The Farmingdale School District’s annual All-District Concert drew a full house to the Farmingdale High School Auditorium, where 371 student musicians in grades 5 through 12 took the stage. This year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, featuring students from all six schools, as part of the district’s tradition of rotating among Band, Strings, and Chorus each year. Families and community members gathered to celebrate the students’ musical growth from elementary through high school.

A Year of Preparation

“Our choral staff began preparing for this concert more than a year ago,” said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Greg Warnokowski. “I am deeply grateful for their dedication, the countless hours of preparation, and the unwavering commitment they showed to our students. Because of their hard work, our students were given a truly special musical experience they will carry with them for a lifetime.”

Performance Highlights

The evening featured a sequential showcase of talent:

• Elementary All-District Chorus, directed by Deanna Cupolo and Irene Smykowski
• Howitt Middle School Chorus, directed by Danielle Tucker and Eric Hulse
• Farmingdale High School Treble Chorus, directed by Joseph Franzino
• Farmingdale High School Mixed Chorus and Combined Chorus, directed by Jessica Mischke

For the Grand Finale, all 371 singers filled the stage. Conducted by Danielle Tucker, the combined group performed "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman.

A Message on the Power of Community

As the evening concluded with a powerful grand finale, Superintendent Paul Defendini left families with a heartfelt reminder of the program’s lasting value. “I encourage you to do everything you can to keep your child involved in our music program, because it’s so much more than a class — it’s a community. Through rehearsals, performances, and shared experiences, your children form meaningful connections that help guide them through middle school, high school, and beyond with confidence and a true sense of belonging.”

Looking Ahead

The All-District Concert is a cherished tradition that brings together the entire Farmingdale School District. While this year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, next year’s 2026–2027 All-District Concert will proudly feature the Strings ensemble.

Congratulations to our talented students and the following choral directors: Abigail Coacci, Deanna Cupolo, Emilie D’Andrilli, Joseph Franzino, Stephanie Haas, Eric Hulse, MiHee Hwang, Catherine McLoughlin, Jessica Mischke, Nicole Nappi, Irene Smykowski, and Danielle Tucker.

Howitt Middle School began its Wellness Week celebrations on February 9 with "Mindful Monday". While the district-wide initiative runs through February 13, Howitt Middle School started the week by focusing on the power of breath and movement.

Mrs. Rapinat led 20-minute yoga sessions at the beginning and end of each lunch period for both staff and students. These sessions focused on light yoga and stretching, requiring no previous experience. Students participated during the second half of their lunch period, while teachers had the flexibility to attend either the first or last 20 minutes. Because these sessions were high in demand, a formal sign-up was required to ensure a calm, organized environment.

While Monday focused on mindfulness, the rest of the week at Howitt Middle School continues with these unique daily themes:

• Thankful Tuesday: Creating gratitude journals to improve mental strength and sleep.
• Workout Wednesday: Class-wide stretching to boost self-confidence and lower stress.
• Thoughtful Thursday: A "Be The Light" discussion based on "The Starfish Story."

The week’s activities set the stage for the grand finale of Wellness Week—P.S. I Love You Day.

A Very Dahl Parent University

Join the Farmingdale School District on March 10, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Weldon E. Howitt Middle School for an evening of learning and family connection.

Students are invited to wear their favorite pajamas and bring a towel or pillow to snuggle up for a special movie night. We will screen Wonka for students in grades K-3 and The BFG for students in grades 4-8. The movies start at 6:10 p.m. sharp. Attendees will enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn during the films.

While students enjoy their movies, parents will attend interactive workshops focused on supporting literacy at home. These sessions provide practical strategies and tools to help children grow as readers.

At the end of the night, every child will receive a book to take home. Students in grades K-3 will receive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and students in grades 4-8 will receive The BFG.

Event Details

Date: March 10, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Weldon E. Howitt Middle School

RSVP for the Parent University event by February 27, 2026.

Howitt Middle School performers and staff collaborated for a day of dance and spirit.

The Howitt Middle School stage was filled with energy and school spirit yesterday. On February 2, 2026, the Howitt Players, the Howitt Steppers, and the Howitt Kickers came together for a unique performance showcase. This event allowed our talented theater and dance students to share their hard work with one another in a supportive environment.

Practice Makes Perfect

During the event, each group performed one or two routines for their peers. The goal of this showcase was to give students a chance to practice in front of a live audience. By performing for fellow club members, students built the confidence they need for larger community events later in the 2025-2026 school year.

Learning Together

The energy reached a high point at the end of the showcase. Performers from all three groups took to the stage to teach one another steps from their specific routines. Even the teachers got involved and learned some new moves alongside their students.

Eight students, now in the 9th grade, were part of the accelerated, high school-accredited 8th-grade Studio Art course taught by Ms. Barbara Ginexi. Their hard work and creativity were showcased at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County’s Art competition.

This juried competition, evaluated by professional artists on criteria including craftsmanship, design, and imagination, saw a remarkably strong showing from our students, resulting in one Gold Winner, two Silver Winners, and five Bronze Winners. This collective success means that the work of all eight students is featured in the prestigious 2025-26 Cornell University Gardening Calendar and Guide, with the Gold-winning piece prominently featured for the month of September.

This recognition not only highlights the students' exceptional talent but also the dedication of our art educators and the rigor of the district's program. Please join us in congratulating these exemplary artists!

• Sabrina Badalamenti
• Emma Eng
• Chiara Elise Langkay
• Gabriella Agrillo
• Bridget Daniels
• Alexander Kost
• Yaison Maldonado
• Samantha White