The Quad Preparatory School Hosts 4th Annual Founder’s Gala Benefitting Twice Exceptional Students on May 11, 2017
New York, NY — The Quad Preparatory School (Quad Prep), a non-profit, private, college preparatory school located in downtown Manhattan that serves Twice Exceptional (2e) students or gifted children who have learning differences, will host its Fourth Annual Founder’s Gala on May 11, 2017 at The Rubin Museum of Art. The heart of the gala is about celebrating the achievements of three professionals who have dedicated their lives to supporting the needs of Twice Exceptional students: Nancy Tarshis, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Debbie Meringolo, M.A., M.S., whose wisdom and support helped realize the Social Emotional curriculum at Quad Prep. Additionally, Quad Prep is bestowing the Founder’s Award to its Assistant Head of School, Francisco Cornejo, for his advocacy and embodiment of school values: collaboration, creativity, commitment, inclusion, integrity, and resiliency.
The gala event runs from 7pm to 10pm and features a reception with science-inspired cocktails provided by mixologist Dave Arnold of Booker and Dax, Himalayan food, the retro grooves of The Vintage DJ, and a silent auction with unique items including an adventure trip to Machu Picchu, Peru. An online auction complements the Founder’s Gala event and runs through May 18 at biddingforgood.com/quadprep. All proceeds raised benefit The Quad Preparatory School.
The Quad Preparatory School (Quad Prep) is a K-11 school that has grown from 3 to 50 students within four years. Next fall, the student population will be growing to 72 students. The model of Quad Prep is to offer 1-on- 1 academic instruction. To meet a student at his/her level of gifts, while simultaneously providing support and skill building for social-cognitive and social-emotional challenges, Quad Prep’s educational and psycho-social staff is almost as large as its student body. Students thrive under this model, but the financial cost to give such supportive, individualized learning is exceedingly high. The Annual Founder’s Gala is an opportunity for the school’s community and donors to come together to celebrate Twice Exceptional professionals while raising funds to benefit the school.
MORE ABOUT THE HONOREES
Nancy Tarshis, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the Director of Speech and Language Services at the Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Deborah Meringolo, M.A., M.S., is the Associate Director, Infant/Toddler Team and Co-Director, RELATE at Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
In addition to their dedication to The Quad Preparatory School, they have been helping children of all abilities communicate and engage with the world for more than 20 years. They are renowned as Social Thinking TM experts and have served as mentors for countless numbers of educators, clinicians, and parents.
Moreover, Dr. Kimberly Busi, founder of The Quad Preparatory School, offered the following, "I am always blown away by how Deb and Nan constantly apply their new knowledge to refine and expand on their approach.” Dr. Busi continues, “They never offer the same presentation twice—they are always growing as educators and clinicians. By honoring Debbie and Nancy at this year's gala, my hope is that 2e educators, both at Quad Prep and beyond, will continue to expand and refine their knowledge similarly."
For complete information including full bios, please see our Honoree Page on our website: http://www.quadprep.org/gala-honorees
Founder’s Gala Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/412104292486040/ MORE ABOUT THE 2017
FOUNDER’S AWARD RECIPIENT
The Quad Prep Founder's Award, established in 2014, is only presented when there is a Quad Prep educator whose work is deemed exceptional. Indeed, Francisco Cornejo’s resilience, creativity, and passion for the school and students help to motivate staff, provide objective solutions to obstacles, and propel Quad Prep to where it is today. In his original role as the lead special education teacher, Francisco built the foundation for the school’s day-to-day functioning while supporting the students’ academic and social-emotional needs. Now, in his current role as the Assistant Head of School, he is an invaluable administrator who always returns to the foundational values of the school for the basis of every decision made.
Our two past recipients are Heather Goldman, Ph.D., the founding psychologist of The Quad Manhattan and Founding School at Quad Prep during the pilot year; and Patrizia Saglio, for providing angelic support that allowed us to actualize our programs.
For complete information including full bio, please see our Founde
r’s Award Recipient page on our website: http://www.quadprep.org/founders-award
MORE ABOUT THE QUAD PREPATORY SCHOOL
The Quad Preparatory School is dedicated to the education of Twice Exceptional students and the students are indeed exceptional—most have genius level IQ’s, but also experience developmental, social or other challenges that frequently hinder growth and success in traditional gifted educational environments. Quad Prep students have the intellectual potential to change the world—they are the future thought leaders, paradigm shifters and game changers. But to rise to this level, they need support, encouragement and respect for their gifts and talents.
Ultimately, Quad Prep aims to offer its students the most current teaching methods directly from academic and medical centers from across the country. As a school, Quad Prep is invested in sharing its experiences with the larger educational and clinical community, in New York City and beyond, through annual Breakthroughs (2e)
conference—coming up May 10-12, 2018 at Cooper Union in New York City.