Children with learning disabilities often excel in other avenues, including the creative arts and hands-on activities. Unfortunately, the public school system is not adequately equipped to recognize and encourage these talents. At KGMS, we develop the whole child. Part of this process includes a range of extracurricular activities that allow our students to experience success, often in ways they never knew they were capable of.
Upon your first visit to KGMS, you will be greeted by the student art work which lines our hallways. We operate a residency program in partnership with local artists and also with Emily Carr University(ECU). Professional artists work with our students in different media such as painting, drawing and sculpture, often with a particular theme or artist as inspiration. Senior students from ECU come and work with our students to co-create specific projects; our students contribute by giving their unique perspectives on the topics.
The children hone their skills as they work towards a classroom exhibition, which parents are invited to enjoy.
Physical activity also plays a major role in whole-child development. In addition to regularly-scheduled PE classes, student teams play in sports tournaments throughout the year, including our annual student-teacher hockey game which draws a cheering crowd of friends and family.
At the beginning of the school year, we offer a 3-day overnight camping trip to help children transition to KGMS. This trip has been very successful in helping students establish new friendships and build community.
At KGMS, we believe that a safe, nurturing environment is key to academic success. We believe that every child is unique and that their differences should be celebrated. We believe in an innovative approach to education that’s forward-thinking yet rooted in history. We believe that every child deserves to fit in, to feel like they’re on the inside. Above all, we believe in the potential of our students.
We are committed to whole-child development, and our educational approach adapts to the individual needs and learning styles of each student. We empower our students to move past their learning obstacles so they may experience success and a sense of pride in their abilities. At KGMS, you will see dynamic and capable children who are thriving and finding joy in learning.
Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School occupies a unique position among independent schools that specialize in teaching children with learning disabilities, being the first of its kind in Western Canada. With over 40 years of experience, we’ve determined that the following attributes are required of a potential student:
KGMS is a “school of second choice”. If your first choice of school, public or private, has not met the needs of your child we invite you to consider an alternative. If your child meets the above criteria, please contact us today for a tour with the Head of School.
Ms. Summers sent this update about the Mutant Gummy Bears.
We are having an ABSOLUTE blast!! Everything here is all about the kids – parties galore!! Even the hotel we are staying in (the whole BC team was upgraded to a Marriot hotel) is hosting parties for the kids every evening with DJ’s, popcorn, movies, etc.
Division 5 visited Burns Bog today and they advised us of their summer day camp program.
Summer Social Camp Therapeutic Summer Camp is running camps for kids with learning differences, focusing on improving social abilities in kids with a variety of diagnoses (ADHD, ADD, ASD, etc).
The founder of Summer Social Camp has consulted with our speech & language pathologist.
Dr. Christopher will be posting updates on school news, current research and will be tweeting live from the Destination ImagiNation World Championships starting Wednesday, May 22nd.
His Twitter name is: JimRChristopher
Reach Learning Centre has sent us information on summer camps in North Vancouver and Langley for students to “avoid the summer slide”. They also offer keyboarding classes and 1:1 OG Tutoring.
North Vancouver: http://www.reachlearningcentre.com/summer-programs-in-north-vancouver/
Ms. Merkel’s Division 1 class recently organized a fundraising campaign for Covenant House. Their efforts have been acknowledged on the Covenant House website. Congratulations to some of our youngest students!
http://www.covenanthousebc.org/blog/2013/04/our-thanks-kenneth-gordon-maplewood-schools-division-1
Elections BC are renting our gym today as a polling station. Students have the valuable opportunity to go in and ask questions about the election and the voting process.
The first time that people come to visit me in my office they invariably comment on the picture on the wall showing me walking along chatting with Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. (Just as I am sure that people comment on the same picture that is undoubtedly hanging in his office at Bagshot Park – “You mean you actually know Jim Christopher?”)
The occasion was a visit to my school in Bermuda where he was attending a Board Meeting for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. There is no question but that, as a school, we put on our best face. We raked, polished, painted and planned. Parents scrubbed faces and bleached shirts. And the kids, well, they were nothing short of wonderful. Our elementary students were excited and energetic while patiently waiting (the motorcade was about 20 minutes late) and both respectful and gregarious when the Prince arrived and chatted with them. Our middle school students greeted our visitors with respect and enthusiasm, but they were open and chatty and keen to share in their love and pride for their school.
Our May casual day will be Friday, May 31st.
Student council (STUCO) will be selling popcorn on Friday, May 31st.
Students will not attend on Monday, June 10th as this is Report Writing Day for our teachers and tutors.
KGMS’s annual Sports Day will take place on Thursday, June 13th.
Our June Casual Day is on Friday, June 14th.
Our annual “KGMS Has Talent” show will be on Wednesday, June 19th. More details will be provided.
Parents and family members are very welcome to join us.
The last day of school for students and the closing ceremony will be on Thursday, June 20th.
All parents are welcome to join us for the ceremony and a reception afterward. More details will be provided at a later date.
KGMS is a non-profit organization, which relies heavily on the generosity of corporate sponsors, alumni, friends, family and community organizations to help finance the ever-increasing costs of providing specialized programming for students with learning difficulties. Your gift will help create a dynamic, supportive educational experience – one that will help each student achieve his or her unique potential.
Please contact us to learn more about the opportunities that your donation can create and to make a donation by cheque or credit card.
To donate by Paypal (no account required), please complete the form below.
If you’re considering KGMS for your child, we invite you to come take a tour with our Head of School, Dr James Christopher. For all other inquiries, please fill out the contact form below or give us a call!
Dr James Christopher – Head of School
Mailing Address:
420 Seymour River Place
North Vancouver, BC
V7H 1S8
Tel: 604 985-5224
Fax: 604 985-4562
Email: Dr. James Christopher, Head of School
