About Q300 PTA
[See the Q300 PTA information in Mandarin Chinese or Spanish ]
Thank you for visiting the website of the Q300 Parent-Teacher Association. All parents and guardians of Q300 students as well as all teachers are automatically members of the Q300 PTA. PTA meetings are held monthly. Our goal is to work together to create and maintain a welcoming community for all Q300 families and to support the administration and faculty in building a school that provides outstanding education to our students based on the values of inclusion, inquiry, and responsibility.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Q300 Parent-Teacher Association is to enrich and improve the educational, emotional, and social lives of Q300’s students by providing the following:
- Supporting activities that foster the core values of Q300: Inclusion, Inquiry and Responsibility;
- Providing support and resources to Q300 for the benefit and educational growth of its students;
- Developing parent and staff leadership, fostering and encouraging participation at all levels of the Association, and providing opportunities to participate in school governance and decision making;
- Promoting a cooperative working relationship among the Q300 parents, families, staff, and administration;
- Providing a forum where parents and staff members discuss innovations and implementations of curricular and extra-curricular activities that afford each student an opportunity to acquire the core values of Q300.
Q300 PTA Photo Gallery
2024-2025 PTA Board Members
| Co-Presidents | Dana Holmes & Mauricio Lopez Campero | president@q300pta.org |
| Executive Vice President | Lauren Baker | |
| Co-Secretaries | Kate Swearengen & David Wang | secretary@q300pta.org |
| Co-Treasurers | Sophia Peng & Amy Wong | treasurer@q300pta.org |
| VP of Fundraising | Lucy Han & Nicole Friedman | fundraising@q300pta.org |
| Co-VPs of Communications | Betty Ruan & Emanuella Drummond | communications@q300pta.org |
| Co-VP of Membership | Afrosa Amin & Jennifer Holohan | membership@q300pta.org |
| Co-VPs of Community Affairs | Dev Purkayastha | communityaffairs@q300pta.org |
| Co-VPs of Lower Division | Erica Soto Eng & Piotr Drys | ldrep@q300pta.org |
| Co-VPs of Upper Division | Nick Skolnick & Yvet Choi | udrep@q300pta.org |
Roles of the PTA leadership positions
- President (up to 2 positions) shall supervise and manage the PTA; encourage meaningful participation among all Members in the PTA and school activities; serve as a member of the SLT; and attend the monthly District 30 Presidents’ Council and other meetings.
- Executive Vice President (VP) (1 position only) shall assist the President and assume the President’s duties in the President’s absence or at the President’s request.
- Secretary (up to 2 positions) shall prepare and distribute minutes of each Board and General Membership Meeting; maintain custody of the PTA’s records; coordinate virtual or in-person meetings; and ensure that the PTA’s corporate filings are up-to-date, and that parliamentary procedures, applicable law, regulations, and rules are followed.
- Treasurer (up to 2 positions) shall be responsible for the PTA’s financial affairs; maintain the PTA’s bank accounts and an updated record of all income and expenditures; and prepare and present a written financial report at every Board and General Membership Meeting. The Treasurer also shall prepare and distribute the PTA’s January and June financial accounting reports; ensure that the PTA’s tax-exempt status is maintained and applicable financial and tax reporting law, regulations, rules are followed; and chair the Budget Committee.
- VP-Membership (up to 2 positions) shall oversee the PTA’s efforts to provide an orientation for incoming Members; reach out to Members in all grade levels; learn and understand Members’ particular interests and areas of expertise; encourage Members to volunteer their time or services; maintain a Membership database; and chair the Membership Committee. Membership’s work includes organizing community-building events such as Costume Party, International Potluck, Movie Nights, virtual game nights, and parent-led cooking events; recruiting volunteers for Teacher Appreciation, Q300 Open Houses, and other events; and organizing the incoming families welcome and orientation.
