In the Loop - September 10, 2026

The relationship we build

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 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. We also 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).

Click here for more information, including login instructions: SD35 District Learning Commons.

HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Walk With Us: The Path Towards Reconciliation—A community dialogue inspired by Valley of the Birdtail | September 23, 2026 | More info
Join Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) and Andrew Stobo Sniderman, co-authors of the national bestseller Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation, for a conversation about reconciliation, equity and pathways forward. Their story of two communities, separated only by a river, reveals how education and government policies produce remarkably different outcomes in Indigenous-Settler relations.
Moderated by UBC Faculty of Education Dean Jan Hare and Dr. Mona Gleason, the discussion will explore practical approaches to truth-telling and building stronger relations.
The event includes a reception, guided tours of Indigenous installations and an audience Q&A. You can find more information and register at the link above.

DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

 Engaging Soft Start Activities: Starting Your Day Off Right with Jay Malcolm | On-Demand Learning Feature
We’ll be looking at different ways students can transition from home to school and ease their way into a day of learning with intentional and engaging soft start activities. We’ll dig deeper into specific soft start activities that can be used right away. Please sit with colleagues that you can collaborate and share ideas with (grade groups would work well). There will be three slides with questions where you will be asked to take 5-10 minutes and have a conversation or share ideas with one another.

NEW! Connecting the Pieces: The Early Years Conference | October 23, 2026 | Register Today!
Connecting the Pieces: The Early Years Conference is our annual conference dedicated to professional development for Kindergarten - Grade 3 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.

To see our full calendar of offerings, visit www.thinklangley.com.

EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Webinar: "From Marking to Meaning: Small Assessment Shifts That Reduce Burnout in a K-8 Classroom" | September 12, 2026 | Register
The Canadian Assessment Centre is hosting this webinar with Karley Alleyn. This session is for K–8 educators, school leaders, and district leaders who believe every child can succeed but suspect their current assessment practices don't fully reflect that belief. 
 Karley will explore: 
  • why assessment burnout runs deeper than time pressure alone 
  • how personal experience and professional identity shape the way we assess 
  • why "less is more" often means clearer, more useful evidence of learning 
  • what small shifts reduce overload while strengthening student learning 
Every participant leaves with three tools they can put to use right away: 
  • an Assessment Identity Reflection 
  • a Less-Is-More Assessment Checklist 
  • a Stop / Start / Continue Action Planner 
This isn't a session about doing more. It's about understanding what's driving your current practice and making assessment more sustainable, more practical, and more aligned with what you believe about learners. 

Canadian Assessment for Learning Network (CAfLN) Conference 2026: Transforming Assessment: Equitable Assessment Practices in the Age of AI | Register
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping education, challenging long-held assumptions about learning, evidence, and assessment. As AI becomes embedded in classrooms, educators are being called to rethink how we assess learning in ways that remain equitable, meaningful, and human-centered.
Join educators, leaders, and researchers from across Canada to explore how assessment practices can evolve in this new landscape. Through keynotes, research-informed sessions, and practical workshops, participants will examine AI’s impact on classroom assessment while keeping equity, student agency, and professional judgment at the center.
Grounded in Canadian research and real classroom experiences, this conference invites participants to question traditional grading practices, explore new approaches to assessment for learning, and consider what truly matters in education.
Come to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to engage in bold conversations and collaborative learning as we work together to transform assessment in the age of AI.

Teaching French in the Fraser Valley | UFV's School of Education | More info
Would you like to learn to teach French? UFV has a program that is available to current K-12 teachers and EAs who are looking to expand their skills. Check out the flyer for more details! 

Pro-D Opportunities from JA British Columbia | Dollars with Sense | Be Entrepreneurial
Ready to bring entrepreneurship to life in your classroom? Join us on October 23 for virtual sessions featuring Dollars with Sense (9–10 a.m. PT) and Be Entrepreneurial (10:30–11:30 a.m. PT). Explore B.C. Curriculum connections, get practical classroom ideas, hear from educators and JA volunteers, and discover how JA can help students build future-ready skills.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES

Apple Diversity Hybrid Workshop for K-12 | UBC Botanical Garden | September 22, 2026 | More info
Start your 2026/2027 school year with the fresh taste of Apple Diversity! Join them on September 22, 2026, for an interactive online session that explores biodiversity through apples, science, and culture. This FREE curriculum-connected session will support all grade levels, K-7 and 8-12.

