Mission Statement

OUR MISSION

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an inclusive learning community rooted in the love of Christ, that educates students to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and charity through the support of parents, staff and trustees.

OUR VISION

Toronto Catholic District School Board learning communities transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action.

OUR CATHOLIC VALUES

We believe...

• in the worth and dignity of every person

• in the critical role that our Catholic schools play in promoting Gospel values, social justice, environmental responsibility, human solidarity and the common good

• that high standards and expectations foster greater achievement

• that people thrive in a safe, healthy and compassionate environment

• that teaching is responsive to individual needs

• that teaching and learning be rooted in research and evidence

• that each of us shares responsibility for creating collaborative communities of learning

• that equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusivity are integral to the Catholic community

• that the 21st century fluencies of digital literacy, creativity, innovation and collaboration are essential

  Our vision of Catholic education invites each one of us - parents, students, teachers, principals, chaplains, support staff, trustees, clergy, supervisory personnel to work together as a community of believers committed to putting the values of our faith into practice in the daily life of the school, the home, and in all of society. (Fulfilling the Promise Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario)

OUR MULTI-YEAR GOALS

LIVING OUR CATHOLIC VALUES

To apply Catholic Social Teaching to all that we do

• Students will be instructed in a curriculum that is rooted in Gospel values and informed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.

• Staff and trustees will participate in ongoing faith development through liturgical celebrations and opportunities for spiritual retreats.

• Parents will be supported in their integral role of nurturing the relationship between home, school and parish.

• Senior Team and Trustees will develop decision-making mechanisms and structures and priority-setting that reflects Catholic social values (e.g. stewardship of God’s creation, economic justice, subsidiarity).

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL BEING

To support our students in meeting the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

• Students will exceed the provincial average in literacy and numeracy as measured in Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments by 2015.

• Students will exceed the provincial average in credit accumulation and graduation rate by 2015.

• Students, staff and parents will share a common understanding of the learning goals and related success criteria by 2015.

• To support our students’ ability to apply critical and innovative thinking in all subjects

• Utilize more fully evidence-informed teaching and learning strategies to provide students opportunities to become: discerning believers, effective communicators, reflective thinkers, self-directed learners, collaborative contributors, caring family members and responsible citizens.*

• Use differentiated instruction to accommodate a broad range of student needs and to engage students fully in learning.
  Increase investments in technology to better support 21st century fluencies and the overall needs and aspirations of students.

• To create equitable learning environments for all students

• Provide all students with equal access to learning.

• Provide all students with safe, healthy learning environments.

• Create equitable access to technology that supports ideal learning practices.

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
To create enhanced, regular communications that reach all stakeholders

• Enhance a variety of communication mediums among our students, parents, community members and stakeholders at large.

• Communicate TCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan and goals.

• Communicate TCDSB values and achievements

• Create and implement a proactive community engagement strategy.

STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES
To establish integrated decision-making structures to support responsive and responsible allocation of resources

• Increase strategic research capacity to inform best practices in teaching, governance and administration.

• Establish horizontal and integrated decision-making for policy development and resource management.

• Align operational and capital budgets with the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

• Maintain a sustainable balanced budget.

• Report results and actions annually.

EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE
To lead and model best practices in Board governance

• Develop an Annual Governance Plan.

• Develop appropriate managerial and trustee governance oversight to carry out the annual plan in a fiscally responsible and transparent process in conjunction with staff.

• Evaluate board meetings and conduct annual governance reviews.

• Establish appropriate oversight to carry out the Annual Governance Plan.

• Provide professional learning to strengthen education leadership, accountability and transparency at all levels.
   

INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED EMPLOYEES
To create a learning and work environment that is equitable and diverse, that supports professional learning, innovation and collaboration
 

• Create a culture of respect and professionalism that recognizes and supports excellence and innovation at all levels of the organization.

• Support the Catholic Leadership Frameworks for superintendents, principals, vice-principals and aspiring leaders.

• Ensure procedures for authentic and empowering leadership development and succession planning are in place including, recruitment, building capacity and retaining and sustaining effective leaders.

• Work collaboratively and proactively with unions and associations.