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Ontario Launches Student and Family Support Offices in the Thunder Bay Region

Sep 4
4 min read

Province building a strong, accountable education system by ensuring parents can directly raise concerns, get help and find solutions faster

News Release | September 4th, 2026

THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is expanding Student and Family Support Offices to all 72 school boards across the province, giving parents and families a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child’s education and find solutions faster. Today, Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan announced that 8 local school boards now have a Student and Family Support Office in place, providing families with an additional way to get answers on broader community concerns, navigate complex issues and receive the information and support they need. This initiative is one more way the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers.

 

Below is contact information for the Student and Family Support Offices in the Thunder Bay Region, which can also be found on the school boards’ main webpages:

 

Lakehead District School Board


Rainy River District School Board


Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board



Superior North Catholic District School Board


Superior-Greenstone District School Board

 

Conseil scolaire de district du Grand Nord de l'Ontario

 

Conseil scolaire catholique des Aurores boréales

 

“Parents deserve to know where to turn when they have questions or concerns about their child’s education, and they should be able to get clear answers in a timely manner,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “Expanding Student and Family Support Offices across our local school boards gives families another direct avenue to get information, navigate more complex concerns and find solutions.”

Student and Family Support Offices review concerns raised by parents to help address matters that need to be escalated following initial engagement with a child’s teacher and principal. As part of their mandate, these offices streamline the response process for families by acknowledging inquiries within two business days and aiming to provide an answer within five business days. School boards are also expected to ensure responses to parent inquiries are conducted in a clear manner that is easily understood by a parent and include relevant and accurate information that addresses the specific inquiry.


“Parents should have a clear and consistent way to raise concerns and get answers when it comes to their child’s education,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We are strengthening accountability across our school boards and making sure families can get the support they need when they need it. Everything we are doing is focused on improving student achievement and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

 

This will make the education system more responsive and accessible for families by ensuring existing resources can be directed to help students, parents and families navigate the education system and make sure their concerns are addressed. The Ministry of Education will collect information regularly from all 72 school boards to identify patterns and trends about the types of concerns parents are raising, helping to find ways to improve processes so students and families receive better support.

 

Student and Family Support Offices have already been operating in supervised school boards, with 95 per cent of family inquiries acknowledged within two business days and nearly 90 per cent receiving a response within five business days or an estimated response date for more complex matters. The experience from these offices has helped inform the expansion of this consistent approach to all school boards across the province.

 

These actions reflect the government’s continued focus on upholding public trust in Ontario’s publicly funded education system and are part of the government’s plan to build a strong, accountable and well-supported public education system with a back-to-basics approach that is focused on improving student outcomes.

 

Quick Facts


Quotes


"Our Student and Family Support Office will build on the exceptional foundation the Lakehead District School Board has in place to support students, families and our school communities. We know that this will be a great resource to facilitate communication and connection for everyone as we continue our commitment to the success of every student." -Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Chief Executive Officer of the Lakehead District School Board


"The Student and Family Support Office provides families with a clear way to ask questions or raise concerns about their child’s education. Through this service, families can access information, support and connections to the appropriate staff or services across Thunder Bay Catholic." - JP Tennier, Chief Executive Officer of the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board


"At Superior North Catholic District School Board, building strong, trusting relationships with our families is always our highest priority. While we are proud of our established communication pathways, welcoming the Student and Family Support office provides a wonderful alternative space. It ensures every parent and guardian feels fully heard, safe, and supported whenever they need additional reassurance. " - Kerry Desjardins, Chief Executive Officer of the Superior North Catholic District School Board "Notre Bureau d’assistance aux élèves et aux familles est ouvert, visible et prêt. En facilitant l’accès à des ressources et à des services, nous contribuons au bien-être des élèves tout en renforçant le partenariat famille-école partout dans notre région." - Mireille Major-Levesque, director of education , Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales

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