PTSO Officers and Committees

Current PTSO Officers and Committees:

PTSO Co-presidents copresidents@newtonsouthptso.org: Michelle Wetlaufer and Will Adams

Treasurer (treasury@newtonsouthptso.org): Katharina Elbert

Secretary: Maggie Schmidt

PTSO Committees
Parents volunteers organize and lead programs and events to support our students, teachers and our parent Community at South.  To volunteers for a committee, please contact the President at info@newtonsouthptso.org

PTSO Grant Application for Teachers Teacher Grants grants@newtonsouthptso.org : Reviews applications and approves teacher grant awards in accordance with PTSO guidelines and budget, normally twice per year in the fall and spring.  –  Molly Owen-Kiritsy, Cathy Ye Wang, Caterina Betancourt, Mark Holt and co-Presidents.

Student Directorydirectory@newtonsouthptso.org:Manages the subscriber database (MailChimp) for the Newton South PTSO Newsletter, and manages the confirmation process, publication and distribution of our annual Student Directory  (Membership Toolkit). Mark Holt

Special Education Liaisons: Kim Gallaugher 

Class Liaisons: Parent representatives that provide support for grade-specific activities. Mostly this will involve organizing grade-specific “Informational Coffees/Socials,” and helping to build community among parents/guardians. 

Families Organizing for Justice (FORJ): PTSO liaison to FORJ Newton, an organization in Newton helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. FORJ seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society and to work together towards racial equity. –  Amy Behrens

Grounds: Helps maintain and beautify the gardens/grounds around the school building. – Katharina Elbert, Kelly Flannery, Molly Owen-Kiritsy

Health, Safety and Crisis: PTSO liaison for any issues of health, safety and crisis at the school, member of the Newton South Crisis Team. – PTSO co-Presidents.

Hospitality:  A significant part of the PTSO budget is spent on various staff appreciation events.

• Staff Appreciation: PTSO sponsors 5 staff luncheons  during the school year. Ilana Steel, Tammy Tsikar, Dani Boerner, Barbara Talvitie and Xiaoguang Zhen
• Welcome Gift to New Staff: The PTSO supports New Staff Luncheon by preparing a welcome to NSHS Mug along with a small gift with the mug during the New Staff Luncheon the week before school starts. – co-Presidents
• Administration & Staff Appreciation: The PTSO organizes a gift bag for all Administration &  Staff in December and April. – OPEN

METCO Liaison: Participate in METCO program Provides feedback from families to PTSO and South METCO program Counselor on enhancing student/family experience at South. – Allison Lopez

Newsletter newsletter@newtonsouthptso.org : Editors compile pertinent information for the Newton South community sent in by various groups at South,  and edits content and disseminates the weekly PTSO newsletter. The PTSO newsletter is the main source of all Newton South High School information from the principal, administration and Newton Public Schools.* –  Aparna Singamsetty, Julia Hamilton, Ping Cai

Speakers & Programs: Organizes educational speakers or activities for our school community.  – OPEN

School Council: PTSO liaison to the Newton South School Council, and attends monthly School Council meetings at South. – OPEN 

SouthFest/Seniors:  Committee organizes the senior after-prom party held at school from 11 PM to 4:00 AM focused on having fun safely. Committees include decoration, entertainment, check-in/check-out and food.   Open

SouthArts: Liaison for parent support for music, art, and theatre. – Open

Special Ed PAC Liaison: Represents Newton South at the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Newton SEPAC) and keeps the South community and PTSO Board informed of any items of interest to ensure the PTSO supports programs that best benefit NSHS Special Education for students and families. The SEPAC Council meets monthly.  The liaison also serves on the PTSO Board.  –  Kim Gallaugher

Website Manager:Manages our PTSO website and related communication and email subscription platforms. Provides technical support and content posting for the PTSO website. – OPEN

YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Check out open spots on the sign up genius info@newtonsouthptso.org

(*)  The PTSO, at its discretion and as space allows, posts announcements from organizations that offer a direct service to children/families in our community. The PTSO does not endorse the subjects or sources of these announcements. Parents/ guardians are solely responsible for determining suitability and appropriateness for their families. The PTSO may run ads relating to presentations that are given at school or within the community at large. The PTSO does not endorse any one point of view of any particular individuals or businesses whose presentations are advertised. Submit announcements to newsletter@newtonsouthptso.org by Thursday 5PM for Sunday publication.