May 27, 2022 • Issue #37

Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals

During the month of May, schools have been connecting and celebrating the many ways in which the arts support academics, mental health and well-being and sharing their activities with the tag #heARtofMentalHealth. 

To celebrate, TVDSB’s Mental Health, Arts, and Innovation portfolios have worked with the McMichael Gallery to produce a number of online live events including “Through the Window”, an event for grades JK-3 where students explored a variety of artworks in the McMichael collection and participated in an artmaking activity; “Style Explorations: Norval Morrisseau and other Anishinaabe Artists” for grades 4-8 where students had the opportunity to view and explore artworks of Norval Morrisseau and other artists working in the unique style of the Anishinaabe School of Painting; 

and “Generations: The Sobey Family and Canadian Art”, for grades 9-12, which focused on the story of the family’s visionary engagement with Canadian and Indigenous art and participated in a hands-on artmaking component exploring the ideas of landscape and abstract art. 

To wrap up the month, staff, students and families are invited to tune in on May 31 from 7-8 PM to the #heARTofMental Health Gala Event. Thames Valley has partnered with the London Arts Council and the Digital Creative Arts Centre to livestream a virtual celebration which will include performances from local artists and interactive activities. Pre-registration is not required. For a link to the event, visit www.tvdsb.ca/heARTofMentalHealth

Every year during the first full week of May, Ontario schools celebrate Education Week. It’s a time for us to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement, and to recognize the great things that are happening across Thames Valley. 

This year, the theme for Education Week was Moving Forward. Staff and students have demonstrated amazing resiliency. We encourage all of you to continue to lead with your strengths, embrace what you have learned over the past year and work together towards a new, better learning environment. 

All Thames Valley schools have experienced success thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and students. This video captures only a small portion of these accomplishments.

Congratulations to Laurie Farquharson and Melanie Seifert from Medway High School on being awarded the Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving Award.

These staff members’ outstanding actions in assisting students in need is an excellent example of how TVDSB staff go above and beyond each day.

Thames Valley Education Foundation is excited to partner with YMCA for this year's spring fundraising event: 5 Days Your Way. Taking place June 13 to June 17, attendees are encouraged to participate in 5 days of their preferred physical activity while fundraising in the community. The event supports the TVEF Caring Fund, which has seen a 60 percent increase in requests this year. Funding supports students in emergency financial need with items like food, clothing and transportation so they can focus on learning. Registration and more information can be found on the TVEF website.

The 2021/2022 Lawson Literary Award winners have been announced! Established in 1978 by Col. Tom Lawson and supported through The Lawson Foundation – Miggsie Fund, these awards uplift literary excellence while encouraging students to learn about Canadian history. Winners have created spectacular projects showcasing Canadian history, which are all available for viewing online. 

Congratulations to our 2021-22 Lawson Literary Award recipients!

An engaging and unique student art display outside London’s Covent Garden Market started out as a full remote learning project that intended to create a sense of community.

Integrating technology and art with Augmented Reality, four Thames Valley schools worked with local experts to brainstorm, design and paint unique picnic tables that look beautiful and also function as experiences.

Students from B. Davison SS, H.B. Beal SS and Saunders SS collaborated with local artists Mediah and Hawlii Pichette to help conceptualize their designs. Mountsfield PS students also made an artistic picnic table, but took it one step further to work with Exar Studios to add an Augmented Reality experience to bring their creation to life.

The picnic tables will remain on display at the Covent Garden Market throughout the summer of 2022.

This month, I’d like to highlight recent work from our Student Trustees that has captured public attention.

Recognizing the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on her peers’ mental health, Student Trustee Harini Satheeskumar started a student voice pilot project at Central Secondary School that connects students with mental health resources offered by TVDSB. Read more

In advance of Red Dress Day on May 5, Indigenous Student Trustee Niigonii White-Eye prepared educational resources for students and staff about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-spirit people. Read more 

At Westminster Secondary School, Student Trustee Hanzala Subhani has acted as a leader in revitalizing school spirit by organizing school-wide events and reaching out to students at neighbouring elementary schools to promote a positive transition to Grade 9. 

Amazing work as always, Student Trustees! 

The Award of Distinction honours students, staff, volunteers and parents who have made a real and lasting difference for our students and our school Board.

Twenty-three recipients and 14 nominees were recognized at the May 24 Board meeting. Recipients were chosen based on their demonstration of Thames Valley’s Mission, Vision and Commitments.

Visit our website to view this year’s list of recipients and nominees.