Cameron Heights
Many of you are planning on attending Open House at Cameron Heights this week to hear more about the IB program offered there. (It is on Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m.) Since Kayla and Craig have both recently visited our blog, this would be a good place to address questions to them about the Open House, the program in general, or any other concerns you might have about attending Cameron Heights next year. K & C - I'll be emailing you today regarding a possible visit to our Wednesday class - they would enjoy hearing your perspective - I hope we can work it out!
posted by Ms Watt @ 7:44 AM
63 Comments:
I thus standeth for thee at thy ready! Fire away!
Rockign On,
Postman Craig
P.S. 'Tis night and bitter cold... we're study Shakespeare in English. It so fun!
there is no transportation from cambridge, it could be soooo hard to get there.
Fun? Shakespeare?
I'm very lucky that I live in the area of Camron Hieghts, so it's even hard to quit. I thought IB program has (or at least had) bus to Cambridge, or other places that's in the region. Well, if they don't, you can group up with some of your friends in cambridge who wants to go to the IB program and talk to the principal of Camron.
I don't know if I'm going to do the whole IB or not, because there will be less flexibility of courses.
Is it horribly hard????!!!! Do the teachers expect too much from u????????? Are there any drugs there????!!!!! (not that I want to use drugs!)
What does Cameron offer as far as music programs??
OOooh! I love it when you ask us these questions!
1) Cambridge transportation
I know many students who take the ciy bus from Cambridge as their transportation. You have to get up about 6:00 a.m., but it better than not going to the IB school. I do belive it is a special bus for Cameron, but I'll have to conferm.
2) Music Programs
Being a musician, I'm so glad you asked! Cameron has a great array of music programs. From the elective you can get straight from gr. 9 you can advance that into the very cool IB-specific elective of IB music, the only IB elective in existence!
If you like to be at school at 6:50 on Wednesdays from September to October, you can join the Oom-Pah band and have some Octoberfest fun! We're the only school that does so, and you get to play at the Octoberfest bandstand, too!
Jazz Band starts sometime in the new year and I assume replaces Oom-Pah, but the date of practices is still pending.
Intermediate Band is what I'm in, and it practices from 3:00-4:15 after school on Wednesdays. There's also Senior Band, but IntB is geared for Freshmen and Sophmores (9ers and 10s.)
And of course, lest we forget Concert Choir! I do believe it runs from 7:15 a.m. on Thursdays. If you love singing, this is where you are at!
Guitar classes exist, but I think they are in higher grades, so I would have no idea about these. If you want to learn non-classical, this is the class!
Most of this will be explained at the orientations and there will be handouts. The first day of your music class (if you choose to take such elective) will explain this too. And I think you'll find that if it involves music, there's a niche for it.
3)Agh! Calm yourself down!!!!! NO, IT IS NOT HORRIBLY HARD. (I'm not yelling- I am making a firm point.) Teachers do not expect "too much." They expect what is attainable from you, and although there is much work, it is not overwhelming. Thigs like a gazzilion labs and math quizes every Friday (depending on your teacher) may seem hefty, but you'll be more than prepared. Don't skip class, do the work, and standing to the RIGHT of the most attractive person in the room gets you fine (the last point... erm... long story.) Drug addicts are generally unknowns. In fact, by now, according to an ex- druggie I know, most of them are in juvie or jail or some other palce out of harm's way, sad though it may be. That being said, addicts are going to jump out and stab random people or something because there are strict rules and tough VPs that crack down on these kids. Don't at all be scared... what makes you think that a place is the way it is by forcing your fears upon yourself so you think they are true. It's not a scary place at all! (Okay, unless I am...)
4) "For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky." Shakespeare is of course fun! In fact, its the only time in which people actually spoke olde English. His palys were written poetically so he could impress the royalty with making the English language look elaborate and wonderful (which it isn't.) In the process, he added about 1,000 new words to it, including the term "football" (or, if your a Scot, fitba'.)
Hope this helps!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig!!!!!
Thanks for your lenghy but descriptive response Postman!! One more question-when does school start in the morning?
Your answers are totally awesome! You seriously made me want to consider Cameron Heights even more!
Yeah...when does school start? Also....do u get to write like....stuff u want in English? Are u like ahead of ur cirriculum?
