THE GATEWAY DIFFERENCE C E L E B R A T I N G
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Teaching students with language-based learning disabilities and attention deficits 2 1 1
W E S T
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G A T E W A Y
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ESTABLISHED 1965
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OUR TEAM SCHOOL LEADERSHIP Laurie Gruhn Head of School, 2020-2025 Sherri C. Helvie, Ph.D. Head of School, 2025-2026 Christy M. Brockhausen, Ph.D. Assistant Head of School & Director of Lower School Julie Nguyen Director of Middle School Maureen Ryan Chief Financial & Operating Officer Jennifer Cherney Chief Advancement Officer
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Polly Brandmeyer, Chair Leslie de Oliveira, Co-Vice President Jodi Schwartz, Co-Vice President Kieran Claffey, Treasurer Jodi Schwartz, Secretary Patrick Brennan Robert C. Carroll ‘97 Dr. Christian Chung Amy Elliott Sandhya Espitia Gillian Hearst Kate Hillis Benson Kutrieb Tracey Loh Judine Somerville Christopher York
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
TRUSTEES EX OFFICIO
Martha B. Bernard† Warren H. Feder Kenneth A. Plevan Malcolm S. Taub, Esq.
Laurie Gruhn Head of School, 2020-2025 Katherine Grier PA President
GREETINGS FROM GATEWAY’S BOARD CHAIR Dear Gateway Community, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am honored to present The Gateway School’s 2025 Annual Report of Giving. If last year was a celebration of our history—a look back at six decades of excellence—this year is a testament to our momentum as we embark on our next chapter. As Board Chair, and perhaps more importantly as a former Gateway parent, I am constantly reminded that “The Gateway Difference" is not static; it is a dynamic force that renews itself every day in our classrooms. We see it when a student advocates for their own learning needs, when a concept clicks after explicit, scaffolded instruction, and when confidence replaces hesitation. This transformation is the direct result of a community that refuses to compromise on the belief that bright minds thrive when teaching is personalized, diagnostic, and intellectually stimulating. The primary mandate of the Board of Trustees is stewardship—ensuring that Gateway remains not only educationally premier but financially robust. The philanthropy detail in this report represents more than just figures on a page; it represents a collective commitment to our mission. Because of your generosity, we have been able to sustain the low student-to-teacher ratios that define our success, invest heavily in the professional development of our expert faculty, and ensure that our facilities match the high caliber of our instruction. Central to this success is the partnership between home and school. Our parents are truly the architects of our community spirit.
Whether you have volunteered your time, shared your professional expertise, or contributed to the Annual Fund, you have played a vital role in the lives of our students. I want to extend a special note of gratitude to the leadership of our Parents Association, specifically Katherine Grier and Katie Hart. Their energy, along with that of the entire PA Board, fosters the inclusivity and joy that makes Gateway feel like home for so many of us. Finally, I must acknowledge the bedrock of our school: the faculty, staff, and administration. Their expertise is matched only by their empathy. In a landscape of changing educational trends, they remain steadfast in their dedication to evidencebased practices that actually work. They do not just teach our children; they champion them. As you review this report, I hope you feel a profound sense of pride in what we have accomplished together. Your support ensures that Gateway continues to be a beacon for students who learn differently, empowering them to achieve and helping them soar. With deep gratitude and anticipation for the year ahead, Polly Brandmeyer, Chair, Board of Trustees 3
OUR OUR MISSION MISSION
The Gateway School is a K-8, independent day school that transforms the lives of bright students with language-based learning disabilities and attention deficits. At Gateway, our students become skilled, strategic learners and confident self-advocates. Relying on direct, multisensory instruction and guided by an integrated curriculum, expert faculty teach students the language, literacy, and critical thinking skills that are the foundations for success in mainstream educational settings and beyond. Gateway believes a close relationship between the school and parents provides essential support as students grow and seek to realize their potential. In small classes and as members of a diverse and inclusive community, Gateway students experience academic and social success, recognize their strengths, and are empowered to become independent learners.
