Welcome to Rundle College Junior High

Rundle College Junior High Learning Environment

K–12 on One Campus

Rundle College offers K–12 education on one campus, allowing seamless grade-to-grade transitions from Rundle College Primary/Elementary to Rundle College Junior/ Senior High. Students move through their learning journey in a place with which they are familiar, surrounded by teachers and peers they know — and who know them. Students forge deeper relationships by being part of a student community and do not need to learn new rules or a new school culture as they progress through each grade. In the most important ways, Rundle will always be Rundle.

Campus Amenities

The Rundle College Junior/Senior program (Grades 7-12) is located in the R.C. Conklin School. Built in 2005, the R..C. Conklin School is modern facility located on 20 acres of land boasting exceptional mountain and meadow views, a parklike setting, and close proximity to high speed and bus transit. Rundle College students have access to multiple gymnasia a performing arts space a technology centre an artificial turf playing field

Rundle College is a “uniform school” and students wear their uniforms with pride. Each program has its own unique component to the standard uniform, from the ties to the much-anticipated black vests for our graduating class. Students are required to be in uniform each day unless specifically advised otherwise.

Athletics: Cobra Pride!

A member of the Calgary Independent Schools’ Athletic Association, Rundle is widely known for the strength of its Cobra athletics program. Graduating student athletes often continue their athletic pursuits at post-secondary institutions across Canada and abroad.

School Handbook

The Rundle College School Handbook provides complete information about academic regulations including • attendance • homework/assignment expectations • academic integrity • student evaluation and grading • exam policy • Student Code of Conduct • inclusivity • withdrawals, course changes, and transfers

This publication is available through Moodle, our online parent portal, found on the Rundle website at www.rundle.ab.ca/My Rundle.

STUDENT SERVICES

The mission of Student Services at Rundle is to provide academic guidance, career and post-secondary advising, and social/emotional counselling. This mission aligns with the goal of Rundle to help students discover their potential and to prepare them for an ever-changing world.

Role of Student Services Junior/Senior High

Within the Student Services department, counsellors share a number of roles, yet have specialties within the department. School counsellors are available to assist with • Social and Emotional Counselling • Academic Support • Career and Post-Secondary Support

Counsellors provide short-term counselling support for students in a number of different areas including, but not limited to, conflict resolution, depression, self-harm, and grief and loss.

The team works closely with administration on schoolrelated matters such as tracking student progress, monitoring academic and personal development, and crisis intervention.

Academic support is offered to students in groups and individual sessions, as per directed by the department. There is also significant support offered to teachers to aid students’ academic development in the classroom.

In addition, the department provides comprehensive career and post-secondary support for students from junior high through high school:

Grade 9 High School Planning • Goal setting and learning styles assessment • High school course plan

Grade 10 Career Direction and Exploration • Self assessments • Post-secondary and career explorations • Review high school course plan

Grade 11 Career Exploration and Post-Secondary Planning • Strong Interest Inventory • Post-secondary research • Connect high school plan with university requirements • Canadian and international admission support

Grade 12 One-On-One Support with Post-Secondary Admissions • Individualized support with admissions, transcripts, and scholarships • Parent and student presentations Connections with post-secondary representatives

Our school nurses promote a healthy school environment by initiating directives from Alberta Health Services and health related education in an effort to ensure students remain safe and well at school. Liaising between school personnel, families, and community healthcare providers, our nurses actively participate in school safety plans, coordinate referrals to private healthcare providers, and assess the school environment as to prevent injury and to promote student well-being.

CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

The purpose of Rundle’s character education program is to create a kind and caring community organized around developing positive and healthy relationships among and between students, staff, and parents. We believe that social and emotional learning is just as important as academic learning. Moreover, we strive to inspire our students to become committed to moral and ethical behaviours and to give them opportunities to practice these desired behaviours.

Junior/Senior High

At the Junior/Senior High level, there are many opportunities for students to further develop their character and leadership skills.

Junior High Program: STARters (Succeed Together at Rundle) is a group of 24 multi-grade students who take on a leadership role in our school’s STAR character program. They organize and lead challenges, activities, and messages that inspire our students to further develop their own character strengths. STARter commitments include participating in monthly community volunteer experiences outside of school time.

