
What
is the difference between a Fine Arts school and a Creative Learning School?
A Fine Arts school tends to emphasize education in the arts in order to
develop particular skills in music, dance, drama or art. Often these programs
select students on the basis of their specific talents and encourage those
students to develop their skills in a particular field of the arts. While
fine arts schools serve some students well, we believe that interdisciplinary
approaches are more appropriate to our work at Balmoral. In a Creative
Learning school, the focus is on learning and teaching using the arts
and technology as a means to understand the world. Students are given
opportunities to learn and present information and experiences in multiple
ways. They are encouraged to find ways of learning that help them understand
concepts, analyze experiences and develop attitudes that value the rigour
that the arts and technologies require. “Talent” is not the
issue in creative learning; rather, the emphasis is on learning processes
that encourage inquiry, exploration, experimentation and reflection. The
prescribed Alberta Curriculum serves as the starting point for our work,
but we believe students here have opportunities to achieve far beyond
the basic curricular expectations.
What are
the hours of operation?
Classes begin for all grades at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 3:20 p.m.
What
are the clothing requirements for physical education?
All Balmoral students wear gym strip for physical education (black
t-shirt,
dark shorts, runners)
What extra-curricular
activities are there in the school?
Normally, students at Balmoral can participate in sports activities
such as cross country, volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and
field, as well as in special interest clubs such as yearbook and computer
clubs. Students also have the opportunity to participate in band, dance
and drama outside class time.
How are
the lockers assigned to students?
Each student shares a locker with a partner.
Is there
a lunchroom at Balmoral?
Yes. Students who wish to do so my purchase their lunches from the
school lunchroom, which provides an excellent variety of menu choices
at very reasonable prices. Students may also bring their own bagged lunches
from home. We try to offer a variety of activities for students to participate
in during our short 45 minute lunch break (intramurals, Computer room,
library, clubs). There is really no need for students to go off-campus,
however we do not have the personnel to monitor who might be leaving our
school grounds. If parents do not wish their child to go off-campus, that
will have to be an understanding that they come to with their child.
Can my
child take the bus to school?
Students who live in other areas of Calgary that are distant from
the school must arrange for their own transportation to and from Balmoral.
Balmoral’s central location is served well by Calgary City Transit
routes and some families have arranged their own car-pooling.
What
fees will we incur if we send our child to Balmoral?
Regular school fees are levied and are comparable with those at other
CBE schools.
Is there
a “dress code” at Balmoral?
We, at Balmoral Junior High School, request students to maintain
standards of dress suitable for a school environment that promote us as
a place of learning and not a location of less formal activities. We are
aware of the many fashion statements on the market today, many of which
are more of a casual nature than to be considered appropriate for school.
We believe modeling, image, and perception are important to the integrity
and functioning of our school environment. Modeling is how we do things
within the school, image is what we project outside the school and perception
is how others see us. To promote our expectations, we request your support
and understanding of appropriate dress norms. To ensure that teachers
are not wasting valuable teaching time monitoring, debating, or sending
students out of classes for inappropriate dress, we ask that the following
list be seen as a guideline for judging inappropriate attire:
• No halter tops
• No tank tops
• No shorty tops that expose midriffs
• No tops that leave undergarments exposed e.g. spaghetti straps
• No outer clothing worn to class (coats, lumber jackets, etc)
• No torn or graphically patched jeans
• No hats or visors worn in the school
• No accessory paraphernalia, such as chains, sunglasses, bandanas
• No jewelry that causes a safety hazard
• No shirts with inappropriate/offensive sayings or pictures
• No unhemmed shorts
• No shorts shorter than mid-thigh
There is
no end to the debate, the opinions, or levels of individual preference
and choice when discussing different standards of fashion or dress. We,
as a school, however, need to define a standard that is representative
of our beliefs.
How does
a student apply to attend Balmoral School?
Application forms are available at Balmoral. Please remember to include
a recent report card including written comments from his or her class
teachers. If a student has special learning/behavioral needs, please include
a copy of the most recent IPP (Individual Program Plan) so that we can
determine how we might best serve these needs.
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