January 31, 2024 • Issue #52
Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals
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It is my privilege to share the 2023-24 Director’s Annual Report from the Thames Valley District School Board, which looks back at another year of success in Thames Valley.
Our district continued to experience monumental growth during the 2022-23 academic year. With this growth comes new challenges, but also a world of new opportunities to move Thames Valley forward. I am proud of the considerable progress we have made in key areas, including literacy and numeracy, learning innovation, equity, inclusion and student well-being.
This year, we have organized our many stories of success into the three provincial priorities outlined by Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023. Those priorities are:
· Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Core Academic Skills
· Student Engagement and Well-Being
· Preparation of Students for Future Success
Thank you to all Thames Valley students, families and staff for sharing your voice and striving to make the Thames Valley District School Board better each day.
I wish you a safe and happy new year!
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Woodland Heights P.S. Library Learning Commons | |
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I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Library Learning Commons at Woodland Heights Public School. There, I met with teacher librarian Tara Phillips, who described to me the many amazing, enriching activities happening there.
Some of these activities include community partnerships, STEM learning, beading and making art with scribble bots!
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Black History Month at Thames Valley | |
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Thames Valley recognizes February as Black History Month, a time to celebrate the many achievements of Black Canadians and to educate about noteworthy individuals who have had an impact throughout history.
This year, the theme for Black History Month in Thames Valley is Leaders of Today: Building Tomorrow. Inspired by influential Black changemakers throughout history, Thames Valley is shining a spotlight on student leaders who are already making a change in their school community.
Excited about what your class, club or workplace is doing to celebrate Black History Month? Share what’s happening in your school or workplace on social media using #BlackExcellenceTVDSB.
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The Caring Fund supports students’ basic personal needs, contributes to helping a student attend or stay engaged with school, and supports students who want to participate in a school activity where lack of funds prevents them from doing so. We are honoured to support students in Thames Valley District School Board within London, Middlesex, Elgin, and Oxford County. With your help, we are making sure that every student has the best chance to learn and succeed. | |
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Because of you, the Caring Fund supported 830 requests totaling $296,000 in funding this year. Your gifts help us be the lifeline students need in time of crisis and provide support for students who were faced with learning barriers due to financial restrictions. Thanks to community contributions and donors like you, every request was supported.
Read the Caring Fund Report
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The Thames Valley District School Board invites families, staff and the community to provide input into the development of the Board’s 2024/2025 Budget. The 2024-2025 Budget Consultation Survey is voluntary, anonymous and takes just a few minutes to complete.
The survey can be accessed until February 29, 2024, at the following link: Budget Consultation Survey
Comments and feedback will be compiled in a report and shared with the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration.
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More at Montcalm Campaign | |
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Montcalm Secondary School is a diverse and welcoming school with a population of over 900 students as of September 2023. Please explore our website to learn all that Montcalm has to offer. Montcalm is vibrant and dynamic school with many great programs to inspire and stretch our students in both their academic and personal growth.
In addition to robust academic programming, we are one of six schools to offer Technology Emphasis courses that are not offered at all schools. Montcalm hosts the only Aviation Program in the Thames Valley District School Board. Our teaching staff are experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic about helping our students excel. Our support staff work closely with teachers and students to ensure that every child has access to the support they need to be their best. We are very proud of our school, its history, and our diversity. We work hard each day to ensure that every student is offered a wide range of learning opportunities designed toward the enhancement of their success and the building of their futures.
There’s More at Montcalm! Find out at: Montcalm - TVDSB
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This January the Board began discussions on the development of the 2024-2025 budget. As already mentioned, we encourage you to participate in the Budget Consultation Survey. We also invite you to bookmark the board’s Public Input webpage to provide input on the budget, policies being reviewed, and other work of the board. Thames Valley was also excited to announce that construction will begin this year on new public schools for North and South London. You can read more about those projects and others on the Thames Valley Projects webpage.
This February, the board is excited to hold the 2024-2025 Student Trustee Elections. Indigenous Student Trustee elections will be February 28 and elections for County and City Student Trustees will take place on February 29. We encourage all interested students to contact school principals for details and for assistance with the process. Completed applications are due by February 21 at 4:00 p.m. Visit the Student Trustees webpage to learn more.
The board would also like to let the community know that the nomination process for the 2024 Awards of Distinction is now open. These awards are an opportunity for the Board to recognize students, staff, volunteers, parents and/or community members who have made significant contributions to TVDSB at the school and/or system level. Nominations are due to Danielle Hancock, Trustees' Office, by Thursday, March 7 at 4:00 p.m. Learn more on the Awards of Distinction webpage.
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Meet Trustee Sherri Moore | | |
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Hello readers! I was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2021 prior to being elected in London Wards 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 in 2022. I'm grateful for this opportunity to be of service to all students and families across Thames Valley.
Though the youngest of our three children has now graduated, my husband and I spent many years navigating various TVDSB programs including French immersion, gifted class, and Autism Spectrum Disorder class. Before becoming a trustee, I was a director for Pride London Festival and a member of Autism Ontario, serving on the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) as their representative. I was also president of London Middlesex Roller Derby, once upon a time.
Since being elected, I have been a member of SEAC and have served terms on several committees including the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the First Nations Advisory Committee. I was Chair of the Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee in 2022. I also recently received a master's degree from Western University in Professional Education and am a firm believer in lifelong learning.
I believe trustees need to be accessible and accountable to the communities which we serve - feel free to reach out to me through my TVDSB web page.
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Tenders Awarded for the Construction of
Two New London Public Schools
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Thames Valley is excited to announce that work will begin this year on two new London public schools with attached childcare centres. A tender for the new northwest London public school was recently awarded to D. Grant Construction Ltd. The tender for the new southwest London public school was awarded to K&L Construction Ltd. Both schools are expected to open in September 2025.
In December, the Ministry committed to providing more funding for both schools. The new northwest London elementary school project will receive $9.1 million more funding. The new southwest London elementary school project will receive an additional $8 million.
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The $28.7 million new northwest London school will have space for 802 students. It will also include child care centre with 88 licensed spaces (10 infants, 30 toddlers, 48 preschoolers).
Similarly, the $28.8 million new southwest London School will have space for 804 students. It will also include a child care centre with 88 licensed spaces (10 infants, 30 toddlers, 48 preschoolers).
Learn more about Thames Valley’s construction projects at www.tvdsb.ca/projects.
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