Frequently Asked Questions:
Can my child still register for StudioXP for the 2021-2022 school year?
- Registration for StudioXP for 2021-2022 school year is now CLOSED
- Information about next year's registration will come out mid-May 2022
What information can you tell us about StudioXP in light of the AB health measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic? (updated September 2nd, 2021)
- Field Trips: As it stands right now Field Trips ARE permitted! StudioXP experiences will be based in our local community. There will also be lots of walking field trips within a 5km radius of the school and some experiences will be on-site. Please NOTE: the fees for field trips will not exceed $375 as outlined in the approved School Fees for our school
- StudioXP Learning in a Pandemic: Some may question if it is possible to do this type of learning with the current restrictions and regulations. The focus of StudioXP is on experiential learning where we "Experience, Learn and Create" together! Many curricular outcomes are woven together with integrated hands-on projects. This will still be able to occur while maintaining AHS and RVS protocol to keep students and staff as safe as we can even though it may look a little different. As of now, we will continue good hand hygiene and masks will be mandatory when we take the bus.
- StudioXP Class Size & Classroom Space: The StudioXP class is in the "CTF Art Room" that we call the "Studio". Our classroom is the largest in the school with high ceilings, 9 sinks, and several windows. This coming year our class will be around 30 students. Maintaining distancing while learning is possible in our space and worked well this past year.
- Safety & Protocol: Please know that student safety will always be a priority and that we will adhere to AHS and Rocky View guidelines. These have been updated for the 2021-22 school year but here is a link to our current guidelines. From our experience this past year, we are confident that together with our students, families, our admin team and our full staff, we will create a safe learning environment that supports our learners.
- Volunteers & Guest Experts are allowed on campus this year! Volunteers must have a current police record check registered at the school. All adults who work with us must follow the AB Daily Health Checklist and wear your mask.
Do you support all students who are interested? Is there anyone you would recommend should stick to their current curriculum?
- The program is open to everyone and all learners.
- The same curriculum is being delivered in StudioXP as in the other Grade 7 and 8 classes, the only difference is the lens through which the curriculum will be delivered. We also offer some extra field trips and experiences that are part of our integrated projects than the other classes.
Does StudioXP replace normal class?
- StudioXP is the class. The 30 students in StudioXP will be together for their core courses, Health, and PE. Mon-Thursday CTF (Career and Techology Foundations) option courses will be mixed with other Grade 7 & 8 students at RancheView.
Who will be teaching the class?
- Mrs. Amanda Klager will be the lead teacher with support from Administration, Learning Support, and RockyView Specialists for the 2021-2022 school year.
How much does StudioXP cost? (Updated October 13, 2021)
- Fees for StudioXP are based on the Field Trips and Experiences we do. The cost will not exceed $375 (This amount is a combination of our outdoor education and field trip fees posted to our school website).
- Parents or Care Givers can choose to pay the $375 amount in one upfront payment or in monthly instalments on school cash. Any money that isn't used will be reimbursed to families at the end of the year.
- Note: Please remember that CTF option fees are in addition to the StudioXP fee. Please follow the link to see additional school fees.
Does my child have to participate in all the off campus field trips?(*if they are permitted)
- Yes. StudioXP revolves around all components of experiential learning, including the field trips. We expect all students to participate on every Field Trip and experience offered.
- Note: There are strict deadlines for Field Trip paperwork to be completed for most trips. Some trips also have certain clothing and food preparedness expected for safety. Students who don't adhere to these deadlines and expectations may be told to stay back from the trip to work on alternative assignments at school.
Will there be tests or is it just hands on learning?
- All types of assessments will be used based upon the outcomes being learned. Tests are one way to assess and are limited in allowing students to really “show what they know”. If the teachers feel it is appropriate to use tests for assessment, this will occur.
- PowerSchool will be used to communicate how your child is doing
- Google Classroom will be used to post resources and assignments
- Each student will have their own MyBlueprint online portfolio where they can highlight and reflect on the work they're proud of
Will there be field trips for personal interests of a students potential career?
