Thames Valley District School Board is moving ahead with the City of St. Thomas Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review (STAAR). The initial report for this review was presented at the November 29 Board Meeting. A recording of this presentation is available for viewing online.

The goal of the Attendance Area Review is to balance enrolment within the school system, lessen reliance on portables and shorten travel times for students. The review will also strengthen TVDSB’s business case for a much-needed new school in northwest St. Thomas.

As part of the review process, TVDSB formed an Attendance Area Review Committee (AARC) as well as school level subcommittees with parent/guardian representatives from each school. Sub-committees held meetings with their school communities to gather public feedback and strengthen the options under consideration.

The City of St. Thomas Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review (STAAR) final report will be presented at a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Recommendations in the final report are informed by school community feedback. A live stream and recording of the meeting will be available at the following link. To read the final report, please click here. 

Individuals may submit public delegations about the final report in writing, or pre-register to speak at the May 23, 2023 Board Meeting. The deadline to submit public delegations is Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. For more details, please visit the Public Input webpage.

If approved by Trustees, attendance area changes will take effect no earlier than September of 2024. 

An Attendance Area Review Committee meeting took place Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The meeting was an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Attendance Area Review (AAR) initial report and process, timelines and the roles and responsibilities of AARC members. Notice of the meeting was posted on January 18, 2023.

Thames Valley wishes to sincerely thank the individuals who volunteered to serve on the St. Thomas Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review Committee. These individuals facilitated subcommittee meetings where school communities had the opportunity to give feedback about the review. 

Meeting Recording

Watch meeting recording on YouTube

Meeting Agenda

1. Opening Remarks
2. Introductions and Agenda Overview
3. Review of Attendance Area Review Process, Procedure Document, and Timelines
4. Review of Roles and Responsibilities of AARC Members
5. Presentation of Initial Attendance Area Review Report
6. Q & A Period
7. Closing Remarks

• Policy - Pupil Accommodation (4015)

• Procedure - Pupil Accommodation and Facility Organization (4015a)

• Procedure - Community Planning and Facility Collaboration Opportunities (4015b)

• Procedure - Attendance Area Review (4015c)

• Procedure - Holding Zones and Holding Schools (4015d)

• STAAR Final Report - May 9, 2023 (Page 20)
• STAAR Initial Presentation - Updated February 9, 2022
• STAAR Initial Report - November 29, 2022

• Attendance Area Review Committee (AARC) Meeting - February 2, 2023
• TVDSB Board Meeting - November 29, 2022

For school sub committee meeting documents, please see the School-related News webpage

Locke's Public School Option 1

Portion of Locke's Public School boundary assigned to June Rose Callwood Public School

Locke's Public School Option 2 

Portion of Locke's Public School boundary assigned to New Sarum Public School

Southwold Option 1 

Portion of Southwold Public School boundary assigned to John Wise Public School and portion of Locke’s assigned to New Sarum

Southwold Holding Zone Options

The Northwest Residential Expansion Lands proposed to be designated as a Holding Zone. Elgin Court Public School or a combination of both Elgin Court Public School and John Wise Public School would be the two designated holding schools.

The following grade reconfiguration options are also under consideration as an alternative to the potential boundary changes outlined above:

• Southeast St. Thomas holding zone to be designated to Mitchell Hepburn Public School.
• Mitchell Hepburn Public School converted to a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school.
• Locke’s Public School converted to a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school.
• Elgin Court Public School converted to a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school. Elgin Court Public School and Forest Park Public School share an attendance area.
• Forest Park Public School becomes a Grade 7 to 8 school for Elgin Court Public School, Mitchell Hepburn Public School and Locke’s Public School.