PTA
Howe Elementary PTA
In Mt. Lebanon, the dedication of our PTA helps to create experiences that make our schools exceptional places to learn and grow. Our PTAs coordinate volunteers, support teacher appreciation efforts, and strengthen communication between home and school. Learn more about PTA events, programs, and ways to get involved. Visit the Howe Elementary PTA website to learn more.
Contact Us
- For additional information, questions, or to volunteer, please reach out to: president@howepta.org
- Read the District’s weekly newsletter to find PTA events and information.
- You can also join our Howe PTA Facebook group. (NOTE: You must answer the 3 questions to be admitted to the group.)
- Visit the Howe PTA Givebacks website to donate or join PTA.
Membership
- Members can join at any time of the year and must renew their membership each school year.
- Howe PTA Givebacks Membership website.
- Questions? Email membership@howepta.org
The Howe PTA is a partnership between families, teachers, and staff, working together to create the best possible elementary school experience for every student. By becoming a PTA member, you help support programs, events, teacher appreciation initiatives, student enrichment opportunities, and other activities that strengthen our school community. Your membership also gives you a voice in helping shape the experiences and opportunities available to our students.
Whether you have time to volunteer regularly or simply want to show your support through membership, every member makes a difference. We welcome and encourage all parents, guardians, family members, teachers, and staff to join the Howe PTA and become active participants in our school community.
Annual membership options include:
- Two Parent/Guardian Memberships: $25
- One Parent/Guardian Membership: $15
- Faculty Membership: $15
- Faculty Partner Membership: $10
If becoming a member isn't the right fit at this time, you can still support the Mellon PTA by making a one-time donation. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps fund programs and opportunities that directly benefit our students, teachers, and school community.
To learn more, join the PTA, or make a one-time donation, visit the Howe PTA Givebacks website.
Howe PTA Directory
Did you know there is a PTA Directory that you can access once you join PTA? This can be helpful for obtaining family contact information to arrange playdates or sending birthday invitations, etc.
To Join the Howe PTA Directory:
**Please note: Givebacks access to view the directory is best on a laptop or desktop. Mobile access is limited.
Once you've purchased a membership, create a Givebacks account then update your information in the directory:
- Visit the Howe PTA Givebacks website
- Click "Get Started" at top right.
- Click "Create an Account" at the bottom of the page. Create an account using the same email you used when you purchased your membership.
- After you create an account and are logged in, click on "Account" and scroll down to the "Profile" section to click on "Directory Settings."
- Click on "Manage Family" to add your partner/spouse and children.
- For each child at Howe, be sure to select "Julia Ward Howe PTA, Inc." as the organization, and enter the student's current grade and teacher. After adding each family member and child, click "Save Changes".
- Within "Directory Settings" click "Julia Ward Howe PTA, Inc." to manage your directory preferences -- indicating that your family should be added to the online directory and sharing your email address and phone number. Click “Save Changes”.
To view the Howe PTA Directory:
- Visit the Howe PTA Givebacks website
- Be sure you are logged in.
- Click "Links".
- Click "Directory".
Questions? Email membership@howepta.orgmailto:membership@howepta.org
Officers & Committees
Emily Balestreire
President
president@howepta.org
Jen Webler
1st Vice President
onevp@howepta.org
Jordan Backstrom
2nd Vice President
twovp@howepta.org
Matt Rizzutto
3rd Vice President
mrizzutto@mtlsd.net
Keke Ventura
Recording Secretary
recsecretary@howepta.org
Melissa Voto Sullivan
Corresponding Secretary
corrsecretary@howepta.org
Nidhi Agarwal
Treasurer
treasurer@howepta.org
Greg Engle
Historian
historian@howepta.org
Meeting Schedule
- September 9, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- October 14, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- November 11, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- January 13, 2027 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- February 10, 2027 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- March 10, 2027 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- April 14, 2027 - 7:00 p.m. WORKING SESSION (for current and upcoming officers and committee chairs) - Howe Elementary Auditorium
- May 12, 2027 - 5:30 p.m. - Howe Elementary Auditorium
Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available for all General PTA Meetings. Google Meet links for virtual participation are shared with families via email and on our Facebook page during the week of each meeting.
General PTA Meetings are open to all active PTA members, who are eligible to vote on PTA business and decisions. We also warmly welcome prospective and new members to attend and learn more about how the Howe PTA supports our teachers, students, families, and the greater school community throughout the school year.
