St. Andrew School Council Survey for Parents May Summary of Results

Transcription

1 St. Andrew School Council Survey for Parents May Methodology In May 2016, St. Andrew School Council invited parents/guardians to share their opinions on selected topics by participating in an online survey, distributed via . Respondents were asked to complete one survey per family. A total of 54 surveys were completed. This represents 50% of the 108 individual families with children attending St. Andrew Elementary School in May This document presents a summary of the survey results and a message from School Council. Survey Completed 50% Survey Completion Rate (Base=108 Families) Survey Not Completed 50% Q1. Please mark the two best ways for St. Andrew to send you important announcements. message Paper note sent home Week-At-A-Glance s Message in child's agenda 29.6% 25.9% 48.1% 72.2% Communication message is the way most respondents prefer to receive important announcements from the school, distantly followed by paper note sent home. Text message 20.4% School website Automated phone call 1.9% 1.9%

2 Social Events When asked to select four of the events presented, almost all respondents expressed an interest to participate in the Christmas Concert. Other commonly selected events include the Welcome Back BBQ, Family Dance, Halloween Pumpkin Carving and Music/Art Concerts Q2. Please mark the four events that your family is most interested to participate in. Christmas Concert Welcome Back BBQ Family Dance Halloween Pumpkin Carving Music/Art Concert Stampede Pancake Breakfast Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast Family Sport Event Multicultural Event 18.5% 14.8% 29.6% 20.4% 51.9% 48.1% 64.8% 57.4% 90.7% Q3. Please mark all of the hot lunch options your family is interested in purchasing next year. Hot Lunch Boston Pizza Subway Jugo Juice Edo Japan Extreme Pita Arby's Other restaurants* We do not plan to order 7.4% 11.1% 33.3% 57.4% 51.9% 64.8% 79.6% 74.1% Boston Pizza, followed by Subway, topped the list of hot lunch options that respondents are interested in purchasing next year. * Other restaurants: Freshii, McDonalds, A&W, Opa and Booster Juice. May 2016 Page 2

3 Fundraising Respondents are generally split in their most fundraising activity, although selling things received a slightly higher average ranking. 3 = Most Q4. Please rank the following activities according to the type of fundraising activity your family most prefers to participate in. (higher score = greater preference) Average Ranking = Least Selling Things (i.e., chocolates, plants, sausages, etc.) Annual Community Event (i.e., Gala, Bazaar, requires many volunteers) Cheque-Writing (i.e., families asked to donate money, tax receipts issued) Q5. Describe any new fundraising ideas you would like to share with School Council. Comments Regarding Selling Things: Selling SUTP/coupon books. Sell coupon books. Have a Christmas Bake Sale or a Christmas Craft Sale, Yard Sale or Flea Market. An idea like themixingspoon.ca or ordering from them directly. Gift cards. Something people are going to purchase anyways that we don t mind paying extra for as a donation to the school. Bake sales. Auction night or treasure chest raffles. Family bake-off. Sausages were a great idea but people not interested because the amount of sausages were too many. Comments Regarding Events: Silent auction where parents/community supporters donate items. Multicultural Evening - different desserts from different countries, all money goes to the school. Other Comments: It is really too bad we can t be doing casinos as they generate educational needed funds for the school. The church/school has sold raffle tickets and this is a form of gambling. Casinos are a fast and efficient way to raise the funds needed for the school. I have no money to provide the school at this point due to the economy. Raffles? I heard raffling baskets raises lots of money. They could be themed (i.e., camping, sports). May 2016 Page 3

4 Enrichment Out-of-School Field Trips is the most enrichment activity among survey respondents. Q6. Please rank the following activities according to how important you think they are for enriching the learning of St. Andrew students. (higher score = greater preference) 6 = Most 4.87 Average Ranking = Least Out-of-School Field Trips Science/ Technology Activities In-School Field Trips Theatre/ Acting Activities Swimming Lessons Fun Social Events to Build Community Q7. Describe any other learning enrichment activities you feel are very important for St. Andrew students. Volunteering opportunities. Leadership opportunities. Would love somehow for kids to volunteer, maybe at the Food Bank or Mustard Seed, etc. Dance/hip hop classes, rollerblading. Skating lessons. Growing their own garden in each classroom. Life building skills. Pet-involving activities. 1-week experiential opportunities (i.e., rollerblading, hip hop dance, Zoo School, Spark School, etc.) May 2016 Page 4

