Multi-Year Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
TBCDSB | Strategic Plan
Land Acknowledgment The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board acknowledges we live and work on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg of Fort William First Nation and that we are treaty partners in the Robinson Superior 1850 Treaty area. We respect and honour the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. As a Board, we move forward together, strengthening our commitment to truth and reconciliation. We will faithfully teach, empower and honour the students of the future, while honouring the memory of students of the past.
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Message from the Chief Executive Officer
At Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, we have always believed that our greatest strength is our people - our students, staff, families, parishes, and community partners. As we launch this new Strategic Plan, we do so with a deep sense of gratitude, optimism, and shared purpose. A strategic plan is more than a document. It is a commitment. It is a way to remain accountable to our students, our families, and our community while ensuring that the decisions we make today continue to support excellence in Catholic education for years to come. This plan provides a clear direction forward while also giving us meaningful ways to measure our growth, reflect on our progress, and continually improve. What makes this Strategic Plan especially meaningful is that it was shaped by many voices. Through consultation, dialogue, and thoughtful feedback, members of our Thunder Bay Catholic community helped identify the priorities that matter most. This collaborative process reflects who we are as a Catholic learning community, one that listens, values relationships, and moves forward together. As we look ahead, we also recognize how much we already have to be proud of. Every day across our schools, we see inspiring examples of faith, innovation, compassion, student achievement, and dedication. Our educators and staff continue to create welcoming environments where students are encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Our students continue to demonstrate resilience, leadership, and kindness in ways that give us great hope for the future. This Strategic Plan honour those strengths while helping us build even further. Together, we will continue to foster learning environments rooted in faith, excellence, inclusion, and well-being while preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing world. I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed their ideas, perspectives, and aspirations throughout this process. Your input has helped shape a plan that reflects our shared vision and collective commitment to student success. Together, we move forward with confidence, purpose, and pride in all that we have accomplished and in all that we will achieve together.
JP Tennier
Chief Executive Officer Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
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Contents Introduction
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Our Multi-Year Strategic Plan
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Strategic Priorities
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• Safe, Inclusive & Engaged Learning Environments • Student Achievement • Operational Excellence • Connecting Community • Workforce Excellence Measuring Our Progress
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Introduction Our Multi-Year Strategic Plan is rooted in listening, faith, and community. Through meaningful engagement with our staff, students, families, parishes, and community partners, we heard a shared commitment to ensuring every child feels supported, valued, and inspired to succeed. As a Catholic learning community, our mission of Walking in the Path of Christ continues to guide every decision we make. This plan reflects the voices, hopes, and priorities of those who care deeply about our schools and the future of Catholic education in our community. Together, we are building a path forward that is grounded in faith, focused on student success, and strengthened through compassion, collaboration, and service to others.
Our Multi-year Strategic Plan
Walking in the Path of commitment
Safe, Inclusive + Engaging Operational Learning Excellence Environnments
Christ
| growth | welcoming | integrity
Workforce Excellence
Connecting Communities
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Student Achievement
Every learner is inspired to grow in faith and thrive in changing world
TBCDSB | Strategic Plan
Strategic Priorities
Safe, Inclusive & Engaged Learning Environments We create safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments where every student feels supported, valued, and able to succeed. This includes promoting student well-being, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and encouraging active participation in school and learning. We will: •
Create an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student feels a sense of belonging.
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Support student well-being by providing the right mental, physical, and emotional supports when they are needed.
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Advance Indigenous reconciliation and learning through meaningful education, relationships, and culturally responsive practices.
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Advance equity and ensure all students feel supported and able to succeed.
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Strengthen Christ-centered learning environments that support spiritual growth, service to others, and care for self and community.
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Engage students in meaningful learning that builds curiosity, participation, and a love of learning.
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Recognize and celebrate student success in all its forms across our schools.
Expected Outcomes: •
Decline in mental health referrals.
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Increased attendance.
Strategic Initiatives 1.
Anti-racism and equity action plan – Update our system-wide plan to address racism and advance equity, ensuring all students feel safe, respected, and supported in their schools.
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System-wide approach to student well-being and social-emotional learning – Strengthen a system-wide approach to student well-being by supporting mental, emotional, and physical health, and helping students build skills such as resilience, self-awareness, and positive relationships.
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Whole school approach to attendance – Improve student attendance and engagement by creating supportive school environments, addressing barriers to participation, and helping all students feel connected and motivated to learn.
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Student Achievement At TBCDSB, Student Achievement means helping every student reach their full potential. Through strong teaching, high-quality learning experiences, and programs that reflect both curriculum expectations and diverse student needs, we support students in building the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to graduate and succeed in life. We will: •
Consistently implement evidence-based programming.
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Prepare students to achieve academic potential.
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Improve our performance in math and continue to advance early literacy.
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Provide engaging learning activities that promote communication and collaboration.
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Differentiate teaching approaches to meet the needs of all our learners.
Expected Outcomes: •
Improved EQAO scores.
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Increased graduation rates.
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Increase in the number of students that meet standards.
Strategic Initiatives 1.
Enhance mathematic achievement – Build staff knowledge and confidence in delivering the math curriculum by providing training, resources, and support to improve student outcomes in mathematics.
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Strengthen evidence-based instruction – Use proven teaching practices in literacy and math to ensure consistent, high-quality instruction that supports strong learning outcomes for all students.
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Advance inclusive and responsive teachings – Support teachers in meeting the needs of all learners by expanding the use of accommodations, modifications, alternative expectations and practical tools that create inclusive and supportive classroom environments.
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Strengthen assessment for student learning – Align assessment and evaluation practices with ’s Growing Success framework to ensure consistent and meaningful understanding of student progress, helping staff better support learning and improvement.
