February 8, 2024

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY

• Clickable PDF to Key Resources in Langley
• Instructional Services Website: For all your district-vetted resources K-12!  Check it out!
• Aboriginal Resources vetted by the District
• TCS Sites (TCS SS-grade 3, 4-8, Secondary): Key resources are still being placed in these Teams. If you need access to one of these Teams, please email dzurbuchenjonker@sd35.bc.ca
• District Learning Commons is a lending library of classroom and teaching resources available to all school staff in the Langley School District. All of our items are available to view and book online through the Insignia Library system. Find instructions, an area to check out new resources, request new resources and report lost or damages kits here: https://sway.office.com/qbfcZW739otNIwLe?ref=Link
  We deliver and pick up all the items you request through district mail twice per week (check with your admin assistant to see which days your deliveries are on).

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February is Black History Month in Canada.  Please check out all of the excellent resources below that are available to educators to help bring Black History Month alive in your classroom.

National Film Board | More info
The National Film Board has various resources available to celebrate Black History Month.

• Teach citizenship education through animated films | Watch Now
• Study Guide – Exploring Black Communities in Canada Through Film | Age 13+ | Watch now
• The Impact and Influence of Black Music | Watch now

Curio | Log in
Curio is proud to offer an incredible selection of titles across a number of subject areas that shed light on the Black experience in Canada. From Enslaved to the Underground Railroad, and the Black Lives Matter movement to the Elimination of Black History Month all together, there is a story for every learner to explore.

• Social Justice, Culture: “For the Culture” | Elementary Ages 8-11 & Secondary
• Equity, Culture: “Freedom Swell” | Secondary
• Black History: “Black history month” | Elementary 8-11 & Secondary
• Black History: ” Free Up” | Secondary
• Black History Series: “The Porter” | Secondary

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

The Path to Reconciliation: Embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into Our Schools with Len Pierre | On-Demand Learning Feature
The Path to Reconciliation: Embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into Our Schools. Join Len Pierre as we embark on this year’s Ensouling Our Schools Series. In this session, Len talks to us about what Colonial Socialization means, and how it has created anti-Indigenous sentiments that go right to the heart of “Canadian Values.” How do we recognise our biases, and how to address the anti-Indigenous learning we were indoctrinated into as Canadians? How do we create school systems and classrooms that are safe places for our Indigenous Learners?

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

ODYSSEY 2024 | February 16, 2024
The Langley School District is excited to be returning to an in-person Odyssey Conference on February 16, 2024!  The theme of Odyssey 2024 is “Opening Our Hearts,” where we will continue to highlight our District’s commitment to learning the truth, and taking meaningful steps forward together in reconciliation. While one important aspect of learning the truth is acknowledging and understanding the effects and traumas of our shared colonial history, we hope that through our keynote presentation and a wide range of workshops and breakout sessions, we are able to “open our hearts” to another aspect of the truth: the acknowledgement and celebration of Indigenous peoples, cultures, knowledge, learning and pedagogy, and the impact it has on our students and district.

Our day will begin at the Langley Events Centre for our Opening Ceremony and Keynote presentations by Drew Hayden-Taylor and the Git Hayetsk Dancers. Afterwards, breakout sessions will be taking place at R.E. Mountain and Peter Ewart.

Please note that while snacks and refreshments will be available at R.E. Mountain and Peter Ewart, there will be no food or drink provided at the Langley Events Centre in the morning. Lunch is not included as part of this conference. Pre-Registration is now closed for this conference. However, if you would still like to attend, you can register at the Langley Events Centre (Gate 1) on Friday, February 16 at 7:30 am. To make registration quicker, please come prepared with a list of sessions you’re interested in attending.

Getting Started with Book Creator | February 13 & February 27, 2024
Curious about Book Creator? Book Creator is a District approved app that is available to teachers to use with their classes that allows students to create and publish high-quality books as part of a rich classroom literacy program.  If you would like to learn more about Book Creator and get an introduction to how you could get started with Book Creator in your classroom, please join us and Jon Smith from Book Creator for these virtual sessions on Tuesday February 13 and Tuesday February 27.  Sessions will be held on Teams and can be accessed via the links below.

