Your School. Your Voice.

TVDSB School Climate Surveys

Hearing from students, parents/caregivers, and staff is important for developing plans to help make school communities safer and more welcoming.  

This year all TVDSB students in Grades 5-12, parents/caregivers with children attending TVDSB schools, and TVDSB school-based staff are invited to complete the School Climate Surveys.

These surveys ask questions about experiences and feelings related to school life, such as safety, connection and belonging, and the school environment.

Participation is voluntary and the survey is anonymous. Students will be given time in class to complete the survey if they choose. Parents/caregivers can request that their child not participate by contacting the school principal.

 Information for Parents/Caregivers:

Over the next couple of weeks, your child/children will learn more about school climate in school. If your child/children is/are in Grade 5 –12, they will also be invited to complete an online survey during class.

The survey asks questions about their experiences and feelings related to school life, such as safety, connection and belonging, and the school environment.

You will be invited to answer similar questions. On February 13, 2023 you will receive an invitation with a link to the survey. Information related to the survey will be shared through SchoolMessenger, by email, and/or social media.

Participation is voluntary and the survey is anonymous. You and your child/children will not be asked to include your name or their student number. Answers cannot be connected back to you or your child/children in any way.

If your child/children is/are under 18, and you do not want them to complete the survey, please speak with the principal of your child’s/children's school as soon as possible.

 
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents/Caregivers
 Who is invited to participate? 
All Grade 5-12 students will have time in class to complete the survey if they choose. Families with children attending school in TVDSB and school staff are also invited to participate.
 Does my child have to participate? 
No, participation is optional. If you do not want your child to participate, please speak with your child and contact their principal.
 Is this survey anonymous? 
Yes. You and your child will not be asked to include your names or their student number. Answers will be combined and cannot be connected back to individuals.
 How long will it take to answer all the questions? 
About 30 minutes for students and 15 minutes for parents/caregivers. If you have a child or children who are learning virtually, the survey will take about 10 minutes for both you and your child/children to complete. 
 Do students and parents/caregivers have to answer all the questions?
No. The first three questions are required. These questions ask if you want to complete the survey, grade of student, and school. All other questions are optional.
 Can students get help with answering the questions? 
Yes. This is not a test. Students can ask for help if they need it. Teachers may read the questions to students, help define words, and/or provide extra time.
 Is the survey available in different languages?

Yes. The survey is available in multiple languages.

  • Arabic
  • French (Canadian)
  • German
  • Hindi
  • Korean
  • Kurdish (Kurmanji)
  • Mandarin
  • Nepali
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Punjabi
  • Spanish (Latin American)
  • Ukrainian
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese

If you need assistance completing the survey in a language not listed on the website, please speak with the principal of your child’s school, or email schoolclimatesurvey@tvdsb.ca.
How were the questions determined? 
TVDSB uses questions from the Department of Education School Climate Surveys (EDSCLS). For more information visit https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/edscls/index.asp
 What support is available for students who may feel upset?

Some questions may make students feel uncomfortable. If students feel upset, they are encouraged to speak with an adult they trust at school or at home. Information about supports is also included in the survey. You can preview the questions that are being asked by clicking on the pictures above and then selecting "Preview the Survey". You can view questions for students, parents/caregivers, and for school staff.
 Who will have access to the information?
Only members of TVDSB’s Research and Assessment Services will have access to individual responses. Answers will be combined to create school and district reports.
 How will the information be used?
School reports will be shared with principals and district staff to help create plans (e.g., Safe and Inclusive School Plans). Principals are asked to share key findings with their school communities. District reports will be shared with TVDSB staff and Trustees to help make decisions about policy, resources, and learning opportunities. Key findings may also be shared with the TVDSB community, Ministry of Education, and the public.
 Where can I get more information?

If you have additional questions, please speak with the principal of your/your child’s school or email the School Climate Working Group at schoolclimatesurvey@tvdsb.ca.

 
 Need Help Completing the Survey?

If you require assistance completing the survey, please speak with the principal at your/your child’s school or email the School Climate Working Group at schoolclimatesurvey@tvdsb.ca.

 Crisis Support Lines

Vanier Children’s Mental Health: Tandem (Formerly Crisis Intake Team – CIT)
-0-18 years and caregivers

(519) 433-0334 (London/Middlesex), www.vanier.com/programs-services/community-services/crisis-intake-team/

Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Services

(519)433-2023 or 1-866-933-2023,  www.reachout247.ca for web chat access

 

Kids Help Phone 
1-800-668-6868, text CONNECT to 686868, web chat at www.kidshelpphone.ca
Text: 686868 (youth) or 741741 (adults)
Call: 1-800-668-6868
**Indigenous people can connect with an Indigenous crisis responder when available by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS over text or messenger.**

If there is a safety emergency, or bullying or harassment of student(s) is happening in the community outside of school hours, please reach out to your local police services for assistance.

  • London Police: (519) 661-5670
  • St. Thomas Police: (519) 631-1224
  • Woodstock Police: (519) 537-2323
  • Oxford County OPP: (519) 688-6540
  • Elgin County OPP: (519) 631-2920
 Non-Crisis Support Lines

Black Youth Helpline: 
1-833-294-8650; 9:00 am to 10:00 pm everyday, www.blackyouth.ca

Tandem (formerly CIT/Crisis & Intake):
(519)433-0334  for 24/7 crisis calls + scheduled phone or video appointments for children/youth/families

Hope For Wellness (24/7 Indigenous Helpline): ​​​​
1-855-242-3310, www.hopeforwellness.ca for web chat access (offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada, services available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut)

Naseeha: ​​
1-866-627-3342, www.naseeha.org
(provides a confidential helpline for young Muslims to receive immediate, anonymous, and confidential support over the phone from 12pm – 12am, 7 days a week)

YouthLine: ​​
1-800-268-9688 (phone), 647-694-4275 (text), www.youthline.ca (live chat) - (offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.)

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