In the Loop - September 25, 2025

KEY RESOURCES IN LANGLEY
- Guide to Key Websites and Resources: Here
- Instructional Services Website: For all your district-vetted resources K-12! Check it out!
- Aboriginal Resources vetted by the District: Here
- TCS Sites: Key resources are still being placed in these Teams. If you need access to one of these Teams, please email dzurbuchenjonker@sd35.bc.ca.
- TCS SS-Grade 3
- TCS Grade 4-8
- TCS Secondary
DISTRICT LEARNING COMMONS
The DLC is your one stop shop for useful resources to enhance your teaching available to all school staff in the Langley School District. You don’t need to buy everything for all of your lessons yourself! You can check it out in person in the basement of the School Board Office or have kits and resources delivered directly to your school! We deliver and pick up all the items you request through district mail twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Links to all the info below:
- View and book online through Insignia Library system | Here
- Find instructions, an area to check out new resources, request new resources and report lost or damages kits | Here
- Sign out instructions | Here
Featured DLC Resource:
Langley Book of the Year Lit Circle Sampler | More info
Looking to spark a love of reading in your classroom? The new LBOY sampler literature circle for grades 4–8 features nine captivating titles spanning a variety of genres, including fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, and science fiction. The kit also contains one graphic novel .This diverse selection ensures that every student finds a story that resonates with their interests and reading level.
- 6 copies of each title
- An inventory list
- A variety of genres to allow for student choice
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Interested in Becoming a Mentor? 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). We are looking for experienced teachers with five or more years in the profession to support and guide newer educators as they transition into their roles. Please fill out the Mentor Information Sheet here. Once completed, please email it to teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca to join our program!
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, please email it to teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca to join our program!
Time Commitment: Mentors and Mentees need to commit to ONE 45-minute learning-focused conversation every 3-5 weeks. There are optional workshops, networking and learning sessions available, as well as many perks such as the Mentorship Retreat, giveaways, and resources.
Mentorship Kits: Join the Mentorship Program to borrow Classroom Library Kits to borrow for the school year to help build a library for your students to borrow books and increase the love of literacy. Currently available at K-2 and 6-8 grade levels. Email us with your request.
Upcoming Events:
Mentorship Retreat: October 17-19, 2025 - Executive Suites, Squamish – Registration Closed
Mentorship Matters 2025 Conference | Teacher Mentors of BC | October 24-25, 2025 | Register
Join us for a transformative two-day conference on Friday October 24th and Saturday, October 25th. This conference is designed for educators in leadership and mentorship roles. This year's theme, "Rooted in Connection, Growing in Leadership," invites participants to explore the powerful interplay between self-awareness and meaningful relationships in educational communities.
Mentor and Mentee Info Sessions: November – specific date TBD
HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Aboriginal Program's Cultural Presenter Booking | More info
The Aboriginal Program's Cultural Presenter Booking site is now open for teachers to book cultural presentations for this year. A reminder to teachers that they must use their school district email address to book a presentation.
Orange Shirt Day | Power Smart for Schools | September 30, 2025 | Activity for K - Grade 7
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Many people wear an orange shirt on this day to support reconciliation and show solidarity with those impacted by the legacy of residential schools. There's a lot to discuss with students about this day, ranging from complex history to the simple reasons why your peers and loved ones matter. That's why we've published the Every Child Matters activity, which includes resources and exercises to engage on Orange Shirt Day with students from Kindergarten to Grade 7. Explore the history with your class and express your reflections through art in this activity.
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Work Works Daily for K/1 Teachers with Amanda Leach | On-Demand Learning Feature
Building a strong literacy foundation starts with oral language development and good listening skills. This district approved program is used to develop and support Phonemic and Phonological Awareness skills needed for students to become readers and writers. These verbal activities helps students develop their listening ear through 10-15 minute daily activities. Join us to learn more and get it set up for your new students.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership: Expanding K-12 Possibilities Information Session | SD#35 & Simon Fraser University | October 14, 2025 | More info | Sign Up
We are excited to highlight an upcoming information session hosted in partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU). The information session is designed to discuss Master of Education in Educational Leadership: Expanding K-12 Possibilities. When we invest in our teachers, we strengthen our entire school community. That is why Langley School District is proud to support ongoing learning and career advancement at every stage. The educational offerings are designed for working professionals delivered with localized and relevant curriculum in mind. We highly encourage all interested staff to attend whether you’re considering further education, leadership pathways, or simply want to explore what’s next for you. It will take place at 3:30PM at the School Board Office in the Learning Hub or Online via Teams.
