Mission
Parents as Education Partners (PEP) is a volunteer organization made up of parents and guardians of Schuylerville Elementary School students. Its mission is to strengthen the school community by bringing families together and supporting experiences that benefit students and staff throughout the school year. PEP supports a wide range of programs, events and initiatives, including:
- Fun Run: PEP’s largest annual fundraiser and a major school-wide event that brings together students, families, staff, volunteers and local businesses. Most recently, Fun Run fundraising allowed PEP to fund the new $40,607 multipurpose basketball hoop project for students.
- Playground & Outdoor Improvements: PEP fundraising has helped support playground additions and improvements, outdoor seating, hydration stations and other projects that enhance students’ everyday experience at school.
- Grandparents Breakfast: One of PEP’s largest family traditions that welcomes hundreds of students and family members to enjoy breakfast and each’s other’s company in the elementary school cafeteria.
- Trunk or Treat: An annual community event bringing hundreds of students and families together for a fun, free evening at the school.
- PEPcorn Wednesdays: A simple, but much-loved tradition that gives parent volunteers another opportunity to be present in the school and do something special for students.
- Staff Appreciation: PEP coordinates Staff Appreciation Week and other efforts throughout the year to recognize the teachers, support staff and employees who care for students every day. This has included staff breakfasts, raffles, student-created keepsakes, appreciation videos and other special activities.
- 5th Grade Finale/Moving Up: PEP helps fund and coordinate a special celebration for fifth graders, giving students an opportunity to celebrate together before moving on to middle school.
- Kindergarten & New Student Support: PEP volunteers help welcome the school’s youngest students through Kindergarten Screening, start-of-year lunch support and other activities. PEP has also provided books, pencil boxes and other welcome items for incoming students.
- Classroom & Student Support: PEP funds classroom needs, student activities, schoolwide initiatives, T-shirts and enrichment opportunities throughout the year, while also supporting programs such as PBIS and other positive-school-culture initiatives.
- Volunteer Support: Beyond fundraising, PEP coordinates parent volunteers for School Picture Day, the Book Fair, kindergarten lunches, school events, and other areas where an extra set of hands can make a meaningful difference for students and staff.
- Community & Environmental Projects: PEP has supported projects such as Arbor/Earth Day saplings and the Tree of Peace, along with other activities designed to create a welcoming and connected school environment.
2026-27 PEP meetings
Meetings are held in the Elementary School Library at 6:00 p.m.
- September 22
- October 13
- November 10
- December 8
- January 12
- February 9
- March 9
- April 13
- May 11
- No June meeting
PEP Board Members
Executive Board
Co-President: Christine Barbeau
Co-President: Jamie Davies
Vice President: Katelyn Costopoulos
Treasurer: Meredith Payne
Communication Director: Anna McLenithan
Committee Heads and Members
Fifth Grade Finale: Jamie Davies & Katelyn Costopoulos
Fun Run: Anna McLenithan
Box Tops for Education: Helen Bentley
Clynk: KC Club, Cassandra Luthringer
Popcorn Wednesdays: Katelyn Costopoulos