John G. Althouse Middle School
Encyclopedia
John G. Althouse Middle School (JGA) is a middle school
located in Toronto
, Ontario
, near the intersection of Lloyd Manor Road and Princess Margaret Boulevard.
Most graduates of John G. Althouse go to Martingrove Collegiate Institute
or Richview Collegiate Institute
for their high school education.
program, commonly referred to as the "gifted" program, which transferred to John G. Althouse in 1996, after several years of being housed at Islington Junior Middle 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). Other awards include The Robert J. Blackburn Award, the Principal's Award for Leadership, the Doreen Ferns Personal Growth Award, the G.T. Bowie award, the Barry Gosse award, the Bernie Reuben Music Award, the Toronto Dominion Bank Award, the Citizenship Award, the Tammy Craig Award, the Urban Voices Book Award, the Student Government Award, the Heather Lucko Humanitarian Award, and the title of School Valedictorian, presented to one gifted and one regular student.
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 Worden and Honour Orchestra is co-directed by both Jeff Worden and Les Dobbin (with Jeff Worden 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
.
. The grade sevens have three days at Manitou, in Northern Ontario, where they learn about 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. The grade eights go on a four day graduation trip to Quebec City
, where they learn about the city and the History of Canada
.
After winter break, the school hosts two ski days at Horseshoe Resort
. 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.
. 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.It is alternated with the history fair every year.
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 many of their efforts (such as bake sales) have gone 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.
ing. The Honour Orchestra is conducted by Les Dobbin and Jeff Worden, and involves both band and string members. In 2007, they went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
and 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. The Stage Band and Jazz Choir have also travelled to New Orleans in May 2010. 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. 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 years, 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.
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, previous vocal teacher 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.
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 editions 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, Red Maple Club, Future Aces and the Chess Club.
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
located in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, near the intersection of Lloyd Manor Road and Princess Margaret Boulevard.
Most graduates of John G. Althouse go to Martingrove Collegiate Institute
Martingrove Collegiate Institute
Martingrove Collegiate Institute is a non-semestered public secondary school located on the southeast corner at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue and Martin Grove Road in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is overseen by the Toronto District School Board. The school is home to the gifted program in...
or Richview Collegiate Institute
Richview Collegiate Institute
Richview Collegiate Institute is a secondary school in Etobicoke, in the west end of Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Toronto District School Board....
for their high school education.
Gifted program
John G. Althouse is notable for its advanced learner special educationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
program, commonly referred to as the "gifted" program, which transferred to John G. Althouse in 1996, after several years of being housed at Islington Junior Middle School
Islington Junior Middle School
Islington JMS is a public elementary school in the historic Islington neighbourhood of Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Toronto District School Board and is located close to the intersection of Burnhamthorpe Road and Dundas Street West. It is the oldest school in Etobicoke and one of...
.
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
Honors student
An honors student is a person recognized for achieving high grades or high marks in their course work.Honors students may refer to# Students recognized for their academic achievement on lists published periodically throughout the school year, known as honor rolls, varying from school to school, and...
" (79.5% to 84.4% average), or "Principal's Honours" (84.5% average or higher). Other awards include The Robert J. Blackburn Award, the Principal's Award for Leadership, the Doreen Ferns Personal Growth Award, the G.T. Bowie award, the Barry Gosse award, the Bernie Reuben Music Award, the Toronto Dominion Bank Award, the Citizenship Award, the Tammy Craig Award, the Urban Voices Book Award, the Student Government Award, the Heather Lucko Humanitarian Award, and the title of School Valedictorian, presented to one gifted and one regular student.
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 FestivalKiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
and the school has won several times.
John G. Althouse also uses the Martingrove Collegiate Institute
Martingrove Collegiate Institute
Martingrove Collegiate Institute is a non-semestered public secondary school located on the southeast corner at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue and Martin Grove Road in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is overseen by the Toronto District School Board. The school is home to the gifted program in...
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 Worden and Honour Orchestra is co-directed by both Jeff Worden and Les Dobbin (with Jeff Worden 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
Mono, Ontario
The Town of Mono is situated in south-central Ontario, Canada, at the south-east corner of County of Dufferin, just north of Caledon and northeast of Orangeville. It stretches from Highway 9 along its southern border to Highway 89 along its northern border. Its border to the west is with the...
.
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.Field trips
The grade sixes have a chance to go to Crawford Lake in September, to learn about the Wendat and the IroquoisIroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
. The grade sevens have three days at Manitou, in Northern Ontario, where they learn about 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. The grade eights go on a four day graduation trip to Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, where they learn about the city and the History of Canada
History of Canada
The history of Canada covers the period from the arrival of Paleo-Indians thousands of years ago to the present day. Canada has been inhabited for millennia by distinctive groups of Aboriginal peoples, among whom evolved trade networks, spiritual beliefs, and social hierarchies...
