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An Update From the Superintendent re: Spring News

Hello to Our Farmingdale Family, This is Paul Defendini, Superintendent of Schools and today is Monday, March 17, 2025. Today's message includes a few short updates along with another short clip from The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse.

Updates to Google’s Workspace for Education—In line with New York State Education Department guidance and Education Law 2-D, school districts must adjust student access to Google services. As a result, some Google Services (e.g., YouTube, Translate, Earth, Photos, Maps) will be disabled for students. All of the foundational aspects of Google will continue to operate without interruption. Teachers have updated their materials to provide limited access. Videos will be embedded into digital tools for student viewing, and Google Core Services will be used to allow text translation. These measures ensure safe navigation of Google’s Additional Services for students.

Sportsmanship Video—Behavior at athletic events has declined in recent years, both locally and at the National level, with ejections reaching an all-time high. This has led to several issues, including a shortage of referees willing to take on these roles. Our student-athletes have expressed how this impacts their ability to stay focused while competing. To address this, our Varsity Leaders Club collaborated with the high school video production class under the direction of Ms. Jensly Cella, to create a video that is both funny and serious, aimed at improving behavior and reversing the current trend. The video, attached to this message, serves as a reminder that we all have some responsibility on game day.

HMS Sportsmanship Video

FHS Sportsmanship Video

Upcoming Budget Cycle—It’s hard to believe the budget vote and election cycle are already here. We’ve been working hard since the start of the year to prepare next year’s budget, which is designed to align with the expectations of our parents and students while being mindful of the tax obligation in Farmingdale. Our in-person presentations will begin this week and continue through the month of May. In addition to these presentations, we’re taking a more active role on social media. You may have noticed our new handle on key Facebook pages. We’re also offering opportunities to ask questions or fact-check any information you’ve received through our "Daler Double Check." Our goal is to help the community cast an informed vote, and we recognize the importance of social media in ensuring an informed electorate. Keep an eye out for our posts on Facebook in the coming weeks.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse—This year’s theme is inspired by the book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, a beautiful tribute to humanity. I’ve attached a video for your enjoyment. This short clip serves as a powerful reminder that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. In the video, the Mole, despite great adversity and the risk of his life, stays true to his ideals and does the hard thing—a great role model for us all. Enjoy the video, and stay well, Farmingdale.

The Mole Does the Right Thing Video

UNIVERSAL PRE-K UPDATE

Please be advised that the UPK placements for the 2025-2026 school year will be emailed by the end of the day and all responses are due by March 28, 2025. Kindly make sure to check your SPAM email folders as some of the emails end up there. If we do not hear from you by March 28, 2025, we will offer the spot to the next person on the waitlist.

 

BOE Special Meeting Notice - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

THE FARMINGDALE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING AT 7:30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025, IN THE A. TERRY WEATHERS BOARD ROOM AT THE HOWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL, 50 VAN COTT AVENUE, FARMINGDALE, NY. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT UPON A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD, A MOTION TO MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS TOPICS APPROPRIATE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, WILL BE CONSIDERED. THE MEETING/BUGET WORKSHOP WILL BEGIN AT 8:00 P.M. IN THE AUDITORIUM AT HOWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Rosemarie Fullam
District Clerk
March 14, 2025

DECA DALERS MAKE THEIR MARK

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Farmingdale High School DECA students traveled to Rochester to compete in the annual New York State Career Conference. They attended leadership workshops and networked with over 2,400 students from New York State before competing in individual role play, team role play, and presentation events. Eight Dalers were recognized; Kayla Heenan, Helena Bekele, Johnny Andriopoulos, James Norris, Emma Nivar, Leo Scardina, Anna Carle, and Giuliana Depascale.

Seniors Alexandra Springer and Hailey Squitieri’s fourth-place finish advances them to the next round. They will travel to Orlando at the end of March for the DECA International Career Development Conference.

Congratulations to all the students who participated, along with their teachers. You have made your community proud! Keep up the incredible work, and continue to inspire those around you.

LIFE IS THE BUBBLES

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The Howitt Players Proudly Present The Little Mermaid

The Howitt Players made waves with their enchanting rendition of The Little Mermaid. On March 7 and 8, the Howitt Middle School auditorium was transformed into an underwater kingdom where dreams and reality intertwine. The vibrant costumes shimmered like the ocean itself, and the set design captured the whimsical beauty of life beneath the waves. The musical numbers, rich with emotion and energy, from both the 1989 Walt Disney Studios animated version and Broadway musical, bring a sense of nostalgia and magic to the production. Combining these beloved melodies and the players' exceptional talent created an unforgettable experience celebrating The Little Mermaid's enduring legacy and message of hope and transformation.

