Reading Rocks: An Evolutionary approach to literacy in Rainbow Schools

Some 500 students from Rainbow Schools will attend the 11th Annual Reading Rocks Concert at Confederation Secondary School on Friday, April 22, 2016 at noon. The Evolutionary Band will perform for students from Redwood Acres Public School, Pinecrest Public School, Valley View Public School and C.R. Judd Public School. Special guests Scott and Sean Anderson, from the Juno award-winning Canadian rock band Finger Eleven, will also be in attendance.

"Confederation Secondary School is pleased to continue to promote literacy by recognizing the ongoing efforts of students in our feeder schools to improve their reading skills,” says Principal Pablo Gil-Alfau  “When secondary school students value and encourage reading among children, it certainly sends a very strong message to their younger peers. Through their efforts, the Evolutionary Band is reinforcing the importance of reading as being fundamental for success in learning and life.”

"It has become a tradition for Evolutionary and crew to reward students for reading by presenting this special concert," says Music Director Norm McIntosh. "Once again, we welcome the opportunity to salute children in our area elementary schools for a job well done.”

"Music and literacy go hand in hand and it’s important that young people understand the value of each,” says Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “This event ties the two together in a way that is fun and memorable.”

“Our elementary students are looking forward to the concert, which will serve to emphasize the importance of being able to read as the key to experiencing success at school,” adds Director Blaseg. “Almost everything we do in Rainbow Schools is geared toward having our students become stronger and more confident readers, the foundation for all learning.”

Participating schools have implemented a number of strategies to encourage reading among their students including book clubs, daily silent reading programs, night time reading at home, book bags, guest readers in schools, reading buddies and independent reading incentives.

Music Director Norm McIntosh says,  "We welcome the opportunity to salute their success in reading, a wonderful accomplishment. Our entire community benefits when children improve their literacy skills, the very foundation for learning. Reading Rocks!"

He adds: “We are extremely grateful to Finger Eleven band mates Scott and Sean for taking the time to join us in a show of support for music education and literacy in Rainbow Schools. We look forward to yet another fantastic concert!”

Finger Eleven was formed in 1990 in Burlington, Ontario. The group has released seven studio albums, one of which was under their former band name “Rainbow Butt Monkeys”. In 2008, the group won a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year.

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Media Contact:

Norm McIntosh, Music Director, Confederation Secondary School,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-671-5948 ext. 6150