• Feb 13th Session with Book Creator: An Introductory Session | Teams Link
• Feb 27th Session with Book Creator: An Introductory Session | Teams Link

DATE CHANGE! STUDENT INCLUSIVE CONFERENCES AND SPACES | Feb. 20, 2024 I Register
Empower your students to take control of their learning journey with SpacesEDU, the ultimate digital portfolio tool designed for educators. Showcase student growth, provide tangible evidence of learning, and instill digital citizenship seamlessly. Join us to discover how SpacesEDU can revolutionize your classroom, fostering a culture of student ownership and engagement. Need another reason? SpacesEDU can help students build skills needed for STUDENT INCLUSIVE CONFERENCES, reduce teacher time gathering evidence of learning, increase organizational efficiency and reduce teacher time gathering evidence of learning during conferences.

Nurturing Young Writers (K – 3) with Matt Glover – Session 2 | Feb. 29, 2024 I Register
Writing Conferences are at the heart of teaching students to write well. They’re also challenging since they require teachers to make responsive, in the moment decisions. In this session we will use writing samples and video clips to examine strategies for more effective conferring with students.

That Wellness Thing | Langley Education Centre | March 6, 2024 | More info
Langley Education Centre is hosting its fifth annual wellness event on Wednesday March 6, 2024 from 4:30 – 7 pm! We hope you can join us. #thatwellnessthing features information and resources from a variety of community agencies, service providers, and some of our local post-secondary schools. There will be opportunities to try yoga and light refreshments will be served. The event is open to students 16+ and their families, staff, and the public.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Exploring Economic Systems Teacher Workshops | Fraser Institute | Register
In partnership with Foundation for Teaching Economics, Fraser Institute is offering their newest Teacher Workshop curriculum, Exploring Economic Systems: Socialism. This is a three-part course and will identify the major themes and shortcomings of socialism, using examples from Poland, Estonia, Sweden, and more! These programs will cover the questions of what socialism is, how it’s understood today, and its impacts in the past. Data, analysis, and student activities will highlight the history of socialist thought and application over time. Discussions will draw on the stark difference between the ideals of socialism and the economic results of socialist policies.

Centering Indigenous Pedagogies in Math Education Webinar Series | More info | Register
The Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre through UBC is offering a four part webinar series for teachers where leading scholars and educators explore strategies for centering Indigenous pedagogies in mathematics education. Sessions will focus on classroom teachers sharing examples, ideas, and questions on various Indigenous pedagogies such as Indigenous Storywork, teaching mathematics with/from place and land, and culturally responsive mathematics education and assessment practices. The series is free to educators.  Two sessions have already taken place but you can access the recoding to these sessions when you sign up.  The next session is coming up on  February 27 followed by a final session on April 9.  If you are unable to attend the live, after school sessions, registered participants will receive the recording. https://elvlc.educ.ubc.ca/unreal-5-cinematics/

CAfLN – Assessment as Communication Conference – October 3-5, 2024 | More info
The Canadian Assessment for Learning Network will be hosting their Fall Conference entitled “Let’s Talk – Assessment as Communication” in Canmore, Alberta this coming fall!  Save the dates – October 3 to 5, 2024.  More information and registration details still to come.  Check out the link above to learn more and see the incredible line-up of assessment experts who will be present. And to learn more about CAfLN and how to become a member, go to https://cafln.ca/.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

New innovative S.T.E.M. program for kids aged 8-12 here in Langley | More info
Maker Cube Academy will be a fun, creative program for kids to learn new skills and make new friends. They’ll explore woodworking, 3D printing, robotics, coding, and even pottery. The program will feature hands-on learning, with the opportunity for kids to go at their own pace and explore what they’re interested in! Maker Cube Academy takes place at Maker Cube, a local maker space that keeps our creative community thriving.
Registration is now open for their spring break camp and after school program with limited spots available! There’s also an early bird discount if you’d like to take advantage of 25% off that expires on February 12th, just use the code EARLYBIRD2024 at checkout. For questions about the program, contact Jacqueline Ali at jacqueline@makercube.ca.

