In the Loop - June 18, 2026

Keep Calm it's almost summer

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

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

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

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


HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame | More info
To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is proud to provide free programs and resources that introduce students to inspiring Indigenous role models. From a live virtual speaker session to Indigenous education materials and digital storytelling, there are a variety of ways for youth to explore the stories and lasting legacies of Indigenous sport heroes.

  • Celebrating Indigenous Sports Heroes Live Stream with Ted Nolan | June 11, 2026 | Register | Lesson Plan
    Born into a large family on the Garden River First Nation in 1958, Ted Nolan’s drive, resilience, and pride in his Ojibwe heritage propelled him to the top of the ice hockey world. He quickly rose through the ranks of minor hockey and was drafted by the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings in 1978. Though his playing days were cut short by injury, Ted’s career would really take off behind the bench. He coached his former junior team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, to great success, winning the Memorial Cup in 1993.
  • Indigenous Sports Heroes Education Experience | Digital Book | Education Hub
    The Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience offers ready-to-use lesson plans and interactive educational activities that spark conversations about diversity and inclusion through the world of sport. Free for educators, this initiative is designed to both highlight the significant contributions Indigenous athletes and sport builders have made to sport and encourage meaningful dialogue and a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives.
  • Educator Resource Spotlight
    • Storytelling Series: Celebrating Indigenous Sport Heroes Lesson Plan | Grade 4-6 | Lesson Plan
      These supplementary activities are designed to expand the curricular relevancy of the Storytelling Series: Celebrating Indigenous Sport Heroes, which brings to life the remarkable stories of Hall of Famers through live, virtual keynotes and digital storytelling.
    • Indigenous Sport Heroes: Land Lesson Plan | Grade 9-12 | Lesson Plan
      The Indigenous Sport Heroes Lesson Plans are designed as entry points to help integrate holistic teaching methods that recognize the many distinct Indigenous histories, cultures, pedagogies, traditional languages and traditional knowledge systems.
    • Indigenous Sport Heroes: Education Package | Grade 4-8 | Lesson Plan
      These activities complement the Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience and the Taking the Higher Ground program, enhancing their curricular relevance and providing a comprehensive learning journey for students over several weeks.
June is National Indigenous History Month
With National Indigenous History Month starting next week, we wanted to share some new or newish Indigenous resources with all Langley educators.  There are resources on the list below that would be excellent for use with students in your classrooms as well as a number of books or resources that would be useful for adults as we all continue our journey in Truth and Reconciliation.  There is a link to order directly from the publisher, although please also do consider ordering from your local bookstore.  Thank you for supporting Indigenous authors and illustrators and for celebrating and sharing joy, truths and love during Indigenous History month.

Ages 4-10

  • Little Brown Girl by Leona Prince and illustrated by Paige Pettibon | Link
  • Tess’s Red Dress by Carolyn Roberts and illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote |  Link
  • Kohkum’s First Drum by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Karlene Harvey | Link
  • Springtime in Kitkatla by Kim Spencer and illustrated by Karlene Harvey | Link

Middle Grade/High School

  • 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing | Link
  • Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Adapted by Monique Gray Smith with illustrations from Nicole Neidhardt | Link

DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Career Spotlight - Trades: Construction, Piping/Plumbing & Transportation | On-Demand Learning Feature
Learn about different careers in the Trades industry! Presenters include members from various trades backgrounds. Listen to speakers as they talk about their occupation/role in the Trades industry as well as their career journeys.

POPARD's Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis 5-Day Course | August 31 – September 4, 2026 | Register Today!
This is a 5-day course offered by SD35 and will be facilitated by the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD).
Completion of this course provides the participant with an overview of ABA history and theory, with an emphasis on practical application in school settings. Participants will learn how discrete trial and task analysis are carried out, and learn how ABA principles are applied to other teaching situations and to program development for students with autism spectrum disorders.
 
 Goals of this course:

  • to learn basis ABA theory and definitions
  • to learn how to implement basic ABA instructional strategies and techniques
  • to learn how to collect reliable and consistent data when working with students

 SAVE THE DATE! MathUP Virtual Kick-Off Launch | September 23, 2026
Join us on September 23rd from 3:00–3:30 PM for the official MathUp Kick-Off Launch! This short virtual session on TEAMS will introduce educators to MathUP resources, key features, and exciting ways to support meaningful math learning in the classroom. Best of all, because it’s online, participants can join directly from their schools, no travel required! Come connect, explore, and get inspired for the year ahead in mathematics learning.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Transformative Educational Leadership Program (TELP) | UBC | Apply by July 15, 2026 | More info
The Transformative Educational Leadership Program (TELP) is ideal for individuals in a Canadian or international K-12 system and other connected sectors, who are interested in system transformation. This cohort-based program is for highly-motivated individuals who want to expand their world-view, gain new experiences and raise their professional credentials to new levels. The start date is October 2026 and the program is for one year using a Hybrid format. 