Infusing Oral Story Telling Through Stop Motion Animation | October 15, 2025 | Register
This engaging workshop introduces educators to the StopMotion app, and shows how stop motion animation can be a powerful tool for oral storytelling and creative expression. You'll explore how this project can support Art, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, and discover how easily it can be adapted to other areas you teach.
No tech experience needed! You'll get guided instruction, classroom-ready ideas, and plenty of sandbox time to experiment and create. Whether you're curious or confident, this is a fun, low-pressure space to play, learn, and connect.
NEW! Basic First Aid | October 24, 2025 | Register
The WorkSafeBC Basic First Aid course is an 8-hour program, including coffee and lunch breaks and is designed to provide life-saving first aid skills to workers in industry. Successful candidates must demonstrate competency in practical skills and achieve 72% or higher on a multiple-choice exam. Certification is valid for three years.
What you will learn:
- Priority Action Approach
Primary Survey – Conscious patient / Unconscious patient - Cervical spine control
- Airway and Breathing interventions
- Hemorrhage control
- One person CPR
- Minor injuries which require medical aid
- Management of soft tissue injuries
- Records and reports
Connecting the Pieces: The Early Years Conference 2025 I October 24, 2025 I Register
Connecting the Pieces: Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference is our annual conference dedicated to professional development for kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators. Our workshop line-up includes local and internationally recognized experts selected to share their innovative and practical ideas for working with young learners. Register Today! Popular workshops will fill up fast! Registration for this event will close at 8:00 am on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Middle Years Conference: Empowering Every Learner | October 24, 2025 | Register
Instructional Services is pleased to offer our second annual Middle Years Conference, which will be held at Yorkson Creek Middle School on October 24, 2025. This conference is open to all Grades 6-8 teachers in the Langley School District. This year will focus on the theme of Learning Across the Curriculum: Empowering Every Learner. This year’s keynote is the incredible Trevor MacKenzie, presenting The One Thing Every Classroom Needs: Curiosity. Registration for this event will close at 8:00 am on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Getting Started with Intermediate French | November 3, 2025 | Register
This Workshop is for grade 5 and 6 teachers who are looking for support with teaching French. Shauna Néro will present grade 5 and 6 French units that have been designed by the Office of Franchophone and Franophile Affairs at SFU. All attendees will be provided with a bin that includes lesson plans, resources, and supplies for the first unit.
Save the Date: Odyssey 2026 | February 9, 2026
EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Free Webinar: Natalie Vardabasso | The True North | Canadian Assessment Centre | September 27, 2025 | Register
The True North is offering a webinar on "How to Give Better Feedback without Burning Out". Teachers everywhere are burning out giving feedback that students don’t even use. Even after hours of marking, students repeat the same mistakes, and teachers are left frustrated, exhausted, and wondering if it’s even worth it. That’s why the Canadian Assessment Centre is hosting this free 60-minute training, led by Natalie Vardabasso, international speaker, consultant, and co-author of Rehumanizing Assessment.
