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More high school options for Whistler kids

Waldorf school to offer Grade 10 in September
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The Whistler Waldorf School is set to get even bigger as it expands to offer more high school options.

The school, which has seen double digit growth every year for the past decade, with a 50 per cent increase in enrolment this past year, will be offering Grade 10 courses in September 2013.

The school is planning to include Grade 11 in 2014 and Grade 12 in 2015.

Principal Aegir Morgan said the school plans to build modular classrooms over the summer at the current site in Spruce Grove to accommodate the growth.

"We've got sufficient space for the next two years," he said.

Several months ago, Whistler Waldorf School presented a plan to council for a permanent school at Spruce Grove.

Morgan said they have since been told that will not work for several reasons, namely size and timing, and possible challenges with zoning. The RMOW could not confirm these details by deadline.

"We've grown so much that we need to find somewhere where we have room to grow," said Morgan.

The school is looking at a Crown lease land near the Wedge Woods area, 10 minutes north of Whistler, beyond the municipal boundary in Area C. The modular buildings will be designed so that they can be moved to a future site.

There will be space for 12 to 15 students in the new Grade 10 class next year. With 5 students now in Grade 9, there will be room for new applicants.

Two high school information open houses are planned for Wednesday March 27 at 8:45 a.m. and April 24 at 8:45 a.m. For more information contact the school at info @whistlerwaldorf.com or call 604-932-1885.

Spring Creek students enter science competition

Spring Creek Community School is hoping community spirit will bring out the vote and maybe win them some cash.

Jane Millen's Grade 6 students entered the BC Green Games competition with a project outlining the harm caused by plastic waste, and could win up to $500 in the contest's Viewer's Choice Awards. The competition is put on by Science World in Vancouver.

Votes are being taken from March 1 to 31, and the winner will be announced in April.

Millen said it started with the Great Canadian Cleanup of the shoreline at Alta Lake Park.

"The kids picked up garbage and we sorted it and after that we learned about the impact of plastic on the earth and we started with an article about Toronto wanting to ban plastic bags," she said.

They also looked at art on the subject and had a presentation on zero waste; plastic was looked at in a different way by the students.

"The banning plastic bags really interested the kids so they decided to write a letter to the mayor and ask them to consider banning plastic bags in Whistler, two girls presented it and it was referred to council," Millen said.

It turned out that B.C. municipalities do not have the right to impose bans.

They took another route and entered a video of several projects called "Plastic Hurts" in the BC Green Games.

Millen saw information on the competition and when she asked her class if they wanted to enter; she got a resounding "yes!" She said it documents the whole learning process for her students.

"I think they've realized that when you do something with intent you can make a difference, even kids," she said.

To see all the projects entered and vote visit www.bcgreengames.com and search under the tags "water," "waste," and "ocean."

— By Cathryn Atkinson