Welcome to Grade 7
Below you will find some answers about transitioning to Grade 7
What are the shared spaces that both Grade 7, 8 and Secondary Students may use?
The shared spaces are hallways, some classrooms (Drama, Tech Rooms, Art, Music, etc), the track and the field, and the “Bear Pit”.
Do we have to share washrooms?
No. The first floor bathrooms will be assigned for Grade 7 and 8. There are two universal washrooms that may be accessed by all students.
Do we play on the same teams?
No. Teams are determined by age and/or grade. You will have your own Grade 7 and 8 teams.
Can we use the cafeteria?
Grade 7 and 8 students are to eat in classrooms. Elementary students need to be supervised; as such, they will not have access to the servery and cafeteria.
Do we share breaks?
Not really. There may be overlap, but high school students could have their break in any of their 5 periods. Students will not be mixed during the nutrition breaks.
Are there students from other schools joining us?
Yes, Robert Little and MSB students are arriving together to form the Grade 7 classes in September.
What does the first day of school look like?
First day routines are similar to previous routines for the first day of school. There will be communication around the first day of school to all new students well before the first day.
Are the start and end times the same?
Grade 7 and 8’s start their day at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Grades 9–12 follow their own timetables. The daily schedule will be organized differently and can be found on the school website.
Are we following a rotary or a homeroom schedule?
Some limited rotary is highly likely at the Grade 7 and 8 level. Final timetabling details will be communicated before the start of school.
Do we take the bus with high school kids? And if yes, is there assigned seating?
Yes, you will share the bus. There is no assigned seating at this time.
How will we know where to go? Classrooms and washrooms?
Your teachers will meet you outside on the first day of school to make sure you know where to go.
- First floor washrooms will be for intermediate students
- Third floor washrooms will be for secondary students
- There will be 2 universal single washrooms available to all students
What is new for us?
- Music and Art programmes (performances) – yes
- Extracurriculars – yes (if run by Elem staff)
- Field Trips – yes (run by Elem staff)
- Woodshop (D&T) – yes
- Art and Music spaces
General Questions
Will there be transition meetings with student services/support to facilitate supporting students with special educational needs transitioning from Grade 6 to 7?
Your home school will arrange a meeting to support students with special education needs to ensure as seamless a transition as possible.
What about noise – for example if the bells and schedules are different, will there be noise in the hallways?
Yes, there may be some noise, but it would be short-term and likely diminished as elementary and secondary classrooms are generally spread apart.
How will the Grade 7 and 8 students have recess? Will they go outside?
Yes, all Grade 7 and 8 students will have two nutrition breaks per day and this means two outside blocks per day of 20 minutes each.
Concerns About Age Gaps and Behaviour
Some students expressed concerns about the age gap between Grade 7 and 12, worried about maturity.
- The experiences at our other Grade 7–12 schools has taught us Grade 12’s are not interested in Grade 7’s, just as we see no difference between Kindergarten and Grade 8’s in the same school.
- When students do interact, it is in structured mentor-like interactions which can be very positive.
Some students expressed concern about Grade 7 and 8’s being exposed to negative behaviours such as: bullying, vaping, and bad habits by senior students, like skipping class.
- Most of our students model great behaviour and manners.
- Expectations for our Grade 7 and 8 students will be communicated and will be age-appropriate.
- Expectations of Grades 9–12 students will be similarly communicated.