Our school is taking part in the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The survey will ask questions about the behaviors of students in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades, including questions about school climate, violence, mental health, bullying, and substance abuse.

The information we receive will assist us and our community partners in working to promote mental health and  prevent adolescent drug use and other problem behaviors. We want to ensure that all parents are notified that the survey is being conducted and provide you with as much information about the survey as possible.  As a parent or guardian, you have the right to prohibit your child’s participation.

The following are facts about the survey to help you make an informed decision:

  1. It is voluntary. Your child does not have to participate. Neither you nor your child is required to give a reason for not participating.  Students will be instructed by their teacher that they can skip any questions they do not understand or choose not to answer.  If they have any questions or concerns after taking this survey, they are instructed to talk with their school counselor or a trusted adult.
  2. It is anonymous and confidential. The survey is designed to protect your child’s privacy.  Students will not put their names on the survey, and no student will ever have their individual responses reported.
  3. It is well tested. The survey has been administered to over 2,000,000 Pennsylvania students since the 1990’s. The information collected has proved invaluable to prevention planners in selecting programming to promote healthy youth development.

To request a list of survey questions, please visit https://www.episcenter.psu.edu/index.php/paysquestion

You do not need to notify the school or sign anything to allow your child to participate.  If you do not want your child to participate, you must notify the building principal by October 1, 2023.  If you decide not to allow your child to participate, he or she will be given an alternative activity for the survey period.

Thank you for your cooperation.  This survey plays an important part in our efforts to prevent drug use, delinquency, and other kinds of adolescent problem behaviors.