THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF


BY JENNIFER MATSALLA I


t’s 8:12 in the morning, and six stu- dents are flitting here and there, ea- gerly helping me set up pylons. For a moment, I pause, and as my eyes scan the schoolyard, Shyanne’s dad strolls


over and introduces himself. “My daughter is really excited,” he says. “She stayed up late to practice the dances.” Seven more students run towards me,


and the group grows as my colleague Chris Grady connects the speakers to the sound system and one of the students’ favourite songs begins to boom. By 8:30, the group has grown to over 25. Today is the first Wake Up Wednesday (WUW) this school year. Close to 50 grade 3 and 4 students have joined the dance club, and they will all take part in lead- ing the school through three dances today. As the bell rings at 8:40, 46 students fidget


with nervousness and excitement as they stand in front of the entire school. We look at a sea of familiar teachers, students and family members. Collectively, we start by noticing the pale blue sky with undertones of turquoise, the towering willow tree sway- ing beside us, and by appreciating the urban landscape we are fortunate to gather on to- day through a group land acknowledgment. Te thumping of a drum opens our first


dance song, then beats loudly as students cheer in response to the familiar music. Everyone moves in unison to the dance we all remember from last year. At one point


30 ETFO VOICE | SUMMER 2025


in the song, I turn around to check in on the 46 leaders, and I am filled with joy to see their faces lit up as they lead their school and community. I have been running Wake Up Wednes-


day at Oakridge Junior Public School for six years. On mid-week mornings in the fall and spring, the whole school – including staff, students and community members – gather outside to connect through movement at the beginning of the school day. Tis initiative began as an effort to support students' well- being and mental health but blossomed into so much more. Led by students, Wake Up Wednesday promotes student leadership and nurtures a sense of community. Engage- ment is off the charts, and teachers have shared how these mornings help their stu- dents focus and self-regulate. Even parents and caregivers stay and participate, reaping the benefits. Dancing is both a form of expression


and a way to exercise, and research shows it can positively affect mood, sleep and


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