School Climate Survey MARLBOROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2018 2019

School Climate Survey MARLBOROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2018 - 2019

November 2018 Professional Development Marlborough Elementary School Vision Every child will grow academically, socially, and emotionally in an environment that fosters a love of learning, is safe, and welcoming for all – children, staff, families and the community at large. Outcomes of Professional Development Day (all staff) November 2018 Value every child in the building. Put aside differences to do what is right for our children. Every child in our building will grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Our families love our children, as we do – they will be our partners. All Marlborough Elementary School curriculum will be implemented. Formative assessment data is critical to our decision-making process for our children Committees will be created / continued so decisions have a collective voice. All committees are, as always, open to all staff. Please respect decisions made by those that serve on these committees. MES Way guides our expectations in instructing students. Expectations for children should be reflective of how we treat everyone. 504 and IEP are the law: implementation with fidelity. “If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear. ” ― A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Student Survey: K – 2 141 Respondents Demographic factor: Grade level of child Kindergarten: 47 1 st grade: 43 2 nd grade: 51 Demographic factor: Gender of Child Female: 73 Male: 67

Results: Grades K – 2 Question Disagree Neutral Agree 2018 2019 When I’m at school, I feel like I belong. 4% 4% 24% 71% 73% When I’m at school, I like this school. 3% 2% 9% 10% 88% My teacher is a good teacher. --- 1% 5% 3% 95% 96% My teacher cares about me. 1% 3% 7% 9% 92% 88% My principal cares about me. 4% 4% 7% 8% 90% 88% The work I do in school makes me think. 7% 6% 22% 19% 71% 75% I have lots of friends. 5% 5% 16% 17% 79% 78% I am safe. 4% 3% 17% 79% 80%

Results: Grades K – 2 Question Disagree Neutral Agree 2018 2019 I have fun learning. 8% 6% 24% 21% 68% 74% Students at my school are friendly. 4% 4% 27% 16% 69% 81%

Narrative: K – 2 Strengths Teachers and friends Classrooms Learning, playing and buying lunch Recess Hearing stories Playground School is fun Computers and i. Pads

Narrative: K – 2 Needs Improvement More recess More toys Secret passage Bigger bathrooms Don’t want to learn letters Don’t want to have buzzer on the doors Wish people would never argue Chairs are too small and should be purple More friends

Student Survey: Grades 3– 6 265 respondents 53 Third Graders 63 Fourth Graders 64 Fifth Graders 80 Sixth Graders Demographic factor: Gender of Child Female: 126 Male: 137

Results: Grades 3– 6 Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 When I’m at school, I feel like I belong. 1% 1% 5% 3% 18% 24% 32% 37% 43% 35% When I’m at school, I like this school. 1% -- 2% 2% 9% 13% 32% 25% 57% 59% When I’m at school my teachers treat me with respect. 1% 2% 4% 2% 11% 15% 24% 23% 60% 58% My teachers listen to my ideas. 3% 4% 4% 6% 18% 19% 42% 31% 33% 40% My principal cares about me. 1% 2% 1% 1% 9% 6% 24% 23% 65% 68% I am recognized for the good work I do. 4% 6% 6% 5% 28% 20% 36% 33% 26% 37% I am challenged by the work my teachers ask me to do. 4% 6% 9% 8% 36% 29% 32% 35% 18% 23% The work I do in class makes me think. 3% 3% 4% -- 16% 22% 43% 35% 33% 39%

Results: Grades 3– 6 Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 I have fun learning. 2% 6% 9% 7% 26% 22% 36% 29% 27% 36% I have freedom at school. 3% 5% 10% 12% 32% 27% 34% 31% 25% I have choices when I learn. 13% 11% 20% 15% 34% 28% 21% 31% 13% 15% Students at my school treat me with respect. 5% 8% 9% 8% 29% 28% 27% 28% 30% 29% Students at my school are friendly. 4% 3% 2% 2% 35% 34% 35% 25% 26% Students are treated fairly by the people on recess duty. 4% 7% 6% 4% 23% 19% 37% 36% 30% 35%

Narrative: Grades 3 – 6 Strengths Teachers Friends MES Way That kids stand up for other kids Kindness Lunch and recess Principal and Assistant Principal Teachers challenge us We are safe I love that in this school you know that people care and think, ‘What can I do to make this better? ’ I like that the teachers know what to do in hundreds of situations that I feel like in some other schools they don’t know what to do. All the teachers are nice at this amazing school, no teachers doubt the children even if the kids doubt themselves.

