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EYC Opens today! Thank you to the community!

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Today the Whistler Waldorf School Early Years Centre in Spring Creek officially opened its doors! This opening marks the end of months of preparations and countless hours of work.  It also marks the beginning of more quality early childhood programming in our community.

We wish to once again gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Community Foundation of Whistler. Many individual donors also supported this important initiative by giving generously at the Whistler Waldorf School fundraising gala held this past June. THANK YOU!

In addition, we’d like to acknowledge the ongoing support of MLA Jordon Sturdy, WCSS Director Jackie Dickinson and Roger Weetman of the RMOW. Their letters of support helped strengthen the Whistler Waldorf School’s provincial grant application allowing us the opportunity to operate the new childcare centre. Gratitude also goes out to the Sea to Sky Community Services Society for their patience and flexibility as the facility lease holder – we are excited to be sharing the building with other local not-for-profit organizations doing great work in our community including Zero Ceiling and Howe Sound Women’s Centre.

Through the generous efforts of all the above, the Whistler Waldorf School Early Years Centre is excited to open its doors and enthusiastically welcomes you to come and take a peek! 

For more information, explore the Early Years Centre and contact Admissions to book a personal tour.

Fall Board Update including Summit Centre details

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Fall update from the WWS board

This fall, David Udow, former Board Chair, has formally stepped down as a board member, having served the 6 year consecutive maximum term. We thank David for his many years of contribution and wisdom in helping guide the school through some important years of growth and change. We wish David well as he looks towards spending more time focusing on growing his business. David will continue to assist WWS and the board from the background.

The WWS board has also added two additional members. PJ O’Heany (father of Savannah, Gr, 9 and Aiden, a WWS graduate) and Tony Horn (father of Lucy, Gr. 8) have officially joined our team.

Tony has also taken over the position as board treasurer. We thank them for stepping up and helping to support our teachers, faculty and students. Lastly, Amanda Imregi has offered to assist myself as Board Chair with minutes and other administrative duties. Thank you, Amanda, for your help.

 

The Board of Trustees is regularly looking for other contributors to either sit on the Board of Trustees or one of the board’s committees including finance, marketing, legal, and governance. If you are interested, please reach out to Geoff Telfer, current Board Chair for Whistler Waldorf.

Whistler Summit Centre Design Charettes
The Whistler Summit Centre Board and staff have been busy over the summer and fall on many behind-the-scenes projects to support our common goal. To recap, the Whistler Summit Centre will be a basecamp for learning, arts and culture, and health and wellness for our community with the Whistler Waldorf School as the long-term anchor tenant.
A critical project that launched in September is a four-part design charette process being led by architect, Tye Farrow. Tye is helping participants in the Founder’s Circle, a group of Whistler Waldorf School leaders (Rubeena Sandhu, Brian Gohlke, Ellen Maclean, and myself) and other Whistler community leaders create a shared vision for the future Whistler Summit Centre campus.
Working with a scale model and blocks of space representing classrooms, gym, art studios, etc, the group is moving the various blocks around to explore the best arrangement of spaces to meet a variety of uses. These sessions have been highly interactive and enjoyable and reflective of the positive energy that emanates from our school and community.
More information about the Whistler Summit Centre can be found on their website.

Establishing healthy social skills at an Early Age

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Children are encouraged to share, to work together, to care for each other and to respect the needs of others.

Children help perform a myriad of tasks including preparing snacks, setting the table, sweeping, and washing up after meals. An emphasis on gratitude, intention of preparation, and table manners helps develop lifelong social skills and a sense of responsibility.

Learn more about the Early Years program or contact Admissions to arrange a private tour of the Early Years Centre.

New Early Years Centre sneak peak…

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Our new Early Years Centre in Spring Creek is set to open on Dec. 2nd. The newly renovated space has wood furniture and accessories and a new circle carpet to welcome the children.

“It is looking great. So much natural light and lots of space. It’s hard to see from the pictures, but it’s long with two separate play spaces, a nap room, and two bathrooms. There are also two lovely outdoor play spaces”, says Jen Dodds, Admissions Manager.

Space is still available for the 2019-20 for children 30 months to school age.

If you’re interested in having a private tour, please email Jen.

 

Days: 2, 3, 4 & 5 Day options available – Monday-Friday.

Times: 7:30-5:30PM

Months: Care is offered year-round.

