About

Purpose

The South Amboy Parent Teacher Organization is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization run by volunteers whose mission is to help create a positive educational environment in our school district. We do this by hosting numerous events throughout the academic year for our Elementary and Middle/High school students, families, teachers, and staff, as well as fundraisers that pay for festivities such as these and fund improvements to our school facilities. That's what we do — we memory-make and we facilitate! — by fostering cohesive relationships between our parents and school administrators and faculty, as well as the South Amboy Board of Education and the wider South Amboy community.

2025-26 Executive Committee Pending Announcement

SAPTO Governing Document

To view our current bylaws, adopted January 10, 2023, click below.

2024-25 SAPTO Committee Chairs

Standing Committees of the Board

Membership: Judy Pitsios

Responsible for conducting the annual membership drive, including creating a registration form and graphics, collecting dues, and maintaining a master list of membership.

Hospitality: Stefanie DePasquale

Creates a friendly, inclusive atmosphere at meetings, etc., by providing refreshments, etc. Collaborates with Membership to conduct outreach activities geared towards increasing membership and member engagement, such as new “Meet and Greet” events.

Sunshine: Stefanie DePasquale

Acts as the social conscience of the organization, recognizing with cards/gifts members who are undergoing a particular circumstance: e.g. illness, retirement, marriage, childbirth, etc.

Marketing/Communications: Judy Pitsios

Communicates details of PTO activities and/or pertinent school info through creating graphics/videos/fliers/posters used on our website/social media, in district/school emails, and securing inclusion in community outlets such as the SA Schools' newsletter, etc.

Nominating: TBD

Solicit board member candidates, confirm eligibility, conduct voting

Other Committees

Birthday Ice Celebrations at SAES: Teresa Soto

Organizes monthly parties in the cafeteria with Texas Roadhouse.

Boo Grams: Marie Holovacko

Conducts a sale in mid-late October for ES and MS students (grades PreK-8th). Students pay a nominal fee to send a “Boo Gram” to another student — “You’ve been ‘booed.’” (Parents can send one to their children and children’s teachers as well.) In 2024 the grams were Halloween-themed rubber duckies. In the past it was a “Smencil” — a scented pencil.

Book Fair: Elyse Leavy 

Organizes Scholastic Book Fair(s) at the ES, typically one in the fall and one in the spring.

Class Parents/Grade Reps: Judy Pitsios

Elicits volunteers, confirms representatives with school administrators, creates annual Class Parent handbook, and conducts meeting in early October; also provides timely info to parent reps to disseminate to Class Parents who in turn communicate directly with the parents/guardians in their child’s class.

Elementary School Monthly Birthday Celebrations: Teresa Soto

Coordinates monthly celebrations sponsored by Texas Roadhouse. Students with birthdays that month are treated to ice cream (or a non-dairy ice pop) in the cafeteria.

Elementary School Dance, Father-Daughter: Nicole Simonson 

Traditionally a formal affair every February in the MHS cafeteria surrounding a theme with catered buffet dinner, DJ, photo booth, and favors. 

2025: Disco | 2024: Candyland | 2023: Alice in Wonderland. 2020: Me & My Guy Sweetheart Dance

Elementary School Dance, Mother-Son: Monique Martinez

Traditionally a party-type event every March in the MHS cafeteria surrounding a theme with catered buffet dinner, DJ, photo booth, and favors. 

2025: Sock Hop | 2024: Hollywood Red Carpet | 2023: Glow Party | 2019: Fortnite

Festivals/Special Events: Judy Pitsios

• ES Orientations: Every August we host tables with freebies for PreK, Kindergarten, and New Families

• Back-to-School Night: As with orientations, we host a table with freebies for families during each school’s BTS Night

• Fall Fest: Typically the Friday prior to Halloween hosted at the MHS, in partnership with the HS Senior Class’s “Haunted Hallway” (which is as it sounds – seniors close off and decorate a dark hallway and dress up in scary costumes, charging admission for entry – it’s pretty frightful; not for the very young). The PTO began by hosting FREE pumpkin painting in the cafeteria (registration required) and a bake sale, and has grown the event in recent years to house food vendors in the cafeteria, as well as activities in the gym, including karaoke, raffles, Grade-sponsored games, and craft vendors. Please email sapto08879@gmail to lend us your ideas and manpower!

• Food Truck Festival: For the last four years we’ve hosted the “Kids Zone” with a bounce house, dunk tank, etc. at SA Enterprise Firehouse’s Festival in June 

• South Amboy events such as National Night Out, South Amboy Day: We host free Spin Art and other activities. 

Flier Sales: Danny Rodriguez

Fundraisers based on sales through brochures supplied by local vendor Kastle Kreations/Gifts n Things, etc. This Sept/Oct at the ES: “Winter Wonderland” gifts including Yankee Candle. This JanFeb: Gourmet Popcorn

Fun Day, PreK-2nd: Cara Daniell

A field day type event with games and treats held every June on the ES field.

Fun Day(s), 3rd-5th: Danny Rodriguez

Class trip(s) to fun locations in June

Fun Run: Elyse Leavy

Our largest fundraiser of the year, typically held in late spring (at the ES). Switching it up now -- next event will be in fall 2025. Students collect pledges for running laps on a small course on the ES field (up to 35)... Funds raised at runs have gone toward facility improvements such as the ES playground, new recess equipment, and character-building student assemblies. 2024 vid; 2023 vid.

Games of Chance: N/A

Leads fundraising raffles and “games of chance” such as bingos and tricky trays. 

Middle/High School Events/Activities: MHS Rep Marie Holovacko

• Assist grade advisors in coordinating/fundraising for special events.

• Responsible for coordinating SAPTO funding of Scholarships for graduating seniors and awards for eighth graders.

Holiday Shop: Elyse Leavy

Leads week-long pop-up shop every December at the ES for students to buy gifts (.50 - $15) for family members. In the past we’ve hosted sales tables for two days during lunch hours at the MHS as well.

Ongoing Fundraisers: Cara Daniell

Coordinates special fundraising efforts such as the Box Top program, special “dine to donate” events at local eateries, SA days at venues such as Chuck E. Cheese, iPlay, etc.

Teacher Appreciation: Judy Pitsios/Marie Holovacko

Coordinates a week-long series of gifts and activities for faculty at both schools during Teacher Appreciation Week in early May.

Special Fundraisers: Marie Holovacko

Conducts events such as the Basketball game held on Jan. 6, 2024 between our "South Amboy Stars" (school administrators, faculty, and staff) against the world-famous Harlem Wizards. 

Please email us at sapto08879@gmail.com with any questions at all, and we will gladly get back to you within 48 hours.