Positive School Climate Survey

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Re: Positive School Climate Survey, 2017-18

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is continually working to make our schools safe and inviting for everyone.   One way to find out how best to do this is to ask students (Grades 4-12) how they feel about safety and their school environment.  The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has developed a Positive School Climate Survey for students to complete in May-June of this year.  This survey has been used in our schools for the past decade.

The purpose of the Positive School Climate Survey is to:

• provide information to the Board about the diversity of our students
• provide information to the Board to assist with decisions to expand programs and/or provide resources to help students from all cultures, faith groups and learning exceptionalities
• ensure that the Board continues to support learning in safe and inclusive environments.

The Positive School Climate Survey has a number of questions about the following:

• students’ unique identity (culture, faith, learning exceptionalities)
• students’ experiences at school (school environment and safety, mental health, bullying/harassment, what they would like to do in the future)

The survey is completed on-line, with teacher supervision, and takes about 30 minutes of class time.  The survey is anonymous.  This means that your child’s name will not be on the survey, and your child will not be identified in any way. The information that your child provides, will be combined with that of other students.  It will be stored safely in a central location within our Board.

By completing the survey, students will have a chance to tell us their opinions and feelings.  They will feel empowered when schools use this information to make positive changes to the school setting.  When they complete the survey, students may also become more aware of, and better understand issues related to diversity and equity.  Schools will benefit by learning more about their students and their needs. The results will be used to produce reports for our schools that will help us plan and/or revise our Positive School Culture and Well – Being initiatives.

There are no physical risks to completing the survey, and your child can choose whether or not he or she wants to complete the survey.  If a question bothers a student in any way, the student may skip the question or can stop answering the survey altogether.   All students will receive a handout that tells them how best to respond to bullying.  The handout will also have information about people in the community who can help if students are feeling bullied. If you and/or your child choose not to participate, this will not affect his/her grades or other school outcomes in any way.

If you have any questions or concerns; would like to view the survey; or do not wish your child to participate, please contact Mrs. McCormack through email at  [email protected]  no later than Friday June 23, 2017.

The Positive School Climate Survey is supervised by the Board’s research department (E-BEST, Evidence-Based Education and Services Team).

Thank you for your continued interest in our schools and for helping us do our best to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.

Yours truly,

Mrs. McCormack

Princpal