*Update: Hamber has now abruptly cut Math Honours in addition to cutting Science

Dear Families,

When we first posted this petition, Hamber had said it was cutting its Science Honours Program in Fall 2021, but the administration said it would keep Math Honours open for one more year. Parents and students began advocating to reinstate the Science program, as the school announced the cut only after Grade 7 students had already committed to attending Hamber next year.

Meanwhile, Hamber sent elementary schools a Math assessment test for any incoming Grade 8s interested in Math Honours for the fall. Multiple children at several schools wrote this exam in the past week or two, at Hamber's direction. Then people started hearing rumours that Math Honours was going to be cut, as well as Science. In some instances, students took their math exam in the morning, only for Hamber to call their school a few hours later to say the course was cancelled.

Students are justifiably confused and upset about opportunities repeatedly dangled in front of them and then taken away, for no clear reason. 

If schools decide to cut significant parts of their program offerings, it’s only fair to announce those decisions the previous fall, so students and families can make informed decisions about high school choices.

To emphasize: There is no urgent requirement for Hamber to cut this program. Yes, the VSB is moving toward eliminating Honours and Enrichment programs overall, and that’s a major curriculum change deserves examination in another forum. But right now, a lot of hardworking Grade 7s are being unfairly punished for Hamber's poor timing and lack of communication.

We call on Hamber to honour the commitment it’s made to these students and allow them to take the Science and Math Honours courses they were advertised as part of Hamber’s school curriculum.

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