Welcome to the Defino PTO!  

 

The Defino Central PTO is made up of parents, teachers, and administrators whose purpose is to enhance the educational and social experience at Defino Central Elementary School. Our goal is developing a closer connection between school & home through encouraging parent involvement and contributing to Defino through volunteer and financial support. 

 

We are dedicated to supporting the school’s mission in providing a well-rounded educational experience for our children. Our success really depends upon YOU, our incredible parents! We offer many ways to get involved, from donating an hour or more of your time, contributing or donating an item to our fundraisers and more - the opportunities are truly endless. 

 

Through fundraising, we host many events each year for our students & their families including Ice Cream Socials, Monster Mash, Author Day, Game Night, Lip Sync, Assemblies, Carnival / Field Day, Book Fairs, Spirit Days and more. We also dedicate a portion of our budget to improvements for the school that are not in the district budget. In the past, we have paid for a digital school sign, basketball courts, projector & audio-visual systems for the gym & cafeteria, indoor recess boxes, a soccer field, basketball hoops, playground updates and more. 

 

Equally important is our desire to help our community. Through our Defino Gives Back program, and the generosity of our Defino families, year after year we execute a highly successful food drive, a holiday gift drive, a Halloween costume collection, and other donation drives.    

 

Lastly, we support the Defino staff and administration and together we work hard to maintain the academic excellence and sense of community that families expect at Defino. We “stock the fridge” in the teacher’s lounge monthly with snacks, treats & coffee etc. as well as honor the full staff and administration at our annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon. We have offered grants for teacher materials and generally do our best to support the overall morale and family atmosphere that we have come to know and love at Defino. 

 

We encourage you to stay informed and become a vital part of your child’s education!  We look forward to a memorable 2025-2026 school year!!

 

For the most up to date Defino PTO information please visit our website: defino.ptboard.com and “like” our Facebook page: Defino Central PTO. 

 

2025-2026 DEFINO PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD

Co-President: Nicole Nadel

Co-President: Cheryl Favorito

EVP, Fundraising: Megan Fishman

EVP, Operations: Lauren Williams

VP, Programming: Trish Cook

VP, Operations: Mary Zacharatos

VP, Hospitality: Kelly Platt

VP, Community: Kayla Giovinazzo

VP, Engagement: Leslie Fischer

Recording Secretary: Stacey Asem

Historian: Basima Rum

 

You can always reach us via email with any questions: [email protected]

 

2025-2026 DEFINO PTO MEETING DATES

(meetings are at 9:15 am via Zoom unless otherwise noted)

 

September 12, 2025 **IN PERSON – Defino Cafeteria** (PTO & class parent interest meeting)

October 3, 2025

November 14, 2025

January 9, 2026

February 6, 2026

March 9, 2026

April 10, 2026

May 1, 2026