  • Participate in a live online session on September 22, 2026.
  • Download a package of NEW hands-on activities grades K-7 and 8-12
  • Participate in a contest to win a FREE 1-hour Garden + TreeWalk tour
    • See program details for terms and conditions.
  • NEW Opportunity to book a guided tour + Apple Orchard Walk with 20% off admissions 
    • For participating classes, applicable dates and conditions apply

Vimy Inspires Tomorrow: 2026 Leadership Grant Program | Vimy Foundation | Deadline October 6, 2026 | Poster | More info | Modules
Vimy Inspires Tomorrow is a history-based leadership program for youth in Canada, ages 13-17. It is designed to sharpen the leadership skills that they can use to develop a transformative community project. Youth who complete the program are eligible for a project grant of $2,500 to assist them in bringing a community project to life.

2026 Vancouver Gairdner High School Symposium | October 19, 2026 | More info
The Gairdner High School Symposium is a half-day event held each fall that gives secondary students and teachers the opportunity to interact with Gairdner award-winning scientists and BC Children's Hospital researchers. Grade 10-12 students can participate in-person or virtually in real-time. The registration will open on September 14, 2026.

No Fabric Design Contest | Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VKFW) | October 2026 | More info | Register
Are you interested in Fashion Design? Participate in the No Fabric Fashion Design contest at Vancouver Kids Fashion Week! The shows are scheduled for October 2026. They are seeking passionate and curious young people to create clothing pieces out of recycled materials and no fabric! This includes a chance to win a spot on their runway! Make sure you submit your application before September 18th, 2026, at 12 PM to get results on October 2nd!
If this opportunity interests you, please sign up using the link above.

Kind Competition | Wilson School of Design | More info | Details
The KPU Wilson School of Design is excited to launch the KIND Competition (KPU Innovation in Design) in Fall 2026, inviting high school students in Grades 10 to 12 to explore how design can create positive change for both people and the environment. KIND encourages students to see design as a powerful tool for creating positive change. Participants are invited to explore how design can be kind to people and the environment by developing creative, thoughtful, and responsible solutions to real-world challenges. The competition is also a great opportunity for students to experience design thinking firsthand and learn more about design as a potential field of study and future career.

High School Economics Field Trips | More info | Register
Give your students the chance to experience economics like never before - with hands-on activities, engaging challenges, and real-world applications that make learning fun. These FREE one-day field trips are designed for grades 10-12 and offer exciting ways to build critical thinking skills.

  • Vancouver SFU Downtown October 29, 2026
  • Vancouver SFU Downtown October 30, 2026

Remembrance Day | Historica Canada | Request  Speaker by October 3, 2026
Make Remembrance Day even more meaningful with a visit from a veteran or serving Canadian Armed Forces member. Request a free Memory Project speaker visit to learn more about the legacy of the Canadian military and the importance of Remembrance. Please note that visits are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. For priority consideration, please submit your request for this Remembrance season before October 3rd.

MiniEnterprize 2027 | February 13, 2027 | Early bird pricing until October 31, 2026 | More info | Students Registration | Teachers Registration
We are excited to officially announce the return of miniEnterprize 2027, Western Canada’s largest and oldest business case competition for high school students, hosted at the UBC Sauder School of Business. This year’s event promises an engaging experience designed to challenge students to think critically, analyze real-world business scenarios, and present innovative solutions. For those new to case competitions, they are dynamic events where participants work in teams to tackle complex business problems, then present their findings and strategies to a panel of judges. Through this process, students develop essential skills like public speaking, teamwork, and analytical thinking—all of which are valuable in both academic and professional settings.

Opportunities for Students from JA British Columbia | More info

  • Big World Big Choices | Grades 4-7 | Curriculum Match: Career Education | More info
    This recently introduced experience connects Grades 4–7 students with professionals from a variety of industries through an engaging virtual session. Students explore career pathways, hear real-world stories, and gain confidence in imagining their future possibilities. Join us on October 7 for our first session, exploring careers in animation and storytelling!
  • JA Titan | Grades 8-12 | Curriculum Match: Math, English, Career Education | More info
    JA Titan returns to JABC this year, giving students the opportunity to step into the role of CEO through an engaging business simulation. Students make real-world decisions about budgeting, production, marketing, and strategy while responding to changing market conditions.
  • JA Company Program | GRADES 10-12 | Curriculum Match: ADST, Career Education | More info
    The JA Company Program brings experiential learning into the classroom through a 10–16-week hands-on entrepreneurship experience. Students plan, launch and run their own business while building leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills, with flexible delivery options.
  • World of Choices | GRADES 6-12 | More info
    Bring career exploration into your classroom with JABC’s live and on-demand virtual experiences. World of Choices connects students with professionals from a variety of industries through monthly live sessions, including Public Safety on September 24, featuring careers in firefighting, the RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard.