Narrative: Grades 3 – 6 Needs Improvement More books Wish all kids could have friends Everyone treated equally Recess was longer and free food (snack for free) Open seating at lunch Less homework Freedom in what is learned Let everyone play on all playscapes

Narrative: Grades 3 – 6 Safety Issues that Need to be Addressed Concrete slab: someone could slip and hit their head Fire drills in the cold Buses are loud More security cameras ’I worry about things I see on the news and hear about what happens in schools (involving guns). ’ Recess because some people go to the nurse after What to do if you are on the stairs in a fire drill Be careful of who we let in the school

Staff Survey 35 Respondents 18 Classroom Teachers 6 Instructional Assistants 4 Certified Staff (not classroom teachers) 1 Classified Staff (not instructional assistants) Demographics: Grades taught 2 Pre-K 12 Primary Grades 6 Upper Elementary Grades Demographics: Experience 1 - 3 years: 1 4 – 6 years: 0 7 – 10 years: 1 11 or more years: 16

Results: Staff Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 I feel like I belong at this school. -- -- 8% 12% 17% 18% 49% 36% 29% 33% I feel that staff cares about me. 4% 3% 8% 6% 21% 30% 46% 30% 21% 30% -- 6% 4% 9% 8% 15% 50% 42% 38% 27% I feel that others are clear about what my job is at the school. 13% 18% 4% 15% 17% 30% 38% 12% 29% 24% My administrators treat me with respect. -- 9% 4% 3% 25% 21% 38% 30% 33% 36% My administrators are effective in helping us reach our vision. 4% 12% 8% 15% 29% 24% 38% 33% 21% 15% I believe student achievement can increase through providing a threat free environment. -- -- 4% -- 25% 33% 71% 67% I believe student achievement can increase through effective parent involvement. -- -- 3% 4% 3% 58% 52% 38% 42% I feel clear about what my job is at this school.

Results: Staff Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 I feel recognized for good work. 4% 9% 13% 12% 13% 24% 54% 36% 17% 18% I work with people who listen if I have ideas about doing things better. 8% 9% 17% 15% 25% 30% 29% 27% 21% 18% My administrators facilitate communication effectively. 8% 12% 25% 15% 21% 24% 29% 33% 17% 15%

Results: Staff Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 My administrators support shared decision making. 13% 6% 8% 21% 33% 33% 30% 13% 9% I believe student achievement can be increased through teaching to the state standards. 8% 3% 13% 9% 29% 45% 42% 30% 8% 12% I believe student achievement can be increased through using ongoing student assessments related to state standards. 8% --- 8% 6% 25% 46% 30% 13% 18% I believe student achievement can be increased through student selfassessments. 0% --- 8% 3% 17% 27% 67% 52% 8% 18%

Results: Staff Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 The vision for this school is clear. 4% 6% 17% 9% 33% 36% 29% 33% 17% 15% The vision for this school is shared. --- 9% 21% 18% 38% 21% 33% 36% 8% 15% We have an action plan in place which can get us to our vision. 4% 6% 21% 15% 33% 42% 38% 24% 42% 12% I believe I communicate with parents about class activities. 8% --- --- 17% 27% 54% 48% 13% 21%

