OCDSB End-of-Year Survey

OCDSB End-of-Year Survey
Posted on 07/02/2021
OCDSB End-of-Year Survey

With the close of the 2020-21 school year, the OCDSB conducted a survey of parents and students to reflect on the past year and look ahead as we prepare for the return to school in September.

The survey was conducted from June 9-20 and we received responses from 7,023 students (grades 7-12) and 7,761 parents (K-12). 

Below are highlights from the survey responses. The full summary and detailed results can be found on this page.

What we heard from students:

What was challenging?

  • Staying productive and motivated
  • Finding it hard/distracting to learn from home
  • Managing screen time and/or time spent working online

What was helpful?

  • In person
    • Being able to focus easier and/or pay attention better in person
    • Seeing and interacting with my teachers and classmates in person
    • Being in the school/classroom environment when possible
  • OCV
    • Breaks during online lessons
    • Changes to expectations (ie changes to volunteer requirements, cancellation of exams, flexibility for assignments, etc.)
    • Having an established routine

The majority of in-person students reported being comfortable with the health and safety precautions taken by their school this year (72%), and most reported that they did not find it challenging to follow health and safety protocols (e.g. wear a mask all day when at school; 71%)

Concerns for the fall were similar for both groups:

  • Readjusting to the workload and routine of school after summer break
  • Coping with stress or anxiety
  • Feeling unprepared for the next grade level

Things that would be helpful to prepare for fall:

  • Both in person and OCV
    • More information about the school day schedule
  • In person
    • Regular updates on the number of COVID-19 cases in my school and vaccinations in my community
    • Access to extra help with my school work when needed
  • OCV
    • Support to build resilience and reduce stress or worry
    • Support for developing better habits and routines for school (e.g. organization, study habits, etc.)

Most important for next year:

  • In person students: Seeing friends and being able to socialize
  • OCV: Being able to learn from home

What we heard from parents and guardians:

What was challenging?

  • Managing my child’s screen time
  • Restrictions on extracurricular activities
  • Finding ways for my child/children to engage/interact with peers

What was helpful?

  • Both in person and OCV
    • Having an established routine
    • Staff dedication and flexibility
  • In person
    • Having my child attend school in person when possible
  • OCV
    • Having the option for my child to attend school virtually

The majority of in person parents (87%) said they were comfortable with the health and safety precautions taken by their child’s school this year.

Concerns for the fall:

  • Both in person and OCV
    • My child readjusting to the academic expectations of school
    • Mental health and well-being
  • In person
    • My child feeling unprepared for the next grade level
  • OCV 
    • Supporting my child with school work/homework

Helpful to prepare for fall

  • Both in person and OCV
    • Support for developing better habits and routines for school
  • In person
    • Continued safety practices
    • More information on the school day structure
  • OCV
    • Lessons or resources to support social emotional learning skills
    • Support to build resilience and reduce stress or worry

Most important for next year:

  • In person: Having their children see friends and being able to socialize
  • OCV: My child being able to learn from home

The full summary of survey results can be found here. We would also like to acknowledge the open-ended feedback and messages shared with us. All of this information will be used as we prepare our plans for the return to school in September. Stay tuned for more information later this summer.

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