Many thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our community PTSA survey. We had 120 responses and truly appreciate the feedback we received as a result of your comments. We used the survey results to prioritize and incorporate many of your suggestions into our planning and budgeting for next year. Some of the feedback you provided included the following:
COMMUNICATIONS: In general, those who responded to the survey felt well informed about PTSA events and activities. 96% responded “yes” to feeling adequately informed. In addition, the most effective forms of communication are the Coyote Howler, the Coyote Connection, and class newsletters/email. This is great news for us because over the years, we have consciously moved away from paper communications in favor of electronic means of providing information. I invite everyone to continue to spread the word and encourage your friends to utilize the website and to read the weekly Coyote Connection and monthly Coyote Howler emails.
PRIORITIES: In our survey, we asked you to rank the various Curriculum and Community Programs that we have funded through the year. Having this information is key for us in planning for the coming year, and according to your answers, generally, we have been focusing on the areas that are important to you. Based on the priorities that were highlighted in the results, we will continue to fund the Arts & Science Grants, Instructional Support, and Staff General Grants, among others. We will also continue to focus on Student and Community programs such as the Science Fair, Eager Reader, and Festival of Cultures. We also heard that our community recognizes the value of supporting and appreciating our staff, and we will continue to encourage and support that.
KEEP DOING WHAT WORKS: We are such a lucky group at Cascade Ridge in that we have an amazing staff and community that are very involved, dedicated, and committed to supporting our students to be all they can be, and obviously all that we do is a broad community effort. We plan to keep offering the quality programs that you have come to
expect, and based on your feedback we will continue to focus on the areas that are viewed as important.
We also surveyed our school staff to get their valuable feedback as well. We heard back from over 30 staff members and we received good information regarding the value of the support and programs that the PTSA provides for them as well. The results told us that we are providing positive support to the needs of the teachers and the students and we know what areas we need to continue to focus to provide the best possible support to our kids during their time at Cascade Ridge.
Finally and as always, I invite you to continue to provide feedback regarding what you consider important and I welcome your thoughts. Please do not hesitate to drop me an email (deannewking@live.com) with any feedback or contact any of our current or upcoming Board members.
