Inside the Yellow Door Newsletter – Winter 2019

Greetings from the O-School

Behind Yellow Doorthe

Dear Friends,

We are truly grateful for each of you. Because of you, we can provide world-class care and education to the students entrusted to us, while continuing to expand our programs in significant ways for the future. In this issue, we say thank you to those who supported our annual gala and who gave during our last fiscal year. Throughout, we have highlighted some of the programs and opportuni ties your generosity makes possible. Together, we are accomplishing our mission of “providing a safe haven and a path to hope” for every student who passes through our yellow door.

Pete Myers, Psy.D. Co-Executive Director

THANK YOU!

Successful Second Annual Yellow Door Gala Features Inspiration, Yields Support

T

he second annual Yellow Door Benefit Gala in support of the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School raised more than $200,000 this fall in support of the O-School’s therapeutic and education programs. Over 200 O-School supporters, sponsors and donors attended the event, held November 2, 2018, at the Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois.

The gala included a reception, music, dinner, and live and silent auctions. Artwork created by O-School students was also available for purchase throughout the evening. The highlight of the gala was an inspiring message from alum, John Gorman, who shared his successful journey to self-actualization, college and a fulfilling career after graduating from the O-School. Author, speaker, and special needs advocate Randy Lewis was the evening’s keynote speaker. Lewis is the father of a son on the autism spectrum and a former VP at Walgreens who helped implement some of the premier work programs in the country for those with special needs.

During the event, Albank of Chicago was recognized as the O-School’s Corporate Mentor of the Year. Adam Steinback, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services at Albank, accepted the award and encouraged others to join them in supporting the critical work at the O-School.

Thank you to all those who supported the gala. We look forward to this year’s event!

Providing a Safe Haven and a Path to Hope

Holiday Talent Show Brings Cheers, Joy and Laughter

O-School student talent was on full display during the annual 2018 Holiday Talent Show just before the Christmas Break.

The event included more than 20 different acts showcasing students singing, acting, dancing, playing original music and more. The talent show was part of a fun-filled day of holiday activities that also included an all-school holiday lunch and a karaoke party.

A highlight of the talent show included an energetic performance by the O-School Shakespeare team and an engaging musical ensemble concert with students playing several instruments including the keyboard, guitar, violin, and percussion. The show ended when Santa arrived with a gift for each of the students.

Students Receive the Gift of Knowledge for the Holidays

T

here’s nothing like getting cozy and enjoying a good book during the winter – something O-School students learned first-hand after receiving their holiday gifts from Santa! For almost two decades, the Steinback family has provided each O-School student with a book for the holidays. These books are presented, by Santa, at the end of the annual Talent Show. Each student receives a book that reflects his or her own interests and passions – be it animals, video games, art, or adventure. O-School kids love to read and use books to learn, imagine, and escape. We are so grateful to the Steinbacks – and Santa! – for this generous gift. Remember – today a reader, tomorrow a leader!

Santa’s arrival is always one of the most anticipated moments of the annual Talent Show.

The O-School staff joined in the fun, showing off their dancing talents in a Fortnite Dance-Off Challenge video.

Election Commission Teaches Students How Votes Count

O-School students learned the importance and process of voting during the Second Annual Voter Education and Registration Drive held on December 11. The event featured a presentation by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners discussing the election system and process, voter rights, and the various ways an individual can cast a ballot including absentee, early and election day voting.

After the presentation students were able to register to vote and practice casting a vote on both an electronic voting booth and a paper ballot machine. They also learned about polling places, the type of equipment used to collect and tally votes, and the significance of voting.

The O-School Transitional Services Director, Carmen Roberts, said the event is a great way for students to learn about the election process while keeping them engaged.

“The students asked some great questions, and they seemed to really enjoy registering to vote,” said Roberts. “As potential first-time voters, this is a great way for them to learn about the process, their responsibilities and the importance of voting in our democracy. We encourage our senior students to participate meaningfully in our democratic process by researching issues to help them make informed decisions because they will soon be able to cast their ballots.”

