Degrassi Community School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Degrassi Community School | |
 |
|
| The perfect human being is all human beings put together, it is a collective, it is all of us together that make perfection.[1] -- Socrates |
|
| Established | 1976 |
|---|---|
| School type | Fictional (Public) |
| Principal | Mr. Raditch (Until 2004) Daphne Hatzilakos (2004 - Present) |
| Location | Toronto, Canada |
| Colours | Gold and Blue |
| Mascot | Panther |
Degrassi Community School is a fictional junior high/high school in the teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation and the titular academy primarily associated with it. It consits of students from grade 7 through grade 12 and the student body is made up of the cultures and backgrounds, paralleling and reflecting the multiculturalism associated with Toronto. The school originally was split up into separate, for grades 7-8 and another for 9-12. In season two, the school decided to merge (mainly so that the characters could all attend the same school) and house grades 7-12.But this is not a real school its a warehouse that made it look like a school.Up until around season 4, there have been no characters on the show, minor or major that have been mentioned in being in grades 7 or 8.
Contents |
[edit] History
Degrassi Community School was established in 1976, and it has had students through its halls every day since. Degrassi was simply a junior high in the late 1980s, but two years later, it was combined with a high school. When the Class of '91 graduated, it was assumed that Degrassi closed down until October 2001, when it was remodeled and had its 10th High School Reunion.
Initially a junior high school by 2001, it was the subject of much criticism and praise by students when it underwent a merge becoming both a highschool and junior high school. Resulting from a last minute board decision in closing a high school, the Degrassi Community School was not entirely ready to meet the influx of schools and even made the junior students share lockers.
[edit] List of School Events
In chronological order:
Season One (September 2001-June 2002)
- Mother and Child Reunion
- Degrassi is host to its 10 year reunion for the graduating class of '90-'91
- Family Politics
- School Year Begins
- Degrassi: School Election (Winners: School President: Ashley Kerwin, Secretary: Liberty Van Zandt)
- Eye of the Beholder
- "Starlight, Starbright" Dance. First ever nighttime dance.
- Degrassi Community Food Bank (Ongoing). Partially funded by profits from dance (5$ tickets)
- Parents' Day
- Parent Teacher's Day Conference
[edit] Academics
[edit] Faculty
- Principal Daniel Raditch, (Former) Principal
- Principal Daphne Hatzilakos, (Former) Science Teacher + Gym/School Coach, Current Principal
- Mr. Archibald Simpson, Media Immersion Teacher
- Mrs. Laura Kwan, English + Drama Teacher
- Mr. Darryl Armstrong, Gym/School Coach + Math Teacher
- Ms. Suave, School Guidance Counselor
- Mr. Don Perino, History Teacher
- Mr. Ellis, Chemistry & Science Teacher
- Mrs. Smith, Secretary
- Shelia, (Former) Lunch Lady
[edit] Media Immersion Program
One of the most unique programs featured in the Degrassi Community School, is its Media Immersion Program (taught by Mr. Simpson and held in the computer lab). The program features over 50 high speed computers with internet access (via dial-up as of 2001)[2] and other educational programs. It also features the most up to date media software programs, all part of the new renovation planned by Mr. Raditch, "proudly bringing Degrassi to the 21st Century".[3]
Computer lab uses network notably using a system called "D-Mail" where students may instant message each other and of course, send e-mails.
18 new computers were provided by the television program NaK, News About Kids, in exchange for showing their morning broadcasts. Though bias and a source for propaganda which also promotes certain commercial products, the NaK broadcasts were consented to be shown by the student's parent's vote.[4]
[edit] Layout
Completely rennovated and changed by 2001, the Degrassi Community School features untraditional design schemes using new materials. Named a Community School, Degrassi does not follow the typical public school layout but closer to being identified as an alternative school. By 2002, the school had yet again been completely changed and reinvented as it underwent a merge to become both a Junior High School and High School.
There are multiple unique aspects of the Degrassi school. In the spatious front lobby, a mural outlooks the front steps, one later redrawn by Jimmy Brooks. Written primarily at the top of the walls above the locker/hallway areas, there are a number of black-fonted inspirational quotes employed. The main foyer is host to Degrassi's own motto, written larger and bolder than the other quotes.
