Please see the amended agenda item from the meeting held on Monday, August 17, 2026: Item 11.2.
Social Worker
Staff
Middle School Social Worker
High School Social Worker
Elementary Social Worker (EV & UP)/Homeless Liaison
Elementary Social Worker (CSE & Ramsey)/Foster Coordinator
Resources
The Gateway School District is supported by four wonderful, hardworking social workers. Each social worker works diligently to provide our students and families with all of the necessary support and resources they need to thrive inside and outside of the classroom.
As school social workers, we hope to see your students at school every day! Research demonstrates that student attendance is directly linked to academic performance and future success. Our goal is to work with you to ensure that we can work through any challenges that may present barriers to your student attending school regularly. Through communicating about attendance, holding meetings, and creating SAIPs (Student Attendance Improvement Plans), our hope is to proactively address attendance concerns for students.
If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s attendance, please reach out to your building social worker for support.
Aaron R. Smith, LSW/SSW - Grades K-4, Evergreen & University Park Elementary
arsmith@gatewayk12.org
Karen Brecht, LSW/SSW,MSEd - Grades 5-8, Gateway Middle School
kbrecht@gatewayk12.org
Gina Trunzo, LSW/MBA - Grades K-4, Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. & Ramsey Elementary
gtrunzo@gatewayk12.org
Eliana Jorgensen, LCSW/SSW - Grades 9-12, Gateway High School
ejorgensen@gatewayk12.org
The Gateway School District is committed to supporting the whole child by offering families information about local community resources. We partner with local organizations in order to make sure that students and their families are connected with the tools and support they need to be successful. Below are several organizations that are available for help. This list is not exhaustive, but is meant to provide some basic information for families who may benefit from their services. For additional resources, please contact your building social worker.
Foster & Homeless Resources
Gateway School District strives to provide educational stability and school success to our students in Foster Care and facing possible displacement/homelessness.
District Homeless Liaison -
Aaron Smith, arsmith@gatewayk12.org
412-372-5300 x02910
Contact to help assist with navigating resources involving housing or displacement.
District Foster Coordinator
Gina Trunzo, gtrunzo@gatewayk12.org
412-374-9179
Contact to help assist with navigating resources involving foster care needs.
https://www.pafostercare.org/
For our students and families experiencing displacement and homelessness, we offer specialized support under the McKinney-Vento Act. Our goal is to remove barriers through connecting families with resources in our local community. To access these services, please see the resources below or reach out to your building social worker or our District Homeless Liaison, Aaron Smith.
Aaron Smith LSW - SSW/HSV
arsmith@gatewayk12.org - 412-463-8624
Foster Resources
Act 1 of 2022 (Act 1) (24 P.S. Section 13-1331.1) was enacted to remove educational and graduation barriers for students who move between school entities due to homelessness, adjudication, foster care, and juvenile justice or court-ordered placements.
Gateway School District strives to provide educational stability and school success to our students in Foster Care. For specific questions or needs, please contact your building social worker or our District Foster Coordinator, Gina Trunzo.
Gina Trunzo, Fostering Connections Liaison - 412-374-9179; gtrunzo@gatewayk12.org
Additional Resources
Policy 251: Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and Other Educational Instability
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