Family Teacher Association

The mission of the PS 295 Family Teacher Association (FTA) is to expand and enhance the opportunities for education and personal growth available to each student at our school.

  • Planning events and programs that bring our diverse school family together to get to know each other.

  • Raising funds through events, programs, donations and grants to help the school provide programs in areas like music, dance and technology.

  • Helping our school community understand the opportunities available to them and by making sure their needs and concerns are understood and addressed by the school’s leadership.

Family Teacher Association meetings are held each month, both in-person and via video chat. Everyone — parents, guardians, caregivers, teachers, and staff — is automatically a member of the Family Teacher Association and invited join these meetings and work together to support our school in big and small ways.

Monthly meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change, and will be announced in web, email, social, and print formats with at least 10-days advanced notice. When possible, all meetings will include translation services; and in-person meetings will include free childcare.

What is a FTA?

You might have heard of a Parent Teacher Association (PTA). We are a Family Teacher Association (FTA), which is a more inclusive and welcoming name for households of all kinds. We are stronger together!

FTA Meetings 2025–26

Thursday August 14 (7–8pm via Zoom)

Thursday September 18 (3-4pm in-person)

Wednesday October 22 (7-8pm via Zoom)

Thursday November 13 (3-4pm in-person)

Tuesday December 9 (7-8pm via Zoom)

Wednesday January 28 (3-4pm in-person)

Tuesday February 10 (7-8pm via Zoom)

Wednesday March 11 (3-4pm in-person)

Wednesday April 15 (7-8pm via Zoom)

Tuesday May 12 (3-4pm in-person)

Wednesday June 10 (7-8pm via Zoom)

FTA Annual Events 2025–26

July 16: Preschool Meetup

September 13: Back to School Celebration

October 31: Halloween Celebration

November 19: Thanksgiving Potluck Breakfast

December 12: Holiday Bazaar

January 19: MLK Day of Service

February 13: Valentine Candygrams

March 20: Spring Garden Clean-Up

April 25: Touch A Truck Festival

May 20: World Bee Day Festival

June 20: Brooklyn Pride Parade

Executive Commitee 2025–26

Co-Presidents
Armistead Booker
Madeline Kerner
president@ps295.org

Secretary
Ashley Doukas
secretary@ps295.org

Treasurer
Patrick Selvey
treasurer@ps295.org

Grants
Hollis Pfitsch
grants@ps295.org

Communications Team
Tory Meringoff
Cat Strain
comms@ps295.org

Events Team
Hannah MacDonald
Diana Venzke
events@ps295.org

Family Engagement Team
Sarah Hernandez
Kimberly Nisanov
family@ps295.org

Preschool + Kindergarten Advocate Team
Nonna Gurnot
Hillary Robertson
preschool@ps295.org

Sustainability Advocate Team
Andrea Thompson
Zory Matarelli
sustainability@ps295.org

Title One Advocate
Kelli Kathman
titleone@ps295.org

English as a New Language Advocate
Ana Maria Aguilar
enl@ps295.org

Not sure who to reach?
hello@ps295.org

Leadership Elections

Each spring, the FTA membership elects parents, caregivers, and guardians to serve in leadership roles. Terms last one year with a two-year limit. 

  • The NYC Department of Education requires each school PTA / FTA to elect a president, treasurer, and secretary. These three mandatory roles must be filled between April 1 and the last day of school. Most school communities also elect a vice president and other supporting roles.

    All volunteer elected officials are expected to work together and help each other with any issues and events related to the PTA in support of their school. Terms are for one year, starting July 1, with a maximum of two years if re-elected.

    When possible, FTA leaders are encouraged to seek election in co-leader roles, where the responsibilities are shared between two volunteers.

    The FTA By-Laws outline the specifics of how elections are handled. Elections must be conducted in a free, fair, and inclusive manner, providing an opportunity for the full participation of all members. No undue pressure or coercion may be exercised by anyone. School officials are prohibited from direct or indirect interference with the election process.

    FTA Election Notice April 2025 (PDF)

  • The FTA Executive Committee (or EC) at PS 295 includes the leadership roles available for the annual elections. This group of volunteers meets together monthly to plan, discuss, and prepare for upcoming FTA-supported events and ongoing initiatives; and commits to keep these EC meetings under one hour.

    They are responsible for organizing and empowering the development and execution of all FTA programming, which can be as much time as they can volunteer, while balancing their work and home lives. These leaders also moderate the monthly FTA meetings and are excepted to attend as many of these meetings as possible throughout the year.

  • Executive Committee roles include:

    • Mandatory elected FTA leadership roles:

      • President

      • Treasurer

      • Secretary

    • Optional elected FTA leadership roles:

      • Vice President of Communications

      • Vice President of Events

      • Vice President of Grants

      • Vice President of Family Engagement

      • Preschool Advocate

      • Kindergarten Advocate

      • English as a New Language Advocate

      • Title One Advocate

    • Unelected FTA leadership roles:

      • Class Parents

      • Event Committee Chairs

    Read the job descriptions (PDF)

  • Executive Committee recommends the following additions to the FTA leadership for the upcoming school year. These roles will be considered in a vote to edit the by-laws on September 18, 2025 and up for election on October 22, 2025.

    • Optional elected FTA leadership roles:

      • Preschool and Kindergarten Advocate

      • Sustainability Advocate

      • Fifth Grade Committee Chair

    • Unelected FTA leadership roles:

      • Event Committee Chairs

    Read the job descriptions (PDF)

FTA Document Archive

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