The L.E.A.D.E.R.S Council (Leadership, Experience, Activities and Development for Every Rundle Student) is a student council program providing leadership experience, activities, and development opportunities for every Rundle College student. The goal of the program is to add value to the students’ academic endeavors by providing a variety of social, school spirit, and philanthropic experiences that challenge them to be well-rounded students and positive citizens within their school community.

WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a leadership opportunity for grade 9 students at Rundle College. Students apply to be a member of the group and work on several initiatives throughout the year. WEB Ambassador are responsible for welcoming and touring guests around the campus as well as helping incoming grade 7 students feel comfortable with their transition into junior high school.

Senior High Program: Rundle College Prefects are ambassadors of Rundle College. They are elected Grade 10, 11 and 12 students who aim to create a positive, inclusive, and inspired school community by working closely and directly with the administration, faculty, and students of Rundle College. Prefects assist in the organization of school events and the fostering of school spirit. CAUSE, our service learning group, exposes members to a range of service learning experiences so they may better understand the needs of the community, learn what they are passionate about, and develop skills to contribute to both their local and global communities.

Peer Support is a group of students committed to fostering Rundle College’s just and caring culture. An extension of Peer Support is our Peer Tutoring program for our Junior High students. Senior High students are paired with students to assist with academics, study skills, and test taking strategies.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award challenges students to discover hidden talents, develop untapped leadership potential, make a difference in the community, and explore the wonders of the great outdoors. Our Duke of Ed Club facilitates the students’ personal journey to achieve this award.

RUNDLE GIVES BACK

Our entire Rundle community is involved in volunteerism and has given back 1000s of hours of service within Calgary and around the world.

All Grades 7-12 students participate in Rundle Volunteer Days, and many students continue to give their time to community service projects as members of Rundle’s CAUSE Club and as part of Rundle’s International Service Travel program.

Rundle partners our students, staff, and Rundle families with many local organizations to provide volunteer support:

Brenda’s House Calgary Drop-In-Centre Calgary Food Bank Calgary Pathways Cleanup Calgary Zoo Children’s Cottage Volunteering Community Kitchen - Good Food Box Program Feed the Hungry Food Bank Grow Calgary Kerby Centre Mustard Seed Salvation Army Toy Angels

HEAD’S LIST

The Head’s List celebrates the success of our students and their adherence to the mission, vision, and values of Rundle College Society. Students are acknowledged for their success in the areas of co-curricular activities, , character development, and academic achievement. The process and requirements are unique depending on the program and the student’s division; however, the universal components include an adherence to high academic standing and evidence of the pursuit of our values: togetherness, kindness, curiosity, and wellness.

Students who qualify for the Head’s List are recognized at their school’s awards day and on a special display in their school. Graduating students receive a letter of recognition from Rundle College Society detailing their accomplishment of earning the distinction of being on Rundle College Society’s Head’s List.

STUDENT CELEBRATIONS

At Rundle, we believe that celebrating student success and achievement is fundamental to educating well-rounded citizens of good character. Every year, the Rundle community celebrates all aspects of student achievement at the Academic and Athletic Awards Ceremonies.

Numerous scholarships and bursaries are awarded each year to exceptional students who contribute to our school and who continue to give back to their local and global communities. Some scholarship recipients are chosen by Rundle faculty, while awards for future post-secondary study are based on student applications.

College Junior High Courses

The following pages detail courses for students in Grades 7, 8, and 9.

Required • English Language Arts • Mathematics • Physical Education • Science • Social Studies Electives • Art • Coding • Drama • French • Instrumental Music • Spanish

Junior High Co-Curricular Programs

Below is a sampling of the co-curricular programs offered at Rundle College Junior High. Programs change each year depending on the interest level of our students.

