Friends Of Hackett

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Friends Of Hackett The mission of the Friends of Hackett is to provide support to all current and future Hackett Elementary students, teachers, staff, and parents.

Friends of Hackett is a part of the 19125 Parents Coalition, a cross-neighborhood approach to improving educational and play opportunities for our kids in the neighborhoods of the 19125 zip code (Fishtown, East Kensington, and Olde Richmond).

🍕🎃 Don't forget to join Friends of Hackett for our free Pumpkins & Pizza night in the schoolyard! Pumpkins were gracious...
10/19/2026

🍕🎃 Don't forget to join Friends of Hackett for our free Pumpkins & Pizza night in the schoolyard! Pumpkins were graciously donated by our favorite neighborhood grocery store 🫶 🤎

When: This Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Pizza, snacks, fall crafts, Halloween goodies, and a pumpkin decorating contest!

Quick Details:
• Pumpkins are provided for the decorating contest.
• Costumes are optional but welcome!
• All families are welcome to attend.
• RSVPs are optional but highly appreciated so we can order the right amount of pizza and pumpkins

Let us know you're coming here: https://forms.gle/5Q3LvdjwrB3as3bL8 - link is also in our bio!

👋 Meet Theresa Decker, incoming Chair of the Communications CommitteeHey, hi it's me - the voice and hands behind the po...
10/17/2026

👋 Meet Theresa Decker, incoming Chair of the Communications Committee

Hey, hi it's me - the voice and hands behind the posts. I've been volunteering with FOH since 2024, when I joined to get involved and meet families before my son started Kindergarten. I was previously chair of the Fundraising and Community Events committees working closely with Rose and Martha last year. Now I'll be leading up the Communications committee maintaining our social media presence, managing communication/updates from the school, creating marketing materials, and providing branding and design for our activities and events.

🗣️ Talk to me about: your ideas! If you're looking for something particular from our channels, I'd love to hear it. And of course, if you've got design, marketing, photography, illustration, animation, or communication skillz, let's chat!

☺️ I'm mom to one current Hackett student - Everett (1st) and one future Hackett Student - Ruby (2). Outside of FOH, I'm a Product Design leader in the tech space. You can typically find me popping around the neighborhood grabbing treats, hanging at one of our many amazing playgrounds, anxiously cheering on my son's soccer team, or out catching a show after bed time.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? The relationships. Joining FOH helped me connect with fellow incoming parents, and those connections have quickly grown into a well-fostered, supportive, dedicated community.

👋 Meet Dustin Ream, incoming Volunteer CoordinatorDustin has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since 2022. He ha...
10/16/2026

👋 Meet Dustin Ream, incoming Volunteer Coordinator

Dustin has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since 2022. He has previously been Chair of the Gala Committee, and most recently the Onboarding Committee. This year, Dustin will take over the Volunteer Coordinator role where he'll be working to support the recruitment and coordination of volunteers for our various committees and events. Dustin will also be instrumental in the planning and facilitation of our General Meetings (like the one TOMORROW)!

🗣️ Talk to Dustin if: you want to get involved! Dustin can help you understand more about the various ways you can engage with FOH, what it means to be volunteer versus joining a committee, and what it looks like to lead a committee. Once you've got the gist, he'll be ready to get you started!

☺️ Dustin is dad to one current - Hazel (4th) and two future Hackett students. Outside of his FOH role, he works for Bank of America in Business Support. Dustin is also passionate about food and beverage. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and playing guitar.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Contributing to events that bring the community together."

👋 Meet Caitlin Parenti, incoming Chair of the Block Party CommitteeCaitlin has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett...
10/16/2026

👋 Meet Caitlin Parenti, incoming Chair of the Block Party Committee

Caitlin has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since 2024, working very closely with Ashley as a key member of the Block Party Committee. This past year, Caitlin started to take the reigns with coordination and day-of ex*****on. She's officially transitioned into leading the committee, and we (especially Ashley) are so excited to see her carry on this annual event. As chair, Caitlin will be leading the planning of next year's Block Party - lining up food/beverage/raffle donations, establishing a budget + fundraising goals, selecting vendors, and facilitating the marketing efforts. Then on the big day, she'll be hustling to coordinate ALL the fun!