Location: Sea-to-Sky Services Building @ 1519 Spring Creek Drive.

Early Years Centre Community Info. Session #2 – Nov. 21

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Join us to learn more about our new Spring Creek Early Years Centre opening on December 2, 2019!

We had such great turnout at our first Community Information Session that we’ve decided to host a second – this time in our new location in the Sea to Sky Services Building in Spring Creek.

Date: Thursday November 21
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Location: Early Years Centre in Spring Creek at 1519 Spring Creek Drive.

Our Early Years Program is offered for children 30 month-school age, 2-5 days a week throughout the year. The info session will include:

  • tea and snacks with a short presentation on program details
  • projected opening dates, rates, the admissions process & wait pool policy details
  • opportunity to ask questions and mingle with staff.

Please note: This is an adult oriented event.

Whistler Waldorf features a caring, thoughtfully designed learning environment integrating arts, movement, music and storytelling into the curriculum daily. This allows children to learn the best way they know how – by doing!

For more information or to submit an application for enrollment for your child for in the Early Years Centre, please email Admissions or call 604.932.1885.

Honoring the strength of human will, courage & initiative at Michaelmas –

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“Each student must face their own difficulties in life… and Michaelmas both educates and empowers the children to find the courage to take on and defeat their personal ‘dragons’ and let hope prevail.”                                Rubeena Sandhu – Head of School
There is no mistaking that the time for our annual Festival of Courage or Michaelmas is drawing near!  The weather has changed abruptly, and autumn is upon us. In our school, two different pictures are brought before the children at this time. One is the image of the fall harvest and the other is the image of the hero who tames the dragon.

In common with Waldorf schools around the world we celebrate Michaelmas to find hope and honor the strength of human will, courage and initiative. The festival coincides with equinox, a turning point in relation to light and darkness in the world. Each student must face their own difficulties in life, both internal and external, and Michaelmas both educates and empowers the children to find the courage to take on and defeat their personal “dragons” and let hope prevail.

The students have been busy this week preparing – our youngest students have dyed and sewn capes and crowns; Grade 1 & 2 will bake our bread; Grade 3 & 4 will prepare our soup, Grades 5 & 6 will bake cookies and Grades 7 and up will help set up and serve.

We look forward to having you join us tomorrow – Friday, October 4 at 12:00 to participate and enjoy a bowl of harvest soup!

Rubeena Sandhu –  Head of School

Community Corner – Oct.3

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WWS Spotlight

Miguel Fernandez – Grade 8 International Student

Why did you decide to come to Whistler to study?: It is common in Mexico to study abroad in Grade 8 or 9. We had travelled to Whistler before and I enjoy skiing so it seemed like a good fit. I am from San Luis Potosí and do not go to a Waldorf School, but my parents were interested in having me experience a different method of learning.
And what do you think?: It is different, but it’s been really fun. I enjoy the arts aspect and there are more field trips and hands on things to do. I also studied Shakespeare here and that is new!
What’s been most surprising to you?: I think the people. The teachers talk more to the students and really try to make sure that we understand. All the people have been really nice.
Are there any must-do things on your list while you are here?: SKIING! I definitely want to go skiing.

Bulletin Board Listings:

  • Teacher Accommodation Needed – Hello! My name is Olivia Hanna. I am currently teaching kindergarten at the Whistler Waldorf School. I am searching for a place to live in Whistler long term by mid November, but I can move in sooner. My budget is $1000-$1200  for a room in a shared house. Non-smoking. I have no pets. Tidy, quiet, 35 years old. Just moved to Whistler from Ontario in late summer. Hoping to spend free time skiing and enjoying the beautiful nature here. I also enjoy yoga, hiking, cooking and knitting. If you know of a room that might be a good fit, please send me an email or text. Thank you for your help! Pls. contact me at my email or 647-673-5891.
  • Oct. 5th – Tout l’Monde Swingue (6-10pm)… Howe Sound Performing Arts Association is pleased to provide an evening of traditional French Canadian music and dance. The all-ages cultural event will feature live music from Daniel Gervais and Roger Dallaire, with a silent auction, food trucks, and more! Join us on at Howe Sound Secondary School, 38430 Buckley Ave., Squamish. Tickets: $50/family; $20/adult; $10/child,  purchase online or email Howe Sound Also, check out our Facebook event.
  • Oct. 6-12 – Fire Prevention Week (FPW) & Contest… This year’s theme is: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape, Plan and Practice Your Escape. There will be 2 open houses – at the Whistler Village Fire Hall on Oct. 5 & on Oct.6th in Spring Creek. Both events run from 11-2pm. Have a meet and greet with local firefighters to learn more about the equipment, trucks and fire halls for the afternoon!  Also, the annual Fire Prevention Week Poster & Video Contest is now looking for submissions.
  • Oct. 7th – International Day of the Girl (6:45-9)… Millennium Place will feature three diverse female speakers exploring “equality for girls in Canada and around the world.” Doors open at 7 and tickets are $10 each. For more information, visit Arts Whistler.

