In your Daler Digest, you’ll find the latest news, special moments, and stories that highlight the energy, talent, and spirit of our schools. With six buildings and countless activities happening every day, this publication captures only a snapshot of the great work underway throughout the district.

Read May's Issue Now

What a fantastic district-wide 5th-Grade Field Day at Weldon E. Howitt Middle School on May 28, 2026! Our students from all four elementary schools joined forces for an unforgettable day of events. The excitement reached its peak during the final event of the day, the tug-of-war! We are so proud of the spirit our future middle schoolers displayed. Thank you to the Farmingdale physical education department, the volunteers, and the Howitt Fun Bunch for making this such a success!

All of our spring concerts will be held in person this year! No tickets are required to attend. Performances will be recorded, and links will be posted on the district website a few days after each show.

March 27, 2026 FHS POPS Concert

April 21, 2026 Jazz Showcase

April 30, 2026 NS Show Choir

May 13, 2026 FHS Chorus Spring Concert

May 14, 2026 FHS Bands & Wind Ensemble Concert

May 18, 2026 AA Junior Spring Concert

May 18, 2026 AA Senior Spring Concert

May 18, 2026 SEM Spring Concert

May 20, 2026 FHS Orchestra Spring Concert

May 28, 2026 WP Jr. Spring Concert

May 28, 2026 WP Sr. Spring Concert

June 8, 2026 Tri-M Honor Society

A group of Kindergarten students at Albany Avenue Elementary School gathered in a quiet circle on the lawn, eyes wide as they watched a bright orange wing flutter for the first time. This moment was the culmination of weeks spent observing the miraculous transformation of life right in their classrooms.

Instead of just reading about nature, students at Albany Avenue Elementary School experienced it by caring for caterpillars and monitoring their growth daily. They witnessed the patience of the chrysalis stage and the eventual emergence of vibrant butterflies. This hands-on lesson turned scientific concepts into a sense of wonder and responsibility for the environment.

The excitement traveled home, too, as families shared in the joy of these new discoveries. These young scientists at Albany Avenue Elementary School are now looking forward to exploring more of the natural world throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

The Farmingdale Union Free School District mission is centered on a clear vision for artificial intelligence in education, where the primary focus is on building AI literacy. This commitment was the foundation of the AI Parent Awareness Night held on April 29, 2026, in the Farmingdale High School lecture hall. Open to all parents in grades K-12, the event provided a space to discuss how the district is approaching this technology at its own pace while staying mindful of its rapid advancement during the 2025-2026 school year.

The evening was led by Assistant Superintendent for Administration Dr. Samuel Thompson Director of Instructional Technology & MTSS Virginia Dalton. They were joined by special guest speaker Santi Khairassame from Project Recess, an organization recognized as a 2025 Google Cloud Partner of the Year for Ethical AI and Data Use. The presentation moved beyond technical details to focus on the human experience in the classroom, emphasizing essential skills such as:

• Critical thinking and academic integrity
• Fact-checking and verifying AI outputs
• Strategies for classroom use and timelines for implementation
• Methods to use technology safely and ethically

As AI continues to evolve, the district remains dedicated to ensuring our students are prepared to navigate these tools with confidence and a strong sense of responsibility.

View the full presentation here