Learn On 2026 | Everfi | July 15, 2026 | More info
Earn up to four hours of professional development and get energized for the new school year! The 7th annual LearnOn brings together a vibrant community of educators who are passionate about preparing students for the real world. At LearnOn, we'll explore how future-ready skills, student well-being, and innovation come together to build lessons that last. Unable to attend the live event? Register now to get the recordings. If you are looking to spark your creativity and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education, this virtual event is for you!

UDL-Con: International Live Online Conference | CAST | July 21 & 22, 2026 | More info | Sessions
UDL-Con: Live Online is the perfect way to inspire your practice, connect with the field, and start the next school year even stronger.
For just $249, you'll get access to a diverse lineup of sessions—including 3 entirely in Spanish—all designed to equip you with actionable strategies for critical topics like Accessibility, Inclusive Technology, AI, Leadership and Systems Change, SEL, Multilingual Learners, Research to Practice, and more.

Part-Time Online Training to Become a School Psychologist at UBC | More info
Interested in a flexible option to train to become a school psychologist? The University of British Columbia (UBC) will host a three-year part time Master of Education program in School and Applied Child Psychology primarily online beginning in July 2027. For more information, check the link above.

Register for the Learning First Peoples Summer Institute | August 25-26, 2026 |  Register
Registration is now open for the Learning First Peoples Summer Institute taking place on August 25-26 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:
  • August 25, 2026 (9 am–3 pm):  English First Peoples 10 and 11/12 Teacher Resource Guides (revised 2026)
  • August 26, 2026 (9 am–3 pm):  BC First Peoples 12 and BC First Nations Land, Title and Governance Teacher Resource Guides
Teaching French in the Fraser Valley | More info
Would you like to learn to teach French this coming fall?  UFV is offering a program that is available to current K-12 teachers and EAs who are looking to expand their language teaching skills.  Check out the flyer for more details.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

BC STEM Opportunities | More info
BC STEM Opportunities is a fairly new website, created by Langley students, which provides students and teachers easy access to a wide variety of STEM related events, competitions, opportunities, grants, bursaries and scholarships.  Many of these opportunities are not well known or well advertised but are curated by Langley students and made available here in one, single, easy to access location.  You can access the website at the link above.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Belonging and Identity Resources for June from Curio
Whether it's National Indigenous History Month, Pride celebrations, or the lived experiences of new Canadians and fresh grads, June is a unique moment to reflect on who we are and where we are going. How does positive personal and cultural identity sustain us as we reach for our goals? These resources from Curio dig into self-worth, belonging and community. A reminder that Curio resources are free to access for all teachers in the Langley School District.

  • Graduation Day | Secondary | Video
    Set in James Smith First Nation (Saskatchewan), this documentary follows 18-year-old Sage and his grandmother, Connie, graduating high school together—a beautiful testament to the power of community, culture, and personal self-worth.
  • Bannock in a Hammock | Elementary (4-7) | Video
    Forest of Reading presents Bannock in a Hammock by Masiana Kelly. Read along with student reader Riker in Calgary to explore a popular traditional Indigenous food, and the many ways to enjoy it!
  • Explaining Powwow culture | Elementary  (8-11), Secondary | Video
    These important Indigenous celebrations honour deep traditions through song and dance. Join CBC Kids News contributor Sophia Smoke as she gets ready for a powwow and explains its rich history—and its journey from being banned to booming across North America.
  • Immigration: Innovation, Culture and Community | Secondary | Theme
    Discover how newcomers shape Canada’s vibrant identity. This collection highlights uplifting stories of belonging, from rich cultural traditions and economic contributions to diverse culinary scenes. Explore inspiring journeys of resilience and connection that define what it means to build a future and make Canada home.
  • Latin American Sanctuary | Secondary | Video
    Discover how Latin American immigrants are shaking up Canada’s food scene. This episode shows how newcomers build community, share rich traditions, and make major cultural and economic impacts in their new homes.
  • Pride History | Elementary (8-11), Secondary | Video
    Perfect for June and the approach of summer, this video explores the history of the Pride movement. Help students understand its roots, why it matters today, and how marking Pride fosters community.

Inquiry and Questioning Videos and Resources from Trevor Mackenzie | Website
Are you interested in learning more about how to increase student engagement and learner agency through inquiry and enhancing your students ability to think critically and ask good questions?  Trevor Mackenzie is a BC educator who specializes in this work and he has been providing some excellent videos and resources to help teachers implement inquiry and questioning routines into the classroom.  Trevor was the keynote presenter at our Langley Middle School Conference back in October where he introduced teachers to inquiry, classroom provocation and questioning routines.  In the folders below you can find the video of Trevor's keynote along with 4 subsequent folders with shorter, 30 minute videos and accompanying resources that build off Trevor's keynote and dive deeper into the subjects outlined next to each folder.  Please feel free to use these resources and share with others.  You can also check out Trevor's books and other resources at his website at the link above.