O-School Participates in 2nd Annual Shakespeare Slam

T

he Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s second annual Chicago Shakespeare Slam took place on December 1. The event was part of a region-wide competition that includes 50 Chicago land area schools that gather to compete and celebrate Shakespeare. Starting in early September, the O-School slam team began meeting regularly to choose and refine their material for the competition. All the work was done by the students, including the writing, and after months and weeks of practice, the O-School team was front and center at the slam, acting out their characters in carefully thought out scenes.

The Shakespeare Slam spans the fall and winter months with teams participating in day-long regional workshops and competitions, before culminating in a final performance

between the top nine teams at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier.

Michelle Pegram, O-School Special Education Teacher and Shakespeare Slam team leader, said the event allows students to creatively use

their voices to interpret and act out Shakespeare in a way that is fun.

“The students put so much of themselves into these performances,” she said. “I’m really proud of them, and, more importantly, they are proud of themselves.”

O-School Transitional Services Director, Carmen Roberts, helps a student cast a ballot.

Thank You to Our Generous Donors

Honoring our Fiscal Year

Founder’s Society

($10K and Above)

ORGANIZATIONS

Settimicielo LLC

INDIVIDUALS

Anonymous

Dr. Brian and Mrs. Janet Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kane

Mr. Tom Wallace Lyons

Mr. Adam Steinback and Mrs. Amy Troob

Mr. James and Mrs. Joanne Steinback Mrs. Linda Whitted

Leadership Circle ($5K to 9999K)

ORGANIZATIONS

Albank

Oxford Bank and Trust

INDIVIDUALS

Mr. and Mrs. Vic Conant

Dr. Philip and Mrs. Tammy Gianfortune

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Hoffmann

Mr. Gary Mandell and Dr. Diana Kon

Dr. Pete Myers and Mr. Patrick Wojtak

Mr. Todd Livergood and Mr. Kennard Bolt Mrs. Beatrice Mayer

Mr. Scott McDonald and Ms. Susan Ford

Friends of the O-School ($1k to 4999k)

ORGANIZATIONS

Berglund Construction Company

Bargains in a Box Canon

Keno Kozie Associates

Kovler Family Foundation

Olivia Bea Ross Foundation

Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School

Parent Association

UBS

INDIVIDUALS

Mr. Lenny Asaro

Mr. and Mrs. Brent Austin

Mr. Andrew Bokor and Ms. Lisa Moss

Judge La Guina Clay-Herron

Mr. Ted Cornell and Ms. Nancy Schwartz

Ms. Susie Cummings

Mr. Tom Cummins and Ms. Ness Baagil

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Falk

Mr. John Finnegan and Ms. Melanie Fairman

Ms. Kathleen Gillespie and Ms. Debra Shore Dr. Mark Golden and Ms. Laura Moehlman Mr. Ronald Grais

Mr. Chris Hague Mr. and Mrs. Bob Knott Mr. Steve Kohn

Drs. Louis and Ruth Kraus Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levy

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Liber Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lieberman Mr. and Mrs. Terrence McBride

Mr. James McClure III and Ms. Carlyn Berghoff Mr. and Mrs. Dave McKenna

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Miles

Mr. James Nyeste and Dr. Marla Hand Mr. Dennis O’Keefe and Ms. Mary Jo Barrett Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Percoco Ms. Jennifer Pierce Mr. Andrew Price Mr. Tony Gleason and Ms. Renee Raap Mr. David Radke Dr. and Mrs. Mark Ratner Dr. and Mrs. Robert Reisch Mr. Steve Herman and Ms. Susan Reyman Mr. Eric and Dr. Betsy Samore Ms. Sugar Shankman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Silverman Mr. and Mrs. Scott Solomon Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Speiser Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Stern Ms. Lynn Walter Mr. and Mrs. Warren Wimmer Dr. and Mrs. William Wittert

Contributors of the O-School ($999 and Below)

ORGANIZATIONS

Akarama Foundation, Inc. AmazonSmile Foundation

Amli Residential Applegate and Thorne Arthur Hill & Co. LLC Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Bergstein’s NY Delicatessen Berland Communications Cedar’s Chant

Daley’s Restaurant Drexel Mobil Element R Partners LLC

Fender Music Foundation Girls Scout Troop 61033

Gustin Consulting Group, Inc.

