In the Loop – December 5, 2024

December 5, 2024

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY

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.

https://langleyteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mentor-Info-Sheet.pdf

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!

Upcoming events: 

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!

January 21, 2024 – 3:30-5pm @SBO – SEL Workshop – combined presentation from IS, LSS, and Mentorship. Start the new year with a self-care workshop and SEL strategies to include in your classroom. Form to sign up to come.

January 28, 2024 – 3:30-5pm @Wix-Brown – Part 2 of Rewiring Reading Routines workshop – Come join us as we slice into the second workshop on science of reading and learn how to create new brain synapses in the minds of all your favourite readers in a fun, meaningful and engaging way!  Side effects may include: reading proficiency, less stress, easier planning, a love of reading and more.

Book Club – Interested in joining us for book club?  We are taking information on what would be the most desired format and book!  https://forms.office.com/r/yFijQ9YRzh

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Braiding Sweetgrass for Educators | Register
The award-winning Indigenous author and educator, Monique Gray Smith will be offering Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults in January. Registration is now open for four, 1-hour sessions with Monique where she will explore the 6 sections of the book and chapters within each of them, including key content for classroom and school use. Early bird registration is open until December 15, 2024.

4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning | More info
The 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning is an online course that is offered in partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations through the Outdoor Learning Store. It serves to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local Land and supporting more respectful, reciprocal relationships. To learn more about the course and the different learning opportunities available through this course, please check out the website at the link above.

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

Odyssey – Monday Feb.10, 2025
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.  Registration will be opening soon.  All District Staff are invited to attend and participate in this wonderful day of learning!

Learning in the Primary Years: A Four Part Series | Final Part on January 20, 2025 I Register
Curious educators are invited to learn and think together about the newly released “Learning in the Primary Years” Ministry document with connections to playful practice. Register for one session or all, just select the appropriate pass during registration. Dinner will be provided to those who attend in person.

Setting up an explicit Literacy Program in the Primary Classroom: A Four Part Series | January 15 & 22, 2025, February 19 & 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.

NEW DATES: Emotional Literacy for Educators I January 14, 2025, February 4 & 18, 2025 I Register
This 90-minute interactive workshop provides educators with practical, research-based tools to help students regulate their emotions, fostering a classroom environment conducive to teaching and learning. By blending Marc Brackett’s RULER approach with Leroy Slanzi’s breathing techniques, participants will gain effective strategies to reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve emotional resilience in their students.
Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and discussion, educators will walk away with actionable methods to create a calm, focused learning space and strengthen students’ social-emotional skills.

Meaningful Collaboration for Elementary Prep Teachers | On-Demand Learning Feature
Collaborate for “Prep teachers” is often an afterthought or “can you do this song/dance/drawing” related to the curricular competencies. However, collaboration can be far more meaningful, and it can give students the opportunity to both learn and demonstrate their understanding in new and deeper ways that may not be possible in the classroom. In this workshop, we will work with a group-chosen curricular competency (Math/Literacy/Science or Socials) to create the foundations for a collaborative unit in your Prep subject.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Elementary Educators Autism Conference | More info
The Autism Support Network Society and the BC Association for Behaviour Analysis are offering this rare opportunity to learn from autism specialists and network with other teachers of autistic students.
Join us ONLINE or IN PERSON at the Pacific Autism Family Network Center in Richmond, BC for a professional development and networking event for Elementary Educators. We are happy to offer a comprehensive event with a world-renowned keynote speaker and a choice of informative break-out sessions given by Board Certified Behaviour Analysts. Speakers will be available during coffee and lunch breaks to answer questions or engage in conversations. Please contact elaine@autismsupportbc.ca if you would like a group rate for five or more online registrations. Space is limited for in-person attendees. Get your tickets now.

Join Dr. Hayley Watson for a Complimentary Online Book Study | January 29, 2025 | More info | Register
Educators are invited to participate in a unique professional development opportunity with Dr. Hayley Watson. Dr. Hayley will lead an online book study of Finding the Words: Empowering Struggling Students through Guided Conversations, where she’ll explore key strategies for supporting students facing anxiety, peer pressure, trauma, and more. The study includes five interactive Zoom sessions starting January 29th and is perfect for school counselling teams, new educators, or anyone interested in enhancing their skills in student mental health support.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

Christmas in the Country Field Trip | Dec 5-29, 2024 | More info
Join Thunderbird Show Park this December for Christmas in the Country! This indoor event offers a fun opportunity to learn about agriculture in the Lower Mainland. Get up close with an 800-pound Speckled Park cow and discover the chick hatching process through hands-on exhibits and workshops. Students can enjoy the hobby horse kids’ course and admire dazzling light displays, all while celebrating the holiday spirit!

Teen Fact-Checking Network program at MediaSmarts | Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy | Deadline Dec 15, 2024 | More info
MediaSmarts is excited to bring back the Teen Fact-Checking Network program for a second year! This project provides teens with digital media literacy training and empowers them with critical thinking skills to tell what is true online. You can watch the videos produced by the first bilingual cohort of teen fact-checkers on the MediaSmarts website (“More info” link above).
They are looking for teens ages 13 to 18 who have an interest in social media, journalism and verifying information to join the program. Selected participants will produce at least two fact-check videos for MediaSmarts’ YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok channels. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2024.

