November 29, 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).
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!
January 21, 2024 – 3:30-5pm @SBO – SEL Workshop – combined presentation from IS, LSS, and Mentorship. Start the new year with a self-care workshop and SEL strategies to include in your classroom. Form to sign up to come.
January 28, 2024 – 3:30-5pm @Wix-Brown – Part 2 of Rewiring Reading Routines workshop – Come join us as we slice into the second workshop on science of reading and learn how to create new brain synapses in the minds of all your favourite readers in a fun, meaningful and engaging way! Side effects may include: reading proficiency, less stress, easier planning, a love of reading and more.
Book Club – Interested in joining us for book club? We are taking information on what would be the most desired format and book! https://forms.office.com/r/yFijQ9YRzh
HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Braiding Sweetgrass for Educators | Register
The award-winning Indigenous author and educator, Monique Gray Smith will be offering Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults in January. Registration is now open for four, 1-hour sessions with Monique where she will explore the 6 sections of the book and chapters within each of them, including key content for classroom and school use. Early bird registration is open until December 15, 2024.
4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning | More info
The 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning is an online course that is offered in partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations through the Outdoor Learning Store. It serves to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local Land and supporting more respectful, reciprocal relationships. To learn more about the course and the different learning opportunities available through this course, please check out the website at the link above.
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
To see our full calendar of offerings, visit www.thinklangley.com
*** Save the Date – Odyssey on Monday Feb.10, 2025 ***
Odyssey 2025 | Monday February 10, 2025 | Call for Presenters
The Langley School District’s annual Odyssey Conference will be held in-person on Monday February 10, 2025. Similar to last year’s event, the day will open with an Indigenous-focused presentation at the Langley Events Centre followed by breakout sessions at RE Mountain and Peter Ewart. We are in the process of building the program for the breakout sessions and are seeking Langley staff who would be interested and willing to offer breakout sessions on any topics relevant to both teaching and support staff. While there will be an emphasis on breakout sessions focused on Indigenous learning and pedagogy in keeping with our Odyssey theme, this is not a requirement for breakout sessions as we are also hoping to offer many different learning sessions that meet the need of staff across the district.
There will be two breakout sessions on that day and presenters can opt to present just once, or can offer the same breakout session two times, or even two different breakout sessions if they prefer. Also, please remember that offering a breakout session does not require you to deliver a formal presentation – leading a breakout session can include leading facilitated conversations around a specific subject area, grade group or topic with a group of educators. Each breakout session would run for 75 minutes long.
If you would be interested in submitting a proposal to present at this year’s Odyssey Conference, please use this link. The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday December 2.
Let’s Felt Together: A Kindergarten Teacher Workshop I December 2, 2024 I Register
Join us for a fun and creative hands-on experience where we’ll felt and weave our stories together! In this interactive workshop, you’ll craft a beautiful, felted story mat that you can use in your classroom. Along the way, you’ll build meaningful connections with fellow kindergarten
Learning in the Primary Years: A Four Part Series | December 3, 2024 and January 20, 2025 I Register
Curious educators are invited to learn and think together about the newly released “Learning in the Primary Years” Ministry document with connections to playful practice. Register for one session or all, just select the appropriate pass during registration. Dinner will be provided to those who attend in person.
Setting up an explicit Literacy Program in the Primary Classroom: A Four Part Series | January 15 & 22, 2025, February 19 & 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.
Emotional Literacy for Educators I January 21, 2025 I Register
This 90-minute interactive workshop provides educators with practical, research-based tools to help students regulate their emotions, fostering a classroom environment conducive to teaching and learning. By blending Marc Brackett’s RULER approach with Leroy Slanzi’s breathing techniques, participants will gain effective strategies to reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve emotional resilience in their students. Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and discussion, educators will walk away with actionable methods to create a calm, focused learning space and strengthen students’ social-emotional skills.
A Slow Walk Through the Literacy Block: Powerful Literacy Strategies for the K-7 Classroom | On-Demand Learning Feature
Help your students build strong skills in reading, writing, and communication, and engage them in the process. Beginning with the workshop structure, we will explore: + Vocabulary and Oral Language strategies + Comprehension strategies + Writing strategies You will leave with a better understanding of the interactions of these components of a strong literacy program as well as a handful of new strategies and games that you can begin using in the first week of school.
EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Teaching the Holocaust – Micro-Certificate for teachers | More info
The Continuing Studies Department at UVIC is offering a unique, 8-week online course for in-service and pre-service teachers to help prepare them to integrate Holocaust Education into their classroom with this now being mandated by the provincial government starting in 2025-2026. The course runs from January 13 to March 7, 2025, but interested learners also have the option to attend an in-person, one-day professional development workshop on Professional Development days. This workshop is designed to complement the online course and offers additional learning opportunities from leading experts in Holocaust education. The first session will occur on Friday, October 25, 2024 and the second will take place in Spring 2025 at the University of Victoria campus. Please see under October 25 Pro-D Day events above for more information on this event. For more information on the 8-week virtual course, please see the “More info” link above.
UFV Masters of Ed | Deadline January 31, 2025 | More info
Please see link for the first volume of the UFV MEd Newsletter that includes a formal announcement about the move of the MEd program to the School of Education’s beautiful new campus in Mission! The UFV’s Master of Education (MEd) in Leadership and Mentorship is currently accepting registrations for the 2025-2027 Cohort. This program is the only master’s program in Canada that is grounded in the
concept of leadership and mentorship as a “hybrid configuration of practice’ (Gronn, 2000). They champion the view that to be an effective leader one must also be a strong mentor, and that effective mentors are leaders. Leader-mentors nurture the potential of their teams in order to ‘re-culture the profession.’