5 Volunteer Opportunities Q8. How do you feel about the number of opportunities offered to parents to volunteer at St. Andrew School? Almost all respondents feel that the number of volunteer opportunities for parents is just right. Just right 94% Not enough 4% Too many 2% Q9. Please mark all reasons that may prevent you from going to a School Council meeting next year. Work schedule Childcare Not interested to attend Not aware of meeting times I feel unwelcome I feel nervous Worried about my English skills Transportation Other reason * 9.3% 5.6% 1.9% 13.0% 11.1% 11.1% 16.7% 42.6% 66.7% School Council Meetings Work schedule is the main reason given by respondents to explain why they might not attend a School Council meeting next year. Other reasons: RE: Lack of Time: My children s evening activities and work have prevented me from going. / Schedule makes it challenging to want to come. When available in the day, I come but not willing to come in the evening due to activities. / Other commitments going on at the same time. / As a single parent, my time is often limited. RE: Other: Conflict of interest. May 2016 Page 5

6 Other Comments Respondents provided a variety of responses, as listed below, when given the opportunity. General Comments: Q10. What other questions, comments or concerns would you like to share with School Council? Thanks for all your hard work, you guys rock! Our beautiful school wouldn t be so great without you all! Thank you for helping make St. Andrew such a wonderful school!! I am OK with the school decisions and activities so far. Thank you! The School Council has done a really good job in contributing to our children s and the school s welfare. I believe you ve done a fantastic job and I appreciate all the hard work! I am looking forward to more learning, fun & activities in school for all the kids. Comments Regarding Lunch: We would prefer to order Healthy Hunger lunch on paper instead of online. For emergency purposes, an adult needs to be available during the lunch break! Other than that, St. Andrew has been a wonderful school, with positive experiences and great opportunities. Comments Regarding School Events: Question 2: Also interested in student music/art concert, but couldn t check one more choice. The Christmas/Spring Concerts at the school are our family s favourite school event! Comments Regarding Volunteering: I am able to volunteer whenever I have a day off, however, more of the time I am at work, preventing me to be able to volunteer. Is there any chance for fundraisers to be done on weekends? Then I could volunteer! Comments Regarding Funding: Funding is a major concern. The need to push for casino fundraising I feel is the only answer to our problem. Other Comments: Homework for students. Some hamper/stand for out-fit: jackets in boot room. None at the moment/none (2) May 2016 Page 6

7 The School Council executive members wish to sincerely thank St. Andrew families for taking time to complete our Parent Survey. We were very pleased that 50% of families completed the survey. The results have provided us with useful feedback and information as we get ready for the next school year. Next Steps In response to the survey results, School Council is working on the following actions: School Events Each year School Council has to make decisions about how to spend money that has been raised through fundraising activities (i.e., funds you ve helped us raise). In response to the survey results, School Council is reviewing school events to ensure we are focusing on those that are a high priority for St. Andrew families. Fun Lunches Enrichment Activities Following the Parent Survey, School Council also surveyed students to ask them what types of food they would like to order for school lunches. The results of both the parent and student surveys will be used to determine which choices to make available through the Healthy Hunger program next year. In the fall, School Council will begin gathering information on possible science/ technology enrichment activities for St. Andrew students. Science/technology activities were ranked a high priority by St. Andrew families who completed the survey. A Welcoming and Transparent School Council The excellent response rate, the results of the survey, and the high rate of parent/guardian volunteers are proof that St. Andrew School is made up of a community of families who are interested in and engaged with the school and their children s learning. Although not everyone can, or wants to, regularly participate in School Council meetings, we hope to make it easier for families to approach School Council members and stay informed about the work School Council does. To this end, Welcome! School Council will organize a meet and greet activity in conjunction with the volunteer orientation in September so that families can meet Council executive members, ask questions, and/or learn about what School Council does. Council meetings will be scheduled on a regular day and time each month to make it easier for people to plan ahead if they wish to attend a meeting. School Council meeting agendas and minutes will be regularly posted on the St. Andrew website so that those who do not attend meetings can easily stay informed. Again, thanks to all who completed the survey. We look forward to the next school year and wish all families a safe and fun summer.