Our semiannual publication that covers everything that has been going on at Gillen Brewer for the past 6 months.
The 2025-2026 academic year has had so many highlights: GBS students from five of our classes just wrapped up three sold-out shows of The Lion King Jr.; Dr. Stephen Shore returned to the GBS community to deliver an amazing talk on how to best serve individuals with sensory issues; after-school clubs for Minecraft and Dungeons & Dragons brought students together in novel ways; and one GBS alum reflected on his time here as a student and as an intern.
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.
at Gillen Brewer The Lion King Jr. Roars to Life
t was standing room only at Gillen Brewer’s production of The Lion King Jr. For many in the audience, it was an emotional moment. At Gillen Brewer, our guiding phrase, Together We See the Possibilities, is more than a tagline. During our recent production of The Lion King Jr., it became something everyone in the room could feel.
Months earlier, the musical began as an ambitious idea: create a production where every student who wanted to participate could take the stage or work backstage. With thoughtful planning and collaboration, that vision quickly took shape. Our music therapist, Katie Lewis, led the process of adapting the beloved story so it would work for our students’ learning styles and strengths. Lyrics were simplified where needed, scenes were shortened, and visual supports helped performers stay on track. Each adjustment ensured students could participate confidently.
Like so much at Gillen Brewer, the production reflected our integrated academic-therapeutic approach. Speech-language pathologists supported students with articulation and projection. The OT department partnered with the choreographer to support students with steps and spacing, and the counseling team helped students prepare for the excitement and emotions that come with performing in front of an audience. Staff members supported students both behind the scenes as well as on stage, with one of our associate teachers donning a zebra costume to support Timon and Pumba on stage with their blocking! We would be remiss not to shout out our art teacher who created incredible costumes and sets with our students that dazzled.
After last year's triumphant Matilda production, some pre and post show traditions were begun. On show day, the cast saw their headshots displayed along the wall like a Broadway cast gallery. Students eagerly searched for their photos, pointing them out to friends and teachers. After the show, the cast and crew enjoyed a cast party that celebrated their hard work.
For our community, The Lion King Jr. was more than a musical. It was a powerful example of what happens when educators, therapists, and families work together to support every child’s growth. At Gillen Brewer, moments like these remind us that when we nurture each student’s strengths, incredible things can happen. And sometimes, those possibilities roar to life right on stage.
Catching Up with Kaiden ‘21
hen Kaiden first joined Gillen Brewer at the age of four, he began a journey of growth and discovery. When he graduated in 2021, he left proud of his progress, eager to explore, and ready to engage with the world beyond Gillen Brewer. Now at York Preparatory School, Kaiden returned this past summer to GBS to share the lessons that shaped him with the next generation of learners.
Reflecting on his experience, Kaiden shared that “GBS impacted my growth by helping me overcome challenges in speech, executive functioning, and anxiety.” Among the many tools he gained, one of the most valuable was learning to differentiate between small and big problems an approach that continues to guide him every day. “It helped me understand what I could manage on my own versus when I needed to ask for help,” he explained. “The therapists and teachers gave me the support I needed to grow and handle my weaknesses.”
The transition to York Prep brought new challenges, from navigating a larger environment to building new social connections. But Kaiden felt prepared. “I was able to adapt over time because of the preparation I received at GBS,” he said. “The social interactions were different for sure, but I was able to use strategies I learned at GBS to help manage these.”
This past summer, Kaiden returned to Gillen Brewer—not as a student, but as an intern eager to give back. “I wanted to make an impact with the younger generations of students,” he said. “It was an opportunity to share my experiences and help them overcome their own challenges. It’s satisfying to work with others and see their excitement as they progress.”
Kaiden encourages other alumni to follow in his footsteps: “Interning at GBS is eye-opening. It reminds you of how far you’ve come and how much you’ve achieved. It offers hope and perspective—not just for the students, but for you, too.”
Now, Kaiden hopes to continue staying involved with the GBS community in the years to come. His story embodies the heart of Gillen Brewer: a place where individualized support, compassionate teaching and a strong sense of belonging empower e, give back.
Amazing After-School Adventures
Minecraft and D&D at GBS
t Gillen Brewer, the learning doesn't stop when the school day ends. This year, we added two new after-school offerings that gave groups of Lower and Middle School students the chance to unwind, connect, and discover new strengths in some unexpected ways.
In the fall, Alex Parks, Assistant Director of Marketing & Outreach, led a Minecraft after-school club that quickly became a favorite. Students dove into the beloved game with enthusiasm, designing elaborate structures, building entire worlds from scratch, and showing off a creativity that sometimes surprised even their teachers. But what made the program truly special was what happened between the minecrafting students who may not have spent much time together during the school day found themselves collaborating, problem-solving, and cheering each other on. “It was so great to see students take pride in what they had learned in Minecraft and watch some of the more experienced students teach others how to build,” said Alex, who led the class. Along the way, they also built real skills: computer literacy, typing fluency, and for some of our older students, even learning how to code.
This winter, Science Teacher Will Nunberg took the reins with a Dungeons & Dragons club, and students took to it immediately. After a full day of being students, there was something magical about getting to become a wizard, a warrior, or a rogue instead. The collaborative nature of the game encouraged creative thinking, strategic planning, and rich group storytelling — all while having a genuinely great time together. Students created the characters that they would roleplay as for the 8 week afterschool session and even assigned them stats so that they each had different strengths and weaknesses. This meant they would have to work as a team to successfully complete their quest. “Many of the students had ‘lightbulb’ moments during the quest where they realized that if they all worked together then they would be more likely to succeed, ” said Will.