- VP-Fundraising (up to 2 positions) shall oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising activities, including fundraising events, solicitations, and grant-writing and shall chair the Fundraising Committee. Fundraising’s work includes coordinating the Thanksgiving Pie Sale, the Night at the Gallery Party, Gift Card fundraiser, and Spiritwear. It also coordinates its work with the Direct Appeal and Auction committees.
- VP-Communications (up to 2 positions) shall oversee the PTA’s efforts to share information with school, families, and staff and chair the Communications Committee. Communications’ work included publishing newsletters; maintaining and updating the PTA’s website; preparing monthly email bulletin and helping disseminate PTA information via various communication channels.
- VP-Community Affairs (up to 2 positions) shall oversee the PTA’s efforts to outreach to the greater Q300 community, including Q300’s co-located schools (PS 17 and IS 126); participate in and report on community-based meetings and forums; and chair the Community Affairs Committee. Community Affairs’ work includes educating the community concerning NYC Council’s Participatory Budgeting process, obtaining government grants, and organizing community service events.
- VP, Lower Division (1 position elected in Spring; 1 position elected in the Fall) shall act as liaison between the PTA and the families and staff of the Lower Division (K-4th grades), including coordinating PTA’s activities and communicating PTA info. They shall coordinate the appointment, election, or selection of other means of a class parent for each class in the Lower Division.
- VP, Upper Division (1 position elected in Spring; 1 position elected in the Fall) shall act as liaison between the PTA and the families and staff of the Upper Division (5th-8th grades), including coordinating PTA’s activities and communicating PTA info. They shall coordinate the appointment, election, or selection of other means of a class parent for each class in the Upper Division.
Committees
| 2E Group Committee | Ellie Rabinovich | |
| Auction Committee (Under Fundraising) | auction@q300pta.org | |
| Audit Committee (under Treasury) | The Audit Committee conduct an audit of all financial affairs of the Association, with the assistance of the Treasurer who shall make all books and records of the Association available to the committee. | Treasurers |
| Budget Committee | The Budget Committee develops and proposes the PTA budget and prepares a written review of the prior year’s budget. | Treasurers |
| Bus Advocacy Committee | http://q300pta.org/resources/bus-info/ | |
| Communications Committee | The Communications Committee facilitates and implements communications among the Association and the parents and staff. | VP of Communication |
| Community Affairs Committee | The Community Affairs Committee oversees the PTA’s efforts to reach out to the greater Q300 community and to participate in and report on community based meetings and forums, and committees and councils of the Department of Education. | VP of Community Affairs |
| Direct Appeal Committee | The PTA Direct Appeal Co-Chairs develop our annual direct appeal strategy and outreach plan, distribute information about our campaigns and use of direct appeal funds, solicit donations from the community, track donations and issue tax receipts. | directappeal@q300pta.org |
| Diversity Committee | diversity@q300.org | |
| Enrichment Committee | enrichment@q300pta.org | |
| Fundraising Committee | The Fundraising Committee plans and executes all fundraising activities including donation solicitations, fundraisers, and grant writing to further the mission of the Association. Learn more about volunteering here. | VP of Fundraising |
| Grant Writing Committee | Lynn Kennedy at LynnK@q300pta.org | |
| Green Team | See https://q300pta.org/resources/green-seed-of-the-week/ for more information about Green Team. | annam@q300.org |
| Library Committee Committee (under Membership) | VP of Membership | |
| Membership Committee | The Membership Committee encourages parent and staff participation, outreach, and recruitment. | VP of Membership |
| Nominations Committee | The Nominations Committee for Q300 PTA plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the PTA by identifying candidates for the PTA's leadership positions. The committee is responsible for recruiting candidates and presenting the slate for the PTA elections during the General Membership Meetings in May/June. | nominations@q300pta.org |
