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

Parents and guardians in the Farmingdale School District will soon have a new tool to make morning and afternoon routines easier. The district is thrilled to announce a partnership with BusRight to bring real-time bus tracking technology directly to our families. This initiative represents a significant step forward in modernizing our transportation communications.

For specific details regarding the rollout schedule and setup instructions, please review the official communication from the transportation department.

While much of the conversation around Artificial Intelligence in schools focuses on risks, two teachers at Howitt Middle School are proving that technology can be a powerful tool for literacy. Mrs. Hilton and Mrs. Solomon recently transformed their reading block into an interactive digital theater to help students connect with text in a new way.

Creating a Shared Reading Adventure

The teachers used Google’s "Read Along" integration to create a unique experience for the class. They did not just pick a book from a shelf. Instead, they used AI to generate personalized stories tailored specifically to their students' interests. By projecting these stories onto a Newline interactive board, the class turned individual reading into a shared adventure. Students took turns reading aloud and clicked on challenging words for instant pronunciation help.

Engaging Students and Building Fluency

The interactive approach has sparked excitement in the classroom. The teachers noted that the students were not just reading, as they were fully engaged in the process. The results have been clear, including increased student confidence, better fluency, and a classroom full of students eager for the next story.

Weekly sessions in the East Gym Fitness Room attract a large number of participants

A focus on physical health is taking center stage this semester. The Middle School Fitness Club meets weekly in the East Gym Fitness Room under the supervision of Mr. Woska. This extracurricular activity has proven to be a very popular group among the student body.

To accommodate the high volume of interest, the club is broken into three groups. This structure ensures that all students have ample access to the equipment and safe supervision during their workouts. The program provides a constructive outlet for students to improve their physical fitness, learn proper exercise techniques, and socialize with peers outside of the classroom.

Teachers and Principals Welcome Families for an Evening of Interactive Learning and Games

The Farmingdale School District hosted students and families for the annual Family Math Night on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The event took place at Howitt Middle School at 6:00 p.m., bringing the community together for an evening dedicated to educational entertainment.

District teachers were on hand to guide families through a variety of interactive games and challenges. These educators expertly facilitated the activities and managed to sneak in valuable learning moments amidst the fun. The hands-on approach allowed parents and students to explore mathematical concepts together in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Principals from the district’s K-8 schools attended the event to greet families and support the teachers running the stations. The presence of administration and staff highlighted the strong partnership between home and school within the Farmingdale community. We were thrilled to see so many families enjoying mathematics together and look forward to another successful event next year.