News

As in previous years, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) is participating in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). The CHKS is a survey designed to help us better understand and support student needs. 

The survey measures students’ experiences related to school climate and culture, health risks, behaviors, and youth resiliency. It is anonymous and confidential, and the data collected from the survey will be used to make data-driven decisions to improve school climate and student learning environments.

The survey is focused on five areas for guiding school and student improvement:

• Student connectedness, learning engagement/motivation, and attendance;

• School climate, culture, and conditions;

• School safety, including bullying;

• Physical and mental well-being; 

• Alcohol and other drugs (secondary students only); and

• Student support, including resilience-promoting developmental factors (caring relationships, high expectations, and meaningful participation).

The CHKS is administered to students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11 during the NMUSD testing window, February 27 to April 7, 2023. Students can skip questions they are not comfortable answering. Your child’s school will determine a specific administration date within this window. You may have received communication about this already or may soon receive information from your child’s school.

Students in grade 5 require a parent to complete an opt-in form to participate in the survey. Students in grades 7, 9, and 11 will take the survey unless a parent/guardian completes an opt-out form. 

Your child’s school will share additional information about the survey (if they haven’t already), including options to opt-in (5th grade) or opt-out (grades 7, 9, and 11). For specific information about your school’s testing window or the survey, please contact your child’s school. 

You may also visit the District’s California Healthy Kids Survey Website for additional information, including copies of survey questions.