Thomasville City Schools
February 4, 2025
Overview
A survey was available to parents of students attending Thomasville City Schools. The survey was available in both English and Spanish. Parents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with statements in the following areas:
- School Safety and Physical Environment
- Communication with Parents
- Management of Student Behavior
- Diversity & Inclusion
- School Leadership
The graph below shows the percentage of responses by school.
School Environment & Safety
Parents responded to four (4) statements on the survey assessing their beliefs about school safety and physical environment:
- The school provides a safe and supportive environment for my child.
- My child feels safe on the school bus.
- The school’s physical environment is clean and well-maintained.
- My child feels safe at school.
The table below shows the percentage of responses by level of agreement with the statements.
| Question | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My child feels safe at school. | 1% | 7% | 63% | 29% |
| My child feels safe on the school bus. | 7% | 14% | 63% | 16% |
| The school provides a safe and supportive environment for my child. | 3% | 5% | 59% | 33% |
| The school’s physical environment is clean and well-maintained. | 0% | 1% | 62% | 37% |
Based on the survey data, parents’ greatest area of concern was the safety of their children on school buses. The following is a summary of parents’ comments:
Parents have expressed concerns about the safety of children on school buses. They are calling for proper training for bus drivers and a more stringent hiring process to ensure professionalism. Parents are also requesting the installation of audio in camera systems and the need for bus monitors to improve supervision. Bullying on buses is an issue according to parents. Parents are urging for better management of such incidents. Some parents are advocating for additional adult supervision on buses and suggest having a bus monitor present. There are also concerns about the inability of bus drivers to see everything that happens on the bus at all times, leading to worries about the safety of children.
Communication and Involvement
Parents responded to four (4) statements on the survey assessing their beliefs about communication and involvement.
- The school keeps me informed about my child’s progress and upcoming events.
- I feel comfortable contacting the school to ask questions or address concerns.
- The school provides clear and timely communication about important issues.
- The school offers opportunities for my child to participate in extracurricular activities.
The table below shows the percentage of responses by level of agreement with the statements.
| Question | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel comfortable contacting the school to ask questions or address concerns. | 1% | 12% | 42% | 44% |
| The school keeps me informed about my child’s progress and upcoming events. | 5% | 11% | 55% | 29% |
| The school offers opportunities for my child to participate in extracurricular activities. | 3% | 18% | 60% | 19% |
| The school provides clear and timely communication about important issues. | 5% | 10% | 53% | 32% |
Based on the survey results, parents were most concerned about their children’s opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities. Below is a summary of their comments.
The feedback suggests that there is an overemphasis on sports activities compared to other activities such as educational and arts clubs. There is a desire to hear more announcements about a variety of opportunities, including spelling bees, afterschool family nights, and learning instruments. Football, basketball, and soccer are highlighted as prominent sports, but it is noted that there should be more emphasis on a wide range of activities beyond just sports.
Behavior Management
Parents responded to three (3) statements on the survey assessing their perceptions of behavior management.
- The school promotes respectful and positive behavior among students.
- When disciplinary issues arise, they are handled fairly and appropriately.
- Bullying is effectively addressed at the school.
The table below shows the percentage of responses by level of agreement with the statements.
| Question | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullying is effectively addressed at the school. | 7% | 15% | 62% | 16% |
| The school promotes respectful and positive behavior among students. | 3% | 10% | 55% | 33% |
| When disciplinary issues arise, they are handled fairly and appropriately. | 4% | 15% | 62% | 19% |
Based on the survey results, parents were most concerned about bullying and that schools treat students fairly when resolving behavior issues. Below is a summary of their comments.
Bullying
The feedback highlights the importance of maintaining zero tolerance for bullying in schools and suggests being more attentive to signs of bullying. The feedback also emphasizes the need for prompt and appropriate action when bullying occurs, including believing complaints, listening to both sides of the story, and addressing bullying incidents immediately. The feedback also mentions the positive experience of feeling safe in schools where bullying is not a prevalent issue.
Fair Resolution of Behavior Issues
The feedback suggests implementing stricter consequences for middle school students who disrupt class, including requiring parents to come to the classrooms to address the issue firsthand. The feedback emphasizes the importance of handling disruptions promptly to prevent escalation and advocates for better training for staff to work with students with disabilities. Additionally, the feedback encourages using more security cameras as evidence, rather than relying solely on student accounts, and recommends avoiding including students’ names in communication to prevent further escalation of conflicts.
Diversity & Inclusion
Parents responded to three (3) statements on the survey assessing their perceptions about diversity and inclusion in Thomasville City Schools:
- The school fosters an inclusive environment where all students are treated fairly and with respect.
- The school embraces and supports diversity in its students, staff, and curriculum.
- I feel welcome at the school and encouraged to be involved in my child’s education.
The table below shows the percentage of responses by level of agreement with the statements.
| Question | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel welcome at the school and encouraged to be involved in my child’s education. | 1% | 10% | 58% | 32% |
| The school embraces and supports diversity in its students, staff, and curriculum. | 1% | 0% | 67% | 29% |
| The school fosters an inclusive environment where all students are treated fairly and with respect. | 1% | 10% | 62% | 27% |
The survey show that parents were most concerned about being included in their children’ education and about the environment of inclusivity in the schools Below is a summary of their comments in these areas.