MESSAGE FROM GATEWAY’S NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Gateway Friends and Families, I am deeply honored to join The Gateway School community at a pivotal time in our history. After more than 60 years of successful outcomes for students, our mission to transform the lives of bright students with language-based learning disabilities and attention deficits is alive and well. Our visionary founders knew that every child has the ability to learn, grow, and thrive, and year after year, our Gateway Lions go on to flourish in their careers and communities. We are tremendously proud of our alumni! From the moment I arrived at Gateway, it was immediately apparent that ours is a school that puts students at the center of every decision. Walk into any classroom, and you will find students who are fully engaged, guided by extraordinary educators who understand how they learn and the most effective ways to design inspiring and impactful teaching. Join a gathering of students in Grandstand, and you will see children of all ages presenting, debating, singing, collaborating, and learning how to be in community with their peers with a sense of common purpose. Ask any student what they most enjoy about their days at Gateway, and they will tell you, as they have told me, that reading, writing, research, math, and time in the library are activities that they truly enjoy in the company of their friends and teachers. Our students are capable, confident learners, and we take our charge to educate them for the future very seriously. It is our community, and our donors, who help us to fulfill that charge. Educating children with language-based learning differences demands a program that is designed with intention and expertise, and our integrated program is built from the ground up to support how our students learn. The donors who support The Gateway School reflect the extensive network of
people who help us to fulfill our mission, including our faculty, staff, parents, alumni, grandparents, special friends, and community members who understand how the Gateway program transforms lives. Through your participation in the Annual Fund, the Gala, and countless acts of generosity, your philanthropy makes our work with students possible. I would like to offer special thanks to our Parents Association, who ensure that every family has the opportunity to connect with the whole school community, and build relationships that support the success of each student. I would also like to thank our dedicated Board of Trustees, who are entrusted with the mission and long-term vision of our school, and work tirelessly to ensure that we will continue to thrive as we plan for the future. Our entire Gateway community has committed its time, talent, and treasure in pursuit of excellent teaching and transformative outcomes for students, and your philanthropy makes all the difference. Thank you for entrusting the education of your children to us, and for helping us plan for the bright future of our Gateway students. We continue to work every day to inspire transformational, joyful learning for each and every child—and we are inspired by them. With Gateway Pride, Sherri C. Helvie, Ph.D., Head of School 5
ANNUAL ANNUAL FUND FUND GIVING GIVING BY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL
PATRON ($10,000+) Judy and Chris Chung Community Foundation of New Jersey Leslie and Fernando de Oliveira Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Kingsbury-Hindo Fund Katie Kingsbury and Brian Hindo FRIEND ($5,000+) Amy and James Baker The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, Inc. Stephanie and Noah Perlman Peter and Susan Solomon Family Foundation Sara and Taylor Senatore Susan and Peter Solomon
