In the Loop - January 29, 2026

Black History Month

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:

Let's Do Science | Poster
Let's Do Science is a 100% match to the B.C. curriculum and supports B.C. primary teachers by giving students opportunities to explore new ideas, develop science skills, and connect science concepts to their world. All units integrate First Peoples' perspectives and place-based learning.
Grade 3 unit includes:

  • Student Magazines (16 copies)
  • Read Alouds to introduce and engage students with science concepts related to the unit
  • Teacher's Guide includes lesson plans, student self-assessment, teacher assessment, and rubrics
  • Website that includes an anchor video, interactive whiteboard activities, and digital versions of the Science Cards
  • Posters
Kit Includes:
  • Student Magazine
  • 2-3 Read Alouds
  • Teacher's Guide
  • Website
  • 1-2 posters

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. Kindergarten (REMSS family of schools)
  2. Resource (Middle - LSS family of schools)
  3. Science/Chem 10 (REMSS family of schools)
  4. General secondary - Gr 9/10/12 (REMSS family of schools)
  5. 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. February 24th: 4-5pm TEAMS 
  2. April 14th: 4-5pm TEAMS 
  3. May 5th 4-6pm SBO HUB 

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Engaging with Indigenous Curriculum Institute: Equipping Educators for Decolonizing Pedgagogy | More info
This institute is designed to support educators with the Indigenous-focused graduation requirement course and with decolonizing and Indigenizing their teaching practices.There is cause for optimism and excitement based on the new graduate requirement. Robust support is essential for teachers leading these courses to ensure confidence in content and pedagogy. While there are a diversity of courses being offered, there are common threads and concepts that are imperative to lead Indigenous education in secondary education. The aim of the spring institute is to support teachers in building on their learning to gain expertise in these areas.
The in-person institute will emphasize a growth of knowledge of Indigenous histories, decolonization, Indigenous Knowledges, and anti-oppression. Led by renowned Indigenous scholar and educator, Dr. Dustin Louie, participants will be supported in positioning themselves in relation to the work, while expanding and shifting their thinking on what is possible for an Indigenous graduate requirement course. We view all teachers as having a place in leading these courses, but the imperative first step is recognizing our positionality and how it directs us in our teaching. There will be a focus on how to regionalize your curriculum to represent your community’s Indigenous Knowledges and cultures, while also considering localized experiences of colonization to ensure the design is responsive and avoids pan-Indigenous approaches.

DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Odyssey | Monday February 9, 2026
Registration for Odyssey is now closed! If you missed the registration deadline and would still like to attend Odyssey, not to worry as there is still space available.

Please just show up on the morning of Odyssey at the Langley Events Centre and you can register and choose breakout sessions on site.  Late registration and check-in begins at 7:00 am on Monday February 9.

For those of you who have already registered for Odyssey, a huge thanks for signing up early!  We have close to 2000 Langley staff signed up to attend so we are expecting a very exciting and busy day of connecting and learning together!

Here are some important details for you to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience at Odyssey!

  • The conference begins in the Main Gym at the Langley Events Centre (7888-200th Street) with our Welcome and Opening Keynote address by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair. The entrance to the Main Gym is located at Gate 1 - on the ground floor of the Events Centre - doors are just to the left of the LEC Ticket Booth. 
  • Check In and Registration will take place at the Events Centre starting at 7am - please arrive early and on time as we will be checking in more than 1900 people that day! The conference will officially start at 8:30am.
  • When you arrive, if your name tag is NOT at the registration desk, or if you are just registering on the day of the conference, please report to the "Help Desk."
  • Parking - please park at the Langley Events Centre for the day and then make the short walk after the keynote to the school venues.  Parking at RE Mountain Secondary and Peter Ewart Middle is reserved for Odyssey presenters and event staff as well as individuals with handicap placards.
  • There will NOT be any coffee or snacks available at the opening at the Langley Events Centre. Participants are welcome to bring their own water/coffee into the Events Centre as long as it is in a secure bottle or cup. Refreshments and hearty snacks will be available throughout the rest of the day at RE Mountain Secondary and Peter Ewart Middle.
  • Lunch will be provided at both sites. Your lunch selection can be found at the bottom of your conference lanyard.  Please stick to the meal that you initially selected as the caterers have based their numbers on those selections.
  • Attendees will pick up their lunch from the Main Gym at either Peter Ewart Middle School OR RE Mountain Secondary and then can find their own spaces to eat throughout the school. There are many common areas with tables and chairs and other comfortable seating dispersed throughout the buildings. As well, there will be a number of Indigenous Cultural Presentations happening during lunch in the main foyer/concourse at REMSS.
  • Please wear your name tag and lanyard throughout the day to access the sessions you have signed up for. 
  • Out of respect for the presenters and participants, please attend the sessions you signed up for.