The feedback indicates a call for equal treatment of all students without favoritism, a request for teachers to listen and not make assumptions, and a preference for addressing concerns in person. Additionally, it suggests that teachers should consider parents’ requests. The feedback provided indicates a frustration with the communication at the school, specifically mentioning difficulties in obtaining responses to emails and updates to contact information for Administration staff. They express feeling that their concerns are not addressed by the staff and mention that some staff members are welcoming while others are not.
School Leadership
Parents responded to four (4) statements on the survey assessing their perceptions about school leadership.
- The school provides opportunities for parents to be involved in school activities or decision-making.
- The school values and listens to the input of parents and the community.
- The school leadership is accessible and approachable.
- I am confident in the school’s leadership to make decisions that benefit students.
The table below shows the percentage of responses by level of agreement with the statements.
| Question | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am confident in the school’s leadership to make decisions that benefit students. | 7% | 10% | 59% | 25% |
| The school leadership is accessible and approachable. | 3% | 12% | 59% | 26% |
| The school provides opportunities for parents to be involved in school activities or decision-making. | 4% | 10% | 60% | 26% |
| The school values and listens to the input of parents and the community. | 7% | 10% | 60% | 23% |
The survey results show that parents have concerns related to school leadership. Here is a summary of their comments.
The feedback highlights the importance of promptly responding to calls and emails, updating school phone numbers with staff names, and handling situations directly without referring to others. It emphasizes the need for clear communication and availability from school staff, as well as the importance of effective leadership for the benefit of the children. Additionally, it mentions the frustration of not being able to contact the school principal when needed. The feedback indicates a need for better communication, responsiveness to issues and concerns, and listening to and addressing parent needs. There seems to be frustration with the perception that decisions are made without consideration for input or feedback from parents, and a lack of follow-through on promises to address issues. There is a desire for improved cooperation and understanding between the school administration and parents.
Summary
The table below shows a summary of parents’ responses by survey area.
| Area | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavior Management | 4.7% | 13.3% | 59.7% | 22.7% |
| Communication | 3.5% | 12.8% | 52.5% | 31% |
| Diversity & Inclusion | 1% | 6.7% | 62.3% | 29.3% |
| Leadership | 5.2% | 10.5% | 59.5% | 25% |
| School Environment | 2.8% | 6.8% | 61.8% | 28.8% |
In addition to responding to the statements related to the four areas. Parents were asked to respond to the following statement :
Overall, I am satisfied with my child’s school experience
The results show that 81% of parents either agree or strongly agree with this statement.
Parents were asked what they liked most about Thomasville City
Schools. A summary of their responses is below:
Parents appreciate the approachable and caring staff members, effective communication between teachers and parents, the opportunity for students to take classes at DDCC, and the diversity within the school. They also highlight specific teachers, mentioning how they have helped their children thrive. The staff is described as friendly, responsible, and welcoming, creating a safe and supportive environment for students. Parents also value the open communication channels with teachers and school administration, allowing them to address any concerns promptly.
Parents were also asked what Thomasville City Schools could do
to enhance students’ feelings of safety and belonging in school. The
following action steps were identified:
1. Immediate communication with parents regarding consequences: Establish clear communication protocols for informing parents about any disciplinary actions taken with their child. This could include phone calls, emails, or meetings as necessary.
Implementing metal detectors and increasing security measures: Consider the feasibility of installing metal detectors at all entrances and increasing security personnel to enhance safety in the school environment.
Sending students with behavioral issues to Bulldog academy: Explore the option of referring students with behavioral challenges to designated programs or resources such as Bulldog academy for additional support.
Enforcing stricter consequences for disruptive behavior: Review and update the school’s disciplinary policies to ensure that there are consistent and fair consequences for disruptive behavior.
Improving communication with parents: Enhance communication channels with parents through regular updates, newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, and utilizing technology for efficient communication.
Enhancing bus safety and bullying prevention measures: Implement training programs for bus drivers and staff on handling bullying incidents and improving safety protocolson school buses. Additionally, develop and implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies that promote a safe and inclusive school environment for all students.
Increasing the use of Saturday school for improved learning: Consider offering Saturday school programs to provide additional academic support and enrichment opportunities for students who may benefit from extra instruction or intervention.
Better teacher-parent communication: Facilitate regular communication between teachers and parents through parent-teacher conferences, progress reports, and open lines of communication to address any concerns or issues promptly.
Increased attentiveness to student actions: Train staff to be vigilant and observant of student behavior, recognizing early warning signs of potential issues and intervening proactively.
Installation of more cameras throughout the school: Evaluate the need for additional surveillance cameras in strategic locations within the school premises to enhance security and monitoring capabilities.
Additional support for special needs children: Ensure that students with special needs receive appropriate support services, accommodations, and individualized education plans to meet their unique learning needs.
Addressing bullying and disrespectful teacher behavior: Develop a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and disrespectful behavior, providing training for staff on promoting positive behavior and fostering a respectful school culture.
Improving drop-off routines: Implement efficient and organized drop-off procedures to ensure student safety andsmooth traffic flow during arrival and dismissal times, minimizing congestion and creating a safer environment for students and parents.
Providing more attention to non-English speaking students: Offer additional language support services, translation resources, and culturally responsive practices to better meet the needs of non-English speaking students and their families.
Coordinating bus services: Improve coordination of bus services to ensure timely and efficient transportation for students, addressing any issues related to scheduling, routes, and communication with parents.