DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Development Update By Maggie Keith, Development Associate This spring has been one of many milestones for Development at Gaynor. We move toward the end of this fiscal year reflecting on our most robust annual fund to date (and growing!), a blossoming alumni program, and our most well-attended Gala yet, with the utmost gratitude to our wonderful community. We held our first annual “Placement Fair” in April; an evening when Gaynor alumni who are now in high school and their parents returned to the Gaynor gymnasium to speak to current middle school parents about what to expect when transitioning from Gaynor, and how each found the right fit for high school. Middle School families had the opportunity to ask questions and glean knowledge from these families who had recently transitioned and are thriving in their new schools. The highlight of the evening was hearing the success stories of our returning alumni and how incredibly well-adjusted they are in their new schools; each a true testament to the invaluable nature of a Gaynor education. Thank you, to our incredible community, for your continued support of our mission that results in success stories such as these. We are so grateful for your meaningful and ongoing generosity!
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EASY WAYS TO PREVENT “SUMMER BRAIN DRAIN”
Ms. Jupiter, speech-language pathologist at Gaynor, has some tips for parents who are concerned that their children might lose hard-earned language skills over the summer months. In addition to reading, exploring museums, and just playing at the park, check out three easy activities to help prevent summertime brain drain. Alphabet game: Start by looking for a word on a sign or billboard that starts with “A”… Once you find a word that starts with “A,” look for one that starts with “B”— go through the entire alphabet! Why it works: It’s not an overwhelming amount to read and it still targets articulation sounds and letter identification. It really is so much fun! I spy: Players describe an item they see, and have everyone else guess what they are describing. Why it works: Through this game you can work on describing, word-retrieval strategies and listening skills while still having a stress-free, enjoyable time! Heads up: In this game, a player has a word on his or her head, and other players describe it. The players continue to describe the word until it is guessed correctly. Why it works: This game targets describing, which helps children express their ideas in a specific, clear and effective way. Additionally, this is a great game for listening skills and gathering information!
Suggested Summer Reading … for Parents! Acclaimed as a revolutionary feat of journalism, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children & the Search for Identity, is an examination of the means by which families accommodate children with physical, mental and social disabilities and how these unusual situations can be invested with love. The author, Andrew Solomon, will speak at Stephen Gaynor School on September 15. More information to come later this summer. Mark your calendars, and start reading!
Gaynor Gazette I SUMMER 2016
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