Tag Archive for: Whistler Waldorf

EYC Opens today! Thank you to the community!

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.

Establishing healthy social skills at an Early Age

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.

Winter Faire is back again Dec. 7

Join us at our annual Winter Faire on December 7 to make seasonal crafts with your child. The Faire will feature beeswax candle dipping, candle rolling, woodworking and several other crafts including this wooden Santa.

The WWS Winter Faire has become a holiday tradition eagerly anticipated by families throughout the community. Festive craft making is a simple way of giving children an opportunity to express their creativity and make a special gift for someone on their list.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 10-2 pm
Location: 7324 Kirkpatrick Way

Restorative Justice & Waldorf Education

“We can say ‘Peace on Earth.’ We can sing about it, preach about it or pray about it, but if we have not internalized the mythology to make it happen inside us, then it will not be.”

Betty Shabazz – American Civil Rights Educator

All human beings are valued and relational.  This is a tenet of Restorative Justice and a place where Waldorf Education and Restorative Justice principles completely align.  In Waldorf Education a meaningful bond between teachers and students is essential to both academic success and personal growth.  In Restorative Justice respect, dignity and mutual concerns form the three pillars of creating a cohesive and connected community.

This week the North Shore Restorative Justice Society worked with teachers to help us hold community building circles in an intentional way. Circles are a way people in many cultures have come together as a community to talk about important issues and resolve problems.  Circle process is facilitated through a talking piece, allowing for thoughtful reflection, attentive listening and an unhurried pace.

The objective for circles is that students will feel they have been seen, heard, understood and that they have given and received respect.

Rubeena Sandhu – Head of School

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

“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

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

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.

The Three Fundamental Forces in Education: Balance in Teaching

Dear Parents and Guardians,

100 years ago, society and education had moved towards a more differentiated system, separating sciences from the arts, the arts from morality, and athletics from academics. Today, finally, educational systems all over the world are “catching up” to Steiner’s observations that separating these fundamental spheres of activity for children could be detrimental to their healthy development, and in fact, advocated that it is in their union that learning becomes an art, and education becomes a vital healing force in a young person’s life.

Rudolf Steiner mentored teachers, and called teachers to task, ensuring that their teaching incorporated a balance and integration of the arts, and sciences. This was, and still is, a fundamental basis for Waldorf Schools.

100 years ago Rudolf Steiner emphasized that the Waldorf approach was a great deal more than simply the application of a teaching method. His new art of education was born out of a knowledge of the growing child as a holistic being – embodying body, soul, and spirit.

This year is the 100th anniversary of Waldorf Education and we believe that one hundred years is only the beginning. In celebration, we will be highlighting the breadth of our curriculum over the course of the year and warmly invite you to join!

Rubeena Sandhu, Head of School