Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Student Demographic Census page

Student Demographic Census

Student Demographic Census 2022 - "Your Voice Matters!" has been extended to Friday, May 13, 2022!

To access the census, click on the appropriate button below and simply enter your child’s Office 365 login information for a unique, age-appropriate, student specific link. If you do not have or forgot your child's login credentials, their teacher should be able to provide this information. Your census questionnaire will be connected to your child, but will not contain your child’s name or any identifiable information. If you have questions, click on the "?" button to email us.

Ministry of Education guidelines require elementary aged students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8, to complete the questionnaire in collaboration with a parent/guardian. Secondary aged students are encouraged to complete the questions independently, and may participate while at school.

About the Census
"Your Voice Matters!" BWDSB Student Census 2022 student created logo/slogan

Themed “Your Voice Matters!”, junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students are invited to participate in a voluntary questionnaire from April 19 to May 13, 2022. The findings will help to inform the important work that Bluewater District School Board is currently doing in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusive education by allowing us to:

better understand student populations and school communities;
identify and eliminate barriers to student success, inclusion, and well-being; and
establish effective programs and reallocate resources to where they are needed most.

While participation is voluntary, Bluewater District School Board is strongly encouraging students and families to get involved. The higher the completion rate, the more thorough and reliable the information will be for school improvement and program planning.

More information on Student Demographic Census 2022 is being provided to parents/guardians through their child(ren)'s school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Bluewater District School Board Student Demographic Census?

The census findings will help the board and our schools to: better understand student populations and school communities; identify and eliminate barriers to student success, inclusion, and well-being; and establish effective programs and reallocate resources to where they are needed most.

What types of questions are included in the Student Demographic Census?

The Student Demographic Census consists of multiple-choice questions about student identity, family characteristics, school experiences, and student well-being.

I have multiple children in kindergarten to Grade 8. Do I need to fill out a separate census for each student?

Yes, you will need to fill out a separate census for each child. Each questionnaire has a unique, specific code linked to each student.

Does my child need to be present when I fill out the questionnaire?

The aim of the Student Demographic Census is to capture the voice of all students. You are encouraged to complete the census with your child to capture their thoughts and experiences.

Do I need to answer every question on the census?

The Student Demographic Census is voluntary. You may choose to skip questions if you do not wish to provide answers or choose not to participate at all. However, it’s important to note that the higher the completion rate, the more thorough and reliable the information will be for system and school improvement and program planning.

How will my responses be kept confidential?

Your census questionnaire will be connected to your child using a unique, specific code and will not contain your child's name or any identifiable information. This confidential database will be accessed by authorized Bluewater District School Board staff only for analysis and research purposes. These steps comply with all privacy requirements outlined in the Anti-Racism Data Standards, the Education Act, and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The information gathered through the Student Demographic Census will be used for educational and research purposes only and is collected under the legal authority of the Anti-Racism Act and Education Act, in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

What is the difference between a confidential census and an anonymous census?

The Student Demographic Census is confidential, but it is not anonymous. Census questionnaires are labelled with a unique code linked to each student’s identification number. This unique code allows the board’s research team to analyze responses while also using other previously collected data (for example, address, languages spoken at home, grades, etc.), resulting in a more thorough understanding of Bluewater District School Board students. No personal identification, such as a student name or ID number, will appear on the questionnaire to ensure that the information remains confidential.

How will census data be used?

Once responses are processed and analyzed, Bluewater District School Board will produce a series of reports to help inform board and school decision-making for programs and instruction. Summarized data may also be shared with community partners and government agencies to help them improve their services to best meet the needs of their communities. Data reports or analysis will never single out a student. By law, Bluewater District School Board cannot reveal individualized information for any student/parent who completes the census.

If the data is being collected for the purposes of examining disparities between groups – how will the data be used and shared?

Once responses are processed and analyzed, authorized research and Information Communication Technology (ICT) staff from Bluewater District School Board will produce a report to help inform board and school decision-making for programs and instruction. Student census reports provide a glimpse into the realities of student life and help paint a clearer picture of the communities we serve. Bluewater District School Board is committed to using this valuable data to make the education experience for students the best it can be, with a focus on improving student outcomes, especially for those who have been historically underserved.

Summarized data may also be shared with community partners and government agencies to help them improve their services to best meet the needs of their communities. Bluewater District School Board plans to examine results to eliminate barriers to student success and well-being, and to create safe and inclusive learning environments and programs that meet student needs.

If the data is not personalized, will there be any link to individual student outcomes, such as grades and graduation rates?

The student census is confidential, but it is not anonymous. Online census questionnaires are labelled with a unique code linked to each student’s ID number. Those completing a paper copy of the census are asked to include the student’s Office 365 username, which will allow us to confidentially connect this data to the student’s ID number so that our data analytics team can analyze responses. The board may use other previously collected data (e.g., address, languages spoken at home, grades, etc.), resulting in a more thorough understanding of students. No personal identification, such as a student name or ID number, will appear on the questionnaire while the student is filling it out. This is to ensure that the information provided by students will remain confidential.

This confidential database will only be strictly accessed by authorized research and ICT staff for analysis and research purposes. These steps comply with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). School staff will only have access to suppressed data that cannot be used to identify individual students.

Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.

Bluewater District School Board

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Secondary

Bluewater's Student Demographic Census page

Student Demographic Census