We're so grateful to Alex and Will for bringing these programs to life and for finding such imaginative ways to help students connect, grow, and have fun beyond the classroom. After-school is just one of the many ways GBS creates an authentic school experience and we cannot wait to share future adventures with
A Session with Dr. Stephen Shore Sense & Sensibilities
illen Brewer professional development is about more than keeping up with best practices — it's about deepening our understanding of the students we serve. This winter, as part of our 2025–2026 Family Program and Lecture Series, we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephen Shore back for a special session on sensory challenges, open to both GBS staff and families.
Dr. Shore is a professor of special education at Adelphi University who, as an autistic individual himself, brings a rare and invaluable perspective to his work. His ability to speak from both lived experience and academic expertise made for an evening that was as moving as it was informative.
At the session, Dr. Shore was honored with special recognition from State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright for his advocacy work and contributions to the field of neurodiversity. Head Teacher Courtney Pusey offered a warm introduction before Dr. Shore led the group through an engaging session that went from a standard talk to group activities. Through a series of group exercises designed to simulate sensory overload, attendees got a firsthand glimpse into what it can feel like to navigate the world with sensory challenges and walked away with practical strategies for how we can better adapt our environments and approaches to support students.
It was a powerful reminder of why ongoing learning matters, and hearing from an expert of Dr. Shore's caliber was a true gift to our community. We are grateful to everyone who joined us for the evening and to Dr. Shore for sharing his knowledge, his story, and his passion for supporting individuals with autism.
Program Highlights
nter Carnival
year, Gillen Brewer introduced a brand tradition, and it was a hit from the very snowflake. The GBS Winter Carnival sformed our school into a winter derland, with students rotating through riety of festive activities including wflake designing, ice fishing, snowball ng, and OT-inspired games. It was a joyful, community-filled day and we are already looking forward to making it an annual tradition.
Only Make Believe
There is never a dull moment when Only Make Believe comes to GBS! This winter, our friends from Only Make Believe visited the school for an imaginative, high-energy performance that had students laughing, dancing, and letting their creativity run wild. From blowing bubbles and donning fun hats to taking an imaginary car ride all the way to Coney Island, every moment was pure joy. We believe in make believe — and so do our students! We are already looking forward to welcoming them back for another performance in the spring.
Queen Crusaders Step Team
GBS students were treated to an incredible performance a few weeks ago when the Queen Crusaders Step Team from Monsignor Scanlan High School came to visit! Students were captivated by the energy and impressive choreography before learning a bit about the rich history and origins of stepping. And of course, no visit would be complete without trying it themselves students jumped in to learn a few moves of their own. It was an exciting, high-energy experience and a wonderful way to expose our students to a vibrant and powerful art form. A big thank you to the Queen Crusaders for such a memorable visit.
Valentine’s Day Store
The Turquoise class had a very busy Valentine's Day! This year's GBS Valentine's Day Store was run by the Turquoise class, who stocked it with an irresistible selection o glasses, sweet treats, and personalized cards all of which sold out fast. Running the store was a wonderful opportunity for students to practice real-world math skills at the register and engage in meaningful social interactions with their customers. And to top it all off, the Turquoise class chose to donate the proceed to the ASPCA. We are so proud of their hard work, generosity, and community spirit!
Science Fair
After nearly two months of independent research, the Copper and Silver classes wrapped up an impressive Science Fair, presenting their findings to the rest of the school and their families. Led by Science Teacher Will Nunberg, students tackled fascinating real-world questions — like which type of bag ripens a tomato the quickest and how the temperature of a rubber kickball affects the height of its bounce. What made the day so special was not just the depth of effort students poured into their research, but the confidence and pride with which they stood up and shared their discoveries with peers, teachers, and loved ones. We couldn't be prouder of our young scientists!
Jazz Performance
In honor of Black History Month, GBS was treated to a truly special performance by musician Rome Neal and his band. Before the music kicked off, students had the opportunity to learn about the origins and rich history of jazz — setting the stage for an experience that was as educational as it was electrifying. Once the band started playing, the room came alive with singing and dancing. One of the highlights of the afternoon was seeing fellow kids performing alongside the band, a reminder to our students that music is for everyone. It was an inspiring, joyful celebration of Black history, culture, and creativity that we won't soon forget.
We are SO THANKFUL for Gillen Brewer. Our son began at 3 years old when we first recognized his differences and the school has been everything for our family. The teachers and therapists, as well as the administration, have become like family- they are such a huge support system for him and for us. He has come so far in just three years and we have learned so much about not only how to help him, but how to celebrate him exactly where he is.
- Former GBS Parent
Come Say Hi!
At Gillen Brewer, we believe that students with complex learning needs benefit from being in a class of peers with varied strengths and challenges, and we intentionally create cohorts of students with this in mind. Our belief in the importance of a strong schoolhome partnership drives our commitment to open communication, family education, and building a thriving school community.
We invite you to visit Gillen Brewer during one of our upcoming events—even if you’ve been here before, we would love you to come and see what’s new!