ANNUAL FUND GIVING BY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL FOUNDER’S CIRCLE ($50,000+) Anonymous (1) Polly and Michael Brandmeyer Goldman Sachs Gives KKR Donald & Judy Gruhn Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Judy and Donald Gruhn†
SPONSOR ($2,500+) Ardea Cares Ares Management LLC Bank of America Matching Gift Program Virginia Carroll and Robert C. Carroll ’97 Jennifer and Chris Evans Edward B. Grier III Kaufman Mayo Foundation Katherine Kozub Grier Erika and Benson Kutrieb Tracey and Walter Loh Christy and Joe Messina Jodi and Patrick Milner Amanda and Gregory Robbins
1965 SOCIETY ($25,000+) Amy Elliott and Ashley Gregory Gillian Hearst Eva Hoffman and Ken Cornick Jewish Communal Fund Schwab Charitable Fund Jodi Schwartz and Steven Richman Chris York Kristin York BENEFACTOR ($15,000+) Andrew Allen The Allen Family Foundation
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ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL BIG CAT'S CIRCLE ($1,000 +) Anonymous (4) American Endowment Foundation Andrew Bilzin Lauren Bilzin Katie and Jim Brennan Katie Hart and Patrick Brennan Kieran Claffey Clarence and Anne Dillon Dunwalke Trust Edward and Marjorie Goldberger Foundation Courtney and Sebastian Fain Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Ashley and David Greenberg Kim and Jeff Hirschfeld Jocelyn and Adam Jachimowski Deepali and Amit Javeri Ann and Arnold Jurdem Katie & Jim Brennan Foundation Galina Korzune and John Friedland Michelle Krupa Anna Livak and Michael Shopsin Dara Mandle and James Panero Jennifer Marino-Gabrielli and Romolo Gabrielli Sara Moss and Michael Gould Spyridoula Ntella and Frank Breitling Heidi Kraus and Jeff Politis Kate Rudman and Matt Spencer Schwab Charitable Fund Jen and Sebastian Shap Monika Wyszomirska and Caesar Wyszomirski
LION'S CIRCLE ($500 +) Anonymous (1) The Benevity Impact Fund Denise and Scott Collins Diptyque Distribution LLC Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Gateway Parents Association Michelle and Olaf Gurk Intuit, INC. Romney and Daron Jacob Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Maureen Kane Juli and Adam Karol Lands' End, Inc. Len Camber Charitable Trust Aline and Brian Lennon Laura and Ben Liebman Erin McCourt Bellanco and Ed Bellanco Ellen and Bruce Roseman Maureen Ryan Nicole Saucier and Brian Stephen Susan Schwab and Lior Menzly Davida Sherwood and Robert Manger Cynthia Smith and Daniel Abrams
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL COMMUNITY CIRCLE ($250 +) Anonymous (1) Lily and Mark Clark Kate Hillis and Ed Dedelioglu Dana and David Dietche Sandhya Espitia and Adam Fisher Fangwen Luo and Nauman Noor Mariame M'Baye and Khalifa Sow Marina Jean and Andrew McBrien Kari Bien and Jon McCafferty Amy Tsang and James Menapace Diana and Rodman Rodriguez Stacey and Bob Seltzer Ann Shipley Donna Votto CONTRIBUTORS (up to $249) Anonymous (4) Samantha Abbe Roberto Almonte American Online Giving Foundation Sam Appleby Joseph Auteberry Lauren Baker Katherine Bell and Nancy Mendoza Aliza Bergner Elysa Blumenthal BNP Paribas Kelly and Julio Botti Madison Bray-Trophia Sarah and Josh Bruyere Julia Burdulis Kristen Caesar and Ashley Vellano Michel Carluccio Justine Casper Claire Chan and Luca Hu Jennifer Cherney Emma Chinsky Willy Clark Judy Cohen Lisa Concepción Jamie and Steve Corkran Travis Cornett
CONTRIBUTORS (up to $249) CONT’D Ryann Coughlin Olivia Coyle Marissa Davis Debbie Diodati Ileana Driggs Tanya Ehrlich Thomas Einolf Lauren and Andy Epstein Alfredo Fabian Elliot Falconer David Fallon Marjorie and Michael Featherstone Chris Fennell Hilary and Theodore Giuliano Jessica Gold Kate Grier Laurie Gruhn Aanchal and Nitin Gupta Bonnie Halloran Afshan Haq Tia Harraway William Harrison Pranee Heddon Michele Heggli Heather Ironside Julian Joseph Soo and Gage Jung Joanna Karasoulas Ann Kariyev