Now Accepting School Health Grant for Youth applications | Deadline Dec 20, 2024 | More info
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is now accepting applications for the School Health Grant for Youth! Applications that meet all eligibility criteria set out in the Youth Grant Applicant Guide will be approved on a first-come first-served basis until December 20, 2024 at 11:59 AM EST, or until funds are fully expended (whichever comes first)!
Canadian students aged 16 to 19 that are enrolled in secondary or post-secondary school, can apply for a $1000 grant. This grant is for creating a project that encourages healthy living, and must take place in a school-setting, aligning with health promotion goals. This grant program encourages youth to put their ideas into action while giving back to their school with a focus on one of the following priority areas: reducing substance-related harms, positive mental health and well-being, healthy eating and nutrition or physical activity.
For additional information, please visit their website at the “More info” link above. To request an Application Form please reach out to PHAC directly via email at school.health.grant-subvention.sante.scolaire@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Vancouver Island Short Film Festival | Deadline end of January | More info
If you haven’t heard of the VISFF before, it’s an amazing annual short film festival dedicated to recognizing incredible filmmakers from around the world. This year is the VISFF’s 20th anniversary, a huge accomplishment for our unique festival held in Nanaimo, British Columbia, on the coast of Vancouver Island. We are excited to invite student and youth filmmakers to submit their short films to the VISFF for a chance to gain recognition, to have their film screened at the festival, and for a chance at the prestigious VISFF Goldie awards. This year VISFF is excited to present its second annual Youth Showcase, a program of 15 short films by young people aged 18 years old and younger. It is a family-friendly program that allows young filmmakers to screen their films in a supportive, youth-centered festival environment and will conclude with a Youth Goldie Award Ceremony. Here’s some important information to know:

  • Festival is May 3rd, 2025 @ 1pm in Nanaimo and streaming online
  • Films should be submitted through FilmFreeway. Use this waiver code when submitting:  SD68VISFF2024
  • The waiver code for students to submit their films to the VISFF is: 20VISFFYOUTH2025
  • Submissions are open now, and will stay open until the end of January 2025 for youth filmmakers.
  • VISFF on FilmFreeway can be found here:   www.filmfreeway.com/visff
  • Can’t attend? The VISFF is streamed online for filmmakers and fans alike to participate!
  • Want to know more about the VISFF? Check out this link! https://visff.com/about-organization/
  • Need more info? Feel free to reach out anytime and someone on our team will get back to you as soon as possible. For questions and inquiries related to the Youth Showcase, feel free to reach out to: nick@visff.com

LEARNING RESOURCES

New hands-on Winter Activity and Giveaway | Power Smart for Schools | More info
Power Smart for Schools is excited to share a new easy and hands-on activity. Using simple paper circuits and LEDs, students can make fun winter designs that light up to make your classroom extra cozy for the holidays. As a gift to teachers, we’re giving away a limited number of kits that include the unique materials you need for this activity. Materials are also easy to purchase elsewhere if you don’t nab one of our free kits. Read all about our new activity and giveaway on the Power Up blog.

TECH TIPS

MyBlueprint

Winter Training Opportunities
Register for engaging live webinar sessions to jump into SpacesEDU and gain tips on digital documentation and personalizing student learning!

  • Are you looking for a refresher? Join us for an upcoming Getting Started with SpacesEDU: Your First Class Webinar on Tuesday, January 7 at6:30 pm ET (7:30 AT, 5:30 CT, 4:30 MT, 3:30 PT). Be sure to sign up to join live and receive the recording afterwards!
  • Growth Over Grades Podcast: Spotlight on the Learner
  • In episode seven, SpacesEDU’s Jordan Lewis delves into learner-centered education with guests Alin Bennett and Bobbi Macdonald from Education Reimagined, highlighting how this strategy can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for supportive and inclusive learning environments.

Implementation Strategies for Teachers
How can we continually foster an environment of inclusion in our classrooms? SpacesEDU supports inclusion and we’ve created a list of 15 helpful strategies just for you. Check them out!

  • Using the GrowthBook and the Proficiency Report to support your assessment practices? Check out this new resource for helpful tips to track differentiation, promote proficiency-based assessment, and ensure you are keeping track of curriculum expectations.
  • Continuum of Expectations:This helpful resource provides a framework for K-6 students as they engage with SpacesEDU, promoting scaffolding and the gradual release of responsibility as students take ownership of their learning. Share this at an upcoming staff meeting or K-6 professional learning session!

Newsletter: Focus on Equity and Inclusion
As educators, we have the all-important task of ensuring each student feels valued, respected, and listened to. Discussing and defining inclusion with your students is an important first step to ensure students understand the importance of valuing all voices and meeting diverse needs. Students can be active participants in fostering a positive classroom community!

At SpacesEDU, we value diversity and inclusion and aim to support this in many ways:

  • Using 1:1 Spaces is a great way to differentiate learning. 1:1 Spaces can be assigned to one, multiple, or all students, offering flexibility to meet various learning needs. Also, the ability for audio/video postsand comments makes it easy for students to share their ideas.
  • Tracking proficiencies using the GrowthBookand Proficiency Report can help highlight students’ varying strengths and areas of need, highlighting opportunities for guided instruction and re-teaching opportunities.
  • Click here to learn more helpful strategies to support differentiated instruction!

Instructional Services | #Think35

4875 222 Street, Langley
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Phone: 6045347891
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