October 27, 2023 • Issue #49

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

Orange Shirt Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saturday, September 30 was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the tenth anniversary of Orange Shirt Day. During the last week of September, Thames Valley schools engaged in listening and learning opportunities to reflect on the history of Residential Schools.

Schools lowered their flags to half-mast and changed their school signs to honour Residential School survivors and remember the children who did not make it home. Many classes created displays or showcased their learning throughout the halls of their school. 



Here we see some of the displays and events that took place at Caradoc Public School, Innerkip Central School and the Thames Valley District School Board Education Centre. 

Islamic Heritage and History Month

October is Islamic Heritage and History Month at Thames Valley. Throughout the month, students and staff have participated in learning activities recognizing the many achievements of Muslim Canadians, as well as Muslims around the world.



Thames Valley deeply values the strong relationship we have built with the Muslim community.

On October 4, we hosted our annual Muslim Community Engagement Session, where Muslim families and community members shared their feedback on the draft framework for Thames Valley’s Anti-Islamophobia Strategy. 

Work on this important strategy is still underway, and we look forward to further collaboration with the community in the coming months. 

The school community at Harrisfield Public School is growing and so are the opportunities for STEM hands-on learning.

The grade 8 students are experimenting with a new classroom 3D printer which serves as an excellent educational tool. Using this 3D printer combines theory with practical application and fosters creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. The students have also designed a Halloween decoration for their classroom.

Fostering an understanding of how 3D printing is used in various industries provides insights into the real-world applications of STEM fields.

H.B. Beal Celebrates Collaborative

Indigenous Art Project

Students from the Indigenous programs at H.B. Beal Secondary School celebrated their collaborative bus and boat projects this October with local community partners. Artist Mike Cywink mentored the students to design and paint a bus for the Digital Creative Arts Centre (DCAC) and Boys’ & Girls’ Club in London.  

“From an artistic perspective, the bus was a new challenge since it is not your typical ‘canvas’. I love these challenges and couldn't be prouder of the work the students did. I am always grateful for these opportunities and am always grateful for these businesses and these spaces making room for Indigenous voices and representation. It’s pretty exciting when I see the bus driving around town,” said Mike Cywink.  

“The boat was another fantastic project. It got to tie in all the content the students were learning about that semester and showcase it in an art project. The fact that it floats and is a functioning boat is even better! Another opportunity I was super grateful for.”

This is the second bus project Thames Valley has participated in painting with DCAC: “This is such a great opportunity for the Digital Creative Arts Centre and more importantly the students. They did such an amazing job.

Working with noted artist Michael Cywink was a treat for them and us.”

“We really value our partnership with the TVDSB. It helps us to provide unique experiential opportunities to students like painting a bus”. 

Students opened the celebration with a smudge, shared their learning and concluded the event with strawberry drinks and cookies by Chef Dwayne. Chef Dwayne mentored the students in their visits to the Growing Chefs organization.   

“Empowering student voices while developing new skill sets with industry partners has been incredibly inspiring for the Thames Valley community. We extend our gratitude to our partners for the impact and support they are having by working with students and educators,” shared Laura Briscoe, Experiential Learning and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Coordinator. 

“We look forward to next steps as we grow this initiative, with support from the ministry SHSM expansion innovation grant, to extend the opportunity throughout Thames Valley.”

Local Government Week

During the week of October 16, Trustees visited schools across the district as part of Local Government Week. The Thames Valley District School Board, along with our partners at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), worked together to raise awareness among our students about the important role school board trustees play as community advocates for public education. 

School board trustees are the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario. Our Board of Trustees help set our vision, develop policies, allocate resources and create our multi-year strategic plan for student achievement and well-being. 

We are thrilled to turn our attention to Student Trustees in this month’s Trustee Connection. Student Trustees are elected members of the Board who contribute to the success of the board alongside the 13 Trustees who are elected and appointed. Student Trustees report, ask questions, debate and vote. Though the vote is non-binding, their participation in many aspects of board governance gives important representation to students in TVDSB. 



As always, Thames Valley’s Board of Trustees wants to hear what families have to say on a variety of topics including the Oxford North Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review and Middlesex Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review. To learn more, please visit the Public Input webpage.

Meet Thames Valley's Student Trustees 

2023-24 Student Trustees from left to right: Sir Fred Nicholas (Indigenous Student Trustee), Jana Anan (London Region Student Trustee) and Savrup Kaur Saran (County Region Student Trustee).

Sir Fred Nicholas: “One of my main goals is to help bring the voices of Indigenous students to the table in a way that is meaningful and impactful… I also want to help bring in new faces to the community, to show them who Indigenous people are and how they have helped the wonderful country we all share, as well as the history of how Indigenous people have lived.”

Jana Anan: “I am beyond honored and excited to have the opportunity to represent such a large and diverse student body. I have always been passionate about leadership and finding ways to help in my community. This role will allow me to pursue those passions and hopefully create some positive change.”



Savrup Kaur Saran: “In my second term as a Student Trustee, I've gained invaluable insights into understanding the needs and wants of our student body…This year, I aim to utilize the communication plan established last year to enhance our engagement with students… There are many ongoing projects from last year which I am excited to complete.”