elcome to the Winter Edition of What’s Been Brewing!
We are excited 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 winter, GBS students explored science through exciting projects, showcased their creativity in lively music concerts, and deepened their learning through enriching field trips. It has been a season of discovery, growth, and memorable experiences that highlight the joy of learning at GBS.
As we move forward, we remain committed to providing an exceptional education for all of our students. We invite you to explore the pages of this newsletter to learn more about the exciting things happening at Gillen Brewer.
Science Fair and Egypt Museum Bringing Ideas to Life:
his winter, Gillen Brewer students brought history and science to life through hands-on learning and creativity. The lower school classes and middle schoolers took on exciting academic challenges, showcasing their curiosity, hard work, and growing knowledge in two remarkable events.
In January, the Lower School Science Fair offered students the opportunity to explore scientific concepts and share their discoveries with family and friends. The Unicorns and Wizards took their guests on a journey through the solar system; while the Griffins and Phoenixes demonstrated experiments they came up with, such as testing the acidity of their favorite candy, uncovering the best household ingredients for invisible ink, and figuring out which household cleaning product actually does the best job of cleaning surfaces. Their dedication over the past few months was evident in each project, and we couldn’t be prouder of their enthusiasm for science!
nity d cial mia, p g on process with apples. Students also designed dioramas of pyramids and pharaohs’ tombs and created interactive slideshows with voiceover narrations to bring their research to life. We look forward to seeing what they learn during their next unit on Ancient China!
These incredible projects highlight that the passion for learning is alive at GBS. Through creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on exploration, our students not only deepened their understanding of science, history, and art but also developed confidence in their abilities. As they tackled these academic challenges, they took pride in their progress, embraced curiosity, and used new ways to share their knowledge with others. We are so proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see the discoveries they continue to make.
We’re Learning Too:
Professional Development at GBS
t Gillen Brewer, we describe ourselves as a community of learners, and this was very true for all staff on our recent professional development day. As our speech pathologists lead the way in creating a positive communication landscape for students and staff, Jane Enright, Head of the Speech-language Pathology Department, led a workshop. Based on the work of author Linda Murphy, Dive into Declarative Language helped teachers and therapists understand that by using specific statements and comments, we can help students build foundational skills (e.g., visual referencing, episodic memory, thinking in alternatives and possibilities). Through videos, pictures, and scenario based work, Jane provided many examples of ways to implement these practices.
GBS staff also participated in an engaging session this winter led by Hannah Cappuccino, Gillen Brewer’s DEIB Coordinator. In small groups, staff discussed various school-based scenarios involving identity and interpersonal dynamics, exploring different perspectives on how to navigate these situations. When the groups reconvened, it was insightful to hear the range of approaches as well as the shared commitment to fostering an intentionally respectful and inclusive environment.
This winter we were also thrilled to host the Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration for their Module 3 Handson Comprehensive Assessment training at Gillen Brewer. Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in supporting students, and it was an honor to welcome dedicated professionals working to deepen their knowledge of OT and sensory integration.
Opportunities like these reinforce the importance of ongoing learning and collaboration in enhancing student support, and we look forward to offering more professional development opportunities in the coming months.
Winter Program Highlights ‘Tis the Season:
t’s been a truly wonderful winter! Here are some highlights and memorable moments from the past few months:
GBS Winter Bowl
The wind and the snow didn’t stop us from coming together for our second annual Winter Bowl event. Current GBS families, staff, and alumni families laced up their bowling shoes and hit the lanes for a fun-filled day of strikes, spares, and reconnecting with friends, old and new, over a few slices of pizza.
Valentine’s Day Store
Speaking of traditions, Gillen Brewer’s Valentine’s Day store was organized by the Griffins class this year. The store featured a variety of festive items, including homemade treats, handcrafted Valentine’s cards, pencils, and plush toys. Running a store for the day was a great way to practice math. Even more impressive than their sales that day was their generosity—the Griffins raised over $400 to support schools affected by the Los Angeles fires.
Play Street Museum
The Dragons and Yetis took a field trip to the Play Street Museum, where they explored interactive play spaces representing different parts of the city. Students had the opportunity to go grocery shopping, drive a fire truck, serve each other at a café, and practice recycling. This hands-on experience allowed them to engage in imaginative play while learning about everyday roles and responsibilities in their community.
Carnegie Hall Field Trip
Ice Skating
The Wizards, Griffins, Phoenixes, Unicorns, and middle schoolers enjoyed a festive day of ice skating! It was fun to work on balance, coordination, and motor planning skills in a completely new setting and surface. Students showed off their skating abilities, and everyone had a great time, already eager for the next outing. After working up an appetite on the ice, students recharged with snacks and enjoyed some nonskating activities in a party room.
