The MySchoolROCKS Mission

MySchoolROCKS BELIEVES in the SYNERGY between the Arts, education and youth wellness. We inspire elementary school students to embrace well-being, inclusivity and diversity through the power of Experiential Learning.

It is the mission of MySchoolROCKS to ensure that all students have the vocabulary, tools and appropriate outlets to thrive in a positive, community focused environment. Our vision combines face to face engagement with student friendly opportunities to experiment with activities that engage the mind and body. MySchoolROCKS looks to connect with students across Canada helping them recognize, confront and reduce negative outcomes.

WE BELIEVE IN PROFESSIONALISM AND TEAMWORK

All MySchoolROCKS programming is based on current best practices including the Ontario Ministry of Education Curricular Documents, abuse prevention programs from the Canadian Red Cross, The Ontario College of Teachers, The JaysCare Foundation and the YMCA of Canada as well as professionally reviewed youth wellness research. The MySchoolROCKS team is comprised of professionals whose backgrounds include the arts, media, education, business and technology.

WE BELIEVE IN DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

MySchoolROCKS believes funding challenges should not preclude students from strengthening interpersonal skills, learning about diversity and tapping into their artistic creativity. As a registered charity, MySchoolROCKS strives to be universal, portable and accessible to all children regardless of background, situation or location.

WE BELIEVE IN SUPPORTING EDUCATORS AND ENRICHING CLASSROOMS...

“People for Education says in its annual report that only 43 per cent of elementary schools last year had specialist teachers dedicated to teaching the music curriculum -- the lowest percentage in Canada, and down from 49 per cent in 2012”. http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/not-enough-dedicated-music-teachers-at-ontario-schools-report-1.

“Bullying is a complex and critical issue in education. It affects students at all ages and in different ways. The advisory is responding to focus group research that identified bullying as a need-to-know topic. It applies to all College (OCT) members.”

- Brian Jamieson, Professionally Speaking: September 2017 (oct-oeeo.ca/professionaladvisories)

“… In about 85-88% of bullying incidents observed on the school playground, peers were present and were watching the bullying happen. Canada ranked a dismal 26th and 27th out of 35 countries on measures of bullying and victimization, according to a recent World Health Organization survey…”

“Education in the arts is essential to students’ intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth and well-being. Experiences in the arts – in dance, drama, music, and visual arts –play a valuable role in helping students to achieve their potential as learners and to participate fully in their community and in society as a whole. - The Ontario Arts Curriculum (revised 2009) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/arts18b09curr.pdf

Promoting well-being is one of the four interconnected goals of Achieving Excellence, Ontario’s renewed vision for education. This goal is based on the principle that our education system needs to help students build the knowledge and skills associated with positive well-being so that they can become healthy, active and engaged citizens.”- Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/about/WBDiscussionDocument.pdf

“As almost every education system in the world holds the belief that education is the best way to ensure children’s health, development and well-being, and therefore the future of the nation...how can educators shape education systems to become more responsive to these realities?”- TVO- Learning Out Loud https://www.teachontario.ca/docs/DOC-1779

MySchoolROCKS featured in "the Art of wellness" Documentary

Documentary explores LINKS between artistic expression and mental health:

MySchoolROCKS had the pleasure of participating in the documentary "Art of Wellness: A Creative Path to Mental Health. The Art of Wellness shines an important spotlight on the life changing role the Arts play in people's lives as well as the positive impact that participating in arts-based programming has on well-being.

It was an honour to join medical professionals, health practitioners, artists, musicians and many talented creatives as the documentary explored the transformational power of Arts programming and how it may be used as a path to mental wellness.

Very special THANKS to Susan Ksiezopolski, Art of Wellness Producer, WriteWell and the Mississauga Arts Council for their role in bringing this project to life.

Click on the link below or follow via The Mississauga Arts Council for exciting news about the very successful Art of Wellness Conference

Earlier this year, The Art of Wellness committee was invited to Queen's Park to meet with current Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael Tibollo. During a very productive session, the committee put forth an innovative and forward thinking strategy that advocated for Art and Wellness techniques to be recognized by the medically community as a viable option for Ontarians looking for assistance with overall health and well-being.

PLEASE CLICK on this LINK to view

The ART of WELLNESS

The Mississauga Arts Council explores creative experiences that help mental wellbeing in Peel.