Events
- Kindergarten Play Date - 8/11/26 @Howe playground, 2:00-3:00 p.m., 6:00-7:00 p.m.
- Rain Date: 8/12/26 - 2:00-3:00 p.m., 6:00-7:00 p.m.
- A time for incoming K families to connect with other Howe families and classmates.
- Welcome Back Coffee (Gr 1-5) - 8/18/26, @3-5 Entrance
- Parents dropping their kids off for the first day of school can grab coffee courtesy of the Howe PTA and meet PTA board members.
- Parents dropping their kids off for the first day of school can grab coffee courtesy of the Howe PTA and meet PTA board members.
- Coffee & Kleenex - First Day of Kindergarten - 8/20/26, @K-2 Entrance
- Parents dropping their kids off for the first day of Kindergarten can grab coffee courtesy of the Howe PTA and meet PTA board members.
- Parents dropping their kids off for the first day of Kindergarten can grab coffee courtesy of the Howe PTA and meet PTA board members.
- Sunny Funny Fair - 9/26/26, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., @Howe
- Our main fundraiser; open to the entire community. This is a carnival featuring games, an art pavilion, food, prizes, and raffle baskets.
- Our main fundraiser; open to the entire community. This is a carnival featuring games, an art pavilion, food, prizes, and raffle baskets.
- Top Golf Howe Spirit Night - 10/18/26 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., @Top Golf
- Support the Howe PTA at a Top Golf Spirit Night. Tickets will be purchased in advance through the Howe PTA.
- Support the Howe PTA at a Top Golf Spirit Night. Tickets will be purchased in advance through the Howe PTA.
- Election Day Bake Sale (5th Grade Committee) - 11/3/26, @Howe front lawn
- The 5th grade committee holds this bake sale as a fundraiser for 5th grade activities.
- The 5th grade committee holds this bake sale as a fundraiser for 5th grade activities.
- Scholastic Book Fair - 11/12/26 & 11/13/26, @Gym
- Book sales whose proceeds provide funds for the school for books and classroom supplies.
- Book sales whose proceeds provide funds for the school for books and classroom supplies.
- Family Fun Night - 11/19/26 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m., @Auditorium
- Join us for Family Trivia Night!
- Join us for Family Trivia Night!
- Howe’s About a Gift - 12/3/26 - 12/4/26, @Gym
- A two-day sale where students practice budgeting and math while selecting gifts for family and friends.
- A two-day sale where students practice budgeting and math while selecting gifts for family and friends.
- Howe’s Got Talent - REHEARSAL: 2/2/27, Talent Show: 2/5/27 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., @ Mellon Middle School Auditorium
- Talent show where kids showcase their talents ranging from music, dance, artwork & more.
- Talent show where kids showcase their talents ranging from music, dance, artwork & more.
- Read-a-thon - 2/19/27-2/28/27
- Our biggest fundraiser of the year. Designed to encourage a love of reading. Kids track minutes read over 10 days to earn Super Reader medals and other prizes.
- Our biggest fundraiser of the year. Designed to encourage a love of reading. Kids track minutes read over 10 days to earn Super Reader medals and other prizes.
- Family Bingo Night - 2/26/27 6:00-8:00 p.m., @High School Center Court
- An evening event to celebrate our Read-a-thon.
- An evening event to celebrate our Read-a-thon.
- STEAM Fair - 3/11/27 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Gym and Auditorium
- Students conduct projects and present their findings; then enjoy a science-themed performance.
- Students conduct projects and present their findings; then enjoy a science-themed performance.
- Healthy Minds Fair (during Open House) - 3/30/27 @Cafeteria
- Held during Open House, the PTA funds parent education, sensory kits, and books, and the Healthy Minds Fair to connect families with HM resources.
- Held during Open House, the PTA funds parent education, sensory kits, and books, and the Healthy Minds Fair to connect families with HM resources.
- PTA Staff Appreciation Week - 5/3/27-5/7/27
- The PTA provides treats and gifts for teachers and staff throughout the week.
- The PTA provides treats and gifts for teachers and staff throughout the week.
- Family Reading Night & BOGO Scholastic Book Fair - 5/19/27, 6:00-8:00 p.m. @Howe, Rain date: 5/20/27
- A celebration of reading event where kids create book-themed floats and cakes. Our final fundraiser of the year.
- A celebration of reading event where kids create book-themed floats and cakes. Our final fundraiser of the year.
- Bite of the World - 6/2/26, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., @Howe Playground (gym if rain)
- A multicultural potluck celebrating cuisines represented in the Howe community.