ECSS Newsletter - September 11, 2026

Dear Families,

We are off to a wonderful start to the school year, and it has been a pleasure welcoming our students back to Emily Carr. As we move into our second week, there is so much to look forward to.

One highlight on the horizon is our Clubs Fair on Tuesday, September 29, during lunch, where students will have the chance to explore the many activities, teams, and groups that make Carr such a vibrant place. We encourage all students to get involved and discover what our school has to offer. Clubs Fair is the first event that our School Council plans for the school year. Our teacher supervisors are also extremely instrumental in supporting our clubs throughout the year.

Thank you once again for your partnership and support as we begin this school year together. We are excited about the journey ahead!

2026-2027 Schedule

This week you have seen administration outside directing traffic to try to ensure all families are aware of how the traffic should flow at ECSS.

As a reminder, if you are dropping off your child to school, you must use the loop in the front of the school as indicated below.  The area on the side of the school next to the parking lot is used for our students in community classes who are dropped off by accessible transportation.  For their safety and the safety of the staff supporting them, please do not drive in that direction.  Some of our most vulnerable students can be unpredictable and we must prioritize their safety.

Families who choose to drive their children to school are asked to consider parking a block or two away from the school and walking the rest of the way. You can avoid the morning rush by dropping your child off before 7:45 a.m., carpooling, or encouraging your child to walk or make use of public transit. This will help alleviate traffic congestion while allowing the students time to gather materials from their lockers and still be in class on time.  Another option is to enter by the community center entrance and exit the same way to avoid additional congestion in the front of the school.

Finally, if you haven’t already, please follow our school Instagram account. We will be posting updates and important information throughout the school year

• Follow on Instagram @emilycarryrdsb

Thanks for your continued partnership and understanding.

Partnering with Al Palladini for Lunch 

Students interested in accessing the Activity Room at Al Palladini, please connect with them at the front desk. 

Action Required: Start up information

The YRDSB has sent online start-up forms to be completed by families. These forms require your attention. Please review the below forms:

• Start-up permission form
• Student information consent form
• Request for faith accommodations

Action Required: Completion of applicable medical forms

Please ensure that any applicable medical forms are completed for this school year. Please refer to the email sent earlier last week from Emily Carr Secondary School. 

Keeping information up to date at ECSS:

Please ensure that you share with the school any changes in your contact information ie. telephone number, home address, email address, emergency contact information and medical information, if applicable.

Caring and Safe Schools Assemblies

As the new school year is beginning, students will be attending Caring and Safe Schools Start-Up Presentations. These presentations are designed to underscore behaviour expectations as we continue to sustain caring, safe and inclusive school environments. 

Presentation topics include:

• Racism and types of discrimination;
• Bullying;
• Progressive discipline; 
• Using personal mobile devices such as cellphones, smart watches, and tablets;
• Vaping; and
• Standing up for each other, including methods of reporting incidents of racism, discrimination and bullying.

Inappropriate Behaviour

In the Start-Up Presentation, students are learning about racism, discrimination, and bullying. This learning will continue throughout the school year. Instances of racism, discrimination and bullying are not acceptable and are addressed through progressive discipline. In some cases of racism and discrimination, York Regional Police may be involved.

Students will also be reminded about safe school behaviours, including what items must never be brought to school, such as peanut products, vape products/drug paraphernalia, weapons/replica weapons (including knives).

Reporting Behaviour

Standing up for one another and reporting when something does not feel safe is part of a caring and safe school environment. Students should report incidents involving other students that make them or others feel unsafe or uncomfortable, including acts of racism, discrimination and bullying. Students can report incidents by:

• Telling a caring adult;
• Using the YRDSB’s “Report It Button” (Located on our school’s website, the online Report It button allows students and families to share information about inappropriate student behaviour and incidents of hate or discrimination. Contacting Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868).

For More Information

For more details on these items or other Caring and Safe Schools topics, please read the Guide to the School Year or visit the Caring and Safe Schools section on the YRDSB website for more information and to access family resources to continue these conversations at home. 

Thank you for helping us create a caring, safe, and inclusive school community.

