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

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

2. 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 4 - 12 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.

3. 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 communityand 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 2013-14. • Students report an increase in safety in and around the school such as washrooms, change areas, cafeteria, stairways/hallwaysand 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.”

8. 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%)andthat 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.

9. 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 16th . • Summary of individual schools will be posted on their websites under “News” June 17th. • 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 2015. • Superintendents have overall results from the board and their own individual family of schools and are following up as appropriate.