Accomplishments & Initiatives

During my HSA presidency, improving communication and making school information more accessible became a major priority.

Together with our HSA team, we:

• Established the first dedicated Alpine HSA website, providing parents with a centralized source of information.
• Made HSA meeting minutes, calendars, announcements, event flyers, and updates more accessible.
• Created the first Alpine HSA Instagram account, expanding communication through social media.
• Helped establish and organize the APS parent WhatsApp communication network.
• Developed consistent communications across school email blasts, the HSA website, Instagram posts and stories, and parent chats.
• Created promotional graphics, digital flyers, event announcements, and website materials to keep families informed.
• Established a Google Maps presence for the Alpine HSA to improve accessibility and visibility.
• Streamlined the presentation and distribution of HSA news, volunteer opportunities, fundraising campaigns, and school events.

Our goal: To create a more informed, connected, and engaged parent community.

One of our most meaningful accomplishments was rebuilding a cohesive and functioning after-school enrichment program.

We expanded opportunities for students to participate in a variety of activities, including:

• Cooking and no-heat culinary classes
• Pickleball and tennis
• Multisport activities
• Art and creative workshops
• Dance and theater
• Sewing
• Gardening
• Yoga
• Chess
• Additional recreational and educational enrichment offerings

We also worked to extend certain programs to approximately 4:20 PM, providing additional 

flexibility for working parents and families managing afternoon pickup schedules.

When school policies required additional adult supervision, HSA officers, including myself, volunteered to remain after school during enrichment programs.

These efforts required scheduling, vendor coordination, parent registration, volunteer supervision, and ongoing communication with school administrators.

Our goal: To provide students with enriching experiences while making after-school programming more convenient and accessible for families.

Working collaboratively with our HSA officers, parent volunteers, and existing vendors, we:

• Strengthened the parent-supported lunch program.
• Maintained relationships with participating food vendors.
• Negotiated favorable school lunch pricing for families.
• Expanded opportunities for parent involvement.
• Established online volunteer signups to coordinate lunchroom assistance.
• Continued managing ordering, communications, and operational support.
• Explored alternative ordering and payment platforms to improve the experience for parents and volunteers.

Our efforts focused on convenience, affordability, consistency, and maintaining a reliable lunch program for students.

Fundraising has been a major part of our work, with an emphasis on creating sustainable revenue sources while providing value to families.

Initiatives included:

• Establishing Alpine School's first dedicated online merchandise shop, making school-branded apparel available without the burden of large minimum orders.
• Introducing a school supply ordering program through School Tool Box, creating an additional fundraising opportunity for the HSA.
• Coordinating school merchandise, apparel, and promotional items.
• Working with the Board of Education to secure VIP parking opportunities for school fundraising.
• Helping secure six VIP parking spaces for fundraising in 2026, building upon parking initiatives from previous years.
• Developing new event-based fundraising concepts.
• Expanding sponsorship outreach and relationships with local businesses.
• Supporting online fundraising and auction opportunities.

These initiatives were designed to diversify fundraising beyond traditional ticket sales and parent donations.

As Chair of the 2026 Alpine Masquerade Gala, I helped lead the planning and execution of an ambitious fundraising event for Alpine School.

Through the generosity of our parents, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community supporters, the event raised approximately $130,000 in gross fundraising proceeds.

The gala was organized around the school's identified needs and improvement priorities, including:

• A new or improved science laboratory
• Library improvements and modernization
• Gymnasium flooring and equipment upgrades
• A new poster-making system for school use

These projects represent meaningful investments in our students' educational environment.

I remain deeply grateful to every family, sponsor, donor, and volunteer who supported this effort.

Our hope is to continue building on this momentum through additional fundraising opportunities, while working collaboratively with school leadership to help address these important needs.

School pride and community traditions play an important role in bringing families together.

Among our accomplishments:

• Revived and expanded the Alpine School Halloween celebration following the pandemic, helping establish the event as a major community tradition.
• Personally supported and contributed to the Halloween celebration over several years.
• Brought back Bam Bam the Ram, Alpine School's mascot.
• Introduced an organized school cheerleading program.
• Advocated for school interior improvements that better reflect Alpine School's colors and identity, including enhancements visible in the hallways and theater.
• Helped establish Alpine School's first branded step-and-repeat backdrop, used for graduation and other school events.
• Continued providing schoolwide Field Day T-shirts.
• Supported traditional school celebrations and student activities.

These initiatives were intended to create a stronger sense of belonging, identity, and school pride.

I have worked to create opportunities that bring parents, students, and the greater Alpine community together.

Events and programs included:

Family Game Show Night

Introduced an interactive family fundraiser featuring a live host, game-show podiums, buzzers, and opportunities for parents and students to participate together.

Fifth Grade Family Barbecue

Helped organize and support the fifth-grade barbecue over multiple years, coordinating activities such as live entertainment, carnival games, face painting, the traditional dunk tank, raffles, and donated food and beverages.

International Food Festival

Helped revive Alpine School's international food celebration, recognizing the diverse cultures and traditions represented within our school community.

Parent Meet-and-Greet Events

Created opportunities for Alpine School parents to connect socially, including gatherings at Stern & Bow.

Parent Workshops

Introduced additional parent-centered experiences, including an evening Sip & Sew event.

These experiences help foster the relationships that make a small school community so special.

Our HSA has worked to supplement classroom learning through educational programming and enrichment opportunities.

Our work included:

• Supporting and funding the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
• Coordinating parent volunteers for book fair operations.
• Establishing a partnership with Books & Greetings to develop author visits.
• Helping bring actress and author Kate McKinnon to Alpine School for a special author event combining a student assembly and fundraising opportunity.
• Supporting school assemblies and visiting educational programs.
• Contributing to the annual spring musical and theatrical productions, including Disney's The Little Mermaid JR.
• Exploring partnerships to provide additional science and nature-based educational experiences.
• Supporting continued opportunities for student creativity, performance, reading, and cultural learning.

In addition to major events, the HSA provides ongoing support for the everyday traditions and experiences that make Alpine School special.

Our work included:

• Supporting school Picture Day in coordination with school staff.
• Providing teacher appreciation luncheons.
• Supporting student field trips and milestone activities.
• Helping fund eighth-grade graduation entertainment.
• Supporting school assemblies and enrichment experiences.
• Coordinating volunteer support for schoolwide activities.
• Providing refreshments and hospitality at HSA meetings and events.
• Supporting student celebrations, school traditions, and parent engagement initiatives.

Much of this work takes place behind the scenes, but it contributes significantly to the overall school experience.

I believe our students benefit when we look beyond our school walls and build relationships with neighboring communities and organizations.

Our initiatives included:

• Developing relationships with the Tenafly school parent associations.
• Attending neighboring HSA meetings to exchange ideas and explore collaboration.
• Creating opportunities for Alpine School to participate in community fundraising events, including the Tenafly Winter Market.
• Exploring relationships with local conservation and environmental organizations to expand science and nature-based learning.
• Building relationships with local businesses to support school events, sponsorships, and fundraising.
• Working with authors, publishers, and community partners to bring additional educational experiences to our students.

These partnerships reflect a commitment to broadening opportunities while preserving Alpine's close-knit school environment.

After completing my two-year term as HSA President, I remained committed to supporting the organization's continued success.

I worked to provide incoming HSA leadership with information, guidance, and operational knowledge to help ensure a smooth transition.

I have continued making myself available to assist with existing systems, fundraising platforms, and school programs.

I believe leadership is not simply about holding a title. It is about building something sustainable and supporting its success long after your term has ended.