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WS/FCS Back to School 2020-2021
Employee Survey

Note: The following survey is for employees of the WS/FCS and is meant to focus on the employee perspective. If you are also a parent within WS/FCS, please consider taking both the employee and parent surveys. You can access the parent/student survey here.

 

We are continuing to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on our students, families, teachers, staff and administrators. As we prepare for what education will look like during the upcoming school year, your voice will play an important role in developing our plan for the 2020-2021 school year. In March 2020, we implemented a significant number of changes to our operations and methods of teaching and learning in order to continue to provide services.

 

We need to know what worked well and what needs to improve. We also need to understand how you feel about a variety of possibilities that may or may not be a part of next year’s operations, things like staggered schedules that allow for social distancing, a school year that provides more time to properly disinfect classrooms, or periodic shifts between traditional and remote learning based on rates of COVID-19 infection over the fall and winter. We also want to learn more about the challenges our employees and their families are facing so that we can better leverage our community partnerships to meet those targeted needs. While nobody can predict with certainty what the fall will bring, your feedback is invaluable as we prepare to best serve students, families, and employees of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Thank you for taking time to complete this survey.

1.Please select ALL that apply:
2.I currently work or will be working at the following school/s or buildings during the 2020-2021 school year.

(check ALL that apply):
In this survey, we use the term remote learning to refer to classroom instruction that happens outside the classroom- most commonly in the home using a tablet (Chrome Book, iPad or equivalent), laptop or desktop home computer. In-school learning refers to classroom instruction at school.
3.We’d like to hear more about your experience with remote learning this spring.

How successful were the following things for you and your student/s?
Unsuccessful
Significant Challenges
Minor Challenges
Successful
Not Applicable
I did not know about this
Updates from the district and school related to COVID-19
Development of daily learning schedules for remote learning
Development of content/curriculum for remote learning
Use of PowerSchool Parent Portal/Student Portal to connect with parents/guardians about student progress and class happenings
Providing access to learning content on tools such as Powerschool, Class Dojo, Remind, Google Classroom, etc.
Video conference instruction delivered via Microsoft Teams for example
Technology or instructional support from WS/FCS (i.e. hotline, tech support desk, etc.)
Instruction/accommodations for students with IEPs
Instruction/accommodations for EL and AIG students
Translators to assist with communicating with families whose first language isn’t English
4.Please feel free to add any other thoughts on things that have worked well or have not worked well since the system closed on March 16, 2020 for in-person instruction.
5.Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is committed to providing a learning experience this fall that is safe for all students and staff. We cherish the learning and relationships that occur in our schools and classrooms but acknowledge that some remote learning may again be necessary in the fall. This may mean alternating between in-school and remote learning, or it could mean that the school year starts with full remote learning like this spring.

How concerned are you about each of the factors below as you or your student/s return to work on-site and school in the fall?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not at all concerned
Not applicable
My health and risk of exposure to COVID-19 at school
On-site school sanitation and safety protocols related to COVID-19
My ability to support student learning/do my job from home
Direct communication with teachers when children need academic support
My students’ access to a reliable computer/internet connection at home
Availability of child care or dependent care
My students’ academic and social/emotional growth
Receiving accurate and timely information from district/school, government or medical experts regarding the virus
Job security
My need to physically return to work when I am high risk or I live with a high-risk individual
Support to enable my special needs students to return to school safely
Transportation of staff children between sites
6.If we must continue remote learning in the fall, what challenges or needs do you (our employee) anticipate you will have?
Not a challenge
Minor challenge
Moderate challenge
Significant challenge
Computer/laptop and Internet access
Using software or applications
Household essentials
Physical health
Mental health
Child care or other dependent support
Eldercare
Safety concerns - I am high-risk or am living with someone who is at high risk for developing severe illness as a result of COVID-19 due to age or certain underlying medical conditions
7.What supports/training should we consider to help remove these barriers for remote working or in order to return to the workplace?
8.Which safety measures do you want to see allowed in the workplace, whether implemented/provided by WS/FCS or by individual employees?
Yes
No
Unsure
Required masks
Face shields
Employer-provided masks or face shields
Individual hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer stations
Additional hand washing areas/stands
Shoe covers
Disposable gloves
Daily disinfection of work areas/common areas
Physical-distancing protocols
Staggered shifts/breaks/days in office
Daily employee health screening (temperature check, etc.)
Employer testing for COVID-19
Increased telecommuting
Detailed protocols for handling workplace exposures
Limited business travel
Visitor health screening
Not allowing visitors in the workplace
Plexiglass barriers between co-workers/others
Doors that remain open or can be opened with a hands-free device
Foot traffic directional signs to maintain social distancing
Meetings that are more than one person to take place virtually or based on size of conference room and ability to maintain social distancing
9.Scheduling and traditional school calendars are not likely to look the same as holidays and breaks may look different. Below are some possibilities we might implement in order to ensure the safety of all students and employees based on how the pandemic unfolds. For each possibility, please select whether you would consider it for yourself or your student/s.
I would support this possibility
I’m unsure about this possibility
I would not support this possibility
Adding additional instructional time for some students who need additional support
Condensed term - limited breaks in the fall to allow for longer winter break (following some university models)
Alternate between in-school and remote learning or work schedules on different days of the week
Alternate between in-school and remote learning or work schedules on different weeks of the month
Non-traditional daily schedules
Split students into smaller groups that alternate between in-school and remote learning
10.If we must close school buildings again in the future, what is the best way for the district to contact employees? (Check ALL that apply)
11.How much advance notice do you need to prepare to come to work on-site?
12.If you are a manager, how many people do you manage and which positions do you feel could work fully from home, in a hybrid model, or need to be fully on-site? Please explain.
13.If you are a manager, do you think your team needs a staggered schedule with other teams? If so, what do you recommend?
14.Based on what we currently know about the pandemic, please indicate your willingness to return to work under the following conditions, understanding that we will have to be fluid in our response.
I would return to work
I am unsure about returning to work
I would not return to work
Fully on-site learning
Hybrid (Part on-site, Part remote)
Fully Remote Learning
15.What else would you like us to know about your unique situation? What other feedback do you have that you would like us to consider as we plan for the next school year?
 
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this survey!