Nurturing Emotional Health Through Expressive Play: I Can Dance Series | October 1, 2025 | More info | Register
Register to join a special BC webinar with Hannah Beach, award-winning educator, and author. At the heart of the conversation is how children face unprecedented levels of anxiety and aggression, leaving many educators and caregivers feeling overwhelmed. For the first time in history, a generation is growing up without a play-based childhood, making it essential to rethink how we nurture emotional health. In this engaging session, Hannah will explore how expressive play offers a powerful, hands-on solution for fostering emotional well-being. Participants will discover how to help children move beyond simply learning about emotions to truly experiencing emotional growth in meaningful ways. The I Can Dance series aligns with the principles of the BC Mental Health in Schools (MHiS) Strategy, supporting emotional well-being, social-emotional learning, and foundational skills that help children develop coping strategies and confidence in managing their emotions. It also complements the BC Physical and Health Education curriculum, supporting mental health learning, movement, body awareness, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Agency and Empowerment: Free webinar for Educators | CAST | ReadSpeaker | October 15, 2025 | Register
Classrooms are evolving rapidly — with new technologies, AI-driven tools, and rising expectations for accessibility and student success. Teachers are asking: how can we adapt while keeping learners motivated and supported? Join CAST and ReadSpeaker on October 15 at 2:00 PM EST for Agency and Empowerment: Strategies to Bring UDL to Life in Your Classroom. This free webinar will provide practical strategies grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to help educators:
Engage learners with purpose and motivation by connecting learning to personal goals
Access and process information through multimodal pathways, including text-to-speech tools
Demonstrate understanding authentically with choice, flexibility, and inclusive design
Roots & Renewal: Reviving the Past, Re-imagining the Present | Learning Environments: Enhancing the Educational Experience BC | October 23-24, 2025 | More Info | Register
Join this fall conference to experience five innovative Vancouver Island schools that showcase the future of learning spaces – from upgrades and replacements to additions, prefabrication, and modular design. Discover how these projects are shaping inspiring, inclusive environments for today's students. The program will include school tours, workshops, engaging topics, networking & Ministry update.
Aboriginal Education Conference | October 24, 2025 | More info | Register
Aboriginal Education Association PSA is hosting a conference on Resistance & Hope – Art, Activism & Allyship on Friday October 24, 2025. The keynote speaker is Charlie Angus at Langley Fine Arts School. Please see the attached poster for more info.
Learning Opportunities from Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education | NOIIE | More info
The Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE) is a voluntary network of inquiry-based schools and school districts in British Columbia, with partner networks around the world. Using an inquiry-oriented, evidence-based approach to learning and teaching through the Spiral of Inquiry, teams work towards improving outcomes for all learners in their settings and submit case studies to share their progress in a spirit of generosity, curiosity and growth.
- Learning Bursts | Oct 22 & Dec 2, 2025, Feb 26, 2026 | Register
NOIIE learning bursts are designed for all educators to have a quick shot of new learning provided by two NOIIE schools – complete with book prizes. Join the conversation on October 22 for an inspiring session focused on advancing literacy in both elementary and secondary classrooms. Hear from two BC educators as they share powerful strategies and practical insights to support deeper literacy learning in their schools. - Collective Conversations | Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4, 2025 & Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, 2026 | Register
Join Rosa Fazio and Angela Stott on the first Thursday of every month for the opportunity to focus on turning challenges into opportunities. With skilled facilitation and the use of a powerful protocol, everyone will benefit from the wisdom of the group. If you’d like some fresh insights for your own inquiry practice—and are open to sharing your Opportunity for Improvement as the focus of a session—please connect with Angela (astott@sd74.bc.ca) or Rosa (rosa@leveluped.ca).Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link to use for all six sessions. Join as many as you like. - 2025-2026 Inquiry Project Proposals | Due November 15, 2025 | Spiral of Inquiry
Now is the time to begin preparing your inquiry proposals for the 2025/2026 school year. At this stage, you should be deeply engaged in the scanning process and growing more curious about the needs and experiences of your new group of learners. All schools are welcome to take part in NOIIE Inquiry Projects. The Inquiry Proposal Submission form will open up on October 15th. Please note: Grants are only available to BC schools.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES
Extracurricular Opportunity: STEM Competition opens registration | Science Fair Foundation of BC | Closes September 29, 2025 | Register
Registration for the Science Fair Foundation of BC's annual Youth Innovation Showcase closes September 29th. This virtual STEM competition is a great opportunity for students aged 12-19 to participate in a creative, technological, or scientific endeavor outside of science fair season. Students have the chance to win cash prizes, and gain public speaking and mentorship opportunities.