Early Years Centre Open House on Oct. 23

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Please join us at for a Community Information Session about our new Spring Creek Early Years Centre opening in November 2019.

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Location: Whistler Waldorf School – 7324 Kirkpatrick Drive

 

Our Early Years Program is offered for children 30 month-school age, 2-5 days a week throughout the year.

Whistler Waldorf features a caring, thoughtfully designed learning environment integrating arts, movement, music and storytelling into the curriculum daily. This allows children to learn the best way they know how – by doing!

The info session will include tea and snacks with a short presentation on our program highlights including:

  • Developmentally appropriate curriculum & focus on experiential learning
  • Thoughtfully designed learning environments
  • Strong sense of community & parent engagement
  • Focus on fostering of a love of nature and active care for the environment

We will also share practical details including:

  • Projected open dates & annual calendar
  • Admissions process & wait pool policy details
  • Tuition and Fee Schedule

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and mingle with staff.

For more information please email our Admissions Manager or call 604.932.1885.

Community Corner – Sept. 26

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WWS Spotlight…

Carlos & Itziar Cornejo – WWS Family Members

Tell us a bit about yourselves – Our family originally hails from Mexico City. We have 3 children – Triana, Grade 11; Mikel, Grade 8; and Ferran, Grade 6.We are very close, and we love to do things together.  We are very outdoorsy and love trekking, camping, skiing and mountain biking. We are also avid scuba divers.

How long have you been at Waldorf? – We became a Waldorf Family when Triana was entering Grade 4 and Mikel was in Grade 1. We moved to a small town in Mexico intending to stay for one year. We initially moved there because of what that town had to offer, but in reality we ended up staying for 6 years because of its Waldorf School and Waldorf education. Since that time, we have been fortunate to have been in 3 spectacular Waldorf Schools. Even though we still have not had enough time to fully experience the Whistler Waldorf School, the one common denominator in all three, which is incredible, is the sense of community that is built around each school.  You always feel welcomed, you are never alone. It can be with the teachers, staff or other family members, there is always someone there to lend a hand.This is very special for a family who just moved from a different country and culture.

What do you value most about Waldorf education? – The one thing that we value the most about Waldorf Education is actually a combination that grows in most Waldorf kids, and which is fascinating; happy kids that are always hungry for knowledge. To us, this means everything.

Thanks, Carlos & Itziar – and welcome to WWS!

School Bulletin Board…

  • Oct. 3rd  from 7-8pm – Sea to Sky String Orchestra… Treat yourself to an intimate evening of classical music at Whistler Public Library courtesy of the Sea to Sky String Orchestra. This event is free to attend, and registration is not required! The program includes Grieg, Respighi, Vivaldi, Corelli, and Elgar, plus a selection of contemporary pieces that the audience will recognize from movies and TV (think: Pirates of the Caribbean, Game of Thrones and more.) The acoustics in this beautiful, high-ceiling venue promise to enhance the classical string music experience.
  • Oct. 5th from 6-10pm – Tout l’Monde Swingue… Howe Sound Performing Arts Association is pleased to provide an evening of traditional French Canadian music and dance. The all-ages cultural event will feature live music from Daniel Gervais and Roger Dallaire. The band is sure to keep your toes tapping by calling group and contra dances. The evening will also feature a silent auction, food trucks, and more! Local performers Cam Salay and Sofie Hill of The Spruce Tops will start off the evening. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 6:00-10:00 PM at Howe Sound Secondary School, 38430 Buckley Ave., Squamish. Tickets: $50/family; $20/adult; $10/child, online howesoundarts.tickit.ca or howesoundperformingarts@gmail.com  Check out our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/391886408401656/