India Hicks

Laner Munchin

Law Offices of Mitchell A. Kline

Medici

Miller Cooper & Co. Ltd

Morton Abelson Foundation

Noodles Etc

PRA Group, Inc

Robust Coffee

Salvation Army Tri-City Corps

The Child and Family Law Center

The Sit Down

Trader Joe’s

WPO Chicago Chapter, Inc.

INDIVIDUALS

Anonymous

Ms. Sarah Ahlm, LCSW

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Alberts

Mrs. Miriam Alschuler

Mr. Mahesh Ananth and Ms. Rekha Murthy

Mr. and Ms. Per Andersson

Ms. Lynne Austin

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Badesch

Mr. Edwin Baldwin

Mr. Gary Ballantine and Ms. Jamie Hansen

Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Baretz

Ms. Maleea Barnett

Mr. Dean Benson

Ms. Lauren Berliner

Ms. Valerie Blaine

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Block

Ms. Laneen Blount

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bolek

Mr. Pat Borg and Ms. Nancy Olive

Mr. and Mrs. John Brien

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Brooks

Ms. Bettine Brusca

Mr. Jed and Mrs. Tasha Buchanan

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Callahan

Ms. Lisa Canafax

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Casey

Mr. and Mrs. James Chappell

Ms. Leslie Cleaver

Mr. Sam Coady

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Cohen

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cohen

Ms. Maura Crisham

Mr. Michael Davis and

Ms. Suzanne Buckanoff-Davis

please contact

Contributors of the O-School ($999 and Below)

INDIVIDUALS

Mr. Baptiste Dixon

Mr. and Mrs. Colin Donahoe

Mr. Chad Doobay and Ms. Amy Blair

Mr. Storrs Downey

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Earl

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Evans

Mr. and Mrs. David Exner

Mr. and Mrs. David Farina

Mr. and Mrs. Davis Farnham

Mr. David Feinstein and Ms. Neurine Wiggin

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ferraro

Ms. Audrey Finkel

Dr. Paul Florsheim

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fougere

Ms. Holly Foy

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Frank Mr. James Freeman

Ms. Erica Freeman

Ms. Renee Friedman and Dr. Robert Druzinsky

Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Friedman

Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Kristin Friesen

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Fuhrer

Dr. Mary Gardner

Ms. Amy Gertler

Mr. and Mrs. David Gold

Mr. Johnathan Goldman and Ms. Monica Lasky

Mr. Jay Gonnam and Mr. Mark Sakalares

Mr. and Dr. Stephen Goranson

Mr. Jim Grabowski and Mrs. Simona Bommarito

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Grauer

Mr. Lewis Greenbaum and Ms. Rosalyn Kagan

Drs. Theresa Gregoire and Masaya Yoshida

Mr. Kevin Gudejko

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Hammerly Mrs. Amy Handel

Mr. William Hayden and Ms. Carolyn Belke

Ms. Nina Helstein

Mr. and Mrs. Travis Hill

Ms. Claire Hiller

Mr. James and Mrs. Dana Hirchak

Dr. Michael Hoffman

Ms. Beth Hovey

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Huggett

Ms. Mary Huske

Ms. Barbara Huston

Mr. Timothy Isaacson

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Kachoris

Ms. Carole Kagan

Mr. and Mrs. Mercouri Kanatzidis Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Katch

Dr. Thomas Kelly

Mr. Frank Kisner and Mr. Chris Kinear

Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlstrand Ms. Lori Kohn Mrs. Beth Kon

Ms. Karen Korteling Mr. Michael Kotin

Ms. Michelle Kowalski

Mr. Larry Kuhn

Ms. Lynn Lanese

Mr. Charles Larson

Mr. Robert Edger and Dr. Gunnbjorg Lavoll

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Leaf Mr. John Leen

Mrs. Meg LeFauve Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Levin Mr. and Mrs. Alan Lieberman Dr. Eugene Lipov and Ms. Robbin Carroll Mr. Harold Loewenthal Mr. and Mrs. Peter Madden Mr. and Mrs. Jason Mallory Ms. Sally Mandell Ms. Karen Mansfield

