TVDSB School Climate Staff Survey

What is the purpose of this survey?

This survey asks your opinion on a variety of topics related to school or work climate including engagement, safety, and the school or work environment. The survey also asks questions about identities to help gain an understanding of how living experiences and backgrounds may relate to experiences at school or work. All school boards in Ontario must conduct voluntary and anonymous school climate surveys at least every two years.

Which staff members are being invited to participate?

All TVDSB staff. Some of the questions on the school climate survey have been modified so that all TVDSB employees can provide feedback if they choose.

Is the survey anonymous?
Yes. You will not be asked for your name or employee number. No one will be able to connect your responses back to you in any way.

Is the survey voluntary?

Yes. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to indicate your primary role or work location (i.e., elementary school, secondary, LSS itinerant staff, OSS itinerant staff (e.g., Skilled Trades, TSA), Non-School Location). All other questions are optional, and you can exit from the survey at any time. 

How long does the survey take?

The survey takes about 15 minutes for school-based, non-itinerant staff and about 5 minutes for itinerant or non-school based staff to complete.

How will information from the survey be summarized and used?

Your answers will be combined with answers from other staff members. A district-level summary report will be created and shared with school and board staff, as well as with Trustees to help inform planning and monitor change over time. Summary reports may also be shared more widely (e.g., Board website, Ministry of Education, community groups), but will not identify any person or their individual responses.  

Where can I get more information about the survey?
Visit the TVDSB Your School. Your Voice website. Speak with your supervisor, or email the School Climate Working Team at schoolclimatesurvey@tvdsb.ca.

What support is available for staff?

If you feel upset or uncomfortable during or after taking the survey, talk with someone you trust. Immediate help is always available through Reach Out. All staff can also access services through TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Would you like to complete this voluntary and anonymous survey?

Which best describes your role/primary work location?  [Required - Elementary School, Secondary School, LSS itinerant staff (e.g., Learning Coordinator, itinerant school-based PSSP, TOSA), OSS itinerant staff (e.g., Skilled Trades, TSA), Non-School Location (e.g., Education Centre, Leathorne)]

All the questions below are voluntary. If you feel that you cannot answer or feel uncomfortable answering any question, please leave it blank and move on to the next.

Throughout the survey, "this school” or “work location” means activities happening in your primary work location, which may include:

• school or work buildings
• school or work grounds
• school buses
• places that hold school- or work-sponsored events or activities
• online classes or meetings

Unless otherwise specified, this refers to normal school/work hours or to times when school/work activities/events were in session.

• At this school, all students are treated equally, regardless of whether their parents are rich or poor.
• This school encourages students to take challenging classes no matter their race, ethnicity, nationality, and/or cultural background.
• This school provides instructional materials (e.g., textbooks, handouts) that reflect students’ cultural background, ethnicity, and identity.
  
• This school emphasizes showing respect for all students’ cultural beliefs and practices.
  
• This school provides effective resources and training for teaching students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) across different languages and cultures.
• This school provides effective supports for students needing alternative modes of communication (e.g., manual signs, communication boards, computer-based devices, picture exchange systems, Braille) 

• This school helps parents find community supports for their students who need them.
• Staff at this school do a good job helping parents to support their children’s learning at home.
  
• Staff at this school do a good job helping parents understand when their child needs to learn social and emotional skills.
• At this school/work location, the staff get along well.*
• At this school/work location, there is a feeling of trust among the staff.*
• At this school, students get along well with the staff.

• Supervisors ask staff to be involved in making decisions. *
• Staff at this school/work location have many informal opportunities to influence what happens within the school.*
• At this school, students are given the opportunity to take part in decision-making.
• This school provides students with opportunities to take a lead role in organizing programs and activities.
• Students are encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities.

• I feel like I belong at this school/work location.*
• I feel satisfied with the recognition I get for doing a good job.*
• I feel comfortable discussing feelings, worries, and frustrations with my supervisor.*
• This school/organization inspires me to do the very best at my job.*
• People at this school/work location care about me as a person.*
• I can manage almost any student behaviour problem.

This question is about bullying. Bullying happens when one or more individual teases, threatens, spreads rumours about, hits, shoves, or hurts another individual. It is not bullying when individuals of about the same strength or power argue or fight or tease each other in a friendly way. Bullies are usually stronger, or have more friends or money, or some other power over the individual being bullied. Usually bullying happens over and over, or the individual being bullied thinks it might happen over and over.

• I think that bullying is a frequent problem at this school.

This question is about cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include: mean text messages or emails, rumours sent by email or posted on social networking sites and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

• I think cyberbullying is a frequent problem among students at this school.

• Staff at this school always stop bullying when they see it.
• Staff at this school/work location are teased or picked on about their race or ethnicity.*
• Staff at this school/work location are teased or picked on about their cultural background or religion.*
• Staff at this school/work location are teased or picked on about their physical or mental disability.*
• Staff at this school/work location are teased or picked on about their sexuality.*

“Drugs” means any substance, including those used to get “high” or increase performance in school or sports. Examples of drugs include marijuana, illegal drugs, inhalants, synthetic drugs used to get high, or over-the-counter medicine. This does not include medications prescribed by a doctor or nurse for the person but includes prescription drugs that are NOT prescribed to the person by their their doctor.

• At this school, how much of a problem is student drug use?
• At this school, how much of a problem is student use of electronic cigarettes/vapes?
• At this school, how much of a problem is student use of tobacco (e.g., cigarettes, chew, cigars)?

• This school places a priority on addressing students’ mental health needs.
• Thames Valley places a priority on addressing the mental health needs of staff. *

• This organization provides timely and relevant communication to staff. *
• This school places a priority on teaching students strategies to manage their stress levels.
• This school provides the materials, resources, and training necessary for me to support students' social or emotional needs.
• This school provides quality counselling or other services to help students with social or emotional needs.

• Staff at this school are clearly informed about school policies and procedures.
  

We are asking this question to help us understand how staff identities may be related to experiences at school/work. This information will help the Board take steps to make Thames Valley a better place for all members of school communities. We recognize that identity is complex, and the options below may not reflect how you describe yourself. This question is optional.

Do you identify with any of the following:

• Black 
• Indigenous 
• Racialized person or member of a racialized community 
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• A group who experiences discrimination based on their religion or creed
• A marginalized community
• Another group protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code 

Please select "yes" if any of the identities or groups listed above apply to you.

Thank you for sharing your views and experiences with us.

If you have any questions or concerns related to school climate, please contact your supervisor.
If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please contact the School Climate Survey Working Team at schoolclimatesurvey@tvdsb.ca.

If you are feeling uncomfortable or upset after completing this survey, please reach out for help.

• Talk with someone you trust
  
• Contact Reach Out for support
  
• Visit TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program on SharePoint