Enhancing Learning Grant Celebration
2018-01-11 15:30 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada
Join us January 11, 2018 from 3:30-6pm for the kick-off celebration at SJ Willis Auditorium – RSVP HERE
You can view the selected 2017-2018 Learning Grants here: https://learn.sd61.bc.ca/learning-opportunities/district-learning-grants/

Ready, Set, Learn
2018-01-30 16:30 - 19:00
Ready, Set, Learn focuses on ‘Learning Through Play’ and is for families with children between the ages of 3 and 4. The goal is to support families in helping their children get ready for school and lifelong learning through everyday activities and play. This event includes dinner for attendees.

Running Records 101 (K-5)
2018-02-01 15:30 - 17:00 | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada
Find out how this powerful reading assessment tool can help to inform your practise and improve student reading.
Thursday Feb. 1st (K-5) 3:30-5:00
Wednesday Feb. 28th (6-8) 3:30-5:00
Wednesday Apr. 25th (K-8) 3:30-5:00
SJ Willis Auditorium – 923 Topaz Avenue
Tea/Coffee & Cookies provided.

Download the .PDF Poster here: Running Records 101

Dinner & Dialogue
2018-02-06 | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada
This is a year-long series designed to promote collaboration and like-minded discussion on book topics of your choosing.
The dates for these events are:

Tuesday, December 5th – Spectrum Community School Cafeteria
Monday, February 6th – SJ Willis Auditorium
Monday, April 17th – Spectrum Community School Cafeteria
Tuesday, May 23rd – SJ Willis Auditorium

Please review the book options below (click the book cover for more information)
RSVP today to secure your spot, receive your free book, and reserve your spot at dinner!

Download the .PDF poster here
These are the book choices for this year, click each title for more information.

Multiple Paths to Literacy K-2 - Miriam Trehearne Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had: Ideas and Strategies from Vibrant Classrooms - Tracy Zager The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child - Donalyn Miller

Grading Smarter, Not Harder: Assessment Strategies That Motivate Kids and Help Them Learn Paperback – Myron Dueck Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning Paperback – Bethany Petty Educator's Handbook for Inclusive School Practices
- Julie Causton & Chelsea P. Tracy-Bronson

The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms – Julie Causton Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom - Kristen Souers Transforming Libraries: A Toolkit for Innovators, Makers, and Seekers - Ron Starker

Big Ideas for Expanding Minds: Teaching English Language Learners across the Curriculum - Jim Cummins Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues in Canada - Chelsea Vowel Vers une approche intégrée en immersion - Roy Lister

Middle School Writing Series 1 of 4
2018-02-08 08:30 - 15:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada
Goal: To build a writing community where all students see themselves as writers. In this workshop series we will explore the writing process, guided by assessment for learning strategies, with practical examples.
Facilitators: Seanna Hyndman, Stacey Burke and Vicki Roberts
Teachers attending the series will be encouraged to review and share new information with their school based colleagues.
This is a 4 session series that will take place on the following dates:

Thursday Feb 8th – 8:30am-3:00pm
Wednesday April 11th – 8:30am-12:00pm
Wednesday May 9th – 8:30am-12:00pm
Wednesday June 13th – 8:30am-12:00pm

Location: SD61 School Board Office – Tolmie Boardroom – 556 Boleskine Road.
Note: You only need to register once, not for each individual date in the series.
Download the poster in .PDF format here

Tech Tuesday - Cedar Hill Middle
2018-02-13 15:00 - 16:30
Tech Tuesdays are drop-in technology for learning sessions open to all K-12 educators. Come with your questions for just in time support.
Every Tuesday from 3:00-4:30pm
Join us for any or all of the following dates:
Feb 13th Cedar Hill Middle School
Feb 20th Lambrick Park Secondary
Feb 20th Willows Elementary
Feb 27th Central Middle School
Feb 27th Rockheights Middle
March 6th Colquitz Middle School
March 6th Frank Hobbs Elementary
Download our .PDF poster to share at your school by clicking here.

Tech Tuesday - Lambrick Park Secondary
2018-02-20 15:00 - 16:30

Tech Tuesday - Willows Elementary
2018-02-20 15:00 - 16:30

K-3 Pedagogical Documentation Workshop 1 of 2
2018-02-21 15:45 - 18:00 | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada
Do you want to learn about Pedagogical Documentation – where it came from and how it can look in practice?

K-3 teachers are invited to attend two FREE dinner workshops to learn more about Pedagogical Documentation (a.k.a. pedagogical narration):
When: Wednesday, February 21st and Wednesday, March 7th
Time: 3:45-5:30 (learning session), 5:30-6:00 (dinner)
Where: SJ Willis Auditorium (first session) and TBA (second session)

Join us for a two-part interactive dinner workshop series:

Session #1: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at SJ Willis (923 Topaz Avenue) (3:45-5:30 workshop; 5:30-6:00 dinner)
In this first session, we will explore where and why this practice started and how it has come to be so popular in British Columbia with educators working with early learners. Using concrete samples, we will focus on the practices of observation, documentation, and reflection (individual and collaborative)…including frank conversation about the barriers & enablers of doing this work.

Session #2: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 (Location TBA) (3:45-5:30 workshop; 5:30-6:00 dinner)
In this second session, we will revisit the previous work and link it with the Core Competencies found in the BC curriculum documents, specifically Social Responsibility. Participants will also explore how Pedagogical Documentation can positively impact children, their families, teachers, and the Education profession in general.

About the Facilitator, Alison Bledsoe:
Alison is an Early Childhood Educator with 25+ years of experience in Early Years and Leadership studies. She has worked in childcare, family support and outreach, program development, non-profit agency management, community development, and social change/community impact strategies. Current roles include post-secondary ECE faculty work as well as a range of independent consulting – including the Ministry of Education & United Way of the Lower Mainland initiative Changing Results for Young Children.

Tech Tuesday - Central Middle School
2018-02-27 15:00 - 16:30

Tech Tuesday - Rockheights Middle
2018-02-27 15:00 - 16:30

Running Records 101 (6-8)
2018-02-28 15:30 - 17:00 | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada

Tech Tuesday - Frank Hobbs Elementary
2018-03-06 15:00 - 16:30

Tech Tuesday - Colquitz Middle School
2018-03-06 15:00 - 16:30

K-3 Pedagogical Documentation Workshop 2 of 2
2018-03-07 15:45 - 18:00

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort B Session 1
2018-04-06 08:30 - 12:00 | Uplands School, 3461 Henderson Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5A8, Canada
Goal: To build a writing community where all students see themselves as writers. In this workshop series we will explore the writing process, guided by assessment for learning strategies, with practical examples.
Facilitators: Seanna Hyndman, Stacey Burke and Vicki Roberts
Teachers attending the series will be encouraged to review and share new information with their school based colleagues.

Cohort
Schools
Dates to attend
Location

Cohort A
Glanford
Gordon Head
Central
Rockheights
Shoreline
Colquitz
Wed April 11th
Wed May 9th
Wed June 13th 8:30-12:00 each day

Tolmie Board Room

Cohort B
Lansdowne
Monterey
Arbutus
Cedar Hill
Friday April 6th
Friday May 11th
Tues June 12th 8:30-12:00 each day
Uplands
Conference Room

Location: SD61 School Board Office – Tolmie Boardroom – 556 Boleskine Road.
Note: You only need to register once, not for each individual date in the series
Download the poster in .PDF format here

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort A Session 1
2018-04-11 08:30 - 12:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada

Dinner & Dialogue
2018-04-17 | Spectrum Community School – Cafeteria, 957 Burnside Rd W, Victoria, British Columbia, V8Z 6E9, Canada

Curriculum Implementation Day
2018-04-20 08:30 - 15:30
In addition to school-based offerings, the following district sessions will be taking place on April 20th
In order for your facilitator to prep for your session(s) please RSVP using the link below:

In order to confirm spaces, registration numbers will be collected at 12:00pm noon – Friday, April 13

Note: Please bring your own food, snacks, coffee, etc
Session listings below or CLICK HERE for a shared document of all available sessions.

AM Morning Sessions

Facilitator
Location
Time

Unpacking the new curriculum-Starting Points in Planning.
Looking closely at the redesigned curriculum through the lens of big ideas, competencies and content.
Level: Secondary
Jon Hamlin Max 100-120
Mt. Doug
AM
9:00 – 11:00

Google Suite and Making Learning Visible
Explore ways to use Google Suite tools to facilitate & capture student voice/self-reflection and connect with the core competencies.
Level: Grade 4/5
Rohan Gowda /Christian MacInnis
Max 60
Braefoot Elem Library
AM
9:00 – 11:30

Technology for Learning in a Math Classroom
Explore how different tech tools & resources can increase student voice & choice in secondary math within core competencies
Level: Secondary
Josh Barks
Max 30
Lambrick Park
AM
9:00 – 11:30

Roy Lyster
Spend a morning sharing, reflecting, and planning towards content-language integration in French Immersion. Share lesson sequences, discuss successes and challenges and consider how to improve lessons based on reflections and feedback from colleagues. Corrective feedback and questioning will be also be discussed as well as sharing lessons on our google classroom.
Vers une approche intégrée en immersion
Nous nous rencontrerons pour une demi-journée de partage, de réflexion et de planification visant une approche intégrée en immersion. Les participants auront l’occasion de partager leurs séquences de leçons ciblant une approche intégrée proactive, de discuter des réussites et des défis rencontrés, et de réfléchir à comment améliorer leur séquence.
Level: Middle/Secondary
Madeleine Challies
Central Middle School
AM
8:30 – 11:30

