January 31, 2025 • Issue #62
Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
| |
MOVE program with GoodLife Fitness at Oakridge Secondary School | |
|
The MOVE program is a partnership between Thames Valley and GoodLife Fitness. The students get 2 hours a week of fitness instruction with a Goodlife Fitness instructor, where they teach the students to move their bodies, follow along with activities and encourage them to become more physically active.
Oakridge Secondary School was the pilot location for this amazing program, and the MOVE program is now available at 7 secondary schools throughout Thames Valley.
Please enjoy this video of students from Oakridge’s Developmental Education Class participating in the MOVE program
| |
Thames Valley District School Board Celebrates Historic $93.4 Million Investment in Three New Schools | |
|
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is proud to announce the Government of Ontario has approved $93.4 million in funding to build three new elementary schools, ensuring growing communities in Thames Valley have access to modern, high-quality education facilities.
This funding represents one of the largest investments in TVDSB’s history and is part of the province’s $1.3 billion commitment to building and expanding schools across Ontario. The approved projects include:
- New Southwest London elementary school: A 934-pupil elementary school with 88 licensed child care spaces. Funding: $43.6 million
- New Thamesford elementary school: A 479-pupil junior kindergarten to grade 4 elementary school with 88 licensed child care spaces. Funding: $23.5 million
- New North Central London elementary school: A 514-pupil elementary school with 88 licensed child care spaces. Funding: $26.3 million
For more details about Thames Valley construction projects, visit www.tvdsb.ca/projects.
“These new schools will help to meet the needs of our growing communities,” said Beth Mai, Chair of the TVDSB Board of Trustees. “We are deeply grateful to our municipal partners for their collaboration on these projects and to the Government of Ontario for this historic investment. The funding for these new schools supports the board’s strategic priority of making TVDSB the best place to learn, work, and grow.”
The funding brings the total number of new school construction projects underway within the TVDSB to 10, demonstrating the board’s commitment to supporting population growth and student success.
“This investment means families can access schools closer to home, in the communities where they live,” said Bill Tucker, Interim Director of Education for TVDSB. “This is about more than new buildings. It’s about ensuring our students and families feel supported and connected as they grow and thrive in these neighbourhoods.”
Approval of the funding for TVDSB was part a larger Government of Ontario announcement made January 27, 2025. “This is the second consecutive year that our government has made historic investments in new school construction and school expansion, as part of the government’s Build Ontario plan,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education. “Under our plan, schools are being built faster and more efficiently than ever before, so more students have access to a place to learn and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”
| |
2024 Student Art Contest Winners | |
|
In fall 2024, all TVDSB students were invited to create original artwork for the TVDSB Art Contest under the theme “Be Kind Online.”
Winning entries will be displayed in the London Mayor’s office and will be printed on the front of notecard sets to be used within the TVDSB.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 TVDSB Art Contest! From left to right:
- Lilia S., Primary (JK - Grade 3)
- Emma S., Junior (Grades 4-6)
- Reese C., Senior (Grades 7-8)
- Kaitlynn L., Secondary (Grades 9-12)
We would like to thank everyone who submitted for sharing a message about Being Kind Online through their artwork.
| |
Register for the 2025-2026 school year at Thames Valley! | |
|
Families can register now for September 2025 to help Thames Valley District School Board plan for the next school year! We are excited to welcome families to Thames Valley. Register and learn more at www.tvdsb.ca/register.
Kindergarten
Online kindergarten registration is now open. Visit the Kindergarten Registration page to find out more.
Elementary School
Elementary registration is ongoing. Families can visit the Elementary School Registration page to learn more. In the spring, all Thames Valley elementary schools will host open houses to welcome families and provide orientation to incoming kindergarten students.
High School
High school course selection is now open. Families can also check out our helpful guides to support the transition to high school and course selection. Visit our Secondary School Registration page to learn more.
French Immersion
Grade 1 is the only entry point into Thames Valley’s French Immersion Programs. Grade 1 French Immersion registration is now open. English kindergarten registration in French Immersion schools runs from January 13 to 31, 2025. Visit our French Immersion Registration page to learn more.
| |
Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts Selection Process | |
|
Thames Valley's Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts offers an enriched Arts program in dance, drama, visual arts and music.
Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts also offers a complete academic curriculum, consistent with the curriculum offered in all Thames Valley elementary schools.
The selection process is open to all grade 3-7 students. Students are accepted at Lester B. Pearson beginning in grade 4 and can attend until secondary school.
Selection Process: March 2025
All Thames Valley students from grades 3-7 can now register for the March 2025 selection process. During the selection process, students will participate in music, dance, drama and visual arts workshops. Students will be evaluated by a combination of educators and industry professionals. Based on these evaluations, students may be offered admission to attend Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts for the 2025-2026 school year.
Students must participate in the selection process to be considered for admission.
