[Vascilli]

So I suppose this could be the place to talk about schools in the Greater Calgary Area, anything from preschool to university and anything in between. If you learn somewhere, talk about it here.

My first ponderings: The new high school to replace Ernest Manning, I'm curious as to if they'll keep the name (I say yes) and if the boundaries will remain the same as they are now. I don't think it's a good idea to change them much, because that would move students to Western, which is crowded enough as it is. Unless they can expand Western too, I don't think it can bear the extra students. Has a date or timeframe been set for the demolition of the current Ernest Manning? (It would be cool to watch. :haha:)

[mersar]

Last I've heard is Spring 2011 if the current timeline is met, which calls for the new school to open to students in January of that year. CBE hasn't said anything aside from to wait until closer to opening for things such as the name and its boundaries, but I personally doubt they'll change

[frinkprof]

When I spoke with the architects designing the new west high school about the name change (I agree, it would be nice to have it stay Ernest Manning), they said that it hadn't been decided and could go either way. The school will be modeled after Centennial High School in the SE. From what I've read before, the "boundaries" will change slightly, which makes sense to me. Those that would have otherwise gone to the old Ernest Manning will end up at either Central Memorial, Bowness, or Western.

[Vascilli]

When I spoke with the architects designing the new west high school about the name change (I agree, it would be nice to have it stay Ernest Manning), they said that it hadn't been decided and could go either way. The school will be modeled after Centennial High School in the SE. From what I've read before, the "boundaries" will change slightly, which makes sense to me. Those that would have otherwise gone to the old Ernest Manning will end up at either Central Memorial, Bowness, or Western.

They better add another floor or something, we're bursting at the seams. The stairwells are almost impassable at times. If I can get details on the renovations going on I'll post them, all I know is that the stonework at the top is being repaired, a 60kg chunk fell with (Obviously) no warning onto the grass. And the main foyer place will be more "open" after renovations, incorporating glass and the like. (Overheard some planners or whatnot)

[MalcolmTucker]

Yeah, Western will always be like that, hopefully always will be. (busy hallways) At one point, the school board wanted to build a new school out back, then tear down the original Western, but that was kiboshed pretty quick!

[lubicon]

Here's a few notes from NW Calgary:

1. the #1 priority is a new high school located in Arbour Lake. Once that is open it will take students from the far NW communities of Calgary and take some pressure off Bowness.

2. Bowness is slated to downsize to a Jr/Sr High and some of the older portions will be demolished.

My kids are in the Spanish bilingual program, and let me tell you it is absolutely fantastic. If you have young kids entering the school system I highly recommend this program. The program was started about 7 years ago or so and thus only goes to grade 7 at the moment, with the program expanding by a grade every year. Currently there are 4 elemantary schools offering the program (Canyon Meadows, one in teh Westbrook area, Collingwood, and Dalhousie). Jr high is at Senator Patrick Burns althouygh they will likely have to find a school in the south soon to accomodate the kids from that part of the city. William Aberhart is slated to host the high school program when it advances to that stage.

My kids go to Dalhousie which started hosting the Spanish program 3 years ago. It has grown to the point that they are going to shut down the english only program due to lack of students and the school will be 100% Spanish, and going only to grade 4 due to the school being at capacity. Prior to the spanish program Dalhousie was struggling with low enrollment and would have been in danger of closing.

[YYCguys]

Does the City own any former school lands and if so, are they planning to develop them into anything or just let them sit unused and rotting away?

[mersar]

The city owns a few sites and I do believe has right of first refusal on any that the CBE or CSSD wants to sell off. Some sites will get redeveloped, I believe that the site where RB Bennett was in the NW is planned to be redeveloped for instance, but most of the unused sites likely will just remain as greenspace.

[Vascilli]

..What does everyone here think of private schools? After 3 years at Webber Academy, which people are led to believe is a good school, I'm done with them. If someone's kid is actually smart, they can be coded as Gifted in the public system and do whatever they want. Man, what a boring school that was. Few options, authoritarian administration (Even some parents agree) and about $12000/year too much. What a waste of my parent's money.

The Herald publishes that huge list of school rankings in the spring, right? Can't wait..

Edit: Some preliminary info from my "sources" aka friends at Webber on that theater project I've been ranting on about:

They're asking for 20m. 10m from the City, 10m from the Province. As frinkprof says, it sounds unusual that they're asking the city for money, but my sources are certain that's what Dr. Webber said.

Their reasoning for asking for so much is that they will open the theater for use by ATP and Theater Calgary.

The project has been put on hold, presumably because before they can even ask the City and Province for the money, they need a few million more in funding from other sources. "The government wont fund a project that has no significant amount of money from Webber invested into it." This is could be what their upcoming "New York, NY" fund raiser is for.

When the theater expansion was originally announced, it was budgeted at $17 million. I attended there when they made this proposal amongst several others.

I will be getting a paper copy of their financial statements around Tuesday, it encapsules their spending and revenues over the years. Nothing specifically of this theater or any other government funds.


Edit 2: My source briefly outlines how Dr. Webber setup a network of companies to gain him and others (Family and friends) considerable amounts of money. This sounds insane, but I do believe my source.

"He explained it"
"[..]and he set up a non profit company, a profit company and another company, not sure if it was profit or non profit, to get maximum funding from government[.]"
"And thus he can put it on the webpage that Webber is a non profit school[.]"
"But the members of the profit company (webber family, close friends) are part of a profit company that funds the non profit one so that the Webber family and friends can get loads[.]"
"[..]on top of their normal salary[.]"

He doesn't remember the whole thing, but I suppose you get the gist of it.

Edit 3: As I said, my source doesn't remember everything.

"Actually I may have gotten some mixed up, the profit company that gets money from non profit, isnt the one that is just Webber Family, thats the board deciding one[.]"

So there's two schemes, one to keep Dr. Webber on the Board, and another to profit off public funding.

[lubicon]

I have no issue with private schools. If some parent wants to fork over their cash for an education that likely is no better than they can get in the public system then who am I to argue. As long as no taxpayer dollars are used.....

There are sure a ton of schools to choose from when it comes to your kids education. Public (CBE and Catholic), each with specialty programs to pick from, private schools, and charter schools. 2 years ago I remember talking to other parents on my daughter's comminity soccer team. She was in grade one at the time and all the kids on the team (10-12 or so) lived on our street. EVERY SINGLE KID went to a different school, there were no 2 kids going to the same school.

[Vascilli]

I have no issue with private schools. If some parent wants to fork over their cash for an education that likely is no better than they can get in the public system then who am I to argue. As long as no taxpayer dollars are used.....

There are sure a ton of schools to choose from when it comes to your kids education. Public (CBE and Catholic), each with specialty programs to pick from, private schools, and charter schools. 2 years ago I remember talking to other parents on my daughter's comminity soccer team. She was in grade one at the time and all the kids on the team (10-12 or so) lived on our street. EVERY SINGLE KID went to a different school, there were no 2 kids going to the same school.