AI in K-12 Education: The Future Classroom | UBC Faculty of Education | More info
UBC is offering seven interactive sessions to build your knowledge and skills to address the benefits & challenges of student and teacher use of AI in the classroom. This AI series is happening through the Professional Development and Community Engagement (PDCE) Unit starting in January, AI in K-12 Education: The Future Classroom. If you are interested in learning more about the series or registering please visit the course webpage at the link above under “More info”.
Educator Inclusion & Accessibility e-Learning | Rick Hansen Foundation | More info
The Rick Hansen Foundation is a national charity supports schools with resources and tools to help create inclusive and accessible classrooms. They are offering a new self-directed, online course available in English and French. It covers four main concepts: Understanding Disability; Language & Interaction Best Practices; Barriers & Solutions; and Accessibility & Inclusion. The course features educators and students with disabilities sharing their lived experiences. The course takes approximately four hours, with the ability to pause and re-start where the learner left off. The course is on-demand and 30 days are allowed for course completion. The course is hosted on D2L’s Brightspace.
SFU M.Ed. Program for Teachers |Contemplative Inquiry & Approaches in Education | Program Overview & Applications | More info
This program is designed for educators, leaders, service-providers and decision-makers in both public and private settings who are seeking deeper levels of inquiry and transformation to apply contemplative theory and practices in their respective institutions. Students are currently being accepted for the cohort beginning in September 2025.
Note: This program is intended for working professionals who are working within their profession throughout the program, therefore may not be suitable for international applicants.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES
SHAD Canada | Application Deadline Dec 1, 2024 | More info | Apply Now
Students have three weeks left to apply for Shad2025. Every year, Shad welcomes exceptional students from coast to coast who bring their diverse perspectives and talents to the Shad experience.
One recipient, Ada Speck, a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, spent her Shad summer at the Carleton University campus in Ottawa. She explored her dream of pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and connected with peers who shared her love of STEAM. 85% of Shad participants said the program helped to increase their readiness for university. Shad is hosted at 26 post-secondary campuses. The program runs 24/7 for an entire month, from June 29 – July 25, 2025.
Samsung Canada’s Annual STEM Program is Back: Solve for Tomorrow | Early Entry Dec 3, 2024 | Official Letter | More info
There is an incredible opportunity for the talented youth, to take part in the annual Solve for Tomorrow Program. Applications are now open, offering students the chance to collaborate, innovate, and compete for $125,000 in available prizing. Educators are encouraged to have students form a team, recruit a teacher or mentor, and submit their innovative ideas. It’s a great way to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and foster critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity.
Please note, teachers who submit an early entry by Tuesday, December 3 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 10 Galaxy Tab S10+.
Christmas in the Country Field Trip | Dec 5-29, 2024 | More info
Join Thunderbird Show Park this December for Christmas in the Country! This indoor event offers a fun opportunity to learn about agriculture in the Lower Mainland. Get up close with an 800-pound Speckled Park cow and discover the chick hatching process through hands-on exhibits and workshops. Students can enjoy the hobby horse kids’ course and admire dazzling light displays, all while celebrating the holiday spirit!
Langley Book of the Book – Thank you!
The Langley School District is incredibly grateful to the Walnut Grove White Spot for their generous donation of reading incentives to support our Langley Book of the Year reading program. Thanks to their support, we can inspire a love for reading and learning that will benefit children for years to come. Their commitment to education and community development is truly appreciated. Thank you to them for making a positive impact!
This Month in the Arts: December | Poster
Please check out the link above to the December poster. This Month in the Arts poster showcases the many different Arts Education productions and events that are happening around the school District in December for staff, students, parents and community members to attend and enjoy!
Ambassador Presentations | Rick Hansen Foundation | More info
What do a Ph.D researcher, comic book artist, and Paralympic athlete have in common? A passion for making their communities more accessible and inclusive by engaging with Canadian youths. With a diversity of vision, hearing and mobility disabilities, the Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassadors create connection and challenge stereotypes. Their Ambassadors are offering a fun way to learn about accessibility and inclusion through their presentations. Book a presenter through the “More info” link above.
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS AND RESOURCES
Screenagers | Tech Talk Tuesdays with Delaney Ruston
- Why Social Media is So Harmful During Puberty | Jonathan Haidt, PhD | Video
- Talking With Youth About Video Game Habits | Alisha Moreland-Capuia, MD | Video
LEARNING RESOURCES
Coast Metro Math/Numeracy Website | Website
The Coast Metro Math Project is a great resource for all Elementary/Middle teachers (K to 8) to get started with Math/Numeracy instruction. The website provides a starting framework for teachers in developing a strong math/numeracy program with students and is full of lessons plans, ideas and resources to support numeracy instruction. Teachers can access the website at the link above.
K-12 activities and lessons | Rick Hansen Foundation | Resource Library
Educators have access to this resource library from the Rick Hansen Foundation to help promote access and inclusion in classrooms. Students can learn directly from people with disabilities with their K-12 educational resources.
TECH TIPS
Share with Parents | Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide | My 2024 Tech-Free Holiday Gift Guide
From Delaney Ruston, MD, the creator of Screenagers.
Microsoft EDGE Browser
If you are not already doing so, we 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.
Microsoft Accessibility Tools
Microsoft has a number of excellent accessibility tools available to District staff that are built directly into most of the Microsoft and Office 365 products that District staff have access to and use on a daily basis. These tools are great for both staff use but many of them are also useful and helpful when working with students. Below is information including a video link and a PDF resource regarding the Immersive Reader tools available to staff through the EDGE browser. Please do note that some tools are only accessible depending on which version of office you are using and some online tools are only available through the Microsoft EDGE browser – see item above for more information on why you should be using EDGE!