Click below for real testimonials about the benefits of the Wellness Survey from a students point of view.
Marsing School District Promotes Youth Well-being Survey
Marsing, Idaho; September 6, 2024 – As part of an ongoing effort to support well-being for youth in Marsing, the Marsing School District is working on another year of survey data collection.
Understanding how students in Marsing are experiencing well-being can help the community provide them with better means of support. With permission from their parents, students have the opportunity to take the survey and have their collective voice heard. Participating in this effort has proven to be powerful already – survey data has helped bring in over $1 million dollars to Marsing schools and, in just three years, depressive symptoms in our middle and high students has gone from 66% to 24%!
"At Marsing, we believe in empowering our students by listening to them," said Norm Stewart, Superintendent of Marsing School District. "The Wellness Survey has been a critical tool in identifying student needs and securing essential resources to support their well-being. Thanks to this data, we've been able to invest over $1 million into programs that directly benefit our kids, and we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in depressive symptoms as a result. Our commitment to student wellness grows stronger each year, and we encourage all parents to help by allowing their students to take part in this important survey."
The one million dollars in grant support has been used to support youth after school activities, the school nurse, counselors, drug and alcohol prevention, the HUB and community school coordinators, and much more. These programs and services are all at risk without yearly survey data.
“In the grant writing world, funders expect schools to provide valid data that justifies their request for money,” said Ken Price, 21st CCLC and Early Learning Director. “In my twenty years of writing grants for Marsing, funders want proof that we really need the money we are requesting. Student and Parent Surveys that provide data to bolster our request for money always makes the difference if we get funded. Valid data= Grant Awarded!”
As Marsing schools move into a new academic year, it is important that as many parents as possible provide their permission for their teen to participate. The more teens who take the survey, the more confident we can be that the results represent all our kids. Parental consent is required, but rest assured that the survey will be conducted during advisory period or during time that is dedicated to the survey. This means no instruction time is missed! Additionally, surveys are completely anonymous and confidential so no one will ever know how your child answered.
If you are the parent/guardian of a student at Marsing Middle or High school, provide permission for your child to participate here. Your youth are counting on you!