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About Us

The MIS/HPMS PTO coordinates important educational programming for students and parents, including general membership meetings and coffee talk meetings each year. The MIS/HPMS PTO also hosts monthly faculty/staff appreciation events and provides volunteer and financial support for over thirty school-related activities.

Why We Fundraise

The state of Texas takes nearly 70% of HPISD tax dollars and redistributes them to other school districts in accordance with the state's “recapture” or “Robin Hood” legislation.  Because of this, without private fundraising we would have far less to spend per student than many neighboring districts, which would impact everything from our teacher pay and recruitment to programs offered.  Fundraising organizations across HPISD fill an estimated $6 million annual budget gap so that our district can provide an outstanding education for our students and pay our teachers a competitive wage. 

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For more information about our fundraising efforts and where the money goes, please see our Raider Challenge page.

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Why We Volunteer

Volunteers offer much-needed support to our staff and supplemental programs and services for our students.  Volunteers also save the district money so they can better provide for essentials like competitive teacher salaries.  Did you know that cafeteria volunteers save the district $400,000 per year?!​  Volunteering is also a great opportunity to connect and build relationships with parents, community members, and staff while modeling the service mindset we aim to teach our students... "Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve." 

 

You may even get to see your kids at school!  Checkout ways to get involved on our Volunteer page.

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Join the PTO

PTO dues are $45 per family and directly fund essential student and faculty support that would not otherwise possible.  Join the PTO during Back-to-School Signup (BSSU) or online

 

Email the MIS President or HPMS President with questions

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Serve on the PTO!

Parent involvement and leadership are critical to the success of our school.  We have more than 75 roles so there's something for everyone! You will meet other parents who are committed to serving our students, teachers and staff, have opportunities to interact with school staff and teachers, and have FUN!

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Learn more about these volunteer leadership positions.  Our board and chairpersons are slated by the PTO's Nominating Committee.  ​

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Questions?  Please email our Nominating Chairs

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2024-2025 PTO Board & Chairpersons

Board Officers

 

Kitsy Smith

Amy Barker

Margaret Kelley

Alexa Snelleman

Kelley Curtin

Nicole Vanderstorm

Laura Terry

Laura Hornbach

Allison Lockard

GeeGee Hammel

Kristin Evans

Rachel Stephens

Jill Morrison

Allison Small

Julie Melihercik

Ashley Gray

Jacque Green

Nancy West

Marisa Stockwood

Jessica Turner Waugh

Divia Dayalji

Raider Challenge Team

Fundraising Officers

Kristin Evans

Rachel Stephens

Jill Morrison

Allison Small

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Raider Challenge

4th Grade Liaison

TBA

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Raider Challenge

Donor Relations

Suzie Forsberg

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Raider Challenge Donor Party

TBA

Bricks & Stones Chair

Janet Bennett

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Raider Rewards

Melissa Holland

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Mad for Plaid Liaison Chair

Brooke Messer

Raider Shop Chairs

Raider Shop Officers

Jacque Green

Nancy West

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Raider Shop Officers-Elect

Gabriela Menegazzo

Karina Lonsdale-Hands

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Raider Shop Volunteers

Laura Price

Brooke Garner

 

Raider Shop Finance Officer
Marisa Stockwood
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Raider Shop Finance

Officer-Elect
Mary Margaret Neff
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Raider Shop Wrap

Pack Chair
Amy Gale
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Raider Shop Wrap Pack-Elect
Pepper Bridges

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Raider Shop Apparel Chairs

Deanna Carell

Mary Chaney Spencer

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Raider Shop Apparel

Chairs-Elect

Jennifer Vaughn

Julie Mearns

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Raider Shop Agenda

Cover Chair

Amy Henry
 

Cafeteria

Cafeteria Finance Officer

Julie Melihercik

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Cafeteria Finance Officer-Elect

Rochelle Mayfield

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Cafeteria Gift Fund

Vanessa Renna

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Cafeteria Volunteer

Katherine Issel

Tracy Port Melech

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Volunteer Website (VSP)