Uh oh. :P

I'm quite pleased with all the options I have, but I'm more than happy with my fine public school. What I'm more concerned about now is finding work.

[MalcolmTucker]

Private schools get alot of per student funding from the province (in the ball park of $3000 a head), they just do not get capital funding.

There is lots of choice without the private schools getting support, it is a real waste of money to support private schools in our province, especially when religious groups can get a charter for a special school, and be fully funded.

[Vascilli]

Private schools get alot of per student funding from the province (in the ball park of $3000 a head), they just do not get capital funding.

There is lots of choice without the private schools getting support, it is a real waste of money to support private schools in our province, especially when religious groups can get a charter for a special school, and be fully funded.

If Webber does get that 20m, it's around $25,000 per student. A bit much, no? *facepalm*

I'll keep this thread updated with information as I receive it. At this point they don't have enough of their own money invested into the project for the governments to consider it, as my sources say.

[MalcolmTucker]

They won't get $20 million, if Webber thinks he will get that, he must think he is much more important than he is. The ~$3,000 per student, is per year just so you know.

There is no political value in funding it, there is no pressing public need, there is no program to fund it even if there was a pressing need. I have never heard of a private school getting a capital grant from the government for anything other than security upgrades, and Webber is sure not going to be a first in that department.

$20 million is alot, Vertigo and Y-Stage when they moved to their new space cost $5 million.

[Vascilli]

They won't get $20 million, if Webber thinks he will get that, he must think he is much more important than he is. The ~$3,000 per student, is per year just so you know.

There is no political value in funding it, there is no pressing public need, there is no program to fund it even if there was a pressing need. I have never heard of a private school getting a capital grant from the government for anything other than security upgrades, and Webber is sure not going to be a first in that department.

$20 million is alot, Vertigo and Y-Stage when they moved to their new space cost $5 million.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!

Again their reasoning is that they'll "let ATP and Theater Calgary use it", but that's just a load. The drama program there is so small anyways, I have no clue why they're even trying.

Keep in mind he's a former politician, I bet he's got some dick plan lined up that'll screw over everyone but him and his precious little school. :censor:

[Deepstar]

My own personal view is that the school does not make the person. I have some cousins that went to Stratchcona Tweedsmuir and they haven't done much with their life. Another cousin of mine had her son go to James Fowler high - not known as an academic powerhouse of any kind - and he did well, and really did well in University winning an award and graduating with honors.


..What does everyone here think of private schools? After 3 years at Webber Academy, which people are led to believe is a good school, I'm done with them. If someone's kid is actually smart, they can be coded as Gifted in the public system and do whatever they want. Man, what a boring school that was. Few options, authoritarian administration (Even some parents agree) and about $12000/year too much. What a waste of my parent's money.

[freeweed]

My own personal view is that the school does not make the person. I have some cousins that went to Stratchcona Tweedsmuir and they haven't done much with their life. Another cousin of mine had her son go to James Fowler high - not known as an academic powerhouse of any kind - and he did well, and really did well in University winning an award and graduating with honors.

Yeah, and I can top this up with about 1000 more anecdotes. When I was in university (two periods over a span of 13 years) I made it a habit to find out where people went to elementary and high school. I never once noticed any correlation between specific school and university performance, let alone private vs public.

Grade schools are about teaching socialization and (hopefully) some very basic skills. If that's all you're doing with your education, where you go won't matter worth a damn. And if you're going post-secondary, well, university and college have long been known as "the great equalizer".

Same goes for French immersion programs - for those of us not moving to Quebec, or taking jobs with the federal government, they're a waste. They do not make little Johnny or Susie perform any better in school. In fact having taken 2 different science degrees, I've noticed that on average French immersion kids struggle for a year or three - they're fine in most classes as they learn both English and French words for things. But math and the hard sciences? The jargon here just doesn't come up in everyday (outside of school) life for most people. They have to entirely re-learn the jargon, much like an ESL student does. French immersion works out to be more of a hinderance than anything else. The only French-schooled kids I knew who did well in sciences were those whose parents were nerds, so they had plenty of exposure to the English jargon.

In summary: parents, your child is not a unique and precious snowflake, and all the money you spend on schooling isn't going to amount to beans - until they're adults.

Then again, even undergraduate schooling is getting like this for many fields. Maclean's eastern-biased studies aside, most Bachelor-level degrees are just about equal no matter where you go.

[Vascilli]

My own personal view is that the school does not make the person. I have some cousins that went to Stratchcona Tweedsmuir and they haven't done much with their life. Another cousin of mine had her son go to James Fowler high - not known as an academic powerhouse of any kind - and he did well, and really did well in University winning an award and graduating with honors.

Well said. I think too many people assume that going to a good school will entitle them to a well paying job and entrance to a heavenly university. :koko: You know, because drive and determination (Yay buzzwords) have nothing to do with it. *facepalm*

[frinkprof]

Figured this might be a good thread to discuss MRC -> MRU.

[frinkprof]

We discussed this a few months back and Socguy PM'd me the (draft) campus plan for Mount Royal College. It's dated Sept. 11, 2008. Lots of stuff in there. I meant to post it to the Calgary Construction Thread, but kind of forgot about it in my PM box until the recent talk about MRC came up.

Mount Royal College Draft Campus Plan (~40MB) (http://mtroyal.ca/documents/Campus_plan_presentationSept112008.pdf)

Here's a couple images from the document, showing all phases. Yellow is existing, red is first phase, or short term, and orange is later phases, or longer term.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/frinkprof/mtroyal1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/frinkprof/mtroyal2.jpg

[mersar]

How about the downtown campus as well?

U of C announces Downtown Campus site

The University of Calgary has finalized the site of its new Downtown Campus, which will welcome its first students in September 2010. The new site, located at 906 8th Avenue S.W., in the western end of the core, will house students in a variety of programs.
“The Downtown Campus will quickly become the intellectual and cultural centre, and meeting place of Calgary,” said Harvey Weingarten, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary. “It will offer students new and exciting experiences, deepen our engagement with the community, and free up space on our main campus.”
The University’s Board of Governors approved the project and site on Wednesday. The new facility will be fully funded and operated within a special funding envelope provided by the Province of Alberta. The University will lease the entire building and will control all the space in it. The building provides 127,000 square feet of flexible space.
The Downtown Campus will significantly expand the University’s capacity to offer students experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the area of community service learning, which connects students directly with local businesses and non-profit organizations. Final decisions on which programs will be located in the Downtown Campus will be made early this year. It is anticipated that the downtown site will house programs such as the U of C’s Continuing Education, executive education and professional development programs, and other initiatives where a downtown presence would enhance the teaching and learning experience for students and community members. The new building, which will be gutted and renovated to LEED standards, will be flexible to ensure various groups are able to access and benefit from the downtown location.
“Students tell us they’re looking for a very high quality solid classroom experience coupled with experiences in experiential learning, working with community groups, social groups and the business community,” says Weingarten. “This is exactly the kind of facility they need to round out their education—to make it relevant, contemporary and useful.”
The selection of the site was made following an extensive due diligence process that identified possible downtown locations. The 8th Avenue location was selected for several reasons, including its proximity to the LRT, the flexibility of the space, the ability for the University to create a significant store-front presence, and the timely availability of the space.
The new Downtown Campus builds on the U of C’s existing slate of programs and initiatives operating in the heart of Calgary. To date, the Faculties of nursing, social work, fine arts, environmental design and the Schulich School of Engineering, among others, offer students the opportunity to participate in community-based learning activities. Pilot projects have included partnerships with the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope and the Children’s Village.
“Every student potentially has some part of their program where a connection with the community adds value to their undergraduate experience,” said Weingarten.
Source (http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/utoday/feb6-09/downtowncampus)

