In June 2020, the YCDSB sought parent/guardian input on student mental health and well-being as we planned for student re-entry for the 2020-2021 school year. Over 5000 parents from all over the region and representing students from all grade levels responded. 18-20% of respondents were parents of children with some type of support plan in place (e.g. IEP, Policy 208, Positive Behaviour Plan, etc).
When parents were asked about what their concerns were about their child’s return to school:
- 67% of parents responded that they were at least moderately concerned about their child staying safe/healthy.
- 51% of parents responded that they were at least moderately concerned about their child’s academic needs.
- 50% of parents responded that they were at least moderately concerned about their child’s emotional needs
- 53% of parents responded that they were at least moderately concerned about their child’s social needs
When asked to rate their children’s stress:
- 33% of parents reported their children were at least moderately stressed about their health/safety
- 34% of parents reported their children were at least moderately stressed about their academic needs
- 29% of parents reported their children were at least moderately stressed about their emotional needs
- 29% of parents reported their children were at least moderately stressed about their social needs
What parents feel their children are looking forward to when returning to school:
- 51% of parents reported being with teachers as at least fairly important
- 82% of parents reported seeing friends as at least fairly important
- 60% of parents reported being in school as at least fairly important
- 53% of parents reported learning from their teachers as at least fairly important
- 52% of parents selected “other” as at least fairly important and the majority of the comments were around extra curricular activities being important.
Sample of Comments left by parents:
- It will be an emotional return and they will need a lot of support
- What are the supports available to address mental health?
- How to balance fear of getting sick with need for socialization
- Being mindful that some/many students have experienced a loss over the closure
- How will we support the teachers to be ready to understand and deal with this?