AIM
Did you know that French immersion students are able to learn to speak French fluently during Kindergarten? It is possible using a methodology called AIM (Accelerative Integrated Method). Come spend the day with Kindergarten teacher Karen Oraas to learn some strategies you can use with your students right away. ​
Level: Primary K-3 French Immersion
Karen Oraas koraas@sd61.bc.ca
Please email Karen Oraas directly if you have any questions about the workshop or the AIM learning series.
Macaulay Elementary
Full Day
9:00 – 3:00

Creating a Maker Space with Science Venture
Go behind the scenes at the Science Venture Head Quarters and explore what goes into creating a Maker Space. From 3D printing to robotics to design challenge materials, explore our favorite teaching tools. Learn how to design Maker Day events using a model then can be scaled from a classroom to an entire school.
Level: Elementary
Science Venture
UVIC MacLauren D017
AM
9:00 – 11:30

PM Afternoon Sessions

Facilitator
Location
Time

Unpacking the new curriculum-Starting Points in Planning.
Looking closely at the redesigned curriculum through the lens of big ideas, competencies and content.
Level: Secondary
Jon Hamlin
Max 100-120
Vic High
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Technology for Learning in a Science Classroom
Explore how different tech tools & resources can increase student voice & choice in secondary science within core competencies.
Level: Secondary
Josh Barks
Max 30
Lambrick Park
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Google Suite for Self-Reflection & Core Competencies
Explore ways to use Google Suite tools to facilitate & capture student voice/self-reflection and connect with the core competencies.
Level: Middle
Christian MacInnis
Max 30
Lansdowne Middle School
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Helping students reflect on learning- iPads in Primary Explore the use of iPad apps that help students to reflect on their learning and connect with the core competencies.
Level: Primary K-3
Rohan GowdaMax 30
Doncaster Elementary
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Transforming Libraries
A time for teacher librarians to discuss how our libraries are transforming. Together we will look at leading learning within a school learning commons model that is both a space and a mindset tailored to each school learning environment. Teacher Librarians from Saanich School District will share their journey and it will be a kick off to a Transforming Libraries K-12 learning series.
Level: K-12
Lorraine PowellMetthea Maddern
Emily Pontus
Geoff Orme
Central Middle School Library/Learning Commons
PM
1:00 – 3:00

How to teach early literacy for ELL students
This research based interactive in-service is designed for English Language Learner Teachers who teach students with emerging or beginning English Language Proficiency.
Level: K-12
Paul Pantaleo
Oaklands Elementary
PM
1:30 – 3:00

TPRS
Follow up session to TPRS learning series. Make and share movie talks and reading scripts.
Level: Elementary Middle Secondary
Meaghan Abra
Cedar Hill Middle School
PM
1:00 – 2:30

Digital Literacy and Coding with Science VentureExplore Science Venture’s new menu of Coding and digital literacy workshops using unplugged and plugged technologies. Learn how to use breadboards and program Arduinos. See how we create activities that move students from being consumers of technologies to producers.
Level: Middle, Secondary
Science Venture
UVIC MacLaurin D017
PM
12:30 – 2:30

Career Life Education – Collaboration & Resources
Join me for an overview and discussion about the Career Life Education course (formerly Planning 10). This session will look at the Career Life Education curriculum using “big ideas” as a guide, integrating the building of student portfolios, and will provide curriculum resources that teachers can utilize.
Secondary
Lindsay Johnson
Superintendent’s Conference Room Board Office
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Collected, Connected, Regulated, and Ready for LearningThe Inclusive Learning Support Team will create an opportunity to converse and collaborate around universal supports within our classrooms to support readiness for learning. How can we re-examine our lens of behaviour challenges? What practices are we already implementing and what might we be ready to try? From early intervention to high school, we will look at creative use of space, programming, social emotional learning and connection opportunities within our classrooms.
Levels: Elementary, Middle
Tanya Ross
Marnice Jones
Board Room Tolmie Board Office
PM1:00 – 3:00

How can Co-Teaching Support Inclusive Classrooms?
This is an opportunity to: explore how co-teaching can support all students in your classroom as a universal support, identify instructional strategies to support the diverse learners within your classroom, discuss what this can look like in your school – scheduling, staff availability, collaborative planning. We encourage school team members to attend to facilitate collaborative planning.
Levels: Elementary, Middle
Monique MooreDenise Wehner
Conference Room A Tolmie Board Office Annex
PM
1:00 – 3:00

