On May 2, Stephen Gaynor School opened its doors to nearly 500 guests for its annual Relatives and Special Friends Day, a Gaynor tradition in which guests are welcomed into the school to witness Gaynor’s mission at work. From choral performances and an alumni panel, to a visit to the SMART Faire, visitors were in for a treat!
After enjoying coffee in the EC Garden, visitors were directed into the Yvette Siegel-Herzog Performing Arts Center for the start of the day’s program. Head of School Dr. Scott Gaynor welcomed everyone in and spoke to them about the hallmarks of a Gaynor education saying, “We teach students how to learn, not just what to learn. We provide them with the tools and strategies they need to manage their workload, set goals, and stay focused… We create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel safe taking risks, asking questions, and celebrating their successes.”
Dr. Gaynor was then joined on stage by a panel of alumni including Kai Arpels-Josiah ’21, Jolie Landau ’21, Jaclyn Trachtenberg ’09, and Aden Wiener ’13. The panelists spoke about their time at Gaynor, and how their lives were transformed by the teachers at the school. In response to the question “What would you tell your eight-year-old self?” Aden said, “I would be telling my eight-year-old self that going here is really going to change your life. I would be nowhere without [the school], I gave my first paycheck that I ever made to Gaynor.” That final comment drew a chorus of heartfelt “aww’s” from the crowd!
Once the panel concluded, guests were treated to performances by the Yellow and Silver Cluster choruses. The Silver Cluster chorus sang “Imagine,” and Yellow Cluster chorus followed with “Someday,” and “Wonder Woman,” a beautiful tribute to Gaynor’s co-founder Yvette Siegel-Herzog that left the audience teary-eyed.
Following the formal program, guests were sent in groups to either the SMART Faire or to their student’s classroom. Activities in the classrooms included Bingo, Jeopardy, quilt-making, and presentations from students about what they’ve learned so far this year. The students were excited to see their visitors and show off their amazing projects!
The afternoon session repeated the schedule of the first, this time with alumni panelists Olivia Beal ’21, Jack Levy ’15, Lily Malewich ’12, and Aden Wiener ’13, joined by Assistant Head of School Jill Thompson. Speaking about what made Gaynor so special, the alums credited their teachers for changing their attitude toward school, and encouraging them to challenge themselves. “I would say what made Gaynor really special is it transformed the classroom into a place I was excited to go to,” said Jack. “Before Gaynor waking up early was a dreadful experience, I didn’t want to go to school, and after Gaynor I never wanted to leave the classroom.”
May 2 marked a great Relatives and Special Friends Day, and visitors left with smiles on their faces and an understanding of how students live Gaynor’s mission everyday.
