In the Loop – February 16, 2023

February 16, 2023

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

A Conversation with Len Pierre | On-Demand Learning Feature
Join us for a conversation with Len Pierre. Len is a member of our local Katzie first nation, and is also a parent in our district. He is a social activist, and a proponent for change in breaking down the colonial institutions in Canada by shining a spotlight on the damage these practices continue to have in our country.  “It is no longer enough to be not racist, but instead we need to be anti-racist.” In this session, Len speaks to us about Indigenous Cultural Safety, Allyship, and Anti-racism in schools.

DIVERSITY AND RESPECT WEEK – FEBRUARY 20-24

Diversity and Respect Binder
February 20 to 24 is Diversity and Respect Week in the Langley School District. To support classroom teachers and staff with this week, the school district has created a Diversity and Respect resource binder filled with activities, lessons and resources that can be used to support learning on this week and throughout the year.  You can access the binder at this link: Diversity Resources.

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

Read-Speak-Champion Virtual Author Series with Leslie Gentile | February 28 | Register
As contemporary educators, we have a responsibility to share diverse stories and varied perspectives with our students. The Read. Speak. Champion Virtual Author Series is dedicated to spotlighting Canada’s BIPOC and LGBTQ2IAS+ authors.
Calling all intermediate and middle school teachers! Sign your class up for a virtual, interactive session with Indigenous author & musician Leslie Gentile! She will be sharing about her book Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand, her writing process and answering student questions.

ACT CPR and AED Training Workshop | May 19 | Register
Local CPR instructors will train phys. ed teachers in CPR-A followed by our Opioid Overdose Response Training and train-the-trainer session, enabling teachers to deliver the ACT High School CPR and AED program at their schools. Certificates provided by the training agency and ACT Foundation.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Teacher Workshop | Fraser Institute | March 3, 2023 | Register
In Vancouver, Fraser Institute will be hosting the Economic Principles Workshop on Friday March 3rd. Teachers will gain access to pre-made lesson plans developed by economic experts and engaging activities. Travel bursaries are limited so be sure to register today.

Teacher Workshop | Fraser Institute | Waitlist
The new Fundamentals of Environment Economics Webinar received a great deal of interest and spaces filled up in under a week. This webinar provides insight into environmental topics such as tragedy of the commons, land use, etc. and those registered on the waitlist will be contacted first for registration for the next offering of this workshop.

Indigenous Art Practices: A Professional Development Series | Register
SFU is offering a series of three sessions, running from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (PT) on the following dates: March 1, March 8, April 5.
Educators participating in Indigenous Art Practices will learn more about Indigenous Arts, including visual, music, dance, and story. These free online sessions will include opportunities to explore Indigenous art, related materials and educational resources. Educators will learn about practices and protocols to respectfully engage with Indigenous art and, by the end of the series, they will have drafted an initial plan to incorporate learning about Indigenous Arts in their classrooms and/or teaching practice. View series information.
Please note: As this is a learning series, we request that participants attend all three sessions when they register.

PHE & The New Reporting Order Learning Series | More info
PHE BC is offering a three-part webinar learning series on PHE & The New Reporting Order.  The series is designed to help PHE teachers with the implementation of the new Ministry Reporting Order which goes into effect in September 2023.  Each session will focus on a different topic related to assessment and reporting under the new order.  Sessions are free to attend but pre-registration is required.  Dates are February 23, April 20 and May 25 – please see flyer for more details.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

The 2023 Great Big Crunch grant opportunity | Deadline to apply Feb 17
This year, throughout the month of March, many thousands will gather in person in their school, at home, at work and online with friends and colleagues to highlight the importance of healthy food at school and call for a Healthy School Food Program for Canada. You are invited to host your own crunch or join the Coalition for Healthy School Food and students from coast to coast to coast for a Virtual Great Big Crunch on March 9, 2023 at 1:00 pm EST. More info. Register for the Event here.
This year, the BC Chapter is excited to be able to offer a small number of Great Big Crunch microgrants to support Great Big Crunch events across BC! Learn more and apply for a $300 microgrant here: https://forms.gle/Syf2vFqLPhA9eQ116.

#thatwellnessthing | March 1, 2023 | More info
Join us to learn more about mental health and wellness at our fourth annual open house & community resource fair at the Langley Education Centre. Presentations and information tables include mental health & wellness, substance use resources and employment.

High School Field Trip Opportunities | Fraser Institute | Register
These one-day field trips are a great way to get students (grade 8-12) to engage with the economic concepts they learn in class through hands on activities. The program examines concepts like marginal decision-making, trade and incentives and utilizes a mixture of learning methods, ranging from large room lecture to hands-on activities. The program is completely free and includes a complementary pastry breakfast and lunch for teachers and students.

