elcome to the Spring Edition of What’s Been Brewing!
We are thrilled to share the latest news and highlights from Gillen Brewer, a Pre K-8th grade school dedicated to helping students with a broad range of language-based learning disabilities make meaningful strides forward, becoming proud of their progress, prepared to engage, and excited to explore.
This Spring, GBS students became published authors and professional podcasters, showcased their creativity at the annual Art Show and with Teaching Beyond the Square, explored new cultures during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, moved their bodies at the End of Year Dance and Field Day, and celebrated it all – and so much more – at our very joyful Achievement Ceremony.
As we move forward, we remain committed to providing an exceptional education for all of our students. We invite you to explore this newsletter to learn more about the exciting things happening at Gillen Brewer.
GBS Alumni Spotlight
Sebastian Ramboyong
Sebastian Ramboyong attended Gillen Brewer from 2016 to 2020. Now a high school student, Sebastian credits his time at GBS with strengthening both his academic skills and his confidence. “Gillen Brewer helped me with my reading and writing skills, as well as physical activity,” he shares. The school also encouraged him to step outside of his comfort zone—something that continues to support him today. “Being at Gillen Brewer helped me to make friends, which is helping now,” he says.
Among his favorite memories? “Making comic books with my friend Peter and playing chess with my friend Oscar,” he recalls. These moments of connection, creativity, and friendship are exactly the kind of experiences GBS works to cultivate every day.
Sebastian’s journey reminds us that with the right support, every student can discover their strengths, form meaningful connections, and move confidently into the next chapter. We are so proud of all he’s accomplished and can't wait to see what he does next!
Matilda! at Gillen Brewer Bringing Possibility to Life:
n our last issue of What’s Been Brewing, we teased the launch of Gillen Brewer’s first-ever school musical. Now, we’re proud to share how three classrooms came together to stage two sold-out performances of Matilda! a production designed entirely around the strengths and needs of our students.
From start to finish, this project exemplified the depth of Gillen Brewer’s interdisciplinary approach. Music Therapist Katie Lewis led a team of teachers and clinicians in adapting the show to ensure accessibility and meaning for every child. Lyrics were simplified, scenes shortened, and visual cues embedded all to support language processing, attention, and memory.
Speech-language pathologists used the script as a vehicle for articulation and expressive language work. Occupational therapists adjusted choreography to support motor planning goals. Counselors coached students through performance-day nerves. Even behind the scenes, students collaborated with our art teacher to design props and
sets, building confidence and connection.
This wasn’t just a performance—it was a therapeutic, educational, and developmental milestone. Students who once hesitated to speak in class took the stage with joy. Children who had difficulty separating at arrival or navigating transitions embraced the spotlight.
Throughout the building, the celebration was palpable: headshots on the wall, autographed Playbills, and a recording so students could see their own growth. It all served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students are truly seen, supported, and celebrated.
“You create a little family when you’re in a show together,” Katie shared. “And this one was very, very special.”
At Gillen Brewer, Together We See the Possibilities—and this spring, we watched our students bring those possibilities to life.
The GBS Annual Benefit Celebrating Community:
t the heart of the Gillen Brewer School’s mission is a deep commitment to connection—between students and staff, between families and educators, and between our school and the broader community that surrounds and supports us. This year’s Annual Benefit, held on April 30th, was a powerful reflection of that mission in action.
The event’s theme, Together We See the Possibilities, honored the many community partners who make our work possible. The evening was a joyous celebration of the extended Gillen Brewer family. Special guests included community partners Asphalt Green, Café Joyeux, Spectrum Design, outside therapists, special education lawyers, neuropsychologists, etc.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised more than $670,000—funds that will directly support our unparalleled academic and therapeutic programming and the extraordinary professionals who bring it to life each day. These resources empower us to provide staff with ongoing tools and training, equip families with the support they need to navigate their journey, and create authentic, meaningful school experiences for every student.
Spring Program Highlights Spring into Action!
IndyKids Podcast
Earlier this year, students in the Griffins and Middle School classes teamed up with IndyKids to learn what it takes to create a professional podcast from crafting compelling interview questions to using real recording equipment like microphones and headphones. After weeks of preparation, they put their new skills into action by interviewing zooarchaeologist Evin Grody. Their curiosity and thoughtful questions led to a fascinating conversation and now, their hard work is available for everyone to hear.
We’re thrilled to share that their episode is officially live and streaming on podcast platforms everywhere! We couldn’t be prouder of the curiosity, focus, and collaboration that went into this project.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at GBS!
learned how to say “thank you” in Mandarin a perfect way to show our appreciation and close out a memorable event.
We’re so grateful to our guests and educators for helping bring AAPI Heritage Month to life at GBS in such a thoughtful, joyful, and engaging way!
The GBS Art Show
We love The Met, MoMA, and The Guggenheim—but our favorite museum of all is the GBS Art Show.
This spring, students proudly shared their vibrant creations with families and friends in a beautiful exhibition hosted at the Marriott next door. Each piece on display reflected the unique imagination, creativity, and heart of our students transforming the space into a gallery full of color and inspiration.
A huge thank you to Art Teacher Erika Tobin for guiding students in bringing their artistic visions to life and to the Marriott for generously welcoming our comm special event possible.
