Parent Survey Themes 2017

Academics--Challenges
Challenges with accessing courses for graduation requirements and getting into classes kids need for graduation
Access to ATLAS as an outdoor program a challenge (too many students, too few seats)
Problems with start up every year
Lack of access to Counsellors -- need consistent messaging for what it takes to graduate and post-secondary
pathways as things change
Students put into electives they have no interest in because they have to fill a timetable
Lack of specialist teachers in place at the beginning of the year (Eg./ Math, languages)
There is little support for LD or ADHD. Despite lots of advocating, our experience was that most teachers did not
understand enough about ADHD to support. The LA room is understaffed. I expect that most of the school 'drop
outs' come from kids who feel terrible because they can't learn and they need to act out, as that is all they know
how to protect themselves
Some improvements needed - particularly where new curriculum has not begun (in some grade 9 classes) - too
much reliance by some teachers on old worksheets, old lessons, old textbooks, and/or old style of "stand and
deliver" without enough consideration of new curriculum's call for big ideas & competencies.
Assessment practices need to change in some classes - lack of opportunity for students to participate their own
assessment process, lack of transparency, reliance on old style testing methods, "this is what universities want" -
when many universities & colleges have changed to favour student input & participation.
Difficult in some classes for parents to get info on what students are learning/have learned (as well as connection
to curriculum), and difficult in some classes to get meaningful information in order to help children improve.
Paying for tutors for Math, accessing help for Math; lack of Math specialists, Math TTOCs
Sometimes DESK courses difficult to navigate or upload assignments; DESK is resigned to being underfunded
Students are not properly, and promptly, welcomed to DESK via a welcome email. Immediate communication
between course instructor & student does not happen at all. I would be looking at the rate of enrollment vs. lack of
success in DESK - and believe that improvements in these 2 points could snap things around.
Communication with parents a concern; access to teachers during parent teacher interviews -- not enough spaces
or time slots; Very poor teacher feedback on student's ongoing progress in a timely manner
Field trips and place based learning opportunities -- money for travel needed above sports teams
More acknowledgement of students who do well academically
Loss of Global Perspectives course, missing this student leadership program
Too much emphasis on testing, especially as part of overall course mark -- is this necessary?
I would like to see more flexible scheduling/options for school and students
Way too much emphasis on Math/Science and French Immersion. Nothing there for kids that want to pursue liberal
arts and be challenged in this area.. Really want to see an IB type path pursued.

Academics -- Celebrations
Many very skilled teachers who love working with students & take an interest in students. Some students go over
and above - working long hours with students and ensuring students understand and succeed. Many teachers are
utilizing place-based learning opportunities and are creating engaging assignments and opportunities for students
to learn, develop, and succeed. Many teachers are involved in clubs, programs, activities - this adds a great
dimension to increasing student engagement & connection with school. Thank you!
Teachers willing to help students outside of class time; available at lunch
A lot of the teachers really care about the students learning. One teacher, math updates the parents on a weekly
basis.
Great academic programs (AP, Sciences, etc.) and reputation
GIE Oaxaca experiential learning and travel opportunities
DESK has been helpful for getting courses my child needs
 My kids are enjoying their courses and teachers. Classroom teachers have had some flexibility to accommodate for
different needs. Administration has been very open to alternate delivery in order to acquire required credits.

Facilities -- Challenges & Celebrations

I feel that SD8 is not supporting the facilities with enough money to properly maintain the equipment and
infrastructure currently in place.
Children need more quiet study space. When suggesting they stay in school for spare periods to study they
complain every space is being used so much that there is little quiet study space.
Better access to learning technology and robust wifi a must; Technology access is
sub-optimal, with too many "dead" spaces in the buildings.
Poor fluorescent lighting
Poor s eating in some of the classes -- kids sitting in desks that are too small
Cafeteria doesnt have enough seats; need inviting space to eat lunch or eating lunch in stairwell because there
isnt room elsewhere
MP room can still be crowded at lunch
Tennis courts and upper field in disrepair; the school could use some maintenance. I'm thinking mostly about the
fields and courtyard.
School is clean, bright and welcoming for students & community. Classrooms are large & have great windows for
natural lighting (most classrooms). Library, media arts, band classroom, gymnasium, theatre & dance area are all
excellent learning spaces.
Courtyard area is under utilized & could become a much more engaging & useful outdoor classroom space (like a
performing arts outdoor space with covered stage, seating, etc...?)