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ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL
CONTRIBUTORS (up to $249) CONT’D Vickie Karkazis Rhonda and Larry Karol Meghan Kelley Valerie Kerbage Manchau and Melvine Manchau Seyun Kim and Ed Tsue Ashley Knauer Sarah Knoll Koryn Knudsen Jeff Koss and Brandon Butler KPMG LLP Marisol and Peter Leffler Elisabeth Leiderman Yania and Monte Leonard Lisa Levenson Rachel Li Sharyn Lico Hailey Lipman Jay Mandel Tracey Mapou Alexa Marinelli Isabel Disla and Wilfredo Martinez Jamille McCord-Romero and Julio Romero Miranda Dempster and Gus McKay Anna McMichael-Kane and Michael Kane Melaine and Matt McQueen Gayle and Andy Meyer Alicia Milchin Jennifer Mitchell
CONTRIBUTORS (up to $249) CONT’D Bridget Morgan MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Allyson Murphy Julie Nguyen Helayne OKeiff Kelly OKrepkie Delaney Oliveri Angie and James Pappalardo Kimberly Peeler-Allen and Howard Allen Gabriel Peña Amil Perez Annabelle and Neil Plotkin Jessica Powers and Nick Morris Allie Queler Valerie Rafal Nery Ramos Mikey and Andrew Robinton Johncarlos Sacazas Anelise Sanchez and Anthony Skoda Rylie Sano Hilary Scalcon Jennifer and John Serrano Lucy Shaw and Jochen Rueckert Joseph Sonenshein Gabrielle Stern Lauren Swoszowski-Aldavero and Carlos Aldavero Hillary and Joel Tankel Sarah Tarnofsky Nikki Tavassoli Cindy Tenner Steve Tipton and Patrick Hinds Danielle and Kevin Tschirhart Carine and Scott Vinett Lashawna Weston Alexis Williams Keridy and Geoff Williams Shante Williams and Deshawn Marks Bifen Xu and Roy Beeson Jennifer and Dave Yedid Melana Yuzefpolskaya and Evan Gaines
PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION BY CONSTITUENCY 11
ANNUAL FUND GIVING PARENT PARTICIPATION Class 628 - 80% Lisa and Michael Greenberg Soo and Gage Jung Fangwen Luo and Nauman Noor Kate Rudman and Matt Spencer Class 622 - 100% Dani and Jason Amirian Juli and Adam Karol Kinyarda Wright Yania and Monte Leonard Alicia Milchin Angie and James Pappalardo Danielle and Kevin Tschirhart Chris York Kristin York Class 619 - 100% Kari Bien and Jon McCafferty Sarah and Josh Bruyere Dana and David Dietche Isabel Disla and Wilfredo Martinez Aanchal and Nitin Gupta Lisa and Scott Hustis Fay Lin and Llewellyn Connolly Jamille McCord-Romero and Julio Romero Mikey and Andrew Robinton Bifen Xu and Roy Beeson Class 620 - 100% Kristen Caesar and Ashley Vellano Jennifer and Chris Evans Gillian Hearst Kim and Jeff Hirschfeld Galina Korzune and John Friedland Alexandra Leighton Susan Schwab and Lior Menzly Keridy and Geoff Williams Shante Williams and Deshawn Marks Jennifer and Dave Yedid
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D PARENT PARTICIPATION Class 618- 100% Lily and Mark Clark Miranda Dempster and Campbell McKay Sandhya Espitia and Adam Fisher Marion Holley-Smith and Timothy Smith Jodi and Patrick Milner Spyridoula Ntella and Frank Breitling Hillary and Joel Tankel Alexis Williams Melana Yuzefpolskaya and Evan Gaines Class 621- 82% Amy and James Baker Amy Elliott and Ashley Gregory Jeffrey Koss and Brandon Butler Marisol and Peter Leffler Dara Mandle and James Panero Erin McCourt-Bellanco and Ed Bellanco Dara and Joshua Rebell Sherry Shieh and Scott Poticha Lashawna Weston 5th Grade - 96% Kelly and Julio Botti Judy and Chris Chung Katherine and Ned Grier Michelle and Olaf Gurk Katie Hart and Patrick Brennan Gillian Hearst Valerie Kerbage Manchau and Melvine Manchau Seyun Kim and Ed Tsue Katie Kingsbury and Brian Hindo Heidi Kraus and Jeff Politis Juliet and Aleks Kravchuk Laura and Ben Liebman Jay Mandel Sandra Medeiros and Mark van der Pluym Mariska Nietzman and Morgan Falconer Kimberly Peeler-Allen and Howard Allen Diana and Rodman Rodriguez
