Instructional Capacity

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 7 educators, learning support teachers, and Jr. Sec. Columneetza math educators are collaborating on something special with the help of numeracy consultant Carole Fullerton.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pulling Together” is a collaborative math plan currently in development for the 2026-2027 school year. Drawing on data analysis and anecdotal evidence from this school year, we are working together on a plan to sync up teaching and learning for essential and critical skills needed at the pivotal point between elementary and secondary for numeracy success. We look forward to incorporating this work into next year’s school plan.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f6b57202-9a34-48f8-88fe-cf4afedadb32?fingerprint=ppb20260428063654" alt="Grade 7 Numeracy Project holly zurak" width="550" height="401" style="width:550px;height:401px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nature educator Lauren McLean recently visited the district for the April pro-d day. Hosted by nature-enthusiast and CJS grade 7 educator Frances McCoubrey over at Scout Island, participants learned how to create a multi-disciplinary learning plan around the central topic of Birds.</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ec1a27d6-1f05-43a4-80f1-1f03302d8b6e?fingerprint=ppb20260428062559" alt="Learning about Birds1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c3da61cf-4903-4e13-a564-5f0b511df461?fingerprint=ppb20260428062556" alt="Learning about Birds holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Literacy Bins grew out of the hands-on work happening at Chilcotin Road during the 2024–25 school year and were developed by Marianne and Erin, with support from our SLP, Charlotte Lundeen. They’re grounded in the same adapted core assessment we’re now using across the district. The bins follow a phonics-based sequence (aligned with UFLI), with each skill building on the next, and include ready-to-use decoding, encoding, and reading activities. The skills themselves are curated—not created by us—which means teachers can trust they’re aligned with strong literacy practice. What makes these bins so useful is their flexibility: teachers can target a specific skill for intervention, easily track progress, and then adapt or personalize activities to match their teaching style. They’re especially helpful for K–6 classrooms, new teachers, and LSTs looking to build strong, functional literacy foundations through a consistent connection between assessment and instruction. Marianne, our Helping Teacher, is available to model and co-teach using the bins, with sample kits ready to go (both in print and digital formats on the Teams literacy portal). Erin, in her IEC role, will help connect teams, and Marianne will follow up to support ongoing use in classrooms.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">HR, PVP and some CCTA staff have been actively engaged in numerous recruitment efforts to date. In person events include Lakehead - Thunderbay, Lakehead - Orillia, University of Alberta, Windsor University, UBC and VIU. In person events allow interested teachers to shop the districts they may be interested in working in - which means there is a lot of talking to a lot of people in a 4-5 hour time span. Making quick connections is necessary as is follow up to keep potential applicants interested. In contrast, the online events that we have hosted this year (including a showcase with Make a Future and a 3 day French Teacher Fair with Destinations Canada) require a presentation that grabs the interest of potential applicants as well as answers any potential questions, in roughly 30 minutes or less. People sign up because they are curious - they join us from around the world. These are difficult platforms because we don't see the audience. Follow up is critical.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On April 30th we are participating in the BC K-12 Education Job Fair with Apply to Education. In this joint effort, HR, PVP and CCTA will engage with interested applicants from across the country. This is an economical way to engage with applicants we may not otherwise reach. This is a competitive online fair with numerous BC School Districts engaging with the same applicants.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With anticipated vacancies for 2026/27 school year, we will be hosting an online District Showcase in early July (to showcase external positions) with registration moderated by Apply to Education. This type of dedicated event has proven to have a good rate of return (investment to hire ratio) when reviewing previous events we have hosted.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay tuned for future updates!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/18e7692e-63ea-467a-acd2-75a4db53c3ff?fingerprint=ppb20260415042246" alt="Recruitment Update2 Jennifer Loewen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/725010ce-5079-4b3d-a8aa-210381f812d6?fingerprint=ppb20260415042243" alt="Recruitment Update1 Jennifer Loewen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Student Support Services, we’ve been spending time really looking at how we work together as a team.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s been a focus on understanding our impact—not just in the work we do, but in how we show up with each other and with schools. That’s meant having some honest conversations, supporting one another, and being open to adjusting our practice when needed.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re also seeing more and more collaboration across our team, with a growing understanding that it’s not about what any one of us brings, but what we bring together. People are reaching out, sharing ideas, and leaning on each other’s strengths in a way that is making our work stronger and more consistent.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This connects directly to the idea of compassionate systems—where we recognize that how we support each other as adults matters. When our teams feel supported, connected, and valued, that carries through to the schools and students we serve.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This work is helping build a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help, sharing thinking, and working through challenges together—and that’s making a difference.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza grade 7 students were challenged to memorize as many digits of Pi (3.14) as possible, ahead of Pi Day March 14. Teacher leader Frances McCoubrey had the top three students from each class face off, and judges Mr. Harding and Mrs. Zurak were astounded with the results. Pictured, our top students with the number of digits they successfully memorized. Winners won pies for their families, courtesy of Margetts Meats. Amazing!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/afdfe5da-ebd4-452a-953c-760ff11e259a?fingerprint=ppb20260412025452" alt="Easy as Pi1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/34ae1ce9-0109-45e6-b2ef-0364585f8c5a?fingerprint=ppb20260412025452" alt="Easy as Pi2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">During Pro-D week this February, Columneetza hosted literacy consultant Bryan Gidinski for a Learning Round in grade 7 followed by a well-attended Pro-D session for teachers. Thank you continuing these connections to our school Bryan! We are excited to measure the impact in our classrooms.