School of Rock and Caring Across Generations Band Together to Celebrate National Grandparents Day

BURR RIDGE, Ill. - Sept. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Every eight seconds, another baby boomer turns 65, and the number of grandparents in America is expected to hit 80 million by 2020. This elder boom has led to a cultural shift, where grandparents are living longer and connecting with their grandchildren in ways that they haven’t in decades. With grandparents more involved in their grandchildren’s lives, now is the perfect time to transform National Grandparents Day into a major cultural moment that celebrates the value grandparents bring to their families and communities. School of Rock (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/redir.aspx?C=0afb9a7e8b644d75afea016a52bcc16d&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.schoolofrock.com), the national leader in performance-based music education, is on a mission to connect the future generation of rockers with the generation who introduced the world to rock and roll.

In light of National Grandparents Day, School of Rock has partnered with Caring Across Generations – a national movement sparking connections across generations through social media, social action and storytelling – to bring together young people and their grandparents to bridge the generational gap through music. On September 7, 2014, School of Rock locations across the country will host intergenerational classes, open houses, and AllStar jam sessions. The schools will also honor rockin’ grandparents at upcoming shows as part of ThrowbackSummer, Caring Across Generations’ national initiative encouraging young people to connect with their grandparents and share the positive impact their grandparents have on their lives.

“As School of Rock continues to touch the lives of students across the nation, we’re seeing a growing number of parents and grandparents enroll in classes and even open their own locations after they watch their children grow as musicians and perform the rock and roll songs they grew up listening to,” said Dzana Homan, CEO of School of Rock. “It’s truly remarkable to see how music touches the lives of all generations, and through this exciting new partnership, we’ll be able to engage young people and inspire them to share their amazing grandparents with the world.”

School of Rock Flower Mound co-owner Darryl Williams was inspired to bring School of Rock to his community after he witnessed his two grandsons build confidence and develop professional skills in such a short period of time. Through School of Rock’s unique programs, his grandsons were able to reach their dreams of becoming rock stars and spent the past summer performing at renowned venues across the country. Williams recently enrolled his granddaughter in School of Rock and even learned to play the bass so he can connect with his grandkids on a deeper level. The rockin’ grandfather also started a weekly jam session at the school for adults of all ages to come together and share their love for rock and roll music, creating the ultimate throwback experience.

ThrowbackSummer kicked off with "ThrowbackYearbook (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/...)," an online contest encouraging people to share old photos of their grandparents revealing untold or cherished stories. Through August 31, 2014, grandchildren can submit photos and stories of their grandparents based on five different yearbook-themed categories: Best Dressed, Most Inspiring, Most Ahead of Their Time, Life of the Party, and Most Talented. The nominated grandparent does not have to be alive or be a biological grandparent – just an elder that has had a meaningful impact on a younger person's life.

“Throwback Summer is all about powerful storytelling, which like music, transcends the barriers of age and has the unique power to unite people across generations,” said Ai-jen Poo, co-director of Caring Across Generations. “We are so excited to partner with School of Rock to celebrate Grandparents Day and recognize the positive impacts of a stronger, more connected multigenerational family.”

The grand prizewinner of ThrowbackYearbook will receive a family vacation worth up to $2,500. Judging will be based on a combination of votes earned through social media and an assessment of creativity, originality, and strength of the intergenerational relationship. In addition to the grand prize, Caring Across Generations will offer smaller prizes for winners of each category, including Apple iPad minis for families to stay digitally connected.

To nominate grandparents for #ThrowbackYearbook, please visithttp://www.throwbacksummer.com/enter/?source=SOR (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/...). For more information on School of Rock, please visit www.schoolofrock.com (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/...). For more information on ThrowbackSummer, please visitwww.throwbacksummer.com (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/redir.aspx?C=0afb9a7e8b644d75afea016a52bcc16d&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.throwbacksummer.com).

About School of Rock
The music school your mom and dad wished they had when they were kids, School of Rock is an ingenious concept that gets kids and adults rocking out to the classics and up and performing with their peers. With more than 140 locations in eight countries, the franchise proves that rock and roll is here to stay. For more information about the franchise opportunity, please visithttp://franchising.schoolofrock.com/ (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/redir.aspx?C=0afb9a7e8b644d75afea016a52bcc16d&URL=http%3a%2f%2ffranchising.schoolofrock.com%2f).

About Caring Across Generations
Caring Across Generations protects the rights of all Americans to choose the care and support they need to live with dignity. By working together with aging Americans, people with disabilities, workers, and their families, we can increase every family’s access to the care and support they need at a price they can afford and create millions of high quality in-home care jobs in the process. For more information visit:www.caringacross.org (https://owa.fishmanpr.com/owa/14.1.421.2/scripts/premium/redir.aspx?C=0afb9a7e8b644d75afea016a52bcc16d&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.caringacross.org%2f).

About Throwback Summer
Inspired by the popular Throwback Thursday trend, Caring Across Generations launched this initiative to engage young people and inspire them to share their amazing grandparents with the world. Our ultimate goal is to build a national movement to transform the way we care in this country. And that includes caring for our elders.