Allenby Parents Association:
Parent Satisfaction and Spending Priority Survey
January 2013
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Background and Methodology
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Background
The Allenby Parents' Association
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The Allenby Parents’ Association (APA) is a parent-run organization that aims to enhance the education
experience of all students attending Allenby Public School. Any parent who has a child(ren) attending
Allenby Public School is, by default, a member of the APA.
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The APA meets on a monthly basis to discuss issues pertaining to community awareness, fundraising,
health and safety, home and school communications and school programs. All APA events and activities
are planned with the needs and wishes of the majority in mind, while supporting the inclusion of all
Allenby students.
Overview of the APA Satisfaction and Spending Priority Survey
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At the June 2012 APA meeting, it was suggested that the APA undertake a survey of the Allenby parent
body to determine:
– Overall parent satisfaction with various APA funded programs and the school in general; and
– Parent spending priorities for the upcoming 2 to 4 years.
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At the same time, the APA became aware that the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) requires a survey
of the Allenby parent body be completed in order to determine the level of parent support and interest in
fundraising for a major capital improvement project. The survey results, in addition to parent willingness
to provide a $10,000 commitment of APA funds, are necessary for the TDSB's to provide support and
resources for an Allenby field restoration project.
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Methodology
Survey Design and Response
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In September 2012, an APA Survey Committee was formed. Members of the committee included Jordanna
Bernstein, Lisa Parker, Shannon Phillips and Heidi Wilson. This committee was responsible for creating a
draft version of the survey. The draft was then vetted through participants of the October 2012 APA
meeting as well as the APA Executive Committee.
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An objective third-party market research firm , Market Probe Canada, agreed to administer a modern,
environmentally friendly, highly efficient, online version of the APA Parent Satisfaction and Spending
Survey free of charge.
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All parents whose email address is included in the Allenby Public School Family Directory were invited to
participate in the online survey. One reminder was sent to all non-responders 3 days before field closed.
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The survey was launched on December 6th, 2012 and was open to the parent body until December 21st.
All individual responses were gathered and held anonymous by Market Probe Canada, and all data
tabulation and results were presented back to the APA Survey Committee in aggregate format.
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This consensus-style sample generated a base size of 216 respondents. Removing multiple responses from
the same family, there are 201 out of 590 Allenby families who responded, yielding a response rate of
39%. For this population, it is reasonable and reliable to draw conclusions from these results, with the
knowledge that they are representative of the parent body.
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All rating scales used a 10-point scale. “Top 3 Box” refers to the percentage of respondents who gave a
high rating of 8, 9 or 10, out of 10. We allowed the option of “N/A” or “don’t know” for most questions.
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Satisfaction with Programs
and
Allocation of APA Fundraising Dollars
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Allenby Parents’ Overall Satisfaction with
School Programs and Condition of the Supplies
Satisfaction (Top 3 Box %)
In-Class enrichment programs
Quality of Field trips
Character Education Programs
Book inventory in the Library
Technology in the classrooms
School Wide enrichment programs
Classroom supplies
Computer lab in the Library
Condition of the playground equipment
Gym equipment
Outdoor physical landscape
Non-book supplies in the Library
Indoor physical landscape
Physical in-class environment
Condition of the field
59.7
57.9
54.7
50.3
48.7
42.9
36.1
35.4
32.7
31.5
26.5
24.4
18.3
12.6
3.8
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
Q1: First, how would you rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following features of Allenby School?
60.0
70.0
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We asked about areas they found unsatisfactory.
Parents tell us…
I find the lack of technology
(computers, iPads or tablets, etc.)
disappointing. These kids should
be exposed to electronics as soon
as entering school in Jr.
Kindergarten so that they stay
ahead of the curve.
cannot really call the
field a play area, more
of a mud bowl.
The school appears very run down,
indoors and out. The paint on the walls,
the safety strips on the stairs, classroom
curtains, stage curtains, etc. all appear
very worn out
The grass area has been
replaced yearly with new sod,
by the time the school year
ends, it turns into mud, and
once again requires attention.
This has been going on for as
long as my children have been
attending.
Condition of field is unacceptable.
Children should have proper grass or
turf to run and do outdoor activities
without being covered in mud.
Books seem to
generally require a
refresh. When
pages are taped
and taped over, it
takes a bit away
from the reading
experience..
my kids won't
use the
bathrooms, says
they are gross
Field is too
small for the
number of
students in the
school and in
very poor
condition. The
classrooms
should ALL have
proper fans for
the warmer
months.
Q2: For areas where you rated an item as unsatisfactory, can you name the item and give us specific feedback for improvement?
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Allenby Parents’ tell us how the APA should be
allocating its fundraising dollars (1 of 2)
Interest in APA Spending (Top 3 Box %)
Math Programs
74.6
Scientist in the classroom
68.4
Replacing the field with artificial turf
68.0
Literacy Programs
63.5
Smart boards in the classrooms
61.1
Artist in the classroom
59.9
Extracurricular activities not covered by staff
59.4
Physical classroom environment
58.7
Computer lab in the Library
58.4
Books for the Library
56.0
Lice checks
56.0
Gym Equipment
53.9
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
Q3: When funding comes from parents and/or the community, how interested are you in allocating APA funds to the following features
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of Allenby School?
