Our PTO

President

My name is Diana Merkent, and I have two students at Valley View middle school and a preschooler who will join 
Bayberry in one more school year. Ever since my kids began their Watchung schools journey, I’ve been a passionate PTO volunteer. My involvement has grown from class parent, to 4th grade committee chair and lunch captain, to two separate terms as Treasurer where I’m currently serving. My goal as President is to engage parents and school administration in supporting our program/event offerings that compliment our students’ learning and community involvement in our wonderful borough. I’m highly organized, motivated and dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission of providing meaningful enrichment to our Bayberry and Valley View students.
 
1st Vice President
 
My name is Amanda Slater and I am looking forward to serving the Watchung PTO for a second term . My daughter Shea will be going into first grade at Bayberry next year !
 
I was elected as the corresponding secretary for the 2025-2026 school year and learned so much about how hard the PTO board and parent volunteers work to truly help the kids have an amazing school year . It was an amazing experience as a new parent in Bayberry to be able to meet a lot of the wonderful parents and caregivers as well as the teachers and kids through my lunch service on Fridays. 
 
I want to focus on really executing on food sales and improving the user experience for the sessions . I also will continue to help the board in the various activities we run throughout the year . It truly is a rewarding experience to see the kids get the benefit of all the events the PTO puts together.
 
I work in the commercial insurance industry in my companies' CUO office so absolutely understand the balance of being a full time working parent but wanting to be involved! Some of my favorite things to do are hanging with my family and friends, travel, watching my favorite sports teams the Mets and Bengals , hanging with our 3 dogs and supporting Shea in all of her activities:)
 
2nd Vice President
 
My name is Lauren Pressman, and our family has lived in Watchung for six years. I have a 3nd grader, Caleb, at Bayberry, a 6th grader, Owen, at Valley View and a 4 year old daughter, Clara, future Bayberry K class of 2027/28. I have enjoyed working with the PTO in various capacities - class parent, food sales volunteer, teacher appreciation committee, cultural arts/assemblies committee chair and author visits chair. This past year I served my first term on the PTO Board as VP 2.  I am also an active member of WEF. I am probably most recognizable as one of the few "walkers" to Bayberry - thanks for stopping for us to cross the street! I look forward to working with the incoming PTO Board to help ensure our kids have a successful and fun year of growth!
 
Corresponding Secretary
 

Hi, my name is Meral Maldonado and I’ve lived in Watchung for almost a decade. I truly cherish the strong sense of community and togetherness that everyone here shares. As a mother of three girls—24, 10, and 4—I’m eager to join the Watchung PTO. Being part of the Watchung school system, I’m really looking forward to staying involved with the kids and the school community.

 

 

 

Recording Secretary
 
My name is Michelle Desiano and my 1st year on the PTO Board was a truly rewarding experience.  Some of my tasks this year have included using my organizational skills to keep detailed records of our PTO's needs and accomplishments throughout the year and, my personal favorite as a parent, helping to improve calendar and event communication.  I have truly enjoyed being committee oversight on so many wonderful school events, while getting to see first hand how hard our PTO volunteers work to enrich our children's elementary school experience.  I continue to be truly invested in the welfare and safety of our children and want to help in any way I can to enrich their experience at Bayberry.  I am honored to serve a 2nd year term as your Recording Secretary. 


Treasurer

 

My name is Angelique Nayman and I am an active member of the PTO, class parent, and Family Fun Night chairperson. Most importantly, I have 2 children at Bayberry and care deeply about their school experience. I am honored to join the PTO and help enrich the elementary and middle school experiences for all students.