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Celebrating Our Amazing PTA Honor Roll

As we reflect on the first part of the school year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible members of our PTA Honor Roll. Your dedication, time, and effort have truly made a difference in creating a supportive, enriching, and welcoming environment for our students, teachers, and families.

From coordinating events to fostering community spirit, you have shown us all the power of teamwork and commitment. Here's a well-deserved shoutout to all the volunteers who have gone above and beyond so far this year:

5th Grade Promotion

  • Emily Mallozzi – Lead
  • Erin Hofmann – Lead
  • All the supporting volunteers!

Book Fair

  • Karen Santiago – Lead
  • Kate Rios – Lead
  • All the supporting volunteers!

Culture Committee

  • Scott Trudell – Lead

Dine Outs

  • Kelly Habig – Lead

Enrichment

  • Samantha Tuttamore – Lead

Executive Committee

  • Andria Wilkerson
  • Cassandra Berman
  • Cathleen Williams
  • Emily Strunk
  • Hannah Sloss
  • Janet Reyes
  • Katherine Rios
  • Melissa Stein
  • Sandra Maldonado
  • Shana Newman Fajardo
  • Tricia Widgen Casella

Finance Committee

  • Aditi Mehta
  • Josh Stein
  • Sandra Maldonado
  • Sherrod Wilkerson

Holiday Gift Drive

  • Tiffany Decker – Lead
  • Aditi Mehta
  • Briana Maley
  • Caroline Kleinfox
  • Court Ruark
  • Emily Berger
  • Janet Reyes
  • Joe Davis
  • Lisa Schaefer
  • Mellissa Perez
  • Sunny Widmann

Lost and Found

  • Betsy Roche – Lead
  • Emily Strunk
  • Sara Rockefeller

Movie Nights

  • Betsy Roche
  • Cassandra Berman
  • Emily Mallozzi
  • Erin Hofmann
  • Janet Osherow
  • Kara Olsen Salazar
  • Paola Clark
  • Samantha Tuttamore
  • Sandra Maldonado
  • Shana Fajardo
  • Thalia Washington
  • Tiberh Abgaz
  • Tricia Widgen Casella
  • Ana Carrion (SSL)
  • Aracelis Vicente (SSL)
  • Ellyn Lanier (SSL)
  • Kaleb Tameg (SSL)
  • Tyler Clarence (SSL)

PTA Meeting Speakers

  • Melissa Stein
  • Carla Malozowski

Read-a-thon

  • Daphne Tanouye – Lead
  • Laura Osuri – Lead
  • Shana Jacobs – Lead
  • Cassandra Berman
  • Emily Rhineberger

Room Parent Program

  • Emily Strunk – Lead
  • Joseph Davis – GLC K
  • Sara Rockefeller – GLC 1st
  • Erica Seifert – GLC 2nd
  • Jenilee Singer – GLC 3rd
  • Shannon Roddy - GLC 4th
  • Tricia Widgen Casella – GLC 5th
  • Aditi Mehta
  • Alexandria Mihalcik
  • Alicia DiPiazza*
  • Allison Moss
  • Amber Telleen
  • Amelia Davis
  • Amy Morath
  • Andria Wilkerson
  • Anyka McClain
  • Ashley (?)
  • Christine Sirotkin
  • Claudia Acosta
  • Dan Moss
  • Daphne Tanouye
  • Dari Pogach
  • Deena Zeltzer
  • Diana Martinez
  • Edward Bernat
  • Emily Berger
  • Emily Mallozzi
  • Erica Seifert
  • Flor Leon
  • Joshua Singer
  • Karen Mills
  • Karen Rivas
  • Karen Santiago
  • Katherine Grados
  • Lauren Flickinger
  • Lucia Fort
  • Marika Bragato
  • Mary Parrish
  • Mary Tait
  • Melanie Kill
  • Melinda Martin-Beltran
  • Melissa Dell'Omo
  • Michelle Snyder
  • Mindy Kania
  • Miriam Ollar
  • Natasha Epps
  • Nathan Abraham
  • Nicole Verdun
  • Nikki Edgecombe
  • Patty Santucci
  • Paula Garzon
  • Quinn Wallis
  • Rebecca Kaufman
  • Sandra Maldonado
  • Sarah Jacobs
  • Sarah Smaller-Swift
  • Semhar Yemane
  • Sunny Widmann*
  • Tara Shepherd
  • Tina Chang
  • Trisha Smith
  • Vered Asta
  • Xiomara Vanegas
  • Yvette Robinson

Spiritwear

  • Ellyn Lanier – Lead
  • Yvette Yeboah-Schools – Lead
  • Praneetha Akula

Staff Liaison

  • Emily Strunk – Lead

Teacher Appreciation

  • Courtney Connor – Lead
  • Sarah Jacobs – Lead
  • Sunny Widmann – Lead
  • Cathleen Williams
  • Ellen McCarthy
  • Heather Zuerblis
  • Janet Osherow
  • Kristi Martinsen
  • Sandra Maldonado
  • Steph Bozzo
  • Tricia Widgen Casella
  • Vanessa Burrows

TNN

  • Sarah Daggett – Lead
  • Zainah Irizarry – Lead

Website

  • Emily Mallozzi – Lead
  • Gabriela Trainor
  • Melanie Kill

A Community Effort

Each of you has played a vital role in making our school year successful so far, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Whether you’re leading events, organizing programs, or lending a helping hand, your contributions make all the difference. Your efforts create meaningful experiences for our students, families, and teachers, and we are so lucky to have such a supportive PTA community.

