In the Loop – January 21, 2022

January 20, 2022

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY

 

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

SORA APP:
As we continue our individual and professional commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, her are two SORA recommendations to further deepen and engage with learning/teachings from Indigenous authors. Access instructions on how to use the SORA app here. Special thanks to the Aboriginal Department for the curated resources they have made available to all staff and students in the Langley School District.

“Indian” in the Cabinet by Jodi Wilson-Raybould
Form: Memoir, Length: long, on SORA in audiobook
About:  A compelling political memoir of leadership and speaking truth to power by one of the most inspiring women of her generation. Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canada’s first Indigenous Minister of Justice and Attorney General, chronicles her experience in Trudeau’s cabinet and reveals important lessons about how we must continue to strengthen our political institutions and culture.

Did you know that SORA has several Read Along picture books? These picture books are digitally displayed, and the story is read aloud while highlighting the words as they are spoken. Here are a few Read Along Selections found on SORA:

Little You, Richard Van Camp & Julie Flett
Form: Picture Book with Read Along
About: Celebrates the potential of every child.

We Sang You Home, Richard Van Camp & Julie Flett
Form: Picture Book with Read Along feature
About: Celebration of the bond between parents and child.

My Heart Fills with Happiness, Monique Gray Smith & Julie Flett
Form: Picture Book with Read Along feature
About: How to cherish the moments in life that brings us joy.

You Hold Me Up, Monique Gray Smith & Danielle Daniel
Form: Picture Book with Read Along feature
About: Encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions.

Literature Matters: Katherena Vermette and Richard Van Camp- Free Online Event Access here
Katherena Vermette (Red River Métis – Michif) talking on storymaking and Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ Dene) on storytelling, followed by a conversation. February 10, 4pm.

 

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

On-Demand Learning – browse and register here
Welcome to On-Demand Learning, your one-stop shop for all of SD35’s fantastic webinar content. Free to all Langley Staff, On-Demand currently hosts sites and videos from Boot Camp 2021 and Connecting the Pieces 2021 – with more to come!

New! Sound Boxes: The Why, How, What, When and Where – January 26, 2022 [Register]
This Bite-Sized Pro-D session will take you through the procedure for teaching early readers and writers about sound boxes. Join us for a quick look on how you can implement this in your K-2 (and beyond) classroom throughout your literacy time.

Geocaching 101 – January 26, March 2 [Register]
In this two-part workshop, you will learn how to use a GPS (Global Positioning System) device in order to take your class outside and explore your local place through geocaching. In session 1, you will learn about the GPS units, how to find geocaching sites around Langley and how to create your own geocache. In session 2, we will spend time in a local environment putting this knowledge into practice.

Save the Date Odyssey 2022 – February 11, 2022
Listen. Reflect. Act. Waking up to our collective responsibility.

Odyssey is our annual K-12 professional development conference open to all Langley School District staff and to guests from out-of-district. More information will be coming from your Administration in your school or work site.

Rescheduled! La collaboration en immersion française (M-7e)
April 12 (Kindergarten), April 19 (Gr. 1-3), April 26 (Gr. 4-7) [Register]
Veuillez nous joindre en janvier! Collaborez, partagez, apprennez, questionnez et mangez! Les séances sont organisés par niveau et nous allons discuster les sujets suivants: la progression des sons, les mots fréquents, le vocabulaire commun, la progression de la grammaire, les livres pour nos élèves (étude de roman, cercles littéraires), les resources utiles, et les autres items que vous aimeriez discuter et/ou partager. Public: Enseignants de James Kennedy et Belmont.

 

EXTERNAL STUDENT/STAFF OPPORTUNITIES and LEARNING RESOURCES

Leo’s Journey: The Story of an Auschwitz Survivor: In recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday Jan. 27, the Ministry encourages secondary schools to share with their students the story of Leo Lowy, a survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The video, Leo’s Journey – In My Father’s Words, offers a powerful reminder of the atrocities inflicted upon millions of Jews during World War II and can serve as an important tool for teaching students about the need to combat persecution and hatred in our modern world. Please contact Leo’s son, Richard, if you’d like to learn more about the video or to arrange a Zoom conference with Richard for your class

Student Public Speaking Competition – February 4, 2022 deadline
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (more info) offers an annual public speaking competition for students in grades 6-12. While their office is located in Toronto, the pandemic has allowed the competition to move online across Canada. Last year entries from six different Canadian provinces and territories were received, and you can view them here. While some BC students participated last year, MORE entries from BC are encouraged this year! The program flyer has all the details for you.

Supporting Teachers to Teach Online:
Please visit this website for a free online module to support teachers teaching online.

CAfLN Special Workshops (register)
Are you looking for a group of like-minded educators who want to talk about the issues surrounding instruction, technology, and assessment?

Rejoin us as we work together in this existing environment to find others who want to further their educational practice by learning and sharing with others across the country. Rejoining us as a member provides you with access to members-only activities, reduced conference fees, resource access on the web page, and access to a network of educators across Canada.

Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School communities:
Online/ Virtual training provided through B.C.’s erase strategy in partnership with Safer Schools Together Description: Trauma-informed practices help to create environments where the brain is able to learn rather than exist in a state of hyperarousal. By understanding trauma and its effects, school staff can respond to challenging behaviour in a way that supports the students, families, and staff alike. This online session will address the impact that COVID-19 has had on school communities, what trauma may look like, and best practices.