[Vascilli]

If anyone's wondering where to see how schools rank against each other, the Fraser Institute School Performance Report Card's can be viewed here:

http://www.fraserinstitute.org/reportcards/schoolperformance/alberta.htm

Keep in mind that this is strictly academic, in no way does it rate other equally important aspects of schools. Extra-curricular and the such are non-existant at Webber Academy, which ranks 1st in the report, and their sports teams are fairly bad too. (I was on it..) Other schools such as Western which ranks 11th or St. Mary's which is 124th have much more going for them, with so many teams and courses and clubs and all sorts of fun stuff.

Just some food for thought. ;)

[frinkprof]

^The Fraser Institute School rankings should be taken for what they are. An amalgamation of selected statistics, which is then sorted by total "score." While I will not argue that it isn't useful to form some basis for some conclusions, it does not tell a whole story.

Northland School Division number 61 routinely has, by proportion, the lowest ranking schools. Fair is fair and numbers don't lie. However, having attended and graduated from one of these schools, in a lot of ways, it is a whole other world apart from places like James Fowler and Forest Lawn, much less Western or Webber Academy.

So many examples to draw from, but things like having gym facilities that aren't large enough to be classified as a gymnasium (Activity Room is apparently a word for "small room that happens to have a couple basketball hoops"); all students in grades 10 to 12 (numbering about a dozen depending on the year or even time of year) being in the same room together, with 7 different math courses being facilitated by a single instructor at the same time; or having the better part of a couple weeks worth of school wiped off the calendar every year due to snow or cold or both.

This is of course not to mention cultural and environmental factors such as comparatively rampant alcohol, drug, physical, or emotional abuse at home; or a labour job in your own back yard in the oil and gas or forestry sectors waiting for anyone with a grade 10 education, or not, if demand is high enough.

Lastly, it is also important to know who is putting out these annual reports. Wikipedia and cross-reference "Fraser Institute." No matter your political leanings, by all accounts they are a right wing (some might throw the libertarian tag in too) think tank. Draw from that whatever conclusions you will.

[Vascilli]

Mmm, well said. The Fraser Institute is typically the "standard" for school rankings, hence I referenced it. All biases aside, Webber really wasn't that great in my mind. They just aren't the best school in Alberta, and their Fraser score really makes me look crazy.

But I digress, these rankings really are unfair. There are just too many factors that have nothing to do with the school that affect their scores, as you said. At Webber (As an example because I have experience, this likely applies to all private schools, such as Rundle and STS) it's the "ideal world" to be learning in. Family problems are far and few in between, financial worries are unheard of (I think I can count the number of people with jobs in my grade on a single hand) and drug use is unknown. Why do I say unknown? Because when a rich teenager has nothing to do with their money, they start spending it on stuff, and drugs are one of them. My friend's brother got expelled on Wednesday after he got caught with weed.

All in all, the social aspect of Webber is very stable and predictable, which I suspect is a prime factor in their rank. (With my tinfoil hat on, I suspect Dr. Webber has screwed with something to achieve such a rank) At Western every one of my teachers is better, even though we rank lower. Hm.

Edit: This is another tinfoil hat fact, but Webber was created and is run by Dr Webber who happens to be a conservative, and the former vice president Len Webber is (re)running for MLA in Foothills. Back in grade 8 they put their signs up on the walkways at school, I thought that was rather rich for a "non-denominational school."

[MalcolmTucker]

If you took the IB programs out of Mary's and Western, I think you would find comparable or higher levels of achievement than Webber, just as Old Scona is reasonably close in Edmonton.

For having a fair number of students that are not french immersion (self selected by parents, etc) and not IB (grade based selection) Western does very very well.

[Vascilli]

I am in full IB, and it's without a doubt better than what my friends at Webber are learning, even in AP there. None of my friends like it there. I'm also learning faster than them, we have semesters and because I'm in IB I'm taking Math 20IB and Chem 20IB now in grade 10, and at Webber they don't have semesters, so it's 8 courses all through the year, and all at 10 level.

[Dafunk]

Ultimately I dont think it matters which school you go to. All that that matters is that you have that personal drive to do well. School rankings can only do so much. I too took Full IB back in high school, and after I finished my post secondary education, I realised that the best students I encoutered were not necessarily from schools that offered higher level programs, but passed from regular high schools. They were just exteremly ambitious and goal driven.
________
volcano vaporizers (http://volcanovaporizer.net/)

[Vascilli]

At Western today:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1886/image004wy3.jpg

[Vascilli]

* Non-Resident Students residing in Canada by virtue of a student visa are not eligible for the Alberta subsidy for resident students. Consequently, these students must assume the total cost of education each year they attend the school.
* First Nation students living on the reserve are not included in the per student provincial operating grants since their education is funded by the federal government.


..Is the entire truth? The whole First Nations thing surprises me. (This is an excerpt from the Webber 08-09 Fee Structure)

[mersar]

Yep. I know that in Cochrane when I was in middle and high school there were a fixed number of spots in each school for native students who lived out in Morley, and the number was fixed as it was dedicated funding from the federal government that covered their entire schooling and it was built into the school budget different then the per-student grants from the province. The non-resident part is no different then a non-resident student going to the University, they pay a substantially larger amount per year as there is no provincial grants.

[Vascilli]

Weird. I wonder why they don't get provincial funding..

[frinkprof]

^In the case of non-resident students, they don't pay taxes to the province.

Same thing for first nations, but they are also under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The funding is available for first nations to go to high school and post-secondary.

[Vascilli]

Okay, here's an odd question: What does it take to offer a new course at a school? As an example, say I suggest Rabbit Petting 10/20/30 be offered at school. Somehow a year later I'm taking Rabbit Petting 10. What happened in between? Or, some weirdo suggests Albino Hedgehog Petting 10/20/30. It's denied. What stopped them?

