The new Southeast London elementary school will accommodate some students currently attending Fairmont, Princess Elizabeth, and Tweedsmuir Public Schools from holding zones in the area, as well as a portion of students from Westminster Public School.

Follow this link for an aerial view of new south east London school construction site: aerial view

The majority of Fairmont Public School students will be accommodated at Tweedsmuir Public School after an $11.5-million expansion is completed in early 2021.

Follow these links for photos of construction at Tweedsmuir Public School: 
Photo 1    
Photo 2  
Photo 3

UPDATES

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Trustees approve two school names

Thames Valley’s new southeast London elementary school has officially been named Summerside Public School after the results of a community poll were endorsed by Trustees at the November 23 Board meeting.

The name was supported by 74 per cent of those who participated in the poll of families whose children will attend the school when it opens its doors in Fall 2022 – and reflects the name of the surrounding London neighborhood of Summerside. 

Trustees also endorsed the results of a poll of families whose children will attend Tweedsmuir Public School, which has undergone an $11.5-million expansion to accommodate many students from nearby Fairmont Public School, scheduled to close in June 2022.

As a result of the consolidation of the two schools, the Board’s Naming of Schools Policy provides the community the opportunity to choose a new name for the school. However, 72 per cent of those who participated in the poll chose to keep the Tweedsmuir name.

After extensive study and public consultation, Trustees approved the closure of Fairmont in 2017, with most students transferring to Tweedsmuir. Built in 1959, Tweedsmuir’s capacity was expanded to accommodate 494 pupils.

The new $16.6-million Summerside Public School will accommodate 556 students – some of whom are currently attending Fairmont Public School, Princess Elizabeth Public School, and Tweedsmuir Public Schools, as well as a portion of students from Westminster Public School. Summerside will also include 88 child care spaces.

Wednesday March 24, 2021

Naming committees to be formed for two London schools

Thames Valley school communities will have the opportunity to choose new names for two schools in south east London.

“This is required to prepare for the opening of a new south east London school in September 2022 and the closure of Fairmont Public School in June 2022,” Superintendent Sheila Builder told the Board during its March 23 meeting. The public is invited to submit suggestions for school names in Spring 2021, with forms available on the Public Input page of the Board’s website.

A committee will be formed to name Thames Valley’s new $16.6-million school under construction in the Summerside community at 2541 Meadowgate Blvd., scheduled to open in September 2022. 

The school will have a capacity of 556 students, as well as 88 licensed child care spaces to meet the need of the growing south east London community. (Follow this link for an aerial view of the construction site: Aerial View.)

A second naming committee will be formed to consider renaming Tweedsmuir Public School at 349 Tweedsmuir Ave., which is being consolidated with nearby Fairmont Public School, scheduled to close in June of 2022.

Originally built in 1959, Tweedsmuir has been undergoing extensive construction worth $11.5-million to expand its capacity to 494 students. The decision to close Fairmont, originally built in 1952, followed extensive study and public consultation. (Follow these links for photos of construction at Tweedsmuir Public School: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3.)

While a majority of Fairmont students will attend Tweedsmuir when construction is completed, the new south east London school will accommodate students currently attending Fairmont, Princess Elizabeth, and Tweedsmuir Public Schools from holding zones in the area, as well as a portion of students from Westminster Public School.

 The committees are expected to present their final reports to the Board by the Fall 2021.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Construction of new Southeast school to be tendered

The Ministry of Education has granted Thames Valley approval to proceed to tender the construction of a new $14-million elementary school in London – another step towards addressing student accommodation challenges in southeast London.

The school, located in the Summerside community, will have a capacity of 556 students, as well as 88 licensed child care spaces.

The new southeast London school will accommodate some students currently attending Fairmont, Princess Elizabeth, and Tweedsmuir Public Schools from holding zones in the area, as well as a portion of students from Westminster Public School. The majority of Fairmont Public School students will be accommodated at Tweedsmuir Public School once a $11.5-million school addition and renewal upgrades are completed in early 2021.

“From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “Our ongoing support of the new Summerside school further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.”

The Board thanks the Ministry for its continued support and is grateful for the patience and understanding of students, staff, parents and guardians as these projects move forward.

The City of London, as the Service System Manager of Early Years and Child Care for London-Middlesex, stated that it is pleased to be working with the Thames Valley District School Board on this new capital build project which will provide new, quality licensed child care spaces to meet the need of the growing community in southeast London. 

This investment of licensed child care and access to before and after school care, will help strengthen the early years and child care system. London’s children, youth and families will be able to participate fully in their neighbourhoods and receive the services they need through the continuum of learning and the integration of services.

Update: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 

Tweedsmuir PS expansion set to launch

The Thames Valley District School Board is excited to announce work will soon get underway on an $11.5-million construction project to significantly expand and upgrade Tweedsmuir Public School. 

