March 5, 2024 • Issue #53

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

Special Black History Month Edition

Anti-Black Racism Strategy

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 was Leaders of Today: Building Tomorrow. Inspired by influential Black changemakers throughout history, Thames Valley shone a spotlight on student leaders who are already making a change in their school community.

As a school board, it’s our responsibility not only to educate future generations about the continued importance of Black history, but also to take immediate and sustained action against anti-Black racism in our schools and workplaces. That’s why we were proud to announce the development of Thames Valley’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy during our Black History Month Reception at the Education Centre.  

The Strategy will be developed in partnership with the Black community and will outline concrete and measurable actions we will take as a board to make Thames Valley more welcoming for Black students, families and staff. Look forward to its release in February 2025. 

Read more about our Anti-Black Racism Strategy in the London Free Press.

Black Excellence Student Leadership Conference

Thames Valley was proud to host our third annual Black Excellence Student Leadership Conference for Black-identifying secondary students across the district on Wednesday, February 15. Hundreds of Thames Valley students came together to learn, connect and build community.

Students began the day by meeting their peers and experiencing a moving presentation by keynote speaker Dwayne Morgan, a 2023 appointee to the Order of Ontario and a two-time Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion. Students then participated in a variety of engaging workshops including Afro-Caribbean dance, entrepreneurship, finding voice through film, empowerment, the health benefits and cultural significance of Afro-Heritage food, Black history in Canada and the impact of race on education. Post secondary partners, including Black Student Union members, were also present to engage students in pathways discussions.



In addition to these amazing workshops, students had the opportunity to share their thoughts and feedback on the framework to support the development of Thames Valley’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy. Student voice will play a key role in shaping this Strategy and ensuring it effectively serves Blacks students in Thames Valley. 

Graduation Coach for Black Students

Thames Valley was proud to welcome our district’s first Graduation Coach for Black students in August 2023. In her role as Graduation Coach, Tarik Kifle mentors, advises and advocates for African, Black and Caribbean students and their families in Thames Valley. This includes building relationships, supporting students with pathway planning, connecting them to community resources and providing them with a safe space to work, connect and recharge. 

“I’m always there for them,” Tarik said about her role in supporting Black students. “Whether it’s a friend to talk to or helping them figure out what to do with their courses, trying to figure out next steps for post-secondary, interpersonal relationships or navigating how they identify as a Black individual. Whatever they come up with, I try to help the best way I can.” 

The Graduation Coach for Black students is currently positioned at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, where she also serves as one of three Black Student Association Advisers; but her tremendous impact on students extends throughout the system. This includes her valuable supporting role in forming Thames Valley’s district-wide Black Student Union. Here’s what the Black Student Union had to say about Tarik’s guidance: “Having Tarik as the host of our events is quite uplifting because she influences us to do things out of love and passion.” 

Read an interview with the Graduation Coach for Black students in the London Free Press.  

Thames Valley Black Student Union

Inspired by Thames Valley’s annual Black Excellence Student Leadership Conference, Black-identifying students from across Thames Valley came together to form a district-wide Black Student Union (BSU) in 2023 with the support of staff, including the Graduation Coach for Black students.

What does Thames Valley’s Black Student Union aspire to achieve? Find out from the students themselves!

“The goals for the BSU are to connect Black students board-wide and create a united front between all Black Student Associations (BSAs). We want to keep BSAs significant and relevant for future years and want students to continue to engage with their community in their schools. The BSU members want to mentor the younger students in taking their place and teach them leadership skills and foster the passion for community building with elementary students as well.”

The Black Student Union creates a safe space for Black-identifying students to be themselves, share ideas and support each other. Here’s what the students had to say about the importance of the Black Student Union.

“The Black Student Union is so important to us because many of us feel left out in our school communities and face racism. Being a part of the BSU, we don’t feel alone – we are a part of a community that we created. We don’t have to over explain ourselves, and change how we speak, how we dress, how we act, and we feel like we belong. We get to be authentically ourselves and feel like we can breathe in this space and are comfortable.” 

Read our full Q&A with Thames Valley’s Black Student Union on our website. 

London South CI's Black Student Union

Visits Cleardale PS

Former Cleardale Cougars stopped by their alma mater’s assembly this month to share a few words on behalf of the Black Student Union at London South Collegiate Institute. The students inspired their younger peers with discussions around Black excellence and the importance of Black history. As one student shared, “Black History Month is not just a month. It is a living, breathing testament to the rich legacy we carry with us.” London South’s Black Student Union also organized a Black History Month Spirit Week at their school, asking every class to create a poster explaining, "What Black Heritage Month means to you." We’re proud to see our Cleardale Cougars grow into London South Lions! 

Aberdeen PS Creates Periodic Table of Excellence for Black History Month

Schools across Thames Valley shared on social media how they were recognizing and celebrating Black History Month with school activities, displays and class projects.  

Aberdeen Public School created an incredible Periodic Table of Excellence for Black History Month. Each square on the table contained a QR code, which lead to a profile of a notable Black Canadian. The table was also colour-coded by theme, with topics including Visual Artists, Firsts, Theatre, Musicians, Poets, Activists, Athletes, Artists, Entrepreneurs, Writers, LGBTQ, and Government. This project was a wonderful research activity for the students, as well as a learning tool for Black Canadian History.   

You can see other examples of how schools across Thames Valley celebrated Black History Month by searching the hashtag #BlackExcellenceTVDSB on social media. 

The Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who helped Thames Valley District School Board recognize Black History Month. It is so wonderful to see staff, students and community members gathered in celebration, support, and solidarity.

As Trustees, we are committed to honouring student identity by celebrating Black excellence. We are also committed to standing with the Black community as allies against racism and all forms of discrimination.

We were honoured to listen and learn from students, families, and community members from the Black community at events throughout the month. Student and community voices are so important to the work that we do as a board.

We are pleased to support meaningful engagement where we can listen and learn from students, families and members from the Black community. We look forward to continuing this work to foster equity, diversity and welcoming learning environments for all. 

Meet Next Year's Student Trustees

Student voices are essential to understanding the everyday successes and challenges experienced by school communities, and key to the work we do as a Board. Thames Valley District School Board wishes to congratulate the incoming Student Trustees and commend everyone who stepped forward to participate in the important process of Student Trustee Debates and Elections this February:

• North Middlesex District High School student Lorissa Westlake was elected as the next Indigenous Student Trustee 
• Lord Dorchester Secondary School student Shivani Vimal was elected as the next Student Trustee representing county schools 
• London Central Secondary School student Emma Park was elected as the next Student Trustee representing City of London schools 

You can learn more about the position of Student Trustee at www.tvdsb.ca/studenttrustees.