Christian Education Survey Results

Below are the results of the Sunday School questionnaire that was sent out in May 2009.  There were 23 evaluations returned.  Not everyone answered every question so the numbers will not add up.

 

1.   Please indicate the number of children you have in each grade.

         Pre K__5__     K_4__     1__1__     2__5__     3__5__     4__9_     5__2__

 

2.   What do you hope your child learns by attending Sunday School?

       1.  To be a good person, to recognize that we make mistakes and can earn forgiveness.  To be a good citizen of our community and of God.

        2.  Bible Stories.  Friendship.  Caring.

        3.  Fun.  Bible characters

        4.  Familiar with Bible stories

        5.  Basics of religious education

      6.  A sense of her place in the spiritual/ethical world

      7.  Bible Stories

      8.  That the Bible is a reflection of stories that teach us how to deal with each other on earth.

        9.  God loves them.

      10.  Social skills, mostly, but also understanding how religions influence culture, values, ethics as he gets older.

     11.  I hope she learns about the Bible, God and Jesus.  But I also hope she learns a bit about applying Christian lessons to life.

       12.  How important it is to be kind and serve others less fortunate than ourselves.

       13.  Some of the basic ideas of Christianity and collective responsibility.

       14.  Good Christian values

       15.  Bible stories and their meanings.

       16.  Christian values, develop friendships, teamwork, learn about religion(s) and how the teachings of the church apply to real life.

        17.  Christian values; working well with peers; mission projects

        18.  I hope he would have a strong understanding of God and the church and how they should influence us everyday.

         19.  A little about the Bible.   What it means to be a good person.

 

     Is the program meeting your expectations?        Yes_22___      No_____

           If no, how can we improve it?

      Comments: Yes, mostly -2

                          Not sure, I never got much of a report from her!

 

3.   Do you like Sunday School during worship or would you like it at a different time, and if so when?

          During worship   ___23__           Different time______    at _____________

 

4.   Does you child attend regularly?      Yes   18___      No__3___ Seasonally

           If no, what are the factors that prevent regular attendance?

         1.  Out of town family functions, activities children are involved in, such as skiing, soccer, etc.

           2.  Family schedule

         3.  Our ski schedule.  He’s there in Fall and Spring, not as much in winter.

           4.  It’s our own ability to get out the door.  10:45 is tough for all of us.

 

Comments: Whenever church doesn’t conflict with other family obligations (checked yes)

  

5.  All the classes did not use the same curriculum, especially this spring.   Should all classes use the same

              curriculum?                 Yes __4__            No __15__

Comments:       No opinion -2

                   No, not necessary

                        Different perspectives are good (checked no)

                   Yes, as long as it’s age appropriate

      The units this year covered the same subject for several weeks.   Was too much time spent on one subject?    

                                                 Yes____             No__21_

 

6.  Do you think your child learned enough about the Bible?   Yes__17__      No____     No opinion

     Comment: Could be more.

                        Not sure

     Which is more important?

              Learning the details of a Bible Story______   or   Learning the meaning in the story   __22__

              Both   1

 

 7.   Do you feel that what your child learned was relevant to today’s world?   Yes__18__    No ____

       Not sure

       Hard to say with kindergarten

       ?  I only know the theme of the units, not exactly what was taught. (Nothing checked)

 

8.  Was the synopsis of each unit in the Church Family sufficient or would you like more information about what your child is learning?       

                    Yes __15__      No, need more information   __6__

Comments: Not sure I know what “Church Family” is.  A report?  A newsletter?

     

     What is the best way to get the information to you?  _E-mail-7; Child -1; Mail- 4; From the Sunday School teacher-1; handouts at church-1; newsletter-4; printed material-1; phone call-1;  Newsletter given out or sent to church school families -1

 

9.   Most classes did a craft each week.   Are crafts important?  Yes_ 14___      No__6__     Middle   2

      Comment: In the earlier grades

                       Don’t know

                       The crafts really motivate my child and keep him interested.

                       Yes, but not always necessary.  Games, discussions matter more.

                       No, crafts have become this generation’s busy work

     Do you like it when your child brings something home?      Yes__17__      No__3__   Ambivalent -2

            Not necessary all the time.

          Yes, but not necessary

 

10. During Advent the children spend at least half of every class time practicing for their Christmas program.  Do you think this takes too much time from the classroom?      Yes___1__           No__ 22___   

 

           Should they practice at a different time?     Yes__1_      No___ 22_

               If yes, when?  ___________________________

         

Comments: Great job by Ralph Hays

              They are still learning while rehearsing.

  

11. This year we did not do a separate children’s communion service.   Should the children have a special  communion service occasionally during the year?    Yes _16___    No _3___ Don’t know      Don’t care

                     Yes, as long as they truly understand why they do it.

