In the Loop - September 17, 2026
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
Featured DLC Resource:
Two Additional Adrienne Gear Powerful Thinking: Nudging Learning kits. This kit will support any K-7 classroom.
- This kit contains:
- 1 copy of Adrienne Gear’s book Powerful Thinking, conveniently tabbed to chapter 5; Nudging Learning.
- 13 of Adrienne’s recommended non-fiction picture book titles to support the lessons: Non-Fiction Text Structures, One Word, Book Bites, Knew-New, Fact-React, and Gisting.
- Picture books included:
- Supermoms!
- Puffin
- Good Trick, Walking Stick!
- I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food
- Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem
- Hottest Coldest Highest Deepest
- Just A Second
- Summertime Sleepers
- Steve the Dung Beetle: On a Roll
- Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks
- Packs: Strength in Numbers
- Saving the Spotted Owl: Zalea’s Story
- Heads and Tails Insects
To book this kit and to learn more about the District Learning Commons, click here. Don’t forget to login and choose District Learning Commons in the drop down to place the booking. Please see your school’s teacher librarian for assistance.
HONOURING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Free Lesson Plan for K/1 | Indigenous Packs | Rubicon Publishing | Lesson Plan
As the school year gets underway, preparing meaningful conversations for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 is a priority for many educators. We recognize the hard work you put into the start of the year to help students understand Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, and experiences, and to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
To assist you in bringing Orange Shirt Day into your classroom, Rubicon Publishing is providing free access to a book from their BOLDPRINT Inquiry Indigenous Packs, complete with a ready-to-use lesson plan for Kindergarten and Grade 1.
PROVINCIAL PRO-D DAY - Friday October 23, 2026
Pro-D at the Museum of Vancouver | October 23, 2026 | More info
MOV is pleased to once again host the Provincial Pro-D Day at the Museum of Vancouver on Friday, October 23. This will be a rich day of learning, networking and professional development designed for educators. For details and registration, please visit the website at the link above.
Registration is now open for the annual BC Mathematics Conference which will be held at Gladstone Secondary on the Provincial Pro-D Day, Friday October 23! This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Peter Liljedahl, professor at SFU. In addition, the workshop options include Langley's very own Calvin Leung, who will be offering the workshop below at the conference:
Let’s Count On Math: Seeing Structure and Building Meaning From K-12
From K-12, students often make their way through a series of disjointed experiences causing a disconnect between students and math; resulting in weak numeracy and understanding of “what math means.” The easy to apply and understand structure of “counting” can be used in and between classrooms K-12 to make meaning and help students understand the procedures and algorithms we teach. The algorithms and processes remain unchanged, only a slight change in how we approach them makes them more accessible and relatable to students. With over 75% of instructional time spent covering: number concepts and operations, algebra, measurement, and probability, “counting" is the unifying framework that will allow students to see interrelationships between concepts, processes, and algorithms to make sense of and organize their math learning. Weaving this thread through the K-12 journey will help students have a greater understanding of how things are related and make concepts easier for teachers to teach and students to learn, retain, and apply.
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The Power of Playful Inquiry with Susan Harris MacKay| On-Demand Learning Feature
Children use play to understand their worlds - so schools should take advantage of this evolutionary strategy for meaning making. Playful inquiry supports lifelong engagement in an evolving world, advancing participation, voice, and perspective-taking. This approach to learning invites adults and children to negotiate uncertainty and ambiguity in a community of people with divergent beliefs and values. Through processes that reflect a strong image of the child, and heighten empathy, reflection, and imagination, playful inquiry supports communities characterized by courage and collaboration.
NEW! Elementary/Middle: MathUP Launch Webinar | September 23, 2026 | Register Today!
Instructional Services will be hosting a virtual MathUP Launch Webinar on Wednesday, September 23rd on TEAMS, starting at 2:45 pm. This virtual session 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! Participants will also be invited to attend a deeper, full day MathUP exploration on the October 23rd Pro-D Day! Come connect, explore, and get inspired for the year ahead in mathematics learning.
As part of our Setting up for Success Program supporting new teachers to Langley, Instructional Services and Learning Support Services are offering an after school workshop focused on Assessment, Communicating Student Learning and Reporting. This workshop will be especially helpful for teachers at all levels who are going to be involved in informal learning updates, formal learning updates, parent-teacher conferences and Student Inclusive Conferences for the first time. There will be specific breakout sessions for Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Learning Support. As well, District ELL teachers and Learning Support teachers will also be embedded in the general breakout sessions to help answers questions regarding assessment and reporting for ELL and Learning Support students.
Snacks, refreshments and a catered dinner will be provided to you.
Location: Church in the Valley: 23589 Old Yale Rd, Langley, BC V2Z 2K4
Schedule:
- 3:15 – 3:45 PM: Arrival and check-in
- 3:45 – 5:00 PM: District Assessment Overview
- 5:00 – 5:45 PM: Catered Dinner
- 5:45 – 7:00 PM: Grade Level Breakout Sessions
NEW! BC IEP & MyEd Training for Resource Teachers | October 7, 2026 | Register Today!
This Workshop is presented by members of our Inclusion Team. You will learn how to complete the key components of a Competency Based Individual Education Plan and how to enter these documents into MyEd. This workshop will be offered twice on October the 7th. A morning session running from 9:00am - 12:00pm. An afternoon session running from 12:00 - 3:00pm.
