Dear Families,
We continue to be 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 fourth 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!
Important Reminders:
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.
Guidance Updates
The Ontario Universities’ Fair takes place this weekend, September 26 and 27, running daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm in the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Recognized among North America’s largest educational events, admission is entirely free. Please visit their website for additional details.
With course adjustments for the first term now finalized, scheduling for Guidance appointments has officially reopened. Because guidance counsellors are facilitating Grade 12 presentations next week alongside International Baccalaureate training the following week, booking availability remains limited. Directions on reserving time slots have been published in every Grade Google Classroom.
Grade 12 Graduating Student Presentations are scheduled for September 29, October 1, and October 2. Classes scheduled during Period 1 for Grade 12s will participate at that time. Seniors with a spare or study period are likewise invited to attend. Participants will be provided with an Ontario Student Status Sheet outlining requirements needed for graduation under the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) umbrella to confirm they are meeting milestones.
Dedicated time will be set aside to address inquiries concerning:
- Postsecondary pathways and application procedures
- Financial assistance and available scholarships
- Diploma completion requirements
- General questions about senior year
We eagerly anticipate connecting with students and supporting their plans beyond high school!
The upcoming Study and Go Abroad Fair occurs October 4th at Toronto Reference Library, running from 12:00 pm through 5:00 pm. Engage with representatives from domestic and international academic institutions, or learn about gap-year, volunteer, work, and travel possibilities. Check this page for registration details and program features.
Our ECSS Student Wellness Team is hosting Senior Sunrise on October 5th alongside Senior Sunset later in the spring term. These gatherings offer non-cost opportunities for our graduating class to celebrate, complete with music, activities, snacks, and beautiful views! Completion of permission forms on School Cash Online is required for student participation.
With roughly 220 potential graduates this academic year, we welcome community donations from families to help make these celebrations special! Contributions of the following items are greatly appreciated:
- Cases of bottled water
- Glow bracelets or sticks
- Disposable hot beverage cups
- Bubble solution toys
- Packaged snacks such as cookies or pastries
- Monetary support towards supplies
Families interested in offering donations for the festivities are encouraged to contact Fiorella Finelli (fiorella.finelli@yrdsb.ca).
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! 💙🐺
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
A reminder that Wednesday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This is an important day for Canadians to learn about the history and lasting impact of residential schools, and to recognize the experiences, strength, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, residential school survivors, and their families.
Orange Shirt Day was founded by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, whose story reminds us of the importance of remembering the children who attended residential schools, including those who never returned home.
We encourage all students and staff to wear orange on September 30th as a way of showing that every child matters and supporting the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation.
Throughout the week, there will also be opportunities to learn and reflect on this important part of Canadian history.
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
Personal Mobile Devices in Schools
Dear Families,
We are writing to share important updates regarding student electronics in our schools. Specifically, students are required to keep personal technology out of sight, turned off, or silenced throughout class time.
In 2024, the Ministry of Education released updated guidelines regarding student electronics during class. YRDSB maintains Policy and Procedure 194.0 - Appropriate Use of Technology alongside various local guidelines. These current expectations reflect alignment with provincial standards as detailed within the Provincial Code of Conduct (PPM 128) and YRDSB Policy #668 Caring and Safe Schools.
Personal mobile devices encompass any student-owned equipment capable of internet access or communication, including laptops, cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, meta glasses, or other electronic wearables.
Expectations
Students remain responsible for their electronic items, overall usage, and any outcomes resulting from non-compliance with board policies.
All devices must remain hidden and silenced or powered down, except under the following circumstances:
- Academic instruction led by staff
- Medical or health accommodations
- Special education support plans
Secondary students may bring electronics onto campus, but usage remains limited strictly to non-class times.
Practices at School
If a device is visible or active without authorization following staff reminders, the student may be requested to place the item in a designated classroom storage spot for that period.
Inappropriate usage may lead to disciplinary measures. Progressive discipline protocols could be implemented and families contacted.
Resources
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in guiding balanced screen habits. You are encouraged to review these helpful links:
- MediaSmarts - Four Tips for Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time
- School Mental Health Ontario - Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Problem Gambling and Technology Use Treatment Services
To explore further details about Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128, please consult the Ministry of Education website or visit the York Region District School Board site.