5th Grade Cont’d Anelise Sanchez and Anthony Skoda Lucy Shaw and Jochen Rueckert Steve Tipton and Patrick Hinds Carine and Scott Vinett Shante Williams and Deshawn Marks 13
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D PARENT PARTICIPATION
6th Grade - 67% Katherine Bell and Nancy Mendoza Andrew Bilzin Lauren Bilzin Katie and Jim Brennan Lauren and Andy Epstein Ashley and David Greenberg Mariame M'Baye and Khalifa Sow Sandra Metallo-Barragan and Eric Metallo Gayle and Andy Meyer Nicole Saucier and Brian Stephen Sara and Taylor Senatore Lauren Swoszowski-Aldavero and Carlos Aldavero Cindy Tenner Amy Tsang and James Menapace
7th Grade - 52% Julie Carpenter Aya and Nadav Goshen Kate Hillis and Ed Dedelioglu Marina Jean and Andrew McBrien Anna McMichael-Kane and Michael Kane Christy and Joe Messina Josehine and Eric Mogelof Rudi Odeh-Ramadan and Zead Ramadan Annabelle and Neil Plotkin Nery Ramos Monika Wyszomirska and Caesar Wyszomirski
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D PARENT PARTICIPATION 8th Grade - 69% Jason Agee and Yoav Borsuk Andrew D. Allen Kristen Aronsson and John Connell Jen and Mark Cassetta Denise and Scott Collins Leslie and Fernando de Oliveira Jennifer Durbin and Michael Chambers Eva Hoffman and Ken Cornick Jocelyn and Adam Jachimowski Romney and Daron Jacob Deepali and Amit Javeri Elisabeth Lackner and Bon Sy Rob Lawsky Elisabeth Leiderman Aline and Brian Lennon Gwen Li and David Wu Anna Livak and Michael Shopsin Jennifer Marino-Gabrielli and Romolo Gabrielli Melaine and Matt McQueen JoAnn and Bernard Park Alicka Pistek Jessica Powers and Nick Morris Amanda and Gregory Robbins Adina Sales and Markus Bartenschlager Stacey and Bob Seltzer Jennifer and John Serrano Agata Smogorzewska and Dennis Cheaney Cynthia Smith and Daniel Abrams
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ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONSTITUENCY TRUSTEE PARTICIPATION - 100% Polly Brandmeyer, Chair Leslie de Oliveira, Co-Vice President Jodi Schwartz, Co-Vice President & Secretary Kieran Claffey, Treasurer Robert C. Carroll ’97 Christian Chung Amy Elliott Sandhya Espitia Gillian Hearst Kate Hillis Benson Kutrieb Tracey Loh Jennifer Mitchell Judine Somerville Chris York Ex officio Laurie Gruhn Katherine Grier GRANDPARENT PARTICIPATION Judy and Donald Gruhn† - in honor of Susanna Gruhn Rhonda and Larry Karol - in honor of Joshua Karol Ann Shipley - in honor of Gus Panero Sarah Tarnofsky - in honor of James Amirian Donna Votto - in honor of Vera York
ALUMNI PARTICIPATION Robert C. Carroll ’97 Christopher Fennell '94 Wes Gordon ‘12 Gilad Palley ‘07 Christy St. John '94
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONSTITUENCY PAST PARENT PARTICIPATION Polly and Michael Brandmeyer Claire Chan and Luca Hu Nicki and Edward Chapin Kieran Claffey Jamie and Steve Corkran Suzanne and Matt Donohoe Courtney and Sebastian Fain Marjorie and Michael Featherstone Hilary and Theodore Giuliano Laurie Gruhn Ann and Arnold Jurdem Erika and Benson Kutrieb Nancy Meyer and Marc Weiss Lynn Montz and John Leubsdorf Sara Moss and Michael Gould Stephanie and Noah Perlman Yvette and Steven Pomerantz Jeffrey and Carolyn Salzman Frances and Bernard Schneider Jodi Schwartz and Steven Richman Jen and Sebastian Shap Dana and Michael Tedone CURRENT STUDENT PARTICIPATION Willy Clark '29 Elliot Falconer '28 Kate Grier '28
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ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONSTITUENCY
FACULTY AND STAFF PARTICIPATION - 100% Samantha Abbe Amanda Aber Roberto Almonte Joseph Auteberry Lauren Baker John Banta Jr. Aliza Bergner Elysa Blumenthal Christy Brockhausen Julia Burdulis Michel Carluccio Justine Casper Kim Chandra Jennifer Cherney Emma Chinsky Judy Cohen Lisa Concepción Travis Cornett Ryann Coughlin Olivia Coyle-Henao Marissa Davis Ileana Driggs Thomas Einolf Tanya Erhlich Alfredo Fabian David Fallon Jessica Gold Allison Goldstein Laurie Gruhn Ariella Hakim Bonnie Halloran Afshan Haq Tia Harraway William Harrison Pranee Heddon Michele Heggli Heather Ironside Julian Joseph Joanna Karasoulas Ann Kariyev Vickie Karkazis Meghan Kelley
Lucy Khong Ashley Knauer Sarah Knoll Koryn Knudsen Paul Lee Lisa Levenson Rachel Li Sharyn Lico Hailey Lipman Alexa Marinelli Brynn Mongeon Bridget Morgan Marina Mrakovcic Ally Murphy Julie Nguyen Kelly OKrepkie Delaney Oliveri Erika Palazzo Gabriel Peña Amil Perez Joel Perez Allison Queler Valerie Rafal Maureen Ryan Johncarlos Sacazas Rylie Sano Hilary Scalcon Samantha Soled Gabriella Stern Joseph Sonenshein April Suratos Nikki Tavassoli Madison Trophia
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D BY CONSTITUENCY CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS PARTICIPATION The Allen Family Foundation American Endowment Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Ardea Cares Ares Management LLC Bank of America Matching Gift Program The Benevity Impact Fund BNP Paribas Clarence and Anne Dillon Dunwalke Trust Community Foundation of New Jersey Diptyque Distribution LLC Donald & Judy Gruhn Foundation Edward and Marjorie Goldberger Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
The Gateway Parents Association Goldman Sachs Gives Intuit, INC. Jewish Communal Fund Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Katie & Jim Brennan Foundation Kaufman Mayo Foundation Kingsbury-Hindo Fund KKR KPMG LLP Lands' End, Inc. Len Camber Charitable Trust The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, Inc. MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Peter and Susan Solomon Family Foundation Schwab Charitable Fund
ANNUAL FUND GIVING CONT’D SPECIAL FUNDS 8th GRADE CLASS GIFT Andrew Allen Denise and Scott Collins DAFGiving360 Eva Hoffman and Ken Cornick Romney and Daron Jacob Deepali and Amit Javeri Elisabeth Lackner and Bon Sy Aline and Brian Lennon JoAnn and Bernard Park Alicka Pistek and Rob Lawsky Stacey and Bob Seltzer Jennifer and John Serrano Agata Smogorzewska and Dennis Cheaney PLEVAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Tome Family GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Nancy Meyer and Marc Weiss 19
Tracey Loh, Gala Chair
60TH ANNIVERSARY GATEWAY GALA
Tonight, we celebrate 60 years of a transformative program. Tonight, we celebrate 60 years of dedicated and passionate faculty, 60 years of committed and supportive families, and of most importance, 60 years of children who have thrived confidently and found a place for themselves within this program. - Laurie Gruhn, Head of School, 2020-2025
On April 24, 2025, members of the Gateway community gathered to celebrate an incredible milestone — The Gateway School’s 60th Anniversary, where we honored six decades of transformative education, community, and innovation.
Working in a school is an act of love and of service. It is a job that is focused solely on helping children and families thrive.
This year, The Gateway School honored eight colleagues who collectively have dedicated 180 years of professionalism, compassion, wisdom, and skill to Gateway and its students. The commitment, stability, and love that this represents is second to none. The Gateway School program is successful because of professionals like this group.