One Summer, Infinite Possibilities 2026 | SHAD Canada | Deadline January 5, 2026 | More info | Apply
Do you know a student with big ideas? Bold future visions? Let’s make them real. Applications are open for Canada’s leading STEAM + entrepreneurship program, where students team up with other creative minds, build things they didn’t think were possible, and maybe even design the next big thing. Labs, design challenges, new friends from across the country - it’s not summer school, it’s a playground for ideas. The simple act of encouraging a student to apply to Shad can spark a journey of growth, discovery, and possibility. Use the Educator toolkit to share your unique referral code—EDU2026—and help them stand out.
LEARNING RESOURCES
From Curiosity to Clarity: Science For Every Learner | Curio | More info
Science Literacy Week is an annual event in Canada that celebrates and promotes understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). For teachers and students across the country, the week is a great time to explore new concepts, engage in activities that spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and help students develop the skills they need to navigate a science-driven world—preparing them for future careers and responsible citizenship. Check out the extensive collection of exciting explainers, docs and series to help inspire your lesson planning. CURIO is a free resource available to all staff in the Langley School District simply by creating an account with your District email address.
TECH TIPS
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Book Creator Central Library | Book Creator | More info
What is the Central Library?
The Central Library is a district-curated repository within Book Creator that allows designated library managers to share high-quality books, templates, and exemplars with all teachers. It’s designed to promote equity, consistency, and creativity across our schools.
How Do Teachers Access It?
Teachers can find the Central Library directly in their Teacher Dashboard under the Libraries tab. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and you find it. Please view the One-Pager for a visual walkthrough on how to access the Central Library.
From there, teachers can:
- Read and preview books created by colleagues.
- Copy books into their own libraries to use with students.
- Get inspired by district-wide exemplars and templates.
Note: Students do not have direct access to the Central Library, it’s an exclusive space for educators.
How Can It Help You?
- Save time with ready-to-use resources.
- Discover innovative teaching ideas from peers.
- Leverage the creativity and great work of fellow Langley teachers to work smarter, not harder.
- Showcase student voice and creativity across the district.
Want to Share Your Work? Your Students work?
We want to feature the amazing work happening in your classrooms! If you’ve created a book you’re proud of we want to see it! Whether it’s a student project, a teaching resource, or a classroom showcase, submit it to be reviewed and included in the Central Library. Let’s celebrate and amplify the great learning happening across our district. To submit book for the central library please fill in this form.
Future-Proof: Cognitive Skills for a World Powered by AI | BrainWare Learning Company | September 30, 2025 | Register
As AI rapidly transforms how we learn and work, it is increasingly clear that technology alone isn’t enough. To truly harness the power of AI, we, our children and our students will need well-developed cognitive skills that allow us to prompt AI tools, to evaluate its output, and to make wise decisions. Without these skills, especially our core executive functions of working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, we risk displacement and the fear of being replaced or over-reliance and missing the human judgment, creativity, and empathy that machines can’t replicate. In this webinar, you will explore the cognitive skills that serve as the “center of gravity” in an AI-driven future.
The AI Basics for K-12 Teachers Course | Common Sense Education | More info
The course is a free, self-paced professional development program designed to help educators build foundational knowledge about artificial intelligence. It covers what AI is, how it works, and its implications for education, including safety, privacy, and ethical considerations. The course includes a reflection workbook to help teachers thoughtfully integrate AI into their practice. This training is especially helpful for K–12 educators who are new to AI and want to understand its potential impact on teaching and learning. It empowers teachers to make informed decisions about using AI tools in the classroom and supports responsible, ethical integration of emerging technologies.
Teach Smarter with Microsoft Elevate | Logics Academy | Register
Logics Academy, in partnership with Microsoft, is inviting you to multiple AI-related learning opportunities for K-12 and higher Ed educators, including this 1-hour asynchronous educator-focused PD session designed to give you practical, ready-to-use AI tools—plus the chance to earn your Microsoft AI for Educators certificate. Start with AI Skilling Program Development and kick off the school year with a toolkit of creative, time-saving strategies powered by Microsoft Copilot. In this pre-recorded workshop you will learn to summarize curriculum docs in seconds and save hours with automated meeting summaries.