1) School starts at 8:15 a.m. There's a warning bell five minutes before, and you should usually be at school at 8 a.m. for best results. School ends at 14:45.
2) There are for sure some chaces at creative writing. Outide of contests, I know that at least in my English class you got to re-tell a myth or legend in any which way you desired. There is not per say, so much of "write your own short story" etc. as there has been, but you do get to write journal entires on what you do read which requires some creativity in a lot of cases. The teacher gives you guidlines on generally what you could talk about in your journal and then you go off on a quilled rampage on whatever the heck you want about wnat you read/saw. There's a lot of opinion stuff in that, too. So I think you'll be good.
"Ahead" of the curriculum is hard to judge, but I would say yes. We take essentially the same material as in IB and go more in-depth with it. It's a classic example of one of my favorite bits of wisdom: "It's not what you have, it's what you do with what you have." There's plenty of discussion, dabate and argument English wise... that's what you mean, correct? There's even a dabate team that gets you brownie points for professionally ripping up your opponents (what fun!) In general you are one-upped from everyone else though. So yes, you are ahead of the curriculum in the sense that you take what is given and generate more out of it.
Hope this helps! Rocking On,
Postman Craig
What about the science and math side of things?
Kewl! Yeah...what about the math and science? (2 subjects i don't like)
How does the way of teaching of IB classes differ from the others?
What atheletic programs do they offer? How long is the lunch time?
How good is the tech department??
1) The math and science side of things... I wopuldn't know about science because I don't have it right now. As for math, as (I assume) in every IB class, you take the same basic knowledge and expand it to the higher level- more difficult questions, complex applications, and real world situations (such as fun stuff like using graphing calculators.) All in all, good stuff. And, if you are frustrated with math and abhore it in the utmost, just say this to yourself: "Math is fun. I LIke math. Math, math, math, math, math!"
2) The way of teaching IB class... hm. Good question you have. I would say that the teachers who teach IB classes are those who take learning and their job seriously, and at the same time want to see you excel. They know they must teach what is to be taught, but know that the students in IB have much potential that needs to be exploited. In that way, they will try to open up the concepts to other ways of thinking, or more challenging, at the same time, knowing that learning must be fun and engaging. These teachers were the bright ones in their day, and thus can easily relate to us, being the IB students. They know how we think and thus now exactly what we are capable of and how we learn. In that way, they are the most qualified for the job and in some ways superior. I think you'll find that, although there are as many teaching styles as their are teachers, each one of them will possess what I have stated.
3) There are no IB athletics, beacuse that's an elective. However, depending on what grade you take physical education/health in, what you do will vary. You will be doing some sports like soccer or football and studying the rules of them; you will work out in the fitness room; you will study drugs and health. All of this wiull occur in the 9-10 grade courses. By gradde 10 or 11, you get to do other physical activities like badminton or archery for us not-so-athletically inclined but still like to have active fun (*cough* *Craig* darn cold....)
4) Classes are adjorned at 10:55 and resumes again at 12:10, which is a total of 1 hour 25 minutes. In this time you are aloowed to leave campus to do whatever you may wish. It a great time to do the powers-forbid studying or just chillin'. If you like to eat out, or want to do a little shopping, you can.
5) The tech department... um... we have a full automotive center, woodworking shops, welding machines of both MIG and TIG I believe, CAD design rooms, and all kinds of milling machines and such of the like. We have an adequate tech departmnet, don't worry. :)
I love answering questions!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
I love asking questions and reading ur answers!!! How is visual arts and drama at Cameron? What do u do?
Do you know the closest school that offers IB program other than Camron? What are you learning now in math?
What's the population of Camron? (I'm afraid to be squished everyday like in Laurentian)
Looooooooooooooooooool.
Craig, you seem to be quite busy for our questions are unanswered. What kind of project are you busy with? Do you like it?
I've heard that IB is more focused on the Arts than Math and Science. Is this true?
I had a busy weekend with non-school stuff! Sorry!
