April 5, 2024 • Issue #54
Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals
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Oxford County Career Expo | |
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On March 21, I had the pleasure of attending the first Oxford County Career Expo at the Woodstock Fair Grounds.
More than 3000 Thames Valley students learned about exciting career pathways and built connections with over 150 employers.
The Thames Valley Human Resources Department had a booth at the event, where we promoted a number of employment opportunities, including custodial and maintenance positions.
Additional Thames Valley booths were set up to promote our Specialist High Skills Major Program, as well as the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
I would like to acknowledge the work of Vice Chair Cripps and Trustee Hopkins who were instrumental in bringing this event to life.
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Custodian Appreciation & Professional Learning | |
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At Thames Valley, we appreciate all that our custodial staff do!
On March 13, Custodians from across Thames Valley came together for a Professional Learning Day under the theme “Brick by Brick: Building Strong Teams.”
Custodial staff attended breakout sessions as well as a vendor exhibit in the gymnasium at Clarke Road Secondary School.
Custodians were gifted friendship bracelets made by children in the Early Years Programs to show appreciation for the many ways custodial staff support our schools.
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In Canada, Pink Shirt Day is held on the last Wednesday in February.
Students and staff across Thames Valley wore pink shirts and participated in various initiatives to raise awareness about bullying.
Lambeth Public School students engaged in learning activities that centred on the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. This included colouring in paper shirts with positive messages and hanging them up on classroom walls.
Several classes at Mountsfield Public School came together to create a Peace Tree of Kindness for the month of February in support of Pink Shirt Day. The students decorated the tree with pink thumbprint hearts.
At Eastdale Public School, students enjoyed putting the “I” in Kind for Pink Shirt Day! These “kindness ninjas” also delivered kind messages to others around the school.
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Embrace Equity Conference | |
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In recognition of International Women’s Day, Thames Valley held the second annual Embrace Equity Conference on March 6.
This year’s theme was Inspire Inclusion: a goal which we are always striving to achieve in Thames Valley.
This empowering conference was designed to inspire historically and currently marginalized, female-identifying, and Two-Spirit secondary students across Thames Valley to explore fulfilling career pathways.
The conference included breakout sessions from leading women representing a diverse range of industries and living experiences.
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First Nations, Métis and Inuit
Community Engagement Session
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On Wednesday, March 20, Thames Valley invited First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, families and community members to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Engagement Session at Saunders Secondary School.
The event was an opportunity for Thames Valley representatives to listen and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit families’ living experiences, feedback and ideas for change.
Thank you to all of the families, community members and staff who participated in this insightful session last week and shared their thoughts with Thames Valley.
We look forward to holding another session in Woodstock on April 24 at College Avenue Secondary School.
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St. Thomas Elementary Art Exhibition | |
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The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre hosted the Great Beginnings Elementary Exhibition, which celebrated the creativity and talent of young artists. The exhibition ran from February 24 until March 30.
The exhibition was a testament to the importance of arts education and its positive impact on students' development.
Students from several Thames Valley schools in St. Thomas and Elgin County had their work featured in the exhibition, including artists from John Wise Public School, Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School, Kettle Creek Public School, and Elgin Court Public School.
Congratulations to these students for their exemplary work and for sharing their artistic expression with the community.
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Grade 6 and 7 students from Innerkip Central School travelled to Hamilton to compete in the Regional Kid's Lit Quiz.
This trivia contest is based on children's literature and consisted of ten rounds of questions. Our Innerkip Icebreakers placed third out of 15 teams! Congratulations to Claire, Jude, Leah, Eli, and staff advisor, Jamie Hofman.
In 2023, Innerkip Central staff signed up to be experts for the Silver Birch Titles under the Forest of Reading program. It was through this program that Principal Ross read the Undercover Book List by Colleen Nelson, and learned of the real-life quiz event that inspired the book and sparked Innerkip Central’s interest in the Kid’s Lit Quiz.
The team had a great experience and looks forward to competing again in 2025!
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International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | |
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March 21 was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In recognition of this day, LUSO Community Services held its annual Picture This: No More Racism Video Contest. Many Thames Valley schools participated in this contest and took home awards for their creativity and important messages of anti-racism.
Congratulations to Westminster Secondary School and Sir Arthur Currie Public School for winning first place in the secondary and elementary categories!
Eagle Heights Public School took home the elementary second place prize for their thought-provoking video.
The Diversity Team at St. George’s Public School received the coveted Steve Mavers Award – go Knights!
The awards ceremony also featured a performance by the Saunders Secondary School choir.
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Also on March 21, Thames Valley recognized World Down Syndrome Day. World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The 21st day of the third month was selected as World Down Syndrome Day to represent the uniqueness of the triplication, or trisomy, of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome.
Many TVDSB schools, staff and students recognized World Down Syndrome Day by "rocking their socks!"
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Meet Trustee Leroy Osbourne | | |
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Hello everyone,
It is so exciting to be featured in this month's e-newsletter. This is my first time as a Trustee!! I was given the honour and pleasure in the 2022 municipal election by the voters in wards 2-6.
As I meet people, some have asked me why I wanted to become a trustee. Some have a question mark on their face when they hear the answer. I have had aspirations of being a trustee since my days in elementary school. So perseverance does pay off!
I have always been involved in student politics throughout my school years and have held various advocacy roles in the past 20 years.
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I have worked as a counsellor, mental health phone volunteer, advisory committee member, and community representative with the City of London and TVDSB respectively. When I am not fulfilling my trustee duties, I work as a residence manager at King's University College.
With two years under my belt, I have learned so much! Before my term ends, I am looking forward to continuing the work with my fellow Trustees and staff to ensure that parents feel involved and heard in our decision-making processes. I also hope to implement initiatives that guarantee equitable access to all the opportunities we have to offer. I wish to see every student find success that is meaningful to them!
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