Multiple dates are available: January 21, February 7 or March 4 (click on preferred date to register)
8:50 am –  Remote Meeting Room admittance
9:00 am – 3:30 pm Event (PST)
Cost: Complimentary (Funded by B.C.’s Ministry of Education

Outdoor Learning Resources:  Canadian School System Outdoor Learning Leaders
Staff can sign up for our seasonal updates here. View a list of over 30 professional learning opportunities & initiatives from our Canadian partners for the season ahead, such as:

  1. Top 5 Winter Resource & Equipment Picks
  2. Free Outdoor Learning Virtual Winter Workshop Series
  3. Earthy Chats Podcast

Field Studies at Trinity Western University – Science in the Valley Program (more info)
Science in the Valley for  is returning again this May 2022 Grades 3 – 7 students and registration will open on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 9am. To register, please email to Liz Robertson with the following information:

  • Teacher Name:
  • Teacher Email:
  • School:
  • Grade:
  • Number of students (one class per session):
  • Program Registering:
  • 3 dates and times that DO work for your class to attend:

In February, Liz will contact you with the date and time that your class is booked. Once you are booked, please send a $250 non-refundable deposit. (If COVID restrictions require us to cancel, your $250 deposits will be refunded to you.)

The following programs will be offered this year:

  1. Grade 7- Chemistry, “Matter Matters”- 9:15-11:15am OR 12:15-2:15pm. May 3-6, 9-13, 16-20, 24-27, 30-31 (2 hours in Chemistry LAB, $250 class minimum, $12 per student)
  2. Grade 6 – Biology, “Life Through a Looking Glass” – 9:15-11:15am OR 12:15-2:15pm. May 3-6, 9-13, 16-20 (2 hours in Biology Lab, $250 class minimum, $12 per student)Either Ecosystems OR Salmon in the Valley offered 9:30am- 2:00pm. May 3-6, 9-13, 16-20, 24-27, 30-31
  3. Grade 5- Ecology, “Ecosystems and Human Impact” – 4.5 hours in Ecosystem Study Area OUTSIDE, $250 class minimum, $12 per student
  4. Grade 3 or 4 – Environmental Studies, “Salmon in the Valley” – 4.5 hours in Ecosystem Study Area OUTSIDE, $250 class minimum, $12 per student

Productive Fitness – Free Resources for PE Teachers! (more info)
As many as you need!  Simply send an email and mention that you are taking advantage of the handbook donation offer. They will need to know which title(s), how many copies you’d like and your mailing address, including an ‘attention to’ information.

Future Goals: Hockey Scholar STEM (more info)
As you’re aware EVERFI & The Vancouver Canucks have once again teamed up and are excited to work with you through their Future Goals: Hockey Scholar STEM program for the 21-22 school year.

Across multiple school districts this year, virtual workshops with multiple classes simultaneously have met online (through Meets, Teams or Zoom) to introduce teachers to the 20+ no cost resources available, and also set the students up with access to the hockey-based STEM program.

The benefit of this session is that teachers learn about the platform & how to implement the resources whilst their students are going through the modules — and we’ve been receiving great feedback about this approach!

Fraser River Discovery Centre – River School Programs! (more info)
The FRDC is an interpretive centre located on the New Westminster Quay that presents the stories of the living, working Fraser River and its history. Our school programs are offered at the centre, online, at your school, or in a kit (poster)! Our programs are place-based, interactive, and curriculum-connected, and are designed to encourage students of all ages to feel connected with our home, the Fraser River Basin, and explore a variety of topics from endangered sturgeon to Indigenous fishing techniques.

FREE Virtual assembly & online resources for Langley
Are you looking for an easy way to engage your students in taking care of the world and themselves? Thanks to the Township of Langley, DreamRider is offering FREE, FUN and ENGAGING online learning opportunities to build school spirit and inspire your students to become environmental superheroes!

Zero Heroes: zero waste-focused (more info)

Keep Cool: climate action-focused (more info)

Sweatin’ for Science is back for 2022! – May 1 – 31 (more info)
Fitness is more fun with friends! With the ongoing pandemic continuing to limit our social and community engagement opportunities, it’s important to seek out safe ways to connect with friends, family, colleagues and like-minded folks.

Form a team to take part in the challenge:
Companies – Gather your colleagues to build culture and camaraderie with a #corporateteam!
Schools/Classes – Challenge other classrooms or schools to a fun fitness challenge with education in mind #schoolpride
Family – Tell your parents you’d like to spend some more quality time together and pledge to go for an evening walk every night after dinner! #familytime
Friends – Connect virtually or in-person with your friends near and far and form a #bffsquad

Early Bird registration is now open and the rates are available until February 13, 2022.

Michael Smith Challenge 2022 – Tuesday, February 15, 2022 (more info):
Help us identify the rising stars of 21st century science! This year we will be using the UBC Canvas (student management) system to implement the challenge. Teachers will no longer need to provide a list of participating students upon registration, but should keep track of which students are participating from their schools. The 2022 Challenge will be run entirely online – students will complete the challenge online at school or at home. No teacher invigilation is required.

  • Open to any student registered in Grade 10 science or lower.
  • To register you must be a teacher or official at the student’s board-accredited school. We do not accept individual registrations by students or their parents.
  • Students who have started their grade 11 science courses for a month or more prior to the Challenge official writing date, or have completed any grade 11 level science course, are not eligible for the competition.
  • There will be a charge of $6.00 per script marked – this is to cover the cost of hiring students to organize, translate, and mark the examination.
  • Previous exams and solutions are available on the website.

Please note: you must create a new user account EACH YEAR.

Contestants may use books and the web during the exam. We will be testing students’ ability to find scientific information quickly and accurately. However, students must not seek or receive help from any individual person or tutoring service, and must not offer help or information to any other contestant.

If you have any questions, please send an email us and thank you again for supporting the Michael Smith Challenge!

Instructional Services | #Think35

4875 222 Street, Langley
BC, V3A 3Z7
Phone: 6045347891
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