PTO Administration & Committees

2023-2024 Niskayuna High School PTO Committees and Volunteers

 Co-Presidents: Cheryl Gerstler (2nd 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: Laura 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 Officer: Nicole McLaud

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

CRAFT FAIR: This community event is the PTO's only fundraiser and is held on the 4th Saturday of October each year. 

• 2023 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. 

• 2023 Booth Coordination Chair:  TBD

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.

• 2023 Volunteer Coordination Chair:  TBD

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

• 2023 Craft Fair/Bake Sale:  TBD

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

• 2023 Craft Fair/Raffle: TBD

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

• 2023 Craft Fair Concessions: TBD

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.

2023 Newcomers Dinner:  Jody Lovegrove

Held in the fall, this dinner welcomes families of freshman and those new to the high school.  The chairpersons coordinate food, dessert donations and work with the high school administration on contacting potential attendees.

2023 Back-to-School Night:  TBD

Held in the fall, 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. 

2023 College Night: (OPEN)

Held in the spring, this event involves presentations from experts statewide on everything college-related.  Presentations are targeted for different grade levels, and parents and students grades 9-12 are welcome to attend. The PTO representative works with the Counseling Department to help with event planning and organization.

2024 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.

2024 Senior Gala and Senior BBQ / Senior Recognition Committee Chairperson(s): TBD

The Gala is a semi-formal end of the year event for our seniors, usually held at the Glen Sanders Mansion or a similar venue. The committee plans activities and solicits donations from parents and the community.

The Senior BBQ is held at the high school after seniors return from the graduation rehearsal.  Parents prepare and serve food organized and obtained by the committee.

2024 Staff Appreciation Luncheon: TBD

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

2023-2024 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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