The results of an Education Ministry-mandated survey for parents and caregivers of students across the Avon Maitland District school board will help staff and trustees build and sustain positive environments for students in public schools across Perth and Huron counties, officials say.
Article content
Delayed for a few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the online survey at amdsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a03X8GoOjPmvjOC will provide insight from parents and caregivers into whether they believe their children’s schools are safe, inclusive and accepting of all students, families and the broader community.
Article content
“We surveyed students this past spring and now, this fall, we’re doing staff and parents and caregivers,” superintendent of education Jane Morris said. “Essentially, we’re asking parents and caregivers to describe two broad areas: their own experience when interacting with our schools … and their child’s experience. Remember, this is a kindergarten to Grade 12 survey, so it’s tricky for us to ask kindergarten students, ‘How do you feel? Do you feel welcome at school? Do you feel safe at school? Do you experience bullying?’
Article content
“So having parents articulate the impressions they have about their child’s experience is helpful for us as well.”
So far, Morris said the board is pleased with the response rate to the survey, which is open until Dec. 1 at 4 pm Roughly 900 of the school board’s 10,000 families have taken the time to fill out the online survey, and their responses are supporting teams at both the board office and in each individual school to better understand concerns and build strategies to improve each school’s social climate.
Once the survey closes, Morris said board staff will draft an overall report for the board of trustees outlining what each of the student, staff and parent-caregiver surveys indicate about the experience in Avon Maitland District schools, as well as school-specific reports that will go to each school’s principal and safe-schools team to help them tackle any local needs.
“We’re really appreciative of the feedback from parents. …I would encourage any parent or caregiver to complete that survey because all of these voices matter, and it’s important we get a fulsome picture of what it looks like and what those experiences are across the district and in each specific school. The perspective of the parent is critical for us because parents are partners in supporting their child in having the best possible experience in our schools,” Morris said.
The survey is voluntary and completely anonymous.
Share this article in your social network