Teaching Beyond the Square
The creativity didn’t stop with the Art Show! This spring we welcomed the Materials Trailer from Teaching Beyond the Square, a mobile treasure trove of open-ended, sustainable materials designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, the Materials Trailer encourages hands-on exploration and child-led creativity. Each class took turns stepping inside the vibrant, thoughtfully curated space, selecting from an incredible variety of textures, shapes, colors, and sounds. From shiny spirals and soft fabrics to curious scraps and bold patterns, students were invited to choose materials that spoke to their interests —and then let their imaginations take over.
A huge thank you to our friends at Teaching Beyond the Square for bringing this joyful, sensory-rich experience to our community.
Surf’s Up at The GBS Dance
Our school transformed into a beachy paradise for this year’s GBS Dance—complete with colorful decorations, music, and lots of fun in every corner. Students celebrated the end of the year in style, enjoying snacks, drinks and popsicles while dancing with friends, exploring the sen zone.
It was the perfect way to wrap up the school year: festive, inclusive, and full of joy. A big thank you to all the staff who helped make the event so special!
Field Day Fun!
Cloudy skies couldn’t dim the excitement at this year’s GBS Field Day The entire community came together f a joyful celebration filled with movement, music, and creativity.
Students rotated through a variety of fun stations, including a bubble station an OT-designed obstacle course, arts and crafts, face painting, sports with Coach Caio, and music with Katie. Ther was something for everyone and the smiles were nonstop.
The Achievement Ceremony
“I am proud of my handwriting.”
“I learned to be more responsible.”
“I am a typing wizard.”
“I am proud of improving my reading level.”
These are just a few of the many accomplishments our students celebrated during this year’s Achievement Ceremony, a special event recognizing both academic milestones and personal growth.
The ceremony was a powerful reminder of how much our students have learned, explored, and achieved this year. Families and staff beamed with pride as teachers reflected on how far their classes have come—and looked ahead with excitement for what’s to come.
Classroom Highlights
Gnomes - To celebrate Earth Day, the Gnomes class learned about the butterfly life cycle. The class had pet caterpillars that began to form cocoons and transform into butterflies. The students were so excited to check on their class pets everyday and see what stage in the life cycle they were in. When the butterflies had reached maturity, they were ready to be set free; and the Gnomes got to release them and say goodbye!
Dragons - After mastering all the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make, the Dragons class had something big to celebrate. They marked the occasion with a Letter Puppet Parade through the school, proudly showcasing their hard work as the entire GBS community applauded and cheered them on. The parade marked an important step in their educational journey.
Yetis - The Yetis class took a field trip to the Union Square Greenmarket to observe how a farmers market functions. They engaged with local vendors, examined different types of produce, and discussed how food is grown, transported, and sold.
The following week, the students applied what they learned by creating their own farmers market in the classroom. Each student took on a role—cashier, vendor, or greeter—and practiced key academic and social skills, including using math at the cash register, engaging in conversations with adults, and working collaboratively with peers.
The project offered a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, while building confidence, communication, and foundational math skills.
Phoenixes - This spring, the Phoenixes explored the differences between urban, rural, and suburban communities through hands-on learning and field experiences. They visited Queens County Farm to observe rural life and The Museum at Eldridge Street to learn how New York City developed into an urban community.
In the classroom, students created graffiti-inspired artwork and reflected on their own experiences living in an urban setting. The unit provided meaningful opportunities to connect social studies concepts with real-world environments and deepen their understanding of community.
Wizards - To celebrate the end of the school year, the Wizards class combined fun and practical learning with a s’mores-making activity. Students took the lead in planning creating a shopping list, walking to a nearby store as a class, interacting with the cashier, and using math skills to stay within their budget.
The activity offered a meaningful way to practice life skills like budgeting, teamwork, and community engagement all wrapped up in a sweet and memorable experience.
Unicorns - The Unicorns were also feeling the GBS Earth Day spirit this spring! Their class explored the plant life cycle through hands-on learning. Each student planted seeds and learned how to care for them—watering, observing growth, and understanding what plants need to thrive.
The project not only deepened their understanding of biology but also fostered responsibility and care. At the end of the unit, students proudly took their plants home, bringing their learning beyond the classroom.
Griffins - The Griffins created their own bird feeders using recycled materials such as popsicle sticks. After assembling and decorating their feeders, students filled them with bird seed and placed them on the school roof.
The project offered a hands-on opportunity to learn about environmental stewardship, the importance of reuse, and caring for living things in our shared space. It also was a great design activity – with students making birdhouses of all shapes and sizes.
Middle School - GBS Middle Schoolers continued their study of Ancient Civilizations with an in-depth unit on Ancient China. As part of their learning, they visited The China Institute and took a walking tour of Chinatown, deepening their understanding of Chinese history and culture through firsthand experiences.
At the end of the unit, each student researched and wrote a paper on a topic of interest, contributing to a beautifully published class book on Ancient China. Students also helped design the layout and created original cover art inspired by Chinese calligraphy. The project blended research, writing, design, and exploration highlighting the depth of their learning and the pride they take in sharing it.
Gillen Brewer Alumni - Come Say Hi!
We’d love to reconnect and hear about your journey since Gillen Brewer! Share your updates using the link below we’d love to celebrate your achievements.
Click here to Fill Out Our Alumni Survey Form.
Alumni and their families are always welcome to stay involved with GBS! Whether you share your experiences, volunteer at events, or engage with our community, there are many ways to make an impact. Join us in keeping the GBS spirit strong!
