OASIS SKATEBOARD FACTORY: Holiday Dim Sum helps warm the cold transition to winter skating...

Upcoming Events & Announcements

OSF Prototype Longboards (hand-shaped & painted) now On Sale & Ready to Ride as complete set-ups with custom griptape, trucks/wheels for $250 at Longboard Living (202 Augusta & 86.5 Nassau in Kensington Market)!
All Parents, Students, Community Partners and OSF Supporters are invited to participate in the OSF Community Council Meetings hosted by Roarockit Skateboard Company at 880 Millwood Road on the following Dates: Tuesdays, November 15, February 28 and April 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The OSF Community Council’s mandate is to provide a safety net to support our students and to enrich their experience of success in the school and community.
Note: The weekly school schedule of classes and important dates are constantly revised/updated and are posted on the "Student Calendar" by Sunday night (follow link)
* List of 2011-2012 INFORMATION SESSION DATES for Registration: Sept. 7, 28 and Oct. 19 for any any available/remaining Sem. 1 spaces,... Jan. 11 and 18 for a Sem. 2 February 2012 start,... Feb. 22 and March 7 for any available/remaining Sem. 2 spaces,... June 6, 13 and 20 for September 2012 start. *All hour-long info sessions take place on Wednesdays at 9:00AM sharp in Room 3, Scadding Court Community Centre, 707 Dundas St. West at Bathurst. (Note: Due to space and time constraints, latecomers will have to return for the next scheduled session) -----REGISTRATION UPDATE: Spaces are available for young women age 16+ to participate in OSF initiatives promoting women in skateboarding/design.
Student Criteria for Application to join the OSF design team: - TDSB student wanting a fresh start - 16+ years of age - Need the credits offered (mostly Gr. 9/10/11 English/Media, Business/Entrepreneurship & Visual Arts/Design) - Able to learn independently & participate as a contributing team member in a community setting - Not requiring one-to-one or intensive special education support - ***Demonstrated interest in visual arts or design, street art and skateboard culture.

GET ON BOARD...Make a Donation as a Program Partner!

Now Registering Students!

Bored of Education?...

Skateboard of Education!!!

As of September 2009, Room 3 in the Scadding Court Community Centre will house the Oasis Skateboard Factory reengagement program.

As the first school site in the TDSB fully dedicated to offering all subjects with a skateboard design and street art focus, the Oasis Skateboard Factory helps students earn Gr. 9/10/11 compulsory & elective high-school credits over 1 or 2 semesters by running a social justice and community focused entrepreneurial business where they learn hands-on to build skateboards, design original custom graphics, work with local artists and community partners, market and display their work and have the opportunity to receive an honorarium.

Call the Main Office of Oasis Alternative Secondary School at 416-393-9830 for Information Session dates.

craig.morrison@tdsb.on.ca

Working with Sponsors

After creating a portfolio of their own personal designs and mastering the skills required to successfully make their own skateboards, students then look for community or local business partners to sponsor other skateboards. Students negotiate the design of a street or longboard style board with their sponsor and display the results at a local gallery. Students receive an honorarium for their work from the money raised and students participate in a photo opportunity with the sponsor when they deliver the finished deck.

Sponsors of the Oasis Skateboard Factory are supporting at-risk youth to stay in school, earn credits and develop transferable creative, employment and entrepreneurial skills.

Some of our Past Skateboard Sponsors/Clients & Artist Collaboration Boards...

