Lester B. Pearson High School (Calgary)

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Lester B. Pearson Senior High School
Vision, Wisdom, Courage
Address
3020 - 52 Street N.E.
Calgary, Alberta, T1Y-5P4, Canada
Information
School number b865
School board Calgary Board of Education
Religious affiliation None
Superintendent Dr. Brendan Croskery
Area trustee Pamela King
Principal Greg Weir
Vice principal Hill Dueceua
School type Senior High School
Grades 10, 11, 12
Language English, French, Spanish
Area Area III
Campus Urban
Team name The Pearson Patriots
Colours Red and Gold
Founded 1990
Enrollment 1552+ [1] (September 2007)
Grade 10 511
Grade 11 504
Grade 12 518
Communities served Temple, Pineridge, Whitehorn, Rundle and all communities east of Deerfoot Trail for International Baccalaureate students.[2]
Feeder schools Annie Gale, Clarence Sansom, Dr. Gordon Higgins, Bob Edwards (for French Immersion students). International Baccalaureate students will come to Pearson from all ten junior high schools situated east of Deerfoot Trail.
Homepage http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b865/default.htm

Lester B. Pearson High School is a public senior high school located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada administered by the Calgary Board of Education. It is the most wired school in Canada and is well known for being one of the most high tech schools in Calgary. [3] The school has offered the French Immersion program since 2003 and in the following year of September 2004, Lester B. Pearson became a fully accredited International Baccalaureate World School. [4]

Contents

[edit] Location

Lester B. Pearson High School is located in Northeast Calgary and serves the four communities of Pineridge, Rundle, Temple, and Whitehorn. Junior High feeder schools to Lester B. Pearson are Annie Gale, Clarence Sansom and Dr. Gordon Higgins. Pearson is also the destination high school for all French Immersion and International Baccalaureate students east of Deerfoot Trail. The feeder school for the Immersion program is Bob Edwards Junior High School. International Baccalaureate students will come to Pearson from all ten junior high schools situated east of Deerfoot Trail. [5]

Pearson is also connected to the Village Square Leisure Center by a skyway. The walkway is not used anymore because of safety and legal reasons between the Calgary Board of Education and The City of Calgary. [6] The Village Square Leisure Center includes services such as a public library, wave pool, gym, and many volunteer opportunities. [7]

[edit] History

The school opened in 1990 with a design for the 21st century. It is fully networked with over 350 workstations including 60 computers in the John Rollins Media Centre/Library. L.B. Pearson has a 250 seat theater, acoustic music studio, 5 computer labs, teaching kitchen/cafeteria, 2 gymnasiums, as well as 64 classrooms, science labs, and shops. The school has over 1700 students enrolled in the 2006-2007 year. [8]

Lester B. Pearson has had to deal with a number of violent situations throughout the years. The most noteworthy being the murder of Samer Jaber, which happened in 2000. The incident started over an ongoing argument over 30 dollars. [9]

[edit] Name

The school was named after Lester B. Pearson, Canada's fifteenth Prime Minister (1963-68). Lester B. Pearson, a diplomat and politician, was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts during the Suez Crisis. Although he was Prime Minister for only one term, and it was a minority government, his accomplishments were noteworthy. Canada was ripe for social change, and Pearson was able to bring in universal heath care system, the Canada Pension Plan, student loans, changes in immigration laws, and our Canadian flag. During his tenure, Prime Minister Pearson also convened the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. With these accomplishments, together with his groundbreaking work at the United Nations, and in international diplomacy, Pearson can safely be regarded as one of the most influential Canadians of the twentieth century. He was known personally as a man of integrity, an athlete, and a lover of baseball. [10]

[edit] Mission

To empower students to be lifelong learners in an ever-changing world. [11]

[edit] Philosophy

View of the West side of the school.
View of the West side of the school.

