Dear Families,
We’ve wrapped up our first month of school, and it’s been a busy and exciting start to the year.
- Clubs Fair is happening this Monday at lunch—students will have the chance to explore all the amazing activities and opportunities our school has to offer.
- Camp Coyote for our Grade 9 students will take place on Tuesday, October 8. This is a great opportunity for them to build connections and school spirit.
- Senior Sunrise also takes place on Tuesday, October 8, a tradition for our graduating students to celebrate their final year together.
There’s so much happening in our community, and we’re excited to see our students getting involved, making connections, and enjoying their high school experience.
Thank you for your continued support!
Good Neighbor Relationships
The students of ECSS have a shared responsibility with our community partners to ensure an inviting and clean environment for our neighbours and our community. Students are asked to respect the property and privacy of our neighbours. Although the Al Palladini Community Center, the Pierre Berton Resource Library and the Business establishments at the Plaza are public facilities, they are to be treated as private property by our students. Students are not to loiter in, or near, these establishments. To be inside Al Palladini Community Center, students must have a Community Center membership and they must be participating in community activities. We are proud of our students as they are ECSS ambassadors wherever they go in the community.
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
Partnering with Al Palladini for Lunch
Students interested in accessing the Activity Room at Al Palladini, please review the attached flyer.
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.
Action: Student Engagement Fee
The student engagement fee is a voluntary fee that may be used for services such as orientation programs, leadership programs, student recognition events, student clubs and organizations, guest speakers, and other school events. Please consider supporting the school by paying this fee through School Cash Online.
Achievement Awards Celebration
The awards celebration will be taking place on Friday, October 17, at 8:15am. Families of students who will be receiving an award will be notified next week.
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 this week from Emily Carr Secondary School.
Pierre Berton Library Closure:
Pierre Berton Resource Library will be closed on Tuesday September 30th for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Terry Fox at ECSS
On October 8th, 2025, the staff and students of Emily Carr SS will continue the legacy of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope by walking around our school during the last part of Period 2. Students are encouraged to donate a “Toonie for Terry” in support of the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research. If you are interested in making a donation, please visit our school fundraising page at the following link https://schools.terryfox.ca/107469
Updates from Guidance
Student Data Transfer for Ontario College & University Applications - To apply to an Ontario college or university for the 2025-2026 school year, the York Region District School Board must securely send academic and personal information for our potential graduates to the official application centres [Ontario College Application Service for college (OCAS) and Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for university].
- What's happening? We are uploading student data for college and university applications.
- When? The first upload is on October 3, 2025.
- Why is this needed? It's a required step to create an application.
- What if plans change? If information is uploaded but a student later decides not to apply, the application centres will securely delete data and will not keep it.
Not Applying? Students Can Opt-Out.
If a student is certain that they will not be applying to college or university for the 2025-2026 school year, they can request that we don't upload the information.
- How to Opt-Out: Come by the Guidance Office and speak with Ms. Giotis by September 29th.
- Important: Students should not opt-out if they plan to apply, or think that they might change their mind and decide to apply later in this school year.
Please note the following equal consideration application deadlines for the 2025/2026 school year:
January 15, 2026: Ontario Universities
February 1, 2026: Ontario Colleges
If students have questions, they are asked to contact their Guidance Counsellor or come by the Guidance Pop-Up Shop for clarification and support.
The ECSS Student Wellness Team is hosting our SENIOR SUNRISE (October 8th) and SENIOR SUNSET (TBD May). This is an opportunity for our graduating students to make some final memories at ECSS. All the events are filled with music, games, some treats, and a beautiful sunrise/sunset - all FREE!
We have approximately 270 students on track to graduate this year so we’re looking for donations from the parent/guardian community to support this event. We would appreciate any of the following items:
- Hot Chocolate
- Cases of water bottles
- Glow Sticks / Glow Bracelets
- Bubbles
- Snacks
- Monetary donation to purchase any of the above
If you would like to make a donation for this event, please reach out to Fiorella Finelli (fiorella.finelli@yrdsb.ca) the Senior Sunset Advisor.
The Ontario Universities’ 2025 Events can be viewed on the Ontario Universities Information page. The Ontario University Fair is taking place on Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th from 9:30 am - 5 pm daily. Information on the fair can be viewed on the Ontario Universities’ Fair page. Registration is required.
The Ontario College Fair will not be taking place this year. It is recommended that students attend individual college campus open houses and tours taking place over the next couple of months. Students can view the details on each individual college website. Information on college tours can be viewed on the College Information Program page.
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.