In the Loop - February 26, 2026

The best teachers

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! 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:

Digital Citizenship Picture Book Kit | Poster
This kit supports the learning of essential media literacy skills needed to become critical consumers of information, ideas, and news.  

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

*NEW!* Follow us on our UDL/Mentorship Instagram! @sd35mentorshipmoments

We post lots of events, teacher tips, UDL strategies, and more!

Interested in Becoming a Mentor? 

We are looking for Mentors in the following areas:

  1. Resource (Middle - LSS family of schools)
  2. Science/Chem 10 (REMSS family of schools)
  3. General secondary - Gr 9/10/12 (REMSS family of schools)
  4. Math/Science 9 (LSS family of schools)

Please email teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca if you’re interested in becoming a Mentor in any of these areas or for other upcoming Mentees.  
 
New to the District or a New Role? 
If you’re a newer teacher looking for mentorship, please fill out the Mentee Information Sheet on the LTA website. Once completed, please email it to teachermentorship@sd35.bc.ca to join our program! 
 
Upcoming Events: 

Book Club: Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation.  

  1. April 14th: 4-5pm TEAMS
  2. May 5th 4-6pm SBO HUB 

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Climbing the Mountain Educator Guidebook: Niigaan Sinclair | CTM Educator Guidebook
Niigaan Sinclair, our Keynote Speaker at Odyssey, has shared this incredible resource, the Climbing the Mountain Educator Guidebook. The Guidebook contains activities and educational materials that embody the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and is an exceptional way to train and retain employees and produce healthy relationships with Indigenous communities, breaking new and important ground, while reminding us that change comes from courage, strength and innovation in this work. The guidebook is a useful tool for all educators. You can access the guidebook at the link above.

DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Odyssey 2026 Keynote: From Presence to Permanence: How to Assess Reconciliation in Schools with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair | On-Demand Learning Feature
The work of Truth and Reconciliation, and embedding Indigenous Education into our schools and classrooms has been ongoing for over a decade now. While this work has been both powerful and transformational, what is not yet clear is how to assess whether these programs, initiatives and commitments are having the impact that was intended through the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. In his powerful keynote address at Odyssey 2026, Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, one of Canada's pre-eminent and leading Indigenous educators, provides an approach on how school districts can asses where they currently stand in this work. He outlines a process on how the real work for educators still lies ahead in moving this work along the continuum of presence, to practice, to pedagogy and eventually need to land in permanence.

Pro-D Opportunities: Workshops and Conferences

NEW! Basic First Aid for SD35 Staff| May 15, 2026 | Register Today!
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

Save the Date! CUPE 1260 Spring Conference | May 15, 2026 | Registration to open in April.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Webinar: Education Planner - Live Learning | March 4, 2026 | More info | Register
Education Planner BC invites anyone interested in learning about post-secondary education and career planning to join the virtual Live Learning presentation on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. PDT. On the website you can search thousands of programs, get to know trades, and discover career paths. Find helpful resources, including financial aid options, admission requirements, FAQs, and the Glossary. Learn how to create an account, save programs, paths, and careers to My List, and apply to post-secondary in B.C. These free sessions are open to anyone interested in learning about post-secondary education and career planning, and will be especially helpful for high school students in grades 10-12, parents and student supporters, adult learners, high school counsellors, teachers, and career advisors.

Webinar: PLT Canada Outdoor Learning for Little Learners | Career Education Society of BC | March 5, 2026 | More info | Register
Join this free webinar exploring activities from PLT Canada’s resource for parents and educators of young children, Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children. Whether you are just starting to try outdoor learning or you are already an experienced outdoor educator seeking tried new resources this webinar is for you! Each activity is designed so it’s easy to recreate in your setting, whether you are an experienced nature-based educator or stepping outside with students for the first time. The activities connect with The First Peoples Principles of Learning and pan-Canadian global competencies. 

Webinar: Students in the Driver's Seat | Pembroke Publishers | March 5, 2026 | Register
Happening on Thursday, March 5th at 7 pm (ET), this key webinar will explore the book, Students in the Driver's Seat. Authors Erin Quinn and Tara Vandertoorn will explore the power and potential of student voice and choice. Erin Quinn is a recent recipient of a Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching!