- The intent is to use field trips to be driven by and connected to the experience of curriculum. It is not a work experience type of approach. Instead it is more of an 'exploratory' approach.
- The goal of StudioXP is to give learners a wide range of experiences through a variety of Career and Technology Foundation (CTF) clusters. This means that sometimes learners might be trying out areas that are new to them or "out of their comfort zone". The purpose of this is to help expand each student's repertoire of transferable skills and introduce new areas of interest.
Will StudioXP students still get extra help when needed?
- Yes, teachers will always help support with areas of needs that students have.
How does this affect students with special needs? Are there additional support for these students?
- All students will continue to be supported to the best of our ability. The EA supports in the class always depend upon the needs of the students at each grade level in our School. That being said, ALL students in the class work towards individualized goals and are supported to have success.
Will StudioXP students get to work with the other students?
- Yes! Current protocols allow StudioXP students to be cohorted with the other Grade 7 & 8 classes. This means that they can see friends in other classes at recess times. They also will be mixed with peers from other classes during CTF options.
Will students have more work put on them, i.e. will there be more homework or expectations put on them on top of regular school?
- No, students focused and on task in class should not have a lot of homework
- As with all learning, the hope is that students will want to work on their projects at home due to the interest and excitement of working on it
- Parents who are concerned that their child isn't bringing home homework can help their child review what was learned in the day by going onto the Google Classroom to see what they're working on. There are resources posted on each classroom as well as some extra practice activities or enrichment for Math
Is this a new kind of learning in Alberta and is it happening in other jurisdictions?
- StudioXP is a RancheView initiative. That being said, this is not a new idea and similar learning is happening at other schools. In our district programs that are similar include: Manachaban's W.I.L.D. program, Building Futures, & The Farm. The focus on experiential learning occurs in many schools in AB at all grade levels.
- Our learning support team, and district specialists are available for support in the planning for StudioXP
If a student starts with StudioXP and it is not working, can he/she return back to regular program?
- If a commitment is made to be in StudioXP, the commitment is made for the year. Like with class changes, we do our best to avoid changes throughout the year. We are however, always open to conversation if things are really not working out, but we want students and families to enter into this with an understanding that this is a year long commitment.
Are there any additional materials on top of the costs shown?
- CTF class costs are over and above StudioXP fees.
- Please see the following link for specific course and activity fees.
How will StudioXP affect your report card and marks?
- The same outcomes will be assessed in XP as the other grade 7 and 8 classrooms and assessment will continue to be reported on PowerSchool.
How will this prepare us for what is needed for high school?
- In StudioXP, there will be a focus on Learner Competencies along with a focus on building foundational skills in Numeracy and Literacy. Students will learn how to be problem solvers, team players, collaborating, perseverance, take risks to fail and try again, taking charge of own learning, and have a voice in how they learn best.
- Follow this link for more information on student learner competencies in Alberta
How will being involved in this program affect post-secondary academics?
- Learning like this can help students be stronger learners as StudioXP will teach them how to think at a deep level and apply the knowledge they are learning to creative projects, activities, or real-world problems.
Are you currently working with the high school to continue a program such as this?
- We are not directly working with the high schools at this time; however, Bow Valley High School has already had 2 years of our students transition successfully. Some of our alumni have successfully applied and been chosen to participate in other alternative programs like the "Farm", "Building Futures" or the district's "Leadership Academy" but this isn't the expectation for all StudioXP students.
Is the program dependent upon the Government’s funding?
- No, we will run StudioXP regardless of funding announcements.
How can I volunteer?
- We rely on parent and community volunteers to help enrich our programming!
- We will need parent volunteers to help with the various field trips since we need a ratio of 1:12 when we are on trips further than 5km away. Parents will need a current police record check registered with our school. All volunteers are required to submit a Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector Check before being permitted to volunteer.
- We also benefit when parents can share their real-world expertise with our class!
- All adults that come to work with us this year will have to ensure they wear masks and complete the AB Daily Health Checklist