NEW! Ukeru Training 2026-2027 | Multiple Dates, 2026-2027 | Register Today!
Special Education Assistants (SEAs) in the Langley School District are expected to renew their Ukeru training every two years. Content of this session includes Trauma-Informed Care, De-escalation Strategies, and Personal Protective Skills.
This is single-day training. Only register for one day. If you need to change the day you are attending, please reach out to Professional Services (thinklangley@sd35.bc.ca), and they will assist you. Questions regarding the teaching should be directed to Cathy Gracie. This training is open to all district staff to whom these practices may apply.
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
- 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
- an Assessment Identity Reflection
- a Less-Is-More Assessment Checklist
- a Stop / Start / Continue Action Planner
Webinars for Educators | Focused ED | September 21, 2026 | September 25, 2026
On Monday, September 21, 2026, and Friday, September 25, 2026, Focused Education will host a series of virtual sessions for educators. Many districts have professional development days on these days. These free sessions are open to all members and will showcase Digital Classroom and other K-12 instructional supports, featuring classroom-ready resources, practical teaching strategies, and tools that support teaching and learning.
SHEC Master Class 2026/2027 | September 23, 2026 | More info | Register
This engaging Master Class will focus on what it takes to make comprehensive sexual health education truly effective and sustainable. In this practical session, Chris Billingham will explore how educators and school communities can move beyond individual lessons to build the conditions that support sexual health education over the long term. This session is ideal for educators and professionals who teach in schools, work within school districts, support students and educators, or want to deepen their understanding of the scope and possibilities of comprehensive sexual health education in BC. Admission is $120.
What if, for once, the conference was for you? Every year, Alain Pelletier speaks to thousands of students about bullying in schools across Canada. This fall, he's offering teachers and school staff a FREE 90-minute live conference called The 5 Faces of Bullying. There will be no students, no PowerPoint, no recording. Just a practical and engaging session about understanding bullying and better recognizing what can sometimes go unnoticed.
How to Win at Classroom Management in 6 Easy Steps | Pembroke Publishers | October 8, 2026 | Register
Celebrate a new school year with Angie Barrett and How to Win at Classroom Management in 6 Easy Steps! Join Pembroke Publishers on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7 pm (ET) for an exploration of classroom management and making your classroom really work for you—and your students.
SOGI123: 2026 SOGI Educator Summit | October 15, 2026 | Register
We are well aware of the growing mis- and disinformation regarding SOGI-inclusive education, and the real impact it has on our work. We also know that we are stronger together! By Uplifting Our Voices, we will continue to practice collective care and showing up consistently for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Join them in celebrating 10 years of SOGI 123. Come ready for active participation, open discussions, and to leave with the practical tools you need to continue uplifting the right to be our authentic selves.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF/STUDENTS/CLASSES
Scholarship Opportunity for Students: Youth Challenge 2026 | More info | Poster | FAQ | Scholarship
The 2026 Make It Safe Youth Challenge, now in its third year, is a free student competition and career-exploration event for B.C. post-secondary and high school students. Hosted as part of the Make It Safe Vancouver health and safety conference, the event introduces students to the health and safety sectors through a blend of competition, showcase, industry learning, and networking. Students are invited to join for a day of networking, learning and potentially walk away with financial prizing and scholarship funds.
Student Vote for the Local Elections | Student Vote BC | More info | Register
Student Vote is a free, non-partisan program that brings democracy into the classroom. Students learn about local government, explore issues that matter to their communities, research candidates, and cast ballots in a parallel election. Participating schools receive learning resources and election supplies, including ballots, ballot boxes and voting screens. Registration is open until October 1, and educators can sign up at the link above.
School Programs with the Museum of Vancouver | Brochure English | French
The Museum of Vancouver is pleased to offer engaging, interactive educational programs for students from Kindergarten to Grade 7. Our school programs align with the BC provincial curriculum and promote hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Free Resources for Remembrance Day 2026 | Veterans Affairs Canada | More info
Veterans Affairs Canada is offering free, bilingual remembrance resources in print and online. This year’s collection includes print materials as well as educational videos, lesson plans, activities and much more!
Discover Focused Education Resources Through SD35 Digital Resources | K-12 Resources | Programs | How to Access
Looking for high-quality, curriculum-aligned digital resources to support teaching and learning? SD35 provides access to a growing collection of resources from Focused Education, a provincial organization dedicated to supporting teaching and learning in British Columbia classrooms.
Everfi has three new Financial Literacy resources for the school year, supported by RBC & Seaspan. These resources are housed on Everfi's learning platform.
- Vault (Grades 4-6): Introduces students to budgeting, saving, spending, and financial decision-making.
- FutureSmart (Grades 6-8): Helps students explore financial responsibility, career pathways, and money management skills.
- SaveUp (Grades 6-8): Builds foundational knowledge around saving, goal setting, and smart financial choices.
TECH TIPS
Free Learning Opportunities | Logics Academy | Data Dunkers | Virtual Series
Logics Academy has virtual educator learning opportunities coming your way, including the Data Dunkers Virtual Series.
- Use basketball data to explore data literacy, critical thinking, statistics, and real-world problem solving with learning experiences designed for educators and students in Grades 5–12.
- More for You to Discover this School Season with a virtual series. Check out the Free live learning sessions designed to help educators explore emerging trends, innovative technologies, and practical teaching strategies.