Other courses I suggest:

Guns 10/20/30
Mass Transit 10/20/30
Eating 10/20/30
Cults 10/20/30
Sleeping 10/20/30
Tank Driving 10/20/30

[mersar]

It may have changed since I was in high school, but at that time there was a huge book of courses that were approved by Alberta Learning that could be offered if there was sufficient interest and resources available at the school (meaning a teacher who wanted to teach it and equipment needed or budget to acquire the equipment). My dad works at the other high school here and mentioned the other day that my old high school was finally adding a woodworking class that will be held at the school he works at since my old high school doesn't have a woodshop but there is enough students who wanted it.

Adding a brand new course that isn't in that book though would probably take convincing Alberta Learning, and likely by the time you had them convinced the students who wanted it would be graduated.

And after a quick search, it turns out the list is still in place and is on Alberta Learning's teachers (http://www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program.aspx) site. Most of the choices fall into the CTS program, though there are some in other areas.

[Vascilli]

So if I'm reading this right, What is Wildlife? is a 10 level, 1 credit course part of the Wildlife strand, meaning that a school would probably have a Wildlife 10 course comprising of that and 4 other introductory level courses, correct?

Very interesting, thanks for the links mersar, it's time to bug my school to offer Wheel Alignment and Silviculture.

[frinkprof]

There's 2 high schools in Cochrane?

Also, I took a few credits in forestry and wildlife in high school.

[mersar]

There's 2 high schools in Cochrane?

3 now actually. 2 public (Cochrane High and Bow Valley High, on the hill tops on either end of town) and 1 separate (St. Timothy's, which is Calgary Catholic and is located off Highway 22 north of the former western heritage centre, now our town hall). We just about need a fourth as well, and will if the growth keeps happening. The new subdivision on the north side of town will need its own set of at least 3 more schools if it builds its full size or RVS decides to build bigger schools which is unlikely)

[frinkprof]

Wow I guess I could see one Catholic and one public, but that seems like a lot given the population.

[mersar]

Bow Valley has around 500 students, Cochrane High has around 800 (both are grade 9-12) and St. Timothy is around 300 I believe (grade 7 through 12). RVS typically sticks to smaller school sizes, pretty much all but Bow Valley are in the 800-900 student range and none are larger then 900 based on the numbers I've heard for this year). By comparison Airdrie has 2 public (Bert Church and George Macdougal) and 1 separate as well, though twice the population but likely a different demographic. One factor that would impact Cochrane is that we also pull everyone from the Calgary city limit west to Morley pretty much, so all students in Bearspaw are bussed in to Cochrane after they get past the grades that are offered at Bearspaw.

[Vascilli]

I can't believe there's nothing related to urban planning or infrastructure or the likes. Closest thing is Logistics, which is only good if I want to make Fedex Jr.

[Vascilli]

Here's another two questions:

The Private Schools Regulation requires that if a private school expells a student they are responsible for the students education for the rest of the year. Is this simply making sure they're put into a school, or being financially responsible as well?

Question two: If a student is expelled, are they entitled to receive a corresponding part of their tuition refunded?

[evolv]

^ no, i went through private and always had expulsion insurance, you can actually buy it

[Vascilli]

^ no, i went through private and always had expulsion insurance, you can actually buy it

Whaaaaa? :sly:

Never heard of it. Sounds nice.

Edit: Can someone provide a link? Google shows nothing.

Edit 2: Closest thing I can find is Tuition Refund Insurance, which doesn't cover expulsion.

[Vascilli]

The Fraser Report for elementary schools was in the Herald today, and everyone's favorite school came in first.. :yuck: (With 0% ESL or special needs and 5 digit tuition, you'd expect that) I'm happy to say my former elementary dropped ten spots. :tup: New Horizons came out of nowhere and tied for first with Webber at 9.9/10 overall. Don't bother reading the first two columns of Sarah McGinnis' article, it's pretty much an advertisement. :rolleyes: Maybe I'm a bit biased, but most of my friends who've gone there since elementary are not "bilingual and trilingual" despite nearly a decade of Spanish or Mandarin.

I can't wait to see the high school one, that'll be a good one. :haha:

PS if you're a registered psychologist, apparently Webber is looking to hire one. (About time..) :sly:

[devonb]

Great conversation going on here. I'm a elementary teacher in Calgary so this sort of stuff really interests me. The Fraser Institute is hugely controversial. I taught at the top rated school in Richmond while I lived in Vancouver. It was a private school, more traditional style of learning (so a lot of written tests), and had huge parent support. What this equates to is the students being pushed to do better, trained to do well in testing, and because the parents are paying good money to send them to the school, they got more support at home for their learning.

There are many reasons you can't rate schools based on provincial test scores. Unfortunately, education bases too much on how well you can perform in a written test, which doesn't equate to how well you know something or how smart you are. Most people don't express learning through written tests well. The provincial testing itself is designed as a tool for the school/district to see where they need to improve their education or where they are doing well. The Fraser Institute uses these to grade schools, which is wrong. The school I'm at now is over 50% ESL, and I also have about 15% of my students with a diagnosed learning disorder. All of these students must write the provincial exam this year (grade 3). The school itself does not rank well according to the Fraser Institute. The average parent probably doesn't realize that this ranking has nothing to do with the education their children receive. Many teachers at these schools do amazing things with the students and are great educators.

This is almost always the reason why schools in wealthier areas or private schools rank better. Parents have the time, or money, to support their children in school (and often pressure them to do well).

On the public vs. private debate:

When I was in BC, there was an interesting survey that came out. They took the average abilities of students from a variety of schools and removed students who were from low income families from the overall scores. They found that the average public school had better results then private schools. The argument there is that private has a more traditional learning model (desks in rows, memorization, a lot of testing) where public uses more modern, proven forms of education which uses other forms of assessment other than straight up testing.

[devonb]

I should say the reason why they remove the low income families from the equation. Generally, the parent(s) are unable to support their children the same way that the average family can. So if the child is struggling in school, they are less likely to have a parent help them at home, and are also less likely to get as much pressure on them to do well in school. This is what the statistics say anyways.

[devonb]

Interestingly, I just looked up the two schools I've taught at here in Calgary on the Fraser Institute's website. The current school I'm at is ranked in the bottom 100 in AB with an average family income of $80K. The other school I was at was in the top 15 in AB with an average family income of $715K.

[Vascilli]

Interestingly, I just looked up the two schools I've taught at here in Calgary on the Fraser Institute's website. The current school I'm at is ranked in the bottom 100 in AB with an average family income of $80K. The other school I was at was in the top 15 in AB with an average family income of $715K.

What differences in the student's attitudes did you notice? At my old private school the people that weren't my friends never took anything seriously. Life was a big joke, grades didn't matter and money didn't either. If they wanted something, they got it and didn't think twice. I think in my entire grade two people had jobs. Now at my current school I've noticed that most people take things seriously, and they're more involved in extracurricular activities. (To be fair, more are offered.) I couldn't stand the elitist, world-on-a-platter atmosphere at my old school, so I left.

