Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of October! As Halloween approaches, we want to share a few important reminders to help keep our school safe and enjoyable for everyone:
- Costumes: Families, please refer to the attached guidelines for details on what’s appropriate for school celebrations.
Let’s work together to make this Halloween a positive experience for all!
As always, we ask everyone to:
- Respect Our Spaces: Keep our school clean, organized, and welcoming. Be mindful of how we use shared areas.
- Celebrate with Kindness: Whether during Halloween or any time of year, let’s continue to foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and care.
Thank you for your continued support!
Terra Cotta Cookie Fundraiser
Emily Carr Secondary School is selling Terra Cotta Cookies to support Student Council led school events. Purchase cookies directly though Terra Cotta and pick them up from Emily Carr on November 24th!
All purchases must be made by November 10th.
Click here to browse the list of available cookies:
https://fundraising.terracottacookies.com/current-fundraisers/emilycarr
Grade 9 Take Your Kids To Work
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, all Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to spend the day at a workplace of a parent/guardian, relative, friend or volunteer. Alternatively, students can choose career-related activities to explore either at home or within the school environment. It is a day dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of various career options and pathways. The Students Commission of Canada is the new organization that supports this program and offers resources for educators and students. The 2025 TOKW Day Theme is Lift Up the Future!
Please note: There will be no formal classes for Grade 9 students on Wednesday, November 5th. Students and families are encouraged to make arrangements to support the day, or to have their child remain at home to independently engage in the career exploration activities that can be found on the website.
Instructions:
- Parents/Guardians must complete the Informed Consent Google Form (by October 24, 2025) to indicate if their child will be engaging in a virtual or in-person job shadowing opportunity or choose the career exploration option that can be engaged at home or school as per the school’s discretion.
OSSLT - Ontario Secondary Literacy Test
Grade 10 students will be writing the OSSLT during the week of November 10th. In the following weeks, students will receive formal letters indicating the specific days they will be writing and if they require accommodations related to their IEP. All students will write in the morning and will have access to extra time during the lunch hour if needed. It is important that students come on time to school to complete the test that week. If you have any questions, please contact the main office.
Calling All Industry Experts: Share Your Career Journey with Our ECSS Students!
The Guidance and Career Education department is inviting parents/guardians to take part in an exciting opportunity to inspire our students by sharing your professional experiences and career pathways.
As part of our efforts to support career exploration and pathway planning, we are looking for volunteers who would be willing to speak with students about:
- Your career journey — including the education, training, and experiences that led you to your current role.
- The skills and qualities that are valuable in your line of work.
- Insights into your industry or field — current trends, challenges, and opportunities.
- Advice for students who are beginning to think about their future pathways.
Whether you work in trades, healthcare, business, technology, arts, public service, non-profit, education, entrepreneurship, or any other sector — your story can make a difference!
If you’re interested in participating, please complete this expression of interest form no later than Friday, November 7th.
We will provide experts with a table at our Pathways to Opportunity evening taking place on Thursday, November 13th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. During this evening we will have a plethora of postsecondary institutions presenting their program materials in a fair style event and also have a table for you to share your expertise.
Thank you for helping our students connect learning to life and discover the many pathways to success.
Halloween Reminders
Hallowe’en may bring memories of dress-up parades, costume competitions, and classroom parties for some members of our community and carries a very different meaning for others. It is important for us to recognize that not all families celebrate and participate in Halloween. The reasons for not participating may include cultural beliefs, faith, socioeconomic status, and personal reasons.
The expectation is that costumes follow our board and school’s dress code and are to be respectful of others. Symbols or objects representative of a person’s race, culture, ethnicity, or religious beliefs, should not be worn as another person’s costume, nor should costumes that caricature social identities through stereotyping.
Reviewing our practices through a critically conscious lens doesn’t devalue our personal beliefs or past traditions. Interrogating how things “have always been done” is one of the ways we work to continue our commitment to inclusion.
Should your child wish to wear a costume to school, please discuss the following guidelines:
- No costumes that violate conditions of the ECSS appropriate attire policy
- No Halloween masks are to be worn, we need to see faces to know who is in the school building
- No Weapons and/or replica weapons should not be carried as accessories. Costumes also should not simulate a weapon or promote extreme acts of violence.
- No Costumes insulting to a particular ethnicity, religion or gender.
- No Costumes that promote the use of drugs or alcohol
- limit personal items being brought to school, costumes should be of simple design.
- Also, if your child would like to participate, but not wear a costume; wearing orange and black or autumn colours is an option.
Please Remember:
This is still a school day. Students are advised to bring a change of clothing, in case their costume is deemed inappropriate by teachers or administrators or become distracting to the learning process. We are looking forward to everyone following the guidelines, coming up with creative costumes, and having fun!
Guidance Updates
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!
SAVE THE DATE! The ECSS Pathways to Opportunity Night is taking place on November 13th 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.
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. The Ontario Universities’ Virtual Information Sessions will be on November 10, 5-7 p.m.
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.