January 30, 2025

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).

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!

Date TBD | Part 2 – Rewiring Reading Routines @ Wix-Brown

February 26, 2025, 3:30-4:30 | Part 2: The Anxious Generation Book Club – on TEAMS

April 7, 2025, 3:30-4:30 | Part 3: The Anxious Generation Book Club – on TEAMS

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Odyssey | Monday February 10, 2025 I  Pre-registration is closed
If you wish to attend or change your breakout sessions, please arrive at the Langley Event Center at 7:00am to register. Odyssey help desk will assist you.
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.  All District Staff are invited to attend and participate in this wonderful day of learning!

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

Career Spotlight – Business and Entrepreneurship l On-Demand Learning Feature
Learn about different careers in the business and Entrepreneurship industry! Presenters with backgrounds in Real Estate, Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship will talk about the occupation/role as well as their career journeys.

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.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Building the Future Workforce through Durable Skills in K-12 | SpacesEDU by myBlueprint | February 12, 2025 | Register
Join this special webinar for school and district leaders highlighting how to integrate durable skills into curriculum and instruction. Expert panelists Ann Nakaska (Constructive Career and Life Designs), Sabba Quidwai (Designing Schools), and Michael Crawford (America Succeeds) will share:

• Insight into workforce trends across Canada and the US and how education can respond to evolving employer expectations
• Why durable skills enhance long-term success and practical ways to foster development in K-12 schools
• How to assess and measure durable skills to ensure students are career-ready

Early Screening and Interventions Clinics: Removing Barriers and Providing Support | Feb 14, 2025 | Register
Join this Pro-D Opportunity  and learn how to jumpstart reading levels and intervene for struggling readers in Grades K to 3 with specific strategies.

• An easy, new, Skill-screening Tool that will help organize small group interventions.
• A downloaded Treasure Chest for each participant: Hundreds of playful games and activities that reinforce essential skills.
• A research-based rationale for each essential skill.

STEAM Teachers Café: AI in the Classroom | More info
In today’s world of rapidly advancing technology, understanding Artificial Intelligence is essential for educators! Join Science World and co-presenters UBC Geering Up as we explore all things “AI in the Classroom.” You’ll receive resources, fresh ideas, and even be entered for the chance to win a free guest admission to Science World! This workshop is open to all K-12 educators in BC.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

Curiosity to Career: Girls and STEAM International Women’s Day Livestream | March 7, 2025 | More info
Turn curiosity into careers! Join our Girls and STEAM International Women’s Day Livestream, presented by STEMCELL Technologies to meet inspiring women who transformed their childhood passions into thriving STEAM professions. Open to all genders—students and classrooms eager to explore the exciting possibilities of STEAM and to celebrate women’s achievements in these fields.

Sikh Heritage Month & Author Visit | Canadian Children’s Book Week April 27 – May 3, 2025 | More info
Kuljinder Kaur Brar is passionate about diverse representation in books and education. She is an elementary school teacher in Abbotsford, B.C. and is currently on a leave to spend time with her children. Kuljinder is the picture book author of My Name is Saajin Singh (Annick Press, 2022) and Mandeep’s Cloudy Days (Annick Press, 2024).
She will be touring with the Canadian Chilren’s Book Centre in the month of April, which is also Sikh heritage month. See the “More info” link above for requesting a booking.

Beyond the Win Education Programs | Resources to Kickstart 2025 | Book Your Free Program
Happy New Year from all of us at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame! We know the start of the year has been busy, and now that you’re back in full swing, we’re here to support you with new opportunities and resources designed to enrich your students’ learning experiences. Whether you’re looking for engaging stories to inspire resilience or fun activities to energize your students, we’ve got you covered.

• Hall of Famers on Tour with Cindy Klassen
• Artefact Talks: Follow Your Dreams
• Artefact Talks: Taking the Higher Ground

Group Visit Opportunity on Tuesdays and Thursdays | BC Sports Hall of Fame | Book Now
Looking for a team-building experience, school outing, or group day trip? Our group booking option is perfect for schools, sports teams, and other organizations looking to enjoy a memorable experience at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Plan Your Group Visit! Bookings take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Group Booking Highlights:

• Expert-Led Tours: Learn the stories behind the exhibits, the athletes, and the achievements that shaped BC’s sports landscape.
• Customizable Experiences: Tailor your visit to meet your group’s interests.
• Special Rates for Groups: Affordable pricing for schools, sports teams, and large groups to enjoy a memorable experience at the Hall.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES

LEARNING RESOURCES

Explore, Engage, Inspire: Learn with the Royal BC Museum | More info
The Learning and Engagement team is here to help you create meaningful connections between your curriculum and the rich history, culture, and nature that shape our world.
New French Programs are now available:

• Explore the Gold Rush of BC (delivered in French) | Designed for Grades 4-6 | Book Now
  Transport your class back to 1858, when gold fever gripped the Fraser River and transformed British Columbia forever. In this engaging program, students will uncover the unique properties of gold, explore the diverse motivations of prospectors, and examine the lasting impacts of the gold rush on BC’s people, land, and economy. Through historical insights and interactive discussions, your students will connect to key curriculum goals and gain a deeper understanding of colonialism, migration, and resource-driven change. After your session, dive deeper into the Gold Rush of BC with our free resources on the Learning Portal.

Free Resource Outreach Kits:

• The Writing on the Wall: Chinese Historical Wrongs | Designed for Grade 5 and 10 Social Studies | Learn More
  Explore big ideas in your classroom with our engaging Outreach Kits! In The Writing on the Wall, students will engage with historical evidence to think critically about how we understand history and its impacts today. This free resource is designed to support teachers in meeting curriculum goals and inspiring meaningful conversations about inclusion, resilience, and social justice.

Free Resource Learning Portal:

• Diversity in Early Black Communities | More info
  Uncover the rich histories and identities that shaped early Black communities in British Columbia! This engaging pathway explores the lives of leaders and settlers who came to BC. From the first governor of BC to pioneers in education, dentistry, and law enforcement, these individuals greatly contributed to the province’s development. Through photographs, stories, and historical accounts, students will learn how early Black settlers overcame challenges and enriched the cultural fabric of BC. Celebrate the diversity and achievements of these trailblazers in your classroom!

Monthly Live Online:

• Meet the Mammoth | February 18, 2025 | Register
  Our learning team educators will dive into the fascinating world of the Ice Age and the Woolly Mammoths that roamed it. Through images, videos, and objects, we’ll explore how these incredible creatures adapted to survive in such a harsh environment. This interactive session offers plenty of opportunities for questions and engagement.

TECH TIPS

MyBlueprint | SpacesEDU

• Winter Training Opportunities | February 5, 2025 | Register
  SpacesEDU’s 30-minute webinar sessions are the perfect quick refresher to get you on track for effectively using SpacesEDU! Join the Getting Started with SpacesEDU: Your First Class Webinar on Wednesday, February 5th. Be sure to sign up to join live and receive the recording afterwards!
• Growth Over Grades Podcast | Listen Here
  In episode nine, The Road to Future-Ready with Michael Crawford, Jordan Lewis sits down with Michael Crawford, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at America Succeeds, to discuss prioritizing durable skills in teaching and learning. Listen to hear Michael’s advice for adopting a skills-based approach in your school or classroom!
• Implementation Strategies for Teachers
  1. Canada Skills Resource: Resource
     Check out the brand new skill documentation resource to support you with practical ideas as students share their skill development in SpacesEDU!
  2. Teacher Checklist: Creating Quality Posts in Student Portfolios | Checklist
     Are you a teacher using Portfolios to document student competencies and skills? Use this checklist to ensure student Posts meet all the required components for effective documentation and reflection, an exemplar is also included!
  3. Descriptive Feedback | Resource
     Support students in their skill development with ongoing feedback! Gain practical insights and helpful sentence starters and examples in this comprehensive resource on mastering the art of descriptive feedback.
• Newsletter: Building Skills & Documenting Process | More info
  Skills are a key currency for success in school, career, and life. Building transferable skills is an important component to being ‘future-ready’ for the various pathways that students take post-high school. As students are entering an ever-changing and dynamic workforce, they need to be thoroughly prepared to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. Building and subsequently documenting skills is an important part of this journey to ensure students are equipped and ready to successfully take on their next steps.
  Using SpacesEDU is an amazing way to effectively track skill progression and reflect along the way:

1. 1. Does your school district implement (or is thinking about implementing) a Portrait of a Graduate? Learn more about leveraging SpacesEDU to bring your Portrait of a Graduate to life!
   2. You may have come across the term ‘Durable Skills’ before – this new guide helps to unpack what these entail and how SpacesEDU can support your students as they build Durable Skills in your classroom and beyond!
   3. Looking for ideas about which skills to focus on with your students? The America Succeeds Durable Skills Wheel and the Government of Canada Skills for Success Framework are great starting points!