{
 "title": "Community groups around Long Island schools",
 "checked": "2026-11-09",
 "rule": "Official pages only. Emails only if printed on the group's or district's official page.",
 "types": {
  "parent-group": "Parent group (PTA, PTSA, PFC)",
  "septa": "Special education parent group",
  "council": "PTA council or region",
  "booster": "Booster or arts council",
  "foundation": "Education foundation",
  "committee": "School board committee or team",
  "library": "Public library",
  "coalition": "Community coalition",
  "state": "State or national group"
 },
 "districts": {
  "deer-park": "Deer Park UFSD",
  "commack": "Commack UFSD",
  "half-hollow-hills": "Half Hollow Hills CSD",
  "lindenhurst": "Lindenhurst UFSD",
  "west-babylon": "West Babylon UFSD",
  "north-babylon": "North Babylon UFSD",
  "wyandanch": "Wyandanch UFSD",
  "ny": "All of New York"
 },
 "groups": [
  {
   "id": "dp-pfc",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "parent-group",
   "name": "Deer Park Parent Faculty Clubs (PFC)",
   "what": "Deer Park schools list Parent Faculty Clubs (PFC) as their parent-and-teacher groups. Each school's PFC meets during the school year. The Robert Frost Middle School site has its own PFC link.",
   "join": "Go to a PFC meeting at your child's school (see the district calendar) and ask the PFC officers how to become a member and help.",
   "meets": "Listed on the district calendar. Example: May Moore PFC meeting Nov 17, 2026, 6:30 p.m.; JFK PFC meeting Nov 18, 2026, 7 p.m.",
   "dues": "Not published on the pages we checked. Ask the PFC.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://deerparkschools.org/page/page_calendar?calID=150069&accessibility=enabled",
   "url2": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/robert-frost-middle-school",
   "note": "Deer Park uses the name PFC on its official pages, not PTA. Ask the PFC if it belongs to NYS PTA."
  },
  {
   "id": "dp-sepfc",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "septa",
   "name": "Deer Park Special Education Parent Faculty Club (SEPFC)",
   "what": "A district-wide parent and faculty group for families and staff connected to special education services. It has its own page and calendar on the district site.",
   "join": "Open the SEPFC page and its calendar, then go to a meeting.",
   "meets": "See the SEPFC calendar linked on the district home page.",
   "dues": "Not published on the page we checked.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/special-education-parent-faculty-cl",
   "url2": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "dp-arts",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "booster",
   "name": "Deer Park Arts Council (DPAC)",
   "what": "A community group that supports the arts in Deer Park. The district reported (Sept 17, 2026) that members of the Deer Park Arts Council and the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts (BACCA) helped create new murals under the Deer Park Avenue LIRR overpass, with a high school art teacher, alumni and a current student.",
   "join": "Ask at a school arts event or through the district's Fine Arts staff how to reach DPAC. Its official website was not found; we did not list social media contacts.",
   "meets": "Not published on the page we checked.",
   "dues": "Not published.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/115772?articleID=76912",
   "url2": "",
   "note": "The official name on the district page is Deer Park Arts Council."
  },
  {
   "id": "dp-boe-committees",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "committee",
   "name": "Deer Park Board of Education committees",
   "what": "Four committees: Facilities & Grounds, Wellness, Cultural Belonging & Respect, and Technology. The Wellness and Cultural Belonging & Respect committees say they include community members.",
   "join": "Use the Committee Meeting Sign-Up Form on the Committees page, then attend.",
   "meets": "Tentative 2026-27 dates: Mondays Oct 5, Nov 9, Jan 4, Feb 8; Tuesdays Oct 6, Nov 10, Jan 5, Feb 9. Times and rooms are on the page. Dates can change.",
   "dues": "Free.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/committees-home",
   "url2": "https://www.deerparkschools.org/budget-election-and-term-and-voter",
   "note": "Chairs' district emails are printed on the official page."
  },
  {
   "id": "dp-library",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "library",
   "name": "Deer Park Public Library",
   "what": "The public library runs programs for children, teens and adults, posts a newsletter, and holds its own vote and trustee election.",
   "join": "Get a library card, read the newsletter, and ask Adult or Teen Services about volunteer and program ideas.",
   "meets": "See the library calendar and newsletter.",
   "dues": "Free.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.deerparklibrary.org/",
   "url2": "https://www.deerparklibrary.org/library-vote-trustee-election/",
   "note": "A Friends of the Library group for Deer Park was not found on the library site."