  1. March 13, 2023 – Victoria, BC – Hotel Grand Pacific – Registration closes March 3, 2023
  2. April 26, 2023 – Vancouver, BC – UBC
  3. April 27, 2023 – Burnaby, BC – Hilton Metrotown
  4. April 28, 2023 – Burnaby, BC – Hilton Metrotown

Student Essay Contest | Fraser Institute | Submission deadline June 1, 2023
This year students get to choose a current topic that sparks their interest and examine how  our Essential Scholars might respond to, rebuttal or explain their chosen topic. Learn more about the contest here. Visit www.essentialscholars.org to learn more about history’s great economic thinkers.

Bees@Schools 2023 Program | More info
The University of Guelph is offering an exciting opportunity to provide a hands-on learning experience to grade 4 to 12 science classes while contributing to an exciting new research initiative. The Bees@Schools project is installing wild cavity-nesting bee boxes (also known as bee hotels) at 200 schools across Canada in 2023 to track the distribution of these pollinators and what flowers they are using. These boxes mimic natural nesting sites for leafcutting bees, mason bees, and small carpenter bees. For anyone interested in this project please apply here. Applications are open March 1 – 31, 2023.

Join LEPS to celebrate Earth Day on April 19 | More info
We are hosting an event for Township of Langley schools to attend at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum. Various times to attend throughout the day, depending on grade and class size. Fill a bus with 2-3 classes! Limited space available. Busses have been reserved on behalf of LEPS until March 1, bussing fee is the responsibility of the class. Enquire today to reserve your spot! Email education@leps.bc.ca

Portable Wall Rock Climbing Service for Schools | Approach Climbing
Approach Climbing has a portable wall rock climbing service, a unique and exciting addition to any event or school. They offer wall climbing classes for schools as part of their educational programs. These classes provide students with a fun and challenging physical activity that teaches teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Their experienced instructors will lead the classes and ensure that all students are safe and having fun. They are currently working with a few Middle and High Schools in the lower mainland. For more information or to get a quote, please contact michael@approachclimbing.ca

LEARNING RESOURCES

Home Language Day | February 21, 2023
Did you know the District Learning Commons has a huge collection of dual language picture books for you to borrow and use in your classroom?  The books support almost all of our home languages here in the Langley School District. To check out the collection and some videos/photos of all the great books, click on the link: https://sway.office.com/qbfcZW739otNIwLe?ref=Link

Len Pierre | Transformative Territory Acknowledgement Guide
As a follow-up to Len Pierre’s Odyssey presentation last Friday, below is a link to Len’s “Transformative Territory Acknowledgement Guide” that was referenced as part of his introduction. Transformative Territory Acknowledgement Guide 2022.pdf

New Ministry Anti-Racism Resource
An important new resource, Anti-Racism: A Guide for Teachers, is now available. Developed by a team of B.C. IBPoC educators, this guide will give B.C. teachers additional tools and strategies for including anti-racism education in their teaching practices to help foster learning through an anti-racist lens to address discrimination and celebrate diversity.

Implementing a Sound Wall in your Classroom
Many classroom teachers were provided with a Sound Wall for their classroom last year, but some are still not 100% sure on how to implement it into their daily practice. The document at the link below will provide teachers with access to a video series and podcast on what a sound wall is and how to implement it into the classroom as well as the District Sound Wall order form if your school would like to order more for those teachers who may not have one!
Implementing a Sound Wall Information .pdf

Supporting Student Health Guide
Please find below the link to the new Supporting Student Health Guides from the Ministry of Education! This guide is a great starting point for teachers when it comes to teaching a variety of health education topics. While not a step-by-step guide for teaching these subjects, it does provide useful suggestions, instructional strategies and resources that will assist in covering these topics with students.  There is both an Elementary and Secondary version available.
Supporting_Student_Health_Elementary.pdf
Supporting_Student_Health_Secondary.pdf

TECH TIPS

ARTICLE: Google unveils new AI search capabilities as rivalry with Microsoft intensifies
Google unveiled several new search capabilities and a demo of its AI chatbot, known as Bard, a day after Microsoft announced plans to inject AI into its Bing search engine and Edge web browser.
Google’s spate of AI announcements come after the tech giant reportedly issued a ‘code red’ to rapidly accelerate its AI strategy, following the viral success of rival ChatGPT and Microsoft’s US$10 billion investment in the product. Read more here.

TIP 1: Using MS Translator in a Presentation
Microsoft PowerPoint natively supports translation, creating subtitle translations to your presentations in real time. How-to:  Using MS Translator in a Presentation  (Web view)

TIP 2: Microsoft Reflect
A check-in app to support connection, expression, and learning with students through a Class Team or Class Notebook. How-To: 21. Reflect  (Web view)

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