Making their directorial debuts with The Little Mermaid are educators Ms. Amanda Whorlow and Mr. Eric Hulse. This dynamic duo has previously held the roles of Choreographer and Vocal Director, respectively. Their collaborative effort is further enhanced by the support of Production Manager Ms. Katherine Shields.

“Working as a director of this show has truly been the experience of a lifetime,” said Director and Choreographer Ms. Amanda Whorlow. “The Little Mermaid was always my favorite movie as a kid, and performing, dancing, and choreographing have always been my greatest passions. I am honored to have been given this opportunity and to work with the most dedicated, talented, compassionate, and wonderful people. I cannot wait to watch my students shine on the stage.”

The talented young cast impressed the audience with their performance, highlighting the incredible talent within the Farmingdale School District. Eighth-grade student Mary Cohen shone as Ariel, capturing the curious and adventurous spirit of the young mermaid longing to explore the human world. Prince Eric was portrayed by seventh-grader Liam Rosenthal, who embodied the charm and determination of the gallant prince. Adding a touch of villainous intrigue, eighth-grader Natalie Calderon delivered a showstopping performance as Ursula, the cunning sea witch with a penchant for making deals. The regal King Triton was played by eighth-grader Rey Negron, whose commanding presence and deep voice added gravitas to the role of Ariel's protective father.

Seventh-grader Gabriel Haas delighted the audience as Sebastian, the loyal and often exasperated crab, brought humor and heart to his role. Victoria Carbone, also in seventh grade, is charmed as Flounder, Ariel’s loyal and nervous fish friend. Sixth-grader Ethan Maniscalco took on the role of Scuttle, the quirky seagull with a flair for misinterpretation, adding comedic relief to the story. Nilah Nicolas and George Guadagnino, both seventh-graders, impressed as Flotsam and Jetsam, Ursula's sneaky and sinister eel minions. Eighth-grader John Denecke portrayed Grimsby, Prince Eric's loyal confidant, with a perfect blend of wisdom and patience. Rounding out the cast, seventh-grader Ella Cook brought Chef Louis to life with exuberance, capturing the chef's culinary passion and comedic flair.

The talented young actresses Stella Levenson, Hayden Schneider, Devin Shaw, Alexandria Romano, Hayleigh Rommel, and Sabrina Montalbano brought Ariel's sisters to life. Their performances highlighted the diverse personalities present within a family. Joseph Battaglia and Benjamin Sinisi shone as the trumpet fish, Windward, and Leeward, the heralds in King Triton's court. The entire cast, accompanied by a talented ensemble, created an enchanting theatrical experience that captivated the audience. It genuinely felt as though we were all part of Ariel's world.

“As a child, I watched The Little Mermaid endlessly, captivated by its songs, big musical numbers, and magic,” shared Director and Vocal Director Mr. Eric Hulse. “It was the first time I saw anything like that, and I was hooked! In those moments, I first discovered my love for music and theater, a passion that ultimately shaped my career as a music educator.”

The enchanting soundtrack of The Little Mermaid was brought to life on our stage by an outstanding orchestra expertly conducted by Mr. Samuel Gelfer. This talented ensemble featured Farmingdale High School musicians and dedicated Farmingdale Music teachers. Mr. Eric Hulse managed the vocal performances, while Ms. Amanda Whorlow expertly choreographed the dances. Ms. Elizabeth Panzica and Mr. Daniel Bilello skillfully led the scenery and set design. Committed Crew Supervisors, Ms. Katherine Shields, Mr. Eric Perles, and Ms. Rene Bonilla, worked diligently backstage alongside numerous middle and high school students.

“The students we get to work with for our productions are inspiring and embody both the theater and Daler spirit,” said Production Manager Ms. Katherine Shields. “The Little Mermaid was the perfect fit for this year's show as it has so many dynamic characters that our students brought to life and opportunities to be creative with the sets, props, and costumes.”

Congratulations to The Little Mermaid's cast, crew, pit orchestra, and production staff. Each performance was a mystical dive into an enchanting underwater realm, where sea and shore meet and dreams transform into reality. The audience was swept away by the melodies of the ocean and the timeless tale of Ariel's quest for love and self-discovery. Here's to more successful productions and countless stories that capture the imagination and touch the heart!

By The Numbers