The 2024 Great Big Crunch is coming up | March 7, 2024 | The Coalition for Healthy School Food | More info
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.
We invite you 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 7, 2024, at 1:00 pm EST, register for the event here. We are so pleased that Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, will be joining this year’s Great Big Crunch. Get your apples or other crunchy fruit or vegetable ready to crunch LOUD!

Spring 2024 High School Economics Field Trips | Fraser Institute | More info
Our high school field trips are back this semester! Registration is now open for field trips in Metro Vancouver and pre-registration for our Kelowna and Calgary programs. Bring your class to a fun-filled day of learning! These free one-day field trips are a great way to get students to engage with the economic concepts that they are learning in class through hands on activities, while also encouraging students to consider how economic concepts are reflected in their own thinking and daily interactions.
This learning opportunity is applicable across a broad range of courses like Business Education, Economics, Social Studies, Career Preparation and more!

2024 Student Essay Contest | Fraser Institute | More info
Our 2024 Student Essay Contest is officially open and we’d love to have your students join the conversation! This year’s question – “What would the Fraser Institute’s Essential Scholars say about the world today?” – encourages students to engage with a current case study of their choice and examine it through the lens of history’s greatest economic scholars.
Through this experience, students get to learn more about core economic concepts, and winners have the opportunity for their work to be published, peer-reviewed and receive a great cash prize! Visit our extensive Essential Scholars webpage, with our Essential Scholars books available in pdf and audiobook formats as well as consolidated into helpful educational videos.

Intro to Lacrosse Program for Schools | Grades K – 7 | More info
Lacrosse for Schools Fusion West Lacrosse is offering programs for schools to teach the history and skills of lacrosse. The education benefits are physical education and teaching indigenous history of the game of lacrosse. For more information contact Alex Turner at lfs@fusionwestlacrosse.com.

2024 Beauty and the Beast Digital School Tour | Calgary Opera | Register | Purchase
Students are offered the chance to enjoy the enchanting opera Beauty and the Beast through the Digital School Tour. Sung in English with closed captioning, Vittorio Giannini’s timeless tale encourages the exploration of beauty beyond the surface. This engaging and educational experience brings the magic of opera directly to your classroom. If you are interested, please “register” and “purchase” your access with the links above.

2024 Adopt a School application announcement | Indigo Love of Reading Foundation | More info |  Apply
The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt A School program is committed to supporting high-needs elementary schools across Canada with the goal of inspiring a love of reading in all children.
Adopt a School is a fundraising campaign and grant program designed in partnership with Indigo, Coles, Chapters, and Indigospirit stores to raise funds for literacy in schools across Canada. What makes this program so unique is that 100% of the funds raised by each store location goes directly to their partner school for the purchase of new books and literacy materials for their school and classroom libraries. This year’s fundraiser will take place in Fall 2024. Final campaign will be confirmed in the coming months.
If you know of a school interested in applying to be selected as a participating partner school, please review the information at the “More info” link above. School applications are due on Wednesday February 28^th, 2024 (11:59pm ET).

LEARNING RESOURCES

Happy Lunar New Year | Power Smart for Schools | More info
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon and inspire your students to explore new cultures and perspectives.
We developed new curriculum-aligned STEAM activities for K–7 students to learn about Lunar New Year. Through art, storytelling and hands-on crafts, they’ll explore the cultural significance of the day, the phases of the moon, and the connections between Indigenous and Chinese communities in B.C. Activities are available in English, French, and Mandarin.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES

Reggio-Inspired Mathematics Newsletter | Article
The B.C. Reggio Mathematics group is a professional collaborative inquiry group that examines how Reggio-inspired principles and practices can enhance the teaching and learning of math.  The B.C. Reggio group also publishes a regular newsletter for educators with a plethora of great teaching ideas, strategies, and resources.  They have just released their first newsletter of 2024 which can be accessed above.