Coast Metro Numeracy Website | Link
The Coast Metro Math Project/Numeracy Website is an excellent, free resource for K-8 teachers. It contains a ton of great resources and lesson ideas for teachers to use around math and numeracy instruction. The website has recently been supplemented to include Math Practice Questions based on requests from teachers across the province. Teachers can access the website through the link above. 

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS

The New Literacy Block | Pembroke Publishers | Free Preview
What does your literacy block look like? The New Literacy Block will make your literacy classroom more organized, manageable and productive. A fresh approach to structured literacy that makes every minute count with reading and writing routines that reflect evidence-based classroom practice. A timely look at ways to support all students in developing foundational skills, from decoding and fluency to comprehension and composition.

Assess That Podcast: Why Assessment Fails (and How Students Actually Learn Quality) | Podcast
Self-assessment has become one of the most widely embraced practices in education. We want students to reflect on their learning, understand success criteria, monitor their progress, and take ownership of their growth. But what if we've underestimated how difficult self-assessment actually is? In this episode, Tom and Natalie explore the idea that students don't become effective self-assessors simply because we provide rubrics, post success criteria, or ask reflective questions. Instead, they argue that the ability to recognize quality (what researchers call evaluative judgment) must be intentionally developed through exposure, comparison, discussion, and calibration. Together, they unpack why success criteria often fall short, how expert blind spots can unintentionally create barriers for learners, and why exemplars, feedback, and calibration conversations are so critical to helping students see quality more clearly. Along the way, they share practical strategies educators can use immediately to strengthen students' ability to judge their own work, use feedback more effectively, and become more independent learners. If you've ever wondered why students struggle to revise, self-assess, or accurately gauge the quality of their work, this episode offers a fresh perspective and a practical path forward.

TECH TIPS

Back to School Summit | MyBlueprint SpacesEDU | August 17-20, 2026 | Register
The annual Back to School Summit is happening August 17–20 and will bring together educators and experts to make the next school year the most impactful yet. 
Join them for five practical, expert-led sessions designed to help you: 
  • Simplify assessment and collect meaningful evidence of learning 
  • Strengthen family engagement without adding more to your plate 
  • Support student ownership through digital portfolios 
  • Deliver clear, actionable feedback that drives growth 
Get practical, ready-to-use strategies to turn your prep into a plan. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and start the year strong!

SpacesEDU | Step by Step Guide
June is the perfect time to have students upload work into their digital portfolio!  
SpacesEDU is a digital portfolio and competency-based learning platform designed for K-12 students. It allows students to showcase their work, reflect on their learning, and connect their achievements to standards or competencies. The platform supports competency-based education by providing tools to assess and report on student progress, helping educators and parents visualize growth. 
Go to spacesedu.com to get started! You can also check out the guide above.
Remember, even just adding a few pieces of evidence of learning at the end of the year will help your students document their learning journey. 

SpacesEDU End-of-Year FAQs
See below for some important info for wrapping up the year, including managing Space Visibility Settings for student work access and how moving or graduating students can update their email addresses to retain access to their accounts, and more.    

  1. Review Space Visibility Settings (SpacesEDU Classes) - Space settings determine which posts are shared to the All Class Posts, which is a central hub in the student account for class-based posts.
    • Spaces that are set to Visible or Active sync posts to the All Class Posts, but posts in spaces set to Hidden are omitted. Teachers should review their space visibility settings to support student access/ownership of their work.
  2. Ask Moving / Graduating Students to Update their Email - Students can add a personal email by accessing their Account Settings. SpacesEDU recognizes both emails, so they can continue to log in with their district email for as long as their district email is live.
Students can also email hello@spacesedu.com to ask to change their email on their behalf.
Questions? Contact abaxfield@sd35.bc.ca

Help Support Healthy Gaming over the summer | More info
You don’t need to be an expert in gaming consoles to support families with this. Simply sharing these resources helps start important conversations at home about screen time, safety, and healthy gaming habits. A quick mention in a newsletter, email, or parent communication can go a long way in helping families feel informed and supported.
Why Share This with Families?
Partnering with families is key to supporting safe and balanced technology use beyond the classroom. By sharing resources on setting up parental controls for gaming consoles, you empower parents to create consistent expectations around screen time, online safety, and digital wellbeing at home. This reinforces the digital citizenship skills we teach at school and helps prevent issues related to inappropriate content or interactions while promoting responsible gaming habits.