Without a doubt, 2020 has been a trying and unprecedented year. On behalf of the entire MySchoolROCKS team, we sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well during these difficult times. We have received many inquires as to the current status of MySchoolROCKS. Understandably, we have scaled back R.O.C.K.S programming taking into serious account both Covid-19 related health protocols and the safety of our artists.
Building on our revised 2020 strategic plan, our Senior Directors continue to operate remotely and have ramped up the following initiatives:
* MySchoolROCKS continues our commitment to developing enriched educational programming for the greater community. Our goal is to pivot, re-calibrate and re-launch R.O.C.K.S programming in new and dynamic ways! We have expanded our network of community contacts and supporters with the anticipation of restrictions being modified on a region by region basis
* With the generous support of the Community Foundation of Mississauga, MySchoolROCKS was able to secure an emergency grant through their Emergency Community Support Fund. The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated the charity sector and we are very grateful to the Community Foundation of Mississauga, Canada Helps and generous private donors who have stepped up to support our cause
* Despite significant cuts to funding, we have re-configured annual budgets dedicating resources to:
- professional development reflecting new educational realities
- research into best practices for remote learning
- monitoring of Covid-19 data and community impact
- communication with educational stakeholders and government leaders across the community
- procurement of low cost equipment and materials
- investigating the feasibility of re-establishing R.O.C.K.S educational pods with modified experiential learning and modelling positive scenarios of new program delivery
* Most importantly, the MySchoolROCKS advancement team has been following up daily with an extensive list of grant applications, sponsorship, emergency relief and both public/private funding opportunities. Resources have been judiciously dedicated to procuring expert consultation services from Funding Portal. Our partnership with Funding Portal will greatly amplify our voice in the charity sector and magnify the impact of future grant proposals
It was not that long ago that over a thousand future rock stars visited our studios to enjoy Music and Wellness R.O.C.K.S. The positive energy generated by that widely successful pilot project is the spark that continues to ignite the MySchoolROCKS team.
Please stay tuned as we look to brighter days ahead and look forward to once again inspiring youth to ROCK & UNLOCK their full potential!
MySchoolROCKS personifies the synergy between the musical arts, education & youth wellness.
Through the connective power of music, we inspire young people to embrace creativity, well-being and inclusivity as pathways to reaching their potential
Socially isolating? PLEASE CLICK BELOW for helpful educational resources
Please CLICK the button below to download our theme song -written by MySchoolROCKS Instructor and UFORIA front man Michael Ursini. Consider using it as your school theme song! Ask us about our vocal backing track version and how students can write their own unique lyrics describing why their school ROCKS!
Collaboration, problem solving and emotional intelligence are explored in our program "Music and Wellness R.O.C.K.S." Musical themes are used as catalysts to ignite the 21st century thinking needed to navigate today's interconnected world
Based on fundamentals of PROGRESSIVE music instruction, MySchoolROCKS unlocks creativity through contemporary songs supported by hands-on guitar, percussion, keyboard & music mixing R.O.C.K.Shops
MySchoolROCKS assists students in embracing a GROWTH Mindset by "Thinking Like a Musician" tapping into creative centres of the brain and applying social-emotional learning to re-frame negative thinking using age appropriate strategies
We would like to thank the students and teachers at Gandatsetiagon Public School, Pickering , St. Francis Xavier Catholic Elementary School, St.John of the Cross, St. Raphael C.S and St. Angela Merici Catholic School for your outstanding program participation in the Fall.
It was also a thrill to welcome The GLIMPSE kids from Parkfield P.S and participants form: Bristol Street Public School, Parkinson Centennial School Orangeville, St. Andre Bessette, St. Angela Merici and All Saints Catholic Elementary during our spring session. What an outstanding group of young musicians!!
A sincere thank you to teachers and administrators as approximately 1000 students visited our studio and engaged with the 5 elements of R.O.C.K.S programming.