An overview of the full conference schedule including breakout session times is listed below:  

7:00am to 8:30am

Check in and Registration at the Langley Events Centre 

8:30am to 9:45am

Welcome, Opening and Keynote Presentation at the Langley Events Centre

9:45am to 10:30am

Transition to REMSS and PEMS; and Break

10:30am to 12:00pm

Breakout Session A at REMSS and PEMS

12:00pm to 1:30pm

Lunch at RE Mountain Secondary School - Main Gym

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Breakout Session B at REMSS and PEMS

3:00 pm

Odyssey Ends

If you have any questions prior to Monday February 9, please contact the Professional Services staff at thinklangley@sd35.bc.ca.  

The Teachings of Wellness with Len Pierre | On-Demand Learning Feature
“Teach us love, compassion, and honour that we may heal the earth and heal each other.” – Ojibwe Prayer 
Join us for this phenomenal finale to Len Pierre’s four-part Ensouling Our Schools series. In this session, Len will guide us on an incredible journey through wellness from an Indigenous perspective. He will talk to us about the Seven Sacred Teachings, which he calls ‘internal medicine,’ and the Four Community Medicines that we each, as human beings, need access to. He will also speak about the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and how they can and should shape our day-to-day lives. 
As you watch this incredible keynote address, please reflect on the following questions: 

  • How are Indigenous perspectives on wellness familiar to and different from your own familial or cultural perspectives?
  • What can Indigenous perspectives offer our classrooms, schools, or district-wide initiatives today? How can they inform upon health, wellness, equity, inclusivity, diversity, reconciliation and sustainability?
  • Will you do something different after this presentation?
  • What are the limitations of Indigenous perspectives, and what are the limitations of our contemporary perspectives that are so rooted in colonial and corporate views of health and wellness?

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Upcoming Courses offered by CAST | Until learning has no limits | February 2 & 26, 2026 | Catalog of Self-Directed Courses
Looking to up your game with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) this spring? We have introduction courses for UDL and accessibility beginning this spring for educators in all learning environments listed below, or visit our catalog of self-directed courses with options in mathematics, literacy instruction, and more.

  • PreK-12: Introduction to Universal Design for Learning | Starting February 2, 2026 | More info
    Elevate your practice with a foundational understanding of the UDL framework with this group-paced, facilitated course, where you will develop inclusive lesson plans and discover research-backed strategies to empower every PreK-12 student to become a confident, expert learner.
  • Introduction to Designing for Accessibility | Starting February 26, 2026 | More info
    Designing accessible digital learning materials is no longer optional—it’s essential. This dynamic course explores strategies that educators  for implementing accessible materials and the principles of UDL in digital content.
Virtual Teaching and Learning Series with Apple | Register
Apple technology empowers every educator—and every student—to learn, create, and define their own success. More than ever, educators are using digital content and tools to create interactive, engaging experiences for their students. Educators are reimagining instructional practice and creating powerful digital resources that help students develop deeper understanding and improve engagement. Which means students can connect to subject matter and demonstrate their learning in exciting new ways. Features built right into iPad—such as the camera or HD video recording, Speak Screen, Safari Reader, and many more—let students access information in new ways. And, from email and calendaring to document management, collaboration, and virtual meetings, Mac can make the administrative load lighter and more organized.
Each virtual session is designed to show how iPad and Mac and their built-in features enable learning for all students, as well as support existing educator and student workflows.
  • Simplifying digital classroom management with Classroom and Apple Schoolwork | K-12 | February 3, 2026
  • Enhancing Math class with iPad | Grades 3-6 | February 10, 2026
  • Supporting Multilingual Learners | K-12 | February 17, 2026
  • Mac for Educators | K-12 | February 24, 2026

Foundations of Care: Trauma, Neurodivergence, and Wellness in Early Childhood Education | UBC | March 7, 2026 | Register
Gain the tools you need to support young children with complex needs. The UBC Early Childhood Education department is offering a 2-hour online workshop for Foundations of Care: Trauma, Neurodivergence, and Wellness in ECE. By the end of this workshop, you should be able to distinguish between trauma responses and neurodivergence, integrate strategies that support both, and understand how to implement grounding tools.

Kaleidoscope: Shifting Perspectives, Brilliant Futures | 2026 A4LE PNW Regional Conference | March 25-27, 2026 | Register
You are invited to attend the 2026 Pacific Northwest Regional Conference hosted by the Alberta Chapter in Canmore, Alberta! Canmore is located in the Canadian Rockies approximately an hour west of Calgary. In addition to its breathtaking scenery, including views of the iconic Three Sisters Peaks, this vibrant town offers an abundance of outdoor activities, local restaurants, shops and more! The opening keynote speaker is Will Gadd who is an athlete, speaker and guide. For more than 25 years Will Gadd has been one of the top adventure sports athletes in the world. Now he’s taking the lessons he learned while succeeding in some of the world’s toughest environments and sharing them with audiences ranging from Nike to Exxon Mobile to incarcerated youth. 

