Dear Families,
Over the last few weeks, we have had increased conversations with students and families about online behavior and community expectations. Please support us by continuing these discussions at home.
- Students joining group chats with people they do not know is leading to conflict, rumors, and misunderstandings.
- Speak with your child about safe, respectful, and responsible social media use.
- Encourage them to avoid group chats with unfamiliar individuals.
- Remind them not to engage in gossip, drama, or rumor‑spreading.
- Reinforce the importance of minding their own business and avoiding conflicts that do not involve them.
- Promote positive, kind, and responsible online interactions.
- We continue to address vaping in washrooms, on school property, and in community spaces.
- Review the school’s no‑vaping policy and the consequences of vaping on school grounds.
- Emphasize respecting all school facilities, including washrooms, classrooms, hallways, and outdoor areas.
- Remind students to care for shared spaces: pick up after themselves, use washrooms responsibly, and avoid damaging school property.
- Encourage respectful behavior at Al Palladini, the Pierre Berton Library, and neighbouring businesses.
- Remind students that they represent Emily Carr wherever they go.
Sankofa Cultural Identity Programs
Please visit Sankofa Cultural Identity Programs for more information.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
YRP Presents the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Iftaar Night - ECSS Student Event
March 5th - 5:30pm to 8:30pm in the school cafeteria
Emily Carr students are invited to celebrate the month of Ramadan together in a fun and inclusive environment. They will have the chance to enjoy dinner together, play games, and participate in craft activities. All students of diverse faiths and cultures are welcome!
Request for Donations - Iftaar Night
Student tickets for Iftaar Night are $10 each and will cover the cost of the dinner meal. Additional donations from our parent/guardian community would be greatly appreciated to help cover extra costs such as:
- Cases of water bottles
- Cases of dates
- Dessert
- Decorations
- Craft supplies
- Monetary donation to purchase any of the above
Please email Mariam Alkabeer (mariam.alkabeer@yrdsb.ca) for more information on how to make a donation towards this event.
Student Exchange Program
In cooperation with the York Region District School Board and as the only approved student exchange vendor, ISE-Ontario offers students aged 13-17 the opportunity to participate in an exchange program. Students apply directly through ISE-Ontario and must obtain approval from their school Principal before participating. For more information, please visit the ISE-Ontario webpage.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – Spring 2026 Session
We are preparing for the Spring 2026 session of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Please review the important information below. Students and families will receive an email communication over the following weeks to let them know if their child is writing during the Spring session. Only students who will be writing are those who were unsuccessful in the fall assessment session.
Test Dates: Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31
Back-Up Dates: Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17
Location: Main Library
Students will write Part A of the test on the first day and Part B on the second day.
All students who require additional time will be provided with it. Student Services will work closely with SERTs and Administration to ensure that students requiring accommodations, as outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP), are appropriately supported. If you have any questions about your child’s participation or accommodations, please feel free to contact the school.
Family Night - Thursday March 26th 6:00-8:00 pm
A reminder that Family-Teacher Interviews will take place on Thursday, March 26 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Email communication will be shared regarding timelines and important information about how to book meetings with teachers in the coming weeks.
Guidance Updates
COURSE SELECTIONS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR are now closed. Thank you to families for following up with their student(s) to ensure the deadline was met. Students interested in summer school will be able to register in the spring once the Summer School Learning Opportunities open in myBlueprint.
There will be a representative from the University of Trent in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria from 10:45 am until noon on Thursday, February 26th. They will be there to answer any questions related to Trent University, campus life, program requirements, and so much more.
There will be a representative from the Toronto Metropolitan University in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria from 10:45 am until noon on Tuesday, March 10th. They will be there to answer any questions related to TMU, campus life, program requirements, and so much more.
There will be a representative from the University of Guelph-Humber in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria from 10:45 am until noon on Thursday, April 9th. They will be there to answer any questions related to University of Guelph-Humber, campus life, program requirements, and so much more.
College and University Open Houses & Tours: Attending a college and university open house or tour is a great way to find out more about the campus, the programs, and the environment. Each postsecondary institution offers a variety of events throughout the year for secondary school students. We encourage students and families to visit each institution’s website to find out more details about in-person and virtual opportunities. The upcoming break in March will have a number of great opportunities for students and families to attend.
Save the date! YRDSB and YCDSB will be hosting a Post-Secondary Fair for Grades 9-12+ students, families, and staff to connect with Admissions, Recruitment, Accessibility, and Student Support Offices. There will be a special presentation, Accessing Support in Post-Secondary: How Accessibility Services Help You Succeed, by the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) and information booths from the participating post secondary institutions. Date: March 25, 2026 -Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Sir William Mulock Secondary School (705 Columbus Way, Newmarket, ON L3X 2M7).