Junior High at St. Augustine Fine Arts School

Teachers and Courses

Your child will have a few more teachers then they did in elementary school. In junior high most students will have between 5 and 7 teachers, including a Homeroom Teacher who will complete attendance every morning. The homeroom teacher is your child’s champion – they’re there to build a strong relationship with your child and are your main contact to discuss any personal or academic needs.

Compulsory Courses

In junior high each student is still expected to complete the compulsory courses: Religion, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Health, Phys. Ed., French (grade 7) and Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) (grade 8/9).

In the academic core subjects, final exams take place during the final weeks of June. Career and Technology Foundations consist of Industrial Arts and Foods & Fashion. Students take each for half the year.

Student Selected Courses (Options)

One exciting thing about junior high is St. Augustine offers new and interesting Option classes for its students. Students will have a choice to pick both an Option A and an Option B class. Options selection occurs in September and then students have the oppotunity to change their options for term two in January. Band is the only exception in that this is a full year option. These option classes may change due to student interest.

Grades, assignments, and Teacher communication

Brightspace (Formerly D2L)

Calgary Catholic junior high and high school students use Brightspace as their learning management system. This system allows students to receive assignments, grades, and communicate between school and home. Through various online tools, teachers can post classroom activities for students to access at their convenience. Parents are asked to obtain their child’s login information to access Brightspace and keep informed of your child’s assignments and grades. Brightspace can be accessed here. Your child will require a CSSD district username and password to enter. They are asked to share this with their parents/guardians to allow them to participate in reviewing assignments and grades throughout the year.

Belongings and Additional Responsibilities

Once the students are in Grade 7, they are now in Junior High School and as such are at the beginning of their preparation for “High School”. As a result, they are given a bit more freedom. As we all know, with more freedom comes more responsibility. For the most part, our students rise to the occasion and we are continually in awe of what amazing and outstanding young men and women they become through their years at St. Augustine Fine Arts School. We have high expectations for our students in they continually rise to the challenge.

Gym Strip

Every junior high student is required to change into appropriate athletic wear for each Physical Education class. This includes a t-shirt and either athletic shorts or pants. St. Augustine also offers school wear that will be available for purchase throughout the school year.

*Due to COVID-19 students are not required to wear gym strip in Phys Ed for the 2020-2021 school year.

Lockers

Every student is assigned a locker. You have the choice to purchase a lock from the school or to bring your own. We spend a lot of time at the beginning of the year practicing getting into our lockers and getting familiar with opening combination locks. This causes some stress for students but with time and practice most students are able to figure it out.

*Due to COVID-19 students are asked to keep their belongings in the classroom for the day. Lockers are only used by select students if their classroom does not permit storage of coats, etc.

Personally Owned Devices

Our Personally Owned Devices Policy asks students to keep devices in their lockers/backpacks or parked in the classroom unless given permission from their teacher to use for research. By doing this, we are further encouraging students to be “present” in their studies and spend more time collaborating with their classroom peers. Students will still be able to use their devices during non-instructional times such as before and after school, as well as during nutrition break and lunch time.

Dress Code

In junior high it is also expected that your child abides by our student dress code. All clothing worn must be in good repair and appropriate for school including gym strip. More information on appropriate dress can be found in the student handbook (located on our main school webpage) by clicking here.

Extra-Curricular Activities

In junior high, your child will also get a chance to participate in junior high athletics as well as other extra-curricular activities. There are various activities and clubs that your child is encouraged to participate in. Below are some of the different extra curricular activities your child may be interested in:

*Due to COVID-19 interscholastic athletics have been cancelled for the 2020-2021 school year.

Individual Athletics

(eg. cross country running, badminton, wrestling,

track and field)

Team Athletics

(eg. volleyball, basketball, badminton, flag-football)

Other Clubs

(eg. danceworks, photography etc.)

Fine Arts

(eg. theatre performances, musicals, concert band, etc.)

Drama

Band

Other Important Information

Diverse Learning Teachers

The Junior High Diverse Learning Teacher (DLT) provides additional support and resources for students who have specialized learning needs. Our Learning Centre provides a quiet and welcoming space, where students can access academic assistance from a DLT or educational assistant. The DLT also works with subject area teachers to help provide necessary classroom accommodations and ensure continuity of programming.

Counselling Supports

Our school counsellor is available to assist and support students in many areas and domains of social, emotional, and vocational challenges. Some common concerns include anxiety, depression, personal and school stress, friendship concerns, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and communication strategies. In addition to social and emotional support, our school counsellor is happy to assist with high school registration and academic planning, post-secondary planning, and career exploration.

Schedules

Junior high students are required to move from class to class and follow their 6-Day schedule. It is important that your child understands how to read their schedule and has a clear idea of where each of his/her classes take place. To the left is an example of a typical junior high 6-Day schedule.

*Due to COVID-19 students are not required to move classrooms and instead teachers move from class to class to teach students.

Transportation

Junior high students (residing over 2.4km from the school) are eligible for Calgary Transit Bus Pass Rebates. Junior High students living in the community of Lynnwood and Ogen ride bus 851. Students living in Riverbend ride bus 853. These bus stops are locatedon the north side of the building on 69 Avenue.

It is recommended that families become aware of the appropriate routes and bus times ahead of time to reduce stress on the first days of school. Further information regarding City of Calgary Transit Bus Routes can be found at https://www.calgarytransit.com/.

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