John G. Althouse Middle School (JGA) is a middle school located in Toronto, Ontario, near the intersection of Lloyd Manor Drive and Princess Margaret Boulevard.
Most graduates of John G. Althouse go to Martingrove Collegiate Institute or Richview Collegiate Institute for high school education.
Education system
Gifted program
John G. Althouse is notable for its advanced learner special education program, commonly referred to as the "gifted" program, which transferred to John G. Althouse in 1996, after several years of being housed at Broadacres Junior School.
Because of this program, John G. Althouse is divided into two separate sections, which means awards are presented always with one regular student and one gifted student. When graduating, the student's grades are, if the student has the requisite score, classified and announced as "Honours" (79.5% to 84.4% average), or "Principal's Honours" (84.5% average or higher).
Musical program
John G. Althouse has a music program in which every student is required to play an instrument, either in band or strings. Music classes are taught by music instructors Les Dobbin (band) and Jeff Worden (strings). Each February, John G. Althouse students participate in the Kiwanis Music Festival and the school has won several times.
John G. Althouse also uses the Martingrove Collegiate Institute stage five times a year to showcase their student's musical talents during two different sets of concerts. The annual Christmas concert is called "A Gift of Music", where the seventh and eighth graders perform on two separate nights. The end of the year concert is "Crescendo", where the sixth graders have their first chance to perform on their own night.
John G. Althouse has an Honour Orchestra, chamber strings and Stage Band, all of which are renowned around Toronto and maintain a reputation for excellence. Stage band is directed by Les Dobbin, chamber strings is directed by Jeff Warden and Honour Orchestra is co-directed by both Jeff Warden and Les Dobbin (with Jeff Warden directing the strings section and Les Dobbin directing the band section). Les Dobbin also organizes the Toronto Summer Music Camp., which takes place at either Albion Hills Outdoor Education Centre or Mono Cliffs Outdoor Education Centre.
History
John G. Althouse Middle School opened on November 4, 1957, to 380 pupils. The school is named after Dr. John G. Althouse, who was the Chief Director of Education for the Province of Ontario from 1944 to 1956.
School activities
Field trips
The grade sixes have a chance to go to Crawford Lake in September, to learn about the Wendat and the Iroquois. The grade sevens have three days at Albion Hills where they learn about maple syrup, survival, ecosystems and the environment. The students get to choose who they room with during those three days. Different classes are paired up and go together throughout the course of the entire year.
After winter break, the school hosts two ski days at Horseshoe Resort, where some of the best memories are made. Near the end of the year, the grade sixes go to the Young Peoples Theatre and watch a musical or play, whereas seventh and eighth graders have the opportunity to go to Stratford to watch a Shakespearean play.
Many activities are also required for students to participate. They are mostly organized by the Student Government, such as the Terry Fox Run consisting of a five kilometre walk or run at West Deane Park.
Science fair
From October to February, students in grades seven and eight work on a project for the school Science Fair. About twenty projects receive an Honourable Mention certificate, but the top five winners are picked to go to the city-wide science fair. Students generally place well in the city-wide fair, with two projects winning gold in the 2008 Toronto Science Fair and two projects winning silver.
Seasonal activities
There is a Pumpkin Carving Contest during Halloween time. Pumpkins are provided by the school and one class from each grade is selected as the winner. Students are encouraged to come to school dressed up, and are given candy if they do. The co-premiers go to each class and judge costumes, and two students of different genders from each grade win prizes for the best costume.
Students serenade the halls a week before winter break by performing Christmas carols at different parts of the school, either by singing or by playing an instrument. Then the students get a chance to deck the doors with recycled holly where they use reuse materials such as green late slips to decorate the classroom door.
Candy canes are also sold during the holiday season. Students can buy the candy canes, which come with a slip of paper attached for a message, and choose to deliver them to other students. All proceeds go to their Free The Children campaign. In 2006, John G. built a school in Sierra Leone and their efforts (such as bake sales) go towards this school.
Around Valentine's Day, chocolates such as Hershey's Kissables are sold with the same concept as the candy canes: students can buy them, write a message, and send them to other students. As usual, all proceeds go to helping John G.'s school in Sierra Leone.
Extracurricular activities
Instrumental music
The school's extracurricular instrumental activities are the Honour Orchestra, Chamber Strings, and Stage Band ensembles, all of which require auditioning. The Honour Orchestra is conducted by Les Dobbin and Jeff Warden, and involves both band and string members. In 2007, they went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestraand in 2009 saw the venezuelan youth orchestra
The Stage Band has won the first place provincially as the best middle school jazz band. They are conducted by Les Dobbin and have won many awards. In May 2008, the Stage Band went to New York City with the Jazz Choir as part of their tour. Their uniform is a black polo with a patch that has an inflamed trumpet and boasts, "John G. Althouse Stage Band".
Chamber Strings is conducted by Jeff Worden and won first place in the Provincials as best middle school ensemble. They have won many awards. Their uniform consists of black pants and a black polo, with a gray semicircular patch featuring a proud string instrument. It could pass for a violin, viola, cello, or bass. The words "John G. Althouse Chamber Strings" are displayed. In 2008/09 and 2009/10 school year chamber strings has been invited to play at a concert at Canada's wonderland in the spring/summer season.
A new ensemble introduced in the late 2007/2008 school year was the Wind Ensemble, where students were handpicked and invited by Les Dobbin to join. This ensemble was primarily created to play at the Ontario Music Educators Association conference in November 2008, where Chamber Strings also performed.
Vocal music
The choirs which require auditions are the Jazz Choir and the Chamber Choir. The open choirs are the Baritone Choir, the Grade Six Choir, the Grade Seven and Eight Concert Choir, and the Boys Treble Choir. All choirs are led by the vocal teacher, Sanela Konjhodzic.
About 60 members are in the Chamber Choir, which can be invitational. There is no uniform. All members are required to join the 7/8 Concert Choir. The Jazz Choir usually has around eight members that must be in Chamber Choir and 7/8 Concert Choir. The Jazz Choir's uniform is a black polo with a gray patch. On the patch, there is a staff and a treble clef, and in a curlicue font, "JGA Music".
In March 2007, Sanela Konjhodzic triumphantly led a 23-member choir to victory at the Real Canadian Anthem Search Contest. This contest was a search for a middle school to sing at the Toronto Raptors basketball game. "It's a great honour to conduct a bunch of loving children who want to sing. They are always ready to sing and that is why I love to see everyday", Konjhodzic stated.
Sports and clubs
John G. Althouse and Hilltop Middle School as well as Runnymede are considered rival schools, especially in sports competitions.
John G. Althouse students have their own gym uniform, a smoke gray and purple number. A jaguar and "J.G. Althouse Athletics" is emblazoned in purple on the Gildan shirt. "Jaguars" is printed in white on the purple shorts. On the 2008 edition of the uniforms, a blank space was provided for students to write their names and homerooms in.
JGA has many clubs such as the Scrapbook Club, the French Club, the Photography Club, the Art Club, the Boyz Book Club, Red Maple Club, Future Aces and the Chess Club.
Notable alumni
- The 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper who attended the 50th Anniversary on May 4, 2008.
- Kiefer Sutherland
External links
- Main Page
- Library Web Page
- Student Web Site
- Interprovincial Music Camp
References
- ^ "IMC - Interprovincial Music Camp". Official Website . http://www.imcontheweb.org/imc_page_faculty.htm . Retrieved January 9, 2008 . ...
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