Thank you for all that you do, and here's to a wonderful rest of the school year together!

Join Us and Get Involved!

As we continue to grow and strengthen our programs, we encourage more parents to volunteer in the future. Many of our programs rely on having two leads: an incumbent lead to guide the program and an incoming lead to learn and step into the role the following year. If you notice a program with only one lead, it’s a great opportunity to step up and help ensure its success year after year. Your involvement makes a world of difference, and we would love to have you join our amazing team of volunteers! Check out current volunteer opportunities here.

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How to Host a Successful In-Home PTA Fundraiser

Hosting PTA fundraisers in the comfort of parents' homes offers a unique and intimate way to build community spirit while supporting school initiatives. These events are perfect for class or grade-level participation and can be tailored to different seasons and holidays. Here are some engaging ideas and planning tips to inspire your next event:

Winter-Themed Ideas (January - March)

Hot Cocoa & Game Night

Transform your living room into a cozy gathering space. Families can bring board games to share while sipping on hot cocoa. Charge an entry fee and include a bake sale or raffle to boost funds.

Snowflake Craft Party

Host a crafting event where participants create winter-themed decorations like snowflakes, wreaths, or DIY candles. Charge for materials and participation.

Soup & Chili Cook-Off

Invite participants to showcase their best soup or chili recipes in a friendly competition. Tasters pay an entry fee to sample and vote for their favorites. Offer small prizes for winners.

Winter Movie Marathon

Set up a mini-theater for family-friendly films. Sell tickets and snacks like popcorn, hot cocoa, and candy.

Indoor Picnic Party

Bring a taste of summer to winter with an indoor picnic. Serve sandwiches and lemonade, decorating the space with bright, summery props.

Valentine’s Day Ideas
Chocolate Tasting Party

Host a chocolate sampling event with various chocolates or desserts. Pair with wine or coffee for adults. Include a small auction for Valentine-themed baskets or goodies.

Valentine’s Cookie Decorating Party

Provide cookies, icing, and decorations for families to create their own treats. Charge a fee for supplies, and include a bake sale for pre-made goodies.

Galentine’s Night Out

Plan a "ladies-only" evening with appetizers, drinks, and fun activities like DIY flower arrangements. Set a donation minimum for participation.

MLK Day of Service & Community Fundraisers
Service Auction

Organize an auction where families offer tasks like babysitting, tutoring, or yard work for donations.

Community Clean-Up Day

Encourage families to donate for every hour worked or bags of trash collected during a neighborhood clean-up.

DIY Care Package Party

Gather participants to assemble care packages for local shelters, schools, or senior centers. Collect donations to cover supplies and logistics.

Other Seasonal Ideas for Long Weekends
Trivia Night

Host a themed trivia contest, such as "Winter Wonders" or "Pop Culture of the Decades." Charge an entry fee for teams and offer small prizes for winners.

Escape Room Challenge

Design a simple DIY escape room for families to solve puzzles and "escape." Charge a flat fee for entry, and offer certificates or small prizes for completion.

Sunday Brunch

Invite families for a casual brunch with coffee, pastries, and pancakes. Charge an entry fee and offer add-ons for additional donations.

St. Patrick’s Day Party

Organize a green-themed potluck or dinner with games like a "gold coin hunt." Pair with Irish music and a raffle to boost participation.

Planning Tips for a Successful Event

  • Set Clear Goals: Define your financial target to guide planning and measure success.
  • Choose the Right Event: Select a theme or activity that resonates with your community’s interests.
  • Promote the Event: Use school newsletters, social media, and word of mouth to inform potential participants.
  • Secure Supplies: Ensure you have all the materials needed for the event, from bingo cards to cooking ingredients.
  • Engage Attendees: Create a welcoming atmosphere and interactive experience to encourage participation and generosity.
  • Express Gratitude: Thank participants and volunteers for their contributions, reinforcing community bonds and encouraging future involvement.

Interested in Hosting a Fundraiser? Let Us Know!

If you’re interested in hosting one of these fundraisers at the class or grade level, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at hello@rcfpta.org or fill out our interest form. Our team is happy to provide support, materials, and guidance to help make your event a success. Let’s work together to strengthen our community and support our school!


By thoughtfully organizing and hosting these intimate gatherings, PTA members can foster stronger relationships within the school community while effectively raising funds for important initiatives. Pick an idea, set a date, and start planning today!