TVCHSA History

• In 1905, the Froebel Society, composed of kindergarten teachers who arranged several special programs, invited mothers living in the school district where the meeting was being held to be present. Realizing the value of such meetings to both teachers and parents, Miss Agnes McKenzie, the first kindergarten supervisor in this city, suggested that a “Mother's Club” be organized. After Miss McKenzie’s marriage, Miss Laidlaw, her successor, assisted by Miss Clara Brenton and others of the Froebel Society, organized the first Mother's Club. On Nov. 5, 1905 at Talbot St. School, the first meeting was held, called by Miss Laidlaw. Mrs. M. Irwin was installed as the first president, with Mrs. W. Tanner as the first secretary-treasurer.

• In 1906, individual clubs were organized in different schools. Thus, from one organization, the movement grew to be a group of clubs with a central organization known as the Union of Mothers Club.

• Throughout the period of the First World War, all club members were vitally interested in war work. Assistance was given to the Red Cross and in the various food conservation campaigns held during those years. The individual clubs donated generously to the Armistice Day Fund and the Cenotaph Fund.

• Tabulated report forms were first used by the Association secretaries at the 1930 Annual Meeting.

• In 1935, all Associations participated in a hobby fair and quilt exhibit. Prizes for the three best exhibits were awarded to Alexandra, Tecumseh and Ealing Associations. Council held a picnic at Springbank Park which became an annual event. At the suggestion of Ryerson Association, efforts were made to secure better protection for school children crossing the streets.

• In June 1936, London Home and School, along with 35 other organizations, endorsed a resolution presented at the Annual Meeting of the London Council of Women regarding “Traffic hazards affecting children crossing main highways in school zones.” The first leaders’ training course was conducted by Mr. S. Baker, City Clerk, in the fall of 1936, when he gave a series of three lectures on parliamentary procedures. This was followed each year, along the lines suggested by the Ontario Federation.

• In 1938, the Associations through the Council, redecorated the “London Mothers’ Club” room in the War Memorial Hospital.

• In 1954, a committee was formed to study the effects of fluoridation of water.

• On October 30, 1963, CKSL Radio presented the London Council of Home and School Associations with a “Certificate of Public and Community Service: in recognition of outstanding services toward community betterment making the City of London a finer place in which to live, work and play.”

• In 1966, Council was requested to assist with the measles vaccine program on an individual basis and for suggestions in curriculum planning for the new Fanshawe College.

• In the 1969 elections, Mary Gee, Past President of St. George’s Home and School Association was elected to the Board of Education.

• In 1970, Council was given the opportunity to submit thoughts and suggestions regarding the teaching of moral and religious concepts to the London Board of Education.

• In the 1973 elections, May Parkinson, Past President of Victoria Association and London Council, and Dianne Cunningham, Past President of Orchard Park Association, were both elected to the Board of Education.

• In 1976, Council coordinated a week-long mall display in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations. The London Board of Education recognized the London Council of Home and School Associations as “an organization having a special interest in the operation of the Board” and granted us “official observer” status.

• In the 1980 elections, Mrs. Cheryl Miller, Past President of Arthur Stringer Association was elected to the Board of Education.

• The 1981 London Council held a round-table discussion with trustees and representatives of the administration of the Board of Education. Home and School was invited to bring greetings at the inaugural meeting of the Board.

• In 1984, Council President was invited to bring greetings at the official opening ceremonies of the new Education Centre.

• In the 1988 elections, Mrs. Joyce Bennett, Past President of W. Sherwood Fox Association and London Council and Mrs. Shirley Clements, Past President of St. George’s Association, were both elected to the Board of Education. Mrs. Marie May, Past President of the Ontario Federation, London and Middlesex Council, and Prince Charles Home and School Association was elected to the Middlesex County Board of Education.

• In 1989, Mary Bawden, Past President of London Council of Home and School Associations, was elected as President of Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations.

• London Council of Home and School Associations presented discussion papers for the Quality Assurance Task force, Leadership Task force, public input on the 1993 Budget as well as the issue of condom dispensary machines in male and female washrooms in secondary schools.

• In 1994, Janet Andruchow, Past President of London Council of Home and School Associations and Marlene Patten, President of Glen Cairn Home and School Association, were both elected to the Board of Education.

• In 2000, London Council of Home and School Associations joined with the North London Optimists to support the Children’s Safety Village and the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario Foundation.

• Thames Valley District Alliance of Home and School Councils held a press conference to show our support to the Boards request to the Ministry to review the current funding formula.

• In 2003, the Councils of London, Middlesex and Oxford amalgamated and changed their name to Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations.

• In 2006, Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations had the youngest member attend the Ontario Federation of Home and School Association annual conference at the age of 18. London and Middlesex Councils celebrated their 100th Anniversary.

• In 2008, Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations presented views on the banning of bottled water in the Thames Valley District School Board at an input session.

• In 2009, Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations hosted a “Back to School Open House” which was open to all schools in the Thames Valley District School Board. This event featured a number of different fundraising ideas as well as community groups.

Resolutions passed over the years at the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations annual conference that are now policies throughout Ontario School Boards include:

Air Quality

Bicycle Helmets

Bullying

Buses

Charter Schools

Child Care

Child Pornography

Class Size

Corporal Punishment

Delinquency

Discrimination

Diverse Populations

Drugs & Drug Education

Early Childhood Educators

English as a Second Language

Firearms

First Aid

French (Core & Immersion)

Immunization

Insecticides & Pesticides

Junior and Senior Kindergarten

Libraries

Literacy

Music

Nutrition

Ontario Student Record

Parental Involvement

Pediculosis

Physical Education & Health

Playgrounds

Portables

Pupil to Teacher Ratio

Reading

Recycling

Remembrance Day

Report Cards

Safe Arrival

School Bus Standards

School Capacity

School Uniforms

Special Education

Support Staff

Teachers Training

Textbooks

Trades & Apprenticeships

Traffic Safety

Truancy

Trustees

Use of Schools

Violence

Vision Testing

Volunteers

Workplace Safety Training

Young Offenders