Newsletter/April 2025 PAC meeting
Eric Hamber PAC
April Newsletter
April 20, 2025
These are the topics discussed at the April 2025 meeting
Chairperson’s report
The chairperson would like to stress that the PAC executive is available for any support needed in the wake of the tragic Lapu Lapu incident over the weekend.
The budget for the upcoming teachers appreciation lunch is $2,000 and more details will be forthcoming.
Treasurer’s report
We have received $30,000 from the gaming grant, plus we had leftover from last year, totalling $43,000. We set a target to raise $4,000.
We are still accepting new funding requests from school clubs. We have issued $13,000 worth of funding, and still have $24,000 to disperse.
We have already had two rounds of funding so far this school year.
So far, the disbursements look like this: 29% have gone to athletics programs, 22% to arts and music, 13% for sciences, 10% for skills and trades, 8% for grad, and 16% for community-oriented groups. Teachers have until June to make their requests.
Athletics has spent 50% of their allotment, while drama has spent all of its allocated budget.
The fundraising goal for the teachers’ lunch was $2,000. We raised $3,000. We will stick to the original budget to pay for the lunch, and the extra funds will go to the general account.
Expenses are transparent. Parents can ask for the details any time.
Teacher’s report
The teacher’s report was given by Jeff Overgaard on behalf of athletics.
The opening of the new school was the culmination of five years of meetings, going over all aspects of the needs and what the building should have.
Spaces were to maximize spaces for athletics and gym courses. We needed space for six PE classes at once, some indoor spaces and some outdoor.
Our new ‘large’ gymnasium is used for sports like badminton, or can be split into two. The ‘small’ gym is large enough for two classes as well, as a curtain can be drawn between the two spaces. It is noisy, it’s 1000% better than teaching PE in the cafeteria, which was the case at our last school.
The weight room has the same old equipment. The cardio machine is on its last legs.
Because of the need to maximize recreational space, storage space was sacrificed. Old equipment had to be given away. Some old equipment has been donated to other schools.
Following the opening of the school, The arrival of badminton and volleyball equipment was late. We had no nets for tryouts. The badminton poles didn’t arrive on time. The archery curtain hasn’t been installed.
The sound system in the gym is amazing. But we miss having the bleachers.
We miss our fields. The lack of a field is especially challenging for the football team.
Old field pictures are on display to show new students where the track used to be.
The turf field is now being used for outdoor activities, but it radiates heat and gets very warm.
We cannot use the field at Oak Meadows, as it is a Vancouver Park Board asset and it’s not built for that kind of capacity.
Some outdoor activities require field trips, etc to Vancouver College and Hillcrest. The soccer teams use the field at Hillcrest, while our football team has home games at Prince of Wales.The need for field trips means student athletes have to be dismissed early to head to their locations.
Principal’s report
The main theme of this year continues to be New School - Old Equipment.
The new building is beautiful, but funding for the weight room, tools, technology, projectors in classrooms was not planned.
Former Hamber students, particularly ones who graduated in 1975, are eager to see the new building. Hopefully they can help with fundraising.
Today (Tuesday) was a very difficult day at Vancouver schools given it was the first day back since the weekend’s tragedy. The staff meeting was tough. Some students are very impacted. Student council elections were cancelled today. The VSB Chair gave a written statement, sending her condolences and saying she will appear at the next PAC.
Ongoing counselling will be offered to anyone who needs it.
The principal was asked about the timing of the parent/teaching meetings which are happening this Thursday. Some parents believe they happen too late in the term.
Mr. Lauzon responded by saying there is no perfect way/time to communicate with teachers. The parent teacher meetings don’t meet everyone’s needs – it's not the best structure because there are only seven minutes allotted for a face-to-face meeting.
Parents need to reach out if they have concerns - connect early and often. All teachers are expected to respond to emails.
Update on the grad committee: There was an assembly last week for all grads. He addressed prom, being safe,and bringing guests. Earlier this year, not enough grads had paid their fees. Mr. Lauzon checked with other schools, and learned our fees are average compared to other ones. 300 students have now signed up for prom (200 were needed to break even).. 30 to 40 students from other schools are coming.
NEXT PAC MEETING: TUESDAY, MAY 27
June 6 is the date for the teachers appreciation lunch. More details are coming.
We definitely need volunteers for that event.
And we need volunteers to join the PAC executive for next year.