Blanket Exercise
A simple but powerful teaching tool to share the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Participants will engage in an interactive telling of history that covers pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. The activity is followed by a debriefing session.
Levels: Elementary, Middle, Secondary
Craig SchellenbergNella Nelson
Rockheights Middle School Gymnasium
PM
1:00 – 3:00

K-6 Coding Day
2018-04-23 15:30 - 19:00 | Richmond School, 2780 Richmond Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 4T4, Canada
You are invited to attend the launch of Coding Trek (K-3) and Coding Quest (4-6). These programs will support teachers as they seek to integrate coding into their K-6 classroom.
All K-6 teachers are welcome to attend, regardless of prior experience.
Date: Monday, April 23 – 3:30pm to 7:00pm (Dinner Included)
Location: Richmond School – 2780 Richmond Rd., Victoria
Each school will receive a kit of coding tools and resources. Dual track schools will receive both English and French resources.

Running Records 101 (K-8)
2018-04-25 15:30 - 17:00 | SJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T2M2, Canada
Find out how this powerful reading assessment tool can help to inform your practise and improve student reading.
Wednesday Apr. 25th (K-8) 3:30-5:00
Richmond School – 2780 Richmond Rd. (click for map)
Tea/Coffee & Cookies provided.

6-9 Coding Day
2018-05-01 09:00 - 15:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada
You are invited to attend the Grade 6-9 Coding Day, presented by SD61 and UVIC’s Science Venture program. This day is intended to support teachers as they seek to integrate coding into their 6-9 classrooms and build more connections between Middle Schools and their Secondary school counterparts.
2 teachers per Middle School and 1 Grade 9 teacher per Secondary school are welcome to attend.
Date: Tuesday, May 1 – 9:00am to 3:00pm (Lunch Included)
Location: SD61 Board Office – Tolmie Boardroom – 556 Boleskine Rd., Victoria
Each school will receive a kit of coding tools and resources.

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort A Session 2
2018-05-09 08:30 - 12:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort B Session 2
2018-05-11 08:30 - 12:00 | Uplands School, 3461 Henderson Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5A8, Canada

Dinner & Dialogue
2018-05-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Richmond School, 2780 Richmond Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 4T4, Canada
This is a year-long series designed to promote collaboration and like-minded discussion on book topics of your choosing.
The dates for these events are:

Tuesday, December 5th
Tuesday, February 6th
Tuesday, April 17th
Weds, May 23rd

Please review the book options below (click the book cover for more information)
Updated location for May 23rd – Richmond School (2780 Richmond Rd.)

Download the .PDF poster here
These are the book choices for this year, click each title for more information.

Multiple Paths to Literacy K-2 - Miriam Trehearne Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had: Ideas and Strategies from Vibrant Classrooms - Tracy Zager The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child - Donalyn Miller

Grading Smarter, Not Harder: Assessment Strategies That Motivate Kids and Help Them Learn Paperback – Myron Dueck Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning Paperback – Bethany Petty Educator's Handbook for Inclusive School Practices
- Julie Causton & Chelsea P. Tracy-Bronson

The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms – Julie Causton Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom - Kristen Souers Transforming Libraries: A Toolkit for Innovators, Makers, and Seekers - Ron Starker

Big Ideas for Expanding Minds: Teaching English Language Learners across the Curriculum - Jim Cummins Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues in Canada - Chelsea Vowel Vers une approche intégrée en immersion - Roy Lister

Enhancing Learning Grant - Wrap-Up (All Grades)
2018-05-30 16:00 - 18:00
Join us at Lambrick Park Secondary for a celebration of learning! 4-6pm
Kick-off will begin at 4pm in the Library Learning Commons space.
See the full list of Learning Grants here.

Coding Quest Arcade
2018-06-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Richmond School, 2780 Richmond Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 4T4, Canada
Please confirm your classes’ attendance with this link: https://goo.gl/forms/zArvnyAy5eD46DY53

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort B Session 3
2018-06-12 08:30 - 12:00 | Uplands School, 3461 Henderson Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5A8, Canada

Middle School Writing Series - Cohort A Session 3
2018-06-13 08:30 - 12:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada

Grade 4/5 Coding: Beyond the Basics with Scratch
2018-09-18 08:30 - 12:00 | SD61 Tolmie Board Room, 556 Boleskine Rd, Victoria, BC, V8Z 1E8, Canada
In this session, you will have a brief introduction to using the Scratch program, along with ways to integrate this platform into classroom curriculum.
For more information about Scratch and other coding resources visit https://learn.sd61.bc.ca/coding/elementary-4-5/
This session is for teachers from the following schools – Craigflower, Eagle View, Macaulay, Marigold, McKenzie, Vic West, View Royal, James Bay, Northridge, Sir James Douglas, South Park, Strawberry Vale, and Tillicum.
Click the button below to request to attend.