Valedictorian Candidacy Process – Information Meeting September 17

This year, our valedictorian selection process will look a little different. Students interested in becoming a valedictorian candidate will participate in an ongoing course throughout the school year designed to help them develop the skills and understanding needed for this important role.

Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to learn about:

• Public speaking and effective communication
• The expectations and responsibilities of the valedictorian role
• Ways to connect meaningfully with students, staff, and the broader community
• How to represent their graduating class throughout the school year

This process is to help students and families better understand the valedictorian role and selection process. It will provide students with opportunities to share their experiences and keep their peers informed and engaged throughout the year.

If your child is interested in exploring the valedictorian candidacy process, we will hold our first introductory meeting on Thursday, September 17, during lunch in the library.

We look forward to meeting with interested students and beginning this year's process together.

Guidance Updates 2026-27

Continuing Education programs for 2026/2027 are now available. This includes Night School and International Language programs. Please refer to this link for more information and important dates. Students register using myBlueprint and are required to return their Sign-Off Form to the Guidance Office to ensure approval. 

Guidance Counsellors have begun processing course change requests. Students will be notified in person or by email once a change has been completed, so please remind students to regularly check their GAPPS account for updates regarding their request. In the meantime, students should continue to follow their current timetable. To ensure a fair, equitable, and efficient process for all students, we kindly ask that students and families refrain from emailing and leaving voicemail messages regarding course changes. Please remember that class spaces are limited, and processing requests may take some time. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work through the requests as efficiently as possible. 

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.

Guidance appointment bookings will begin once all students are fully timetabled and timetable updates are complete. This will most likely begin the third week of September. Students will be able to book appointments through TeachAssist. Instructions on how to make appointments will be posted in the Grade Google Classrooms. 

Safety Week – September 21–25

This year, our school will be holding Safety Week during the week of September 21st. Throughout the week, we will conduct a number of emergency preparedness drills, including:

• Fire drill
• Lockdown drill
• Hold and Secure drill
• Bomb threat drill

These drills are an important part of ensuring that our students and staff are prepared to respond safely and appropriately in the event of an emergency. Students and staff will be informed about the drills in advance and will be provided with instructions as required by our emergency procedures.

All schools are required to complete Safety Week during the first month of the school year to ensure that emergency procedures are reviewed and practiced early in the year.

We recognize that some of these drills may feel unfamiliar or unsettling for students. Our goal is to ensure that everyone understands the procedures and knows what to do should an emergency situation ever occur.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to maintain a safe and prepared school community.

Athletic Code of Conduct: Student-Athlete Expectations

Student-Athlete Expectations

As a member of an Emily Carr Secondary School athletic team, I understand that participation is a privilege and that I represent myself, my team, and my school.

I agree to:

• Attend school regularly and be present for my classes. Student-athletes are students first.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance, academic progress, and engagement in all of my courses.
• Attend all scheduled practices, games, tournaments, and team activities unless I have communicated an absence to my coach in advance.
• Follow all school, YRDSB, OFSAA, and team expectations for behaviour, respect, and sportsmanship.
• Treat teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, and staff with respect.
• Represent Emily Carr positively, both on and off the field/court/ice.
• Understand that ongoing attendance, academic, or behavioural concerns may result in a conversation with the coach and/or school administration and may affect athletic participation.

OSSLT After School Course Support

As part of our OSSLT preparation, we have an opportunity to run an after-school literacy course for students who are interested. The course will run for five weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50–4:20 p.m., beginning September 21st.

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop and practise important literacy skills before the OSSLT in early November. A minimum of 12 students is required for the course to run, and space is limited to the first 25 students who apply.

If your child is interested in participating, please complete the Google Form below. Additional information about the course was shared in a separate email to all grade 10 students earlier this week.

Google Form: [After School OSSLT Literacy Registration Form- September 2026]

The form must be completed no later Monday, September 14th 2026

Thank you, and we look forward to supporting our students as they prepare for the OSSLT!

The Indigenous Languages and International Languages (ILIL) program at the York Region District School Board (YRDSB)

The Indigenous Languages and International Languages (ILIL) program at the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) offers elementary extra-curricular language programs to students in SK to grade 8, and secondary credit-bearing courses for students who are in grade 9 to 12. 

Please visit the board website for more information if you are interested. 

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