Lester B. Pearson High School is a member of the community of Calgary Senior High Schools and shares with them the Calgary Board of Education's goal of "Educating Tomorrow's Citizens Today." [12]

The school offers students a wide range of learning opportunities in a caring, secure, intellectual, and creative environment. Students and parents are actively involved in decision-making about learning and the life of the school. The school values its multicultural community and works closely with the community and a wide range of resource groups and agencies throughout the city. [13]

Teachers at Pearson recognize that students have different learning needs. Students have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to achieve personal fulfillment and to contribute positively in a global society. To foster the integration of curriculum and the creation of a positive school environment, emphasis is placed on collaborative planning by teachers. Programs are designed to promote the ability of students to function effectively in a dynamic society in which accessing, communicating and using information is of primary importance. [14]

[edit] Programs

Lester B. Pearson High School's crest.
Lester B. Pearson High School's crest.

Lester B. Pearson High School offers a variety of programs; these include: [15]

[edit] Unique points

  • Technology - Technology plays a vital role in teaching and learning at Pearson. Being a part of Pearson's learning community requires stakeholders to develop an interest in, and commitment to, the integration of technology into teaching and learning. Technology learning activities are provided. Our learners demonstrate effective technology integration by the seamless use of our 350 workstation network and other learning technologies, and by making appropriate technology choices in their teaching and learning activities.[16]
  • Organization - The School's organizational structure and its teaching and learning strategies enable our students to make wise choices as they assume ownership for their own learning. Our timetable provides tutorial time in which students can work with individual teachers in areas in which they feel they need help.[17]
  • Teacher Advisor Program - All teachers and students in the building take part in the Teacher Advisor Program which is designed to build positive relationships between students and their advisors. The advisor's role is a complex and sensitive one with such diverse responsibilities as making parent contact, monitoring student progress, teaching T.A. content materials, and acting as a student advocate, confidant and mentor. Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to the program are essential. The Teacher Advisor Program is critical to the implementation of the philosophy and beliefs of Pearson.[18]
  • International Baccalaureate Program - This school year will mark the graduation of Pearson's first class of IB students, and the school expects more than 20 to qualify for a full International Baccalaureate Diploma. This level of continuation is outstanding in relation to the other programs in the CBE. Currently, we have nearly 200 students enrolled in the IB and Pre-IB programs at Pearson. Lester B. Pearson's focus is on inclusion and the development of opportunities for as many students as possible to achieve the International Baccalaureate diploma, but also to participate in the IB program at some level.[19]
  • French Immersion Program - This program, which began in the fall of 2003, will result in the achievement of a bilingual certificate along with the completion of a high school diploma. A focus will be placed on oral skill development. As well, students will be encouraged to enjoy French language activities and events outside of the school, such as bilingual debates, travel opportunities and French cultural events. **English Language Arts will be presented as a separate course.** Mathematics will be taught in French, and beginning in the 2006 - 07 school year, Applied Mathematics will be offered as well as Pure. It will follow the Provincial Curriculum and will provide further opportunity to develop French language skills.[20]

[edit] Special departments

Lester B. Pearson is an academic, innovative, high technology senior high school. Courses at the school have been created to allow students to be actively involved in their own learning, with a timetable that has been developed to maximize this involvement. Some courses have been constructed on a modular basis giving students flexibility in choosing topics and projects that best meet their needs. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in projects that recognize the integration of skills and knowledge in different subject areas and allow them to use resources in the community. Students will have access to computer technology throughout the school and will use this technology as a tool for learning. [21]

The building has been designed to provide an ideal learning environment with a variety of teaching and learning spaces which provide for individual, small group and class work. Because Lester B. Pearson is a vital part of the community the school program is designed to maximize opportunities for students to utilize community resources in the school and give them the chance to learn outside the school. Based on individual needs, Lester B. Pearson provides appropriate program differentiation for academically gifted students. [22]

The schools sign on the left side of the building with the motto "Celebrating Pearson Pride".
The schools sign on the left side of the building with the motto "Celebrating Pearson Pride".
  • RAP - (Registered Apprenticeship Program)

The Registered Apprenticeship Program - is a modified apprenticeship program that permits grade 11 or 12 students to become apprentices while attending high school.