Community Corner – Sept. 19th

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WWS Spotlight…

 

Sarah Clark & Leo Kwok – WWS Family members 

Tell us a little bit about yourselves – We moved to Whistler this summer after spending three years in Ubud, Bali where our two girls, Tayleigh (Grade 4) and Kailena (Grade 2) attended Green School. Leo and I were both raised in Vancouver, but we’ve spent 14 years abroad – 11 years in Hong Kong prior to Bali. When we agreed it was time to return home to Canada, we chose to build a new life here in Whistler among a more like-minded community of family focused, active and outdoorsy people. Our girls are loving trail riding as well as the wide range of other activities here from musical theatre and aerial silks to soccer and tennis. But the truth is, we all cannot wait to get back on skis this winter (although, Leo keeps threatening to dig out his circa 1994 snowboard)!  

Leo maintains a sourcing and manufacturing company in Hong Kong, however, while in Bali, as the girls ran a muck in the jungle at Green School, Leo’s entrepreneurial spirit took flight and he a few partners opened Ubud’s first full facility family sports centre, “Titi Batu” named after a historical stone bridge and a nearby sacred holy spring. This allowed Leo to indulge more regularly in his passion for squash and basketball while the girls skateboarded, took hip hop dance and swimming classes. I literally got my ski legs back at the boot camp classes last Autumn. I originally worked in PR and journalism in Vancouver and in Hong Kong, but I now practice as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.  In Bali, I practiced with in-home consults allowing my clients a tailored privacy while investigating the root cause of their health issues. I am really looking forward to getting back to work here in Whistler.

Our eldest, Tayleigh is a big fan of both the visual and dramatic arts making Waldorf a natural fit for her. While our youngest, Kailena is a whizz at math and loves soccer, basketball and tennis. Both learned to ski in Dec 2018 and absolutely love it. As a family we love to travel. Over the past few years, we regularly visited the east and west coasts of Australian and explored New Zealand. Our most memorable trip was in 2018 to Raja Ampat, a protected marine conservation area in Western Papua where we shared a live aboard diving boat with another family and enjoyed two to three dives per day while the children snorkeled above us. However, we are so grateful to be settled back home in Canada now and to avoid jet lag for as many years as possible. The odd drive down to Vancouver is enough of a family adventure for now!

How did you first hear about WWS? – We first heard of WWS from a friend who raved not only about her children’s experience here at WWS, but of her own as well. We immediately identified as it’s so important to us that parents be involved and engaged in the school community and that we have a natural rapport with truly invested teachers. We have experienced this beautiful rapport with WWS since our application process began and have been so impressed and overjoyed with our girls’ teachers and our experience as a family at WWS thus far.

Is there anything that has surprised you at our school? Our girls are probably most surprised to have flush toilets at school after finally getting used to the compost toilets at their former school! They are making great progress being back in the developed world, thankfully! As a family, we have all been pleasantly surprised by how attentive the girls’ teachers have been since our arrival. For our younger daughter, her teacher actually came to our home to meet us and to connect with Kai prior to starting grade 2. This was so meaningful and so thoughtful. The number of check ins and follow up emails from both grade 4 and grade 2 teachers have also been really thorough, and extremely thoughtful with a genuine interest in our girls’ settling in and in their learning. This has meant the world to us as the social – emotional aspect of a new school has really been seamless.

School Bulletin…

 

  • Right Turn Clyde – Sept. 22 @ 11am… Waldorf faculty member Katherine Fawcett and Waldorf parents Harvey Lim, Pierre Richer, Robyn Forsythe and Tony Horn are playing music in Village Square as part of Arts Whistler’s Hear & Now Celebration.  Come cheer them on!
  • Creekbread Fundraiser – Sept. 24 @ 8:30pm… Help support Grade 9 students Savannah and Zen as they fundraise for their upcoming Karuizawa  Sister City exchange trip. (50-50; silent auction; raffle). If there is anyone who would like to donate to the silent auction please contact Savannah.
  • Epic SchoolKids Whistler Blackcomb Pack – Registering Now... a FREE program for Canadian and Washington State. It’s available for Kindergartners through Gr. 5 and provides five days of free skiing and riding at Whistler Blackcomb. No purchase necessary! It also includes one free first-timer ski or ride lesson with equipment rental, restrictions apply.