PTO Administration & Committees

2024-2025 Niskayuna High School PTO Committees and Volunteers

 Co-Presidents: Jennifer Hanson (1st year), Open (1st year) 

The PTO President/Co-Presidents’ responsibilities include running PTO meetings and offering support and assistance to PTO volunteers and committee leaders.  They also represent the NHS PTO on the PTO Council and on several school committees such as the selection committee for the Hall of Fame.

Vice-President: Lara Goldberg

The vice-president/co-vice presidents organize a team of parents who accept PTO dues at Back To School Night and help with sign-ups for NHS PTO emails as well as volunteer opportunities.  They also represent the NHS PTO at the 8th grade orientation evenings.

Secretary: Mary Staudinger             

The secretaries/co-secretaries record the minutes at each meeting and work with the Communications Officer to disseminate information to the PTO member families.

Treasurer: Peter Sandvik

The PTO treasurer maintains the financial records, pays bills and accepts payments, helps with creating the yearly budget and presents a financial report at each PTO meeting.

Communications/Marketing Officer: Joy James

The Communications/Marketing Officer oversees communications, including material in websites, emails, social media, and other communication outlets, maintains membership records, and assists the Secretary in maintaining the records archive.  They are also tasked with generating awareness and excitement about the NHS PTO to recruit Freshman & Sophomore parents to volunteer.  

If you are a committee chair and need an email blast sent, please email our PTO at niskyhspto@gmail.com.

PTO CRAFT FAIR: This community event is the PTO's only fundraiser and is held on the 4th Saturday of October each year (October 26, 2024 from 10am - 3pm). 

• 2024 Craft Fair Chairperson: Millie Gnatek

The Chairperson  is main contact person, assists the Booth Coordination chair in determining layout of fair,  forms and communications, solicits crafters and vendors, coordinates with other chairs, and leads the taping and set of the booths on the night before the fair. 

• 2024 Booth Coordination Chair:  Manisha Mathur

The Booth Coordination Chairs are the main contacts between crafters and vendors. They receive contracts and determine the layout of fair, prepare forms and communications, and support crafters and vendors.

• 2024 Volunteer Coordination Chair:  Anne Burger

The Volunteer Coordination Chairs solicit and supervise "day-of" volunteers who assist with set-up, tear-down, and on the day of the Fair.

• 2024 Craft Fair Bake Sale:  Carolyn Cadoret

Bake Sale Chairs solicit bake sale donations and staff the sales table.

• 2024 Craft Fair Raffle: Denise Watso

Raffle Chairs solicit donations from crafters, staff the raffle table, conduct the raffle, and disburse the raffle items.

• 2024 Craft Fair Concessions: Lori Lembo

Food Concession Chairs purchase and/or prepare food, drink, and all necessary supplies to be sold at the concession, as well as overseeing its operation.

2024 Newcomers' Ice Cream Social:  Ant and Jody Lovegrove

Held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, this Ice Cream Social welcomes families of freshman and those new to the high school.  The chairpersons coordinate dessert donations and work with the high school administration on contacting potential attendees.

2024 Back-to-School Night:  TBD

Held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, Back to School night provides information about the PTO. Tables are set up in Crossroads and a PTO representative needs to be present along with a few volunteers to answer questions regarding the PTO, collect dues if needed and provide refreshments. 

2025 Junior Class After-Prom Committee Chairperson(s): TBD

This event, a party for juniors, regardless if they attend the prom, offers a safe environment for the Junior Class to gather for a fun late night of activities and food.  This committee plans the event, solicits donations and recruits volunteers.

2025 Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Jocelyn Rockower

This end-of-year luncheon expresses our appreciation for the staff.  Donations are solicited from parents to provide and supplement a catered meal. 

2024-2025 NCAP Representatives: Aaron Hull, Jeanne Sosnow 

Parent rep who attends the Niskayuna Community Action Program (NCAP) monthly meetings and provides information back to the PTO during PTO monthly meetings.

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