A moment. For them.

Young people have not been spared the effects and many challenges of the complex situation brought on by the pandemic. Adapting to new teaching methods, social distancing, and a lack of or changes to extracurricular activities have all played an important role in students’ school perseverance in this turbulent time. This very strange year has been a learning experience for all of Québec’s students.

At the start of the school year, we invited the public to rally around students and be there for them (#tousensemblepoureux). Now, at the halfway point, let’s take “a moment for them” and create some momentum to carry them to the end of the school year. Let’s take the time to highlight and acknowledge their resilience, their widely varying sources of motivation, their ability to adapt, and the sacrifices they have had to make this year. Let’s tell them how proud we are of them and remind them that they have every reason in the world to be proud of themselves.

A moment to celebrate them, to comfort them, to applaud them, to congratulate them, to acknowledge their adaptability, to motivate them. Quite simply, a moment for them.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, community worker, support staff, or employer, Hooked on School Days (HSD/JPS) is an opportunity to come together toward the single goal of creating a collective surge of caring and kindness by sending bright and positive messages to every family in Québec.

Despite the difficulties and obstacles, many young people are engaging, adapting, and persevering. And while some have had trouble adjusting to this new normal, all have the ability to reach their full potential. There is no magic formula for educational success or any single path to motivation, but qualities such as resiliency, adaptability, and self-confidence all help to promote learning and engagement with school.

Every young person has their own motivations. Some are driven by the pleasure of learning or by the ambition to pursue a desired profession, but for many, success comes through the involvement and quality of their social network.

Together, we have to trust that they will develop their own mechanisms for success, while reminding them that they will be rewarded for their efforts. Today’s youth are going through an unusual situation, but they are learning much from the experience that they can use for the future.

Your actions and words help to kindle our young people’s success; whatever their path or starting point, you have the power to reengage them.

SOURCE Réseau des Instances régionales de concertation sur la persévérance scolaire et la réussite éducative du Québec