Uniondale High School turned into a resource hub during its recent Parent Teacher Conference, as parents moved slowly between more than 20 tables, collecting flyers, asking questions and connecting with local support programs.
Organized by the Parent Teacher Student Association, the event was designed to link families with services they may not have realized were available.
According to PTSA parent Karen Johnson, the idea came from PTSA president Barton Maxwell, who wanted to rethink how the school connects with parents.
“He wanted to do something different this year,” Johnson said. “Since he became the president, he wanted to do something that we could help with, but not have people sell anything — just really provide resources.”
The PTSA worked with school staff and community partners to invite organizations into the building.
“It was a group effort,” Johnson said. “We invited people who we felt would be able to give our parents information that would be helpful.”
Maxwell said he believes schools aren’t solely responsible for providing family support. “In my opinion, it’s not the school’s responsibility to do that,” he said. His goal was to bring the broader community to parents directly.
Among the organizations attending: The Nostrand Gardens Civic Association, based in Uniondale and led by Pearl Jacobs, The Epilepsy Foundation, with resources from its East Meadow office and GWellness, founded by Donna King, which promotes healthy habits and nutrition and Hispanic Counseling Center.
King welcomed parents with handouts about snacks, food labels and simple nutrition principles. She also demonstrated how to make a basic vegetable wash using vinegar and salt, walking families through the steps and explaining why produce should be thoroughly cleaned. Parents left with printed recipes, bookmarks and practical wellness tips.
“I have some little freebies, basically, wellness, and eating healthy,” King said. “Parents can get some healthy snacks or if you need some healthy ideas here are bookmarks.”
Most representatives said they work regularly with schools across Nassau and Suffolk counties, but many families remain unaware of resources available beyond their child’s classroom.
Another table, Latino Moms were created to connect Latino women in the community. The founder came from Queens to Long Island and wanted to keep her traditions alive with friends. Once in a while moms get together for outings, gossip and brunch.
“It’s pretty much to keep our traditions alive, to show our children our background, our cooking, our traditions that we have. It’s a outreach program for children as well as moms,” a representative said.
It’s a beautiful moment for us women to connect and to help each other, because maybe what you’re going through, I went through, she added.”
Many parents inquired about services for younger children, and staff explained how to access care regardless of insurance status.
Other tables provided information on real estate, health insurance and children’s programs in STEAM — including hands-on 3D printing activities.
“Most parents will be in the school,” Johnson said. “We just want them to know that we support them — the PTSA supports them. We’re trying to do good and make it just a little bit easier.”
Parents moved through the space for more than an hour, chatting with organizations and with one another. Some came straight from work, others brought their children — and many stayed longer than expected.
“We’re trying to do good,” Johnson said. “Just to make things a little bit easier.”