Results: Staff Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 Teacher morale is high. 13% 15% 33% 42% 25% 21% 29% 15% --- 6% Support Staff morale is high. 8% 21% 42% 30% 21% 27% 29% 18% --- 3% Teachers in this school communicate with each other to make student learning consistent across the grade levels. 13% 10% 19% 29% 14% 44% 29% 6% 19%

Narrative: Staff Strengths Sense of family and community Parent support Talented teachers and dedicated para-educators Staff is dedicated and caring Intelligent students and supportive community Family centered

Narrative: Staff Needs Improvement Communication Understanding parameters and responsibilities of each other’s jobs Discipline Students held accountable for work completion Accountability Need more encouragement to know we are doing good things Creation of survey with more precise questions to gather true data on our school

Parent Survey 18 Respondents (142 last year) Demographic factor: Grade level of Children Pre-K: 4 Kindergarten: 4 Grade 1: 3 Grade 2: 4 Grade 3: 1 Grade 4: 4 Grade 5: 2 Grade 6: 3 Demographic factor: Relationship Mother: 18 Father: 0 Guardian: 0 Other: 0

Results: Parent Survey Question Strong Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 2018 2019 2018 2019 I feel welcome at my child’s school. 1% --- 4% --- 25% 35% 67% 65% I know what my child’s teacher expects of my child. --- 6% --- 7% 12% 39% 41% 49% 47% The school meets that academic needs of the students. 1% --- 7% --- 5% 6% 38% 53% 49% 41% The school has an excellent learning environment. --- 6% --- 7% --- 33% 47% 53% I respect the school’s teacher. 1% --- 2% --- 4% 6% 26% 41% 60% 53% I respect the school’s principal. 4% 6% 2% 6% 3% 6% 25% 24% 66% 59% Teachers show respect for the students. 1% --- 4% 6% 37% 41% 54% 53%

Narrative: Parents Strengths Supportive teachers Caring environment Academic standards are excellent Genuinely cares about children School promotes positive peer relationships Communication Administration is proactive

Narrative: Parents Needs Improvement Ø Preparation for RHAM Ø More frequent updates on child’s progress Ø Funding Ø Adding social skills back in the curriculum Ø Communication between teachers and parents Ø More compassion Ø Stronger academics

Narrative: Parents Safety What is school plan for active shooter and bomb threat situations? Scary to be parent today – scary what happens with violence Budget will start to impact safety Better process for knowing where students are More supervision on the playground

Professional Development August 26 th Restorative Practices Workshop Presenter: Kris Wraight Restorative Practices Handbook (second edition): Bob Costello, Joshua Wachtel, and Ted Wachtel (June 2019)

‘Restorative’ meaning: '… decisions are best made and conflicts are best resolved by those most directly involved in them. The restorative practice movement seeks to develop good relationships and restore a sense of community in an increasingly disconnected world. ’ (p. 6) ‘revise our thinking so that we see conflict in a school setting as an opportunity to foster learning and build better relationships. ’ (p. 15)

Restorative Practices: classroom level Affective Statements Expressing feelings – positive or negative – most positive first step Show that you believe in children even when they seem to be behaving inappropriately Affective Questions Focus on getting children to talk and identify solutions Reflect on their actions and how they have impacted other people Allow us to illicit what is being thought and felt by another Examples of questions NOT to be used: Why did you do that? What were you thinking?

Restorative Practices: classroom level Impromptu conversations What is your part in what happened? What is one thing each of you will do differently to make sure this doesn’t happen again? Direct / specific sharing of positive actions Circles Proactive Circles: build connections Responsive Circles: address conflict and harm Restorative Conferences

Restorative Practices: Discipline ‘to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and relationships. ’ Addressing behavior must: Identify impact of behavior Repairing the harm Concrete reparation Symbolic reparation

Final Thoughts Communication requires constant re-evaluation to monitor effectiveness SEL (Social Emotional Learning): Integral to building strong school culture Restorative practices mediate feelings of being unworthy Research of school safety best achieved through a combination of a set social emotional learning structure and physical/procedural safety plans Creation of own survey with more MES specific questions