  },
  {
   "id": "dp-coalition",
   "district": "deer-park",
   "type": "coalition",
   "name": "Deer Park Drug Prevention Coalition Inc.",
   "what": "A community coalition for prevention and awareness. The Suffolk County District Attorney's site listed its International Overdose Day rally and vigil (Aug 31, 2025).",
   "join": "Ask the coalition how to join its meetings and events.",
   "meets": "Not published on the page we checked.",
   "dues": "Not published.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.suffolkcountyda.org/event/international-overdose-day-rally-candlelight-vigil/",
   "url2": "",
   "note": "We did not find the coalition's own website."
  },
  {
   "id": "cm-council",
   "district": "commack",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "Commack Council of PTAs",
   "what": "Members from Commack's nine PTA units (eight schools and SEPTA). It meets with the Superintendent and Board trustees, trains unit leaders, gives scholarships to graduating seniors and summer STEAM camp scholarships for grades K-8, and holds Founder's Day in February.",
   "join": "Join your school's PTA or SEPTA first. Council meetings are listed on the page.",
   "meets": "7 p.m. at Hubbs: Sept 8, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7 (2026); Jan 4, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, June 7 (2027). Founder's Day Feb 2, 2027, 6 p.m. at CMS.",
   "dues": "Set by each unit's bylaws. Not published on the council page.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.commack.k12.ny.us/ptacouncil",
   "url2": "https://www.commack.k12.ny.us/septa",
   "note": "The council page also posts an SBMT (site-based management team) packet for units."
  },
  {
   "id": "cm-athletic",
   "district": "commack",
   "type": "booster",
   "name": "Commack PTA Athletic Advisory Board",
   "what": "A PTA Athletic Advisory Board meets monthly with the Athletic Director to talk about matters that come up.",
   "join": "Ask your school PTA how to take part.",
   "meets": "Monthly.",
   "dues": "Through PTA membership.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.commack.k12.ny.us/athleticshome",
   "url2": "",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "hhh-council",
   "district": "half-hollow-hills",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "Half Hollow Hills PTA Council",
   "what": "The coordinating body of the Half Hollow Hills PTA: its own executive board, district committee chairs, current and past PTA presidents, and delegates from each of the nine schools and a SEPTA unit. Committees (educational, social, cultural, legislative) meet monthly.",
   "join": "Join your school's PTA or the SEPTA. Full council meetings are open to the public and district residents are invited unless noted.",
   "meets": "Monthly. Check the council website.",
   "dues": "Set by each unit. Not published on the page we checked.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://hhhptacouncil.org/about-pta",
   "url2": "",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "hhh-foundation",
   "district": "half-hollow-hills",
   "type": "foundation",
   "name": "The Hills Foundation (Half Hollow Hills)",
   "what": "A nonprofit of community members that raises money for educational items and programs that are not normally part of the school budget. It also asks for volunteers (\"people power\").",
   "join": "Ask the district office how to reach the foundation today.",
   "meets": "Not published.",
   "dues": "Not published.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.hhh.k12.ny.us/uploaded/Public_Relations/2021-2022_.District_Information_and_Services.pdf",
   "url2": "",
   "note": "Source is the district's 2021-22 information booklet. Check that the details are still current."
  },
  {
   "id": "lh-council",
   "district": "lindenhurst",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "Lindenhurst Council of PTAs",
   "what": "The council's standing committees include Arts in Education, Blood Drive, Education and Legislation, Lindy Lends a Hand, Publicity, Reflections, Scholarships, Student Council, and Ways and Means.",
   "join": "Join your school's PTA, then ask about council committees.",
   "meets": "Not listed on the pages we checked.",
   "dues": "Set by each unit.",
   "email": "President@LindenhurstCouncilPTA.com",
   "url": "https://www.lindenhurstcouncilpta.com/leadership",
   "url2": "https://www.lindenhurstschools.org/pta-council",
   "note": "The district also has a PTA Council page."
