Welcome Back!
Welcome back, students and families! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. As we return to school, we are entering an important stretch of the year with several key academic milestones approaching.
Exams will begin on January 22, and we encourage all students to stay organized, ask questions, and make use of available supports as they prepare. In addition, our Math EQAO assessments will take place on January 19 and 20. We know our students will rise to the challenge and demonstrate their hard work and learning.
As we move into the final weeks of the semester, we encourage all students to make positive decisions, remain focused, and finish strong. Let’s start the new year with determination, effort, and a commitment to doing our best.
Wishing everyone a successful and productive month ahead!
IB Candidacy
We are excited to share that our school has officially been recognized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School for the IB Diploma Programme. This is an important milestone in our continued efforts to enrich teaching and learning across our community.
Exam Schedules
Exam schedules were shared last week with both students and families. Please review them carefully and ensure your child is prepared for each assessment. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the school office.
Emily Carr’s Pantry Program
The Pantry Program is meant to fill a specific gap in food access at school: confidential, anonymous, and drop-in access to healthy food. Should you require support, please review the attached flyer. If you are able to donate, please drop off donations to the main office.
Grade 9 Math EQAO
All students taking destreamed grade 9 math will be writing Math EQAO on January 19 and January 20, 2026.
Students can vote now for Student Trustees
Students in Grades 5–12 can help choose the student trustees who will represent their voice at the school board.
From January 12-18, students can vote for the student trustee candidate who will represent our area in the final election taking place February 17-20. Voting closes January 18, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
How to Vote
Students will receive an email in their GAPPS account with:
- A link to candidate information
- A voting form
Please remind your child to check their email and submit their vote.
Student trustees play an important role representing students in the school board. They network with students, staff and the Board of Trustees to share information that gives students a meaningful voice. Learn more about the role and the election process at www.yrdsb.ca/studenttrustees.
Youth in Policing Initiative
Develop your skills and be inspired
In collaboration with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, York Regional Police offers teenagers an innovative employment experience within a safe and healthy work environment. Please click Youth in Policing Initiative for more information.
Guidance Updates
COURSE SELECTIONS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR will open in myBlueprint (MyPathwayPlanner) on Thursday, February 12th at 9:00 am and will close on Friday, February 20th, 4:00p.m. Please see some key points below to assist in your conversations with your child/student:
- Students will participate in a Course Selection assembly during period 1 the week of February 2nd.
- The ECSS Course Offerings Fair will take place on Monday, February 9th in the main hallway during the lunch period from 11:25 am - 11:55 am. This is an opportunity for students to connect with course experts to help make informed decisions about their 2026-2027 course selections and pathway programming. *We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to help prepare for our upcoming course selections and ask parents and guardians to assist with this reminder.
- Students can begin adding courses into their planner prior to this date but can only begin locking in/submitting courses as early as Thursday, February 12th.
- This is not a “first come, first served” process - as long as students make their selections prior to the Friday, February 20th, 4:00 p.m. deadline, all requests are treated equally.
- Grade 12 Students who are graduating and any other students who are not returning, must submit a “Not Returning" response at this time to finalize their next steps.
- Please note that course selections are not completed/locked in until parent/guardian has approved selections via email (email comes from myBlueprint - parents/guardians should check junk mail folder if they cannot find the email).
ONTARIO UNIVERSITY AND ONTARIO COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES are listed below.
Ontario University/OUAC applications - NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 for equal consideration.
Ontario College/OCAS applications - NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 for equal consideration.
*In addition to counsellor support, students have been provided with links to video tutorials to assist with the application process in their “All Things Grade 12” Google Classroom.
We want to inform families about a new opportunity for students to earn a Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement upon graduation. The Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced this certificate to acknowledge students who go above and beyond in their volunteer work throughout high school.
The certificate program has launched for the 2025-2026 school year and will recognize graduating students who earn 50 or more community involvement hours with these certificates:
- Bronze: 50–99 hours
- Silver: 100–199 hours
- Gold: 200+ hours
Please note that while the graduation requirement to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma remains 40 hours of community involvement, ECSS students can continue to submit additional hours beyond this requirement to be considered for the Certificate of Recognition.
Night School Registration Now Open on My Pathway Planner - Students who need or are interested in a course that is not available at ECSS can register for a course for Remote Night School offered by the YRDSB. The Remote Night School program is delivered synchronously (Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30-9:45). More information about this program, courses offered and how to register using My Pathway Planner is available on the YRDSB board website and in the Guidance google classrooms. Registration for Remote Night school is from December 15, 2025 - February 6, 2026, in My Pathway Planner. Students are encouraged to register early as course offerings are not guaranteed and are subject to sufficient enrollment. Students can schedule a guidance appointment or come to the Guidance Pop-Up Shop should they require support.
Fees and Fee Exemption for International Visa Students - The cost for International fee-paying students is $1000 per course. International students may be eligible to be exempt from fees to attend Night School and/or Online Learning. Please refer to the International Student Fee Exemption Continuing Education Course Form for more information.
The Aquatic Leadership Program allows students who have strong Swimming and Leadership skills to pursue their Life Guarding Qualifications at a reduced cost. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will also earn high school credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Registration is now open and details about the program are found in each link below. Part 1 of the program is offered at Health and Active Living Plaza, Town of East Gwillimbury. Part 2 of the program is offered in Aurora, Richmond Hill, Markham and Vaughan.