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marcellino Mr. and Mrs. Sid Margolis Mr. and Mrs. Steve Markscheid Mr. Alfred Martin and Ms. Sara Ellis Mr. Craig Graddick and Ms. Michelle McMartin Mr. Michael McRaith Ms. Margaret McRaith Mr. and Mrs. John Meister Mr. Michael Melzer and Ms. Lisa Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Larry Mermelstein Mr. and Mrs. David Morrison Mrs. Ellan Myers Ms. Mary Ellen Nelligan Mr. and Mrs. Doug Ochab Mr. and Mrs. Ryan O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. David Orloff Mr. Norman Ostrum Mr. Bruce Ovitz Mr. and Mrs. Keith Parker Ms. Kathryne Pirtle Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Poeppelmeier Ms. Kirby Pumper Ms. Pat Reisch

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Resko

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rhodes

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Richardson

Mr. Thomas Rivkin

Mr. Kurt and Mrs. Carmen Roberts

Mr. Shaun Room

Mr. and Mrs. William Rossi

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Ruble

Mrs. Cynthia Rudolph

Ms. Mary Rudzinski

Mr. Brian Rzepka

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Scane

Mr. and Mrs. George Schatz

Mr. and Mrs. Myron Shapiro

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Shimmel

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Shirk

Ms. Ann Sickon

Ms. Hilda Tamayo Silva

Mr. Jeff Sirota and Ms. Karen Uselmann

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sklar

Ms. Carol Smith

Mr. Rob Smitherman

Mr. Lawrence Stark

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Stefancic

Mr. Max Stein and Mr. Kyle Peterson Mr. John Steiner

Mr. Anthony Swanagan and Ms. Laurie Flowers

Mr. and Mrs. Verinder Syal

Mr. Bartlomiej Szymczak

Mr. and Dr. Jeff Taub

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Trautvetter

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Travers

Ms. Paty Vasquez

Mr. and Dr. Milton Wakschlag

Mr. Jordan Wallace

Ms. Bridget Walsh

Dr. Matthew Wanzenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wasielewski

Ms. Elizabeth Weber

Ms. Barbara Weiner

Mr. Wes Westerfield and Ms. Betsy Meisenheimer

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wexler

Ms. Katina Williams

Mr. Barry and Mrs. Katie Wojtak

Mr. Rob Wojtak

Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Becky Wojtak

Ms. Judith Yasunaga

Mr. David Meier and Ms. Michelle Zarrilli

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Zeigler

Mr. Kenneth Zommer and Ms. Amy Merritt

Campaign Update: Close the Gap

Although support for mental health services continues to decline, the O-School remains committed to being a resource for families of all means while still providing comprehensive services our students deserve. As a result, tuition alone does not cover the cost of our programs.

That is why, this fiscal year, the O-School launched its Close the Gap campaign, with the goal of raising $500,000 by June 30, 2019. In helping the O-School close its financial gap, you ensure our students have the world-class care and education they need to close their achievement and social-emotional gaps, empowering them to become successful and independent young people.

Today, we are thrilled to announce that we have raised over $350,000, putting us at over 70% of our goal with five months to go! Thank you to all of you for supporting the school in this critical way!

Mark Your Calendar!

March 2 – Ancona School Diversity Symposium

4 – Pulaski Day (No School)

15 – Education Staff Day (No School)

23 – Family Event: Spaghetti Lunch

April 2-4 – Parent/Teacher Conferences

15-19 – Spring Break

22 – Education Staff Institute Day (No School)

23-26 – MS & HS MAP Testing

May

27 – Memorial Day (No School)

30 – PROM

Save the Date! Third Annual Yellow Door Benefit Gala

This year’s Yellow Door Benefit Gala will be held on Saturday, November 2 at the Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois. Please save the date. Information about this year’s keynote speaker will be announced later this summer. Stay tuned!

For more information, please contact: Tim Hammerly at 773.420.2895 or at thammerly@oschool.org

A Final Thank You!

Thank you to all those who supported last year’s Yellow Door Benefit Gala as attendees, sponsors, and donors. Together, we raised over $200,000 to support the O-School’s therapeutic and education programs. We’d like to once again thank the following lead sponsors for their support: Champions: Jeff and Sara Hoffmann, Tom Wallace Lyons, Linda Whitted Guardians: Albank, Dan and Amy Loepp, Oxford Bank and Trust, Jim and Joanne Steinback Defenders: Keno Kozie Associates