  },
  {
   "id": "wb-council",
   "district": "west-babylon",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "West Babylon PTA Council",
   "what": "Council for the district's PTA units. It runs monthly Kindness Days and food drives and district-wide events: a blood drive, Jingle Jog, Founders Day, an Earth Day cleanup and Meet the Candidates.",
   "join": "Use the PTA sign-up form linked on the page, or join at your school.",
   "meets": "7:00 p.m.: Sept 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, April 7, May 13; June 2 at 7:30.",
   "dues": "See the PTA sign-up form.",
   "email": "PTAcouncilpresident@wbschools.org",
   "url": "https://www.wbschools.org/pta",
   "url2": "",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "wb-septa",
   "district": "west-babylon",
   "type": "septa",
   "name": "West Babylon SEPTA",
   "what": "A district-wide Special Education PTA with monthly meetings, parent support meetings and lectures. Members can join online or with a printed form.",
   "join": "Join through the SEPTA MemberHub store linked on the page, or print the form.",
   "meets": "At the Senior High School library, usually 7:00 p.m. 2026-27 dates are on the page (for example Wed Nov 18).",
   "dues": "Shown in the SEPTA online store.",
   "email": "septapta@wbschools.org",
   "url": "https://www.wbschools.org/pta",
   "url2": "",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "nb-pta",
   "district": "north-babylon",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "North Babylon PTA Council and PTA/PTSA units",
   "what": "The district page lists a PTA Council, PTA or PTSA units at each school, a SEPTA, and a group called PASA. It says PTA/PTSA helps families learn the district's educational philosophy, curriculum and staff.",
   "join": "Join at your child's school and ask the PTA how to help.",
   "meets": "District calendar (for example, a PTA Council meeting was listed for Nov 4, 2026).",
   "dues": "Not published on the page we checked.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.northbabylonschools.net/60275_2",
   "url2": "https://www.northbabylonschools.net/",
   "note": "The officer list on the district page is labeled 2024-2025. Check for the current officers."
  },
  {
   "id": "nb-septa",
   "district": "north-babylon",
   "type": "septa",
   "name": "North Babylon SEPTA",
   "what": "The district's Special Education PTA, listed with the PTA groups.",
   "join": "Email the address on the district page or ask at a PTA meeting.",
   "meets": "Not published on the page we checked.",
   "dues": "Not published.",
   "email": "septanorthbabylon@gmail.com",
   "url": "https://www.northbabylonschools.net/60275_2",
   "url2": "",
   "note": "Email is printed on the district page (labeled 2024-2025)."
  },
  {
   "id": "wy-pli",
   "district": "wyandanch",
   "type": "parent-group",
   "name": "Wyandanch Parent Leadership Initiative (PLI)",
   "what": "The district has a page for its Parent Leadership Initiative, with details in a PDF.",
   "join": "Open the PLI page and ask the district's parent office how to take part.",
   "meets": "See the PDF on the page.",
   "dues": "Not published.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.wyandanch.k12.ny.us/98972_2",
   "url2": "",
   "note": "We did not find a PTA council page on the Wyandanch site."
  },
  {
   "id": "ny-pta",
   "district": "ny",
   "type": "state",
   "name": "New York State PTA",
   "what": "The state PTA. Every local PTA member is also a member of NYS PTA and National PTA. Local units must pay state and national dues and insurance each year and get bylaws approved every three years.",
   "join": "Join a local unit (find yours on the NYS PTA Membership page). Anyone can join; you do not need a child in school.",
   "meets": "Statewide events and region meetings.",
   "dues": "Since July 1, 2025: $3.25 National PTA + $1.75 NYS PTA = $5.00 per member. Each unit's total dues must be at least $5.00.",
   "email": "pta.office@nyspta.org",
   "url": "https://nyspta.org/2025/02/24/important-information-for-your-unit-regarding-national-pta-dues-increase/",
   "url2": "https://nyspta.org/home/membership/",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "suffolk-pta",
   "district": "ny",
   "type": "council",
   "name": "Suffolk Region PTA",
   "what": "The NYS PTA region that serves councils and units in Suffolk County. It posts advocacy, awards, bylaws, membership and Reflections information.",
   "join": "Through your local PTA unit.",
   "meets": "See the region calendar.",
   "dues": "Through your local PTA unit.",
   "email": "",
   "url": "https://www.suffolkpta.org/",
   "url2": "https://www.suffolkpta.org/contact-us/assistant-directors",
   "note": ""
  },
  {
   "id": "national-pta",
   "district": "ny",
   "type": "state",
   "name": "National PTA",
   "what": "The national PTA. It is noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan, and it does not endorse any commercial product or service.",
   "join": "Through a local PTA unit.",
   "meets": "Annual convention.",
   "dues": "$3.25 per member (national share) since July 1, 2025.",
   "email": "resourcedevelopment@pta.org",
   "url": "https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Sponsors-Partners",
   "url2": "https://www.pta.org/local-leader-kit/fundraising/strategies/donations",
   "note": "The email is for questions about how PTA works with sponsors."
  }
 ]
}