Staff News

April 21, 2017

Long Service Awards

In February the District recognized individual staff members that have served 20, 30 and 40 years in the District. In the course of the evening there were reminiscences, reconnections with colleagues and a few laughs as those that have served the District and the students of Langley were honoured by the District Leadership Team and School Board Trustees.

Celebration of Diversity

April 10-13 was Celebrate Diversity week in the District and many schools took the opportunity to learn more about and focus on inclusion of all people regardless of race, religion or orientation. Incorporated within the week was recognition of the International Day of Pink (www.dayofpink.org) and a stance on inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. Also this week was the roll out of the Langley version of the ‘safe space’ Langley Pride sticker. Check out some of the photos that were submitted:

BSS Teacher meets the Queen

Back in the fall, Brookswood Teacher Graham Esplen was one of 125 recipients from the entire Commonwealth of a Certificate of Merit, to be presented by Prince Micheal, Duke of Kent. Graham was selected for his outstanding work with the Life Saving Society of Canada. Presented with the award in London, England, Graham visited Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. Graham described the experience as ‘phenomenal and humbling’. I am sure you will pass on your congratulations if you have not already!

Langley District Employee Commended by RCMP

District Principal of Student Support Services Renge Bailie was presented with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer in Charge Commendation by Langley Detachment Superintendent and Officer in Charge Murray Power for her role in supporting a program that connects Langley youth with Langley RCMP Officers. The Langley RCMP Onside Program is a partnership between the Langley Detachment, the Langley School Board and the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club that pairs vulnerable young people with RCMP Officers that serve as mentors and positive role models as they escort the youths to Whitecaps games. Connecting young people with positive role models has the proven affect of reducing the likelihood of those young people making negative lifestyle choices and can benefit the community as a whole.

The full commendation reads as follows:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Officer in Charge Commendation Presented to

Renge Bailie

In recognition of your continuous actions, beginning in June of 2015, whereby you have been instrumental in organizing and coordinating events whereby students are afforded an opportunity to attend Vancouver Whitecaps soccer games.

Various young people are identified through the School District to participate in this program where they are given the opportunity to participate in a memorable activity with the added benefit of interaction with police officers as positive role models.

The Langley RCMP Onside Program is a partnership with the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club and the Langley School District. This program gives youth an alternative to a potential negative lifestyle choice. In essence, the program is assisting the community with crime reduction in a preventative sense. I commend you for your continued dedication to the youth of Langley and your contribution to the Onside Program.

Superintendent Murray Power
Officer in Charge
Langley RCMP Detachment

In Memoriam

Len Foss passed away suddenly from an unexpected medical issue on Friday, March 24th. Len was a retired Fire Chief who began working as a bus driver for the Langley School District when he retired from the fire department. Len transported the children of Langley to and from school and on field trips for 9 years. His work was appreciated by students and he was well respected by his colleagues. According to Patti Johnson, Transportation Supervisor, Len loved driving for the students of Langley and was always willing to share his knowledge and great sense of humour.

Colleagues chose to ride on Len’s bus up to the SBO to attend the memorial service held at the Township Fire Hall across the road. Students of North Otter, one of the schools on Len’s route, prepared a card, pictured below.