As a school community, we continue to emphasize the importance of making good decisions and representing our school in a positive way both during the school day and when students are in the community.
Recently, we have noticed an increase in situations where students are not demonstrating expected behaviour outside of school. Concerns have been reported on school buses, at bus stops, and in several community spaces, including the Al Palladini Community Centre, Pierre Berton Library, and local stores. These concerns include rowdy behaviour, food being left behind, and inappropriate actions such as students cutting each other’s hair or rough play.
We are asking for your support in reinforcing expectations at home. Students should understand that they are representatives of our school whenever they are out in the community, and that respectful, responsible behaviour is expected at all times on the bus, in public spaces, and when interacting with others.
We would also like to make families aware that Canada Geese are currently nesting near the Pierre Berton Library. Please remind students to keep a safe distance and not disturb the geese, as they are protected wildlife and can become defensive when nesting.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting positive behaviour, safety, and respect for our community. Together, we can help ensure that all students make choices they can be proud of.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Sikh Heritage Month Celebration
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Emily Carr Secondary School, 4901 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4H 3C2
All students, families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend. Please see the attached flyer!
Bar Burrito Lunch
Emily Carr is having a Bar Burrito Lunch on May 7th. Order your lunch for May 7th on School Cash Online. The cafeteria will be closed on May 7th and same day orders will not be available - please order before September 28th.
Raising Digital Leaders Event at Maple High Secondary School, in partnership with Emily Carr Secondary School
Parenting today is impacted by the reality that technology, artificial intelligence,
and social media are a part of our world. In this talk, Jennifer takes a different approach than most presenters when it comes to navigating technology in your family. Join us for an evening of learning and courageous conversations to help you navigate tech in your family on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Please register using this link https://forms.gle/KoUxjzhBt8csX8Mj7
Math EQAO
Math EQAO for students who have Grade 9 De-streamed Math this semester will be taking place on June 11 and June 12, 2026. More information to follow.
York Region Summer Programs 2026
York Region offers subsidies for recreation programs, day camps and youth overnight camps. Recreation programs and day camp subsidies provide children from families with low income the ability to take part in programs offered by the municipal recreation departments. The youth overnight camp funding helps eligible youth ages 12 to 17 attend an approved overnight camp.
Available Subsidies for:
- Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY)
- Summer day camp funding
- Youth overnight camp funding
York Region does not guarantee space in programs or camps.
Please visit the York Region website for registration and information or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or https://www.york.ca/support/financial-assistance/recreation-subsidies
Information can also be found on the YRDSB Community Supports Page.
YRP Experience at the Career Expo
Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 have the chance to Experience the Career at a unique expo showcasing emergency services agencies from across York Region.
Nesting Canada Geese
Just a quick (and slightly wild) announcement about some special spring visitors outside near the Pierre Berton Resource Library. Our resident geese are back and have made themselves at home in the front flower planters again this year.
While they may look calm, this is nesting season, which means they can be very protective and territorial. The area around the nest has been marked off with caution tape, but even outside that space, the geese may react if they feel threatened.
We’ve noticed a few students getting a little too close or interacting with the geese in ways that could provoke them. This is a reminder that geese are legally protected wildlife, and it’s important that we treat them with respect.
So please:
- Give the geese plenty of space
- Do not approach, feed, or try to interact with them
- Be mindful when walking through the parking lot and surrounding areas
In past years, it’s been great to see how excited and respectful students have been about the nesting geese, let’s keep that going this year.
Stay safe, and let’s make sure both students and our feathered visitors have a peaceful spring.
SIN Clinic
Service Canada representatives will be at Emily Carr Secondary School on April 30th from 11 am - 3 pm to help students and newcomers apply for their Social Insurance Numbers. Children 12 years of age or older may apply for their SIN. Parents, legal guardians or legal representatives can apply for a SIN for children under the age of majority in their province, and for adults in their care. See the poster for additional information and types of Identification needed.
Careers and Scholarships - Exploring Post Secondary Pathways
Join us for an engaging opportunity to hear from guest speakers, visit displays and interact with a variety of post secondary representatives. Dinner will be provided. We welcome all students, staff and families to attend and participate.
E-Scooters/E-Bikes
YRDSB continues to encourage families to use safe transportation to and from school. We encourage students to use active school travel whenever possible. Active travel refers to any form of human-powered transportation, including walking, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and scootering.
School Property
Students using any transportation device, whether electronic or not-electronic, must dismount before arriving on school property. This includes all sidewalks, pathways, and walkways on school grounds. Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or damaged equipment.
Provincial Regulations
These modes of travel offer many physical, mental, and community benefits. Please visit the Ontario website for a full list of regulations. Every cyclist under 18 must wear a properly fitting bike helmet. Some students may also choose to use electronically assisted devices, such as e‑scooters or e‑bikes. In Ontario, you must be 16 or older to ride an e-scooter or e-bike. When riding e‑scooters or e‑bikes, it is important that students follow all applicable municipal regulations to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Municipal Regulations
Before riding any device, it is important for students and families to be aware of the regulations set by their local municipality. These may include minimum age requirements for operating electric devices, helmet laws, and other safety guidelines.
Respectful Riding
Pedestrians always have the right of way. Students are expected to ride with caution by slowing down, using a bell when approaching others, and passing on the left. Wearing reflective clothing is encouraged to increase visibility and promote safer travel.
For more information, parents are encouraged to visit:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/bicycle-safety
https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-0
Guidance Updates
A representative from George Brown College will be coming to ECSS on Wednesday, April 22nd during the lunch period to give a presentation on How to Pay for College and University. It will include details on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). It is open to all students. More details will be shared directly with students in the All Things Grade Google classroom.
Service Canada is hosting a SIN (Social Insurance Number) clinic at ECSS on April 30th for all students interested in applying for a SIN. More details can be found on the flyer attached and in the All Grades Google Classrooms.
Ontario Universities' Information Sessions: May 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm (ET) This virtual event is divided into 4 sessions, where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions. This event is tailored to Grade 11 and younger students who are beginning their university research. Registration is available now.
Summer School Learning Opportunities are now open in myBlueprint. Students are asked to return the signed parent/guardian Sign-Off sheet from myBlueprint to the Guidance Office to ensure that the final approval step takes place. New for this year - YRDSB students can take courses in July and/or August.
The Guidance Department along with the ECSS Student Wellness Club and Leadership & Peer Support class are hosting our SENIOR SUNSET on Tuesday, June 2nd. This is an opportunity for our graduating students to make some final memories at ECSS. The evening will be filled with music, games, some treats, and a beautiful sunset - all FREE! We have approximately 270 students on track to graduate this year so we’re looking for donations from the parent/guardian community to support this event. We would appreciate any of the following items:
- Cases of water bottles
- Glow Sticks/Glow Bracelets
- Bubbles
- Snacks
- Monetary donation to purchase any of the above
If you would like to make a donation for this event, please reach out to Fiorella Finelli (fiorella.finelli@yrdsb.ca) or Rosanna Milani (rosanna.milani@yrdsb.ca) the Senior Sunset Advisors.
YRDSB is hosting a Social Media and Mental Health presentation for parents/caregivers on May 6th, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This presentation is being offered in support of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week May 4th - May 8th, 2026. Some topics covered in this presentation may include understanding what social media is, the risks and benefits of social media use, some strategies to help youth manage their social media use, and resources. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the presentation. Complete the Google Form for registration.