[devonb]

The students at my previous school were great and generally the parents were too. There were, however, some parents that would take their kids on a shopping trip to NY for a week - a fourth grader! Next month they went to Mexico. So from some kids, there was a sense of "what does it matter" and their parents had a similar attitude: school = babysitting service. You also had a lot of stay at home moms that loved to tell you how to do your job better, since they had nothing else to do with their day. Generally, wealthy schools have more difficulty keeping teachers because of the parents.

In saying that, you get students with a similar attitude at my current school and their families aren't well off. So I think it really depends more on personality than anything.

Am I answering your question?

[devonb]

I should mention that in elementary school you get less attitude from the kids. They're young enough that they still like school and think you're cool cause you're their teacher.

There definitely was more of an attitude with some parents that you were their employee since you taught at their local school. Many parents would tell you what they would like you to teach or ask you to provide things for their children in the classroom. I guess they didn't realize that there was a prescribed curriculum and one teacher can only do so much, especially when it goes beyond the usual requirements.

I had one parent ask me to start creating extra worksheets for their child to do for homework each week. I told them no; they probably have no idea how long it takes to create a worksheet from scratch - plus they have more than enough money to purchase a book or hire a tutor.

Parents are definitely more respectful of teachers at my current school. Part of that is probably because of the large immigrant population. Respect for teachers seems to be something that is part of their culture.

[Vascilli]

This is a rather odd question, but when was the last time Western had a shooting team? They had a team that won provincial championships in the early 20's, but there's no mention of if they had a team after that.

I'm thinking about trying to start it again, but I don't know who we'd compete with.. (Anti-gun freaks, I suspect) :sly:

[Vascilli]

I'm pulling this thread up, I'd like to know if anyone's taken this program, or more likely, any similar program.
http://conted.mtroyal.ca/smallbusiness/

I don't even think I'd be allowed to attend on account of my age, but my mom thinks it would be better for me to do this than the "Mickey Mouse courses" (her words) that they have in high school. It sure would be funny to have an Entrepreneurship Certificate at my age.

[Vascilli]

The students at my previous school were great and generally the parents were too. There were, however, some parents that would take their kids on a shopping trip to NY for a week - a fourth grader! Next month they went to Mexico. So from some kids, there was a sense of "what does it matter" and their parents had a similar attitude: school = babysitting service. You also had a lot of stay at home moms that loved to tell you how to do your job better, since they had nothing else to do with their day. Generally, wealthy schools have more difficulty keeping teachers because of the parents.

In saying that, you get students with a similar attitude at my current school and their families aren't well off. So I think it really depends more on personality than anything.

Am I answering your question?

I never did say you did answer my question. :P

I can't help but speculate, what would happen if I started a shooting team or club at Western? The PE classes do archery, target shooting is the same thing with different stuff.

[DizzyEdge]

Speaking of schools, does anyone know about a plan for ACAD to eventually move from their current building? I seem to recall ages ago some discussion that SAIT actually owned the building or something and at some point ACAD would be leaving?

[frinkprof]

^I believe we've heard in the past that yes SAIT does own the ACAD campus, and that ACAD is actively looking to relocate. I don't think we'd heard any strong possibilities for location though.

[DizzyEdge]

I'd love to see it move to Inglewood/Ramsay area,.. big art community, future SE BRT and eventually LRT area, lots of underutilized industrial lots, 5+ blocks of walkable retail in the area,etc etc

[Vascilli]

Inglewood sure would be nice. (I never go there, I should visit more)

[Bassic Lab]

I'd love to see it move to Inglewood/Ramsay area,.. big art community, future SE BRT and eventually LRT area, lots of underutilized industrial lots, 5+ blocks of walkable retail in the area,etc etc

I always thought that the old Molson Brewery would make an excellent site. Essentially just salvage what can be from the site and add some new space. For dorms the best bet would be to build on the empty lots along 9th. The ground floors could be used as gallery space for students.

It would really rejuvenate Inglewood without destroying the character it has now. 9th Ave could turn into a much more lively strip with students living right on it all the time. As it currently stands the street seems to have too much in common with any small prairie town's downtown (see Claresholm, Fort MacLeod, Nanton) in that it is nice how intact it is but it is just too dead.

[DizzyEdge]

^^ Hah yes the brewery site is exactly what I had in mind, old Brewery buildings/gardens etc + the storage areas to the west:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/58/acad.jpg

The blue circle is approx location of BRT station this fall.

[Vascilli]

HYJPSSRai-s
CAD preview of the planned theater expansion to Webber Academy. I have some issues with the design, let alone the school. (A school their size has no need for such an expansion) Estimated cost was at one point $30 million.
UGFoMhUCEp4
CAD rendering of the same extension. Too much brick. (It's like Montana got prematurely capped or something)

[Vascilli]

Private schools get alot of per student funding from the province (in the ball park of $3000 a head), they just do not get capital funding.

There is lots of choice without the private schools getting support, it is a real waste of money to support private schools in our province, especially when religious groups can get a charter for a special school, and be fully funded.

Random correction, it's now $4000 per student. (As per Alberta Education standards for all students)

A brief update for Western, the scaffolding on the front left of the building came down on Friday. Battle of the Bands was on Friday, I took pictures for yearbook and the power went out three times. Celebrate Western was tonight, I covered that too. If any of you were there I was the guy with the Canon 1D II and 70-200L. (Large black camera, white lens and monopod)

[frinkprof]

Want to have input on the naming of the new West Calgary High School (replacement for Earnest Manning High School at SW corner of 17th Ave. and 69th Street SW)? Follow the link below.

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/extsurvey/trustees/schoolnaming.asp

[Yume-sama]

:banana: I chose Ernest Manning Memorial High School.

As a former student, with a current student in the household and a future student on the way. :whip:

[frinkprof]

^Yeah, I like that one as well. Of course there is already Central Memorial High School, which itself was built to replace the old Central High School in a different location, which is similar to this situation.

I was trying to think of a new name and thought of either Stu Hart High School, or Hart High School. I'm not really a wrestling fan, and of course schools are more typically named after politicians, war heroes, or people who have significantly contributed to eductation. However, considering the Hart mansion is nearby, and that all the Hart children went to Earnest Manning, I thought it might be a decent name.

[mersar]

The naming of Central Memorial isn't quite the same situation (the CBE has the full history behind that name on their site (http://www.cbe.ab.ca/schools/view.asp?id=200)), though it does allow for some precedent for the style of name.

I'd agree that the option of calling this new school Ernest Manning Memorial High School is a pretty decent one. Just due to how they set up the survey the CBE obviously realized that the community wants the old name to remain in some form.

[Vascilli]

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/extsurvey/trustees/schoolnaming.asp

Suggest what you want the new West High School to be named. Evidently the name is/was just a stand in.