Arts: Jazz Band, Art Club, Drama Production, Yearbook Club, Vocal Ensemble

Intellectual Pursuits: Speech and Debate, Reach for the Top, Spanish Club, Can you Dig it?, Science Olympics, Cardboard Boats, Chess Club, International Puzzles and Games

Athletics: Intramurals (non-competitive athletics), cross country, volleyball, golf, football, basketball, badminton, wrestling, rugby, co-ed soccer, track and field, athletic travel teams

Character: WEB, Ambassadors, L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Council, STARters Service, Animal Rescue, Eco/Enviro Club

ART

In Grades 7, 8, and 9 Art, students explore three major components of visual learning: drawings, compositions and encounters. These integrated components provide a framework from which students participate in the visual search for meaning and for a unified visual statement. Students explore art as a means of communication for a community through time and across cultures. CODING This course is designed for students with no or very little prior programming experience. The course introduces the fundamental concepts of procedural programming and computational thinking. Students will strengthen their problem-solving skills while developing and writing their own applications using Scratch (block-based coding) and Python (text-based coding). Students will also use their coding skills to control external devices such as robots and drones.

DRAMA

Junior High drama introduces basic concepts and skills. Students explore multiple dramatic mediums such as movement, speech, improvisation, acting, technical theatre, and theatre history.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Students develop proficiency in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and representing. Distinct units of study introduce students to a wide variety of texts. The close reading of these texts to understand literal and figurative meaning is a focus throughout each grade level. Students have opportunities to experiment and gain confidence with different writing and oral skills. The curriculum also offers students opportunities to reflect on their learning which encourages independent and critical thinking.

English Language Arts 7

The basic elements of writing are emphasized with a focus on sentence and paragraph construction. Texts studied include poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and film.

English Language Arts 8

Students are introduced to the essay form and the writing focus shifts to organizing, building, and transitioning ideas. Texts studied include poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and film.

Students work on mastering fundamental essay-writing skills in preparation for the Alberta Provincial Achievement Test as well as for senior high school. Texts studied include poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and film.

FRENCH

French as a Second Language

This course is for students who have little or no background in the French language. Students develop skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, representing, and viewing. Students are evaluated in each of these strands. Elements of grammar, vocabulary, and verbs are included. The ultimate goal is to reinforce and build language skills that can be used in increasingly varied situations.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Instrumental Music offers a sequential and developmental approach to music instruction. Each level builds on previous learning and experiences. By completing all three years, students achieve the expected competency for entry into Instrumental Music 10 at the senior high level.

Band — At the Grade 7 level, students are introduced to wind and percussion instruments. In this beginner course, students learn how to assemble, play, and care for their instrument of choice. In Grades 8 and 9, students continue to practice and improve on the skills learned and the musical concepts taught.

Wind and Percussion Instruments — Students develop aural, technical, theoretical, interpretive, and synthesis skills. This is done in three progressive levels corresponding with Grades 7, 8 and 9.

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics 7

Students develop a strong number sense (working comfortably and interchangeably with whole numbers, decimals, integers, and percentages). They also build a strong algebraic foundation that will be augmented further in Grades 8 and 9. Course Units • Number Relationships • Fractions and Decimal Numbers • Percentages and Circle Graphs • Integers • Linear Relations and Equations • 2-Dimensional Geometry • Probability and Statistics

Mathematics 8

In Grade 8, there is continued emphasis on number sense as students further hone their understanding of the relationship between fractions, percentages, decimals, ratios, as well as algebra (ratios, rates and proportions, linear equations and percentages).

Course Units • Integers • Fractions and Rational Numbers • Exponents, Roots, Pythagorean Theorem • Ratios, Rates and Proportions • Solving Linear Equations • Linear Relations • 3D Drawings, Surface Area, Volume • Data Analysis and Probability • Transformations • Percentages

Mathematics 9

In Grade 9, there is a strong emphasis on algebra (polynomials, linear equations, inequalities and relations). Students deepen and strengthen their algebraic skills in order to be well prepared for high school.

Course Units • Rational Numbers • Powers and Exponents • Polynomials • Data Analysis • Linear Equations and Inequalities • Linear Relations • Measurement • Circle Geometry

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education in Grades 7, 8, and 9 is integrated with health components throughout the school year. Through participation in varied activities, students develop an appreciation for physical education, physical fitness, outdoor education, and health-related topics.

