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Goal100™LEARNING
Families · Community groups

🏫 Groups around your school

Every school district has groups that parents, neighbors and teachers can join: parent groups, arts and sports boosters, foundations, school teams and board committees. Here is what each one does and how to get involved.

General information only. Goal100 is not connected to these groups. Names, dates, dues and officers change every school year. Always check the group's or district's official page. Everything here was checked on Nov 9, 2026.

The groups at a glance

Groups around a schoolA school in the middle with eight kinds of groups around it: parent group, special education parent group, boosters and arts, education foundation, board committee, school team, library friends, and community coalition. ParentgroupSEPTA /SEPFCBoosters,artsEducationfoundationBoardcommitteeSchoolteamLibraryfriendsCommunitycoalition
Kinds of groups
GroupWhat it doesWho can joinRead more
PTA or PTSA (some districts say PFC or PTO)Connects families and teachers, runs school events, speaks up for children.Anyone who supports PTA's purposes. In NYS PTA, you do not need a child in school.PTA page
SEPTA (Special Education PTA; Deer Park: SEPFC)Support, talks and information for families of students with IEPs and for gifted and talented learners.Anyone.SEPTA
Booster club or arts councilRaises money and helps with music, arts, theater or sports.Families and friends of the program.Boosters
Education foundationA separate nonprofit that pays for extras the budget does not cover, often teacher grants.Community members, donors, volunteers.Foundations
School team (shared decisionmaking)Parents, teachers and leaders plan together under a district plan (8 NYCRR 100.11).Parents chosen by school parent groups, and others the board decides.School teams
Board committees and advisory groupsHelp the Board of Education study topics like facilities, wellness, technology or the budget.Depends on the district. Deer Park's committee page has a sign-up form.Committees
Title I and English learner family meetingsFederal and state rules give families a voice in some programs.Families in those programs.Title I
Library friends, alumni groups, coalitionsLibrary programs, alumni giving, community health and prevention work.Anyone in the community.More groups

Three easy first steps

  1. Find your groups. Open your district website and look for "PTA", "PFC", "SEPTA", "Committees" or "Booster". Or use our directory.
  2. Go to one meeting. Listen first. Most meetings are open and free.
  3. Pick one small job. A bake sale shift, a book fair hour, a newsletter. See ideas by skill.

Questions to ask at your first meeting

  • How do I become a member, and what are the dues?
  • When and where do you meet? Is there a calendar?
  • Which committee needs help most this month?
  • Do volunteers need to sign in, show ID or fill out a form? (Each district sets its own steps.)
  • Is there a Spanish or other language contact?

Sources