ECSS Newsletter - October 16, 2026

Dear Families,

It has been another great week at Emily Carr! We had lots happening around the school, and it has been great to see our students getting involved, connecting with one another, and making the most of their time at Carr.

This week, we welcomed the MOBYSS bus to Emily Carr. MOBYS (Mobile York South) is a mobile youth outreach service that helps connect young people with health, wellness, and community support. We welcome opportunities like this to our students and make sure they know about the resources available to support them.

We also had our IB Information Night at the school! The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme offers students an engaging, internationally minded approach to learning that encourages critical thinking, inquiry, and connections across subjects. It was great to welcome families interested in learning more about the programme, and we are excited to continue sharing what IB at Emily Carr has to offer! Please review the slides from the evening shared on our school website.

A quick reminder that Photo Retake Day is coming up next week, so students who need a new photo will have another opportunity to get it done.

We are also getting very excited for our Grade 8 Open House on Thursday, October 29, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. We can't wait to welcome future Coyotes and their families, show them around the school, and give them a taste of what makes Emily Carr such a great place to learn and grow.

Finally, we are looking forward to Family Night on Thursday, October 22. Families can connect with their child's teachers, ask questions, and check in on learning and progress. Please see the information included in this week's newsletter for details on scheduling appointments.

Thanks, as always, to our students, staff, and families for helping make Emily Carr such a welcoming and energetic community. There is lots to look forward to as we head into the second half of October!

Have a great week ahead, everyone!

Go Coyotes Go! 💙🐺

Caring and Safe Schools Reminder: One Pack!

At Emily Carr Secondary School, we are building a culture of care where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. Our Code of Conduct applies to everyone and promotes positive behaviour and respect for one another.

Coyotes work together in packs, and no Coyote runs alone. We look out for each other at school, in the community, and in local stores. If you experience or witness a problem, report it to a caring adult. Be an upstander by speaking up and supporting those around you.

Together, we are one pack, and everyone belongs.

Guidance Updates

SAVE THE DATE! The ECSS Pathways to Opportunity Night is taking place on Thursday, November 12th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. This is an event where students and their parents/guardians have an opportunity to meet with representatives from various postsecondary institutions in order to learn more about the different programs they offer.

The Ontario College Application Service and the Ontario Universities’ Application Service have opened for students to apply for fall 2027. Students are asked to review the All Things Grade 12 Google Classroom, refer to the Guidance website, and/or schedule a guidance appointment for support. 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.

The College Information Program (CIP) Tour is a series of free events held across Ontario where students and families can meet representatives from Ontario's public colleges and polytechnics, all in one place.

The Ontario Universities' Events are hosting a collection of events this fall, where students and their supporters can speak directly with university and student representatives. 

Missed Photo Day? There’s Still Time!

Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

Did you miss photo day? No need to worry! Edge Imaging will be returning to our school to give students and staff who missed the first photo day another opportunity to have their photo taken.

We encourage anyone who missed the original photo day to take advantage of this opportunity.

Be sure to sign up at edgeimaging.ca/photoday to receive reminders, photo proof notifications, and exclusive offers.

For more information, contact Edge Imaging at 1 (866) 707-3343.

We look forward to seeing you in front of the camera!

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Family Interview Night - Thursday, October 22nd, 2026

Dear Families,

Family Interview Night is on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

We welcome all families to have an opportunity to meet with your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and learn more about the classroom. Families can use TeachAssist, an online platform, to schedule a meeting time with their child(ren)’s teacher(s) on Interview Night. All students in our school currently have a TeachAssist account to access information associated with their class assessments. 

Accessing Teach Assist Booking System

Families may access appointment bookings on Tuesday, October 13th to Tuesday October 20th,  through the TeachAssist Parent Portal available at parent portal - one time access request. From there, enter in your email address and leave the password blank, to set up a one time access link, or to reset a password that you've created. An email will be sent with a time limited link that will look similar to this:

Once logged in, parents/guardians will have the option to set up a password. For instructions on how to book an interview through TeachAssist, please click here or see below. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our main office.

If you have any challenges with meeting in-person on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements for another day via email.

We look forward to welcoming you into the school! Please see the important information regarding the format of the evening and attention to timelines below as the date approaches.

FORMAT OF THE EVENING

6:30-7:00 pm Staff Meet and Greet in the Cafeteria

• We encourage ALL families to take advantage of the opportunity to meet and greet with all staff. This format offers families and parents a chance to meet and connect with staff in a less formal setting than the interview portion of the evening. Please join us for this important opportunity to connect together as a community at the start of the evening. Coffee and tea will be provided.

7:10-8:30 pm - Formal Parent/Guardian Teacher Meetings 

• Parents Meet with teachers during their formal allotted time
• We ask all families to be mindful of their allotted time so that all families have access to their interview time 

IMPORTANT TIMELINES: October 2026

Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day

On Wednesday, November 4, Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in Take Our Kids to Work Day, a Ministry of Education-supported initiative that provides students with an opportunity to explore the world of work firsthand. Students can spend the day observing a parent/guardian or another approved adult in their workplace and learn about different career pathways, workplace skills, and future opportunities. This is a great opportunity for students to begin thinking about their interests and future goals. Families will receive more information about participation and next steps in the coming weeks.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

Our Grade 10 students writing the OSSLT for their first time, along with any other eligible learners, will be taking part in the upcoming evaluation.

Assessment dates (mornings):

• Friday, November 13 (Part A)
• Monday, November 16 (Part A)
• Tuesday, November 17 (Part B)
• Wednesday, November 18 (Part B)
• Make-up date: Monday, November 23

A more comprehensive breakdown specifying particular writing days for students will be provided closer to the evaluation.

Completing Grade 9 Destreamed English equips students with the necessary core competencies for success on this evaluation.

Families are welcome to explore further details and access practice materials on the official EQAO website.

Overview of the Army COOP Program:

Upon successful completion of the program students will be granted 4 High School credits. Each school board determines the amount and type of credits, therefore please discuss accreditation with your teacher.  

Information Sessions:

We will be hosting virtual information session over Microsoft Teams. During the meeting, which will be approximately 45 minutes, the recruiter will review the eligibility, entry plans and commitment to the Forces for students interested in applying to the Coop program and other entry plans to the Canadian Armed Forces.