About Alexandra Middle School
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About UsAlexandra Middle School is an active grade 7 and 8 public school serving approximately 500 students in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. We have an exciting learning environment that operates on a foundation of middle school philosophy. Our setting allows us to focus on the unique traits of middle level learners. This middle-school emphasis creates a student centred community which includes: patterned timetabling to create consistent timetables for students, core-blocking of subjects emphasizing subject integration, project-based critical inquiry growing out of integrated and differentiated learning, some exploratory complementary courses that are age appropriate, dynamic intramural/physical activity programs, parental involvement and support, and staff committed to working with young adolescents. Our HistoryConstruction began on the original building in 1909. Premier Rutherford, Alberta's first Premier laid the cornerstone. In 1910 Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada (July 11, 1896 - October 6, 1911) and the person featured on the Canadian five dollar bill, officially opened our school. However, the new building wasn't occupied until January 1911. Initially, Alexandra held both elementary and secondary classes. In 1914 an Annex was built to accommodate the increasing student population. Mr. Alexander Rutherford, Alberta's First Premier Sirs Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada Our school is named after Queen Alexandra (1855-1925) the wife of King Edward V11 who was the King at the time our school was constructed. Queen Alexandra, originally from Denmark, was the daughter (Princess) of King Christian IX of Denmark. (Trivia: Queen Alexandra was partly deaf. She walked with a slight limp and ladies in society started imitating it as an act of Fashion. She was a friend of "The Elephant Man". In 1863 she married Edward, then Prince of Wales, and in the same year her father became King of Denmark and her brother King of Greece. Her sister, married to Tsar Alexander III, whose autocratic actions more than any other individual lead to the Russian Revolution, gave birth to the last two Russian Tsars, Nicolas II and Michael.) Read more about Queen Alexandra Alexandra operated as a high school until 1955. Note: In 2005 Peter and Beverly Morrow created a 1955 yearbook on the 50th anniversary of the last graduating high school class, the class of 1955. "Alexandra Composite High School: 1955 to 2005 From Here to There and Back Again 50th Reunion" (pdf 87.9 Mb wpd 44.5 MB). In 1955 a new high school was built and Alexandra became a junior high. At this time an addition was built on the east side of the school to house the Industrial Arts, Home Economics and Physical Education facilities. 1961 grade 7 classes were dropped and only grade 8's and 9's attended Alexandra. In 1970-1971 the original 1910 building was torn down and a two story structure constructed in its place. A multi-purpose room that serves as lunchroom and fine arts facility was added in 1985. In 1986, two portable classrooms were added to ease the crowding that was being experienced at that time. In 1992 the Student Council raised funds for an outdoor amphitheatre and in 1995 they raise the funds for an outdoor multi-purpose court. In 1997 a half-million dollar modernization began on the Milliken Wing (the 1955 CTS section of the building). Most of the costs went into upgrading the heating, plumbing and air conditioning of this area but the washrooms and classrooms were also modernized. In 1998 a $300 000 modernization began on the Phys Ed. facilities. The net results were significantly improve Phys. Ed change rooms, storage rooms, new classrooms, a new counsellor's office and student meeting room (which even receives credit in Dodie Greenwald's 2004 CD "Sand in my Boots" music liner notes as the venue for the harmonica section of the song "Ordinary Kinda Guy"). During the summer of 2005 the portable classrooms were no longer required and were relocated to George Davison School. On Monday, June 11, 2007 a fire started in the custodial office about one hour after school dismissal. No one was injured but the school experienced some fire and water damage and significant smoke damage. An on-line record of the events of the fire and the resulting school renovations was created to keep our community informed as to what was happening to their school. To document the progress made and to keep the public in the loop from surveying the damage of the fire to the nearly completed renovations in early August a running blog (an on-line diary that includes hundreds of pictures) was created. During the Spring and Summer of 2008 storage space in the Art and Library areas were converted into offices/counselling areas. 2008-05-06 School Board approves name change from Alexandra Junior High School to Alexandra Middle School. Photos of Aexandra over the Years
School Colours Etc.Our school colours are are blue and gold. The school's mascot is the Jayhawk. Our school teams are the Jayhawks and the Lady Jayhawks. The students' newsletter is called the Jayhawker. The school's historical junior high song is: Hail Alexandra (Sung to Anchors Away)
The school's historical motto is "Excelsior". Alexandra Coat of Arms with the "Excelsior" motto |
Fast Facts
Alexandra Principals
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