1) Visual arts and drama... if you ahve to pick between the town take viual arts. I assume it's probably the same stuff, as your doing, but very technique- oriented, as in how to create certain fells and looks of objects. Don't quote me on that, though! Drama- the gr. 9 drama teacher should not be a eacher as far as I am concerned. She gets too easily off topic, gabs for hours about nothing, and provides you with no class time on anything. She'll tell you to do work, then tell you to listen to her talk about how she lost her keys last night, then yell at you for not doing your work. So, drama is not a good course to take in gr. 9. Then again, it isn't an IB course.
2) I think the closest is in Missasauga or something like that! It's in Ontario, but far away.
3) In math at the moment we just finished graphing and lines and equations of lines. It was a big unit that proved difficult for the class and thus we will look at our work over, understand what we had problems with, and have a re-test. In the meantime, we are study angles and geometry! YAY! Easy! The easiest unit in the course!
4) Cameron population is big at ~1600 I believe. But the school's bigger. It is far from overcrowded, except on the first day perhaps.
Okay, so now we are caught up!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
P.S. I'll be quite busy in the evenings this week but I'll always give 100%!
Thankx Craig-we appreciate your answers very much!
Are there any punishments for not doing your work? How many electives do you get over the IB years?
im really into drama, is there any way to get good drama time at cameron? oh, and the people at my school said the ib program means you won't have a life (too busy) is that true?
1) Is there any punishment for not doing your work? No. No one can stop you. But keep in mind: You reap what you sow.
2) Over the course of IB you get the same number of electives as any other program, but in the 11th grade soem are chosen for you as "required electives-" they are not IB versions of regular curriculum, but IB- only courses, and are thus classified as "electives."
3) You want good drama? Take it in a later year. In the meantime, try some out-of-school drama stuff. Just don't take it in gr. 9.
4) Hey! No life? I'm talking to you right now! Obviously you have a life! On some days you get more work that others, and soem courses are more prone to homework. But you still have plenty of fun time, even in senior years. Just do the work when you need to and STUDY FOR EXAMS!!!! (the death phrase if there ever was one.) No, seriously, do so. I'm an anti-studier myself.
Rockign On,
Postman Craig
Learning is life if it's fun.
Thankx Craig.
I'm probably gonna come to Cameron tomorow night for the open house.
WOW! cameron sounds great! i wont be going to the open house though but i think that it sounds like a raly great program!
WOW! cameron sounds great! i wont be going to the open house though but i think that it sounds like a raly great program!
WOW! cameron sounds great! i wont be going to the open house though but i think that it sounds like a raly great program!
You said that there are a variety of music programs and they all sound great BUT...is there a strings course?????
At my school now I take the the violin but can I take it at Cameron???
thanx for the help
P.S. Shakespeare sounds cool AND from what you said it doesn't sound toooo
hard...
1) Sadly, no string program, but you can start one if you like. Try talking to music council (once it is elected, or to the music teacher), and they can see what they'll do about it. Of course, you'd have to have your own instruments because the school can't buy them.
2) "Macbeth, Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife!"
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
I'm comming to the open house tonight at 7:00, wish to see many of you there.
I'll probably see you!
I won't see u.
How was the open house? I remember it being overwhelming at first, but soon everything was sorted out.
By the Way, I am in a free concert at CHCI at 7:00 on Tuesday! Laurentian's band is to be there too, and I think some others! If you want to see us perform, then come on out! If you are in a band going to that, then I'll see you!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
P.S. I get a conga solo!!
I didn't go; my dad did-obviously he loves the school...wants me to go there for sure.
I'm also in the the concert at Camron. I'll be playing clarinet in the Laurentian group, anyone else interested is welcome to come.
The open house was a bit squishy, and there wasn't enough time to tour around the school. It's a very huge school, I'll be getting lost for the first two month. I saw many MCQs during the open house.
P.S. Is Camron good at the Jurassic Park Theme song? Because Laurentian and Courtland are both terrible! We are all counting on the high school students.
P.P.S. Who was the teacher who can consume 100 chicken wings in one sitting?
i missed the open house what happend?
Awesome, Q Squared! I have to say at least you are not a flute player... we have about 24 of them in our band.
We are really good at Jurassic Park and it is sad to hear you are not doing so well. I hope we don't go too fast for you (I think we have an upped tempo from the CD.) What seems to be the problem?
Don't worry, I was lost for only the first week (maybe two.) And It is good to see that McQ students were out!! Yay! How did you like it?