Adrenaline Tattoo & Body Piercing
Atlantic Restaurant
Blessings in a Backpack
CJ's Skateboard Park & School
Clay & Paper Theatre
Function 13
Grapefruit Moon Cafe
Grind House Cafe
HarbourKIDS (Harbourfront Centre)
Hines Coffee
Hockley Valley Honey
Ideal Coffee
Individual Commissions
Lizzie at Speakeasy Tattoo
Magic Pony Gallery
Manic Coffee
Model Citizen
Murray's Sandwiches
Music Program @ Oasis
Now Magazine
Olde World Drywall
Parent Action on Drugs
Playdead Cult
Porchetta Sandwiches
Ride Away Bikes
ROCK (Erin Zimerman)
RUNT (Alex Currie)
Sadie's Diner
Sam James Coffee Bar
Saving Gigi Cafe
Show & Tell Gallery
Slick Slack Editting
SLURG (Germany)
SOY (James Gardiner)
The Baitshop
The Beguiling
The Gem
The Jonah Group
Triangle Program
Village Butcher
William Jamieson Tribal Arts

OSF Community Council 2011-2012

Co-Chairs: Ted Hunter & Norah Jackson, ted@roarockit.com, norah@roarockit.com, 416-938-4588 (Roarockit Skateboard Company)

Parent/Guardian Reps: Maureen Skinner, maureenskinner@hotmail.com, 647-378-7521, Kim Skinner, kimberley.skinner@td.com, 905-436-9798

Community Partner Rep: Ryan Rubin, info@longboardliving.com, 416-939-8723 (Longboard Living)

Promotions Point Person: Gary Genosko, genosko@lakeheadu.ca, 647-389-8007

Student Council Rep: Carly Bond, jl.bond@hotmail.com, and the OSF Rep Team: Moises "TRNE TRKS" Frank & Lauren "Lou" Ablack

Student Nutrition Program Rep: Naomi Takasaki

Student Studio Technician: Carly Bond

Teacher Advisor: Craig Morrison, craig.morrison@tdsb.on.ca, OSF Classroom: 416-393-0845, Personal Cell: 416-888-0640

Student Testimonials

Past Students:

This year, my last year of highschool, has been amazing! Spending my last year at OSF has been the best year of highschool to date. Craig, our teacher is the best teacher in the world. He makes class fun for everyone. Learning how to make a skateboard was one of the best experiences ever. I learned how to start an entrepreneurial business and I plan to eventually open up a skateboard shop. I’m looking forward to the next semester when I start designs for my own custom skateboard line. With the help of Craig I was able to receive all my credits which was amazing because in my old school I usually only received about half my credits every year.

- Adam, Age 19

Well, I’d have to start off by saying how great Ted and Norah of Roarockit are…without their generosity, there would be no OSF. They mentor us in everything we need to know about making good quality skateboards…from shaving and sanding to molding and staining, they’ve always been there to lend a helping hand. In the classroom we learn lots of cool things, like sticker and button-making, spraypainting, colour and design techniques and stenciling (which would have to be my favourite). You can make a stencil of anything, all you need is to know how to simplify it and what to keep and what to cut out. For once I actually feel like I am learning stuff I can use in life. This is a program I feel any kid would dream to go to, and I am very lucky for the opportunity. I’ve learned skills that I can use forever and it’s all thanks to Craig – our wonderful teacher – and Ted & Norah at Roarockit.

- Tori, Age 16

Craig has played a major role in me passing this year…keeping me motivated to come in. He has changed my view towards school…it can be interesting and useful in real life too. Best teacher I ever had!

- Andre, Age 16

I credit a lot of my success to the teacher…he really puts a lot of effort into helping us get our work done and set up gallery viewings and fieldtrips. Everyone in the OSF wants to thank our main partner Roarockit for helping us with the skateboard building process. The impact of all this on me is huge…I went from having an average of 50% in my prior school career in two previous schools to 75% with Craig because I am more motivated by his assignments (and the $$$ honorarium).

- Tristan, Age 17

Craig helped me with so much; if it weren’t for him I definitely wouldn’t have done so much this semester. I’ve learned a lot in this class that I’m definitely going to use in the future….This program is amazing…what kind of school teaches you by doing things hands on, like going to local galleries or making skateboards and designing a graphic for a sponsor?

- Dillyn, Age 17

I think this is the best program ever. I’ve learned so much and Craig helps me so much. I would usually skip at other schools but we can get an honorarium here for our hard work. I think this program should get more funding because it is amazing and it gets a lot of students excited about school.

