Oasis Arts & Social Change Program: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Registration at ASC for 2011-2012

Spaces are available at the Arts and Social Change Program for 2011-2012. If you or anyone you know is currently struggling inside or outside of the classroom and is interested in attaining core credits while engaging in art and performance opportunities our program may be the answer. Call our Guidance Counsellor or Curriculum Leader at 416-393-9830 for more information.

Information sessions are scheduled for the following dates and times at our school location (3^rd floor at 20 Brant Street). Each session begins at 9:00 am and lasts 1 hour.

Students must call prior to the information session to reserve a spot:

· Friday May 13

· Friday June 3

· Friday June 10

· Friday June 17

The Brant Street location of Oasis Alternative S.S. has 3 classrooms with an Arts & Social Change focus. The Arts & Social Change Program is the only continuous intake program in the TDSB where students earn a range of compulsory and elective Grade 9, 10, and some grade 11 credits through an exploration of the visual, media and performing arts and social justice issues. This program is designed to address the needs of at-risk youth. On-going school-community partnerships allow our staff and students to draw on the resources of the local Art & Design District and activist community organizations. There are no additional portfolio or audition requirements other than a willingness to participate in visual, media and/or performing arts activities.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Cookie Math

Teacher Vanessa Pearson helps students better understand fractions by baking the best ever chocolate chip cookies. Vanessa is on a LTO covering for Jane Fonseca who is on Mat leave...This is the tasty-est math class ever.

Oasis Does Rock and Roll Art with Local Band Bonjay

Oasis' 'Art of Rock n' Roll' class hard at work printing custom posters with members from Toronto's favourite band, Bonjay. Students are designing and printing original silk screen posters for the band to take on tour with them in the UK. Stay tuned to see the final results!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/apr/07/first-sight-bonjay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32C4QAKce7M

Aboriginal Arts Based Project

This semester Oasis was one of the lucky schools selected to take part in the TDSB Aboriginal Arts Based Project. Students worked with J'net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh, a textile artist and educator to learn about First Nations history in Canada and the power of art. Using applique and paint, students created their own interpretations of West coast First Nations art and the results were amazing!

ASC Staff: A Small but MIghty Team

Anita Court is our fabulolus Office Administrator. She knows a lot about a lot and it's her job to know. Students and staff alike look to Anita as a confidante and problem solver for anything from getting the bathroom key from a locked bathroom to finding a band-aid for a cut to taking care of a busted printer to putting together the Superintentdent's package and tracking attendance. Anita is the glue that binds the three satellite locations of Oasis.
Jane Fonseca is the Guidance/Phys Ed and Science teacher. She has been working at Oasis for the last six years. She went to school at York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in the Specialized Honours degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. She also received her Massage Therapy Diploma and at one time was a Registered Massage Therapist (no jokes or massages please). She completed her initial teacher education at York University, Parkdale campus with a focus on Equity and Social Justice. She is always up for a friendly challenge…game on!
Joseph Ghassibe is our fearless leader, CL of Oasis. He has worked in mainstream schools in Australia and Canada. He has worked in alternative programs and other alternative schools. Oasis is, by far, his favourite :-) We are a community, a family and a home. He is proud to be here!
Martin Van de Ven - Our Music and Math Guru has a Masters in composition from U of T and took calculus for entertainment during his undergrad. He has spent much of his adult life as a freelance clarinettist, composer and musical director. Working for local theatre companies such as Jumblies Theatre he has created many works for mixed ensembles composed of amateur, professional and untrained musicians. Recent compositions include a 5 part work for the Toronto Children's Chorus. He performs with Toronto based Balkan/Klezmer band “Beyond the Pale”. He loves helping people find their inner musician, as an added bonus, at OASIS he gets to do the same with Math. Before signing up with OASIS Martin was the Jazz teacher at Earl Haig secondary.