Grandir Sans Frontieres | Educator Training Workshop | The Logics Academy | March 9-24, 2026 | Register
A hands-on educator training workshop inspired by Grandir Sans Frontières, designed to help teachers integrate digital creativity, coding, and essential technology skills into their classrooms through engaging and accessible activities. Educators can sign up to watch the recording on their own, or join one of the live lessons and follow along with their instructors. Through interactive, project-based challenges using the Cartesian plane and Scratch programming, educators gain practical tools to support digital literacy, critical thinking, and collaborative learning in a motivating classroom environment. Find the date that works best for you when you click on the link above to register.

Learning First Peoples Spring Institute | March 16 & 17, 2026 | Register
Registration is now open for the Learning First Peoples Spring Institute taking place from March 16 to 17 in Richmond. Hosted by the First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association, the institute is designed to support teachers to bring quality, authentic First Peoples teaching and learning into B.C. classrooms.
Workshops:

  • March 16, 2026 (9:00 am-3:00 pm):  BC First Peoples 12 and BC First Nations Land, Title and Governance Teacher Resource Guides
  • March 17, 2026 (9:00 am-3:00 pm):  First Nations Applied Design, Skills and Technologies (ADST) Teacher Resource Guide (K-12)

Explore AI Summit (French Edition) | The Logics Academy | March 21, 2026 | Register
Logics Academy is hosting the Explore AI Summit (French Edition) on March 21. This FREE, one‑day virtual event includes six sessions designed to provide French‑speaking educators with practical, ethical, and classroom‑ready AI strategies they can use right away. Visit the Explore AI Summit website (link above) for registration and full session details. The summit features hands‑on workshops, real classroom examples, and accessible demonstrations to support confident and responsible AI integration in teaching and learning. 

Canadian Assessment Centre - Spring Conference - April 9/10, 2026 | More info
On April 9–10, 2026, the Canadian Assessment Centre will host its inaugural Spring Conference in Vancouver, BC, a gathering dedicated to shaping the future of assessment in Canada. This event will bring together educators from across the country to celebrate what we know works, while boldly exploring what’s next in assessment and grading. Built by Canadians, for Canadians, the conference is designed to spark inspiration, deepen professional learning, and fuel the movement toward practices that truly honour student learning. The full agenda, breakout session titles, and detailed descriptions are now live, giving you a first look at the learning experience that awaits. The two-day program features keynote addresses by Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso, alongside breakout sessions led by Josh Ogilvie, Karley Alleyn, and Danielle Paloposki, each offering practical expertise, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies for today’s classrooms. From big-picture vision to ready-to-use tools, every session is designed to help you reimagine what’s possible for Canadian schools. This is more than a conference; it’s a national conversation about transforming assessment with clarity, credibility, and care. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or district administrator, you’ll leave Vancouver equipped with new strategies, renewed purpose, and a strengthened network of colleagues committed to doing assessment differently. Explore the agenda and start planning your experience today!

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Live with Dr. Ross Greene | Lives In the Balance | May 7 & 8, 2026 | Register
This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen understanding of the CPS (Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) model directly with Dr. Greene and is suitable for educators, clinicians, school teams, and community providers looking to strengthen their implementation. This is the evidence-based model Dr. Greene describes in his influential books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, Raising Human Beings, and the forthcoming The Kids Who Aren’t Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in School, which is due for release in February, 2026. 

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

This Month in the Arts - March 2026 | Poster
Please see the link above to learn about all of the incredible Arts Performance's and Show's happening around the Langley School District in March!  Despite having only two weeks in session, the ARTS are making every moment count! From concert and jazz music to Broadway productions, from the Greek tragedy Antigone to the moment‑by‑moment journey of 110 Stories, this month highlights the remarkable range of our secondary students.

The Beaverbrook Vimy Prize: open for applications | March 17, 2026 | Poster | More info
During this fully funded educational program, recipients from Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Germany will visit Belgium and France from July 31 to August 10, 2026 to study the interwoven First and Second World War history of their respective countries, as well as the environmental impact of the wars. Participants will gain new perspectives on well-known and lesser-told stories of the wars, see their lasting impact on people and the environment, and connect with students from around the world. Youth aged 15-17 can apply by March 17, 2026, via the link above.