| One School Committee (under Community Affairs) | Over the years, this group has focused on 1) creating awareness around Q300’s need to consolidate its two locations, and 2) framing a proposal that not only benefits Q300 but also the local Astoria community and all of Queens. And, because of the 2022 Class Size Mandate that requires NYC schools to reduce their class sizes to no more than 20 students in grades K–3, 23 students in grades 4–8, and 25 students in high school over five years to 2027, we need creative space solutions so that both Q300 and its co-located schools can be in compliance. Our work continues but thankfully this term we’ve met our modest goals of developing presentation materials, getting the word out to the DOE, and building local support from some of our elected officials. Thanks to Marlon Aranda and Lynn Kennedy for their leadership on this committee over the years. Here’s our most recent presentation: One Building Presentation . Please email oneschool@q300pta.org to provide suggestions for unoccupied buildings you come across which could house our ~513 students, or to volunteer in any capacity on this committee. | oneschool@q300pta.org or VP of Community Affairs |
| Wellness Committee | The Wellness Committee is a group of parents, students, staff who work together with the school administration to promote a healthy school environment. | Gina Reis at ginar@q300pta.org and Lynn Kennedy at lynnk@q300pta.org |
Q300 PTA: How Much has Changed
Q300 would open its doors for the first time that September. At the time, the newly formed school did not yet have a PTA. There was no one to raise funds. No one to arrange community gatherings. No one to bring families together and represent their interests.
Five years later, so much has changed.
With the support of an engaged community of families, the Q300 Parent Teacher Association has provided nearly $900,000 in financial support for school enrichment programs, teaching assistants, and community events since its founding. The PTA also organizes celebrations for Q300 students, families, teachers and school leaders.
“Q300’s welcoming and energetic PTA has built and sustained an inclusive, engaged school community,” said Mara Cusker Gonzalez, mother of a fifth-grader who has attended the school since its first year. “In addition to being thoughtful and innovative in raising funds and keeping parents informed, the PTA devotes endless hours to making sure we have numerous opportunities every year to come together as a school to share ideas, laugh, and learn from each other.”
In the summer before the school opened, though, the Q300 community of families was starting from scratch, with just two kindergarten classes, two first grade classes and one sixth-grade class.
Some of the families met for the first time in June 2014 at a gathering at Athens Square Park, where children spun each other on the merry-go-round as if they had been friends for years. More gatherings followed, including a picnic in Rainey Park.
An energized group met that fall to select a 16-member PTA executive board. The board quickly drafted bylaws, applied for 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status and began raising money, seeking creative ways to fundraise for enrichments while adhering to Q300’s goals of inclusion, inquiry and responsibility.
In 2019, the PTA raised over $300,000 to provide Upper Division enrichments such as professional development for teachers, enrichment electives, Chromebooks, and other supplies, and Lower Division programs such as art, music and teaching assistants in kindergarten through fourth grade. The PTA also successfully advocated for the New York City-funded renovation of the upper division science lab and the construction of a hydroponic lab.
Sonita Ramkishun was appointed as the Principal in 2020, after having served as an Assistant Principal prior to this new role.
Third-grade teacher Maria Panagiotakis said her teaching assistant “has enabled me to work closely with students in smaller groups and provide individual attention. They are an invaluable resource.”
Upper division ELA teacher Jean Kim said, “It is great to see the students who are interested in music, drama, or acting shine in new ways during the musical theater elective. The PTA enabled these students to develop their artistic talent in school.”
“The PTA has helped subsidize the Lego robotics elective with purchasing extra kits and materials to help support the overwhelming student interest,” said Scott Waldman, technology teacher in the Upper Division. “The funds that I have received from the PTA s helped me purchase equipment and other items for recess as well as storage units for my classroom. Thank you.”
PTA initiatives such as the Halloween Costume Party, Winter Potluck, and Stepping-into-Summer Dance Party draw cheerful crowds. Events such as Zumba-thons and movie nights also have helped build bridges between the PTA and the parent associations in the buildings Q300 shares with PS 17 and IS 126.
