About Friends of Hackett

The mission of the Friends of Horatio B. Hackett Elementary School is to provide support to all current and future Hackett students, teachers, staff, and parents in order to maintain a safe and academically engaging environment both in school and within the community. Our goal is to support Hackett students to become educated, responsible, contributing citizens of the City of Philadelphia. Friends of Hackett is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit group.

 Our Committees

Communication Committee

The communications committee shares events and news with our community via social media, digital communications, and the schoolyard bulletin board. We provide support for the events team on their communication needs.

Chair: Emily O'Keefe

Block Party Committee

The block party committee helps to plan and organize our annual block party that happens each fall.

Chair: Ashley Thomas

Community Events Committee

The community events committee works to plan all of our social events, including happy hours and other get-togethers focused on connnecting families and building community.

Chair: Melinda Glass

Schoolyard/Garden Committee

The schoolyard/garden committee is dedicated to creating and maintaining beautiful green space to allow our children to thrive. The committee focuses on the beautification and maintenance of the green space surrounding the school.

Chair: John Thacher

Onboarding Committee

The Onboarding Committee assists in onboarding new members.

Chair: Dustin Ream

Facilities Committee

The facilities committee works to improve the facilities at Hackett. A few ongoing projects include the library and music room.

Chair: Laura Fluharty

Gala Committee

The gala committee is working on planning a Friends of Hackett Gala.

Chair: Marie-Claire Archbold

Membership Committee

The membership committee helps to recruit and coordinate members and volunteers of Friends of Hackett.

Chair: Cimone Berman

Fundraising Committee

The fundraising committee works with all of our committees to assist in fundraising efforts.

Chair:

Outdoor Classroom and Rain Garden Committee

The outdoor classroom and rain garden committee provides support to the upcoming stormwater management project at Hackett.

Chair: Jenn McTague

Our Friends of Hackett Board

Officers:

  • Abby Guido, President

  • Laura Tepper, Vice

    President

  • Jenn McTague,

    Secretary

  • Thomas Hourican,

    Treasurer

Board Members:

  • Cimone Berman

  • Rebecca Brett

  • Laura Fluharty

  • Marie-Claire Archbold

  • Melinda Glass

  • Emily O'Keefe

  • Dustin Ream

  • Ashley Thomas

  • John Thacher

Membership Responsibilities

  • One board meeting per month

    One committee meeting per month, maybe more

    8–10+ hours a month

    Lead/co-lead a committee

    Communication on Slack

    Role is more strategic, less tactical

  • One meeting per month (possibly more depending on project)

    5+ hours a month

    Participate in at least one committee

    Role is more tactical, with some strategic work

  • No required monthly meetings

    Flexible

    Variable

 

 About Our School

Horatio B. Hackett School is an incredible school with their mission being committed to providing our culturally diverse population a positive, safe, respectful, and supportive environment where all children will gain the knowledge to become life-long learners and model citizens.

Learn more about Hackett by visiting their website. There you can find information about:

  • Horatio B. Hackett School

  • Kindergarten Registration

  • Important School Dates

  • School Resources

  • and so much more

Our Community Partners

Thank you to our community supporters! We encourage you to support these local businesses that give back to Hackett School.