To learn more, please click here and to register, click here.