The actual set for where the school scenes are shot in is a warehouse in aEpitome Pictures studio. Outfitted to look like an actual school, the set features perhaps the most intricate and detailed designs, including numerous flyers, bullitens, and posters partaining to the fictional Degrassi Community School. The studio is also used for filming the other sets, such as character's rooms, in the series.[5]
[edit] Inspirational Quotes
Main Foyer
(School Motto)
The perfect human being is all human beings put together, it is a collective, it is all of us together that make perfection. Socrates
Unknown
"Human beings must be known to be loved; but Divine beings must be loved to be known." Blaise Pascal
Across from Computer Lab
"Wisdom begins in Wonder." Socrates
Across from Health Room
"Creativity is seeing what everyone sees and thinking what no one has ever thought." Albert Einstein
Across from Science Classroom
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Carl Sagan
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
| Group | Members | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Mr. Armstrong (2001) - Coach Jimmy Brooks - Captain (2001-2003) - Assistant Coach (2006-present) Spinner Mason - Team Manager (2001, 2003) Sean Cameron Derek Haig |
Called the Degrassi Panthers, the basketball team is one of the proudest school teams, defeating various rival schools and even having a chance for the regionals. In the beginning of 2001, 15 hopefuls tried out for the team but there were only 12 spots. As Armstrong judged who made the team based on their game performance against Earl Grey, Jimmy and Spinner were cut from the team (the latter would be reinstated at the end of the symester). |
| The Grapevine | Liberty Van Zandt (2001-present) Ellie Nash (2003-2006) |
|
| Gymnastics | Manny Santos Emma Nelson Hazel Aden Kendra Mason |
|
| Lacrosse | Terri MacGregor Kendra Mason Alex Nuñez Serena |
|
| Party Planning Committee | Liberty Van Zandt Toby Isaacs Emma Nelson |
|
| Soccer | Spinner Mason Sully Jimmy Brooks |
|
| Spirit Squad | Paige Michalchuk - (Captain/Head Cheerleader) (2001-2006) Hazel Aden - (Co-captain) (2001-2006) Manny Santos - (Choreographer) (2001-2005; 2006-present) Darcy Edwards - (Captain) (2004-present) Peter Stone - (2006-present) Oskar -(2001) Chante Black - (2004-present) Mia Jones - (2006) |
|
| Student Council Committee | Liberty Van Zandt | |
| Video Announcements | Liberty Van Zandt Emma Nelson Heather Sinclair |
|
| Wrestling | Sean Cameron |
[edit] Student Council
- President: Ashley Kerwin
- Vice-President: Liberty Van Zandt
- Beginning of Presidency: Family Polictics
- End of Presidency: Before King of Pain
- President: Marco Del Rossi
- Vice-President: Alex Nunez
- Beginning of Presidency: King of Pain
- End of Presidency: Death of a Disco Dancer
- Student Council President: Liberty Van Zandt
- Vice-President: Toby Isaacs
- Beginning of Presidency: Death of a Disco Dancer
- End of Presidency: Ongoing
[edit] Alumni
[edit] Class of '90-'91
- Joey Jeremiah
- Christine "Spike" Nelson
- Caitlin Ryan
- Archie "Snake" Simpson
- Lucy Fernandez
- Derek "Wheels" Wheeler
[edit] Class of '03-04
- Dylan Michalchuck
- Tommy (Surname Unknown)
[edit] Class of '05-'06
[edit] Extras
- Scott Anderson[6]
- Susan Brown[6]
- Vickie Chan[6]
- Helena DeFuca[6]
- Debbie Fenton[6]
- Penelepe Frasier[6]
- Chris Henderson[6]
- Steven Ho[6]
- Peter James[6]
- Carrie Joseph[6]
- Anna Nichols[6]
[edit] Class of '06-'07 [TBA]
- Jimmy Brooks
- Toby Isaacs
- Ashley Kerwin
- Gavin "Spinner" Mason
- Emma Nelson
- Manny Santos
- Christopher Sharpe
- Heather Sinclair
- Peter Stone
- Liberty Van Zandt
[edit] Class of '07-08 [TBA]
- Chante Black
- Darcy Edwards
- Derek Haig
- Mia Jones
- Kendra Mason
- Danny Van Zandt
[edit] Other
- Terri MacGregor - (transferred)
- Rick Murray - (deceased)
- Jay Hogart - (expelled, later droped out)
- Kevin Smith - (honorary diploma)
- Sean Cameron - (expelled)
- J.T. Yorke - (deceased)
- Craig Manning - (dropout)
[edit] Website
The show's official website features Locker Pages, and many other Degrassi School-themed pages. The show also features such pages in episodes, including D-Mail. In recent seasons, the system seems to not be used any longer.
[edit] Trivia
[edit] References
- ^ Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Mother and Child Reunion, Part 2", Episode Two, Season One. (aired 2001)
- ^ Mr. Raditch: "and the jewel of the Degrassi crown, the Media Immersion Lab. Every computer here is connected to the internet via high speed telephone access" Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Mother and Child Reunion, Part 1", Episode One, Season One. (aired 2001)
- ^ Terri: "The Media Immersion Program is very unique to our school. We have over fifty high speed computers with internet access and other educational programs" .../Terri: "this is all part of the new rennovations planned by Mr. Raditch" Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Mother and Child Reunion, Part 2", Episode Two, Season One. (aired 2001)
- ^ Emma: "NaK is totally bias." .../Mr. Raditch: "Have you seen the new computers in the Media Immersion Lab? Eighteen new computers thanks to NaK. In exchange, we show their morning broadcast. .../Mr. Raditch: "the parents voted for it" "Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Parents' Day", Episode Five, Season One. (aired 2001)
- ^ Epitome Virtual Reality Inc., "Degrassi Fan Pages FAQ", Degrassi.tv. Subheading: Where/ how is Degrassi filmed?, "The show is mainly filmed in the Epitome Pictures studios, a former warehouse that has been converted to look like a real school. The studio also houses the interiors of some of the characters' homes, and a mall food-court area. As a result, the majority of Degrassi is filmed inside one large studio. However, we do occasionally take the production "on location" to various places around Toronto that are impossible to re-create in a studio."
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Daphne Hatzilakos: "and now without further ado, I'd like to welcome to the stage, Degrassi's graduating class of 2006..." Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "High Fidelity, Part 2", Episode Nineteen, Season Five. (aired 2006)
- ^ a b c Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Parents' Day", Episode Five, Season One. (aired 2001)
- ^ Degrassi: The Next Generation Episode, "Friday Night", Episode Eleven, Season One. (aired 2002)
[edit] External links
- 'Official' Site Requires Degrassi.tv Registration.
- 'Official' abckids site