“This is great news for families in southeast London,” said Board Chair Arlene Morell. “This project will create a modern and efficient facility and allow for a larger school community with students from Fairmont Public School that allows for more robust programming and activities.”  

Construction will include a gymnasium addition, renovations and upgrades to Kindergarten and other classrooms, including the library learning commons. Important upgrades will also ensure the school meets Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards. 

A tender for the project was awarded on May 13, 2020, with completion expected in early 2021. The project includes $7.5 million for additions and renovations announced by the province earlier this year, plus $4 million in upgrades funded by Ministry of Education school renewal grants.

Education Director Mark Fisher thanked the Ministry for its continued support and offered special thanks to students, staff, parents and guardians for their patience and understanding as this project moves toward completion.

After extensive study and public consultation, Trustees approved in 2017 the closure of Fairmont Public School, with students transferring to nearby Tweedsmuir Public School after upgrades were completed to accommodate more students. 

Built in 1959, Tweedsmuir Public School will have a capacity of 494 after renovations are completed.

 Update: Monday, January 13, 2020 

Construction Project to be tendered

Dear Parents and Guardians,

TVDSB is pleased to announce it has received approval from the Ministry of Education to proceed to tender important capital improvements at Tweedsmuir Public School in southeast London.

The Board thanks the Ministry for its continued support and is grateful for the patience and understanding of students, staff, parents and guardians as this $7.5-million project moves forward. Construction will include a gymnasium addition, renovations and upgrades to Kindergarten and other classrooms, including the library learning commons. 

The project was approved by Thames Valley Trustees in 2017 after a Pupil Accommodation Review recommended closing nearby Fairmont Public School and amalgamating its attendance area with Tweedsmuir. 

Built in 1959, Tweedsmuir Public School has a capacity of 494. 

Update: December 17, 2019

Southeast London school projects delayed

Timelines for the closure of Fairmont Public School, completion of addition/renovations at Tweedsmuir Public School, and the opening of a new Southeast London Public School have been extended another year while the Board awaits approval from the Ministry of Education to proceed to tender.

Trustees approved a motion on December 17, 2019 acknowledging the new school now will not be operational before September 2021. Renovations and additions to Tweedsmuir Public School are also not expected to be completed before July 1, 2021 – delaying the closure of Fairmont Public School to June 30, 2021 at the earliest.

A 2017 Pupil Accommodation Review originally recommended construction of a new school in the Summerside area of London, the closure of Fairmont Public School and the consolidation of enrolment at an expanded Tweedsmuir Public School. 

Thames Valley submitted plans for the new school and the Tweedsmuir expansion to Ministry of Education in June 2019 for approval to proceed to tender. The Board appreciates the Ministry’s ongoing support and is hopeful these projects will be expedited as soon as possible.

Update: June 17, 2019

School construction projects submitted to Ministry for approval

Parents and Guardians,

Two major school construction projects in southeast London were submitted to the Ministry of Education on June 14 and June 17, 2019 for approval to allow the projects to proceed to tender. 

After extensive study and public consultation, Trustees approved in 2017 the closure of Fairmont Public School, with students transferring to nearby Tweedsmuir Public School where significant upgrades would be carried out to accommodate more students. 

Trustees also approved, contingent on provincial funding, construction of a new school in the Summerside area to accommodate students who have been temporarily placed at Fairmont, Tweedsmuir and Princess Elizabeth Public School. 

Closure of Fairmont Public School is contingent upon the progress of the Tweedsmuir and the new Southeast London school projects. The Board will proceed to tender the project once approvals have been obtained. 

Update: February 1, 2019

Fairmont, Tweedsmuir, new southeast London Public School    

Parents and Guardians,

Progress is continuing with TVDSB’s plans to build a much-needed new public school in southeast London (Summerside), as well as additions and renovations to Tweedsmuir Public School – allowing for the approved closure of Fairmont Public School. 

After extensive study and public consultation, Trustees approved in 2017 the closure of Fairmont Public School, with students transferring to nearby Tweedsmuir Public School where significant upgrades would be carried out to accommodate more students. 

Trustees also approved, contingent on provincial funding, construction of a new school in southeast London to accommodate students who were temporarily placed at Fairmont, Tweedsmuir and Princess Elizabeth Public School. 

Tweedsmuir Public School:The Ministry of Education recently granted TVDSB approval to proceed with a detailed design for additions and renovations at Tweedsmuir Public School. Parents and guardians will receive more information about the timeline for construction once approval is granted to tender the project. 

New southeast London school:The Board’s preliminary design for a new school in southeast London was recently granted Ministry approval, allowing the Board to move forward with a more detailed design for the project. A community meeting to share information about the school’s design and timeline will be scheduled as soon as TVDSB receives approval to tender the project. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Fairmont Public School:Closure of Fairmont Public School is contingent upon the progress of the Tweedsmuir and the new Southeast London school projects. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

The Board is hopeful these projects will be expedited by the Ministry as soon as possible.