GBS Middle Schoolers, along with several lower school classes, had the exciting opportunity to attend a concert at Carnegie Hall this winter. Students thoroughly enjoyed the Musical Explorers show, where they were introduced to a variety of performers showcasing music from different cultures around the world. It was a wonderful experience that expanded their musical horizons and deepened their appreciation for global sounds.
Winter Concerts
Gillen Brewer also hosted our own concerts this winter! Lower school students delighted the audience with classic winter tunes, while middle schoolers, Griffins, and Phoenixes performed “We Shall Overcome” and shared what they had learned about inspiring Black historical figures such as Ruby Bridges, Barack Obama, and George Washington Carver in honor of Black History Month. Middle schoolers also offered their interpretations of Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. A big thank you to all the students for their moving performances and the heartfelt messages they shared with our community!
Matilda!
GBS students took the stage again for the first ever Gillen Brewer School Musical! The students performed a production of Matilda, and it was an incredible performance that put our academic-therapeutic approach on display in such a creative way. That’s a we will say for now, but stay tuned for full recap of Matilda the musical in our next edition of What’s Been Brewing!
Classroom Highlights
Gnomes - The Gnomes have been focusing on collaborative play, learning how to work together in a variety of engaging activities. Whether building intricate structures, creating shared works of art, or solving puzzles as a team, they are developing important social and problem-solving skills.
Dragons - The Dragons have been working on identifying different shapes and using tiles to solve geometric mosaic puzzles. These early geometry lessons are great for strengthening concepts such as symmetry, rotation, and pattern recognition.
Yetis - The Yetis spent time learning about Lunar New Year, exploring the rich history and traditions that make this celebration so special. They discovered how different cultures mark the occasion with customs such as decorating with red for good luck, giving and receiving red envelopes, enjoying special foods, and participating in festive parades featuring dragon and lion dances.
Phoenixes - After learning about homelessness and food insecurity, the Phoenixes worked together to make and deliver sandwiches to a nearby community fridge. Each student took on a role in the sandwich-making process, demonstrating teamwork and collaboration. Thanks to their efforts, they successfully prepared over 20 sandwiches and ensured they were safely delivered, contributing to their community in a meaningful way.
Wizards - The Wizards celebrated the 100th day of school with a fun and engaging math activity! Students brought in collections of items from home and used them to practice skip counting by tens up to 100. This handson approach reinforced number patterns and place value while making the milestone day even more special. It was a great way to celebrate 100 days of learning and growth together!
Unicorns - After exploring the wonders of our solar system for the science fair, the Unicorns turned their attention to a pioneering figure in space exploration Mae Jemison. They learned about her incredible achievements, including becoming the first Black woman astronaut to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Griffins - Griffins Associate Teacher
Chelsey Omoma led a powerful lesson on the cultural significance of Black hairstyles in observance of Black History Month. Students explored the history and meaning behind styles such as braids and Bantu knots, gaining a deeper appreciation for their cultural importance. Each Griffin received a handmade picture book showcasing different hairstyles and their traditional representations. The lesson sparked thoughtful discussions about personal identity, with students reflecting on their own hair, style choices, and the ways cultural expression is woven into everyday life.
Middle School - This winter, middle school students completed their study of Ancient Egypt and moved on to Ancient China. The beauty of Gillen Brewer’s integrated academic therapeutic program can be seen in this social studies unit. In art, students are learning calligraphy and landscapes; in OT sessions, students worked on cutting and taping skills as they created Chinese lanterns; and they headed out to Barnes & Noble to work on math skills to purchase books on Ancient China for our school library.
AlumniCorner
At the recent NYSAIS Diversity Job Fair, Head of School Rebecca Skinner had the pleasure of reconnecting with GBS alum Andrew Vella and his brother. They reminisced about their time at GBS and shared fond memories of Fall Family Fun Day, delighted to hear that the tradition continues. It’s always inspiring to see our alumni embarking on their own career journeys, and moments like these serve as a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact of the GBS community.
In the fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to spend two days at Gillen Brewer to visit each classroom and spend time with the students, educators, therapists, and administrators. I have been truly impressed by the commitment, energy, talent, and passion of each professional at GB and the exceptional student-centered support each student receives.
- Ashley Cartell Johnson Senior
Clinical Professor,
Disability Studies
Acting
Assistant
Chair, Department of Educational Psychology
Miami University of Ohio
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!
