At Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board, we are committed to identifying and removing barriers so all students can achieve excellence in faith-filled, loving, safe, inclusive schools.
In our continued effort to learn more about our students, we are set to launch our second system-wide student census to collect identity-based demographic information and perception data in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan and Anti-Racism Act, 2017.
Quick Links
2024 Every Student Counts Census Rollout
In order to streamline data collection, we will be administering the 2024 census in two phases.
- Phase 1: Grade 7-12 – students will complete the student census in their classroom running April 29 to May 10, 2024. All Grade 7-12 students will be sent a secure link to the survey to their Board email and be provided classroom time to complete it. The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Phase 2: K-6 – parents/guardians of students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be asked to complete the census with or on behalf of their child(ren) in the Fall of 2024.
Opt-Out Process
As this is a voluntary census, we will be providing parents/guardians with a clear, and easy-to use opt-out process. Parents/Guardians of students in Grade 7 through 12 will be emailed an Opt-Out form on April 8, 2024. Didn’t receive the opt-out form? You can fill it out here. The opt-out deadline is April 19, 2024.
We encourage all families to review the content of this landing page carefully, including the sample questionnaire and the FAQ section, prior to opting out to understand why we are collecting this data and how we intend to use it. The better the completion rate, the more reliable and accurate the data will be, which will help us continue to improve learning outcomes for all students.
Every Student Counts – Why We’re Collecting Student Data
The data we gather provides insights on the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs of all our students and school communities. Our goal is to bridge opportunity gaps and to narrow achievement gaps, ensuring every student has the pathway to success.
The data will provide us with valuable information that will help to improve strategic planning, programming, and services with a focus on student achievement and engagement. Once fully compiled, this data will be shared with our school communities to help our communities better understand our population.
Your input will help to:
- Improve learning opportunities and outcomes for all students
- Make schools aware of, understand, and support the diversity of our students and families
- Increase student engagement
- Improve access to services
- Identify groups of students being underserved
- Eliminate barriers to learning
- Reduce challenges faced by some students and families
- Use resources to enhance programs and services
Together, We Build Stronger School Communities
A high completion rate will give the Board a more accurate representation to help with school improvement and program planning. Data collected in our 2021 census has been instrumental in strategic planning and policy development and has helped foster more equitable and inclusive learning environments.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The Student Census is confidential and voluntary, but not anonymous. Individual responses, and all personal student and family information will remain strictly confidential, protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information collected in the PVNC Catholic student census is under the authority of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, the Anti-Racism Act 2017, and in accordance with Section 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
PVNC Catholic has entered into agreement with Qualtrics to distribute our PVNC Catholic Census to students and families online.
Data is stored securely with Qualtrics and on internal PVNC Catholic servers, and will only be accessed by a small number of staff, in order to analyze the data.
Reports will never single out or identify a student or family. Data will only be reported in a summarized way to highlight our community’s needs.
Voluntary and Age-Appropriate
The Student Census is voluntary. Census questions are grade-level appropriate. Any family who is not comfortable having their child participate in the census may opt their child out during the opt-out period running April 8 to April 19, 2024.
Questions/Concerns?
If you have questions or concerns about the Every Student Counts PVNC Catholic Student Census, please contact [email protected] or call 1-705-748-4861 ext. 1241.