MEET THE PTA

2025-26 PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD

President:Lauren Rosen

Lauren arrived in Maplewood in 2017. After years of missing the city, she finally fell in love with Maplewood's charm and its fantastic people. Lauren has 3 Tuscan Tigers - Jack (alum) in 7th grade, Ella (4th grade), and Oliver (1st grade). Last year, as VP, she was on committees for the Walk-a-thon, Book Fair, Tuscan Show, the Elks Winter party, and many more. Lauren is a School Psychologist who founded a consulting practice, Childhood Connected, to support the social, behavioral and emotional needs of children. Her passion for the well-being of students, families, and educators is a driving force in her desire to support the Tuscan PTA. In her free time, Lauren can be found getting a latte at the Able Baker after pickleball, walking her beloved dog Winston, and chauffeuring her children across town.

Vice President/President Elect: Katie Bassel

vp@tuscanschoolpta.org

Katie currently has one Tuscan Tiger, and one Tiger waiting in the wings. Prior to serving as VP, Katie served as a class coordinator, chaired the Book Fair, and ran Movie Night. She's a Publicity Director at St. Martin's Press, and her passions include pickleball, gardening, reading, and mahjong. Text her if you want to pickle or play mahj. :)

Treasurer: Erin Kouch

treasurer@tuscanpta.org

Erin made the move from Hoboken to Maplewood with her husband, Paul, back in 2011. She has three Tuscan Tigers: Brendan (7th MMS), Rory (5th), and Patrick (3rd). For the past ten years, Erin has worked for an accounting firm that specializes in non profits. When she’s not cheering on one of her boys at a soccer, football, baseball or basketball game, you’ll find her on the golf course or at the beach.

Recording Secretary: Jill Domanski

secretary@tuscanschoolpta.org

I’m not a regular mom… I’m a cool mom! I have 2 Tuscan Tigers (1st and 4th graders) that I love to embarrass by showing up to drop off in my pajamas and volunteering for all the things. I've been class coordinator, Tuscan Show Director, lunch/recess maven, and now I have the honor of being the PTA secretary. By day, I’m an LCSW in private practice, specializing in kids through young adults with OCD and anxiety disorders. By night, I’m a short-order cook, snack wench, professional nagger, and bedtime drill sergeant. When I’m not catering to my tigers' every whim, you might find me playing mah-jongg with friends or doing the occasional comedy show (check out Mortified Live.... NSFW, adult ears only). I’m a suburban mom, so naturally I play pickleball and enjoy long walks with a weighted vest. Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Communications Secretary: Lela Moore

comms@tuscanschoolpta.org

Lela moved to Maplewood in 2021 with her family, arriving at the same time as Hurricane Ida. Her son Ned is now a Tuscan 4th grader.

You may have seen her behind the info desk of the brand new Maplewood Library on Baker Street, where she works part-time while pursuing a Masters of Information degree at Rutgers (one semester left!). This year, she might teach your Tigers in a Beyond the Bell class about spotting fake news. She’s a member of the boards of the South Mountain YMCA and the Achieve Foundation and a member of the SOMA Fox Running Club. Sometimes you'll see her byline in The Village Green.

She's excited to continue her position as Communications Secretary and as your PTA newsletter writer and meme collector for the 2025-26 school year.

Ex-Officio: Jessie Kaye

COMMITTEES and chairpeople

SEPAC Liaison

Christy Mendoza cristyme@gmail.com

Website Manager

Regina Eckert reginaveckert@gmail.com

Social Media

Amanda Durett Cercone amandatheeditor@gmail.com

Membership Chair

Laura Schwinder laura.schwinder@gmail.com

Spirit Wear

Anna Butcher annabutcher12@gmail.com

Laura Carney laurakatecarney@gmail.com

Yearbook

Michelle Bardey michelle.bardey@gmail.com

Lauren Connors lauren.w.connors@gmail.com

Terry DeMonte terr.m13@gmail.com

Book Fair

Katie Bassel kabassel@gmail.com

Lauren Rosen lrosen09@gmail.com

Ice Cream Social

Amanda Durett Cercone amandatheeditor@gmail.com

Farmers Market

Laura Carney (lead) laurakatecarney@gmail.com

Sunshine Committee

Carrie McGee carrieleemcgee@gmail.com

Programming/Assemblies/Cultural Arts

Julianna Archury juliana.achury@gmail.com

Teacher Appreciation Week

Angela Jin Angela.jin.s@gmail.com

Tuscan Fair

Amanda Durett Cercone amandatheeditor@gmail.com

Laura Schwinder Laura.schwinder@gmail.com

Memorial Day Parade

Lizzie Callahan elizabeth.zink@gmail.com

Picture Day

Carrie McGee carrieleemcgee@gmail.com

Jill Domanski jill.domanski@gmail.com

Tuscan Show

Dagny Baker dagnybaker@gmail.com

5th Grade Committee

Amanda Durett Cercone amandatheeditor@gmail.com

Erica Dagley Galea erica.dagley@gmail.com

Regina Eckert reginaveckert@gmail.com

Lead Class Coordinator

Liz Millard tuscanleadcoordinator@gmail.com

Fundraising Co-Chairs

Lost & Found

Amanda Willis Rabbat amanda.willis@gmail.com

Angela Jin Angela.jin.s@gmail.com

Lunch & Recess (Organize volunteers for lunch & recess duties)

Wen Zhu syselfamily4@gmail.com

Liz Millard liz.s.millard@gmail.com

Playground Equipment (Stock and maintain playground equipment)

Liz Millard liz.s.millard@gmail.com

Garden & Green Team Committee

Jenn Dugan dugan.jennifer@gmail.com

Regina Eckert reginaveckert@gmail.com

Sinead Carew sineadcarew@gmail.com

Teacher Liaisons

Stefanie Wrembel swrembel@somsd.k12.nj.us

The following positions are open. Please sign up here or email president@tuscanschoolpta.org if you or anyone you know might be interested in learning more about the role.

SOMA Shares Liaison

Achieve Liaison

Teacher Liaison

International Festival (Celebrating all cultures)

Tuscan Tiger Mascot Committee (Maintain the costume and organize volunteers to wear it at events during the school year)

Movie Night (Fall)

Spring Fundraiser

Teacher Appreciation Week (May)

Principal

Malikah Majeed: mmajeed@somsd.k12.nj.us

Assistant Principal
Michael Calissi: mcalissi@somsd.k12.nj.us