Build School Community with Dance Party | DANCEPL3Y | More info | Register
A DANCEPL3Y is more than just dance, it's a curriculum-connected way to get students moving and builds physical literacy and confidence. It also supports BC curriculum outcomes in Dance, Physical & Health Education, and mental well-being. The fall residency pricing from September to December is the best price of the year.

Spark Curiosity with Royal BC Museum | Booking Information
Our educator resources bring together programs, activities, collections, and learning materials on a range of topics connected to the BC curriculum—from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Whether you’re planning a field trip, looking for an online experience, bringing the museum to your classroom, or seeking resources to support learning throughout the year, you’ll find it all in one place.
Programs are now available to book through June 2027. Explore some of our featured learning programs below, with options for in-person, online, and classroom-based learning.

  • New Learning Lab: Ancient Egypt | In-person 60 minutes | Grade 7 and up | More info
  • New Digital Field Trip: Ancient Egypt | Online 30 minutes  Grade 7 | More info
  • Free Resource | National Day For Truth and Reconciliation | Online | More info
  • In-Class Provocation Packs: Transform Your Classroom into a Mini Museum | In-Class Two Week Loan | Grade K-12 | More info
  • In-Class Outreach Kits: Transform Your Classroom into a Mini Museum | In-Class Two Week Loan | Grade K-10 | More info
  • Free Programs Connecting You with the Museum | Live Online Free | Grade K-7 | More info
  • Free Resource Learning Portal | Online | More info

Virtual Programs | RCMP Heritage Centre | More info
The Heritage Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its significant role in Canadian history. While we are an independent organization and are not directly operated by the RCMP, we work closely with the Force to ensure that our interpretation and educational programming accurately reflect its history. As we begin the new school year, I am reaching out to share our Virtual Education Guide with you. The guide provides an overview of the virtual educational programs we are offering to schools throughout the 2026–27 school year.

BC STEM Opportunities | More info
Do you have students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and looking for opportunities and scholarships to enhance your learning in these areas?  Then be sure to direct them to the new BC STEM Opportunities website.  This is a website created by Langley students which is a one stop shop for all activities and opportunities that are STEM related - from upcoming STEM contests or events, to STEM related grants and scholarship opportunities.  The website is updated on an ongoing basis so be sure to check back regularly for new opportunities.  Students can access the website at the link above.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Classroom Routines Handbook | K to 12 Version
The Classroom Routines Handbook is a brand-new resource designed to help all teachers K to 12, new or experienced, with setting up successful classroom structures and routines that will help create a smooth school year with your students.  You can access the handbook at the link above.

Start the year off right with some great teaching books/resources from Pembroke Publishers | More info
Looking for the right book to start the school year off right? Pembroke Publishers provides a number of great books for classrooms teachers from author Larry Swartz. From "Teaching Tough Topics," to "Yes, Genre Makes a Difference," to "Better Reading Now" or "Write to Read," Pembroke and Larry have a book for everyone!  Teachers can preview all of the books online before you buy!  And they also offer a 10% education back to school discount! See everything that's new from Pembroke at link above.

"Finding a Place for Every Student" Book Preview | Pembroke Publishers | Online Preview
A new school year is soon to begin! With a new class comes a wide variety of new students, with an even wider variety of unique qualities and challenges that need to be met. Finding a Place for Every Student is your key to identifying those challenges, and finding a place for every student to belong.
Inclusive practice, social belonging and differentiated instruction with a strong focus on social belonging, this comprehensive resource includes tried-and-tested ways to work with students with exceptionalities, including autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, mental health issues, learning disabilities, behaviour challenges, trauma, intellectual disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, giftedness, and low-incidence disabilities.

