Latest News
Construction on our new school began September 2022. This is great news for our community! The successful contractor was Heatherbrae Builders and their construction equipment is now onsite and a big attraction for students at recess.
The new school will be built on the west side of the existing Hudson Elementary site. Therefore students will be able to continue attending school at the existing building while construction of the new building takes place, and no temporary accommodation is required. Fencing is now in place to cordon off the construction site from the rest of the school grounds. During the construction phase, students still have the use of all playground equipment and will be taking advantage of the many parks around the school for outdoor recreation.
Construction follows the original June 24, 2020 announcement from the Ministry of Education that our school received funding for a replacement school through the seismic mitigation program. Please see the Ministry of Education news release for additional information.
At the time of the original announcement, construction was expected to be completed by September 2024, but construction start was delayed by approximately 6 months. Updated information on completion dates will be communicated when available. VSB updates on our seismic replacement can be found here.
Now that construction is underway, the Seismic Committee is focused on two projects:
Seismic fundraising: Provincial seismic funding covers the building envelope, indoor finishing, and basic landscaping, but other items including furnishings for new common spaces, some technology items compatible with new school wiring and outdoor landscaping to create effective outdoor classroom spaces are not. The committee will be working with teachers, parents and students to identify and fundraise for priority items. Please see this document for further details.
Legacy project: how can we get students excited about the move to their new school and also honour our historic building and all the learning that has happened in it since the turn of the last century? We are looking for creative ideas for how to bring a little bit of Hudson’s past into the new school. Contact the PAC with your suggestions! hudsonpac@gmail.com.
Committee History
The safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance, so we have formed a Seismic Upgrade Committee. Here is a timeline of what we have been working on:
2021
2020
PARENT LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
The Hudson PAC Executive, especially the Seismic Committee, has been working to encourage expansion to handle Hudson’s space needs.
We encourage parents to write to as many Members of the BC Legislature (MLAs) as possible (and the Chair of the VSB) to advocate for funding, so that when the school is repaired or rebuilt, it will be done correctly.
You will find a letter that covers the basics of the situation here. We suggest you edit and personalize the letter. Please make sure to change the [[square bracketed]] sections and remove the square brackets.
Addresses to whom you can send your letter to can be found here.
Personalizing the letter, explaining the concerns you have for your own family, is best. Snail mail and email both are effective, especially if a lot of us send them.
Examples of real letters sent can be found here. Sample Letter to Minister of Education here.
Thank you.
2019
2018
On November 2, 2018 we sent this letter outlining a request to meet regarding the Project Definition Report phase. The document references the other letters below as well as our Hudson MLA One-Pager and detailed Seismic Recommendations from teachers.
On September 10, 2018 We have invited the Chair of the VSB to the school to review the issues that are outlined in this letter exchange with the VSB.
Hudson Project Definition Letter
Hudson PAC Letter July 12, 2018
On July 4, 2018 The Hudson PAC Seismic Committee presented a letter to the VSB, in conjunction with the Hudson Out of School Care Society, asking detailed questions and requesting input into the Project Definition Phase. See the letter here.
2017
October
- An email was sent to Ms. Ballman with requests for information regarding timing of upgrades and enrollment.
- We received this response letter from Lesley Ballman, Regional Director, Capital Management Branch in response to the letter our PAC Interim Chair sent in to the BC Government in September.
September
- The Hudson PAC Interim Chair sent this letter to the BC Government regarding how to get Seismic Upgrading on track.
- A Hudson parent started this Petition. It is for the Ministry of Education to provide clear timelines and a transparent process for prioritizing and accelerating upgrades to the remaining schools on BC’s seismic upgrade list.