Tom Baines Junior High

As a late addition to our schedule we decided we really should see a Junior High setting. Colleen was fantastic in arranging this visit to Tom Baines Junior High at short notice. We were very grateful to principal Rick Petrowitsch for fitting us in to his busy schedule.

SETTING OBSERVATIONS
- School has years 7-9
- 750 students, 35 teaching staff.
- Junior High timetable - 7 x 50 min lesson. Mid morning break - 9 mins. 2 more periods, then a 50 min lunch - this includes 25minutes inside and 25minutes outside. The cut off temperature for students going outside is -20C! We shared the opposite end of the spectrum of 40C as an outside cut off!
- No separate English or Social Studies lessons, this is combined and called Humanities.
- SMATH taught in year 7. This is a mixture of Science and Maths
- Used to have a policy of no mobile phones, however, considering the majority of students have a mobile phone they have experienced a shift in thinking. Now students are allowed to use them under the direction of the teacher.  They can also be used outside of the school building. If used inappropriately they are taken away. 1st time they would lose it for 24 hrs, 2nd time - 48hrs, after the 5th time the parent has to come in and get it. A personal item incident sheet is filled out if the phone is confiscated (also to ensure a student doesn't make false claims of damage).This form has to be signed by a parent.
- Average class sizes this year - 36. Next year they are making changes so the principal and AP will teach a line, so that the classes will start at 30 - most schools are talking about having to deal with budget cuts.
- During work period students can listen to music.
- There's one Assistant Principal and eight Learning Leaders responsible for individual faculties.

TECHNOLOGY
- Students bring own devices to school. They log in to the wireless network, however, the school struggles with the capacity.
- All desktops are Apple Macs. They are seen as easier to use and more user friendly. They also have a number of iPad pods.  They do not like Google Chrome.

ASSESSMENT & REPORTING
- Descriptors are used for reports. No grades. The principal doesn't like the connotations of grading.
- 2 reports per year - end of Jan and June.
- They use an online program called 'Home Logic' where teachers are constantly putting up student comments/ marks received for assessment tasks. Through this program teachers provide formative feedback to parents throughout each term.
- Parent/teacher interviews are student led conferences for core subjects. This is where students show 
their parents their learning on the day through completing a number of activities and showing them 
the work they have completed. This occurs 3 times a year. There are 3 families in the room at once. This ensures no personal interviews occur - choice subjects have drop in interviews. Parents are asked to check 'Home Logic' for information on how their student is going and if they want to book an interview with the teacher they can do so at another time.

THE LEARNING CENTRE
- Sheltered program for students with special needs.
- Used similarly to those in Calgary High Schools.
- Students on IPPs ( our NEPs) can study a course called the Learning Option Program, which has been designed by the school.
- Students can also bring their work from other lessons to get specific help identified in their individualised learning plans.
- It's timetabled in the option program / choice subjects. Core subjects are still taken in mainstream 
classes.
- Students who are 'falling through the cracks' can also access this class.
- Those with anxiety issues can drop in to the Learning Centre throughout the day, as long as it's part of their individualised program - try to identify a separate space in the room.
- The school is able to provide such a resource by increasing class numbers. 


LEARNING COMMONS (LIBRARY)
- Students scan own books out. Staff member scans in.
- 33 computers, plus 30 iPads available.
- Room for 2 classes.
- QR readers
- No food allowed.
- Removed the carpet and bought new furniture. Tables have wheels so students can reorganise them for group or individual study. Book shelves are also on wheels. Chair legs have 'tennis ball' covers to stop noise.
- Students don't have to be quiet. Student collaboration is encouraged.
- A flexible space.
- Reading corner with comfortable chairs.
- There's a 'thinking wall' for brainstorming ideas - a wall whiteboard. Wobble stools are located near the wall and plugs for recharging personal devices.
- Living wall, with plants.

CONCLUSION
-This experience was very reassuring in that some of the 'controls' we have in place for our students, still exist in a Junior a High situation.