A VERY big thank you to the Managers at the Oakville YMCA and the team at St. Bernadette C.S for helping us deliver some outstanding Summer ROCK Camps--WE Salute YOU!
The feedback from our participants is invaluable as we approach potential grant providers & funders with some compelling data supporting music based education!
MySchoolROCKS teaches popular/ modern songs using innovative instructional methods reflecting best practices in Progressive Music Education. This hands-on approach acts as the " hook" that encourages students to exit comfort zones, take responsible risks and accept failure as a part of the learning process
Participants learn valuable skills that promote co-operation, team building and conflict resolution. Our 30 minute ROCKSHOP sessions touch upon youth friendly strategies for positive mental health.
Our Instrument Carousel Program is divided into 4 instructional sessions: Guitar, Keyboards, Drums & Sound LAB and consolidated with our teacher led Wellness ROCKshop. Participants rotate through each 30 minute activity learning rudiments by playing along with popular/ modern songs.
Participants will learn 3 easy guitar chords and will be playing along with Bruno Mars and The Black Eyed Peas songs by the end of the carousel session!
Our innovative keyboard instruction combines visual graphics with hands on music learning. As the session builds on skills, participants will be playing along with Adele, Drake and others!
Participants will learn the fundamentals of drumming and will be able to play along with almost any song on the radio!
Students experiment with cloud based interactive, user-friendly software programs that create music! Instruments, beats and special effects can be looped to compose unique samples of individualized music. Additionally, users can add personalized lyrics and record vocals to their creation.
Utilizing best practices in Respect Ed, Social Emotional Learning and youth mental wellness, MySchoolROCKS encourages participants to make the cognitive connection between learning music and developing a Growth Mindset. Key themes include: mindfulness, resilience and responsible risk taking.
How do you build solid foundations for POSITIVE relationships?
Learn the POWER of positive relationships!
Hold your head HIGH in all situations!
Learn about the profound impact of KIND words and actions!
Recognize how individual CHOICES can strengthen your community!
Parkfield Junior School in Etobicoke used our MySchool R.O.C.K.S program to write and record a wonderful school theme song. They also produced an awesome supporting video!!
A BIG thank you for outstanding teamwork on a job well done by the Parkfield Rock Stars
If music is covered at your school and you need a boost with Character ED, MySchoolROCKS can arrange to have only our Wellness ROCKSHOPS visit YOUR class:
MySchoolROCKS founders Anthony Kolozetti and Cliff Callaway were thrilled to be live on the air at NewsTalk 1010 The Weekend Show with Dave Trafford. Cliff and Anthony touched upon the key elements of the MySchoolROCKS program and how it connects with the timely subject of youth mental health.
"Young people will not only love our studio when they come in, they will learn new things about their creative selves...its about being in the moment, playing along with popular songs and truly having a musical experience".
Our sincere thanks to the fine professionals at CFRB 1010 and Dave Trafford for inviting us to appear on the morning show.
We thank all educators for their program inquiries. Please note that we are currently re-working all R.O.C.K.S programming!! Please check back for updates!!!!
Through the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the MISK Foundation's Educational Grand Challenge Award, MySchoolROCKS has been committed to expanding our knowledge, research and programming reach. As a result of our 2019 Strategic Plan, we have achieved significant milestones:
Has it been a year already?? Selected from over 1500 global applicants, MySchoolROCKS signature program, Music and Wellness R.O.C.K.S was shortlisted in the category of BEST Educational App by the organization Re-Imagine Education.
Although it seems a lifetime ago, our week in Westminster, London England was energizing! We engaged with over 600 global educators, from four continents, sharing new and innovative ways to empower youth. MySchoolROCKS also had the privilege of connecting with fellow Canadian innovators celebrated for their amazing work and contributions to the global education community. The 2020 Re-Imagine Conference, hosted virtually, will no doubt be another resounding success!
"The Re-imagine Education Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of Education’ – rewards innovative approaches that enhance student learning outcomes".
Please visit: https://www.reimagine-education.com/