🗣️ Go to Caitlin for: Party stuff - if you've got the hookup for local food and beverage industry folks, love to face paint, know a DJ, or are interested in helping to plan or volunteer at our fall fundraiser. It's a big production, and we always need helping hands!

☺️ Caitlin is a mom to two Hackett students - Sullivan (4th) and Teo (1st). Outside of her FOH role, she's a High School Counselor at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. Caitlin previously worked for SDP and will forever appreciate the educators at Hackett for all that they do. She's particularly aware that it takes a special person to work in education AND in philly. She also loves running (recently completing her 5th half marathon earlier this month!), cooking, being a soccer mom, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Providing opportunities inside and outside of the classroom for our amazing students and community! And the people are awesome too :)"

👋 Meet Ashley Thomas, incoming Chair of the Onboarding CommitteeAshley has been involved with Friends of Hackett since 2...
10/16/2026

👋 Meet Ashley Thomas, incoming Chair of the Onboarding Committee

Ashley has been involved with Friends of Hackett since 2022, and has done an extraordinary job as Chair of the Block Party Committee, graciously throwing four annual block parties. This past year was her finale (and an amazing one, at that) as she transitions onto the Onboarding Committee. As Chair, Ashley will work to get new members acclimated and supported when joining FOH as committee members, or when they take on new roles within the organization.

🗣️ Go to Ashley for: Any questions you've got about membership - especially if you've decided to join a committee! Ashley will get you access to the right tools, grant you relevant permissions, share documentation and more.

☺️ Ashley is a mom to two Hackett students - Alta (4th) and Daniel (3rd). Outside of her FOH role, she's in HR, Licensing and Compliance. Ashley is also involved in several other community and public organizations. She started a Community Garden on her block, is a Ward 25 Committee Member, PLRA Board Member, UNPR member, and Girl Scout troop leader. PLUS, she's regularly hitting the slopes as an avid snowboarder.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Kids smiling."

👋 Rachel Storniolo, Chair of the Facilities CommitteeRachel began volunteering with Friends of Hackett when her second k...
10/15/2026

👋 Rachel Storniolo, Chair of the Facilities Committee

Rachel began volunteering with Friends of Hackett when her second kiddo entered Kindergarten last fall. She transitioned into the Facilities Chair throughout the year, taking on responsibilities from Laura as she moved into the role of President. As Facilities Chair, Rachel focuses on the in-school experience of our students and staff. She works with faculty to identify needs and provides support through material or financial donations, coordination of volunteers, or fundraising. She also helps coordinate multiple school events throughout the year, including Staff Appreciation Week, the Science Fair, Bookmark Design Contest, and Concert flower/bake Sales.

🗣️ Go to Rachel for: all things students and staff! Rachel cares deeply about the day-to-day experience for the humans in our school, even spending time as a staff member last year. If you've got ideas for how to support staff or students, or are interested in actively providing that support, Rachel is your girl.

☺️ Rachel is Mom to two Hackett kiddos - Cameron (5th) and Colin (1st). Outside of her FOH role, she's a full-time professional Mom, spending her time dedicated to creating a wonderful childhood for her children and the children in her community. She also loves to craft and is a talented seamstress - most recently creating custom Trick-or-Treat bags for her family and friends.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Being a part of our school community and helping our children, parents, and school staff."

