Multi-Year Strategic Plan

We are pleased to introduce the board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan for 2024-2028.

The development of this plan began in the fall of 2023and involved extensive consultation with interest holders.The new plan reflects the extensive consultation of students, family members, employees, and community members with input through engagement sessions, interviews, and online surveys.

The new Multi-Year Strategic Plan has four strategic priorities that outline the board’s vision for excellence in education in TVDSB. This strategic plan will serve as the frame work for the district's future defined through the new mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.It represents our dedication to continually improve, adapt, and respond to the changing needs of the community while maintaining focus on student achievement and well-being.It is a commitment to students, staff, and community.

Thank you to the community for joining us in the development of this new plan. We are grateful for your support and involvement, and we thank you for your shared investment in a bright future for Thames Valley.

We welcome your continued involvement as this plan is implemented. Focusing together on the success of the strategic plan will help us to build positive, supportive, and cohesive educational environments for students throughout the district and the community.

Together, we can continue to make a difference.

Beth Mai 

 

The Ministry of Education’s Multi-Year Strategic Planning: A Guide for School Board Trustees details that a strategic plan is meant to “stand as a beacon for boards as they focus on creating a measurably better future for all children, students, and staff.” Indeed, a strategic plan outlines a journey that an organization wishes to take. It identifies an aspirational future state and then charts a path— considering barriers and challenges—to get to that state. Further, our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) is based on our shared commitment to Ontario’s goals for education, which include Achieving Excellence, Ensuring Equity, Promoting Well-Being, and Enhancing Public Confidence in our public education system.

In very few organizations or sectors are the desired future states as ambitious or consequential and the paths so constrained and scrutinized as with school boards and the educational sector. This holds especially true for TVDSB, given the Board’s substantial size, and the geographic and demographic diversity of the communities we serve. These are further compounded by the complexity of the work for school boards, schools, and educators. 

Adhering to the Ministry of Education’s Multi-Year Strategic Planning process, our work consisted of six phases:

Phase 1 Getting Organized April–May 2023
Phase 2 Gathering Initial Information May–November 2023
Phase 3 Developing the Draft MYSP November 2023–January 2024
Phase 4 Gathering Further Feedback and Finalizing the MYSP January–April 2024
Phase 5 Developing Strategic Goals April–June 2024
Phase 6 Strategic Plan Implementation and Monitoring September 2024–2028

Throughout our process of developing our MYSP, we relied upon two documents from the Ontario Ministry of Education to develop our MYSP: MultiYear Strategic Planning: A Guide for School Board Trustees (2017) and the Multi-Year Strategic Planning: Supplementary Resources for School Board Trustees (2017).

In Phase 1, we developed a plan to create our new MYSP. In developing our strategic plan, the first step was to gain a deep, nuanced understanding of the contexts within which we operate, and the needs of those who are impacted by our decisions.

In Phase 2, we began to gather our initial input into our strategic plan. We engaged a diverse group of TVDSB interest-holders to gain a high-level understanding of their needs, experiences, and goals. Through this phase, we used a variety of methods including surveys, informational interviews, engagement sessions and in-class activities to gather input from a wide variety of interest-holders into the development of our MYSP.

In Phase 3, we analyzed and synthesized the data from these responses to uncover key insights and themes. These were presented to Trustees and Senior Staff during a series of sessions in November 2023. Primed with the needs of interest-holders, the Trustees and Senior Staff were led through a consensus-building activity to develop a draft vision, mission, values and strategic directions. From this retreat, a draft plan document was created and revised through December and January following input from a trustee alignment session.

In Phase 4, once the draft plan was finalized, we heard back from over 1100 individuals through a public input survey, They provided us with feedback on our draft plan, whether they felt what was important to them was reflected in the plan, and whether the plan made them feel confident in the future of the TVDSB. We responded to input received through this phase by revising our MYSP. 

The TVDSB recognizes that engaging with our interest-holders through the process of developing our MYSP, is not a one-time effort. Building understanding and confidence in our board necessitates continual engagement with all our interest-holders, including students, staff, parents/caregivers, and community members. This we aim to do.

Phases 5 and 6 consist of developing measurable Strategic Goals, implementing and monitoring our MYSP. Once approved by the Board of Trustees, the next step is to use an evidence based approach to develop specific Strategic Goals that will accompany each of our Strategic Directions below. Strategic Goals are what an organization will achieve over the course of its strategic plan. Our aim is to take a flexible, iterative and responsive approach in the implementation of the strategic plan. While we have set high-level Strategic Directions that will guide us for the next 4 years, we will routinely review, update, and set new Strategic Goals and accompanying metrics that will be the foundation of the TVDSB Operational Plan.

Our Vision
Each student’s unique potential is strengthened.

Our Mission
Across the TVDSB, we collaborate and innovate to promote student achievement and well-being for students in a changing world. 

Students
We centre everything we do on student needs, well-being, and achievement. Empathy, compassion, humility, and trust are embedded within this commitment.

Equity
We build a strong sense of identity and belonging, and act intentionally to enhance equity, inclusion, and respect for human rights. We honour the rights, voices, experiences, and expertise of Indigenous Peoples and equity-deserving groups.

Relationships
We build and strengthen trusting and mutually respectful relationships with students, staff, families, and communities.

