School Climate Survey Results 2015 Student Survey Parent / Community Survey Staff Survey

Demographics Parents/Guardians: 1,057 Parents/Guardians completed the survey, (↑303 from 2013) The majority of parents/guardians represented students in elementary school Students: 15, 712 students completed the survey, (↓857 from 2013) The majority of students in grades completed the survey. Staff: 1,454 staff completed the survey. (↑717 from 2014 pilot year) Action: We need to continue to encourage parents/guardians, students and staff to complete the survey, in particular secondary parents/guardians.

Perceptions Parents/Guardians: Over 90% (↑12%) of parents/guardians feel welcomed at their child’s school. Schools are clean and attractive and students are friendly. The majority report they respect school teachers and administration. Parents/Guardians/Volunteers understand that they are vital to the school community and feel welcomed at school/parent council meetings. More than 93% (↑10%) report their child feels safe going to and from school. Students: The majority of students feel school is a welcoming place and they feel accepted by peers, staff and administration. This was a significant increase in all areas from the previous survey Students report an increase in safety in and around the school such as washrooms, change areas, cafeteria, stairways/hallways and school property. Staff: Staff feel that students are welcomed at their school, 97% (↑1%) and that their school is clean and attractive, 83% (same) and that parents/guardians are vital to the school community, 83% (↓1%). Action: School administration will meet with staff and the Safe School Team to identify potential “hot spots” and to provide appropriate supervision as needed.

Communication Parents/Guardians: Parents/guardians are informed about their child’s progress, 91% (↑17%) and calls are returned in a timely manner, 93% (↑5%) Parents/guardians report that the school meets the academic needs of their children, 89% (↑17%) and provides an excellent learning environment, 86% (↑17%). Action: Continue to improve our communication strategies to address the good things that are happening in our schools and keep our parents/guardians informed. Students: Most elementary students feel they can receive help at school when they need it, 88% (↑10%) and secondary students feel the same, 83% (↑8%) Action: Continue to work with students, parents/guardians and community partners to provide educational supports for students as needed. Staff: Staff feel that schools clearly communicate how parents/guardians can help, 84% (↓2%). Action: work with staff to determine how to increase strategies on how parents/guardians can help.

Wellness Parents/Guardians: Parents/guardians report they know how and where to access resources to support learning at home, 82% (↑6%). Parents/guardians report the school staff educate children about personal wellness, for example nutrition, exercise and sleep, 92% (↑15%). Parents/guardians report they feel comfortable approaching staff if needing information about child stress, on-line safety and mental illness, 76% (↑15%) Students: The vast majority of students feel welcomed and comfortable at school, 89% (↑5%) including clubs, activities and teams. There are programs, materials and equipment that encourage students to make healthy choices, 66% (↑6%). Staff: Staff report that they educate students about personal wellness, 95% (↑1%) and that they know how to program for students who have a mental health issue, 75% (↓8%). Action: We will work with specific programming needs for different populations of students.

Bullying Parents/Guardians: Parents/guardians report that schools have strategies to address bullying, 74% (↑61%) and bullying is taken seriously at school, 72% (↑15%). Parents/guardians report that their child rarely experiences bullying, 57% (↑15%). Parent/guardians report that their child has never stayed away from school to avoid bullying, 84% (↑16%). Students: Most students report that they have not experienced bullying/harassment at school, 80% (↑19%) Over 80% (↑7%) of students report there is one staff who they can turn to in time of need. The principal/vice principal always do something about bullying. Students report if they witness bullying, they are afraid and worried that they will be bullied themselves. Staff: Staff agree their school has strategies to address bullying, 88% (↓2%) and staff feel that bullying is taken seriously at their school, 89% (↓ 3%). Staff pay attention to how students treat each other, 84% (↓4%). Action Empower students and staff with strategies to intervene when witnessing potential bullying situations.

Diversity Students: Students agreed that they learned more about the achievements and experiences of: women and girls, aboriginal people, people of many races/culture/religion, and people with disabilities. Students report that members of diverse communities appear in a variety of sources and resources such as: pictures, textbooks, school publications, videos and student work. Students agree that community members are invited to share their experiences as guest speakers, and are welcomed to special events and celebrations at the school. Staff: Staff agree that there are barriers to learning based learning disability 42% (same) and emotional/psychological challenge 42% (↓3%) Action: Share with students the experiences and achievements of gay, lesbian and bi-sexual populations as it becomes available. Continue to expose and celebrate our diversity with students, staff and school community as per our school board motto: “ Diversity is our Strength.”

Religious Accommodations Students: Students shared that there was a small increase in the number of requests for religious accommodations 14% of total number of students ( ↑ 2 %) and that these accommodations were met, 64% ( ↑ 7 %). ( Please note that this stat includes students who did not request a religious accommodation) Staff: Staff report that students have requested religious accommodations, 43% (↓2%) and that the religious accommodations were met, 97% (category difference in 2014). Action: Continue our commitment to actively acknowledge that the freedom of religion is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code; we need to continue to increase faith awareness and sensitivity to the multitude of religious and spiritual traditions; and, value the uniqueness and diversity of our students and the communities we serve.

Next Steps Individual schools have their results to incorporate into their own school improvement plans. All board survey results will be available on our website - under Schools on the Internet June 16 th. Summary of individual schools will be posted on their websites under “News” June 17 th. Board results have been distributed to the appropriate committee – Bullying Prevention and Implementation Committee (B-PIC), Mental Health Steering Committee, and Equity and Inclusive Working Group to incorporate into their annual plans. Presentation to SEAC and GECPIC in fall Superintendents have overall results from the board and their own individual family of schools and are following up as appropriate.