Today, the PTA continues to look for opportunities to build community and strengthen the culture of the school. The annual PTA survey gives families (parents, guardians and middle school students) an opportunity to inform the decision-making of the PTA and the school administration. New initiatives continue to emerge like Park Day in Spring 2019 when the lower division came out to clean up Athens Park and the upper division organized a faculty-student basketball tournament! These initiatives are key to supporting our school and administration in addressing the changing needs of Q300 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I become a member of the PTA
The following individuals are automatically PTA members: (a) birth parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, legally appointed guardians, foster parents, “persons in a parental relation” as defined by the Department of Education and designated persons having a relationship to a child or children currently attending Q300; and (b) all eligible Q300 teachers and instructional full-time staff members, with the exception of the Principal and supervisors. - How do I become involved in the PTA or volunteer during school?
You can attend monthly General Membership Meetings, volunteer by organizing or helping at events and fundraisers, serve on a Committee or run for an Executive Board position. Please fill out the PTA Volunteer Survey (https://forms.office.com/r/w5AyLUWShk) to learn more about volunteer opportunities. For those interested in a position on the Executive Board, elections for open positions will be held at the October General Membership Meeting. Please email membership@q300pta.org for further details. It’s never too early nor too late to get involved with the Board. - What are the PTA committees on which I can volunteer?
- Membership Committee encourages parent and staff outreach, volunteering, and participation.
- Fundraising Committee implements fundraising, such as the Direct Appeal, raffles at events, business kickbacks, auctions, grant writing and other related events.
- Communications Committee facilitates communications among the PTA, parents and staff, including preparing regular newsletters, email bulletins, web-based maintenance, and translation.
- Community Affairs Committee oversees PTA’s efforts to reach out to the community outside Q300, including our co-located partners P.S. 17 and I.S. 126, and our local elected officials.
- Budget Committee drafts the PTA budget and maintains the financial records.
- Enrichment Committee researches, coordinates, and evaluates in-school/extracurricular enrichment and liaises with school.
- Audit Committee conducts an audit of all financial affairs of the PTA.
- One School Committee advocates for a long-term plan to locate Q300 in one school building.
- Teacher Assistant Outreach Committee helps expand outreach to potential Lower Division teaching assistant candidates (including reaching out to educational degree programs).
- What happens at the monthly PTA General Membership Meeting and when is it held?
PTA meetings include reports from the President, the Principal, the School Leadership Team, Committees, and any member of the Q300 community. The Board Meetings are tentatively scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on the first Friday of every month. The General Membership Meetings are tentatively scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on the third or fourth Thursday of every month (pending results of a meeting date survey that will be sent out in September). - What does the PTA fund?
Funding has included (a) Lower Division teacher assistants; (b) K-5th grade music; K-4th grade visual arts; K-1st grade creative movement; 2nd grade architecture; K-2nd grade Chess and 3rd_4th grade dance, journalism and musical theater electives; 5th-8th grade clubs such as Debate Club, Math Team, Storytelling and Spelling Bee; (c) Chromebooks, color printers, and other equipment, and (d) teachers’ wish lists. - How does the PTA raise funds?
The PTA coordinates the Direct Appeal; a Fall Costume Party; a Thanksgiving Pie Sale; an International Winter Festival; Picture Day; a Zumba-thon and Movie Nights with Public School 17; a Spring Party and Auction; a Summer Read-a-thon; bake sales; and other activities. The Direct Appeal, which
Q300 Family accounts for over 80% of monies received, raises money directly from families and friends. - Are donations to the PTA tax-deductible?
The PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Yes, your charitable contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. - How do I contact the Board?
Please visit https://q300pta.org/pta/about-us/ to find contact info for all Board Members and Committees. - How do I get timely info from the PTA?
If you don’t receive regular updates from the Q300 PTA (such as the bulletins and newsletters), please provide your contact info to the PTA’s Membership Committee at membership@q300pta.org.