Instructional Capacity

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On June 18, current and incoming Grade 7 teachers met with project leads Charlotte Lundeen (District Speech-Language Pathologist), Francis McCoubrey (Department Lead), and learning support teachers Brit Andersen and Katie Clarke. Together, the team collaborated on plans for literacy instruction and intervention practices across all Grade 7 classrooms for the 2026-2027 school year. Guided by current research and best practices in targeted intervention and effective classroom instruction, the group is making strong progress in developing consistent supports and assessment practices for students. We look forward to following this work and celebrating its impact as it continues to unfold.</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/dd425eb7-83d9-4dee-b95e-d55ce1fca4af?fingerprint=ppb20260722211851" alt="Grade 7 Collaborative Literacy Instruction and Intervention Planning 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="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/deaf68e6-f06a-4afd-8260-7f6d167cca08?fingerprint=ppb20260722211854" alt="Grade 7 Collaborative Literacy Instruction and Intervention Planning 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"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vice-Principal Cameron is leading inclusive practices across classrooms at Columneetza Junior Secondary School. Alina Cameron is passionate about inclusion in education. In the 2026-2027 school year, she will lead a professional learning community with Columneetza educators using the resource "The Shift to Student-Led" by Katie Novak. Like Cameron, Novak is known for blending hard evidence with humor, sass, and a relentless belief that better is always possible.</span><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are excited to see how Columneetza's students and their classroom teachers will benefit from this direct instructional support and unwavering commitment to universal design for learning.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f724ea12-c6ff-4dc7-b113-727903bb96ba?fingerprint=ppb20260722211345" alt="Vice Principal Cameron Leading Inclusive Practices" width="553" height="738" style="width:553px;height:738px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A huge congratulations to our talented band members who performed in front of a full house on Thursday evening. Your hard work, dedication, and musical talent were on full display, and you made our school community proud! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A special shout-out goes to Mrs. Baumann for her outstanding leadership, guidance, and support in helping create such a memorable performance. Thank you for inspiring our musicians to reach their full potential. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And the applause doesn't stop there! After the concert, our band members showed true Falcon pride by leaving the space absolutely spotless. Your teamwork, responsibility, and respect were just as impressive as your performance on stage.</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/a06ec9f7-6a1c-4ce6-ae4e-5651efbd8bf9?fingerprint=ppb20260611162416" alt="Band Finishes on a High Note 2" 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/19e4b267-0a43-45c9-a430-37164b090be5?fingerprint=ppb20260611162416" alt="Band Finishes on a High Note 1" 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"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There are district-wide literacy assessments, including DART, in use across the district. Schools administer these assessments in the fall and spring, mark them together using common standards (anchor marking), and analyze the results to make informed instructional decisions and monitor student progress. Columneetza had strong staff turnout for a “DART party” led by Vice-Principal Alina Cameron, complete with door prizes, charcuterie, and laughs. This provides a great starting point for planning fall 2026 school learning priorities.</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/07530f1b-edcd-48e4-9b65-8a20e00c67c7?fingerprint=ppb20260603210009" alt="DART Assessments Spring Priority Planning 2" 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/4548fbba-a334-452a-9a35-a3547fdf39a1?fingerprint=ppb20260603210009" alt="DART Assessments Spring Priority Planning 1" 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"><br></p>

<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;">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;">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>