1) Um... I'll have to ask about the chicken wings. Teachers these days...
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
The open house at Camron was basicly objected to let the future students know the special programs and the locations of the rooms. 7:00 - 7:30 is the general information. (I almost fell asleep during the boring talks.) 7:30 - 8:15 is the tours around the school. (Our tourist-guide lost us and we got lost in the middle of the first floor. Until we found another tourst-guide who lost her group.) 8:15 - 9:00 is the information for the IB program. (Nothing that we don't already know.)
At the concert, don't mind the trumpets of Laurentian...It's a mess...(shaking head)
The guides got lost? How is that possible?
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
The guide didn't get lost herself, but rather we lost her. Because different people will stay longer or shorter in different places, the guide will soon find no one following her - It's a very interesting phonomenon to see.
P.S. Postman Craig, what instruments do you play? Which performances are you in?
What? What instruments do I play? I thought I told you! Okay, maybe not. Craig is percussion, meaning that he does something different for every song (and never gets to use the drumset properly, but that is besides the point.) So, the songs I will be performing in will be African Bells Carol on Congas, Jurassic Park on Snare, We Wish You A Merry Christmas on Snare, and Calypso Bay on Claves. So, outside of the Bell Carol you won't actually see me doing anything that interesting, but you should be listening to the melody anyway. Yeah, that's right.
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
We won't pay much attention to you anyways. The Laurentian band doesn't have a percussionist, so the percussions have to be added a the flute player. (We also have many extra)
I thought that the open house was okay, and I get what you mean about the guides-we were in about 5 different groups. I think that I will go to Cameron though-it seems really great and the students seemed very self-confident and the school itself seemed very welcoming. So-what has been the hardest part of Cameron so far?? would you still reccomed it?? (dare I ask that last one......)
I definetly don't wanna go to Bluevale!
Of course I still recommend it! As for the hardest part... probably writing things down in an agenda. And filling out music practice sheets. I just find it difficult to do that. But I am me, so, unless you posess similar antics, you probably won't find anything of that sort difficult at all!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
You have to fill out music practice sheets at Camron? I hate doing that! I think that we should practice because we like to, not because we need to fill out those sheets. Of course, I'm not a very organized person, so I always practice without writing it on the practice sheet.
How good is the choir???
Oh-and is swimming part of your gym class??
SWIMMING?!
Do they allow students to swim at lunch time?
1) Our choir is most excellent- if you were there Tuesday, you'd know. Oh, and we also have a barbershop quartet called "A Little Off The Top." It is worth joining if you are interested.
2) Swimming is part of a gym class, but I have no idea in what grade. Remember, I didn't take physical education. There is swim team running right now, however, which I do believe practices at lunch, and competes, so you can most ertainly taste the chlorine in your first year. Other than that, the pool is a public pool, so no swimming during lunch hour. :(
Hope this helps!
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
I think that I would be very interested in vocal music and I heard our home high school's choir the other day and they weren't very good so I am glad to here that Cameron's is good and I am glad that you are so willing to answer our questions-It is really helping!!! I think you've convinced me.
Actually I thought the choir was the most terrible of all. The songs were very boring to hear. If you were there on Tuesday, you could see me trying to laugh rudely if you looked in the right direction.
I did not think the choir was that bad. But maybe I am remembering the performance the week later. I would say that choral music is a matter of taste. Some people can't appreciate it, but that's perfectly fine. You cannot expect one to and it is acceptable if you do not. But do not rudley laugh because those who are in it enjoy it, and that is all that matters. Mocking them accomplishes little good. Oh, by the way, there is both concert (which you would have heard on Tuesday) and Chamber (smaller).
Rocking On,
Postman Craig
Well...I have thought this over and...I have gathered up the courage and um...am going to apply for Cameron Heights. If they didn't accept me...well...then...I'll just have to get over it!
yea saphire!!!
I'm in the same place.
sorry-sapphire
Lol.
OK, the application for the IB program is due this Friday!(at least for me). I have no idea what "Integrated Technology" is. And I wonder what "Introduction to Business" talk about.
Um..........I really don't like the idea of...adults deiciding whether I'm smart enough or not. I eman..why do they always discuss us students anyways???
Is there any transportation provided by Cameron for students who are attending the IB program from Cambridge?
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