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| October 2021 Newsletter |
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![October 2021 Newsletter]() |
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Sliding toward our strengths allows us to achieve and contribute optimally. However, surveys suggest, only 30% of us can readily name our strengths (Linley & Harrington, 2006). Our 3 Bytes to Share include ways to identify and play to our strengths.
When we clearly understand our strengths, we are able to use them to optimize our competence and successes, as well as identify areas to work on in collaborative environments (Roberts, Spreitzer, Dutton, Quinn, Heaphy & Barker, 2005).
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A strength-based formula for classrooms, adapted from Linley et al (2006) may be:
1. Play to your strengths (identify strengths and choose roles that highlight these)
2. Develop your competencies (develop the basics that are critical to the task)
3. Manage your stretches (redesign/adapt task, complimentary partnering with peer-support, -modelling, and -mentoring)
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| The VIA Institute on Character suggests that regardless of our age, we need to play more, and this is especially true when it comes to identifying and effectively using our strengths. Embedded is a link to a survey to identify your highest character strengths, and then several strength-based games to dive into playing to your strengths or your students' in meaningful and engaging ways.
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Watch Edutopia's snapshot into reading strategies that widen discrepant gaps, compared to those evidence-based strategies that slide to all students’ strengths, effectively and efficiently promoting students’ motivation and academic growth.
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Multiple access points to determine students' strengths are available in this resource, including a poster of 24 character traits, “The Butterfly Circus” video for middle and high school student strength-based perspective, and 10 hands-on ways to identify and develop self-awareness around personal, peer and collective strengths.
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Onward Chapter 5 Sneak Peak Learning to be in the present moment, without judging it, boosts our resilience. It can allow us to feel accepting and clear headed about our options for response. When we’re fully present, we’re more likely to find appropriate levity to moments of challenge and to relieve stress by finding humor in a situation (Aguilar, 2018).
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Guiding Questions As You Read Chapter 4:
- How might being more fully in the present moment help you manage stress and build resilience?
- How might mindfulness help you boost your cultural competence?
- How might mindfulness help you fulfill your purpose and find joy in your every day?
Our next Onward discussion will be at our LST-Counsellor Collaborative meeting on Thursday, November 18th from 8:45 - noon. In the meantime, consider discussing chapters or exploring workbook exercises at your staff or SBT meetings.
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 | ICB-IEP webinars series is available to support related professional learning through conversation and frameworks in how to construct and use competency-based IEPs with students, parents and educators. They are facilitated by Shelley Moore as she connects with various experts around the nine sessions. Further documents to support IEPs are
available here.
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To support planning with LST considerations and responsibilities throughout the year, the following snapshot offers a LST timeline to guide big picture and detail-oriented fall planning.
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Designation Information:
Designation Review Committee (Gifted, ASD, IBI, PDCH) meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Access
our District Referral App to submit your designation request packages.
Support For Learning Site:-
The
FAQ
on the Referral App page has been updated responsive to questions and feedback received at Town Hall and our Referral App zoom session. - Support for Learning Zoom sessions are recorded and can be found on our site under
recorded zoom sessions. - Upcoming zooms will be posted in the Support for Learning site calendar under
Learning Opportunities.
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Upcoming Meetings:
Referral App Overview (optional): Wednesday, October 6, 9:00-9:45 via Zoom
LST Meeting: Thursday, October 21, 8:45 - 9:45 via Zoom
LST-Counsellor Collaborative Meeting: Thursday, November 18, 8:45-9:45 via Zoom
Consultation and Collaboration Days with CYMH - for students with Intensive Behaviour Intervention/Serious Mental Health designations will be held virtually through telephone consults on November 15th & 17th, 2021 (details regarding time, requirements, and sign-up to follow later this month). Peter Monk, VCYMH, Ned Jackson, SCYMH, and Chadi Akouri, ICYMH will be available to engage with Case Managers.
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POPFASD: FASD-informed Approach for Supporting Students, Oct 22nd, 9-11:30 This virtual workshop for BC Educators (Classroom Teachers, EAs, Administrators, Support Staff, etc, but open to ALL) provides an approach with strategies to support those with and without a diagnosis. Register here beginning October 4th.
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Fridays, October 22 & 29, 2021 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Pacific Time
A recording will be available for one month following the live stream.
This two-part presentation zooms in on strategies to promote social attention and perspective taking for those who interpret language very literally and struggle to interpret what others think and feel. The power of social attention will be explored using video clips, providing explicit and practical examples for teaching basic social concepts and encourage the development of theory of mind, sharing social attention, and awareness of trickery.
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Learn how to increase student engagement by reducing anxiety and increasing executive functioning skills in this 2-day learning opportunity. This 2-part webinar will be offered live on Wednesday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 Pacific time, and will be available on-demand following the sessions.
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Join keynote speaker, Kirsten Souers (author of Fostering Resilient Learners and Relationship, Responsibility and Regulation), as she discusses the steps to trauma-invested communication and provides some strategies for support. There will be a wide variety of breakout sessions on topics relevant to inclusive education, including mindfulness and self-compassion for educators, self-regulation strategies and behaviour management, cultural safety, sexual health, ADHD, literacy support, and more. Register
here for an exciting day of learning!
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| We are excited to facilitate this free virtual Professional Development opportunity for all SD61 employees. The focus will be on the importance of connection and belonging and this theme will be woven throughout the day. This offering is in addition to the
PSA conference offerings available to educators.
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