Kara Smith

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Volunteer Website Elect

Hillary Sinclair

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Monday Day Captains

Cathy Amos

Reagan Pace

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Tuesday Day Captains

Brook Armstrong

Danielle Mullen

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Wednesday Day Captains

Lyndel Greth

Jill Morrison

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Thursday Day Captains

Barbie Kohl

Alexa Snelleman

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Friday Day Captain

Whitney Donaldson

Kelli Mueller

Sports Chairs

7th Grade Boys Sports

Allison Chandler

Emily Van Dorn

Kris Jefferies

Claudia Williams

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7th Grade Girls Sports

KC Strohbehn

Jacky Pincoffs

Abby Neblett

Marcy O'Connor

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8th Grade Boys Sports

Jessica Jones

Sara Friedman

Jenny Kearns

Marty Petet

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8th Grade Girls Sports

Beth Birdwell

Haley DeVault

Amy Kovac

Diana Sope

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HPMS Sports Finance Officer

Divia Dayalji

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Raider Sports Signage/Displays

Melanie Biggers

Party Chairs

5th Grade Party

Jessica Rugg

Sarita Francis

Meredith Baird

Nicole Somerville

6th Grade Party

Meredith Ferrell

Katie Head

Katie Roach

Amy Sherman​

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Parent Events and Communication

Communications Officer

Ashley Gray

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Communications Officer-Elect

Jessica Hoffman

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Publicity

Jessica Hoffman

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Social Media

Cheryl Crosby

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Directory

Jennifer Garancis

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Safety Chairs

Emil Cerullo

Ken Witt

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Website

Cathy Geiszler

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Graphic Design

Suzie Forsberg

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​Room Parents - 5th Grade

Brynn Tremper

Meredith Sarracino

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Room Parents - 6th Grade

Katie Webb

Whitney Zapffe

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Parent Party - 5th Grade

Jessica Rugg

Sarita Francis

Meredith Baird

Nicole Somerville

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Parent Party - 6th Grade

Meredith Ferrell

Katie Head

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Raiders Reaching Out

Berkeley Litton

Whitney Jodry

Stephanie Wilson

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Newcomers - MIS

Annie Cochran

Whitney Cameron

Katy Pyle

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Newcomers - HPMS

Lisa Leet

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MIS Coffee Talks - 5th Grade

Carolyn Longino

Jenilee Ladd

Liza Raynor

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MIS Coffee Talks - 6th Grade

Meg Boyd

Emily Klein

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HPMS Coffee Talks - 7th Grade

Emily Abubakar

Carroll Gurganus

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HPMS Coffee Talks - 8th Grade

Haylie Crouch

Ashley Shull

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Staff Appreciation and Support

Teacher Workroom

Volunteers

Brook Armstrong

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Treat Week

Jessica Rugg

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District-wide Appreciation

Sarah Taub

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Teacher and Staff

Appreciation

Jae Carpenter

LeeAnn Wood

Lauren Heffelfinger

Emily Helm

Jennifer Vaughn

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Teacher and Staff

Appreciation-Elects

Claire Swope

Emily Boles

Carey Gardner

Amanda Hamilton

Kate Bryant

Leslie Singleton

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Clinic Volunteer

Anne Evans

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Library and Book Fair Volunteers

Heidi McKinely Florez

Amy Moore

 

Other Chairpersons

MIS/HPMS Corresponding Secretaries

Susan Hastedt

Sara Sauder

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MIS 2nd VP BSSU-Elect

Karen Glassman

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HPMS 2nd VP BSSU-Elect

Laura Terry

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Safety Chair

Emil Cerullo

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Volunteer Website - VSP

Kara Smith

Hillary Sinclair (Elect)

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PTO Hospitality Chairs

LauraNell Morrow

Kristi Harvey

Brett Crawford

Laura Boynton

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Grounds

Mindy Heft

 

The History of the PTAs in HPISD

Originally, Armstrong was the only school in the district… a yellow brick building housing all students.  The John S. Armstrong Parent-Teacher Association of Highland Park was founded on November 19, 1914 and elected Mrs. Frank M. Gray Sr. as its first president.

 

A pattern of service to the school was set by the early leaders.  PTA minutes report gifts to the library, playground, and landscaping of the campus.  Supervising and staffing the school cafeteria began in January 1921 when the Armstrong lunchroom was established.

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Over the years, the PTA has undergone name changes and multiplied into seven units, one for each HPISD campus.  In 2022, the intermediate/middle school group also changed from a PTA to a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), but the purpose for “the welfare of the child,” has remained the same.

