Students from Farmingdale High School's theater program participated in Nassau Community College's annual monologue contest on April 14. The competition was a platform for these performers to shine and receive valuable feedback from industry professionals. A round of applause to all the participants for their hard work and passion! Let's give a special shoutout to the exceptional four Dalers who secured top placements in the contest:

• 1st place: sophomore Lea Fredonis (Single Monologue)
• 2nd place: freshman Sofia Lambright (Single Monologue)
• 3rd place: sophomore Devin Williams (Single Monologue)
• 2nd place: senior Alexa Nazario (Contrasting Monologue)

These talented students have truly made their mark in the world of theater, and their achievements are a testament to their dedication and talent. Congratulations to all the participants and their teacher, Mr. Glen Beck!

The Farmingdale School District’s Wellness Committee held its annual Wellness Fair on April 8, 2024, at Farmingdale High School. The Wellness Fair was a vibrant and engaging event that aimed to promote overall well-being and healthy living in the Farmingdale community. Students eagerly participated in various activities and workshops, gaining valuable knowledge and practical skills to enhance their physical and mental health.

The atmosphere was filled with positivity and enthusiasm as families explored different booths and interactive displays. From learning about the importance of mindfulness and preparing for college to trying out delicious and nutritious snack options, there was something for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.

Fun fitness challenges like the Trike-A-Thon and agility games like Basketball and GaGa Ball emphasized the importance of staying active and fit. The highlight of the Wellness Fair was the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Company’s CPR demonstration, where students had the opportunity to learn life-saving techniques from trained professionals.

By collaborating with the school and local organizations, attendees were able to gather resources and information to build their wellness toolbox for leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The Wellness Fair served as a valuable platform for fostering a culture of well-being and empowerment within the Farmingdale community, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated.

Farmingdale School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Farmingdale School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“The Farmingdale music program is a source of immense pride for our community,” said Greg Warnokowski, Farmingdale School District’s Director of Fine and Performing Arts. “Winning this award for the eleventh consecutive year underscores the strong bond between the district and the community, emphasizing their shared appreciation for music education. The program’s success and growth can be credited to our educators’ dedication, expertise, and commitment. We are truly thankful to our community, parents, school leaders, and Board of Education for their steadfast support of music education.”

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students involved in music are more likely to graduate high school and attend college. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than those without music training. Listening skills are closely tied to perceiving speech in a noisy background, paying attention, and keeping sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound; young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and giving and receiving constructive criticism.

For more information about the Farmingdale Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at https://www.farmingdaleschools.org and like our Facebook page: @FarmingdaleSchoolDistrict.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and its 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals worldwide. Our mission is to advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit nammfoundation.org.

Bringing Together Community, Education, and Fun in a Night of Exploration

The Elementary STEAM Night in Farmingdale truly showcased the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in a fun and engaging way. The event brought together a diverse community of over 600 attendees who eagerly explored dozens of interactive stations with the guidance of 100 enthusiastic volunteers.

Numerous Farmingdale High School clubs, including Robotics, Science Olympiad, Women In STEM, Science Research Club, Health Science Club, and Theatre students, significantly contributed to the event's success. Additionally, teacher volunteers from the district's six buildings were present to ensure the event's smooth operation.

“STEAM Night holds a special place in my heart; it's my favorite event of the year,” expressed Dr. Kristen Cummings, the Director of Science. “Upon stepping in, one can immediately sense the vibrant atmosphere. Its collaborative nature truly sets it apart, uniting the entire district.”

From the electrifying demonstrations like A Shocking Development and The Science of the Electric Guitar to the hands-on activities such as Whirly Swirly Pipe Making Sounds and Make Your Ice Cream, there was something everyone could enjoy and learn from. Participants also had the chance to test their skills in challenges like the Space Lander Challenge and Slinky Fall, Fold, and Fly. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for attendees to interact with high school students, who served as mentors at various stations. This collaboration fostered a sense of community and encouraged participants to participate in scientific practices. By asking questions, conducting investigations, analyzing data, and offering explanations, everyone had the chance to think like a scientist and engineer.

A significant event like STEAM Night requires countless hours of planning. Dr. Kristen Cummings, the Director of Science at Farmingdale School District, together with the National Science Honor Society Members, advisors Sara Whitaker and Mike Boyd, and STEAM Night Coordinators Tatiana Hakimian and Julie Bonventre, can look back with pride on an event that truly brought the community together in celebration of learning and innovation.

The success of this year's STEAM Night has set the bar high for future events, leaving the Daler community eagerly anticipating the next installment of this beloved tradition. The success of Farmingdale School District’s 5th Annual Elementary STEAM Night highlights the power of combining education and entertainment to inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators.

Farmingdale School District is delighted to reveal this year's distinguished individuals who were recognized for their exemplary work and service by SCOPE Education Services. They were honored at the 23rd annual School District Awards Dinner on March 18, 2024.

• Kelvin Vargas, Howitt Middle School, Security, Support Staff Service Award
• Beth Ann Garvey, Farmingdale High School, Athletics, Support Staff Service Award
• Cordelia Anthony, Farmingdale High School, Teacher, Teacher Service Award

Farmingdale Superintendent Paul Defendini praised the SCOPE winners from Farmingdale for their dedicated service to the community. The individuals being honored have shown exceptional commitment and excellence.