Project in Process: Students pitch designs with a Sustainability and Environmental theme & get feedback from Interns at Bamboo SK8 in California

Sem. 2 Business Courses kick off with a visit to The Baitshop

Students are getting the opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of running a business this semester with our partners Ken and Greg at The Baitshop. To start our Entrepreneurship unit, new students learned about the tools of the screenprinting trade, while returning students learned about how to improve their brand logos through a tutorial on vector graphics.

OSF Design Team presents their PowerPoint at Youth Entrepreneur Conference

Community Outreach and Fundraising Initiative by Students in the OSF Leadership Course: Kid's Help Phone is presented with a Donation Cheque

Lee's Palace Muralist RUNT visits classroom in preparation for mentoring some student boards this semester.

TDSB Arts PD Day: Craig facilitated a workshop for teachers on "Art, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Change"

Roarockit Rocks!

Roarockit Skateboard Company welcomed students to another semester of board building with a pizza lunch and a lesson on sustainable resources. New Students got an overview of their business and a tour, while returning students learned about new materials and started planning their "dream deck" that they will be mentored to build by learning all the steps of carving their own custom mould.

Reminder to check this out: Fine Grind 3 is up until February 28th at Manic Coffee and boards are still for sale!

SK8stainability Intensive

Lisa and Matt dropped by this week to help students explore sustainability issues such as carbon footprints, the Cradle to Cradle design movement, the Slow Food movement, Direct Trade and active transportation to help inform our future graphic design projects and classroom business.

Support the Oasis Skateboard Factory: OSF's own blend/roast is now available for $13/bag at Manic Coffee (426 College St.)

Matt from Manic Coffee and Steve from Social have teamed up with the OSF crew to offer you a delicious blend of direct-trade coffee beans from Brazil, Columbia, and Kenya.

Sweet chocolate with a hint of dark currant. The chocolate carries into a richly smooth finish. Sweet-toned aromas and flavours surround the cup.

$13/12oz bag available at Manic Coffee (426 College Street, east of Bathurst)

Proceeds support and enrich the ongoing programming to reengage Toronto youth at the Oasis Skateboard Factory (Toronto District School Board).

Looking Forward to another Semester of Board-Building! (Sem. 2 Starts Feb. 3, 2011)

Opening Party for FINE GRIND 3!

Thanks to all our Community Partners, Parents, Volunteers, Supporters and Friends for making our opening party a success. Students sold their boards and branded T-shirts, our merch table raised $100 for Kid's Help Phone and we launched an OSF custom roasted coffee served through the world's first skateboard coffee pour-over bar. We sadly said goodbye to some students graduating from our program, but we wish them success with their future plans!

Board in Memory of the life of local singer and longboarder Christina Taborda is presented to her brother Marco

Guy Ducette sponsored this board to be custom built and stenciled by an OSF student.

Artist Collaboration with Jerry "Thee Monster"

Media Interviews

Installing our end of semester show at Manic Coffee

Thanks to Matt for the pizza and volunteers Darren and Adam for teaching the students about the math and techniques of hanging art.