June 27 2024 • Issue #57
Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals
| |
 | |
As we wrap up another successful school year, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Thames Valley students, staff and families on all the things we have accomplished together in 2023-2024.
This year, students and staff participated in the activities that make Thames Valley such a wonderful place to learn and work. It's been a year of learning, successes and overcoming challenges. This year, students had the opportunity to explore their interests, develop skills, build relationships and participate and compete in the activities they enjoy, which support their well-being.
We made significant strides on the work we know we must prioritize – student learning, student and staff mental health and well-being, and creating safe, inclusive, identity-affirming learning environments where all students feel supported, respected and celebrated.
As our busy classrooms and hallways go quiet over the summer months, we hope you take the opportunity to relax and connect with friends and family. Thank you for another fantastic year, Thames Valley! Enjoy a safe and rejuvenating break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, September 4.
| |
|
Indigenous History Month &
National Indigenous Peoples Day
| |
|
June is National Indigenous History Month.
It is an opportunity for us to honour the history, diversity and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and Nations in Canada and to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous Communities.
All schools have been encouraged to recognize National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 by sharing more about Indigenous histories and heritage through resources curated by the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Portfolio.
We’re looking forward to schools implementing the grade 11 English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course in September.
| |
Our London Family Commemoration & Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy | |
|
On June 6, Thames Valley remembered the terrorist attack took the lives of four members of Our London Family, including Yumnah, an Oakridge Secondary School student who was due to graduate this year alongside her peers.
We were honoured to follow through on the promise we made to the Muslim community and share the Thames Valley District School Board’s Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy.
The Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy is the result of a year of consultation with students, families and community partners, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), Hikma Public Affairs Council, Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration (MRCSSI), Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia (YCCI) and the TVDSB Muslim Staff Affinity Group.
The Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy is part of a broader series of anti-hate strategies under development at Thames Valley, including an upcoming strategy to combat anti-Black racism.
Read Thames Valley District School Board's Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy.
| |
|
Universal All-Gender Change Rooms at
Oakridge Secondary School
| |
|
On June 10, Thames Valley was pleased to host a Pride Month Recognition Ceremony at the Education Centre.
The event included a presentation from Oakridge Secondary School students about their school’s new universal all gender change rooms.
The stall-style change rooms offer extra privacy for students who need it, including students of various gender identities and creeds.
| |
|
This historic first for our district is making Oakridge even more welcoming to students of all identities.
The project was initiated by the school’s Queer-Straight Alliance and represents a partnership between Thames Valley’s Senior Leadership Team and the Capital Projects Department.
Congratulations to Oakridge students for being featured on CBC News!
| |
Zorra Highland Park Celebration of Cultures | |
|
Zorra Highland Park Public School recently hosted their First Annual Celebration of Cultures! It was a highlight for their school community’s year.
This event included displays and a potluck, and recognized and celebrated the diversity that is Zorra Highland Park. Later, students from the school came together on stage to sing songs and dance, celebrating their open, welcoming and inclusive community.
| |
Black Student Union Showcase | |
|
On Friday, May 31, Thames Valley held its first ever Black Student Union Showcase at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. The event was organized by our district-wide Black Student Union and featured amazing displays of talent, art, culture and community.
Thank you to Tarik Kifle, Graduation Coach for Black students, for supporting this celebration of the rich diversity and creativity within the Black student community.
| |
|
On May 30, TVDSB recognized the recipients of the Award of Distinction.
The Award of Distinction is an annual recognition given by the Thames Valley District School Board Trustees to students, staff, volunteers, parents and all individuals who have made significant contributions at a system or school level.
It was a pleasure to honour this year’s Award of Distinction Recipients and Nominees at our ceremony and recognize their outstanding contributions to the communities we serve.
View the full list of nominees and recipients.
| |
|
June 13 was launch day for Stem2Stern! Hundreds of elementary and high school students from Thames Valley launched the boats they built and decorated into the water at Fanshawe Lake.
14 boats were tested at this 3rd annual regatta. The Stem2Stern program allows students to learn hands-on skills, collaborate and explore exciting creative opportunities.
Congratulations to the boat-building team from Glen Cairn Public School, whose boat was chosen to be put on display in the Education Centre Atrium.
| |
|
Thames Valley Multi-Year Strategic Plan:
2024-2028
| |
|
We are excited to share with you the new Thames Valley Multi-Year Strategic Plan which sets the direction of the Board for the coming years 2024-2028.
Click here to read the new Thames Valley Multi-Year Strategic Plan: 2024-2028
The new strategic plan includes the Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Directions, which will guide our work over the next four years. These Strategic Directions are:
• Support Student Achievement: LEARNING
• Create Safe Spaces for All: BELONGING
• Become the Best Place to Learn, Work, and Grow: LEADING
• Work Together with Communities: COLLABORATING
Next steps include working with Thames Valley staff to create measurable Strategic Goals for each of the Strategic Directions, and then implement and monitor those goals beginning in September 2024.
We want to sincerely thank everyone who gave their feedback and participated in the engagement and creation process.
We invite you to join us on this new journey at Thames Valley as we work collaboratively to build a stronger, more trusting community together.
| |
|
More than 500 female identifying students in grades 6-8 across the district attended the first “Girls in Aviation Day” this month.
Students had the opportunity to engage in interactive stations with industry partners providing early exposure to careers and positive female mentorship to inspire diverse pathways in STEM and aviation.
Thank you to London International Airport, Executive Aviation, Western, Airshow London along with industry partners to create this interactive and engaging aviation experience.
| |
|
Thames Valley District School Board students enjoyed athletic events, fellowship and fun at the annual Special Olympics!
Elementary students competed on June 11 and secondary students competed on June 12. Both days took place at Western Alumni Stadium.
