Friday, November 14, 2025
Thank you to everyone for a wonderful Remembrance Day celebration. The OSSLT is now complete - great job to all involved! As we move through the term, we continue to encourage students to make positive choices, stay focused, and support one another. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in helping our students thrive.
Remembrance Day Assembly – A Moment of Reflection
The History Department would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the respectful and moving Remembrance Day assembly held this week. It was a powerful moment of reflection, honouring the sacrifices of those who served and continue to serve from our Nation and those within the Community.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Drama Council and Choir for their dramatic performances that captured the spirit of remembrance with grace and emotion. We also commend the Grade 9 Geography classes for their meaningful and beautifully crafted decorations, which helped set a solemn and reflective tone. A special thank you goes to our emerging artists whose handmade poppies added a poignant and personal touch to the ceremony.
Together, our students created an atmosphere of dignity and gratitude that truly honoured the legacy of our veterans.
Lest we forget.
The History Department
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.
Attention grade 12 students: Grad photos are coming!
Edge Imaging will be here to take grad photos beginning Monday December 1. Don’t forget to book your appointment! Please sign up on line at www.bookmygrad.ca. Our school code is: YEC
Sign up early to get the time that works best for you.
Congratulations class of 2026; we look forward to seeing you for your graduation photos.
Reminders about vaping:
In alignment with Ministry of Education regulations, vaping is strictly prohibited:
- In all school washrooms
- On school property
- In community buildings such as Pierre Berton Library and Al Palladini Community Centre
To support these regulations, vape detectors have been installed in our school washrooms and are actively monitored. These devices notify the main office when vaping is detected. We ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home:
- Do not bring vapes to school.
- Do not use vapes on school property or in community spaces.
Let’s work together to ensure our school remains a place where all students feel safe, respected, and supported in making healthy choices.
Vaughan’s Transportation Youth Ambassador Program
Calling all students! Apply to become a 2026 Transportation Youth Ambassador by Friday, Dec. 5.
What is this program all about?
- It’s an outreach initiative led by Vaughan’s youth, for Vaughan’s youth. It provides participants with the opportunity to speak with their peers about their challenges with transportation in Vaughan and work together to find solutions.
Through the program, participants will create and deliver a variety of engagement activities, including:
- attending and supporting outreach at City events.
- facilitating surveys and promotional tactics.
- hosting initiatives and focus group discussions in elementary and high schools.
- mentoring peers and new youth ambassadors joining the program.
- sharing input on City decisions.
- and more!
What’s in it for me?
- Real-life work experience
- Volunteer hours
- A certificate of completion
How do I apply?
- Email tyap@vaughan.ca with:
- a one-page cover letter expressing why you would be a good candidate.
- proof of enrollment at a Vaughan secondary school.
- a letter of reference.”
Guidance Updates
Our Pathways to Opportunity event was truly a success! Thank you to the many students and families who attended our event so that they can make more informed pathway choices. Students are encouraged to schedule a guidance appointment via TeachAssist should they wish to discuss pathways in more detail.
The 2025 Student Life Expo is taking place on November 15th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This event is designed to empower students to make informed decisions about their futures by connecting them directly with educational institutions, career opportunities and support systems. There is a limited supply of free tickets and booklets available in the Guidance Office for students to pick up.
Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Please see our flyer for more information. Registration is available online. For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.
The Pathways Team in Curriculum & Instructional Services in collaboration with the York Catholic District School Board invites families of students in Grades 9-11 to attend a Skilled Trades and Technology Career Planning Information Night. The goal of this event is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about pathways in industries that are constantly innovating, on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, and making a critical difference in people’s lives. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some of Ontario’s 140+ trades through presentations and information booths. They will hear directly from the YRDSB Pathways team, tradespeople and local employers about life-changing career opportunities. This event is taking place on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Cardinal Carter Catholic School (210 Bloomington Rd, Aurora, ON L4G 0P9).
Future Black Applicant Day is designed to provide prospective Black students and their supporters with invaluable insights into their academic programs, vibrant campus life, and the boundless opportunities that await at U of T. Please refer to the link for more details.
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to address the service gaps in the youth mental health and substance use sectors in Ontario. A new location has opened in Maple.
NACCA Presents Roots and Branches: An Africentric Tree of Life Workshop for Black Families on Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. This is a powerful family-centered workshop where Black families come together to explore the Tree of Life approach. Through storytelling, creativity, and illustration, families will map out their histories, values, and dreams—recognizing that our roots ground us, our branches uplift us, and our community connects us.
School Mental Health Ontario has a webinar series to support students and families.
York Hills provides webinars for parents/caregivers.
CMHA York Region - Community Connections Program A recovery-oriented drop-in hub organized to help individuals 16 years or older improve mental health and overall wellness. The program offers opportunities for socialization, building a community network, physical and mental health enhancements, increased recreational skills for community transition, and guided activity-based discovery through peer led activities in the community.
The Caregiver Resource Hub provides new resources for parents and caregivers on important topics identified by families across the province, made possible through funding from the Ministry of Education.
Building Healthy Kids with York Region provides various resources for families.
The Ontario College Application Service and the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre is open for students to apply to fall 2026 programs. Students are asked to review the All Things Grade 12 Google Classroom for support, schedule a guidance appointment, or come by the Guidance Pop-Up Shop. We are happy to help!
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. Students can view the details on each individual college website. Information on college tours can be viewed on the College Information Program page.
Take time to explore the Student Mental Health and Addictions letter for Fall 2025. It includes supportive resources and community mental health events.
Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program will be travelling across Ontario and parts of Quebec for the annual fall recruitment season: September - November 2025. Dates here.