A RAP apprentice accumulates hours through on the job training as credit toward his or her apprenticeship, and credit toward a high school diploma or certificate of achievement. A RAP apprentice is a full-time high school student. After graduating from high school a RAP apprentice can become a full-time apprentice. [23]

  • CALM - (Career & Life Magagement)

The Career and Life Management curriculum provides a means of challenging young people to acquire the skills and information necessary to shape their own lives and to contribute constructively to society. This process-based course includes the following: Personal and Interpersonal Challenges, Careers and the World of Work, Financial Planning and Consumer Choices. The Calgary Board of Education has mandated that a Human Sexuality theme also be included. CALM is an Alberta Education mandated subject for all high school students. [24]

  • ACCESS - (A-Attitude, C-Community, C-Competency, E-Elements of Academics, S-Social, S-Skills)

The ACCESS Program has been created to meet the needs of individuals who are mentally handicapped and face other life challenges. The main focus of this program is to develop independence in each student. The program provides individuals with living skills that are essential in order to be a confident, productive member of the community. By having their own classroom in an integrated learning environment the ACCESS students have the best of both settings. They are included in the social pulse of the school, participating in clubs; graduation ceremonies; dances and special events. Classroom academics are addressed in a functional manner. The ACCESS program is similar to a Career and Life Management course in that it trains and prepares the students for when they graduate from high school. ACCESS curriculum addresses the students' needs at an appropriate cognitive level. [25]

[edit] Athletics

Lester B. Pearson High School competes under the governing body of the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA) and the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). Pearson offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to get involved in the athletic program - as an athlete, trainer, minor official or manager. The following activities comprise our athletic program. [26]


Sport Grades Boys and/or Girls
Diving 10-12 Boys and Girls
Volleyball 10-12 Boys and Girls
Basketball 10-12 Boys and Girls
Badminton 10-12 Boys and Girls
Soccer 10-12 Boys and Girls
Cross Country 10-12 Boys and Girls
Swimming 10-12 Boys and Girls
Track & Field 10-12 Boys and Girls
Rugby union 10-12 Boys and Girls
Field Hockey 10-12 Girls

Pearson competes in both Division I and II depending on the different sports. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide array of opportunities the athletic program has to offer. [27]

Each year, Lester B. Pearson High School is proud to honor their athletes with a wide variety of awards from individual sport awards, Athletes of the Year, Service and Inspiration Awards and the new White, Red, Gold and Patriot levels of participation. These are special awards that go to the athletes who have made an outstanding contribution to the athletic program in their high school years. [28]

Pearson has an Athletic Contract that expects their athletes to adhere to which stresses that their schoolwork is paramount. The contract also helps athletes at the school to understand that representing Pearson in competition is an honor and that commitment to excellence and sportsmanship are critical. [29]

[edit] Clubs and Activities

Pearson opened in 1990 with a design for the 21st century. This is a view of the east entrance with the skyway above.
Pearson opened in 1990 with a design for the 21st century. This is a view of the east entrance with the skyway above.

Lester B. Pearson High School offers a wide variety of clubs and activities such as: [30]

[edit] Awards and Accomplishments

In the 2006/2007 school year, Lester B. Pearson High School has received many awards and made many accomplishments in many areas such as academics, athletics, fine and performing arts, and other categories. [31]

View of the southwest side of the school.
View of the southwest side of the school.

Academics

  • Chevron Science Olympics Bronze Medalists
  • Hotchkiss Brain Institute participants
  • Shad Valley Science Camp participants
  • FSL Speech Championships Silver Medalist
  • University of Waterloo Math Contest Medalist
  • Concours Oratoire Alberta Silver Medalist

Athletics

  • Junior Boys Basketball City Silver Medalists
  • Senior Boys Soccer City Silver Medalists
  • Provincial and City Champions in Wrestling, Track and Field, and Badminton.
  • The PIT (Pearson Invitational Tournament)

Fine and Performing Arts

  • Musical Theater production of 'Chicago'
  • Drama Festival production of 'Hedges'
  • 'Taste of the Arts' Evening
  • 'Pride in the Properties' - Art, Dance, Musical, and Technical Theater Contributions
  • Vic Lewis Band Festival

Others

  • Host of the World Debate Championships
  • Shave Your Lid for a Kid - over $13 000 raised
  • Terry Fox Run - raised $5000

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ Idol champ O'Neil excited to take on unknown. Official site of Canadian Idol. CTV. Retrieved on 2006-07-04.
  2. ^ Tayler, Theresa. "O'Neil ready to pass crown: Calgary's Idol reflects on year of highs, lows", Calgary Herald, 2006-09-17, p. C5. Retrieved on 2006-09-17. 

[edit] External links

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