.
After winter break, the school hosts two ski days at Horseshoe Resort
Horseshoe Resort
Horseshoe Resort, formerly Horseshoe Valley Ski Club, is a southern Ontario ski resort. Located north of Barrie, the resort is about 1 hour 15 minutes driving time from Toronto. The resort enjoys a long ski season due to snow making abilities. Acquired by Skyline International Development Inc. in...
. 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
Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada with a population of 32,000.When the area was first settled by Europeans in 1832, the townsite and the river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is the seat of Perth County. Stratford was...
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
Terry Fox Run
The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held in numerous regions around the world in commemoration of Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox, and his Marathon of Hope, and to raise money for cancer research....
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 FairScience fair
A science fair is generally a competition where contestants present their science project results in the form of a report, display board, and models that they have created. Science fairs allow students in grade schools and high schools to compete in science and/or technology activities...
. About twenty projects receive an Honourable Mention certificate
Academic certificate
An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.In many countries, certificate is a qualification attained in secondary education. For instance, students in the Republic of Ireland sit the Junior 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
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
Science Fair and two projects winning silver.It is alternated with the history fair every year.
History fair
Starting in the year of 2009/2010, students in grades 7 and 8 participate in the history fair, which alternates with the science fair every year.Seasonal activities
Students are encouraged to come to school dressed up, and are given candyCandy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
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
Free The Children
Free The Children is an international charity and youth movement founded in 1995 by children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger. The organization is largely youth-funded, based on the concept of "children helping children." It specializes in sustainable development in countries of Kenya, Ecuador,...
campaign. In 2006, John G. built a school in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and many of their efforts (such as bake sales) have gone towards this school.
Around Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, chocolates such as Hershey's Kissables
Hershey's Kissables
Hershey Kissables were a chocolate candy sold by The Hershey Company from late 2005 to 2009. Comparable to M&Ms, Hershey Kissables were shaped like miniature Hershey's Kisses and were coated in a thick sugar shell....
are sold with the same concept as the candy canes: students can buy them, write a message, and send them to other students.
Instrumental music
The school's extracurricular instrumental activities are the Honour Orchestra, Chamber Strings, and Stage Band ensembles, all of which require auditionAudition
An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist.Audition may also refer to:* The sense of hearing* Adobe Audition, audio editing software...
ing. The Honour Orchestra is conducted by Les Dobbin and Jeff Worden, and involves both band and string members. In 2007, they went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
and in 2009 saw the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra.
The Stage Band has won the first place provincially as the best middle school jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
band. They are conducted by Les Dobbin and have won many awards. In May 2008, the Stage Band went to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the Jazz Choir as part of their tour. The Stage Band and Jazz Choir have also travelled to New Orleans in May 2010. Their uniform is a black polo with a patch that has an inflamed trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
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. Their uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
consists of black pants and a black polo, with a gray semicircular patch featuring a proud string instrument. It could pass for a violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, or bass. The words "John G. Althouse Chamber Strings" are displayed. In 2008/09 and 2009/10 school years, 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 Grade Six Choir, the Grade Seven and Eight Concert Choir. All choirs are led by the vocal teacher, Joy Reeve.About 60 members are in the Chamber Choir, which can be invitational. There is no uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
. 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
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
is a black polo with a gray patch. On the patch, there is a staff and a treble clef, and in a curlicue font
Font
In typography, a font is traditionally defined as a quantity of sorts composing a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular typeface...
, "JGA Music".
In March 2007, previous vocal teacher 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
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
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
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
, a smoke gray and purple number. A jaguar and "J.G. Althouse Athletics" is emblazoned in purple on the Gildan
Gildan Activewear
Gildan Activewear Inc. Gildan is a clothing company which produces basic apparel and hosiery. The company's corporate head office is located in Montreal, Canada, and its manufacturing facilities are in Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, the USA and Bangladesh. It also outsources some...
shirt. "Jaguars" is printed in white on the purple
Purple
Purple is a range of hues of color occurring between red and blue, and is classified as a secondary color as the colors are required to create the shade....
shorts. On the 2008 editions 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
Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of a scrapbook. Typical memorabilia include photographs, printed media, and artwork. Scrapbook albums are often decorated and frequently contain extensive journaling...
Club, the French Club, the Photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
Club, the Art Club, Red Maple Club, Future Aces and the Chess Club.
Notable alumni
- The 22nd and current Prime Minister of CanadaPrime Minister of CanadaThe Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, Stephen HarperStephen HarperStephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
who attended the 50th Anniversary on May 4, 2008. - Kiefer SutherlandKiefer SutherlandKiefer Sutherland is an English-born Canadian actor, producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the Fox thriller drama series 24 for which he has won an Emmy Award , a Golden Globe award , two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Satellite...