DELMAR — The results are in from Bethlehem Central School District’s latest annual survey that checks in on what concerns parents, students and staff members have.
Answers from the 2021-22 survey, which was administered at the height of the Omicron surge in mid-January, were released to district families online on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The district said more than 2,700 people participated in the survey, including 1,849 students in grades 5-12 from the district’s seven schools.
“When we saw the alarming increase in COVID cases due to Omicron, we had considered delaying the School Climate Survey but decided to proceed,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “We went ahead knowing that the survey results could be negatively impacted by another COVID wave. We were prepared to see results from students that reflected some of our own anxiety of living and working in uncertain times. Yet, what we discovered in looking at the data is a student population that still feels safe, supported and engaged at school.”
The 72-question survey included responses about school safety, facilities, peer relations, social and emotional support, alcohol and drug use, and school discipline. The student survey results provide the first comprehensive look at how students’ perceptions and experiences are being shaped by the COVID pandemic.
Despite nearly two full years of learning against the backdrop of the pandemic, Bethlehem students still report feeling a strong sense of belonging to the school community.
In 2021-22, students continue to be actively involved in extracurricular activities and are supported by faculty and staff with whom they have a positive rapport. Data reflecting the positive relationships between staff and students were largely unchanged or slightly improved since the last full-scale School Climate Survey was administered in December 2019, before the pandemic began.
In the 2019-20 School Climate Survey, the student results showed some concerning data in the areas of peer relationships and substance abuse. The most recent survey data show small increases in positive responses regarding student-to-student relationships and some significant increases in positive data involving substance abuse.
Specific scores from the survey can be observed on the district website at https://www.bethlehemschools.org/2021-22-school-climate-survey-results/.
“We continue to look closely at those areas where students are registering concern as well as where our staff needs more support and how we can improve the connections between school and home,” said Monroe. “With a survey of this size, the data can tell many stories.”
Participation in the School Climate Survey was voluntary. It was offered to students during the school day the week of Jan. 10, 2022. In addition to the student survey, parents and staff — both instructional and support staff — answered similar surveys during a two-week period in January.
“The most important things we are seeing is that our students are resilient in the face of great challenges and that our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to make sure students have the tools they need to succeed academically and socially,” said Monroe. “We continue to examine all aspects of the data and the results have been shared with building leaders and department heads so it can be used to help guide decision making at the district, school and department levels.”
