Dear Gateway Community,

As we finish up the first semester in both our schools, we are reminded of just how fortunate we are as a community. We have two schools at full capacity. We have a team of dedicated, compassionate professionals working diligently to help shape the next generation of leaders. Our wider community of parents, friends, and donors continues to demonstrate the highest levels of commitment and care. And our students delight and inspire us.

Over the last month or so, in between reviews for finals, a ridiculous cold snap, and Project Week preparation, our schools took time to focus on gratitude. We talked about it in our advisories with students, and we discussed it in strategic leadership meetings. In spite of the charge towards year-end and the holiday break, the collective energy around our halls has been something really special. We tried to capture a little of that "something" in our #GratitudeProject.

On that note, it is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to our beloved Director of Development and Outreach, Tina McGovern, as she moves on from Gateway Public Schools to her new post at UCSF. Tina's years of service to our organization have helped shape us into a more effective model of public education with a wider impact. We are changed forever because of her work. Please join me in recognizing Tina for her dedication, kindness, and the radiant energy she has shared with us for the better part of a decade.

In other news, we have our charter renewal coming in the spring and will need your support as we move into the process. We also have an expanding (and newly funded) garden project in the works as well as ongoing training and professional development around the Common Core and what to expect come Fall 2015. Plus, Project Weeks kicks off right after the Winter Break. Stay tuned for updates. And if you haven't yet, please follow us on Facebook which has become a great place to check in on our day-to-day goings on. 

All in all, there is a lot to look forward to and much for which to be grateful. All of us at Gateway wish you and yours a warm and joyous holidays season.

Regards,

Sharon Olken