At Thames Valley, our Vision is to sustain "A Caring, Learning Community" focused on improving student learning. Our Vision Initiative is an ongoing process designed to guide us in the process of putting our Vision, Mission, Values and Goals into practice. It is designed to serve as a compass for the organization so that our primary responsibility, that of educational excellence and service to our students, is met even in times of challenge and rapid change.

Our Vision was initiated in three pilot schools in 1998 and implemented system-wide in 1999. A review involving input from all facets of the system, conducted during the 2002-2003 school year, revealed strong support for our Vision of "A Caring, Learning Community." A Vision Advisory Committee, compromised of representatives from all employee groups, School Councils, Home and School Associations and the Trustees reviewed all of the input and recommended that since we have continued to learn as an organization the clarification of our Mission statement would further support our focus. As a result, the Board approved, on 2003 September 23, the following revised Mission Statement - "Improving Student Learning." While Thames Valley’s Belief Statements that begin with "Students Come First" remain unchanged, a Goals section has been added to provide specific direction to each school staff and department. A new schematic portrayal of our Vision, Mission and Foundation Principles was also approved.

Our Foundation Principles form the core of our system Values. Identified collaboratively by staff and parents from across the system, our eight "Foundation Principles" and corresponding behaviours have formed the basis for hiring, promoting and evaluating staff as well as our district-wide staff development programs. These principles represent our shared values and serve as a guide for the personal and professional growth of all staff. Our Vision initiative is designed to help build understanding and commitment to these values. The Foundation Principles are consistent with the Standards of Practice and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession in Ontario. 

In-service activities are focused specifically on the improvement of student learning. Employees at a participating site join together to examine their own school or department, looking at how and where they are focusing on student learning, and if there are ways that staff can communicate, solve problems and make action plans for improvement more effectively.

A number of School Councils have participated in our Vision in-service program. This has helped them to work through some challenging issues and to focus in ways they can support improving student learning.

Part of the essence of a learning organization is the ongoing assessment and review of the impact it is having on achieving its objectives. In our case we need to know the impact that the Vision initiative is having on student learning. The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto is partnering with us in some aspects of this research. As well, our own Research and Assessment Department continues to assist us in monitoring our progress.

2003 September