News

November 30 , 2007

DANCING CLASSROOMS™ IN FULL SWING & GEARING UP FOR THE FIRST COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW TEAM MATCH

Fourteen Toronto Public & Separate Elementary schools across the Greater Toronto Area embraced the magic of Dancing Classrooms in October as the program entered into its first term of the full program implementation following last year’s very successful pilot.

Approximately 800 Grade 4, 5 & 6 students, and their classroom teachers are now in their eighth week of a program that is being touted as one of the most innovative and proven Character Education tools to support educators in their efforts to help students enhance self-esteem, build confidence, establish greater gender respect and develop critical team work skills and abilities.  In addition, children gain a good basic knowledge of ballroom dance, enjoy expanded physical fitness activity and increase their general knowledge, literacy and public speaking skills through a novel integrated learning process.

Dancing Classrooms started in 1994 in New York City with one man and one school. This term the program is reaching over 31, 000 students in 366 schools across the U.S.A, and Toronto, Canada.  Unfortunately, our Toronto program was unable to secure continued lead funding just shortly before we were due to commence.  The loss posed significant challenge and some real concern for a while but Pierre served as our voice of hope “What is done with great heart and true sincerity will bring you all that is needed, and more”.   As one, our team agreed to move forward on the “bare bones” budget of the cost shared portion from the schools, and with some of us willing to volunteer significantly, all confident in the hope that the right community partners will come along, and shortly.

Therefore at this time, we are pleased to be able to announce that through our team’s perseverance the full program is up and running wonderfully.  Now, as the students prepare excitedly for their showcases culminating the term, they also are vying strongly to be amongst the top seven schools invited to compete at Toronto’s very first Colours of the Rainbow Team Match on January 12, 2008. The event is being supported by the very generous partners of the Palais Royale Ballroom. Further details will be posted on our website closer to the date.

Also, please watch for upcoming information about our fabulous Gala Benefit on the evening of January 12, 2008. You won’t want to miss out on this! Pierre Dulaine & the Team Match Champions, as well as the amazing sounds of the Toronto All Star Big Band and the gorgeous Palais Royale Ballroom promise you an evening to remember....and it will be all for our children!

Ilsa Abraham, Executive Director
Join the Dance (Canada)
Tel: 905 837 7795
Cell: 416 948 2035
Email: danceforlife1@rogers.com
For more details on Join the Dance please visit our website at www.jointhedance.com.