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d679fc0f-c535-45e9-8032-7c7c7aaaea67?fingerprint=ppb20260224052439" alt="Columneetza hosts Learning Rounds and Pro D1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b6f1043b-7b81-42b8-9ea6-abf16766251f?fingerprint=ppb20260224052439" alt="Columneetza hosts Learning Rounds and Pro D holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Numeracy consultant and friend to SD27, Carole Fullerton, recently spent consecutive days reinforcing numeracy routines in grade 7 classrooms. At Columneetza, our grade 7 teachers were given the opportunity to release from their classrooms for a learning round led by Carole in Mrs. Gahalyan’s classroom. Teachers then took time to meet, learn, and plan to bring the routines back to their own classroom and teacher practice. We are looking forward to having Carole back to work further with us at the end of February.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e67a45a1-37c9-45ba-852e-531793877497?fingerprint=ppb20260224050741" alt="Reinforcing Numeracy Routines in Grade 7 1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d1c925e1-6749-47e4-ad61-0c80a9e03fa7?fingerprint=ppb20260224050741" alt="Reinforcing Numeracy Routines in Grade 7 2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers in the Columneetza Math department are using a new resource by Learning Series numeracy expert Peter Liljedahl to fine-tune practices that elevate student thinking, increase the joy of teaching, and eliminate stand and deliver board examples and worksheets cycle that is so prevalent in math classrooms. Teachers are doing professional development together to focus on the practice through the lens of rich math tasks that address specific mathematical learning outcomes.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/81eb478a-016a-4aaf-98f5-b96414c75de8?fingerprint=ppb20251217034556" alt="Math Department Book Study holly zurak" width="310" height="401" style="width:310px;height:401px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Mason rarely stops to capture the creative joy in the studio, as she is too busy living the dream to take pictures... But these were such great moments.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1st pic - Elio (Quinn) Smith-Hall making a connection with the spirit of this ceramic project. Art 8</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2nd pic - Anna Sofia Gebert repurposing paper removed from a hallway bulletin board to create the next big hit in fashion at the MET Gala. Art Studio 10</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Ms. Mason for sharing your enthusiasm and creativity with our students!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e916fd21-b572-4a61-a628-78429f3aab9f?fingerprint=ppb20251217040459" alt="Joy in the Studio holly zurak 1" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/cbbfad7b-d553-43c1-b7e2-f4fc3b63ac99?fingerprint=ppb20251217040230" alt="Joy in the Studio holly zurak 2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many SD27 educators recently participated in a four-week Outdoor Learning course designed to strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. Each 60-minute session offered practical strategies to support student wellbeing through nature-based experiences.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the four weeks, educators explored:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Mindfulness and self-awareness through sit spots, nature observation, and journaling.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Social awareness and communication through cooperative outdoor play and group activities.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Emotional regulation and perseverance through outdoor challenges that require patience and problem-solving.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Ethics, stewardship, and community-building using Indigenous pedagogies and land-based learning.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This learning series expanded instructional capacity by equipping teachers with simple, powerful routines that connect SEL and the outdoors—strengthening both classroom practice and student engagement.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8bc725e3-8479-48f0-ba37-56d1d04107f5?fingerprint=ppb20251217034956" alt="Outdoor SEL kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e2c06472-82a6-4430-bb57-6126fd91a38d?fingerprint=ppb20251217040405" alt="Outdoor SEL 2 kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza teacher Shannon McCartney led a hands on workshop on September 26, leading teachers to create a Salish quarter bag. Shannon taught about the Musqueam people and how they wove quarter bags. The quarter bags held quarters that would be given to people who helped during ceremonies and Potlatches. Quarters would be given to people who cooked or sang for the ceremony.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A related numeracy activity for math classrooms can be found here: https://indigenous.mathnetwork.educ.ubc.ca/weaving-a-quarter-bag-instructions-anjeanette-dawson/</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9dac926d-792d-4baa-834c-60c6fe5fe3e2?fingerprint=ppb20251217034854" alt="IMG 9802 holly zurak" width="480" height="480" style="width:480px;height:480px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza Junior Secondary was abuzz with many local pro-d offerings on September 26. All of of our new Columneetza teachers engaged with SD57’s Glen Thielman in a session called “Place-Based Learning – Focus</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Group and Sharing”. We are excited to see this learning translate into (and OUTSIDE of) our classrooms! Thanks Glen!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8f046c92-2e1f-4e68-926b-8bc91e9c65f5?fingerprint=ppb20251217035006" alt="IMG 9801 holly zurak" width="464" height="464" style="width:464px;height:464px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Columneetza teachers Colin O’Keefe and Matt Tyne, supported by new teacher program rep Dustin Hubner, recently led new Columneetza teachers through a workshop they put together using MyEducation tools for start-up success. As “learning alongside” teacher mentors within our school, they recognize the importance of supporting from the sides for both new teacher retention and future success. Thank you for sharing your skill set with our teammates!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e8d2c3f4-3700-4f71-948e-efe72ce79d46?fingerprint=ppb20260128054100" alt="Learning Alongside2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/da2425e4-9267-46ae-a5db-0ce63705eadd?fingerprint=ppb20260128054059" alt="Learning Alongside1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Manveer Kaur led an impactful aspect of the new teacher workshop organized by Nara Riplinger and Dustin Hubner, sharing about her experience last year and important cultural differences for teachers who may be new to Canada. Thank you for sharing with your new colleagues Ms. Kaur!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/1ad3dd45-fade-4ed0-9114-de2b0a2fc973?fingerprint=ppb20251217033739" alt="IMG 8891 holly zurak" width="445" height="593" style="width:445px;height:593px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>