ANNUAL REPORT2015-16

Dear friends, family, coworkers, and supporters,

Thank you for providing the inspiration andencouragement needed by our Gateway-Mumbai team to achieve the many successes we have this year! Here are some highlights:

To begin with, we have successfully supported all our Grade 10 students through their National Open University (NIOS) examinations! Also, the results of three students that attempted the Grade 10 Cambridge International examinations (IGCSE) have just started coming in. Two of them have passed with overall averages of 70%, while one of them is awaiting a final result confirmation from the board. We do not know of any other special needs school in India that has undertaken the ambitious challenge of seeing its children through IGCSE! The NIOS achievement is equally special and meaningful to us because our studentssucceeded in their tests without us having tosacrifice on teaching for understanding and instead focusing squarely on rote-memorization (as is commonly done for this examination board). In the words of a parent after the examinations, “The kids have gained in terms of real learning of concepts with relation to the outside world. They have learnt to produce on paper what they have understood.”

At the same time, the artistic achievements of our students this year are awe-inspiring! First, theAnnual Art Show was a pleasantly surprisingrevelation of how quickly and how much thestudents’ visual arts skills and creativity haveincreased in just one year. The process of working closely with more than 11 accomplished artists and designers allowed them to produce more than 50 masterpieces of art in several different mediums including clay, textiles, ceramics, canvas, andothers. But there’s more. The students then went on to blow us away with their dramaticperformances at Annual Day! Supported by aprofessional instructor this year, the students put up two spectacular plays - one described Malala’semotional and inspiring journey to becoming a global changemaker, while the other provided some comic relief with its modern and cheeky take on the classic Cinderella.

Not only have our students done well forthemselves, but they have also been productive contributors to society. The sale of their artwork at the Annual Art Show raised a total net income of more than Rs. 12 lakh (approximately $17,000), and all of this money has been earmarked towards Gateway-Mumbai’s ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’ - where one of our teachers will be sponsored to pursue a Master’s degree in education from a top-tier university in the US. At Gateway-Mumbai,

we havealwaysbelieved that everystakeholder connectedwith the school -students, parents, and teachers -depend on each other and support each other in building their capacity.The fact that our students are contributing the sales from their artwork towards the furthereducation of their teachers is a tangible andpowerful example of this philosophy in action!

As far as Gateway-Mumbai’s outreach program is concerned, this year has been our most impactful by far! Through professional workshops, engaging in systematic school development programs,supporting internships, and inviting professionals for classroom visits, we have helped empowerinstitutions and educators that are working with more than 16,000 students! In addition to these lines of action, we have also participated ingovernment policy reform, educational research and dissemination, and membership in prestigious school networks aiming to reform education in India and around the world.

Finally, I’d like to share with you the greatpossibilities that the near future holds for the K.V. Bodani Education Foundation. We have recently confirmed a strategic partnership with one of the best school teams we have ever interacted with - the Cooke Center for Learning & Development in New York. We will be developing a powerfulinternship program and life-skills program for our older students at Gateway-Mumbai, modeled on Cooke Center’s highly successful curricula.Additionally, we are in the process of exploring strategic partnerships with, a. two renownedcolleges for education in New York, to help usdesign a certificate course for Early Intervention specialists, and b. an exceptionally successfulindependent-living and job-coaching focusedorganization in New York, to help us create aprogram for young adults with Autism and/or other developmental disabilities find and successfully maintain appropriate job placements within the mainstream society.

I promise to keep you posted on thesedevelopments as and when they take placethrough the year ahead.

MESSAGE fROM HEAD Of SCHOOL

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LEARNING THEORY

At Gateway, we firmly believe in theconcept of neuroplasticity. Given theappropriate interventions, all students can learn and there is no ceiling orplateau to their learning capacity. Given this belief, we select activities that aredevelopmentally appropriate. We draw from developmental theorists such as Piaget and Vygotsky, to structurelearning activities that are appropriate for a child’s age and abilities.

The circles in the diagram refer to how we view learning. These circles are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected. Each helps facilitate the other, and for learning to take place, all need to be addressed holistically.

Learning at Gateway begins with the body. I first need to understand myself, my body, and regulate myself in order to learn. This is Sensory Motor development.

On this Sensory Motor foundation is builtSocio-Emotional, Cognitive and LanguageDevelopment, which happens simultaneously. “I use language to think, I have to be able to think before I can function in a group.”

In the outermost circle, we have ExecutiveFunction and Mindset. Executive Function is thecontrol system of the brain - it helps the child navigate through the different skills in theirrepertoire and determine what to employ and when. It helps one organize, plan, identify what to focus on, and what cognitive strategies to use, and guides one to respond in different situations.

Finally, learning is dependent on my Mindset. “If I believe I can learn, I will. Is my mindset one that values the process of learning or only theoutcome?” At Gateway, we encourage ourchildren to focus on process learning, highlighting that success comes from trying, rather than from getting something right.

EXECUTIVE fUNCTION

LANGUAGEDEVELOPMENT

COGNITIVEDEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL-EMOTIONALDEVELOPMENT

MINDSET

THE BRAIN IS PLASTIC AND CAN LEARN

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SENSORYMOTOR

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Keeping the learning theory in mind, wehave outlined some principles that guideour teaching:

MULTI-SENSORYWe also know from research that employing

multiple senses when learning strengthens

students’ understanding and ensures that they

are more actively engaged in tasks.

GROUP LEARNINGWe all learn from and with each other. Eventually,

students will need to be part of a larger society,

working alongside their colleagues. The emphasis

on group learning teaches children how to harness

each other’s strengths and work effectively as a

team.

PROMOTING RISK-TAKINGStructured and safe environments promote

risk-taking, which enables a child to reach out of

his comfort zone and be open to new learning

experiences.

MEANINGfUL TO EVERYDAY LIfEFrom experience, we have learned that students

find more value in studying matters that they

perceive as directly impacting their lives. They are

more intrinsically motivated and can better

generalize and transfer learning.

PROMOTING SELf-REfLECTIONIn order to ‘own’ their learning and utilize it for

problem-solving, students must reflect and learn

from their mistakes. Research tells us that when

we are actively engaged in the process of

learning, and not focused on the outcome, we are

better lifelong learners.

LEARNING THEORY

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SYSTEMATIZED LEARNINGLearning is generated through continuous cycles of study and planning,

action, and reflection. Systematic documentation of insights generated

through pulsating cycles of the learning process are then used to inform

practice at Gateway-Mumbai and also for dissemination to the

community-at-large through outreach projects.

UNIVERSAL PARTICIPATIONEveryone in the Gateway community is involved in relevant

decision-making processes and in the generation of learning.

BUILDING CAPACITYLeadership roles, organizational structures and protocols, and allocation

of resources are all directed towards the overarching goal of supporting

professional growth and building capacity in Gateway’s team members.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCEWe hold all our team members to the highest standards of diligence

and professionalism.

COLLABORATION AND CONSULTATIONCollaboration between Gateway-Mumbai’s multidisciplinary team

members and the student’s family informs the child’s educational plan.

Honest and respectful consultation is used as a tool to facilitate

‘intellectual conflict,’ through which diverse perspectives are shared and

unity of thought is then achieved.

ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY

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2015-2016 OUTCOMES : MISSION

The Gateway School of Mumbai is dedicated to empowering children with learning challenges, along with their families and the professionals that support them. Our intention is to help students develop the skills, knowledge, understandings, and attitudes, necessary for them to lead fulfilling and productive lives as independent and successful individuals that actively contribute to society.

NIOS RESULTSAbout two years ago, our students’ families made a powerful argument for why Gateway-Mumbai should offer the National Institute of OpenSchooling (NIOS) as an alternative Grade 10checkpoint examination to the CambridgeInternational board. After much research,deliberation and consultation, we acknowledged the merits of the suggestion and introduced the NIOS syllabus for select students. The outcome of this collaboration - a 100% clearance rate for all our students that attempted the NIOS examinations in April ‘16! We are proud of our students, theirteachers, and their families!

CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETYEvery year, the proceeds of our art show gotowards a cause. From this year onwards, the funds will be used towards our ‘Excellence in Teaching Award.’ Gateway is a place where we all help each other grow - our teachers help students learn in the classroom, and in turn, our students are helping their teachers learn further, by pursuing a Master’sdegree in education from a top-tier university in the US.

ANNUAL DAYThis year, we had an external theatre professional,Mr. Gerish Khemani, work tirelessly with ourstudents and teachers to put together adrama-based showcase, centred upon Inner Strength. Our younger students performed aspin-off on the classic Cinderella throughshadow theatre. It was inspiring to see our fierce and independent Cinderella build a life for herself. Our older students enacted the tragic yetinspiring story of Malala Yousafzai. It was gratifying to see our students not only embody Malala’sideals of justice, peace and equality during the performance, but truly learn from her story. Our students were not the only performers: some of our parents performed a cheerful Samba dance as a surprise for the students. The evening ended with a lovely dinner organized by our ever-enthusiastic PTA!

To what extent do you feel like the school createsa welcoming environment for you, the parents?

To what extent has the school been prompt andresponsive with email communications sent by you?

To what extent is the aesthetic feel of the campusone that promotes joy and positivity?

How would you rate the school overall?

What parents are saying (anonymous reviews):

OUR ANNUAL ART SHOWGateway-Mumbai’s fourth Annual Art Show - The Spring Summer Showcase 2016 - took place at the prestigious Upadasthra House. The preview, which was attended by students, parents, external artists and designers, socialites and Bollywood actors, was a beautiful representation of Gateway-Mumbai’s unique art program. The event,initially scheduled from 6th-8th April, received a huge response and was extended to view until the 10th of April.

88%

88%

88%

90%

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The Gateway School of Mumbai’s vision is to generate learning and spreadevidence-based practices in the field of education and therapies, in India and globally.

Through conducting professional development workshops, engaging in systematic school-development programs, supporting internships, and inviting professionals tovisit classrooms - this year, Gateway-Mumbai has reached out to and impacted more than 50 institutions, 15 principals/directors, 600 teachers, and approximately 16,000 students!

POLICYGateway-Mumbai was part of a task-force appointed to support the Government of Maharashtra inoutlining concessions and accommodations offered to students appearing for the State BoardExaminations. This project is a work-in-progress.

INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATIONSa. The India School Leadership Institute (ISLI) Network has invited Gateway-Mumbai to be a member of its community of exceptional schools around the country. They aim to support leaders at low-cost schools to work towards driving excellent outcomes in their institutions. So far, ISLI has reached out to 184 school leaders that work with 85,000 students!

b. The Ashoka Changemaker Schools Network has invited Gateway-Mumbai to be a member of itsglobal community of over 200 leading elementary, middle and high schools that are viewed as drivers of a changing education landscape. As part of this network, Gateway-Mumbai will reach out to and share its practices with low-cost private and public schools all over India.

RESEARCHa. The CEC Annual Convention (USA) was recently attended by over 5000 educators, administrators, therapists, and other professionals. Our team members, Dr. Radhika Misquitta and Ms. Manika Khanna were invited to share key learning that has been generated at Gateway-Mumbai over the years.Ms. Khanna presented about Gateway-Mumbai’s unique and powerful professional developmentframework which is designed to build capacity in teachers, and is targeted specifically at developingcountries and other contexts where special educational practices are emerging. b. Research & Development (R&D) Team Study - We created a Research and Development Team atGateway in 2015, in keeping with our vision of continuously learning and spreading best practices ineducation, and to ensure we are at the forefront of innovation. For our first project, the R&D teamexplored how we could increase academic learning time for our students. Results from the studyindicated that our teachers use instructional time optimally (that is, most of the time in a given class is used in teaching content). However, most content tended to be teacher-facilitated, rather thanstudent-facilitated. These results informed our professional development for the next academic year, where our focus will be on students’ group learning.

OUTCOMES Of 2015-2016 : VISION

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THE YEAR IN PICTURES

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Library Week

Adaptive Physical Education Class

Sports Day 2015

Annual Day 2016

Mr. Adi Godrej Visits Gateway-Mumbai

Farewell Party For IGCSE Students

Grandparents’ Day 2015

Parent Support Group

THE YEAR IN PICTURES

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Farewell Party For IGCSE Students

Art Class In Progress

Special Grandstand - Mr. Arjun Kanungo

Library Week

Rock Climbing Fun

GRADE 12Gateway-Mumbai is now offering a 12th grade

programme, a two-year academic + vocational +

service-learning programme for students who have

completed Grade 10. As part of the academic

programme, Gateway will offer the Senior

Secondary NIOS Certificate. This programme is

flexible with a wide range of subjects that students

can choose from, the examinations for which, can

be attempted over several years.

INTERNSHIPAs part of the vocational component of the 12th

grade programme, our students will be ongoingly

engaged in internships. These internship

opportunities will be supported by our team and

will prepare students with the skills and knowledge

to transition effectively into the workforce after

graduation.

SERVICE LEARNINGStudents who are 14-years and older will also be

afforded opportunities for community

service-learning as part of Gateway’s mission to

develop productive and contributing members of

society. For the current year, Gateway has

partnered with Angel Express, an NGO that works

towards the education of underprivileged

students.

ADAPTIVE SKILLS PROGRAM WITH COOKECENTERGateway-Mumbai has partnered with the Cooke

Center for Learning & Development in New York

(USA) to develop a vocational programme for

students 14-years and above. As part of this

programme, students will engage in learning

activities wherein they will develop real-world

skills such as money- and time-management,

independent home-living skills, and will learn to

work effectively in their community. Students will

also undertake internships (with support from our

team) where they will be afforded opportunities to

develop work skills in real-world settings.

R&D TEAMGateway will continue with its R&D team which

began in 2015. We are currently in the planning

process to identify our project for 2016-17.

LOOKING AHEAD 2016-2017

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OUTREACHIn addition to our earlier lines of action for sharing

the tremendous learning being generated at

Gateway on a daily basis, this year we will be

embarking on projects of dramatically higher

scale and scope. This includes designing a series

of courses for India’s largest (and still very new)

online teacher training portal, and supporting

mainstream schools with strategic planning and

teacher training for effective inclusion of kids with

disabilities.

JOB SUPPORTThe K.V. Bodani Foundation is exploring the

possibility of establishing a structured program to

support adults (21+ yrs.) with Autism and/or

other developmental disabilities find appropriate

job placements within mainstream society and

succeed in their responsibilities. The inspiring and

successful Job Path New York (USA) is being

considered as a technical partner for this project.

EARLY INTERVENTION SPECIALIZATIONWe are currently engaged in consultation with a

team of experts from the renowned colleges,

Hunter College and Bank Street College of

Education, in New York (USA), to explore the

possibility of co-designing a certificate training

program for Early Intervention Specialization in

India.

LOOKING AHEAD 2016-2017

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THANK YOU

Ajay De

Alistair Woodham

Ami Modi 

Anita Kanungo & Sanjay Kanungo

Ankur Bhatia 

Anuradha Jasani

Anurag Tyagi 

Apoorva Lakhia 

Bharti Thakker 

Bijal Mehta & Apoorva Mehta 

Bimal Parekh & Arun Shah - Sunidhi Securities

Bob Cunningham

Camphor & Allied Products Ltd. 

Carrie Strauch

Chirag C. Doshi

Deanne Pandey 

Divya Mafatlal 

Ekta & Rahul Raheja - Raheja Universal Pvt. Ltd.

Elina Meswani & Nikhil Meswani

Fran Reinstein

Gagan Oberoi

Gaurav Shah

Gayatri Meswani 

Ginnie Nudell

Gopi Patel

Grishma Saksaria

Hita Tolia 

Ishana Kirpalani

John Gloster & Tisha Gloster 

Jossie O’Neill

Jyoti Soonderji 

Kaajal Prashar

Kalandi Kilachand 

Karan Johar

Kavita Singh & Nandini Singh

Kayomi Engineer 

Kelly Dorfman

Kinnari Punjabi 

Krsna Mehta

Laila Bijlani Motwani 

Lakshmi V. Nair

Mahesh Jethmalani 

Manju Bafna 

Manvinder Dawar 

Meghna Shah

Michelle Poonawala

Munisha Malhotra 

Nandini Seth 

Nidhi Gia 

Nina Kilachand 

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Oriental Aromatics Ltd. 

Orrin Devinsky

Parag Satoskar

Penny Patel & Sanjeev Patel

Pernia Qureshi 

Premal Sanghvi 

Puja Malpani

Radhika Ruia 

Rakhee Mehra

Ramesh Gurjala 

Reena Wadhwa 

Renu Chainani 

Reshma Piramal & Harsh Piramal

Reshma Merchant 

Ritika Garg

Robert Swan

Rupa Thakker 

Sant Sanganeria Foundation 

Sapna Singhania 

Sapna Tulsiani & Uttam Tulsiani

Seema Jogani

Seema Khan 

Sharon Herzfeld

Sheila Kanungo

Shibani Agarwal

Shivya Trehan

Shriyali Tayabji

Smita A. Jatia

Smita Sanghavi

Sonal Panchmatia 

Sonali Thakker 

Sonam Kapoor

Sudhir Jain 

Superna Motwani

Sushma Saksaria (La Devi)

Tania Deol & Bobby Deol

Tara Daswani 

Tara Sharma 

Tarini Jindal Handa & Vikram Handa

Thota Vaikuntam 

Tonya Pulanco

Usha Vora 

Vaishali Bafna 

Vatsal Sheth 

Vidita Singh 

Vijay Kadam 

Yogeshwari Singh & Sameer Parikh

THANK YOU

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The time I spent at Gateway is undoubtedly one of the turning points in my life where I

realised, I really want to be a Special Ed. Teacher! Without the support, training and

opportunities provided by this team, I would never have had the chance to work with such

amazing children and recognize the career I want for myself and strive towards achieving it.

former teacher (now pursuing further studies)

01 August 2015

The school is not a school, it’s a second home for the kids. The warmth and affection that I

felt made me realise how hard you all have worked and what a tremendous job you all have

done. Love, laughter and happiness exuded everywhere. We all felt comforted and secure in

the knowledge that someone understands and is ready to be there for them… The gateway

school needs to be congratulated for this service to society. Reality seems to take a

different hue now. Life has its challenges and those who make it easier for us should not only

be thanked but applauded in abundance.

Grandparent26 October 2015

Thanks for the status update and for being so sensitive towards the kids’ well being...We also

observe that this sense of responsibility and concern is prevalent throughout the school. My

elder son studies in a different school. How much ever I avoid making a comparison between

the two schools, I must admit that Gateway school stands out...and that too by a wide

margin.

Parent05 February 2016

My paper went awesome..... I was not anxious throughout. I finally gave a paper without

being anxious. I will do so well miss. Thank you!

Email from Grade 10 student, right after NIOS exam

April 2016

TESTIMONIALS

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We wish to congratulate the entire Bodani family for living a dream and making it happen...

in such a short span of four years.

Going by my modest professional experience, I can say this is an impossible delivery made

possible...the teams delivering presentations yesterday reflected a radiance backed by confi-

dence that we had not seen in the past. The future of our children is in more than safe hands,

more than what we expected from you to be delivered.

Parent30 July 2016

On behalf of the PTA, I wish to congratulate the GSoM management for their unique demo-

cratic approach. Honestly, I believe that we would not find another school in Mumbai or for

that matter in India, who would be as honest & transparent with the parents. I thank you, for

making us part of such a GSoM family and feel very fortunate of being a part of it. We are

truly blessed!

PTA member26 February 2015

TESTIMONIALS

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The Gateway School Of MumbaiSion-Trombay Road, Next to Deonar Bus Depot,

Diagonally opposite TISS, Govandi (E), Mumbai – 400088

Phone: +91-22-25563613, +91-22-25563614

Email: info@gatewayschoolmumbai.org

www.gatewayschoolmumbai.org