SPRING SPRING GALA GALA 21
ANNUAL GALA SPONSORSHIP The Gateway School is deeply grateful to all those who have contributed at the Sponsorship Level to the 2025 Annual Gateway Gala. $60,000 PREMIER SPONSORS Polly and Michael Brandmeyer Goldman Sachs Gives $25,000 LEGACY SPONSORS Amy Elliott and Ashley Gregory Sandhya Espitia and Adam Fisher Gillian Hearst $15,000 INNOVATOR SPONSORS Gwen Li and David Wu $10,000 VISIONARY SPONSORS Suzanne and Matt Donohoe Chris York Kristin York $5,000 TRAILBLAZER SPONSORS Judith and Warren Feder Jeffrey and Carolyn Salzman Vanguard Charitable $2,500 FOUNDATION SPONSOR Ares Management LLC Judy and Chris Chung Jennifer and Chris Evans Grassi Advisory Group Kim and Jeff Hirschfeld Jocelyn and Adam Jachimowski Alexandra Leighton BENEFIT DONATIONS Nicki and Edward Chapin Julie and John Egenberg Sharyn Lico Fangwen Luo and Nauman Noor Melaine and Matt McQueen Lynn Montz and John Leubsdorf Marina Mrakovcic Mariska Nietzman and Morgan Falconer Toby Pulanco Kate Rudman and Matt Spencer Anelise Sanchez and Anthony Skoda Davida Sherwood and Robert Manger Lauren Swoszowski-Aldavero and Carlos Aldavero Steve Tipton and Patrick Hinds Carine and Scott Vinett
GALA REVERSE AUCTION for Faculty & Staff Professional Development Fund and Scholarship Fund
Jason Agee and Yoav Borsuk Sam Appleby Aliza Bergner Elysa Blumenthal Katie Hart and Patrick Brennan Christy Brockhausen, Jen and Mark Cassetta Kim Chandra Jennifer Cherney DAFGiving360 Dana and David Dietche Lauren and Andy Epstein Judith and Warren Feder Wes Gordon ‘12 Ashley and David Greenberg Katherine and Ned Grier Laurie Gruhn Heather Ironside Jocelyn and Adam Jachimowski Joanna Karasoulas uli and Adam Karol Jeff Koss and Brandon Butler Ellen Lee and Paul Pak Gwen Li and David Wu Laura and Ben Liebman
Miranda Dempster and Gus McKay Sandra Medeiros and Mark van der Pluym Gayle and Andy Meyer Spyridoula Ntella and Frank Breitling Gilad Palley Angie and James Pappalardo Annabelle and Neil Plotkin Yvette and Steven Pomerantz Valerie Rafal David Rottkamp Maureen Ryan Rylie Sano Stacey and Bob Seltzer Lucy Shaw and Jochen Rueckert Sherry Shieh and Scott Poticha Lydia Soifer Christy St. John Macy Stockton Laura Tagliareni and David Salsberg Nikki Tavassoli Keridy and Geoff Williams Monika Wyszomirska and Caesar Wyszomirski Jennifer and Dave Yedid Chris York Kristin York 23
Joel Perez, Athletics Coordinator
Thank you, Mr. Perez, for your years of dedicated service. At a school like Gateway where movement and physical activity are so important, your passion for sports and your dedication to teaching and coaching are invaluable.
Kim is a true Gateway treasure. She takes initiative, solves problems, and treats everyone with respect. Parents seek her out at school events to personally thank her for her assistance with their issues, former teachers come by to catch up, and board members who no longer have students at Gateway still ask about her.
