Message from the Board of Trustees

Dear Thames Valley Community,

We are proud of the resiliency, courage and perseverance shown by students, families and staff over the past two years. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered almost every aspect of life, and education has been no exception.

Our current Strategic Plan was to be updated in 2022. However, in May 2021, the Ministry of Education acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public consultation process and permitted school boards the option of extending their current Strategic Plans. As such, TVDSB’s current plan will remain in place until December 2023.

However, we acknowledge that much has changed since the plan was developed in 2018. Inequities highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement, the discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, and crimes targeted against the Islamic community are stark reminders of the inequities and prejudice some members of the Thames Valley community continue to face.

Our board remains firmly focused on student achievement and well-being, building positive relationships, and providing equitable and inclusive learning environments. We want every person at TVDSB, student or staff, to feel that they are welcome in a place where they belong.

We have planned extensive public consultation to support equity work within TVDSB and to inform the key priorities in the draft Equity Action Plan. Furthermore, the Indigenous Education Portfolio is developing an Indigenous Education Compendium to the draft Equity Plan. This important work will be incorporated into the new Strategic Plan to be created by the Board of Trustees elected in the October 2022 municipal election.

These priorities are embedded in our work now. We continue to oversee the effective stewardship of TVDSB resources.

We have updated the ‘Our Commitments’ section of our current Strategic Plan with the following statements:

• We believe in identifying and addressing disproportionalities and disparities faced by students and staff; and
• We believe in recognizing the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples and the need for ongoing collaboration with Indigenous communities, families, students, First Nation, Métis and Inuit staff.

This has been an extraordinary chapter for our board and in education. As always, we embrace the opportunities, lessons-learned and progress made as we move forward together with our partners and the Thames Valley community.

TVDSB Board of Trustees

Our Strategic Plan

Relationships

We build positive relationships with all members of our education community to foster an engaged and inclusive board culture. 

Goals: 

1. Students, families and staff are welcomed, respected and valued as partners. 
2. Promote and build connections to foster mutually respectful communication among students, families, staff, and the broader community. 
3. Create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.  

Equity and Diversity

We provide an equitable and inclusive environment that champions learning opportunities for all. 

Goals: 

1. Create opportunities for equitable access to programs and services for students. 
2. Students and all partners feel heard, valued and supported. 
3. Programs and services embrace the culture and diversity of students and all partners. 

Achievement and Well-being

We engage in innovative learning experiences that promote excellence in student achievement and well-being. 

Goals: 

1. More students demonstrate growth and achieve student learning outcomes with a specific focus on numeracy and literacy.
2. Staff will demonstrate excellence in instructional practices. 
3. Enhance the safety and well-being of students and staff.