Jean Augustine Secondary School

As a newcomer to high school, it can take a while to adjust. What makes high school even more special is that LINK leaders are by your side throughout the school year. On behalf of the JASS family, the LINK leaders team would like to welcome the grade 9’s into high school with positivity and school spirit. As experienced high schoolers, we have the passion to share our stories and provide the best support. When walking down the halls of the school or seeing faces on google meet, don’t be afraid to say hi and spark a conversation.

What can you expect from JASS?

There are many opportunities to make new friends, go on adventures, learn about your interests, and explore your identity. Through hardships in high school, we offer advice and companionship for your comfort and well-being. We aren’t talking about math problems here, but rather real-life issues. Whether you are feeling down or need help deciding your courses for next year, the JASS family is here for you with accessible resources, approachable leaders, and plenty of fun time.

The new school year has just begun and make sure to keep in touch with the LINK leaders. We are your friends, mentors, peers, and compasses. Together we will transition to high school and discover what it truly feels like to facilitate grade 9 success. We need each other to bring out the best of possibilities.

On top of that, the LINK leaders will host events throughout the year to take a breather from all the changes. It is a good reminder to take some time for your well-being whenever it is possible. A simple 5-minute breathing exercise can boost your energy. JASS is a school to learn and grow with an open-mind and ease. We hope you have a wonderful time while you are at JASS!

Today's guest blogger is a grade 11 student.

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. – Nelson Mandela

As we reach the middle of 2020, it is safe to say that the year has been filled with surprises that make it seem like our world is incredibly divided. On one hand, there is the global pandemic, where everyone has faced the consequences of adjusting to a new lifestyle. On the other hand, the black community has, and is still trying to combat racial injustices all around the world. While people see 2020 as a crazy, unpredictable, and horrible year, I think differently.
With the months that we have to stay at home, the chance to dedicate that time to self-learning and growth might be the most that all of us have had in a long time. Every year, our new year’s resolutions have always been “to grow” and to “become the best person that I can possibly be“. Maybe, 2020 is giving everyone the opportunity to do exactly that. To give everyone the opportunity to learn and to better themselves. To give everyone a chance to wake up and finally see the underlying problems of systemic racism. To finally acknowledge those problems and work together to be the change in the world that we have so desperately wanted to see.

There is no better time to use it to learn and flourish into people who are even more accepting, loving, and humble. While it might seem like our world is separated now, it doesn’t mean that we can’t work for a change in the future. As the fight for equity continues, now is the time for unification. Therefore, maybe 2020 will finally be the year where everyone can grow, despite the issues that are happening now.

Jean Augustine Secondary School

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

A Message from your LINK Leaders

What can you expect from JASS?

2020 is an Opportunity