In the Loop – February 14, 2025

February 14, 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:

New Rubiks Cube Kit | More info

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

Free Indigenous Education Resources
Thank you for being part of the Think Langley Odyssey 2025 Conference and for your commitment to Truth & Reconciliation! In case you missed Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s session on Indigenous Education through the Lens of Sport, we’ve got you covered. You can access all of our FREE education programs and resources at no cost at the links below.

All of our virtual live and on-demand education programs are available at no cost and can be accessed through a free membership.

Exclusive GIVEAWAY for Odyssey 2025 Delegates! | Enter by TODAY February 14, 2025 | Register
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is offering two $100 Amazon e-gift cards to teachers who sign up for their free membership by Friday, February 14, 2025. Simply register for your free membership at https://beyondthewin.ca, and you’ll automatically be entered! Winners will receive their e-gift cards via email the following week.

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

Words Matter #getliterate  l On-Demand Learning Feature
Just as language literacy and numeracy are important, so is mental health literacy. The goal for school mental health is to improve mental health literacy among students, school staff, and parents.
The focus of the workshop is to: introduce a common language around mental health; promote the reduction of stigma; increase knowledge around what is/what is not a mental illness; provide an overview of the more common mental health concerns and disorders encountered in a school setting; and begin a conversation around good mental health practices, which includes seeking help when appropriate.

First people’s principals of learning included are:  
•  Intercultural understanding, empathy, & mutual respect.
•  Exploration of identity.
•  Generational roles & responsibilities.
•  Holistic, reflexive, reflective, etc.
•  Knowledge is sacred.
•  Patience & time.
•  Recognizing consequences of actions
•  Well-being of self, family, community, etc.

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.

Building Thinking Classrooms – Session Canceled on Feb. 18, 2025

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Advancing Anti-Racism and Resilience through Mentorship and Leadership: A BCBELA Black Leaders Symposium | February 15, 2025 | Register
This one-day professional development symposium in partnership with UBC Connects and the BC Black Educational Leaders Association will bring together racialized leaders, community advocates, and allies from diverse sectors and communities to engage in impactful conversations about equity, inclusion, and leadership.

Through keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, it will:

  • Empower racialized leaders to share their experiences, insights, and strategies for success.
  • Build a supportive network that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and resource sharing across sectors.
  • Advocate for change by addressing systemic challenges faced by racialized professionals and communities and promoting equitable policies and practices

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

Join SENgage to mark Black History Month | February 20, 2025 | Registration closes TODAY Feb 14, 2025 | Register
This virtual event is taking place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. to celebrate Black History Month. This one-hour event, open to students between the ages of 10 and 17 from across Canada, will focus on this year’s national theme: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” With senators present to share their stories, the event promises to be an engaging and inspiring conversation for the next generation of leaders — your students! Simultaneous interpretation will be provided during the event, allowing participants to listen in either French or English. Participation is free. Please contact SENgage@sen.parl.gc.ca if you have any questions.

Interactive, Fun & Free! Register for High School Economics Field Trips Now! | Grade 8-12 Students | Deadline today February 14, 2025
Turn textbook concepts into real-world experiences with our FREE one-day High School Economics Field Trips! Through interactive, hands-on activities, students will see economics in action—making learning engaging, fun, and unforgettable. These field trips are open to students in grades 8-12 and applicable to a variety of courses like Business Studies, Career Education, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Social Studies and more.
Make sure your students don’t miss out on this great learning opportunity! Registration for Burnaby Field Trips closes February 14 and limited spots are available.
Program Dates:

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.

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

“Assess THAT” Podcast with Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso | Listen Here
“Assess That” is an excellent ongoing podcast on assessment hosted by Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso. Please check out their latest podcast that has just been released – “3 Year Checklist for Implementing Standards-Based Grading.” In this episode, Tom and Nat share a three-year checklist for implementing standards-based grading. Of course, every checklist must be checked against the culture and nuances of each specific situation but generally, this checklist will provide a road map that can at least initiate the journey.

Feeding Futures Newsletter | Read It Here
Below please find the link to the District’s January Feeding Futures Newsletter – the Feeding Futures Program is an important program in our District to support students and families in need. The purpose for sharing the newsletter here is to help spread the word and information about the Feeding Futures Program. Please feel free to share with families as well.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Black History Month Resources & Podcast | More info

  • MYLEGACY Podcast | Listen Now
    Step inside the lives of extraordinary individuals with My Legacy, the podcast and syndicated radio show defining what it means to create a Living Legacy. Hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger, each episode features incredible guests like Mel Robbins, Billy Porter and Martin Sheen—along with their “plus one,” a loved one or trusted confidante offering rare insights into their trials, triumphs, and truths behind their incredible journeys.
  • Lesson Packages for Grades K-12: With PowerPoints to help guide your instruction | Lesson Plans
  • Issue Cards | Spark essential conversations among students | Download Action Cards

New Units to celebrate women in STEM | Power Smart for Schools | More info
Organizations around the world recognize February 11 as the international day of women and girls in science. This day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of women in STEM and encourage more girls to pursue their passion for the sciences.

To support this effort, we are releasing two new units:

  • Women in STEM, then and now (Grade 5)
  • Women in STEM, past and present (Grade 8)

These units feature activities that explore women’s scientific innovations and empower all students to pursue their passion for science. Learn more on the Power Up Blog 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.

Raising Digitally Resilient Kids – Parent Workshop/Resource | Resources
The Raising Digitally Resilient Kids parent workshop outlines how parents and guardians can support children’s well-being and help them balance the risks and benefits of digital media. Based on insights from MediaSmarts’ research with youth, the workshop provides an overview of online risk categories and provides resources and essential strategies that participants can take to manage these risks. You can find all of these resources at the link above.

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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