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

Pathways to the Future | February 3, 2026 | More info
 Join us for this family information evening as we highlight the district's career programs and pathways to post-secondary success! Parents and students are welcome to explore the Langley School District's Trades & Career Opportunities.

This Month in the Arts: February 2026 | Poster
Below please find a link to the February “This Month in the Arts” poster which showcases the many different Arts Education productions and events that are happening around the District in February for staff, students, parents and community members!  This month, we have we have TWO productions of Newsies: The Broadway Musical. The month of February will also see evenings of Dance, Jazz music, and three of the District's Musicals. Lots to enjoy!  

LEARNING RESOURCES

Celebrating Black History Month with Curio | More info
Black history isn’t a static archive – it’s a constant, high-velocity evolution. This February, we move from the 1960s protest movements that rewired the Canadian landscape to the grit of a B.C. athlete chasing the Olympic podium. Whether it's the cultural pulse of the Nigerian diaspora or the 'Black Futures' being mapped out by the next generation, these stories skip the clichés to focus on the people moving the needle.

  • Revolution Remix | Secondary | Video & Guide
    Go back to 1960s Montreal to witness the origins of modern Canadian activism. From the McGill Congress of Black Writers to the Sir George Williams sit-in, this episode of  Black Life: Untold Stories explores the bold movements that demanded self-determination and changed the national landscape forever. 
  • Nigeria - Naija | Secondary | Video
    Discover the vibrant pulse of Nigeria’s influence right here in Canada. This Locals Welcome episode explores the flavors and community bonds of the Naija diaspora, showing how food serves as a powerful bridge between ancestral heritage and modern Canadian identity.
  • Tea Mutonji - Short Fiction | Secondary | Video | Book Excerpt | Discussion Pack
    With this video, book excerpt, and discussion pack, dive into Téa Mutonji’s disarming short stories following a young woman’s coming-of-age in Scarborough. From Congolese traditions to the sharp edges of 21st-century life, her writing offers an unfiltered look at modern identity.
Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2) Access and Resources | More info
The Langley School District is excited to share that we are now a partner of The Critical Thinking Consortium (TC²), an organization dedicated to fostering critical, creative, and collaborative thinking. Through this partnership, teachers will have access to free resources and tools designed to support your teaching and learning.  
 Here’s how to get started: 
  • Create your TC² account: https://tc2.ca/register Setting up your account is quick and easy, and it’s the key to accessing your benefits. 
  • Explore and bookmark resources: Discover tools and materials that meet your teaching and learning needs and build a personalized collection by bookmarking your favourites. 
Once your account is set up, you'll gain access to: 

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS

Carrying the Dream Into the Classroom Each Day | Education+ | Podcast
This past MLK Day, The My Legacy Podcast offers a special episode that speaks directly to the heart of educators. Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Keilburger and Craig Keilburger convene a powerful circle of voices including John Legend, Dr. Andre Perry, Jemele Hill, Larry Wilmore, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Simon Sinek, and more to reflect on the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Beyond history and headlines, this conversation reveals Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a human being shaped by love, discipline, humor, and moral courage. It invites educators to consider how his vision of beloved community is not abstract, but deeply relevant to the spaces where young people are learning who they are and who they can become.

Do AI's Risks Outweigh the Benefits for Students and Schools? | Podcast
In this podcast, Rebecca Winthrop outlines some of the findings from a recent major study through Bookings Education Institution that assesses best practices for using AI in schools.  Winthrop discusses these findings with Kara Swisher.  The findings address that generative AI’s risks for students are overshadowing the benefits, but also acknowledge that there are powerful ways to harness the technology in the classroom for students’ learning.  They also highlight a few good examples of AI in schools that include tools with vetted content that make the student experience more interactive, and tools that help make teachers’ administrative burdens easier.  You can access the podcast at the link below:

TECH TIPS

Book Creator – Updates to the Discover Section | Discover-Library-One-Pager
Book Creator has rolled out some helpful improvements to the Discover section based on teacher feedback: 
  • Search Added: You can now search the Discover library for books and templates, making it much easier to find what you need. 
  • Favourite Items: Click the ⭐ on any book to add it to your favourites for quick access later. 
  • New Filters: A filtering panel is now available so you can narrow your search by category and find relevant resources faster. 
These updates should make planning and gathering inspiration in Book Creator more efficient for everyone. You can also check out the one-pager at the link above for more helpful hints.