Blog Posts

One of the things I love most about this time of year is seeing the many ways we celebrate the season.  Visit any one of our schools and you’ll see snowflakes and Christmas trees and happy faces all around. If you are lucky, you might even catch sight of Santa and his elves. And it’s not just in schools and classrooms. The Abbotsford School Board Office is a veritable winter wonderland thanks to the goodwill and creative energy of our folks here. 

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a research-based instructional model designed to enhance the education of multilingual learners by integrating language development with content instruction. SIOP provides a comprehensive framework that helps teachers create inclusive and effective classrooms.

I spoke with an elementary student recently. He was a hockey fan and could easily recite NHL players' names. He knew their jersey numbers, the positions they played, and sometimes the number of goals and assists they scored. I suspect you might know a sports fan like this, too.

We are thrilled to share some of the exciting learning opportunities and resources we have developed for the 2024-2025 school year. Our Curriculum Team is dedicated to supporting educators in delivering high-quality instruction that positively impacts student learning across all grade levels.

Since Spring 2023, our Digital Learning department has been diligently keeping abreast of all new developments in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact on teaching and learning in K-12 education. We have been participating in various professional learning events, collaborating with Districts across the province and the country, and researching AI tools that could be responsibly and ethically leveraged by Abbotsford educators to enhance the learning experience for our K-12 students.

Many years ago, as I trained for my first marathon, one of my mentors—a seasoned runner with countless marathons behind him—shared invaluable wisdom about the importance of finishing strong. He emphasized the need to maintain enough energy to cross the finish line with a smile and a strong pace, regardless of how the race began.

I can still recall his words echoing in my mind: “Remember, it’s not about how you start the marathon; it’s about how you finish. Finish strong.”

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a powerful instructional model designed to support English learners (ELs) in their academic journey. Developed by Jana Echevarría, MaryEllen Vogt, and Deborah J. Short, SIOP provides educators with a comprehensive framework for creating inclusive and effective classrooms.

In my role as the Numeracy Helping Teacher, students and teachers alike often tell me that they are not a “math person” when we’re working together. I’ve learned that this means they likely haven’t had many opportunities to experience math with a focus on numeracy. But what is numeracy? Isn’t it the same thing as mathematics? Not quite…

I think it is important for a Superintendent to try and stay connected to what is happening across the district and the broader community. While there are never enough hours in the week, I do my best to make regular rounds and to take in community events. And wherever possible, I like to share the good things I see.