GETTING INVOLVED...
PORTLEDGE SCHOOL
thrives because its parent body is dedicated to enriching our children's educational experience and creating a positive school community. There are many ways to get involved in the daily life of our school that will allow you to become more connected to school life. Immersing yourself into the community will give you deeper insight into the lives of your children and will introduce you to fellow parents.
THE PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Every parent is a member! The Parents Association (PA) plays an integral role at Portledge, facilitating communication between the school and parents, promoting volunteerism, and encouraging parental involvement in the Portledge community.
Join us at each of our Parents Association meetings to hear from speakers about a variety of topics and connect with other parents. Division-led curriculum evenings, Back to School Nights, and a parent education series offer important information about your child's education. New parent receptions and Division Director Parent Coffees are held for parents to better understand Portledge's curriculum, philosophy, and major initiatives and offer opportunities to meet other members of the Portledge community.
SPECIAL EVENTS
(VISIT WWW.PORTLEDGE.ORG/CALENDAR FOR EVENTS AND CALENDAR UPDATES)
NEW PARENT COCKTAIL PARTY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12
FOUNDERS
DAY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY®*
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3–SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
THURSDAY, MARCH 11
*DATESANDEVENTSSUBJECTTOCHANGE. CHECKONLINEFOREXACTTIMES&LOCATIONS. THE PORTLEDGE GALA
VOLUNTEERING
Serving as a parent volunteer is vital to enriching your child's education. You can serve your school in many ways: chaperoning on field trips, helping with school plays, festivals and other cultural events, working with the Parents Association, and assisting with special events, such as Founders Day and Faculty / Staff Appreciation Day.
Together we can make a difference for the good of our children.
VOLUNTEERS
THE 2026-2027 PARENTS ASSOCIATION
President Dana Plunkett
Executive Vice President
Lexey Hall
International Liaison
Akina Zhong
Lucy Zhou
Gala Chair
Dana Plunkett
Lower School VP
Vanessa Cruz
Lower School VP of DEI
Tracey Ulcena
Middle School VP
Maria Gray
Middle School VP of DEI
Damani Ralph
Nicole Ralph
Upper School VP
Tiffany Palagonia
Upper School VP of DEI
Rebecca Goodkin-Carlin
Class Parents
Pre-Nursery
Peter Facatselis
Nursery
Sara Daum
Pre-K
Adi Kochavi
Kindergarten
Amy Kopke
First Grade
Cassandra DiPietro
Second Grade
Suzanne Bradley
Third Grade
Katie Chou
Fourth Grade
Joy Lituchy
Fifth Grade
Lexey Hall
Angela Pistilli
Sixth Grade
Vera Jain
Amy Hochfelsen Naltchadjian
Seventh Grade
Brianne Khalife
Eighth Grade
Jessica Chitty
Cynthia Pritsinevelos
Ninth Grade
Victoria Munsill
Stacy Pinto
Tenth Grade
Heather Baynon
Daniella Calonita
Eleventh Grade
Rebecca Goodkin-Carlin
Meri Pasztor
Twelfth Grade
Michele Bahnik-Mercier '93
Kim Leonard
Tiffany Terranova
2026-2027
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Portledge School is governed by its own Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees focuses on three areas critical to the success of Portledge: it selects, evaluates, and supports the Head of School, to whom it delegates authority to manage the school; it develops broad institutional policies that guide the Head in running the school, and it is accountable for the well being of the school.
President
Lindsey Barnett
Vice Presidents
Dr. Kevin Mercier
Shawnée Warfield
Treasurer
Ari Sass
Secretary
MichaelO'Donoghue
Board Members
Claude A. Bahnik ’90
Jonathan Feigenbaum
Teddy Haggerty ’13
Dana Hansen
Maz Khalfan
Amy Littman
Dr. Luis Marcos
Alexander Steinberg ’05
Emily Wachtel
Donald D. Wilson
THE PORTLEDGE FUND
GIVE TODAY. IMPACT EVERYDAY. SUPPORT THE PORTLEDGE FUND!
Your Gift Brings the Portledge Experience to Life. When you contribute to the annual Portledge Fund, your generosity directly enhances every aspect of the student experience, ensuring that Portledge continues to deliver a dynamic, well-rounded education.
THE PORTLEDGE FUND ENHANCES TUITION COVERS
The essential foundation of a Portledge education:
Academic Instruction
Classroom Materials
Campus Maintenance
Chromebooks for all students beginning in 1st grade
Light Breakfast, Lunch, & Snack
Faculty Salaries
Utilities & Security YOUR IMPACT STARTS HERE.
Scan to support the programs that shape every Portledge student’s journey.
Your gift goes beyond the basics—bringing our programs to life in meaningful ways.
ACADEMICS & ENRICHMENT
Expanded Upper School electives
Interdisciplinary learning experiences in the Middle School
Enhanced Lower School World Day integrating PYP themes
ARTS & CULTURE
Continued investment in the Black Box Theatre
Off-campus performances by the Jazz Band
Three students selected for the NY All-State Music Conference
CHARACTER & COMMUNITY
Service learning through partnerships with local organizations
Community-wide events include Founders Day, Special Persons Day, Lower School
Family BBQ, New Family Reception, school dances, Upper School World Cultures Night, and Lower School Bingo Night
126 new students welcomed into the Portledge community
FACULTY EXCELLENCE
70% of faculty hold advanced degrees
Ongoing professional development, including work with John Almarode, bringing Visible Learning practices into the classroom to strengthen relationships, engagement, and student ownership
ATHLETICS
New scorer’s table in the Chen Center with digital in-game updates
Athletics app for streamlined communication
270 Middle and Upper School athletic contests
Continued enhancements to baseball and softball facilities
Six consecutive PSAA Championships for Girls Soccer
