Winslow Unified School District Superintendent Cyndi Mattox presented the governing board with the results last week of a survey given to parents of Winslow Junior High School students during the first quarter parent-teacher conferences.
“I am more than proud to say that the junior high, for the first time ever, has an 87.5 percent A-B ratings from parents,” Maddox advised the board. Last year, she explained, the ratings were mostly Cs. The survey contained questions pertaining to student involvement, grades, teacher performance and district communication.
“We had some really good information on what Winslow Junior High School does well,” Mattox said, “as well as what they need to improve upon.”
According to survey results, parents feel that the school is doing well with communication. “They can now use this report to do needs assessments and more,” Mattox added.
WJHS Principal Darlene McCauley said, “That just tells a story about the hard work that the teachers do each and every day.”
In addition to accolades for the junior high, Winslow High School also received glowing reviews from parents, bringing in a 92.5 percent A-B rating.
WHS Principal Dr. Justin Hartman said, “I am very proud of the staff and the students who are rising to the expectations that we set, and that is happening at Winslow High School. I can’t tell you how many parents said on the survey that they could tell that the schools are trying to get better.” He further noted that most of the comments received from parents were positive, “even when it came to the things we could improve upon.”
The three elementary schools will survey their students’ parents this week, and the results will be available at the next meeting of the governing board.
According to information from the district, surveys can be great tools for school districts in their grant writing, intervention plans and student health overviews. Based on the results of the surveys, schools may contact health organizations to provide education and information on specific behaviors.
Gerry Chee of the Navajo Health Education Program presented reasoning to hold a risk behavior study at the junior high and high school levels. The survey will be paid for by the Navajo Department of Health, Chee explained, but emphasized that it is for all students, regardless of ethnicity. Chee said the survey will look at various risk behaviors, “such as behaviors that could contribute to intentional or unintentional injury, tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors that could contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, dietary behavior and physical activity.”
The survey is contingent upon parental consent, as the subject matter can be sensitive. The district uses the “passive consent” system. Mattox explained, “That means, if they don’t want their child to take the survey, that is when they return the permission slip.”
Board member Al Leonard was assured that the surveys would remain anonymous and voluntary after he expressed concerns on the matter.
The board approved the survey, which will be distributed during the fall semester. Parents are reminded to watch for notification from their Alert Now texting program, as well as social media connected to each school, as to when the survey will take place.
