Technolandy

Day 61 (of 2025/26) 3 education news stories to close off November! With a sad #movember anniversary a look at secularism in Quebec, being late, and it’s not just me saying we need more comic books in schools!

It took me a fortnight extra to be ready to do one more share – honouring the anniversary of the passing of my friend Lyle – a principal who passed way too young on November 14, 2024. A year older than me, his absence is still felt and only makes #movember more meaningful. Lyle was a force looking for ways to help students see success in their learning journey. I miss you Lyle and hope that many others have paid a little bit closer attention to their own health, because sometimes it’s the little things that we need to listen to. When I wear plaid, I am honouring Mr Chapman. And his work is making me pensive when thinking about what my final years principaling might/ought to be…

News Story #1 – I’ve got my annual-ish blog about holidays and the conflict with public education – but Quebec is pushing secularism even farther: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/28/quebec-prayer-law-canada no public prayers… no full face coverings… limiting of kosher and halal meals… not wearing religious symbols at work (public workers….) even I raised my eyes at some of these – does that mean no spaghetti dinners because of its association with the pastafarians??

#2 – My friends have always referenced “Landy time” – I prefer the -ish around time; and support others not to apologize when late  and not feel constrained to the remnants of the Industrial Revolution that made time a commodity – consider start times and ent times with an -ish flavour and know that there are many reasons to understand ‘being late’ https://apple.news/A_p52q33kQc6UVhbwklMXsA though the article still encourages helping people improve to be more punctual… sigh…

#3 proof that it’s not just me saying we need more comics in kids hands to help with those reading scores some are worried about (also full time librarians in addition to librarians providing prep time et al with healthy budgets for new books and comic areas) https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/99155-comics-in-the-classroom-teachers-and-librarians-share-their-best-practices.html