Allenby Parents’ tell us how the APA should be
allocating its fundraising dollars (2 of 2)
Interest in APA Spending (Top 3 Box %)
Musician in the classroom
53.8
Lice checks
53.1
Lunchroom supervision
49.7
Character education programs
49.0
Musical instruments in the classroom
48.5
Field re-sodding
45.3
Improving the playground equipment
45.2
Field trip support
37.9
Supporting a needy Sister School
30.8
Grade 6 graduation ceremonies
28.5
Physical landscape improvements
24.6
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
Q3: When funding comes from parents and/or the community, how interested are you in allocating APA funds to the following features
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of Allenby School?
How the Allenby Parent Community would like to
allocate $1,000 of discretionary fundraising dollars
Q8: If you had $1000 to spend at Allenby in the next two years, how would you allocate the funds? (Finite List to Select from)
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Supporting the
Allenby Parents Association
Involvement and Participation in
APA Fundraising Events and Meetings
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Parents tell us they are willing to support
Allenby School through Events and/or Donations
Q10: If you were to support fundraising projects at Allenby, would you prefer to make a cash donation or participate
in a school-based event?
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APA Meetings:
Getting more Parents Involved
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52% of Families who had a child at Allenby last year, did not attend a single APA
meeting. This means that we need to continue to rely on communications from
class parents, the AllenBeat, and the APA website to message the Parents
5% of those surveyed did not have a child at Allenby last school year
43% of Family representatives attended at least one meeting last school year
On average, a parent attended the APA meetings 1.3 times last year
Q11: How often were you able to attend regularly scheduled monthly APA meetings in the past year?
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APA Meetings:
Why Parents don’t attend APA Meetings
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Not surprising, time constraints are the top reason Parents don’t attend the APA meeting
Some may attend if they were convinced they would add value (27%), others believe they
don’t have experience (10%)
Q12: Why were you not able to attend more meetings? (multiple responses allowed)
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APA Communications:
Website and AllenBeat
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As an environmentally conscious school, the APA should consider supporting and updating
the APA website on a more frequent basis, using it to communicate, inform and guide parents
about school events
93% of the Parent community visited the APA website in the past year
Of those surveyed, 89% recall receiving the AllenBeat email that is sent each week
7% would like to be added to the AllenBeat distribution list (email addresses were sent to the
individual who deploys that email)
Q13: In the last 12 months, how often have you gone to visit www.allenbyparents.com for information?
DRAFT ONLY
Q14: Do you receive the Allenbeat email that is sent out each week?
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Optional Lunch Program
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68% of Families would be Quite Likely or Very Likely to participate in a lunch
program offered by a vendor that provides a nutritious lunch
One in five Parents are not likely to support this initiative
Q15: How likely would you consider participating in a lunch program, where you could buy a nutritious lunch for
DRAFT ONLY
between $5 and $8 per meal?
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Allenby Field
Parents’ Willingness to
Support Field Restoration
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The Allenby School Field: Spring 2012
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Allenby Field:
Satisfaction and Willingness to Support Restoration
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Among all programs and conditions measured, condition of the field rated the lowest, with a
“very satisfied” rating of 3.8%
Satisfaction (Top 3 Box %)
Condition of the field
3.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Q1: First, how would you rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following features of Allenby School?
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When asked about their interest in how to allocate fundraising, field restoration with artificial
turf rated higher than most attributes tested.
Interest in APA Spending (Top 3 Box %)
Replacing the field with artificial turf
Field re-sodding
Improving the playground equipment
Physical landscape improvements
68.0
45.3
45.2
24.6
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Q3: When funding comes from parents and/or the community, how interested are you in allocating APA funds to the following features
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of Allenby School?
Allenby Parents are Personally Invested in
Field Restoration
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Allenby families support personally financing Field Restoration with Artificial Turf versus Sod,
1.5:1
75% of parents would personally donate to an Artificial Turf project
However, 18% of parents have a very low likelihood (1 or 2) of personally donating to field
restoration in Artificial Turf, and 36% are not likely to personally donate to Sod restoration
(results not shown)
To date, the APA has allocated $10,000 in its budget to Field Restoration
Q5-6: How likely are you, personally, to support targeted fundraising for the field, such as re-sodding/artificial turf, with a
donation of up to $50?
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Discussion
Next Steps
DRAFT ONLY
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The sample reflects a reasonably balanced view
of the Allenby School population
D1. How many children in your household attend Allenby?
1 child
2 children
3 or more children
Average
40%
52%
8%
1.7
D2. What grade and program does your child/children attend? (Grade, English/French)
JK
SK
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th & 6th
English
36%
16%
30%
19%
18%
20%
26%
French
n/a
34%
28%
29%
19%
23%
28%
Program
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