Past Presidents
McCulloch Intermediate School & Highland Park Middle School PTO
MIS                                            HPMS

2023-24

2022-23​

2021-22

2020-21

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

2011-12

2010-11

Courtney Gerstenhaber

Jessica Turner Waugh

Missy Finger

Tricia Perhirin

Paige Andrews

Rebecca Black

Maryann Denton

Nicole Richter

Meredith McBee

Lynn Stocker

Leslie Kibby

Carol Robertson

Laua Walsh

Susan McSherry

Gretel Shipley

Libby Johnson

Amy McNulty

Kyle Huckaby

Elizabeth Speicher

Marcy Simmons

Meredith Clark

Kay Herring

Gretchen Groves

Sue Humphrey

Natalie Thomas

Nancy Monning

Christi Nelson

Cynthia Looney

MIS                                  HPMS

2009-10

2008-09

2007-08

2006-07

2005-06

2004-05

2003-04

2002-03

2001-02

2000-01

1999-00

1998-99

1997-98

1996-97

1995-96

Anne McPherson

Mary Meier

Melissa Utley

Sheila Holmes

Marty Washington

Tricia Stewart

Mary Taylor

Paula Burford

Jayne Bass

Ann Shaw

Mary Lou Gibbons

Rita Duncan

Cindy Harding

Ginger Sager

Amy Meindl

Amy Davis

Carol Dalton

Beth Felvey

Lee Michaels

Julie Livingston

Pam Brock

Kathy Jenevein

Beth Clark

Kathleen Cheney

Karen Bedell

Judy Sillers

Gail Knapp

Leslie Conant

Susan Hall

Cordelia Boone

Arch H. McCulloch Middle School PTA

1994-95

1993-94

1992-93

1991-92

1990-91

1989-90

1988-89

Laurie Aldredge

Ann Swope

Brownie Watkins

Barbara Cervin

Marla Boone

Cappie Addison

Bettye Slaven

1987-88

1986-87

1985-86

1984-85

1983-84

1982-83

1981-82

1980-81

Carol Diehl

Susan Kull

Judy Gibbs

Sondra Carter

Dorothy Kennington

Lee Mahood

Becky Bright

Sybil Taylor

1979-80

1978-79

1977-78

1976-77

1975-76

1974-75

1973-74

Joan Stanbury

Zoe Chantillis

Kitty Snelling

Beverly Lightbourn

Carolyn Rodgers

Ann Smith

Joann Goff

Highland Park Middle School PTA

1972-73

Mrs. Carlton Cranor

1971-72

1970-71

Mrs. Marvin S. Sloman

Mrs. S. G. Shaffer Jr.

1969-70

Mrs. William H. Hitzleberger Jr.

Highland Park Junior High PTA
each school began its own PTA

1968-69

1967-68

1966-67

1965-66

1964-65

1963-64

1962-63

1961-62

1960-61

1959-60

1958-59

1957-58

Mrs. James T. Pryor

Mrs. E. D. Peters

Mrs. William B. Stallcup Jr.

Mrs. Jack E. Eades

Mrs. Jesse E. Thompson

Mrs. Curtis Horn

Mrs. John Graham

Mrs. James H. Merritt

Mrs. W. J. Dickey

Mrs. A. J. Kutner

Mrs. William Groth

Mrs. Willis Lea Jr.

1956-57

1955-56

1954-55

1953-54

1952-53

1951-52

1950-51

1949-50

1948-49

1947-48

1946-47

1945-46

Mrs. Vernon Coe

Mrs. John B. Bourland

Mrs. Luther Jordan Jr.

Mrs. Jack Brown

Mrs. Alfred Matthews

Mrs. John Rogers

Mrs. Robert Webb

Mrs. Lois E. Dolch

Mrs. J. D. Francis

Mrs. B. T. Geron

Mrs. Paul K. Cash

Mrs. B. C. Jefferson

1944-45

1942-44

1941-42

1940-41

1939-40

1938-39

1938-38

1937-38

1935-37

1933-35

1931-32

Mrs. Ernest Tutt

Mrs. Felix Butte

Mrs. R. E. Rettger

Mrs. Howard Dunham

Mrs. W. B. Ruggles

Mrs. Will C. Jones

Mrs. John R. Beall

Mrs. Bentley Young

Mrs. H. L. Pritchett

Mrs. A. V. Cockrell

Mrs. R. C. Dunlap

Highland Park PTA
name changed when high school was added

1929-31

Mrs. Luther Jordan

1927-29

1925-27

Mrs. Will R. Wilson Sr.

Mrs. E. H. Nolte

1922-25

Mrs. E. H. Morgan

John S. Armstrong PTA of Highland Park
original PTA of HPISD

1920-22

1919-20

Mrs. E. H. Morgan

Mrs. William Bacon

1917-19

1916-17

Mrs. C. M. Hudson

Mrs. J. R. Babcock

1915-16

1914-15

Mrs. W. I. Ford

Mrs. Frank M. Gray Sr.

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