ECSS Newsletter - October 2, 2026

Dear Families,

It has been a busy and exciting week at Emily Carr, and we continue to be off to a wonderful start to the school year. It has been a pleasure seeing our students getting involved, connecting with one another, and making the most of the many opportunities available to them.

One of the highlights of the week was our Clubs Fair on Tuesday. It was amazing to see the number of students who came out during lunch to explore the many clubs and activities available at Carr. There was an incredible range of opportunities for students to get involved, including:

• Carr Scoop
• Peer Tutoring
• Computer Science
• Music Council
• Voices of CARR
• Law and Justice
• Best Buddies
• Page Turners' Society (Book Club)
• Sikh Student Association
• STEM Club
• Asian Club
• DECA
• SHSM
• ECSS Student Wellness Team
• HOSA
• Weight Room Club
• Drama Council
• Muslim Student Association
• South Asian Student Association

Clubs Fair is one of the first events that our School Council plans each year, and we are incredibly grateful to our School Council, student leaders, and teacher supervisors for the time and energy they put into making these opportunities possible. Getting involved in a club, team, or activity is such an important part of the high school experience, and we encourage all of our students to find something that interests them and get involved.

We are also looking forward to Spirit Day on Monday, October 5th! Students are encouraged to wear their CARR clothing and join us for a fun day of activities and school spirit. We are excited to see our school community come together and celebrate what makes Emily Carr such a special place.

Thank you once again to our students, staff, School Council, and families for your continued support. It has certainly been a busy few weeks, but it has also been wonderful to see so much energy, enthusiasm, and Carr spirit throughout the school.

We look forward to another great week ahead!

Spirit Day Monday, October 5th!

We’re excited to celebrate Spirit Day at Emily Carr Secondary School on Monday, October 5!

Students are encouraged to wear their CARR clothing and join us for a fun day of activities, including:

• 🌅 Senior Sunrise for Grade 12 students
• 🏃 Terry Fox Run during Period 2
• 🎪 Fall Fair at lunch with games, ice cream and more
• ⚽ After-school soccer game
• 👫 A chance to connect, have fun and enjoy the day with friends

Students are encouraged to bring some money for food and activities at the Fall Fair. Please see the attached PDFs for more information on how to donate and support the day.

Go Coyotes Go! 💙🐺

Locker Reminder

Please remember to lock your locker every time you leave it. Personal locks are not permitted, but if you misplace your lock, you can purchase a school lock at the school for $5. Keep your belongings safe and lock up every day!

Growing Together - Planning for Success 

Presented by The Centre for Black Student Excellence

The move to high school is a critical milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student and family feels fully prepared and equipped for success.

We are excited to invite Black students and their families in Grades 6 through 10 to an upcoming event highlighting the opportunities available to support pathway planning, specialty programs, and the transition between elementary and secondary school.  

This is a key opportunity for Black students and their families to connect with educators, ask questions, and build a personalized roadmap for a successful and fulfilling secondary school experience.

Dinner and Child Care will be provided.

Please register via this registration form.

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.

ARMY RESERVE WINTER/SPRING 2027 COOP 

 What is the Army Coop program?

It is an Entry Plan into the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve. Students who successfully complete the application process will be enrolled as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserve. Their COOP placement during the second semester is their basic training, the same training any member of the Reserves must take. Their Reserve service is non-contractual; however, students are expected to continue their military career on a part-time basis after COOP ends.  

Information Sessions:

We will be hosting virtual information sessions 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. 

Accelerated OYAP Open House

We also want to share an upcoming opportunity for students and families interested in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The Accelerated OYAP Open House will take place virtually on Wednesday, October 14, from 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Please register via this online registration form to participate in our virtual information session.

Skilled Trades and Technology Night

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | Richmond Green Secondary School

Are you curious about a career in the skilled trades? Students and families are invited to explore some of Ontario's 120+ skilled trades at this evening of presentations and information booths.

Please register via this registration form.

Guidance Updates

Grade 12 Potential Graduate Presentations took place this past week. Students were provided an overview of postsecondary planning and applications, scholarships and financial opportunities, graduation requirements, and other Grade 12 related questions. During the presentation, students received their Ontario Student Status Sheet (OSSS), which reviews the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and helps students confirm that they are on track for graduation. It was also shared that there will be a one-time electronic release of grades and identifying information for Grade 12 students (and other historic data) during October to OCAS and OUAC using secure transmission technology. This transmission activates the application files. Potential graduates who do NOT plan to apply to an Ontario college or university this school year and do NOT wish to have data shared must notify Guidance in writing by Oct 5th.

The Study and Go Abroad Fair is taking place on October 4th at the Toronto Reference Library from noon to 5 pm. Meet universities, colleges, and graduate schools from Canada and around the world – plus explore work, travel, volunteer, and gap year options abroad. Refer to the link [here] for more details and on how to register. 

The ECSS Student Wellness Team is hosting our Senior Sunrise on October 5th and Senior Sunset (TBD - Spring). This is an opportunity for our graduating students to make some final memories at ECSS. All of the events are filled with music, games, some treats, and a beautiful sunrise/sunset - all for FREE! Permission forms MUST be completed via School Cash Online to attend.

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. Please click [here] to sign up and connect with Ontario’s colleges and polytechnic.

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. Please click [here] to sign up and connect with Ontario’s universities at the Ontario Universities’ Events.

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE: Building Belonging Through Student Leadership at Emily Carr Secondary School

Students in the unique leadership class at Emily Carr Secondary School are helping to build a more inclusive school community by planning and running events for students with special education needs. 

The Leadership Class is designed to help students develop initiative, communication, teamwork and public speaking skills through lessons and taking an active role in planning and leading school activities. 

The class focused on creating meaningful opportunities for students in the community class to connect with their peers, helping to foster a sense of belonging, inclusion and community within the school. 

“My expectation for this activity is just to give them a sense that we’re all together, and that we don’t see them as someone with a disability. They’re just another kid like me,” said Nico, a student in the Leadership Class. 

As part of their learning, students explore the different ways people communicate and learned how to create activities that are welcoming, safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“I think the lesson informed us [that] everybody communicates differently, and how to be patient with one another and to treat people with respect and kindness,” said Lia, a Leadership Class student.  

Students put their learning into action by organizing a board games event with two community classes, creating opportunities for students to build relationships and connect with one another.

“The patience and the kindness from the leadership class is really evident, and their comfort level is really evident, and the kids in the autism class are just being their awesome selves and having a great time,” Sarah Hunter, Head of Physical Education. 

The Leadership Class also hosted a track and field event for students in the community class on the school’s new turf field. Leadership students planned and led a variety of activities, including races and throwing events, served as event hosts and coached participants throughout the day.

Through experiences like these, students are developing valuable leadership skills while gaining a deeper understanding of inclusion, empathy and collaboration.

“What I’m hoping with the leadership class is that my students have an opportunity to grow as individuals and to see that not everybody is so different, and also take some of those skills into the working world with them, because it's not just going to be in a school community that we work with people with different needs,” said Shannon Ogilvie, Leadership Class Teacher at Emily Carr Secondary School. 

Watch the smiles on students' faces and hear more from students in the Leadership and community classes in this short video. 

Learn More

About Emily Carr Secondary School

Special Education at York Region District School Board

Video link: https://youtu.be/QGv-4WIMrqI?si=LFbrCyH7VlZMVf01