The New Literacy Block | Pembroke Publishers | Online Preview
How to do it all in a traditional 100-minute literacy block! Start the new year off right with this fresh approach to structured literacy that makes every minute count. This thoughtful examination of instructional practices and routines will enable teachers to systematically address the alphabetic code (word recognition and decoding) and the necessary language comprehension skills students need to become proficient readers and writers. 

Learning Resources from Curio | Log In Instruction 

  • Current events meet Curriculum | Secondary | Videos & Guides
    Make sense of major Canadian headlines with News in Review. 32 stories per school year. Covering every subject area!
  • Surprising ways to study effectively | Elementary | Video
    From 'StudyTok' to AI, students have endless ways to study — but what actually works? Help your students level up their study habits with this quick, high-energy CBC Kids News clip.
  • Community Helpers | Elementary | Videos
    Introduce your youngest learners to the everyday heroes in their community. This bite-sized video series from CBC Kids spotlights firefighters, construction workers, crossing guards and school bus drivers.
  • Tell Me About: Terry Fox | Elementary | Video
    Kickstart your Terry Fox discussions with this inspiring CBC Kids video! From running a marathon a day to uniting a nation, give your elementary class a front-row seat to an incredible story of grit, heart and hope.
Social Studies 10 teaching supports for Holocaust education | More info | Order Kits
In alignment with the recent addition of the Holocaust to the Social Studies 10 learning standards, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre released Fragments in Focus: A History of the Holocaust at the start of the school year. Fragments in Focus combines curated primary sources with historical text, integrated learning activities and structured teacher support so students can engage directly with this important period in history. 
School districts or teachers can request classroom resource kits that accompany Fragments in Focus and support teaching and learning about the Holocaust with confidence. These kits are available in English and French and include a teachers guide, 30 student activity booklets and 30 historical-themed text booklets.

Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2) Access and Resources 
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: 
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.
Resources for Teachers | Historica Canada | More info
If you are unable to host a speaker this Remembrance season, Historica Canada is happy to offer alternatives with events, videos, and learning resources to explore. 
They will be sharing a virtual panel featuring three Afghanistan War veterans, in honour of th 25th anniversary of the start of the war. The panel is moderated by Heather Hiscox, journalist and former host of CBC Morning Live.  
Explore testimonies from the Memory Project Archive, a collection of first-hand accounts and stories from veterans of the Second World War, Korean War, and Peacekeeping missions. Sharing these stories is a great way to incorporate primary sources into your classroom.
We also offer primary source-based educational videos. The catalogue includes stories from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Korea, Europe, and more. Our newest video, Fighting Against Death explores the intense role of Canadian medical personnel in Afghanistan from 2001-2014. 
Check out the learning tools for activities and lesson plans to help students engage with primary sources and explore Canada’s military history. From discovering the use of propaganda during the Second World War to exploring the fascinating history of women in the military, their education guides can help your students discover new perspectives. All the guides are available at: https://www.historicacanada.ca/productions/guides. 
Their sister program, the Citizenship Challenge, offers quizzes on Remembrance Day in Canada, Canadian Military History, and Women in the Canadian Military, among others, which you can find at: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/quizzes.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL READINGS

Establishing Expectations with a New Class | Article
Getting the year started in your classroom in a positive way sets you up as a teacher for a much more enjoyable school year!  This article is a great starting point in providing 10 simple, yet clear expectations that teachers can set with their class as they establish routines that will go a long way to ensuring good habits from your students and a smooth year ahead!

The Choreography of Teaching 30 Children at the Same Time | Article
Teaching a class of up to 30 students is a very challenging proposition, especially to do so in a way that ensures that all students are engaged in the learning that ensures that all students are actually learning.  In this article, Tom Sheerington provides practical ideas, strategies and methods that classroom teachers can use in their daily practice to ensure that all students are indeed engaged in the learning.  So many of these strategies are Universally Designed strategies that benefit and provide access to all learners.  Definitely  worth the read and save for future reference!

TECH TIPS

Microsoft Teams
The beginning of the year is a great time to refresh your Microsoft Teams dashboard. First, be sure to archive teams from previous years that will no longer be used – this ensures that the members can no longer post in those Teams.   Next, create any new teams that you need to use for the upcoming school year. You can use existing teams as a template for any new teams you create, including copying channels and even members! You can also do the same for a Class Notebook that is attached to a team so that you can reuse structures and resources from previous school years without having to redo the entire set-up. 


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