In an effort to gather feedback and input from our Bulldog families regarding the reopening of schools, Olmsted Falls City School District conducted an online survey which was open from July 8th through July 19th. All parents and guardians received a direct link to the survey via email and were invited to participate. In total, 2,285 responses were received, with 2,104 of those being complete responses (meaning all survey questions answered).  

Our Reopening Committees will be using this data as a reference tool during the reopening planning process.  As a reminder, this survey for families was not a vote nor a selection of a method of instruction for any individual student.  Rather it was intended to help us gather information on the pulse of our school community as it relates to the reopening of school. 

Following is a summary of key results: 

• Of the total 2,285 responses: 44.55% had student(s) at OFHS; 35.8% had student(s) at OFMS; 23.54% had student(s) at OFIS; 31.29% had student(s) at Falls-Lenox; and 13.04% had student(s) at ECC.  (Please Note: These do not add up to 100% due to families having students in multiple school buildings.) 

• When asked about the kind of learning experience families desired, about 82% of parents indicated that they wanted some form of in-person learning. This ranged from a 5-days per week model to a hybrid approach. Overall, families prefer some form of in-person learning.

• Results were mixed regarding people's feelings on facial coverings. Ohio has required facial coverings for all adults in the school district and has made suggestions and recommendations for students. Facial coverings have become a highly disputed topic in the media and the district is required to create a Board Policy on them. At this point we are working through the components of that policy.

• Overall, as it relates to securing childcare: 51.17% were not at all concerned, 21.58% were somewhat concerned; 11.23% were concerned; and 16.03% were very concerned.

• As it relates to Distance Learning 2.0, 51.29% of our families rated this option as poor, while 19.37% rated it excellent and 29.34% rated it fair.

• As it relates to going to school all day, 5 days a week, about 31% think that's a poor idea; about 33% think it's an excellent idea; and about 36% aren't really sure (fair idea).

• In addition, when it comes to a hybrid model of students attending school in person two days per week, that option wasn't universally embraced either with about 25% rating it as  excellent; 42% rating it as fair, and about 32% rating it as poor.

• It appears that, overall across the district, about 14% of respondents want a distance learning option only - that is they do not want their student(s) attending school in person while the coronavirus is still present.  

• When ranking the various options overall, about 81% rated the hybrid model as a top or 2nd choice, whereas about 68% of respondents rated the 5-days per week option as their top or 2nd choice. 

• There was no agreement between respondents to the question that looked at K-5 separately and asked what parents thought about splitting the alphabet and going a.m. for one group and p.m. for the 2nd group.  

• Parent Top 4 priorities for Distance Learning are: 

  • Live meetings or lessons with teachers and smaller groups of kids (66%)

  • Live meetings or lessons with the teacher and whole class (46.81%)

  • Frequent feedback on student progress (47.90%)

  • Assignments that can be accessed and completed at the student's own pace (46.29%)

• Parent Top Priorities for Cleaning/Distancing Practices if in person are:

  • Limited classroom seating to maintain distancing between students (59%)

  • Staggering schedules to reduce crowding (54.5%)

  • Students remaining in class and teachers rotating between rooms (47%)

• TRANSPORTATION: 55% of families reported they'd use transportation, about 24% said "no" and 21% were unsure.

• CAFETERIA: The majority of respondents were comfortable with kids in the cafeteria but it didn't exceed 50% (it was 46%). About 16% of respondents said they were "very uncomfortable and wouldn't allow their students to eat in the cafeteria."

• TECHNOLOGY DEVICES: A vast majority of families have devices. 11% share a device with a caregiver and 8% have multiple children sharing 1 device.

• CONNECTIVITY: 85% reported a reliable connection; 12% reported access but it was slow; 23 respondents (about 1%) indicated they can only connect through a smartphone and 18 people (about 1%)  indicated they do not have access to the internet. The level of access could be over-reported because it was an online survey. 

• FOOD SECURE: About 95% of our families reported being food secure; 4% indicated they were okay, but rely on the district and about 1% need help.

• MENTAL HEALTH/WELL-BEING: 

  • On a 100 point scale of social-emotional well-being respondents indicated their children were about a 59. About 10% of families said their kids were ok, but they rely on the district for support. About 6% of families indicated they need support. 

To review the aggregate survey data for the district, please click on  the link below:

Olmsted Falls City Schools - District Aggregate Results