Welcome Back to School!

Parents Association

September 2020 | Back to School Message

Welcome Back!!!

We hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing summer and that your first few days of the 2020-2021 school year went well!

While we know that this year will look different from any other year we have had at St. Stephen of Hungary School, we wanted you to know that our goal, as always, is to maintain and foster the strong sense of community that is so unique to our school. No matter what learning option your family has chosen this year, in person or virtual, we remain committed to supporting everyone.

We know that you have received many communications with a lot of detailed information over the past few weeks, therefore we will keep it simple!

Included in this email we are providing you with links and information to help you get started with getting to know the Parents’ Association (PA) and staying connected to the PA over the next year. Please take a moment to look over the information and we strongly encourage you to subscribe to the PA Page on the school website and the PA Remind text system.

Additionally you will find information about who the class representatives are for this year. Although class representatives are assigned to the grade that their child is in, this year the class representatives will be working in teams covering early childhood (PreK3-K), lower school (1-3) and upper school (4-8). This is being done to help support the representatives and every grade so that in the event that one grades representatives require additional support or there is an event specific to those grades the volunteers can work together to support each other and our families. Please be mindful that from time to time this year you may hear from a class representative that is not in your child’s grade.

There is also information included about the members of the PA Board. This year we welcome Lisa D’Ambrosia as our Student Curriculum and Administrative Support Chair. Lisa has been an active member of the St. Stephen community since her children started at the school seven years ago. She will be a valuable addition to the PA Board. Lastly, Jenna Wagner, last year’s Community Support Chair, will no longer be on the PA Board. Jenna and her family relocated over the summer and will not be returning to the school. Jenna was a dedicated member of our school community and her presence will be missed on the board. We are thankful for all she has done for our school and wish her and her family well.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have throughout the school year.

We look forward to this school year and all the new adventures it will bring us!

Best,

The PA Executive Board

What is the St. Stephen of Hungary Parents Association?

The SSH PA (Parents’ Association) is a non-profit volunteer organization which serves to support the students, teachers and staff at St. Stephen of Hungary School.

PA meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome to come listen and take part in discussions at meetings. Every parent/guardian of a SSH student is a member of the PA. Coming to meetings is a great way to get to know fellow parents, learn and talk about happenings at and around the school, and hear updates from admin, teachers, and other guest speakers.

Aside from meetings, the PA also hosts many fun events throughout the school year.

Subscribe to our email distribution list: saintstephen.online/EmailSignup

Opt-In for our text reminders at remind.com/join/be69fe or text @be69fe to the number 81010

Click Here to Subscribe to the PA Email List

Click Here to Subscribe to the PA Website Updates

Click Here to Subscribe to the PA Text Alerts

PA Mission, Goals & Values

Mission Statement

The St. Stephen of Hungary Parents’ Association (PA) is a voice for all parents and caregivers and a resource for faculty, staff, families and other members of our school community. We aim to be an advocate for the education and well-being of every child, while being a source of enriching activities that bolster a sense of community.

Goals

Encourage, support and simplify communication across all levels of the school community - children, parents, teachers, faculty and administration.
Provide enriching activities that foster a sense of community.
Support our church through active involvement in parish activities.
Contribute to the greater community through service projects that are meaningful to our children and community.

Values

Collaboration: We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for our children and families.
Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting our children’s well-being, social and educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement.
Accountability: We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises.
Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends.
Respect: We value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of effort and thought from ourselves as we do from others.
Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible.

Who Are We?

Colleen Kisaka / President

This is our Family’s sixth year at St. Stephen. We moved to the UES in 2010 from Philadelphia and yes, we are Eagles fans! Go Birds!! My husband, Taki and I have 2 children at St. Stephen. Miya is a 6th grader and Taisho is a 3rd grader. I have really enjoyed the time I have spent over the past six years volunteering for PA events and serving as the PA Community Service Chair and the PA President. When I am not at volunteering at school, I am busy in my role as the CEO of Kisaka Industries (aka stay at home mother) a position I assumed 11 years ago. I have a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology and worked in the Mental Health Healthcare field for over 15 years. When we are not in NYC one of our favorite places to spend time is at our home in Ocean City, NJ. We love the beach! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am always available to chat with parents about St. Stephen and the PA.

col_40@yahoo.com / 267.973.8554

Ashley Laing / Vice President

This is our family's seventh year at St Stephen. Adriana and I have a daughter Olivia in Grade 5 and son Maximilian in Grade 3. For 2 years I led Student Enrichment Events, and last year assumed the role of PA Vice President.

We moved to NYC from Australia and Brazil about 20 years ago and have been living on the UES ever since.

Away from school I'm the CTO at a hybrid creative agency and consulting firm where we focus on giving our customers a competitive edge via technology. In my spare time I enjoy creative projects leveraging 3D printing and laser cutting.

ashleylaing@gmail.com / 646.431.9335

Meg Hadlock / Communications Chair

Eight years ago Gavin started his journey at SSH in the 2012-2013 Kindergarten class. This year marks my 3rd serving on the PA executive board as its Communications Chair. Born and bred on the Upper East Side, save for a few failed escape attempts, I am truly a native New Yorker.

Apart from my work with the PA I am a technical sales lead at Salesforce, a San Francisco based software company. In my spare time I like to escape to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as often as possible, and try to not stress over Gavin's impending high school applications.

meg.hadlock@gmail.com / 212.729.7907

Rosa Alaimo-Quinn / Finance Chair

My husband, Kevin, and I have twin third graders, Carolina and Kayleigh. This is our family's sixth year as part of the SSH community and my third year as finance chair. We are native NYers and UES residents for over 15 years.

In addition to my PA duties, I am Chief of Staff for Integrity Square LLC, a boutique investment banking firm that focuses on the Health, Active Lifestyle and Outdoor ("HALO") sector.

rosa_alaimo@yahoo.com / 646.261.6322

Lauren Bernhard / Student Enrichment Events Chair

This is the start of our sixth year at St. Stephen. My husband, Kyle, and I have two daughters; Lillian is in third grade this year and Isla is in first grade.

I was born and raised on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. Prior to having children, I was a Special Education teacher. I was a class rep for two years, and this is my second year on the PA board. I look forward to leading Student Enrichment events this year.

tantillol@aol.com / 570.460.3222

Lisa D'Ambrosio / Student Enrichment, Curriculum & Admin Support Chair

My husband, Brian and I have lived on the Upper East Side for 15 years. This is our 8th year as members of the SSH Community. We have three children, Andrew (4th grade), Anna (1st grade) and Alexander (PK4). I have been a class rep for two years and have chaired the Auction Committee for the past two years.

Prior to having children I was an accountant at a public accounting firm and then at Saks Fifth Avenue. This is my first year on the Parents Association Executive Board. I look forward to this new role where I will be more involved in serving our wonderful school community

lisa.dambrosio16@gmail.com / 516.232.4445

2020-2021 Class Representatives