• Frequently Asked Questions about the 2024-2025 Family Climate Survey

     

    Q: When will the Family Climate window open for the 22024-2025 school year?

    The Family Climate Survey window will open in the Spring of the 2024-2025 school year.

    Q: How can I take the Family Climate Survey for my child's school?

    Parents can complete the survey in one of three ways: 1) online, via a link sent to their email; 2) paper-and-pencil, sent through the mail or in their child's backpack; or 3) online, through an open link on the WCSD home page. Every household that had an email address listed in Infinite Campus received a link to the Climate Survey through email. Parents/guardians without an email address listed in IC received a paper version of the survey.

    • Paper Survey (Middle and High School Only): You will be mailed a paper survey directly to your home. You can return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.
    • Paper Survey (Elementary Only): Your child will bring your survey home to you in their backpack. You can return it to the school in the sealed envelope provided.
    • Online Survey (All Levels): You can complete the survey for your child's school by going here: https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/6424. You can take the survey for just one school, or for all schools in which your child is currently enrolled.

    Q: [For Elementary School Staff] How do we submit completed Family Climate Surveys for processing?

    Please click here for directions on how to send your completed Family Climate Surveys back to Panorama Education for processing.

     Q: How are response rates calculated for the Family Climate Surveys?

    Parents/guardians completed the survey in one of three ways: 1) online, via a link sent to their email; 2) paper-and-pencil, sent through the mail or in their child's backpack; or 3) online, through an open link on the WCSD home page. Every household that had an email address listed in Infinite Campus received a link to the Climate Survey through email. Parents/gaurdians without an email address listed in IC received a paper version of the survey. If parents/guardians had multiple children in the district, they received surveys for one child at each school level (elementary, middle, or high school).The response rate calculated for each school reflects the total number of electronic and paper surveys completed by parents/guardians at the school they selected out of the total possible number of emails and paper surveys sent out to parents of students at that school based on the sampling criteria described above. However, because parents/guardians were allowed to complete the survey multiple times online, the response rate may be slightly inflated if parents/guardians responded to the survey for multiple children attending the same school.                           

    Q: Where are the open-ended comments from the Family Surveys?

    At the end of the survey, parents/guardians were asked to provide any additional comments they had about the school. Many parents/guardians named specific individuals or themselves in their comments. This identifying information (names, phone numbers, etc.) must be removed before we can send schools any open-ended comments. To request the comments collected from parents/guardians, please email ldavidson@washoeschools.net and she will send them to you within one week of your request after de-identifying the responses.                                                                                                     

    Q: How will WCSD use the data?

    Schools may use the climate data to guide school improvement planning, spark discussion about climate during staff meetings, and help identify areas of professional development and programming that might be needed. At a district level, administrators will use climate and safety data to identify patterns in school climate that will help guide decision-making. Data may also be used for writing grants and evaluating the effectiveness of programs aimed at improving school climate or safety. Finally, data may be used to monitor progress on foundational targets outlined in the district’s strategic plan.                                                                                                                           

    Q: Whom can I talk to about the WCSD School Climate Project?

    If you have suggestions about how to improve the Parent Climate Survey, would like help interpreting your data, or would like additional ideas about addressing areas of a school’s climate, please contact the following people: