Wheeler School

Today we're celebrating two alumnae authors with exciting new projects for middle grade readers!

📚 Abby Zwetchkenbaum Gibson, M.Ed. ’11

As an Orton-Gillingham tutor and former 5th-grade teacher, Abby Zwetchkenbaum Gibson, M.Ed. '11 spent years searching for the right books for her dyslexic students. The decodable texts available were often too simple, repetitive, and unengaging for older readers, while the books her students wanted to read were often linguistically out of reach.

So Abby decided to write the books she wished existed.

The result: “Friends and Foes,” a compelling high-low fiction series that addresses the real social challenges kids face while making engaging chapter books accessible for striving and reluctant readers.

As Abby shares, "This project is deeply personal and professionally meaningful to me. It grew directly out of my work with students, my love of writing, and my belief that emerging readers deserve rich, engaging stories without compromising instructional integrity."

Congratulations, Abby, on this exciting achievement, and thank you for creating stories that help more young readers discover the joy of reading.

“When students, faculty, staff, and visitors walk through the Cummings Room hallway this fall, they'll be welcomed by Wheeler's previous heads of school, whose portraits are now being hung,” says Providence Campus Director of Operations Nicole Mineo P’38 as she gives us a tour of the campus renovations currently underway. 🛠️

Originally, Ms. Mineo explains, each portrait hung in the building dedicated to that head of school. “It made sense why they would be present in those spaces, but we realized that gathering them all in this common space, with Mary C. Wheeler as the lead, would create a connection to Wheeler’s history while celebrating the legacy and contributions of previous leaders.”

That sense of honoring Wheeler's past while creating spaces that better serve today's community is evident across the Providence campus this summer. Beyond the portraits, the first floor of the Hope Building is receiving a fresh new look, while the Nulman Lewis Student Center is being updated with bright blue lounge seating that will offer an even more welcoming space for students to gather.

Nearby in Madden Gym, new additions celebrate Wheeler Warrior pride from every angle. Thanks to alumna Elaine Phuong ’26, a beautiful mural now greets visitors heading to the Athletics Department, photo collages featuring student-athletes and memorable Field Day moments are on display, and the basketball courts feature freshly painted white walls with Wheeler purple-and-gold stripes, including a bold tribute to our "One Wheeler" spirit. 💜💛

Under the surface of these visual updates, both the Dance Studio and the weight room have newly installed air conditioning, which is an especially welcome addition during the warmer months.

On the other side of campus, the Fresh Air Building (FAB) is also being refreshed with a new staircase and new carpeting.

But one of the most anticipated transformations is the former locker room area in FAB, which is being reimagined as The Commons, a new work and lounge space for Upper Schoolers. Made possible through this year's Senior Family Gift, the project will provide students with another place to study and connect.

“While the major renovations are wonderful, it’s the little details that truly stand out, including the restoration and showcasing of original architectural features that were uncovered behind the walls and ceilings during construction,” says Ms. Mineo, pointing to one of the restored architectural features in The Commons.

Students wondering where they'll store their belongings can rest assured. Ms. Mineo says lockers will be relocated throughout Morgan Hall.

“These campus-wide upgrades represent a major milestone for our Operations and Facilities teams,” she adds. “We spent a significant amount of time engaging directly with our students, faculty, and staff to truly understand their needs, and we believe we’ve delivered on all fronts. We’re excited for the Wheeler community to experience these transformed spaces, vibrant new aesthetics, and modern upgrades starting this new school year.” ✨

A new season of learning is underway at Hamilton 🌞. 

“We were thrilled to welcome 42 children on Monday morning to this year's four-week Hamilton Summer Program, where learning and fun are deeply entwined,” share Director of the Hamilton Institute Jeanette Epstein and Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy.

Now in its fourth year, this intensive program supports students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences during the summer break. Through specialized instruction in reading, writing, and spelling, students develop essential literacy skills while building confidence – just as they do at Hamilton during the school year. 📚💡

“Our attendees are already showing progress in learning how to crack the code to reading, writing, and spelling, and parents and guardians have shared that their children are finding the summer program both meaningful and enjoyable,” shares Ms. Epstein.

“While one of the primary goals of our program is to help solidify children's literacy skills, we also prioritize strengthening their confidence and identities as readers, writers, thinkers, and innovators,” adds Mr. McCarthy.

With three weeks still ahead, Ms. Epstein and Mr. McCarthy look forward to seeing each student's growth continue throughout the remainder of the program.