[Vascilli]

The Fraser Institute Annual Report Card thing was released yesterday, there's been some shifts in the top. West Island College tied with Old Scona Academic Senior High and Tempo School in Edmonton for first with a perfect 10.0, some other schools came in second and third, (I'm not searching through all the schools to find out, I can't find a list sorted by ranking) Strathcona Strathcona-Tweedsmuir came in fourth, and I can't help but laugh, Webber Academy dropped from the throne to tie with Rundle College for fifth place. On the other end of the spectrum, Juno Beach rose from their previous ranking of worst in the province one spot to 282nd. The Herald also did a large piece on how Ernest Manning is making vast improvements.

[lubicon]

From the CBE website



The Calgary Board of Education’s (CBE) Board of Trustees have unanimously approved the recommendation that the Ernest Manning High School name be transferred to the new West Calgary High School, which is expected to open in fall 2011.

The existing Ernest Manning High School, located at 3600- 16th Ave. S.W., will close when the new high school opens. The original school is closing to make way for the expansion of the West LRT.

After collecting and reviewing input from more than 2000 students, parents, staff, alumni and community members, it became clear the majority of respondents overwhelmingly favoured the existing name. Based on this feedback, the School Naming Committee put forth the recommendation to keep the name of Ernest Manning High School.

The name of the existing Ernest Manning High School will officially be transferred to the new school being constructed at 69th Street and 17th Avenue S.W. upon closure and cessation of operations of the existing school. In the interim, the new school will continue to be referred to as the West Calgary High School during construction and through the transition.

[frinkprof]

Mount Royal Conservatory gets boost to tune of $20M

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | 3:10 PM MT
CBC News

Mount Royal College inched closer to a new conservatory and performance hall with a $20-million boost from the provincial government on Tuesday.

The college hopes to build a new 650-seat performance hall, 82 studios, 16 practice rooms, two large studios and various classrooms and rehearsal areas at an estimated cost of $60 million.

"We'll be able to expand our offerings by about 50 per cent," said Sheldon Nadler, acting director of the Mount Royal Conservatory, of the new building.

Two levels of government committed to covering about two-thirds of the bill on Tuesday.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach was on hand to announce up to $20 million for the project, while federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, a Calgary MP, said Ottawa will consider funding up to another $20 million through the Building Canada Fund, as long as the City of Calgary also contributes.

"It is projects such as this that will create jobs and boost the economy in Calgary, as well as increase the number of artistic and cultural activities available to our community members," Prentice said in a statement.

The college hopes the remaining one-third of costs will be covered by the City of Calgary and private donors.
Opening eyed for fall 2011

A lack of space has prevented the Mount Royal Conservatory, which first started taking music students in 1911, from augmenting its enrolment for the last 15 years, said Nadler.

"We have waiting lists. We have programs that the public wants to take part in and we have teachers that we would love to be able to bring on and we simply haven't had the space for them," he told CBC News.

The conservatory currently offers three theatre arts diploma programs for acting, technical theatre and acting, as well as various music and speech arts courses for students of all ages.

About 5,000 students under 18 years old are enrolled in different programs at the conservatory. Officials plan to increase enrolment by 50 per cent over the next 15 to 20 years.

With Tuesday's announcement, the school can begin to seek proposals on the new conservatory's design, said Hunter Wight, vice-president of external relations.

The hope is to break ground by next spring, for an opening in the fall of 2011, which would cap both the school and the conservatory's centennial celebrations, he added.

With files from Andree Lau Link (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/07/14/mount-royal-conservatory-calgary-funding-alberta.html)

[lubicon]

Anybody go to the open house the at the new U of C Veterinary School's new Clinical Skills building on Saturday. We took the kids and I have to say I was very impressed. Not only does the program itself appear to be first class, but the building is great. It's well laid out and lookd good to boot. Obviously it's geared towards animals so there are some unique layouts and equipment, but there are some neat architectural details. For example the entrance is built underneath a metal grain storage bin that has been modified as a (very) large skylight.

Neat building, great program.

The only awkward part was explaining to my 9 year old kids what the calf castration display was all about!:haha:

[Vascilli]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Parents+urge+cuts+begin+Alberta+private+schools/1945824/story.html

Parents urge cuts to begin at Alberta's private schools

CALGARY - If the Stelmach government is determined to cut $80 million from the education budget, some parents say the province should start by reducing public funding for private schools.

But the founder of a prominent Calgary private school says cutting support for independent schools could result in a larger drain on taxpayer dollars because it would mean more students enrolling in public system.

Thirteen months ago, Alberta Education increased funding to private schools by 10 per cent.

Private schools now receive 70 per cent of the per-pupil operating grants that public school boards receive -- which worked out to about $117.7 million during the last school year.

It was the first time in a decade private schools had received a funding increase.

The move was meant to ensure educational choice for Alberta parents, Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock said at the time.

But continuing to support private schools doesn't sit well with many Calgary parents as school boards have been called on to return $44 million of their savings to help cover a mandated$80 million in cuts from this year's $6.2-billion education budget.

"The government has mismanaged Alberta's finances to the point of ruin and who is going to pay for it: our kids," said Laura Shutiak, president of the Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils.

If cuts must be made, "it would be very easy to take it out of private schools," she said.

Smaller Calgary schools are already feeling the pinch, and further education cuts could mean bigger class sizes, said Megan Evans, whose 10-year-old son attends a public school.

"Typically if a person had a need or desire to put their child in a private school, they have a personal mandate. They should maybe pay for that," said Evans.

Calgary-Varsity Liberal MLA Harry Chase said he understands the Stelmach administration needs to balance the budget. But he would rather save money by cutting public subsidies to private schools.

"Private schools are by their very nature exclusive. If parents really want a private option, they can pay for it;public dollars should be reserved for public schools, which are open to all," Chase said.

Private schools actually reduce some of the strain on the public system at a fraction of the cost to taxpayers, said Webber Academy founder Neil Webber.

While private schools receive 70 per cent of the per-pupil grant, independent institutions don't get access to many other education subsidies such as for technology upgrades or transportation, he said.

"The fact is for every child learning at a private school to go to a public school would cost the government more money," said Webber.

It's not as if school boards are the only ones being asked to dig deep to help address budget cuts, he said.

Private schools have received word from the province that they, too, will be expected to give back some cash this year, said Webber.

He estimated his school would have its budget cut by between $30,000 and $35,000 this school year.

