SPIA Banner_MAIN.jpg

February 25, 2022 • Issue #34


Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals

SPIA Banners-01.jpg

February is Black History Month in Ontario. It is an important time to recognize and honour Black Canadians' achievements and contributions, as well as their struggle against slavery, racism, exclusion and inequality.   

  

TVDSB continues to make great strides to increase system supports and staff capacity in relation to anti-Black racism. Through consultation with Black students, staff and community groups, we have identified areas for improvement and strategies to ensure that Black students and staff feel safe, valued and affirmed when at school or work.  

  

Part of this work includes the creation of a Black Student and Staff Advisory Committee and Black Student Support Groups within Thames Valley. 

  

These groups have been providing important feedback on how Thames Valley can meet the needs of Black students and staff. In this video, staff and students at H.B. Beal Secondary School share the work being done through the school’s student association to support Black students.


SPIA Banners-02.jpg
Picture1.jpg

Grade 9 Math was de-streamed across Ontario in September 2021, and by September 2022, the entire Grade 9 curriculum will become de-streamed or single-pathway. So, what does the new de-streamed Math course look like? We spoke with System Principal Scott Askey and Learning Coordinator Robb Caporicci to learn more.

 

De-streaming helps students enter high school on more common footing while they begin making important decisions about their future. “Math opens doors for students,” said Scott. “If we close those doors too early, we really limit student pathways, and we want to keep all those doors open and create equitable opportunities so students can reach their full potential.”

 

The de-streamed Math curriculum also places greater importance on the real-world applications of math concepts, especially through its financial literacy and coding components. “When students can really see why we’re doing this, and they can see how this applies to borrowing money to buy a car, or how this applies to understanding what a credit card does, all of that has mathematical undertones,” said Robb.

  


With coding, Robb clarified that it’s not always the traditional text-based programming that you may be picturing. “It’s not a coding course. It’s a Math course where we use coding as a tool to understand the math,” Robb said. “It teaches problem-solving, critical thinking, process and computations.”

  

Robb and Scott shared how de-streaming can smooth the challenging transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9. “It’s one less big decision in a really big transition that students have to make,” Robb said of removing the academic and applied streams. “It really gives them that opportunity in Grade 9 to familiarize themselves, and then make decisions together with their teachers and guidance counselors as to what academic pathway would be best for them moving forward.”

  

“Things look very different these days,” said Robb on the coursework being assigned to students. “It’s really about: what do students need to know, what do students need to learn for their own individual learning; and student-to-student, it will look different.” 



Parents and guardians can learn more at Parents Night on Wednesday, March 9, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 


SPIA-Banner_Director.jpg
Picture4.jpg

February has been a busy month for schools in Thames Valley. With a strong dedication to implementing our strategic priorities, school teams continue to find creative ways to increase student achievement and well-being. 

 

As part of the East Carling Public School’s recognition of Black History Month, Mrs. Powers’ class created a colourful quilt honouring and celebrating the many Black voices who have had a tremendous impact on our society. The school has displayed the quilt proudly in the front entrance throughout the month to ensure it remains visible to all members of the school community. 

 

A grade 3 class at Mitchell Hepburn Public School worked on rounding money amounts and even created their own stores recently. This math lesson was delivered through a collaborative teaching approach that has been implemented at the school lately. The strategy of having teaching teams working collaboratively has received resounding positive feedback from the Mitchell Hepburn school community. 

 

Students at Mosa Central Public School were celebrated this month for their progress in literacy since the start of the school year. Mosa Central has implemented numerous strategies to help these students succeed, such as Levelled Literacy Intervention and Lexia. Each day, a student is selected for one-on-one time to read a book with Principal Fortney.  


These are a few of the many ways that Thames Valley schools have worked through February to improve student achievement and well-being. I always enjoy seeing the many ways that our strategic priorities are implemented in the classroom and encourage you to share your progress with me on twitter at @DirFisherTVDSB or @TVDSB.

SPIA-02.png
SPIA Banners-03.jpg
Mag.jpg

Thames Valley was proud to be featured in the Winter 2021-2022 issue of Leaders & Learners, the official magazine of the Canadian Association of School System Administrators, recognizing our participation in Canada’s Outdoor Learning Partnership.


The article discusses a program offered in Grade 9 Science at a number of TVDSB high schools where students collect their own watershed data through stream studies.



As part of this program, students have the opportunity to propose questions and courses of action to Conservation

Authority partners and are challenged to think critically and creatively about local issues affecting the Great Lakes.

 

TVDSB strives to be a proactive educational leader by modelling the values of environmental sustainability through conservation of natural resources, following effective energy management practices, reducing waste, pollution and creating conditions to empower students and staff to positively affect the environment and community in which their school is located.

SPIA Banners-04.jpg
1.jpg

The COVID-19 pandemic has added new challenges for schools looking to engage with students, families and staff and build a sense of community. In a time when hosting large gatherings is unsafe, schools have found creative and innovative ways to host family-friendly events.


At Cleardale Public School, Principal Ryan Ewaskiw invited a motivational speaker and amateur chef to facilitate an online event for the school community. Students, families and staff were invited to follow along as Ian Tyson shared his special recipe for mashed potatoes and told inspirational stories that helped motivate and uplift the participants. Principal Ewaskiw played the role of gameshow host and quizzed families in a game of “Name that Tune.”


Over 300 pounds of potatoes were donated by The Farmer’s Table to help provide families with the necessary ingredients. Additional funding was secured through collaboration with TVDSB’s Experiential Learning portfolio.

 

Recognizing that some Cleardale families were not able to attend the live, online event, the school provided access to a recording of the family night in order to make sure everyone felt included.

Principal Ewaskiw said, “This was a true community event. We are looking forward to future opportunities to connect online with Cleardale families until we are able to be together again.”


The teaching team of Mr. Richter and Ms. Jarvie at Woodland Heights Public School are committed to building a community within their virtual full day Kindergarten classroom. Students look forward to logging in to their virtual classroom to participate in special events, pizza parties and student-led inquiries like Lego week.


Recently, the teaching team has started a Spanish club during the morning meeting. Each day, an ESL student leads the class through new Spanish words.

 

To further support their students in literacy and math, Mr. Richter and Ms. Jarvie provided families with take-home Valentine’s Day kits that included tools and resources to use at home. 

 

Mr. Richter and Ms. Jarvie feel virtual teaching is rewarding, and strive to continuously improve their students’ experience.

2.jpg
SPIA-Banner_Chair.jpg

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’d like to give a warm welcome to our newly elected 2022-23 Student Trustees. Lyzee Ninham, a student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, was elected as the Indigenous Student Trustee at the Feb. 16 election, while Westminster Secondary School student Ayesha Hassan and Woodstock Collegiate Institute student Savrup Saran were elected at the general election the following day. 


The candidates did an excellent job representing the interests of their peers in debate last week.


I continue to be impressed by the bright minds learning and growing at Thames Valley schools and look forward to the fresh perspective that the next generation of Student Trustees will bring to the board room. 


Congratulations Ayesha, Lyzee, and Savrup! 

 

Lori-Ann Pizzolato 

Chair 

SPIA-01.png
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram