We are excited to share several updates about how our Board is strengthening learning opportunities across our schools. This reflects a commitment to aligning with Ministry direction, maximizing student benefit, and responsibly managing public funding to support long-term sustainability.
A New Chapter for STEM Learning in Grades 7 and 8
Beginning this September, our Board will transition from offering Design Technology and Culinary in a rotation format for Grade 8 to implementing a rich, hands-on STEM program for all Grade 7 and 8 students at our three senior elementary schools. This brings several key advantages:
- Improved Access for Students:
While the previous model focused primarily on Grade 8 students for approximately 10 sessions per year, this new approach ensures both Grade 7 and 8 students receive consistent and meaningful STEM learning throughout the school year. - Culinary Rooms:
Our Culinary classrooms will continue to be active spaces within our schools. They will be used throughout the year by various classes, and we are currently exploring collaborative partnerships with Thunder Bay community organizations to create enriched, real-world learning experiences for our students. More details will be shared soon! - High School Tech Expansion:
In support of seamless pathways from elementary to secondary, our Board has invested in two brand-new Grade 9 Technology Education classrooms, one at St. Patrick and one at St. Ignatius. These spaces, ready for September, align with the province’s new Ministry mandated Grade 9 or 10 Technological Education credit, which is a compulsory graduation requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and focus on preparing students for skilled trades and future careers.
“Ontario is expanding technological education opportunities to equip students with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”
(Ministry of Education, 2023 – Ontario Newsroom)
Responsible Alignment with Ministry Funding: Library and Guidance Staffing
As part of our commitment to long-term sustainability and fiscal responsibility, the Board has also made adjustments to Library and Guidance-Teacher staffing to better align with Ministry funding levels. This ensures we are operating in a way that reflects current government allocations.
Multidisciplinary Approach Program (MAP)
A fundamental belief guiding our Special Education programs is that each student is unique and can achieve high levels of success and reach their fullest potential as a learner. We believe in the right of all students to be educated alongside their peers, with a program that meets their needs and allows them to develop the foundational skills needed to become active and productive members of their school community and society.
Program Overview
This specialized program provides targeted support for students who require intensive development in:
- Social skills (friendship-building, turn-taking, conflict resolution)
- Communication (expressive and receptive language, conversational skills, joint attention)
- Self-regulation (managing emotions, coping strategies, executive functioning)
- Remedial academic instruction (foundational reading, writing, and math skills)
The approach is multidisciplinary, meaning that educators, resource consultants, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and behavior therapists work together to create individualized student programs.
Interdisciplinary Credits
New this year is a Grade 12 Interdisciplinary Credit, combining Grade 12 Personal Fitness and Interdisciplinary Studies. This 2 period course will provide students and athletes at all levels an opportunity to investigate Personal Fitness, Nutrition and Health, and Sports Psychology. A partnership with the Lakehead University Kinesiology Department will support the implementation of this course.
We remain focused on preparing students for the future with meaningful learning experiences, strong literacy supports, and modern, Ministry-aligned programming.
If you have any questions, we welcome you to reach out to your school administrator for more information.