More than 1,400 students and 1,300 peer coaches from 74 elementary and 26 secondary schools across the board participated in the Special Olympics.
Events included wheelchair races, track races, standing jump, long jump, softball throw, shot put and special events.
| |
|
On June 10, two exceptional Thames Valley students were awarded a Scotiabank Scholarship and recognized at the Scotiabank Scholars Dinner. The Scotiabank Scholars program is a unique program for high school students in grades 11 and 12, aimed at breaking down barriers through pathway programming and creating a community where young leaders can thrive academically, professionally and socially. Students gained exposure and confidence in attending a post-secondary education setting. Programming covers topics like university preparation and career development.
This year’s scholarship recipients included Kennedi, an exceptional student from the School Within a University program who has demonstrated not only academic excellence, but also great resilience and compassion; and Davyne, a determined student leader from Banting who has been an active member of the Scotiabank Scholars program over the past two years.
Each of these exemplary Thames Valley students has been personally recognized for their academic achievement, hard work and dedication to their studies. Thames Valley wishes them all the best on this exciting next chapter in their academic journeys!
| |
|
Thames Valley District School Board recently celebrated World Environment Day on June 5. Thames Valley remains committed to environmental sustainability today and in the future.
Thames Valley recently implemented a Sustainability Framework as part of efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. This framework includes Three Pillars of Sustainability, targeting reductions in energy, water and waste through education outreach and school board operations.
To see Thames Valley’s framework in action, check out this video from the Student Advisory Council’s Environment and Sustainability Working Group. You can also read the framework online: Thames Valley’s Sustainability Framework.
| |
|
June was a very busy month, filled with activities and updates on TVDSB priorities.
Building update
The Eagle Heights Public School addition is complete and will be open for September 2024; all construction at Eagle Heights should be completed by November.
Construction is underway at three new schools: North Woodstock elementary school, Northwest London elementary school and Southwest London elementary school
Thames Valley acquired land for three new elementary schools:
-
Southeast London elementary school: Honeywood Drive and Gatestone Road within the Jackson Meadows neighbourhood.
- West London elementary school: Upperpoint Avenue and Boardwalk Way within the Warbler Woods neighbourhood.
-
Lucan elementary school: Saintsbury Line south of Gilmour Drive, east of Wilberforce Public School.
Over the summer several building improvement plans are underway. We look forward to seeing these items completed when classes return in September.
For more information visit the Capital Projects page.
Budget 2024-2025
After weeks of careful deliberations, trustees approved the 2024-2025 budget on June 25. Trustees and staff collaborated to mitigate the effects of the budget on students, teachers and classrooms. Persistent underfunding continues to be a concern, and with per student funding from the province at a 10-year low, the Board recognizes that something in the way school boards are funded needs to change in order to ensure the integrity of educational programs and services in the coming years. Joining us in ongoing advocacy to MPPs and the Ministry of Education is appreciated.
Activities
On May 30, trustees honoured students, staff, volunteers, parents and individuals who made significant system or school-level contributions at the annual Award of Distinction ceremony. View all nominees and recipients.
Trustees laced up their shoes on June 1 and joined staff and members of the community for the 8th and final Run for the FUNd at College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock. The event raised more than $57,000 for the Thames Valley Education Foundation (TVEF) Caring Fund.
On June 6, trustees joined community members and board staff to mark the third anniversary of the terrorist attack that took the lives of four members of Our London Family, including a Thames Valley student. The event featured speakers, the introduction of Thames Valley’s Dismantling Anti-Muslim Racism Strategy and concluded with a commemorative walk.
To mark Pride Month, trustees participated in a Pride Month Recognition Ceremony at the Education Centre on June 10. The event featured a speech from award-winning motivational speaker, Saidat.
Smiles and friendly competition abounded on June 11-12 at the annual Special Olympics. Trustees, together with more than 1,400 students and 1,300 peer coaches from 74 elementary and 26 secondary schools, participated in a day of athletics, fellowship and fun.
Trustees, TVDSB Planning staff and senior administration joined City of London staff and councillors at the Education Centre on June 12 for a Community Planning and Facility Collaboration Opportunities meeting. Discussions included priorities about schools, local neighbourhoods and resolving issues.
On June 14, trustees enjoyed a day of sunshine and innovation as they participated in the Stem2Stern program. More than 750 students created boats as part of this initiative.
June also saw trustees deliver remarks at commencement ceremonies across Thames Valley as many high school graduates prepare for the next stage of their lives and careers.
| |
Meet Board Chair and Trustee Beth Mai | | |
|
|
My name is Beth Mai and I’m one of the trustees elected in London wards 7/8/9/10/13. I’ve spent most of my life in London and live in ward 9 with my husband and three children.
Before I was elected as a trustee, I worked with TVDSB for more than 22 years as an educator, a volunteer advocate for families, and a community advisor on the board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).
I’ve enjoyed volunteering my time to community activities that support youth and their families, including local soccer, young authors’ conferences, and FIRST robotics. I’ve also enjoyed serving the community by engaging with our seniors and providing community meals.
| |
|
I served as Vice-Chair of the board in 2022-2023 and I’m privileged to serve as the board Chair for the 2023-2024 term.
In addition to this role, I sit on the following board committees:
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- Chair’s Committee
- Board Governance and Bylaw Review Committee
- Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee
- Program and School Services Advisory Committee
My goal as a trustee is to strengthen confidence in public education through transparency and accountability. By advocating on behalf of the communities we serve, I also aim to ensure school boards have the resources needed to continue to provide quality education to students.
Please feel free to contact me anytime at b.mai@tvdsb.ca or 548-388-8137.
| | | | |
