Let Grow: Building Independence and Confidence at École Okotoks Junior High

École Okotoks Junior High School (ÉOJHS) is proud to introduce the Let Grow Project, a research‑informed initiative designed to help students build independence, strengthen resilience, and re-engage with meaningful, real‑world experiences. Stemming from the work of Jonathon Haidt and his book, The Anxious Generation, the Let Grow program adopted by the school empowers young people to grow through age‑appropriate experiences of responsibility and agency.  

Last spring, the ÉOJHS School Council hosted an information session on Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, which highlighted the key points from the book and fostered interest and action within the school community to address how modern childhood experiences—overprotection in the real-world and underprotection online—are impacting the mental health of youth. Drawing on these insights, the school team has engaged in training on the Let Grow program and is now introducing structured opportunities for students to build confidence through meaningful, age‑appropriate independence.  

One of the many encouraging 'Let Grow' bulletin boards around the school that were designed by the amazing support team

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone 

With the project underway, last week, students were invited to choose a new activity they can safely try on their own. The intent was to have them choose an activity that has an age-appropriate risk that gets them out of their comfort zone. These activities could include: 

• Learning a new everyday skill such as doing their own laundry 

• Planning and preparing a meal for their family 

• Calling to book a haircut or appointment independently 

• Practicing a new skill 

Parental and family involvement is important for all aspects of learning, including social-emotional growth. The Let Grow Project is another way for ÉOJHS families to be involved in their child’s education. With the guiding principle of “When adults step back, kids step up,” the goal is for students to engage in something that stretches their abilities while remaining supported. Here, families play a key role, but from the sidelines: they collaborate with their child to choose an activity, encourage them during the experience, and reflect together afterwards.  

ÉOJHS students are sharing what they have achieved during the Let Grow Project

States Dorothy Paszkowski, Principal at École Okotoks Junior High School, “This is an exciting step forward in supporting student well-being, resilience, and independence. Across the school we will encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, try new experiences, and build lasting, real‑world problem‑solving skills.” She adds, “We will see students overcome the ‘I can’t’ thinking with a ‘I can do this’ mindset. This is a life skill that builds emotional intelligence and shapes the leaders of tomorrow.”