 If yes, how many times.  1 (2)     1 or 2 (1)     2 (5)     2 or 3 (1)   3 or 4 (2)     ? (1)

                     Once each season - Fall, winter and spring

                     Every other month

                 If possible (nothing checked)

 

12.  This year some of the classes did a mission project where they brought in items or extra money.   Is doing a mission project important?     Yes     21___      No____

 

        Comment: This is something I’d like to see at another time, e.g. community service project - plant flowers/ garden, help someone, go to nursing home and sing, etc.

 

           Are the children asked for too much throughout the year, such as OGS, UNICEF?

             Yes __3_    Once is enough        No__18_

          Sometimes

             Comment: No, not if it is not expected that all families participate in all fund raisers.

 

13.   Is snack in Sunday school necessary?      Yes__12__       No___10_

           

            If yes, should dates be assigned so everyone takes a turn?   Yes__6__     No__4__

                Assignments would be helpful, it’s one less thing to think about.  Give out a class list and make it the parent’s responsibility to switch with another parent if the date doesn’t work.

 

            Do you prefer to sign up?    Yes___14_      No__1__

           

            Comment: In moderation

                           Snack is motivational for my child.  Signing up would allow you to sign up for a date you know you’ll attend.  Parents could also send in a box of snacks to be used at the teacher’s schedule.

                            Snack isn’t necessary, but it’s a good time for the students to get to know one another.

                             No, but they seem to like it.

                             No, but it’s nice.

 

14.   Was your child’s teacher well prepared?      Yes__21_      No____   I don’t know!

 

        Was your child’s teacher competent?            Yes__21__      No____   I don’t know!

 

        Was your child’s teacher caring and understanding?     Yes__22__    No____

                       Yes, very

 

Should a class have: the same teacher all year __7___, different teachers __1____, either   __13__?                           Comment:    Quality matters most

                     The same teacher provides consistency but may not be realistic.

                     Younger kids need the consistency

                 Okay to have 1 or 2.  I think it would get complicated to have different teachers.

                     Whatever works best for all.

 

Should a class have: a different teacher each year __1____, same teacher __2____, either ___14_?

 Comment:   Ideally the same teacher (but checked either.)

                    I leave that to the folks in charge of staffing.  (Nothing checked)

                Whatever works best for all.

 

Would you be willing to teach Sunday School?  Yes __1__      No__11__      Maybe__5__

                  Over next year will help out (off & on) with youth group.  

                  Maybe with someone else as partner 

                     I’m a terrible teacher

                     Maybe substitute when needed

                     Maybe, but not the whole year.

                     Not at this time

                     Will do babysitting/ toddler room

 

Additional comments about your child’s teacher or any teacher: 

1.  We are very happy with the education program at PNECC!  We understand and appreciate that these are all volunteers willing to take the time to educate our children and make it fun!  Thank you.

2.  They were great.

3.  Great job, Ralph.  Amazing preparation and follow thru.

4.  Ralph Hays is great.

5. Miss Chiquitta was loved by Katie and Jillian did a great job with the group,

6.  Mr. Hays has great patience and kindness in his teachings of the Bible and innovative ideas for the children to do.

7.  Mrs. Alexander is great- Kindergartners seem mostly to be interested in play, which is age appropriate.

8.  Miss Chiquitta is great.

9.  I think they’re wonderful and dedicate a tremendous amount of time/energy.  THANK YOU!!!

10.  I don’t understand parents having to teach their child’s class every year.  I think this should be discouraged.  Teaching your own child’s class for one year is sufficient.  I don’t mind different teachers but too many teachers in one year may be distracting.

11.  She made going to Sunday school enjoyable for my son- he always felt good at the end.

 

15. What about Sunday school would you like to have:

                   Changed:__Fewer crafts; often they’re just busy work and end up in the trash.  If crafts are done, they should be made from recycled items.  Crafts also feed into the consumer mentality.  Kids need to learn that you don’t always have to get something for an experience to be meaningful.

                  

                  Included    Children’s offering  every week - their own envelopes .

 

              Deleted____________________________________________________________

 

 Additional comments about ANY part of the program:

1.  We are so lucky to be here.

2.  Continue with Highway 66 in 4th grade.

3.  When I ask my daughter about Sunday School, the only thing she remembers is the craft which she loves.  Sorry, whatever lesson is taught just gets lost in her six year old head.

4.  Overall good job.

 

This evaluation is:   too long ____    too short____    just about right   __17___

Would you like the opportunity to evaluate the program at the end of each year?  Yes__12_      No____

Additional comments about this form:  None given

 

Name:  15 respondents signed their name.  8 evaluations were anonymous.