"I'm not upset with that at all. Given the economic times, I think we have to be part of the process," said Webber.

smcginnis@theherald. canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald


Can anybody briefly explain to me what "Blue Book" Grants are? I looked at them and noticed Neils delightful "non-profit" received $2.5m from 07-08, and from 08-09Q3, $1,885,197. This is vastly higher than the supposed "70 per cent of the per-pupil grant" and it seems like a considerable oversight on someones part. What's going on? :koko:

[Vascilli]

Okay, time for some school advice, seeing as all you have graduated. I'm in full IB right now, and I want to do business when I graduate. My courses do little to nothing to help me in that regard. The way it is right now I have to take Chem HL, which is entirely pointless seeing as I haven't the slightest interest in it. If I do things right, I'll have a decent amount of extra-curricular stuff to do, and I don't think I can handle the workload. Some people say IB is a load of shit, others keep preaching how it can help you in post-secondary. What do I do? (My current plan is to drop all my HL courses)

[Colin]

Okay, time for some school advice, seeing as all you have graduated. I'm in full IB right now, and I want to do business when I graduate. My courses do little to nothing to help me in that regard. The way it is right now I have to take Chem HL, which is entirely pointless seeing as I haven't the slightest interest in it. If I do things right, I'll have a decent amount of extra-curricular stuff to do, and I don't think I can handle the workload. Some people say IB is a load of shit, others keep preaching how it can help you in post-secondary. What do I do? (My current plan is to drop all my HL courses)

I just finished my BComm at the U of C and I was taking full IB when I was in high school. I dropped everything once I reached grade 12 but there's definitely benefits to the IB program because I do believe that some classes are transferable to university credits including history and chemistry. Therefore, you can save yourself some time and money by taking some classes while in school. However, I wanted to enjoy my last year in high school and get high marks to get into university. If I remember correctly, my grades went up by probably 10% once I dropped IB so you should also consider that better grades will also mean more scholarships. Best of luck!

[Vascilli]

I just finished my BComm at the U of C and I was taking full IB when I was in high school. I dropped everything once I reached grade 12 but there's definitely benefits to the IB program because I do believe that some classes are transferable to university credits including history and chemistry. Therefore, you can save yourself some time and money by taking some classes while in school. However, I wanted to enjoy my last year in high school and get high marks to get into university. If I remember correctly, my grades went up by probably 10% once I dropped IB so you should also consider that better grades will also mean more scholarships. Best of luck!

This was one of the first things I thought about when I was considering doing partial IB. I'm not sure where I go to school, but even if I don't go I can blow some of it on some camera lenses. (Canon 200mm f/2L?? :slob:)

[Vascilli]

Is there someplace I can dig up some info on the new Ernest Manning school? I'd like to see what they plan on filling it all with. (Here's hoping for lots of CTS) Of course I'm just a bit too old to go there, but it's nice to know. My friend is on an advisory council of some sort and is/was involved in some of the design, if he shows me anything I'll be sure to mention it here.

Edit:

Manning's own website has some good PDFs, I'll list what I believe to be impressive ... things.

-"Expanded development of the Advanced Placement Programs" So they'll have AP.
-Honours programs
-"Opportunities for students to be credentialed, explorers or specialists." I don't really get that, sounds like you might get a complementary certificate in addition to a diploma, such as Fine Arts Certificate or International Certificate.
-"Multiple award-winning business partnership with Shane Homes." No clue on this one.
-"Fine and Performing Arts Certificate program with additional mentorship." Well that helps answer the explorer/specialist stuff.
-"Forensic Science" Cool.
-"Physical fitness centre and climbing wall." Impressive, especially as Westside is right across the street.

[frinkprof]

Parents fight to save inner-city school

Updated: Tue Jan. 12 2010 16:48:01

ctvcalgary.ca

A group of parents living in the inner-city says their school should be saved.

The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) is considering closing Saint Angela Elementary in Bridgeland.

Laurie Stretch's children have been students at the school for five years.

"The City of Calgary talks about vibrant inner-city communities and you need schools to have young families, so it makes no sense to close inner-city schools," says Stretch
[...]http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100112/CGY_Closure_School_100112/20100112/?hub=CalgaryHome

[artvandelay]

I just found out that the U of C plans to increase my tuition by 46.5% next year!
According to the SU, administration plans to add a $240 market modifier" fee to each business course to combat the deficit. Each course costs $516 right now. So next year my costs will rise by $2,400 when they have only gone up by ~$75 over the past 2 years. Engg fees will go up by 38.7%, with Law and Medicine increasing by 15% and 27% respectively.

The commerce faculty is one of the few that generates significant income from alumni and corporate donations, and the same is true with Engineering, so why should students in these faculties be punished when the same amount of revenue could be generated with a $15 increase across the board?
Thankfully I only have one year left at this lovely institution...

[Vascilli]

Damn that's quite a bit.

Is there a gun club at U of C? It's a requirement of mine for when I decide which schools to apply to.

[lubicon]

Interesting....


School board accused of cherry-picking

Extra pupils will pad bottom line

By Sarah McGinnis, Calgary HeraldJanuary 28, 2010 6:59

A Calgary private school's move to join a public school district more than 700 kilometres away is raising concerns some boards are cherry-picking independent facilities to help boost their bottom line.

link

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/School+board+accused+cherry+picking/2493434/story.html

[Vascilli]

To hell with that. I find it particularly funny that it's Edge school because they're not particularly good at anything. They are consistently defeated in sporting events by public schools and they're not all that great academically. I guess they think the extra cash will help them.

[kw5150]

Is there any good news? S%^T!!

[93JC]

I just found out that the U of C plans to increase my tuition by 46.5% next year!
According to the SU, administration plans to add a $240 market modifier" fee to each business course to combat the deficit. Each course costs $516 right now. So next year my costs will rise by $2,400 when they have only gone up by ~$75 over the past 2 years. Engg fees will go up by 38.7%, with Law and Medicine increasing by 15% and 27% respectively.

I heard the increases would be 16% for MBA courses, 17% for law, 32% for medicine, 40% for engineering and a whopping 48% for business.

That's insane.

The commerce faculty is one of the few that generates significant income from alumni and corporate donations, and the same is true with Engineering, so why should students in these faculties be punished when the same amount of revenue could be generated with a $15 increase across the board?

I think the idea is that engineering, business, law and medicine students go on to have much more... "fruitful"... careers than someone who gets a BA in English, thus it is easier for them to carry a higher debt load.

Unfortunately the UofC seems to have failed to consider the number of people who will be priced out of their market, and will simply go somewhere else. I know if my tuition went from $5500 to ~$8000 per annum I would have certainly entertained the thought of going somewhere else, particularly the UofA.

[MasterG]

Proposed Tuition Fees

- Law: $13,800, from $11,799

- Medicine: $18,600, from $14,384

- Engineering (per course) $724, from $516. Full course load estimated at $7,238

- Business (per course) $763, from $516. Full course load estimated at $7,638

-Education $658 increase per course

- approx. $500 additional general fees for all students (previously only ~$36.00)


The mood on campus is getting really tense, i wouldnt be surprised if we see some major protests and drama next week, rightfully so too. My tuition is going up by ~$2,500 next year if all of these proposed increases go through. The university really dropped the ball on this one, the disaffection with the administration is nearly universal in the student body.

[DizzyEdge]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Changing+demographics+prompting+school+closures/2506945/story.html

Changing demographics prompting school closures


BY SARAH MCGINNIS, CALGARY HERALDFEBRUARY 1, 2010 7:08 AMCOMMENTS (1)


Metal chairs shuffle on the wooden gym floor as parents line up behind a makeshift podium -- a music stand with a microphone -- waiting for their chance to speak.