Click here to register or call the school directly at (519) 452-8300. Please note there is a $60 registration fee. Please contact the school directly to arrange a subsidy, if needed.
Please visit the website for more information: About Us - Lester B. Pearson School for Arts (tvdsb.ca)
| |
Strathroy-Caradoc Skilled Trade Hub | |
|
Strathroy-Caradoc, Technical Training Group, Strathroy District Collegiate Institute and Holy Cross Catholic High School are pleased to announce that construction on their shared skilled trades centre is complete, and the centre is now operational!
Currently, students from both schools use the state-of-the-art equipment in their technology courses during the day.
Starting in September 2025, the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc and Technical Training Group will run youth trades and adult trade school training in the facility on evenings and weekends.
Learn more about this incredible project in this video from Strathroy District Collegiate Institute!
| |
|
TVEF Caring Fund Community
Fundraising Update
| |
|
Help Students in Urgent Need Through the Caring Fund
Every child deserves the essentials to succeed in school—food, clothing, and supplies. But for many families in our community, these necessities are out of reach.
The Caring Fund, a program of the Thames Valley Education Foundation (TVEF), provides emergency support to students facing urgent financial need. Right now, that need is greater than ever. Requests for assistance have risen by an average of 31% each year, as more families struggle with the cost of groceries, clothing, and school supplies.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Caring Fund supported 1,003 requests in the 2023-2024 school year, delivering over $337,000 in critical assistance to vulnerable students in Thames Valley schools. This year alone, we have already helped more than 560 families—but we need your support to keep going.
When students have the essentials they need, they can focus on what truly matters: learning, growing, and building a brighter future. Your donation can make an immediate impact—putting food on the table, providing warm winter clothing, and ensuring every child has the tools they need to thrive in the classroom.
Every dollar counts. Every gift changes a life. Donate today and help us ensure that no student is left behind.
Donate Today.
| |
|
Data Privacy Week 2025 takes place across Canada and around the world from January 27 to 31. This year’s theme is Put Privacy First, encouraging us to make privacy a priority in everything we do. January 28 also marks Data Privacy Day, focusing on the power of Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs).
According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, “Putting privacy first supports compliance with privacy law and ultimately helps organizations to build trust with Canadians.”
Feel free to contact privacy@tvdsb.ca for questions and support. Any questions regarding technology security can be directed to the IT Service Desk Team at 519-452-2005 or by entering a HelpHub ticket. Thank you for doing your part to put privacy first!
| |
Collecting feedback on draft 2025-2026 TVDSB School Year Calendars | |
|
Planning for the 2025-2026 school year has already started for the Thames Valley District School Board. This includes the creation of school year calendars.
As part of Thames Valley’s consultation development plan, we invite you to provide feedback on the school year calendars.
2025-2026 TVDSB Calendar Survey
The consultation period runs from January 20, 2025 – February 12, 2025.
Before you provide feedback, here’s what you need to know:
The proposed 2025-2026 school year calendars include 196 possible school days between September 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The school year must include at least 194 school days, 7 of which must be professional activity (PA) days:
- 3 mandatory PA days
- 4 discretionary PA days
Remaining school days are instructional days, however individual school boards may designate up to 10 of those days as examination days.
Full proposed school year calendars:
Calendars may change based on feedback during the consultation period or at the direction of the Ministry of Education. For more information on school year calendars at the Ministry level, please visit the Ministry of Education website.
| |
|
Happy New Year, everyone! The year 2025 promises to be a busy one with lots of key objectives to accomplish.
Three new schools for Thames Valley
On January 27, Thames Valley received $93.4 million in funds from the Government of Ontario to build three new elementary schools:
-
New Southwest London elementary school ($43.6 million) - 934 pupils
-
New Thamesford elementary school ($23.5 million) - 479 pupils
-
New North Central London elementary school ($26.3 million): 514 pupils
All three schools include 88 licensed child care spaces. Trustees voted to submit five construction projects to the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities Program at a special board meeting on September 10, 2024.
Award of Distinction nominations close on February 26 at 4 p.m.
Each year, Thames Valley celebrates the outstanding contributions of students, staff and volunteers through the Award of Distinction. Approximately twenty individuals are selected to receive the Award of Distinction, and all nominees will receive a certificate of recognition. Please consider nominating someone you know who makes a difference in the lives of the Thames Valley community.
For more information, including nomination forms and full details, visit: https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/our-board/award-of-distinction.aspx.
Public name suggestions for four new Thames Valley elementary schools have been received and are now with a Naming Selection Committee. This committee will now review all submissions and recommend three options for each school. Those schools are:
- New Belmont Public School
- New Lucan Public School
- New Southeast London Public School
- New West London Public School
Trustees will review these options at a future board meeting. Pending trustee approval, staff will ask school communities to vote for one of three options for their school’s name.
| | | | |
