April 13th, 2015

A safe, Caring and Inclusive School (SCIS) is a place where all partners – students, staff, parents, and community members – treat one another fairly, with respect and kindness, and act in a socially responsible way towards all members of the school community. It is an inclusive community where diversity is affirmed within a framework of common values, and where all members participate in decision making and cooperate to promote the well-being of all. High expectations exist so that students are engaged academically, socially and intellectually. Studies emphasize the contribution of a positive learning environment to student success.

Before schools can build and/or strengthen a safe, caring and inclusive school culture, they need to get greater insight to the existing culture. Safe, Caring and Inclusive School surveys will assist schools in understanding and describing the current school culture while identifying areas for improvement. It is important to ensure that representatives from all sectors of the school and its community participate in any type of survey or assessment.

The generally accepted factors that comprise school climate include: relationships between students, and between students and staff; teaching and learning environment; school safety and the physical school environment.

Three groups are being surveyed: students in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11, school staff and parents/guardians.

The SCIS Survey for PARENTS/GUARDIANS can be accessed through the Waterloo Region District School Board website at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Parent_GuardianSCIS

Responses to the survey are anonymous.

All Surveys will be open beginning April 15, 2015 and will close on May 31, 2015. Surveys must be completed during that time period.