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Expanding experiential and land-based learning opportunities – Provide more opportunities for handson, real-world, and land-based learning that engages students, supports diverse learning styles, and strengthens connections to community and culture. This includes advancing Indigenous learning by creating opportunities for students to learn with Indigenous communities.
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TBCDSB | Strategic Plan
Operational Excellence At TBCDSB, Operational Excellence means ensuring our schools and services run smoothly, efficiently, and responsibly. This means having clear processes, strong systems, and well-managed resources so staff can focus on supporting students and serving our community. We will: •
Make processes more efficient so our staff can spend more time on what matters most.
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Communicate our priorities and expectations so everyone understands TBCDSB’s goals.
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Invest in technology and strong cybersecurity to support safe and effective operations.
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Take care of our schools and facilities to ensure a safe, clean, and supportive environment for all students and staff.
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Monitor our progress and share results so our community can see how we are delivering on commitments.
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Be responsible stewards of public funds through strong planning, fiscal responsibility, oversight, and decision-making.
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Align with Ministry of Education expectations and requirements in all areas of our work.
Expected Outcomes: •
A balanced budget with long-term financial resilience.
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Reduction in paper filings.
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Compliance with Ministry of Education expectations.
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Improved system security.
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Tracking and reporting of Strategic Plan.
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Increased automation.
Strategic Initiatives 1.
Financial sustainability and funding review – Review how we use funding to ensure resources are aligned with priorities and used effectively, supporting long-term financial sustainability and student success.
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Strengthen financial governance and oversight – Strengthen financial decision-making and oversight by improving processes, roles, and accountability to ensure responsible and transparent use of public funds.
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Staff fiscal responsibility training – Support staff in understanding and managing resources by providing clear guidance and training on financial practices, helping ensure consistent and responsible decision-making across the organization.
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Technology and digital system plan – Create a clear and sustainable technology plan that strengthens cybersecurity, improves how digital tools are approved and used, and ensures technology investments are reliable, affordable, and aligned with Board priorities.
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Update operational policies and procedures – Review and simplify policies and processes to make them clearer, more consistent, and easier to follow, reducing administrative burden and improving how work gets done across the organization.
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TBCDSB | Strategic Plan
Connecting Community We build on our strong relationships with families, partners, and the broader community, while continuing to strengthen connections and find new ways to engage. Guided by our Catholic identity, we bring people together and foster meaningful relationships that support students, families, and a strong, connected community. We will: •
Build strong and meaningful relationships with families, partners, and the broader community.
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Strengthen connections with Indigenous communities through meaningful relationships and ongoing engagement.
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Support and strengthen the partnership between home, school, and parish.
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Work closely with the Diocese to support our shared Catholic mission.
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Engage with diverse and multicultural communities to ensure all voices are welcomed and reflected.
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Improve how we communicate and connect with families so they feel informed, supported, and engaged.
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Strengthen governance practices to support effective collaboration and decision-making.
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Connect students with post-secondary institutions, training programs, and community organizations to support pathways to future education, careers, and life opportunities.
Expected Outcomes: •
Increased number of community partners present in schools.
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Established memorandum of understanding with partner organizations.
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Increased student and school participation in community activities.
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Strategic Initiatives 1.
Strengthen parent and community engagement – Enhance opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage with schools and the Board by strengthening the Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (CPIC) and creating meaningful ways for families to share their voice and participate in their child’s education.
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Indigenous Partnerships – Build and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, partners and organizations through respectful engagement, ongoing collaboration, and opportunities to support student learning and community connection.
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Expand community partnerships – Build new relationships with community organizations, including newcomer and diverse communities, to better understand their needs, strengthen inclusion, and create opportunities that support student and family success.
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Strengthening Student Pathways and Partnerships – Enhance student access to post-secondary pathways by leveraging funding and partnerships with colleges, universities, training programs, and community organizations to create meaningful opportunities for students to explore future education, careers, and life pathways.
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TBCDSB | Strategic Plan
Workforce Excellence At TBCDSB, we prioritize building strong, caring teams where staff feel valued, supported, and inspired. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that attracts great people, supports their growth, and empowers them to help every student succeed. We will: • Build a culture of accountability and shared purpose aligned with our vision, mission, values and Catholic identity. • Enhance staff communication and recognition to celebrate impact and strengthen engagement. • Foster a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive workplace, including a commitment to reconciliation. • Strengthen recruitment and onboarding processes. • Strengthen relationships and collaboration across leadership, staff, and teams. Expected Outcomes: •
Decline in turnover, vacancy, and time-to-fill rates.
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Increase staff communications.
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Increase staff recognitions.
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Increase staff engagement.
Strategic Initiatives 1.
Staff communications protocol and practices – Make sure staff receive clear, consistent, and timely communication by providing regular updates from senior leadership, improving how we connect with labour groups, and creating simple, reliable ways for staff to stay informed and share their voice.
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Staff leadership development and mentorship programs – Support staff in growing as leaders by offering mentorship and development opportunities that build confidence and skills in areas like leading teams, making decisions, and creating safe, inclusive school environments.
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Recruitment and workforce planning review – Improve how we attract, hire, and support staff by strengthening recruitment, onboarding, and long-term workforce planning so we have people in place to support students now and in the future.
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Staff recognition program – Celebrate and recognize the contributions of staff in meaningful ways that show appreciation and strengthen a positive and supportive workplace culture.
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Walking in the Path of commitment
Safe, Inclusive + Engaging Operational Learning Excellence Environnments
Christ
| growth | welcoming | integrity
Workforce Excellence
Connecting Communities
Student Achievement
Every learner is inspired to grow in faith and thrive in changing world