Marymound School is unique. Our goal is to offer young people who have encountered difficulties in their community school another chance to succeed. At Marymound we firmly believe that every young person deserves and needs an education.

Marymound School is expert at providing specialized education to students with exceptional learning needs. Some young people, for a number of reasons, do not adapt well in their community school. This may because of specific challenges they face, such as learning disabilities, developmental delays, family breakdown or trauma.

About Marymound School
Student numbers at Marymound School are purposely kept low, so that students benefit from more individual attention.

Children who have very high needs can achieve success in school with additional supports. This is where we come in.

Using a creative, dynamic approach, Marymound School delivers the provincial education curriculum from elementary grades to grade 11. Students often transition back into community school after a few years at Marymound School.

Who attends Marymound School?
Marymound School serves two populations of students. Some are young people who live in Marymound group homes or living units, while others, our Day Treatment students, come to us from all over Winnipeg, and live at home with their parents, foster parents or other group homes.

How does a student get into Marymound School?
Young people not receiving services from Marymound already (living in a group home or living unit), must be referred to Marymound School by their school division. Contact the school in your area first and they will guide you through the process.

Marymound School Staff
The school has a full complement of specially trained staff members who are experienced at working with young people facing multiple challenges that may compete or interfere with their schooling.

Special education teachers and assistants, counselors, social workers, psychologists and a psychiatrist are all available to provide school curriculum, assistance, coaching and counselling.

Academic Program
New students to Marymound School receive an orientation session and are assigned to a class of students of like ages and grade levels. Classes are not divided into specifically separate grades as in a traditional school, so that students are free to work at their own pace with less peer pressure.

School Programs and Services
As well as academics, Physical Education, Creative Arts, and Home Economics, Marymound School has several special programs in which students can become involved.

Marymound Bike Shop
Students learn how to maintain and repair bicycles in our fully-equipped Bike Shop. Many bikes have been re-built and donated to children who live in villages in Mexico, where modest living circumstances prevent them from being able to afford bikes.

Resource Centre
Marymound School’s Resource Room provides a welcoming and safe environment for students to work on school assignments and projects or to sit and read. The Resource Centre Coordinator is there to provide a listening ear if desired. The Resource Centre is also a library and computer centre.

Sensory Integration Room
This cozy room was specially designed to give students a place to come to relax or “let off some steam.” Full of pillows, blankets, swings and mats, it offers a secluded haven for guided meditation exercise or just a place to burn off some extra energy that might be making it hard to concentrate in class. Students are always accompanied by a staff member while in the Sensory Integration Room.

Lunch and School Supplies
All students are provided with a daily nutritious lunch prepared by Marymound’s Dietary Department.

Marymound School provides all school supplies.

Special Events
Marymound School celebrates several special events throughout the year. Many combine educational, spiritual or cultural components, and include fun activities and feasts. Family & Cultural Day, Heritage Week and Spirit Week are just some examples of the events.

In addition, students go on field trips to the snake pits in Narcisse, MB, museums, parks, baseball games, skiing and more.

Student Work Experience Education Program (SWEEP)
SWEEP provides students with vocational skills and experience. Its aim is to break down barriers, helping young people become comfortable in work and volunteer environments, interacting with people.

Students receive instruction in workplace safety, resume writing, job searching, career choices, community work and volunteering. Many of the students at Marymound have never had direct experience in the workforce and some have been negatively influenced because employment has not been a positive experience for family members. Some students participate in work placements at numerous community businesses and organizations.

The program has received the Manitoba Peacekeeper Award several years running and the United Way Community Volunteer Award goes to individual students each year.

SWEEP initiatives include:

• Bison meat processing and honey production through a partnership with Fort Whyte Centre and To-Le-Do Foodservice
• Development of a community garden in partnership with Seven Oaks Seniors Link, Home Depot and the West Kildonan Horticultural Society
• Creation of murals on the sides of buildings in partnership with the North End Community Renewal Corporation
• Community snow removal for seniors in the community
• Maintenance of the Hearts in Motion trail in partnership with the Neighbourhood Resource Network
• Hamper delivery for the Christmas Cheer Board
• Summer Work Experience program for three students annually, employing and paying them to look after the grounds at Marymound.

These and other projects have offered students valuable experience, discipline and self-esteem.

A message from a former student:

Just a little note to let you know that the teachers, classrooms, Sisters, and generally the whole time I was at Marymound School was instrumental in how I became who I am today. I think I was the first male student that attended your school. I was not a very good child but after all the work from my social worker and the school and the teachers, I am proud of who I am now.

Even after I was done, I was invited to a few events that were going on at Marymound for about two years after. The smaller classrooms, teachers and all the help was great. The teachers and staff were always there no matter what. Everything from schooling to personal problems were always easily talked about with no repercussions.

~ Pat Dalton