UPDATES from MySchoolROCKS Co-Founders Cliff & Anthony
On behalf of the entire MySchoolROCKS team, we sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well during these difficult times. As we head into Spring 2021, the educational community continues to face uncertainty. 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. MySchoolROCKS Senior Directors are operating remotely and continue to explore opportunities to adapt ROCKS programming in the community.
* In light of uncertainty, our goal is to re-calibrate and re-launch R.O.C.K.S programming in new and dynamic ways!
* 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 ongoing funding shortfalls, we have re-structured budgets dedicating resources to:
- professional development and research into best practices for remote learning
- monitoring Covid-19 data and community impact
- communication with educational stakeholders and government leaders across the community to assess needs
- investigating lower cost equipment and the feasibility of "R.O.C.K.S educational pods" with modified experiential learning
- Modelling new program delivery
Most importantly, the MySchoolROCKS advancement team has been following up with an extensive list of grant applications, sponsorships, emergency relief and both public/private funding opportunities.
Resources have been 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 MySchoolROCKS plans to introduce our UKULELE ROCKS program!! If you would like to support MySchoolROCKS with a charitable donation, please text us directly at 647 285-2657--Thank you!
Our team looks forward to brighter days ahead and to once again inspire community youth to ROCK & UNLOCK their full potential !
COVID-19 PIVOTS & PLANNING:
Hybrid and On-line Learning--What's Next Going Forward ??
MySchoolROCKS believes that we have reached a critical juncture in Canadian education. The global pandemic has disrupted traditional schooling and marginalized an alarming number of vulnerable learners. MySchoolROCKS looks to form NEW community partnerships in order to pivot, refocus resources and re-imagine the educational landscape moving forward into a new digital era.
Enriching Classrooms and Community Groups With NEW R.O.C.K.S On-line
As much as we enjoy live programming and performances, on-line learning has become a reality. ASK us about our NEW pilot project "Ukulele ROCKS". Stay tuned as we explore a new program, delivered via virtual platforms, to enrich your classroom instruction or extra-curricular programs BOTH at home and at school!
* Music * Digital Literacy *Youth Wellness
R.O.C.K.S retooled music workshops are anchored by participants learning to play user friendly instruments such as the ukulele or bucket drums. What continues to make R.O.C.K.S unique however, is that participants are prompted during the lesson to focus on both the musical rudiments (rhythm, notes, sound) as well as elements of mindfulness (being present in the musical moment), positive self-talk/re-framing negativity and breathing exercises that counteract anxiety while playing)
* Supported by complementary units, R.O.C.K.S intentionally models best practices in digital literacy (respect, on-line etiquette, digital footprints) as we also coach participants how to navigate, communicate and reciprocate virtual relationships while sharing musical compositions through social-media
CONTACT OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION
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
Learning from HOME? PLEASE CLICK BELOW for helpful educational resources
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.
youth Engagement: Experiential Sessions will be back!!
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!
Our Studio Program ROCKED!! we hope to be back soon!!
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!
MYSCHOOLROCKS HIGHLIGHTS: CFRB 1010, grants and more...
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.
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
R.O.C.K.S Programming Highlights and Looking Ahead:
MySchoolROCKS continues to re-tool our Music & Wellness R.O.C.K.S programming :
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 the TEAM weathered 2020 and embark on an ambitious 2021:
- 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!