Students gain a working knowledge of the rules and skills inherent in various activities including fitness testing, team handball, creative games, weight/circuit training, dance, cricket, yoga, badminton, flag football, volleyball, track and field, health education, basketball, rugby, indoor lacrosse, wrestling, outdoor education, and swimming. The values of fair play, cooperation, self-discipline, and sportsmanship are foremost.

Emphasis is placed on developing the key components of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and strength, flexibility, power, coordination, and agility.

Physical Education 7

In addition to participating in core activities, students in Physical Education 7 take part in a canoe and kayak day at the Calgary Canoe Club. In the fall, students engage in the Positive Playgrounds day. Here, Grade 7 students are mentored by our Grade 10 students who lead them in a series of organized games throughout the day. Additionally, swimming at Glenmore Pool takes place in early winter.

Physical Education 8

In addition to participating in core activities, students in Physical Education 8 travel to Cheakamus, a 420 acre ecological reserve in the Paradise Valley outside of Squamish, B.C. The program includes nature-based and outdoor activities, youth leadership, recreation, and other hands-on experiences intended to instill respect and appreciation for the natural world.

Physical Education 9

In addition to participating in core activities, students in Physical Education 9 take an autumn Outdoor Education School trip to Camp Chief Hector. In the spring, students spend a morning at the Olympic Hall of Fame at WinSport as part of the Canada Olympic School unit.

SCIENCE

Science 7

Science 7 focuses on the natural sciences. Throughout the year, students continue developing the fundamental skills of scientific inquiry, problem solving, critical thinking, sustainability, safety, collaboration, and respect for various perspectives.

Course Units

Interactions and Ecosystems Plants for Food and Fibre Heat and Temperature

• Structures and Forces • Planet Earth Science 8

Students are encouraged to develop a critical sense of wonder and curiosity about scientific and technological endeavours. They are inspired to use science and technology to acquire new knowledge and to solve problems so they may improve the quality of their own lives and the lives of others. Students become more knowledgeable about the wide spectrum of careers related to science, technology, and the environment.

Course Units • Mix and Flow of Matter • Cells and Systems • Light and Optical Systems • Mechanical Systems • Fresh and Saltwater Systems

Science 9

Students are encouraged to develop a critical sense of wonder and curiosity about scientific and technological endeavours. They are inspired to use science and technology to acquire new knowledge and to solve problems so they may improve the quality of their own lives and the lives of others. Students become more knowledgeable about the wide spectrum of careers related to science, technology and the environment. Building on previous learning, several new concepts, including genetics and the periodic table, are introduced, and the integration of mathematics is increased.

Course Units • Matter and Chemical Change • Biological Diversity • Space Exploration • Electrical Principles and Technologies • Environmental Chemistry

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies 7

This course is a comprehensive examination of Canadian history preceding and following Confederation. The concept of intercultural contact is introduced through an examination of migration and immigration. Social Studies 7 forms the foundation for the continued dialogue on citizenship and identity in Canada, and current events receive continual focus throughout the year.

Course Units • Diverse Peoples — Students learn how the diversity of peoples played a role in the origins of Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, French, and British peoples. • Toward Confederation — Students explore key events that affected relationships among the early peoples and which shaped Confederation, the agreement that eventually founded Canada. • After Confederation — Students explore the ideas of citizenship that shaped Confederation and consider how events and policies since 1867 have shaped Canadian society.

Social Studies 8

Students examine issues related to contact between societies with differing worldviews. The focus is on exploring elements of worldview and how these views are expressed by people living in different times and places. Students also reflect on their own worldviews and assess the influence the past has on the present. Current events are explored throughout the year.

Course Units • Origins of a Western Worldview: Renaissance Europe • From Isolation to Adaptation: Ancient Japan • Worldviews in Conflict: The Spanish and the Aztecs Students explore the Canadian political and justice systems, economics, environment, and decision-making.

Course Units

Governance and the Justice System Rights, Responsibilities and Immigration Economics, Consumerism and Decision

SPANISH Spanish as a Second Language

This course is for students who have little or no background in the Spanish language. In class, students develop skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, representing and viewing. Students are evaluated in all these strands. The primary goals are to develop a balanced foundation in language learning skills, an appreciation for the Spanish-speaking cultures of the world, and acquiring solid, basic language skills that will enable students to converse comfortably in Spanish.