Events and activities on perseverance for 13–17-year-olds

Passion Meets Perseverance

A discussion about the definitions of courage, passion, and perseverance, followed by the screening of a TED Talk by psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth, a specialist in grit and self-control. Well-known among athletes, artists, business leaders, and more, her insights spark reflection. The activity wraps up with collective online sharing.

English Montreal School Board

Building Creativity

Vision board creation workshops offered during free-time activities for youth aged 12-17. Goal: foster creativity and the "construction" of personal objectives.

YMCA Pointe-Claire

Butterflies and Improv

A hundred butterfly-shaped sticky notes carry words of encouragement exchanged between students and staff, forming an inspiring mural in the recreation area. Paired with lunchtime improv sessions under the theme of perseverance.

Collège Saint-Jean Vianney

The Equation of Success and “Future Me”

A fun workshop inviting students to draw their equation for success or write a letter to their “future self.” These letters can be mailed to them at the end of the school year, if they choose!

École secondaire Mont-Royal | Centre jeunesse emploi – CJE Côte-des-Neiges

Musical Journey

Launch of an arts-music study program as part of JPS— the first of its kind offered in an anglophone high school in Montreal. A natural fit for an initiative encouraging students to explore a new world. Communication, concentration, and self-discipline are key takeaways.

École secondaire Rosemount

Reaching New Heights

Virtual Workshop 2A: Perseverance Attitude and Altitude in Science. Presented to youth of all backgrounds at the intersection of JPS and Black History Month. Students are equipped with tools to persevere in achieving their goals and learn about a brilliant history of science, engineering, and creativity born of diversity.

Fondation Lumière des mathématiques et des sciences

Take note!

Staff and users write notes of encouragement and post them in libraries and online. Prize draws help stimulate participation. 

Bibliothèques de Rosemont et de La-Petite-Patrie

Notes…

Notes of encouragement offered by school-family-community agents and youth workers to students they work with and their parents. Personalized letters for students in the Pathways to Education program or who are returning to school. Objectives: acknowledge young people’s commitment and the impact of parents on the school experience, and remind everyone that they are not alone in their endeavors and efforts.

YMCAs of Quebec

Regroupement des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte au décrochage – ROCQLD

Work/school balance

Raise awareness among secondary 5 students about the challenges and benefits of balancing school with work: time management, personal priorities, summer jobs, etc.

Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Sud-Ouest-de-Montréal

Post your tips

Coloured sticky notes on which students write a tip that helps them at school, posted on the cafeteria wall.

École secondaire d'Anjou

On the intercom

Notes of encouragement written by principals, teachers, guidance counsellors, community partners (etc.) and broadcast over the school intercom.

École secondaire Jean-Grou

Morning encouragement

School staff greet students with honour guards in the morning. Words of encouragement, posters, and other surprises.

École secondaire Louis-Riel

Collège Jean-Eudes

Escape room

Escape room that uses famous quotes about perseverance and teamwork, two attitudes required to solve the game.

École secondaire Dalbé-Viau

Hang onto your dreams

Talk with the rapper Koriass, who explores the key moments of his journey: childhood, career, creativity, challenges, and aspirations. The key message: it doesn’t matter where you grow up or what challenges you face, if you hang onto your dreams, nothing is impossible.

École secondaire Paul-Gérin-Lajoie-d'Outremont

Inspiring talks 

A former student talks about their experience at school and mental health. Players from the Alouettes chat about perseverance. A former student shares the the challenges they encountered at the end of high school and start of CÉGEP.

École secondaire Antoine-de-Saint-Exupéry

École primaire et secondaire Marc-Laflamme/Le Prélude

École secondaire Mont-Royal

Perseverance photo booth

Photos of students wearing superhero accessories, which they must match with 10 factors of perseverance at school. Posted inside the school and on the website.

École secondaire des Sources

Dreams Capes

A lunch-hour booth encourages students to write their dreams on capes, that are then hung around the school.

Perspectives Jeunesse

Self-discovery

Workshops based on keywords and a self-knowledge game. Students affirm their strengths and talents and reflect on how to integrate these aspects of themselves into choosing a career.

École secondaire Saint-Laurent – édifice Cardinal

Positive role models

Professionals talk about their career paths to high school students, sharing their journeys and demystifying the realities of certain professions.

Comité jeunesse Ville-Émard / Côte Saint-Paul

Mural of the future

Students write a goal they want to reach within the next five years on a mural. Teachers add a thought or note of encouragement for them. A motivational collective work that encourages students to persevere.

Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Marquette

Persevering volunteers

Volunteers working with young people and who have completed their studies talk about how they persevered to achieve their goals. What emerges is that every experience is different, and everyone has their own way of overcoming obstacles. 

Le Phare de l'espoir

Talents and career choices

Secondary 3 students are paired with artists and cultural workers. Each mentor (choreographer, journalist, photographer, designer, comic-book artist, musician, etc.) guides a student in discovering their profession. Sources of inspiration based on different models of learning and perseverance and special relationships.

Culture pour tous

Photo expo

Photographs of students in their best attire, taken in a place where they demonstrated perseverance. Revealed to all – first and foremost to the students concerned – as part of an exhibition.

École secondaire Joseph-Charbonneau
 

Inspired yet? Register the activities organized in your community in the calendar to share them with everyone and show your commitment to helping students persevere in school.