- Tanya, Age 18

I think the program was amazing. I loved the art focus and I learned that I don’t necessarily have to have already been an amazing artist to create amazing art. I loved making a skateboard and it was really cool that it was actually bought by someone. It felt like I was making something real and not just some stupid school project. I think Craig made me try a lot harder than I originally would have because even on the days when I didn’t think I cared about school, he cared enough for the both of us.

- Sarah, Age 17

Craig’s awesome, really understanding and he helps us out no matter how frustrated I get with school. Roarockit is a great partner and they support us to make really awesome skateboards….Craig puts fun into school while we are doing hard work on our credits. This program should get continued funding because the school gave me success!

- Casey, Age 17

This program is amazing! Craig is an inspirational teacher who has given many students the confidence to succeed. The courses are extremely engaging and assignments are well organized and a blast to be part of. Being part of OSF has inspired me to take my learning and work farther than ever… and being in art shows and getting the positive recognition was super encouraging. It’s good being in such a chill environment with cool students, a great teacher and community partners like Roarockiit. Being rewarded with credits and sometimes even an honorarium (cash!)…Sweet deal!!!

- Alexander, Age 17

The Oasis Skateboard Factory is probably my favorite class at Oasis. There were gloomy Monday mornings when I didn’t want to come to school, then I remembered there was skateboard class. Not only does it motivate me to go to school, I also did homework for the first time. The students appreciate the project and anyone I’ve told envies it.
– Megan, Age 17

This class is awesome! Coming from a mainstream school where in shop class you would get in trouble for making a skateboard, to a program dedicated to it is unbelievable. Having a class to use my hands and create designs has really helped me to concentrate in other classes.
– Serena, Age 17

I feel that this program is an excellent motivator and should continue getting funding because it shows some students that they can create something positive to be proud of. Having Craig mentor me has been wonderful, I’ve tried new things and started building a personal portfolio of art that I have created. It feels really good to have my schoolwork hanging in stores advertising myself and the school.
– Michael, Age 17

Getting out into the community and finding a sponsor was very rewarding and helped me get a feel for how a business works. It made me feel confident in pursuing art even further in the future and has made me want to study art in University.
– Emily, Age 19

The Oasis Skateboard Factory was the “funnest” course I have taken so far, and I will always keep my board!
– Kess, Age 16

This program should be extended because everyone wanted to do it and it’s more fun than just sitting and painting a picture like in a regular art class…this class should be part of all high schools.
– Chelsea, age 18

Craig is the most helpful arts teacher I’ve had in my past years in school. I’ve learned the different components of making a skateboard and stencils. Class was always exciting and I looked forward to it…without it school would be boring.
– Tim, Age 16

I found the program to be fun and I loved that I got credit for it. I think it gives kids a whole new perspective on school, being able to make a skateboard and get paid for it. I think we should clone Craig!
– Alex, Age 17

OASIS SKATEBOARD FACTORY

Monday, December 19, 2011

Holiday Dim Sum helps warm the cold transition to winter skating...

SHOP OSF

#1 on the Toronto Star's "Coolest Schools" List

Hottest on the NOW Magazine "Barometer"

Ken Spencer Award Winner for Innovation in Teaching & Learning

Student Calendar Link:

Upcoming Events & Announcements

GET ON BOARD...Make a Donation as a Program Partner!

Some of our Program Partners...

OSF in the Media...

Now Registering Students!

Roarockit inspired the OSF and thousands of board builders in schools and community contexts...

History of the Oasis Skateboard Factory?

Working with Sponsors

Interested in Sponsoring a Skateboard?

Slo_Skate Movement: Making Skateboards / Building Community

Some of our Past Skateboard Sponsors/Clients & Artist Collaboration Boards...

OSF Community Council 2011-2012

OSF Staff & Student Support Team 2011-12

Blog Archive

Student Testimonials