March 31, 2023 • Issue #44

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

TVDSB recognized March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day each year, we reflect on our progress toward eliminating barriers for racialized communities in Thames Valley and reaffirm our ongoing commitment to fighting discrimination in all forms.

In addition to co-hosting an event with our valued community partner Jewish London on this day (highlighted later in this newsletter), Purveen Skinner, Superintendent of Equity, participated in a panel at London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership’s All Are Welcome Here 2023 conference to discuss the development and implementation of institutional policies to combat discrimination.

Our strategy to fight racial discrimination includes learning resources like the Decision-making Tool for Resource Selection; the Guidelines on the Non-use of Racial and Other Slurs and Epithets; the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Resource Guide; and many more. These resources support staff in affirming student identity and centering student safety.



Community engagement is at the heart of our anti-racism strategy and decision-making. Thames Valley continues to listen and learn from the diverse communities we serve through initiatives like our Community Engagement Session series. By building these important relationships, TVDSB is making significant progress toward creating equitable and safe learning environments for students.

Learn more about the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on our website

Last month, Kettle Creek Public School invited the school community to celebrate its rich cultural diversity by submitting short videos to share each family’s cultural heritage. Students were asked to share information about their family’s country of origin, the special holidays they celebrate and the traditional foods they enjoy.

With help from the Kettle Creek Home and School Association, the video submissions were combined into a larger video and shared with the entire school community for a special online event on February 28.

Kettle Creek families were invited to make a bowl of popcorn and settle in for the 6:30 p.m. premiere of Love Our Cultures 2023. The video achieved its goal to help families get to know each other and introduce some of the families who are new to the school community.

Last month, I visited South Ridge Public School in Tillsonburg during a series of school visits through Oxford County. South Ridge has a population of approximately 400 students who come to the school from rural and urban centres. The staff and students there work together as a community with an emphasis on respect, sharing, caring and communication.

I had the opportunity to learn more about the partnership program the school has implemented with Southwestern Public Health called “Let’s Get Cooking.” This program introduces Grade 5 to 8 students to the art of cooking and encourages them to try recipes from various cultures. A video of this experience will be coming soon.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Emerson, a Grade 6 student at South Ridge who is quickly on his way to becoming an intrepid reporter. Please enjoy this video of Emerson interviewing me with some hard-hitting questions.

Shekoli, Hello! I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself as the First Nation Trustee with TVDSB in this issue of the Trustee's Corner.

I am a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, located southwest of London. As the First Nation Trustee, I am appointed by three communities who have an Education Services Agreement with TVDSB. Those communities are Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee-Delaware Nation along with Oneida Nation of the Thames.

This is my second term as First Nation Trustee and I look forward to continuing to represent the Indigenous students, families and communities in ensuring success in education.

Carol Antone

First Nation Trustee

519-452-2000 ext. 22405

carol.antone@tvdsb.ca

The Board of Trustees are elected/appointed members of the public who represent the interests of their communities. If you would like to know about upcoming meetings/agendas or find the contact information for any school board trustee, please visit tvdsb.ca/trustees.

As your representatives in public education, we are responsible for making decisions, with the information available, that best serve the board as a whole. We encourage you to reach out through your School Council, by providing public input, or by writing/calling your representative(s) on what matters to you. You can also email boardchair@tvdsb.ca.



We look forward to hearing from you.

In alignment with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, TVDSB partnered with Jewish London to host Margaret’s Legacy: Engaging in the Narrative to Restore Peace and Harmony in the World at A.B. Lucas Secondary School on March 21.

The event received more than 300 registrations and featured a powerful presentation by Margaret’s Legacy, an organization that develops trauma-informed Holocaust education resources inspired by the history of Margaret and Arthur Weisz.

We are grateful to Margaret’s Legacy and Jewish London for educating the Thames Valley community about antisemitism, discrimination and the importance of equity work today. TVDSB values our strong relationship with the Jewish community and is grateful for the open and honest dialogue we continue to share.

Music programs are an important part of school life for many Thames Valley students. They provide opportunities for students to express themselves artistically, build relationships with their peers and explore post-secondary options.

Now that schools are able to offer the rich extra-curricular experiences that were not possible during the pandemic, instrumental music programs have flourished with renewed interest from students across Thames Valley.

At Glendale High School, music teachers Sarah and John Lam credit the students for re-claiming the music program and shaping it into a goal-oriented environment where everyone is safe to express themselves.

(Photo Credit: Andrew Lupton/CBC)

The Ramadan Club at Louise Arbour French Immersion Public School is engaging the Thames Valley community with their new #LikeMe Campaign, a fundraiser to purchase Ramadan and Eid-related books for elementary schools across Thames Valley.

The campaign aims to fight Islamophobia and affirm student identity by providing students with books that feature stories and characters like them.

This objective aligns with Goal One of TVDSB’s Draft Equity Action Plan: Affirming Identities.

The #LikeMe fundraiser has now grown into a community-wide collaboration between the Thames Valley District School Board, the Our London Family Committee and the City of London’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression division. We are proud to collaborate with valued community partners on this meaningful endeavour.

Help the #LikeMe Campaign reach its fundraising goal – donate today!

This year’s Facility Services Professional Development Day, which took place on March 15, was a great success. Three hundred and fifty staff from a variety of areas, including custodial, maintenance, capital projects, the distribution centre and planning gathered for sessions designed to support them professionally and personally. The day was focused on wellness, team work, collaboration and networking. In addition to informative and entertaining training sessions, staff had the opportunity to connect with around forty-five vendors.

TVDSB wants to thank these important team members for their commitment to creating and maintaining welcoming spaces for staff, students, and communities.