TRIBUTES TO 15+ YEAR GATEWAY EDUCATORS
Kim Chandra, Senior Finance and Business Administrator
Ms. Rafal, your vision has made a profound impact on our school community and most significantly, the students who didn’t think they could solve a mathematical equation until they applied your methodology. Through your expertise and warmth, you have helped create an environment where students and their teachers thrive. Valerie Rafal, Director of Mathematics
TRIBUTES TO 15+ YEAR GATEWAY EDUCATORS
I want to congratulate Ms. Sharyn Lico for all her hard work over the years. Representing the school, and communicating our children's needs, deficits, and progress is not an easy task, but it is essential for families who are fighting for appropriate placement for our children. Thank you being a consummate professional, and for your commitment to our children!
Sharyn Lico, Director of Academic Support
Mr. Banta, after six years of seeing you in action, I can honestly say you deserve your reputation as a true Gateway legend. You possess an exceptional talent for connecting with students on a deeply personal level. The work you do with the students in Grandstand is so unique and wonderful, and the articles you do for The Gateway Gazette are as vibrant and engaging as your Grandstand classes. John Banta, Grandstand Teacher
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Roberto's love for Gateway has been apparent over the years through his willingness to stay late, work weekends or support a school event at the end of a long day. He ensures the students and teachers are greeted with a friendly face during morning arrivals.
Marina is the magician behind the curtain. She quietly goes about the work that keeps the financial operations of the school running smoothly. Key financial deliverables like monthly reporting, audits and tax returns are accurate and within deadlines due to her diligence.
Roberto Almonte, Custodian
TRIBUTES TO 15+ YEAR GATEWAY EDUCATORS
Paul Lee, IT Manager
Thank you Mr. Lee, for expertly serving Gateway on the back end; always keeping the Gateway community plugged in and operating to the full extent of its educational bandwidth. Marina Mrakovcic, Controller
PARENTS PARENTS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION PA LEADERSHIP Katherine Grier and Katie Hart Co-Presidents Angie Pappalardo and Jennifer Evans Lower School Co-Presidents Christy Kennedy Messina and Ashley Greenberg Middle School Co-Presidents Lauren Epstein Treasurer
PA-Sponsored Events
Monika Wyszomirska Secretary
CLASS REPRESENTATIVES Class 628 Kate Rudman and Fangwen Luo Class 622 Kristin York Class 619 Lisa Hustis and Isabel Disla Martinez Class 620 Spy Ntella
Holiday Decorating & Celebrations
Class 618 Jodi Milner & Hillary Tankel Class 621 Maggie Romao & Amy Elliott Class 616 Michelle Gurk & Katherine Grier Class 615 Laura Liebman & Lucy Shaw 6th Grade Gayle Meyer and Amy Tsang 7th Grade Christy Messina & Anna McMichael 8th Grade Jocelyn Jachimowski and Jen Ogof
Teacher Appreciation 27
PRESENTING PRESENTING
THE THE CLASS CLASS OF OF
2025 2025
HIGH SCHOOLS ATTENDED Beacon High School Birch Wathen Lenox The Browning School The Churchill School The Dwight School Eagle Hill School Frank Sinatra School of the Arts LaSalle Academy Mary McDowell Friends School The Masters School McClancy High School New York Harbor School Rhinebeck High School The Greenwood School West End Secondary School Winston Prep Xavier High School York Prep School
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1970s
2001
1965 1998
The Gateway School is founded by Elizabeth Freidus and Claire Flom.
Gateway is designated by the New York State Commissioner of Education as an approved nonpublic school.
2003
The school relocates to an American Institue of Architects award-winning building at 236 Second Avenue. Gateway expands to add a transition program and a sixth grade.
Gateway is the second independent special education school in New York City to be accredited by NYSAIS.
2008
2025
2019 2022
Gateway undertakes a massive renovation program to expand the Gateway extends its premises to include an program through Auditorium, Lunch eighth grade and Room, Middle School moves to its Commons, and current home at additional classroom st 211 West 61 Street. space.
The Gateway School publishes its five year strategic plan to chart the next chapter of its program.
Gateway celebrates 60 years of educating children with language-based learning disabilities.
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TT H H EE G GA A TT EE W WA A YY D II F D F FF EE RR EE N NC C EE
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this report. If you notice any information that needs to be corrected, please contact advancement@gatewayschool.org.