Join the fun!
One of the great things about PS 199 is the many opportunities to be involved at the school. Our PTA committees offer parents a variety of way to get involved that are personally meaningful. Whether you have a few minutes or want to take the lead, you’ll find a fun way to be involved through our committees. We encourage every parent to volunteer in some way throughout the school year – it’s such a fun and rewarding opportunity.
Information about each of our committees is below. If you aren’t sure which committee is the right place, email the PTA and we will gladly talk through ideas to find the right spot for you. We’d also love to hear about any new committee or event ideas.
Event Committees
Our event committees help organize and execute the many great events the PTA hosts each year. Commitments for each event range from a few hours and up.
Click on the committee names below to sign up for committees through our new communication and volunteering system, Konstella. Alternatively, click here to see all Committee sign-up opportunities in Konstella at once. (Note, you must be logged in to Konstella to view.)
Chair: Karen Kennedy and Christine Lio Capilouto
The Annual Gala & Auction is the PTA’s largest fundraising, raising over 40% of the annual budget. The event is also a great time for parents, teachers, and staff. The Auction is held in the Spring. Committee members participate in all aspects of event planning and execution from communications, donation solicitations, sponsorships, party planning and more. Volunteer opportunities available at varying levels of commitment.
Chair: Abigail Schlaff, Samantha Tawfik
Do you like to bake? Do you enjoy encouraging others (or yourself) to buy delicious home baked goods? If so, please join the bake sale committee. It’s a great way to get to know other parents and to help our school.
Chair: Melissa Dye, Andrea Badino
An evening of show-stopping Broadway hits featuring professional performers from the PS 199 community and beyond. We need assistance identifying performers and planning event logistics, handling day-of setup and coordination, and marketing and promoting.
Chair: Amy Goffin & Jill Erlichman
Get fit, have fun, AND raise money for the school. This committee plans a set of fitness oriented events for both kids and adults throughout the school year such as GaGa night, Group Spin classes, Lacrosse, and more.
Chair: Geraldine Lametrie and Moe Bardach
The Halloween Fall Festival is the first big fundraiser of the school year. The event includes loads of Halloween themed activities and crafts, plus a spooktacular Haunted House.
Chair: Victoria Micalizzi and Bridget Bardach
Each December, the PTA hosts a holiday party for our children and families. The Holiday Party is held on a Saturday afternoon in December and includes fun games, crafts, music, and a shopping area where the children can buy gifts for family and friends.
Chairs: Rebecca Zimba and Andrea Badino
The Scholastic Book Fair is like a book store right in PS 199. At each fair, every class has a specified time to shop. Parents are welcome to come and help out during your child’s shop day or volunteer to assist customers.
Chair: Needed!
Stars on Stage is a school-wide talent show for 4th and 5th graders. It takes place in March. It is a kid driven and parent run event. Parents are needed to assist with backstage efforts and with the overall organization of the event. It is a wonderful community builder and great fun to work on!
Chair: Annette Bhatia
Each Thanksgiving Help organize an evening of community, crafts, food, fun and giving thanks!
Other Committees
Chair: Richard Lovatt
The audit committee is responsible for reviewing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the PTA on an annual basis.
Chair: Lainie Kernis & Marianna Crespi
This committee plans events and drives to serve the community beyond our school. Past endeavors have included City Harvest, NY Cares Coat Drive, Toys for Tots, Back to School Supply Drive, and many more.
Chair: Prashanthi Reddy & Bindu Kurra
The Diversity Committee’s mission is to celebrate diversity, nurture respect and acceptance, and challenge assumptions—in our school community and in the world. We broadly define diversity to encompass differences in culture, race, religion, language, learning styles, physical and mental abilities, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomics, among others. We aim to reach out to the entire school community, and promote awareness, discussion, and positive actions, through programs for adults, families, and children.
Recent Diversity Committee programs have included international festivals with food, performing arts, interactive workshops, fashion and other cultural highlights of different regions around the world; round-table discussions on books, films and topics of relevance to our school community; an annual holiday celebration for students in the self-contained classrooms; and dance and music performances with on-stage workshops for students and parents. The committee also participates in events like the annual school holiday party and has produced an online, student-created book on kindness. Click HERE to visit the Diversity Committee Page.
Chair: Raeka Delong and Rebecca Zimba
Help cultivate the school gardens and environmental, ecological and botanical learning opportunities for our children. Work closely with the STEAM Team and our science specialist, Ms. Schuleman, in presenting garden-related and hands-on events for the PS 199 community.
Chair: Gayle Slonim, Melissa Ince, and Mindy Abramson
Each year, a group of 5th grade parents organize events and projects to celebrate their 5th grade students including fundraising for the 5th grade trips, the 5th grade project, yearbook, and more.
Chair: Scott Oscher and Anu Sehgal
Our grants committee seeks additional funds through a variety of sources. The grants committee is looking for parents to help identify grants and write proposals.
Chair: Michelle Gere
PS 199 students are checked for lice several times during the school year by an independent company paid for by your PTA. Parent volunteers (along with the teachers) organize the day(s) and help escort classes to the checking location which is set up within the school. Parents are notified privately if there is a problem.
Chair: Angeline Huang
Elections are run by parents and the ballots are created and counted by parents. PTA Executive Board officers and School Leadership Team (“SLT”) members are nominated from the parent body and elected in May. Executive Board Parent at Large (“PAL”) positions are nominated from the parent body and are elected in October.
Chair: Leslie Cawdron, Melissa Price, Shannon Lombardo
Help design, market, sell, and distribute PS 199 merchandise at key events throughout the year. On Spirit Day, usually the first week in June, students are encouraged to wear their PS 199 gear, either bought or home-made.
Chair: Elisa Konofagou & Rob Schlaff
The goal of the STEM Committee is to help integrate STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) educational activities into the lives of PS 199 students on a periodic or ongoing basis through events like Earth Day, and offerings like during- or after-school coding classes. The STEM Committee has been instrumental in the development of the PS199 Science Center classroom and will continue to participate in its progress. The STEM Committee works closely with the Garden Committee and other PS 199 “green” committees and the student “Green Team” run by PS199 teacher and sustainability coordinator Rachael Patalano.
Chair: Geraldine Lametrie & Cathy Vichaidith
Help welcome new families to PS 199. This committee organizes several events including the Kindergarten Parent Coffee on the first day of school, Kindergarten Orientation, and New family Meet & Greet. In addition to these events, this committee matches new families with a “buddy family” and organizes summer playdates for new PS 199 students and families to meet.