Social Domain -- Challenges & Celebrations

Clubs and team sports -- lots of variety and opportunities to join things
The daily email seems to include lots of activities.
Would like to see athletes from a wider background recognized
Would like to see more school spirit, better assemblies
Concern about LGBTQ students feeling safe; pleased with the gender neutral inclusion work done in the
last two years; diversity and inclusion are good aspects; School is very safe for most students
Greater emphasis on incorporating international students socially -- they are on their own
A course on learning social and leadership skills is a must.
Little awareness for kids with social anxiety. Despite making people aware, my kid gets put on the spot in class and
it ruins her day
Clubs, groups, teams, diversity, safety, inclusion all working very well - lots of opportunities for many
students. Arts is vibrant and available for most students.
Celebrations & assemblies could be improved/increased - more celebrations of more students, updated
recognition/awards ceremony needed, more community building for grade groups would be beneficial. Definitely
need more opportunities for parents to be guests/part of celebrations & assemblies; Like the assemblies and
school spirit, intramurals and recreational leadership
Assemblies are well planned. The principal and other staff are well spoken. It's great how the school allows and
supports the students who create their own interest groups ie: The Debate Team
It would be nice to have parents invited to the school for a social evening on occasion.
Good balance. Much better communication from admin over the last year or two

It is challenging for some kids to move up to high school. It would be helpful to have more activities at
the beginning of the year to welcome the grade 9s to LVR and help their transition

Keep the Following:

Quality teachers, especially upper level specialist teachers
Caring teachers who understand kids
The space, most of the staff, the climate of community
Helpful and flexible administration
Warmth and good nature of the teachers and administration
Trades programs and Electives
Band, science labs, distance ed options.
Great gym, shops, kitchen, band, theatre, studio.
Good diversity of sports, community service and clubs to complement and generally good academic reputation
Good Teaching and Learning is...
Responsive, flexible, success-oriented, student-specific, and most importantly focussed on a curriculum that is
relevant to the future work world of the second half of the 21st century (as opposed to the education paradigms of
the second half of the 20th)
To me, good teaching is a teacher that is not task focused but student focused. Can teach a subject more than one
way so to reach all the students. Not all students learn the same so a good teacher finds ways to reach every
student so no matter the subject the students succeed. A tunnel visioned teacher or task focused plows through the
course load, yes that needs to get done but it tends to miss students. A good teacher sees the strengths of
students and builds on them and doesn't exploit their weaknesses but helps students work through those.When a
student comes home at the end of the day wanting to do more and loving a class that maybe they didn't think they
would like because the teacher knows and enjoys the subject and has good interactions with the students, that
feeling of energy shows a good teacher.
Students inspired to produce, create, and explore
Students are actively involved, connects to community, options for projects and going further, supports for students
with different paces, not just paper and pencil, but opportunities for leadership and positive impact in the world
Ownership of learning, innovation, not cookie-cutter, but not forgetting to master foundational skills.
Good learning to me is students showing up at class wanting to learn and being accountable to what they are being
asked to do. Students being challenged by the teacher to help them dig deeper, do the maximum instead of the
minimum, shows students are involved and learning in the class and wanting to learn. Students, again coming
home and talking about what they have learned in class and wanting to succeed is a sound and feel of good
learning.Teachers that truly want to teach, that can bring out the best in students. Good learning to me is students
showing up at class wanting to learn and being accountable to what they are being asked to do. Students being
challenged by the teacher to help them dig deeper, do the maximum instead of the minimum, shows students are
involved and learning in the class and wanting to learn. Students, again coming home and talking about what they
have learned in class and wanting to succeed is a sound and feel of good learning.
Healthy teacher and student relationships; support and understanding for students; teachers connected to their
students and who like kids and teaching; kids work harder for teachers they have a relationship with
Teachers who are engaged, caring, and approachable and open to new ideas
Please never use sarcasm, derision, or mock students
Knowing your students, understanding their differences, respecting them for who they are and challenging them to
meet their individual potential. Balance of quiet time and discussion.
Staff who are inspired and love what they teach--passion for subject that ignites the same curiosity in students;
Loving the subject you teach, each lesson you just cant wait to share what you know/learned with your students.
Re-invigorate the curriculum -- get rid of old worksheets; not just teach facts, but how to problem solve and learn to
learn
Flexible, but predictable -- some tests, quizzes, projects; kids sent home with good notes and prepared for exams
lack of support for high academic expectations - AP classes, honor roll, honours classes... I hear little support for
them and lots of talk about dropping final exams, grades, etc.
Delivery of material in multiple modes, including experience based opportunities
Children all learn differently; find out what your class and students like and try offer it -- field trips, documentaries,
experiential learning, etc.
Relationship. Creative. Challenging. Relevant. Engaged, attentive, motivated, effort. Caring. Engaged, inspired,
creative, excited
Teacher giving follow up on kids progress in their class and communicating with parents proactively
Classes that are organized but creative. Kids engaged and interested in the subject matter. Teachers respected
and competent.
Aha moments, making connections, relevance, inspirational & motivational is what good learning looks like
Working hard, going deep to find something new. Finding out that even if you dont like something you can
respect the act of learning, the goal of doing better.
Students who are taught to be empathetic and develop those skills--respect for themselves and others
Students provided with lots of opportunities to explore their passions, to provide significant input into their learning,
to excel (whatever that looks like), to become literate, participating, caring, compassionate members of society. All
students want to be at the school, all students safe, all students' talents & abilities supported & enhanced.
Good learning is making your best effort, requires your attention and focus, feels fun or at least interesting. Trying
something new, thinking outside the box and voicing your opinion, even if its different from others. Asking questions
when in doubt and feeling comfortable doing so. Respecting teachers, trusting their guidance. Feeling safe and
comfortable in classrooms.
Kids engaged in the meaning-making of what they are studying and the projects and assignments that they are
asked to complete. Clear assignment guidelines so that kids know what is being required of them, instead of just
getting a mark on a page with no explanation of "why or how" the mark was derived. Kids who are doing projects
that link to the world outside of the school environment. Having the opportunity to explore areas of interest or
passion.