Frustrated fathers ask about walk limits and busing if their neighbourhood school closes. Mothers plead for the preservation of small class sizes and community atmosphere.

They're told by Calgary Board of Education staff that enrolments are too low to continue. The school can't offer its students what larger ones can.

"You're going to close the school anyway," says upset parent Shona Wadman. "So why the smokescreen?"

[...]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Changing+demographics+prompting+school+closures/2506945/story.html

[93JC]

Proposed Tuition Fees

- Engineering (per course) $724, from $516. Full course load estimated at $7,238


Minimum course load per year for an engineering student is 11, so per annum tuition will actually go from ~$5700 to ~$8000. At least.

[MasterG]

Minimum course load per year for an engineering student is 11, so per annum tuition will actually go from ~$5700 to ~$8000. At least.

Correct, but one of the 11 courses required is a non-engg option. so that last class wont be going up the the same amount. Although factor in the general administration fee increases and it up in the 8,000 range.

[mersar]

Yep.

Fortunately the province is making noise to suggest they won't be approving anything even close to what the universities are proposing.

[93JC]

Correct, but one of the 11 courses required is a non-engg option. so that last class wont be going up the the same amount.

Not necessarily. I took 44 courses to get my degree, the absolute bare minimum. Of those 44, 34 of them were nominally "engineering" courses.

Of the remaining 10, four were courses officially "for engineers" (i.e. no one outside of an engineering major could even apply to take it), two were courses "for scientists and engineers", two were courses mostly for engineers (physics courses; I'm not sure if anyone outside of engineers took them), and the other two were the "general ed." courses I had to take for the purposes of CEAB accreditation (I took intro sociology and anthropology).

So even though almost a quarter of my courses were not officially offered from the school of engineering most of them were restricted to engineers. I would be surprised if students didn't have to pay $723.83 for "Organic Chemistry for Engineers", "Differential Equations for Engineers", etc.

[Bassic Lab]

Yep.

Fortunately the province is making noise to suggest they won't be approving anything even close to what the universities are proposing.

I don't know which of two possibilities worries me more. First, the province allowing our universities to break the tuition cap drastically, screwing over students financially but allowing the quality to remain where it is. Second, the province maintaining the cap or rates close to the cap, forcing deep spending cuts at all institutions and damaging quality in the process. I've essentially given up hope on the province actually funding post-secondary education sufficiently to maintain tuition levels for students and spending levels for the institutions.

It raises the question, why are our universities in the midst of a building boom when it seems clear that the additional space will not be utilized due to lay offs.

[mersar]

It raises the question, why are our universities in the midst of a building boom when it seems clear that the additional space will not be utilized due to lay offs.

Because the province told them to be in the middle of a building boom. Every single major new building or expansion at U of C with the exception of the new residence building was funded primarily by the province or federal government, not from the university's own funds. Of course both sides will point out at the time that most were funded we weren't in a situation where layoffs were even a thought in most peoples minds.

[frinkprof]

If I was still at the U of C (as an engineering student), and those new tuition and fee raises went ahead, it would have broken me. I would have had to quit school due to not being able to afford it.

[Bassic Lab]

Because the province told them to be in the middle of a building boom. Every single major new building or expansion at U of C with the exception of the new residence building was funded primarily by the province or federal government, not from the university's own funds. Of course both sides will point out at the time that most were funded we weren't in a situation where layoffs were even a thought in most peoples minds.

I know that, the question was really a less than subtle attempt to point out the lack of planning going on at the provincial level. Funding needs to be stable.

That said I would argue that at the federal level funding has been set for political purposes to the detriment of education and the government knows it. Cutting the SSHRC while directing stimulus funds towards new construction was blatantly political. New buildings look like the government is doing something about advanced ed (and construction employment) while other policies are essentially giving grad students the middle finger. This was done when it seemed pretty clear that universities across the country would be facing budget concerns.

[shreddog]

Freeweed, not sure if you can vote, and I would never try to influence your vote if you can BUT please don't vote for a fart (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/02/05/calgary-school-name-trudeau.html)!!!

[lubicon]

China snubs U of C over Dalai Lama

Accreditation lost after honour for spiritual leader

By Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald February 4,

The Chinese government has removed the University of Calgary from its list of accredited institutions -- a move school officials fear is linked to the Dalai Lama's visit last fall.
link

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/China+snubs+over+Dalai+Lama/2521064/story.html

[lubicon]

Some things never die......


Royal Oak folks want to skip Trudeau school

CBE asks community to consider name
By Sarah McGinnis, Calgary Herald February 7, 2010

When it comes to Pierre Trudeau, Calgarians have long memories.

Three decades after the former prime minister's reviled National Energy Program was blamed for wreaking havoc on Alberta's oil and gas industry, a proposal to possibly name a new elementary school in his honour has sparked outrage by some who say the name has no place on a Calgary institution.

"He absolutely hated Alberta. He absolutely hated Alberta politicians. Why would we want to name a school after him?" asked Peter Litchenfield.

link

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Royal+folks+want+skip+Trudeau+school/2533305/story.html

[freeweed]

:previous: I don't see why they can't just call it "Royal Oak Elementary" and be done with it. Descriptive, tells you where it is.

This obsession with naming everything after some historical figure gets a bit absurd at times. We already have plenty of PET schools in this country, why do we need one more?

[lubicon]

:previous: I don't see why they can't just call it "Royal Oak Elementary" and be done with it. Descriptive, tells you where it is.

This obsession with naming everything after some historical figure gets a bit absurd at times. We already have plenty of PET schools in this country, why do we need one more?

that's one of the names being considered, and is my odds on favorite for what they will ultimately name the school.

[YYCguys]

Except that it will house students not only from Royal Oak but also Rocky Ridge, from what I understand. So to name it simply Royal Oak Elementary implies it is strictly for students in that community. If I were living there, I would vote for naming it after Seaman.

[freeweed]

Except that it will house students not only from Royal Oak but also Rocky Ridge, from what I understand. So to name it simply Royal Oak Elementary implies it is strictly for students in that community. If I were living there, I would vote for naming it after Seaman.

Not sure what part of the planet restricts students based on name, but I'll admit I haven't traveled enough.

It seems very obvious to me that "Royal Oak School" is IN Royal Oak, in the same way that "Silver Springs Plaza" is in Silver Springs, not that residents from other communities cannot shop there. Maybe I'm just a simpleton that way. :P

Unless "Pierre Elliot Trudeau School" restricts access only to students sharing that name...

Is this why we have these ridiculous LRT station names? Residents won't take it if it doesn't include their community as well? :haha:

[Ramsayfarian]

Except that it will house students not only from Royal Oak but also Rocky Ridge, from what I understand. So to name it simply Royal Oak Elementary implies it is strictly for students in that community. If I were living there, I would vote for naming it after Seaman.

And the U of C only accepts
folks from Calgary. Seaman? I guess that would work, I hope they adopt a swallow as the school mascot.