Sustainability
We are committed to the sustainable stewardship of our human, financial, physical, and environmental resources. We support our students, schools, and communities to take collective action for sustainability for generations to come.

Integrity
We are committed to being transparent, consistent, truthful, and accountable in fulfilling our commitments so that we say what we mean, mean what we say, and act accordingly.

We value students’ individual educational paths and provide the tools and resources necessary for student achievement including students with special education needs. Focusing on the strengths of students allows them to experience personal growth and well-being, while reaching their full potential. Specifically, we aim to have high expectations to narrow student achievement gaps, increase graduation rates, and improve student outcomes.

Goal
What we will achieve over the course of the MYSP

1.1 All students achieve academic success with an emphasis on students in equity-deserving groups, including Black students, Indigenous students, students with special education needs, and multilingual learners.

1.2 Necessary tools, resources and staff, are equitably distributed to support student achievement.

1.3 Students are prepared for the next step in their learning journey and individual education paths.

 
Outcomes
A condition of wellbeing

1.1a Students meet or exceed provincial standard in core academic subjects.
1.1b Students in equity-deserving groups achieve at the same level as all students in core academic subjects
1.1c Students in equity-deserving groups meet or exceed provincial standard in core academic subjects.
1.1d Students have access to learning opportunities beyond the core academic subjects.

1.2a Schools have equitable access to resources.
1.2b Schools have access to staffing and programming resources they need based on their respective communities.
1.2c Students have access to additional initiatives to support their achievement.

1.3a Students working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma graduate.
1.3b Students in equity-deserving groups working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma graduate.
1.3c Students leave Thames Valley Schools with the education required to be successful in their future.

To support student achievement, our schools and workplaces must be safe spaces for all. We prioritize the physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being of students and staff.
We create working and learning environments that give students and staff a greater sense of connection, safety, and well-being. This includes affirming the identities and abilities of all students and staff.

 

Goal

What we will achieve over the course of the MYSP

2.1 The physical, emotional, and mental health of students and staff is prioritized.
2.2 A sense of community and connection is fostered within all school and work environments.

2.3 Educational environments are created that actively recognize and affirm the identities and abilities of students and staff by fostering inclusivity and respect across the district.

 

Outcomes
A condition of wellbeing

2.1a Students and staff feel safe at school and work.
2.2a Students, families, and staff feel connected to school and work.
2.2b Students are engaged in their learning.
2.3a Staff have the skills to create supportive, inclusive, and respectful classroom environments.
2.3b Students and staff feel like they belong and are comfortable expressing their identities at school and at work.
2.3c Students’ diverse identities are reflected in each staffing group in the TVDSB.

Our goal is to become Ontario’s leader in education by fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. We are committed to open communication, engagement, trust, mutual respect, and shared responsibilities. This will empower our staff to excel and focus on our primary mission of centering student achievement and well-being.

 

Goal
What we will achieve over the course of the MYSP

3.1 Students learn in environments that optimize excellence in educational experiences and outcomes.
3.2 Staff and students work and learn in environments that value open communication, trust, mutual respect, engagement, and the pursuit of self-improvement.
3.3 Leadership is developed and supported across the district.
3.4 A culture of sustainability is cultivated among students and staff.

Outcomes
A condition of wellbeing

3.1a Staff participate in regular professional learning on evidence-based, high-impact practices.
3.1b Staff are satisfied with professional learning on evidence-based, high-impact practices.
3.1c Staff use evidence-based, high-impact practices.
3.1d Student voice is used to optimize excellence in educational experiences and outcomes.

3.2a Staff have access to timely and relevant communication.
3.2b Staff and students feel heard, valued, respected, and psychologically safe to engage in decision-making processes.

3.3.a Staff, students, and families have leadership opportunities and supports to excel in their roles.

3.3b Staff diversity is promoted through equitable and progressive human resource practices and professional learning opportunities.

3.4a Students and staff work and learn in healthy and sustainable environments.

To inform our decision-making, we will build positive, trusting relationships across our district by increasing community engagement that is accessible, accountable, and transparent. We will increase collaborative dialogue and work together with families, staff, and communities to support students, their achievement and well-being.

Goal

What we will achieve over the course of the MYSP

4.1 Trusting and positive relationships that are accessible, accountable, and transparent are built with interest holders.
4.2 There is collaborative dialogue with families and school community members, directly involving them in educational processes and decision-making.
4.3 Sustainable partnerships with First Nations communities with Education Service Agreements and municipal entities are strengthened to enhance collaborative efforts that support student achievement and well-being.

Outcomes
A condition of wellbeing

4.1a Families have the information needed to navigate easily processes and resources within the district.
4.1b Families and other interest holders are provided with regular updates and have ongoing opportunities to provide feedback.
4.1c Families are provided with information, resources, and supports needed to be actively engaged in their children’s education.
4.2a Create and promote diverse engagement opportunities that are tailored to meet the needs of the district’s varied community groups, with an emphasis on equity-deserving communities, including Black students, Indigenous students, students with special education needs, and multilingual learners.
4.2b Create and promote engagement opportunities for collaboration and input from School Councils.
4.2c Indigenous perspectives are represented and have an impact on board decisions.
4.3a Establish regular, structured communication channels with First Nations communities with Education Service Agreements and municipal partners.
4.3b Students are supported through enhanced community-collaborative projects and programs.