An UPDATE from MySchoolROCKS Co-Founders Cliff & Anthony
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 "R.O.C.K.S educational pods" with modified experiential learning
- Modelling/forecasting 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 consulting advice through DoGood Fundraising Solutions. Our relationship with DoGood Fundraising will amplify our voice in the charity sector and magnify the impact of forthcoming 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!
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATED EDUCATION & WELLNESS RESOURCES
Welcome Educators, Parents & Caregivers
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
Our Studio Program ROCKED!!
THANK YOU for SUPPORTING MySchoolROCKS Programming !
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!
No Musical Experience Required...Enriched Music Guaranteed!
OPENING DOORS TO LEARNING THROUGH MUSIC (Metacognition)
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
COLLABORATIVE (Social Emotional Learning)
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.
ENGAGING (Experiential Learning)
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.
Student Engagement: FIVE Experiential Sessions
GUITAR
KEYBOARDS
KEYBOARDS
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!
KEYBOARDS
KEYBOARDS
KEYBOARDS
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!
DRUMS
KEYBOARDS
SOUND LAB: MUSIC SAMPLING & SONG WRITING
Participants will learn the fundamentals of drumming and will be able to play along with almost any song on the radio!
SOUND LAB: MUSIC SAMPLING & SONG WRITING
Mental Wellness Strategies For Youth "R.O.C.K.Shop"
SOUND LAB: MUSIC SAMPLING & SONG WRITING
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.
Mental Wellness Strategies For Youth "R.O.C.K.Shop"
Mental Wellness Strategies For Youth "R.O.C.K.Shop"
Mental Wellness Strategies For Youth "R.O.C.K.Shop"
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.
We Challenge Youth to Engage With The R.O.C.K.S Message!
R - Respect Each Other
How do you build solid foundations for POSITIVE relationships?
O - Open Up - Make A Friend
Learn the POWER of positive relationships!
C - Confidence - Own It!
Hold your head HIGH in all situations!
K - Kindness - Show It!
Learn about the profound impact of KIND words and actions!
S - Stand Up - YOU Make A Difference
Recognize how individual CHOICES can strengthen your community!
On The Air With NEWSTALK 1010: CFRB Profiles MySchoolROCKS
MySchoolROCKS Interviewed by CFRB host Dave Trafford
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.
R.O.C.K.S Programming Highlights and Looking Ahead:
MySchoolROCKS continues to re-tool our Music & Wellness R.O.C.K.S programming for 2020 and beyond:
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:
- 1000's of hits and visitors at myschoolrock.ca / www.myschoolrock.org
- Over 30 class visits from Grade 3-8 students, as well as hosting YMCA ROCK Camps and CORE CENTRE "Ideal Me" Workshops
- Hundreds of social media followers, inquiries and contacts with educational professionals from around the world including the Mental Health Innovation Network and Musical Futures International
- Profiled on Toronto Radio's NewsTalk 1010 with Dave Trafford
- Over 1000 students, teachers and parents engaging with Music & Wellness R.O.C.K.S through our Studio Program
- Over 500 hours of experiential music and wellness instruction with youth (ages 9 to 14) including the supervision of High School Co-op Student placements
- Positive feedback, referrals, & endorsements from participants, community partners and international organizations
- Recognition by Safe and Healthy School Ontario
- Shortlisted for a 2019 Re-Imagine Education Innovation Award - London, England
Keep following our progress as we embark on an ambitious project in 2020:
- We aim to build on concrete breakthroughs connecting R.O.C.K.S pedagogy with growth mindsets, resilience and success strategies for young students
- We will continue investigating best practices that unlock reservoirs of artistic potential that all young people possess
- Translate the cognitive science linking music and the mind into adaptable, user friendly educational resources for teachers, students and the community
- Develop and pilot a youth friendly App that will revolutionize how educators use music to meet the needs of ALL learners
- Add programs that focus on music, Digital Literacy and the importance of Digital Citizenship
- Solidify partnerships with organizations that look to re-define, re-imagine and re-create traditional education
"I wish we had this when I was in school" -Teacher Participant
We Love Our Partners!
MySchoolROCKS is THRILLED to announce that we have been AWARDED two major GRANTS!
- Through the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, MySchoolROCKS has been selected to be one of 15 Grand Challenges Exploration grants investigating new innovations in education! Click on this LINK for more information
- The City of Mississauga Arts and Culture Grant Program has stepped up with funding that will support MySchoolROCKS community initiatives in 2019. Click on this LINK for more information
