Our Community: A Family Affair

A hallmark of GBS is the breadth and depth of the school's family program which includes parents as partners, resources and advocates. Research continually indicates that early intervention is critical to students' success. This is true for the Gillen Brewer student body. Therefore, GBS, unlike most other schools, begins educating children at the young age of 2.7 years old. When it is appropriate, students can stay at Gillen Brewer until they are 10 years old. This helps to ensure that individuals and their families are served during each child's most formative, early childhood years.

It is the personal experiences of Gillen Brewer's parents that continue to ensure this family approach:

Gillen Brewer helped us to reclaim our child from the terrifying abyss into which he was disappearing. The school provided us a team of dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who understood our son's condition and had ways to mitigate the symptoms...We understood that early intervention was crucial, but which intervention? And how to implement it? Gillen Brewer provided our child with a comprehensive program and us with a community. Perhaps even more important than the high level of coherent, professional services, was the compassion and loving support the Gillen Brewer School gave our child and our entire family.

— Janet Grillo, Gillen Brewer Alumni Parent

Gillen Brewer's unwavering commitment to each Gillen Brewer family is a cornerstone of the program. School philosophy is founded on the belief that changing the life of a child can only be achieved through meeting the needs of the family as well. GBS's goal for parents is that they develop an understanding of their child and acquire the information and strategies with which to be his/her strongest and most supportive advocate. As both mentor and partner to parents, the school strives to provide a network of resources and to develop a collaborative relationship which fosters awareness and sensitivity and enhances the progress of each individual child.

In true Gillen Brewer spirit, every Gillen Brewer parent is a member of the school's Parents' Association. A group of 18 parent volunteers act as Class Representatives (2 for each class), providing significant services for Gillen Brewer including assistance with programmatic initiatives and fundraising activities. The Parents' Association is led by two co-chairs.