by Jamie Wilson, North Dundas High School
In March, Spirit Week replaced what would have been March Break in a typical year. On some of the days, we saw participation numbers higher than we have seen so far this year. The staff here at North Dundas is truly a force to be reckoned with. They turned out the highest participation. The only grade that was able to beat the staff was the grade 12s on twin day! Of the students, the grade 11s managed to have the highest participation for three of the five days, also having the highest overall student participation of the week. It was wonderful to see students having fun with the days. Photos from the spirit days can be found on the school’s Facebook page.
On March 26, North Dundas was wearing Plaid for suicide awareness. The turbulent teen years are packed full of changes and stressors that would be hard on anyone, let alone the vulnerable, developing brain of a teenager. Teenagers are admitted to the hospital for suicide attempts more than any other age group. This number has tripled during the Covid-19 pandemic, making now more than ever an important time to focus on this issue. It is estimated that two thirds of those who die from suicide never received any mental health services. This is why it is imperative to bring awareness to this issue. The goal is to create an environment at school and in the world where teenagers feel safe and are provided with the mental health resources they require. The first step to achieving this goal is raising awareness and showing our support for all those who have lost a loved one to suicide, or who have attempted suicide themselves. You are not alone; your North Dundas family stands with you.