The Farmingdale school district successfully launched its first annual Farmingdale Resource Fair last night, transforming the high school commons into a welcoming space for community connection. We know how time-consuming it can be to search online for the right activities for your children or to sift through countless reviews trying to find the best fit. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the district provided a convenient, one-stop shop to help local families plan for the future.

Exploring Local Opportunities

Families who attended the fair spent the evening connecting directly with program leaders from across the area. Attendees explored a wide variety of offerings, including the UPK Program, Farmingdale Library, and various local clubs. For those interested in local athletics, representatives from Farmingdale Baseball & Softball, Farmingdale Aquatics, and Farmingdale PAL were available to provide personal insight and registration details. It was a meaningful opportunity for residents to meet the people behind the programs that make our community thrive.

Food, Fun, and Fellowship

The event provided a warm atmosphere for families to engage with the Farmingdale PTA, Farmingdale Youth Council, and various student organizations. While parents gathered information, children enjoyed games set up throughout the commons. The Food Services Department was also a highlight, serving delicious samples from the school menus to keep guests fueled and happy. This inaugural event showed that even on a cold winter night, the Farmingdale community is dedicated to supporting our students and their families.

Farmingdale High School technology students welcomed special guests from the AHRC for a unique service project on Wednesday, January 28. The AHRC is an organization dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event was designed not just as a woodworking workshop, but as an opportunity for students to use the skills they learn in the classroom to pay it forward to the community.

Building Skills and Self-Esteem

The woodshop echoed with the rhythmic sounds of hammering as students took on the role of mentors, handing over hammers and nails to their guests. The group included "project managers"—students with three years of woodshop experience—who helped lead the daily routines. Farmingdale High School Technology Teacher Mr. Corey Sterler noted that this leadership is by design.

“We have cultivated a strong work environment culture where respect, patience, and safety are always the number one priority,” said Mr. Sterler. “With the addition of the AHRC, it was incredible to see the students welcome guests into their workshop and show them how to assemble materials in a safe and positive environment.”

Real-World Skills

The Technology Students handed over hammers and nails to their guests, guiding them through the construction process. Rather than just building for them, the students taught the AHRC participants how to use the tools themselves. For the students, it was a chance to see their classroom lessons translate into real-world impact.

“After being in these tech classes for a few years now, you wonder when you'll begin to use these skills in the real world. So when we get the chance to pass down our skills onto a new group of people eager to learn, you feel your experience begin to pay off,” said Farmingdale High School senior Ryan Kearney. “It feels really special to be a part of something like this, where you can introduce people to the new things that you love doing.”

A Job Well Done

After the sawdust settled, the group sat down to enjoy lunch together, celebrating the completed projects and the teamwork that went into building them. This workshop marks the continuation of a strengthening bond between the district and the AHRC.

“We are thrilled to see our partnership with the AHRC continue to flourish,” said Farmingdale Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini. “We recently invited the group for a special daytime performance of our fall musical production in November, and this workshop is a wonderful evolution of that relationship. I look forward to seeing more projects that bring our students and community together.”

As the partnership grows, the district remains committed to creating inclusive spaces where every member of the community can learn, build, and belong.

Farmingdale’s elementary schools have added a wonderful new tool to their courtyards to help every student feel included. Last year, specialized communication boards were donated and installed at each building. We are incredibly grateful to SEPTA for the initiative they took to have these boards donated, as their efforts are making a real difference by helping every student connect and play together. These boards allow students to express their thoughts and needs by pointing to symbols, ensuring that everyone has a voice during outdoor activities.

Learning How to Use the New Tools

To help everyone understand these boards, the district worked closely with Farmingdale Executive Director of Special Education Mr. Donald Cassidy and staff to create helpful videos at each school. These videos show how the boards work and explain why someone may need to use them to communicate with friends. We want to thank Mr. Cassidy, our administrators, and our students for their hard work in creating these presentations and showing us how to use the boards effectively.

Building a Stronger School Community

By using these communication boards, our schools are becoming more welcoming for all children. It is inspiring to see our students and staff working together to support different ways of communicating. We are proud of our school community for embracing these tools and making our playgrounds a place where every child can connect with their friends.

Albany Avenue Communication Board Video

Northside Communication Board Video

Saltzman East Memorial Communication Board Video

Woodward Parkway Communication Board Video