Feeling connected to your subject. Being motivated, so you become self-motivated. Taking pride in your
work. Understanding why you are learning what you are learning - feeling that it is relevant.
Self-organisation (and being actively taught this skill)
Biggest Issues
LVRs FTE has been too tight LVR's FTE's have been too tight for last several years (staffing to max. class sizes
with no wiggle room), instability of whether French and Spanish will run each year and instability of whether smaller
courses will run each year (even before international students are enrolled), loss of global perspectives and social
justice courses which allow access of any students to a collective exploration of global and community issues
giving them huge opportunity to experientially learn about change processes and community development and
share this with the LVR community need for new socials text books (written early 2000's) to meet Truth and
Reconciliation standards, need to indigenize all subject areas/school community building /and school expectation of
respectful behaviors more integration of community resource people in the classroom to draw on expertise and
mentorship from community members
Can improve the Trades and Tech program offerings
The absolutely biggest issue for me at the school is the spoken hierarchy of learning and career or life choices. I do
not see it in the print material available on the school website with the pathways all laid out but I hear it and see it. It
is a society wide problem that does not originate at the school it is widespread perception that only the university
path is of value and all the rest are simply chosen if you cant do that one. I see it in how earth science or
communications or apprenticeship math are talked about. These are all courses that actually teach skills we need
in the workforce or general life but they are maligned and the students are seen to be in the dumb math, dumb
science, dumb english.I would give anything to see this changed.
poor course scheduling (systems, planning and timing), this cause too much unnecessary anxiety for students
Inadequate counsellor access for academic advising
Overcrowding in some classrooms; potential overcrowding with Grade 8s moving in
Drug/substance use; perception that it is being tolerated; Drugs during school hours, supporting kids instead of
shaming them.
Mindfulness is hugely missing! Teaching kids emotional intelligence and trust. Things they may not get at home.
Understanding diversity (gender and racism) for staff and students
Small size of Room 109 program to accommodate special needs students and class sizes that accommodate
students with special learning needs
Too big a focus on technology. Kids shouldn't have phones in class. Students have the power to read and write
without a screen and the school should focus on keeping the "realness" of powering your own
pen/pencil/charcoal/paintbrush.
Rising costs of education and graduation -- need access to scholarships and bursaries for more middle of the road
students
Cultural: a culture of subtle disrespect, diverse substance misuse and sexualization--need to clarify expectations /
increase self awareness and risk awareness / need for more counselling /need for a culture of greater self care and
stress management / increase awareness and resources for ACE's/an environment supporting teacher wellness/
increased TA support in classrooms/deepen adult support for girls group and boys group/ increased attention of
rites of passage integrated into learning processes
still see a few teachers being really narrow in how they view the scope of their course. Let's think about high school
as a time for kids to explore their options and to see how curricular strands interconnect
I can't believe how busy the administration is. Why do the leaders of the largest school look after so many other
places? Shouldn't they just look after LVR? I hear that other groups are moving into the building. What a terrible
idea. The school is full enough. Why the desire to pack it and change the lovely atmosphere.
Each student should have a primary teacher or councillor who follows them throughout their high school education.
Guides them. Helps them reach their goals. Builds a relationship with them. Helps find solutions to fill in the missing
gaps of their education... whether that is being under challenged and bored in class, or not progressing and
struggling. Its all about the relationships.
Need to diversify the upper levels curriculum to include more AP options in liberal arts (or IB) program. Grade 9
Career and Health needs to be revamped. There are good aspects to the course, but there is a lot of "deadwood"
there. A stronger volunteer and community piece would be beneficial to many students and really open the door to
new ways of thinking.
Attention on "what's wrong" rather than celebrating what's right. The few vocal adults have too much of a voice -
this totally discourages positive engagement by all, as well as taking the attention off our kids and their learning,
while sidelining the positive things that most staff are doing for & with our kids. Always putting students first, while
loudly and often celebrating the positives is paramount.
Dream Big
I say consolidate and do the basics well, then build from there
Start with the basics, give the kids the mandatory courses to graduate, then look at the bigger picture. Right now
the building blocks to get to the bigger picture are missing
Mandatory coding and teaching of computer science
Have more speakers on sexual abuse, racism, going after your dream. Encouraging speakers to have kids
motivated. More motivational speakers in life and sports, etc... Have more sports, try and get kids into sports of all
levels. Offer more tutors during school time and after school
Kids need real life skills. Keep doing stuff on conflict resolution, healthy relationships, banking, plus the academics
More international direct connections for our students to travel abroad for learning
Creating a sports or ski academy or flexibility for performance athletes who need to miss school; other types of
sports than competitive ones more lifelong fitness pursuits
Community dinners, multi-cultural inclusion
Everybody is so busy these days, making teachers available at different times would be great. Think outside the
box when it comes to turning out the best prepared students.
Linking with Selkirk College for post secondary opportunities
Alternative types of scheduling and use of building at different times of day
Strategic thinking, Problem solving, Neurochemistry/plasticity.
more opportunities to apply knowledge, work experience/co-op experiences, more timetable based leadership
courses/opportunities, less rigidity with academic streams - students should be able to create own paths such as
apprentice opps combined with academic opps. Trades and degrees should not be treated in isolation of each
other with no option to link.
Social media, cultural resiliency, self-regulation and community building/human connection should be embedded
into curriculum

Parents need to know that they are part of their childs educational success. The school needs to
welcome parents to learn about and support their childs education. The message I have found thus far
is that high school means students must now look after all aspects of their academics on their own. The
reality is that it is a rare 13-18 year old that is mature enough to do this successfully. Neurology shows
us that executive functioning skills are not complete until at least early 20s. Parents need to be
welcomed to be partners in their childs education.