👋 Meet Lauren Whelan, Chair of the Schoolyard & Garden CommitteeLauren has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett sin...
10/15/2026

👋 Meet Lauren Whelan, Chair of the Schoolyard & Garden Committee

Lauren has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since Spring of 2025 and quickly took on the Schoolyard and Garden Committee that same year! As Chair, Lauren diligently tends to the Hackett Garden, planting each season, maintaining beds and structures, and ensuring that everything's blossoming, blooming, and growing. Lauren also organizes our monthly schoolyard cleanups. (Join us this weekend, on Saturday 10/17 for this month's cleanup and stick around for the general meeting!) As we continue to settle into our amazing new schoolyard, Lauren will also be instrumental in creating a maintenance plan that cares for a much bigger landscape.

🗣️ Go to Lauren if: You've got a green thumb, or want to have one! Lauren is an amazing gardener and truly cares about the plants and trees in our space. If you've got ideas for the garden or schoolyard maintenance or want to help out, Lauren is the one to meet.

☺️ Lauren is mom to Hackett 1st grader Lola. Outside of her FOH role, she's an Account Administrator in the financial services industry. In her spare time, she's mostly working with her hands. You can find Lauren happily crafting, cooking, and surprise surprise... gardening.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Seeing the students’ eagerness to jump in and participate in cleanups, plantings, watering, & weeding."

This Saturday! Join us for a morning schoolyard cleanup and then stick around for our Fall General Meeting. It's a perfe...
10/15/2026

This Saturday! Join us for a morning schoolyard cleanup and then stick around for our Fall General Meeting. It's a perfect time to learn more about Friends of Hackett, meet the board, and see how you can get involved! The cleanup will start at 10, and the meeting will start at 11. We'll have treats for adults and kiddos. 🍩🌞🌳

👋 Meet Neal Magnotta, FOH TreasurerNeal has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett for several years and took on the ...
10/14/2026

👋 Meet Neal Magnotta, FOH Treasurer

Neal has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett for several years and took on the role of Treasurer in the spring of 2025. As Treasurer, Neal works to keep our finances in proper order, providing monthly reports, overseeing committee budgets, facilitating purchases, processing donations, filing taxes, and more. Here he is accepting a grant on behalf of FOH!

🗣️ Go to Neal for: $$$ Talk! Neal's done so much to create an efficient, compliant, and transparent financial system for Friends of Hackett. If you're in the industry and/or interested in helping with bookkeeping/taxes/other exciting stuff, Neal would love to meet you.

☺️ Neal is dad to Olive (3rd) at Hackett. Yes... Neal and Mindy (FOH Secretary) are married! Outside of his FOH role, Neal works for S&P as Director of Global Sales Engineering and oversees a team focused on software sales to financial institutions. In his free time he enjoys cycling, woodworking, and taking on home improvement projects.

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Being part of a team that turns fundraising into real, tangible support for Hackett’s students and teachers."

👋 Meet Rose Thomas, Chair of the Community Events CommitteeRose has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since Fall...
10/14/2026

👋 Meet Rose Thomas, Chair of the Community Events Committee

Rose has been volunteering with Friends of Hackett since Fall of 2025 and took on the Community Events Committee in August! As Chair, Rose works closely with the Fundraising committee to plan seasonal events (that are sometimes also fundraisers) in and around the neighborhood. Rose's first event as Chair is coming up on Thursday, October 22nd where FOH will be hosting a Pumpkins and Pizza night in the schoolyard. This one is a free community event and you can find details in our recent post.

🗣️ Go to Rose for: Event Opportunities! Whether you've got a fun idea for a family night, are dying for a kid-free parent's happy hour, or you want to get involved in planning and hosting... Rose would love to hear it all.

☺️ Rose is mom to Hackett 1st grader August (Gus). Outside of her FOH role, she's been Director of Operations for the Penn Medicine Program for LGBTQ+ Health for the last 10 years. Prior to working at Penn Medicine and obtaining a Masters in Public Health, Rose worked as a social worker. She's very community oriented and also loves to read. So far this year, she's at 56 books!

🐼 Most rewarding part of being in FOH? "Helping support our school, and teachers and building a community for our kiddos!"

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2161 E York Street
Philadelphia, PA
19125

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