Beyond the Feed: Social Media, Identity, and Power in the Digital Age | Ripple Foundation | March 22, 2026 | More Details | Poster 
The Ripple Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that provides free creative literacy programs to children and youth. The EIC conference is a free online gathering focused on what is "Beyond the Feed" in social media, identity and youth and how they are represented in daily life. It will be hosted virtually on March 22nd, 12-4 pm EST for students in grades 8-12. Details Covered:

  • Youth culture in Business 
  • Navigating Negativity Online
  • Internet Culture & Identity
  • Importance of Algorithms

School Programming at Playland | PNE | More info
Schools from across BC are invited to Playland for School Programming through May and June. Experience Playland with the whole school, grade or class and sign your classroom up for passes to exciting rides and attractions. To book your class, email groupsales@pne.ca with the applicable request form no later than 10 business days prior to the event date.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Financial Literacy: Understanding Money Lesson Plan | Everfi | Lesson Plan
Your students may seem far from choosing a credit card or buying a car, but a strong financial foundation will give them what they need when the time comes. You can give them the tools to make small decisions with their allowance or birthday checks that will pay off when the big stuff comes their way. Use the lesson plan to set your students up for financial success ! These lessons were made with Gen Z and Gen Alpha in mind.

Co-Designing Success Criteria with Students | Trevor Mackenzie | Follow Up Video#4
Assessment and student achievement should not be a surprise to students and parents.  One of the best and most effective ways to ensure that students are clear on what they need to know, do and understand is through Co-Designing Success Criteria with Students.  In his latest video series for Langley teachers, Trevor Mackenzie walks classroom teachers through the process of how to effectively include student voice in the development of success criteria.  He also provides some very helpful graphics that assist teachers with perfecting the success criteria process.  All of these resources can be found in the resource folder at the link above.

District Learning Resources Procedures 
The Ministry of Education has asked all school districts across the province to share their current learning resources procedures with all staff, as well as with parents, caregivers and community members.  The selection and use of learning resources is an important component of effective teaching. High- quality learning resources can help teachers with instruction by providing important background information, explaining difficult concepts, supporting perspective taking, and by engaging students’ imagination and creativity. 
The selection of learning resources requires educators to carefully consider how the resources they use will enhance student learning. To help educators make these decisions, the Ministry of Education and Child Care worked with a group of teachers, teacher-librarians, principals, and vice-principals to develop a resource called Guidance on Learning Resources Selection. This document:
  • outlines the ways learning resources are used in classrooms, school libraries, library learning commons and schools; 
  • provides considerations for educators to support their review, selection, and use of learning resources; and,
  • offers suggestions on how educators can strengthen relationships with families by building understanding about the learning resources used in schools.
You can find this Ministry document at the website here:
 
In Langley, we have two Administrative Procedures around Learning Resources – one for classroom-based Learning Resources and one for resources located within a Learning Commons.  Below are the links to these two different Administrative Procedures.  In addition to outlining the challenge process for both situations, the Admin Procedures also provide classroom teachers and teacher librarians with criteria that they can use and follow when it comes to selecting Learning Resources.  This criteria is super helpful for educators to use to avoid running into situations that would lead to a learning resource being challenged.  
 
Administrative Procedure 251 – Learning Resources 
 
Administrative Procedure 252 – Selection Procedure for Library Learning Commons Resources 

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS

Assess That with Tom and Nat: Episode 29 | Lowering the Bar Isn't Compassion: Rethinking Assessment and Care | Podcast
In this episode, Tom and Nat explore a tension many educators are feeling right now: our deep desire to be compassionate in assessment and the unintended consequences that can arise when compassion gets confused with lowering expectations. Responding to student stress, disengagement, and inequity is real and necessary work. But when clarity fades, standards soften, and expectations become negotiable, students often lose the very signals they need to grow, build confidence, and trust the learning process.

Through stories, reflection, and practical examples, this conversation reframes rigour and care as partners rather than opposites. Tom and Nat argue that the most humane assessment practices are grounded in clear expectations, honest feedback, and meaningful support, not diluted standards. If you’ve ever wrestled with flexibility, fairness, or how to hold the bar while honouring students’ realities, this episode invites you to rethink what compassion truly requires in assessment. To listen to the podcast, go to the link above.

TECH TIPS

Microsoft Copilot | Tips and Tricks
Microsoft Copilot is growing and changing constantly, with several new features to explore. Check out this video, 9 new features in Microsoft Copilot for 2026, for some tips and tricks to take advantage of all these new tools, and take your Copilot use to the next level.