Connecting with Community at the Gotham Avenue PTA Fall Festival

Tom Muscarella, of Garden City, represents the Second Councilman in the District of the Town of Hempstead.

Sometimes the best moments happen close to home, surrounded by families, neighbors, and the heartbeat of a school community. This past Friday, I had the joy of being a vendor at the Gotham Avenue PTA’s annual Fall Festival, and it was such a meaningful experience. From the moment I arrived, the energy felt welcoming and genuine. Parents stopped by to talk, ask questions, and share their own stories about school involvement. Local elected officials also came through to show support, and I’m grateful for every person who took the time to engage with my book Beyond the Bake Sale: The True Calling of a PTA President.

Carrie Solages, Attorney and County Legislator in Nassau County.

Events like this remind me why I wrote the book. Parent leadership is powerful. Community engagement matters. And when you put both together, you create space where families feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take an active role in shaping their school environment.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the mission behind the book and ask your own questions, I’d love to see you at my upcoming book signing on Thursday, November 6th at 7pm. You can RSVP through the Floral Park Library using the link provided. Showing up, connecting, and learning together is how we continue building the kind of school communities our children deserve.

I hope to see you there.

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