A sea of determined young cyclists pedaling through the North Gym set the tone for an evening dedicated to healthy habits and community connection. On March 26, 2026, the Farmingdale School District Wellness Committee hosted its annual wellness fair, themed "Move, Play, Grow". The event transformed Farmingdale High School into a vibrant hub of health where families didn't just learn about well-being—they experienced it firsthand.

The Trike-A-Thon proved to be the biggest draw of the night, while others found a moment of calm in the Library during Yoga and Mindfulness sessions. In the cafeteria, healthy eats provided by Farmingdale Food Services were incredibly popular, with guests raving about the creative butternut squash brownies. The activity continued into the evening at the Aquatic Center at Howitt Middle School, where a large crowd of students gathered for a late-night open swim.

The impact of the fair was seen in the hands-on participation of our students, from medical assisting demonstrations to first responder safety lessons. Families left with more than just nutritious recipes; they left with a stronger connection to their community and a renewed focus on physical and mental health.

As we look toward the future, the district remains dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing our journey toward a healthier Farmingdale.

The Howitt Players burst onto the stage in a riot of color and rhyme, bringing the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life for the Farmingdale community. On March 26, the troupe held a special performance for the district’s fifth-grade class, followed by two spectacular evening performances for the community on March 27 and 28.

The Howitt Middle School auditorium was transformed into a landscape of imagination, from the lush Jungle of Nool to the microscopic world of Whoville. The production featured vibrant costumes and spirited set designs that captured the "creativity, color, and most beautiful music" of the beloved Broadway musical.

“This show was so much fun to bring to life!” shared Director and Vocal Director Mr. Eric Hulse, who celebrated his tenth production with the Howitt Players. “I love the themes of creativity, imagination, hope, and determination that shine throughout the story. Each student worked incredibly hard to truly bring their characters to life on stage.”

For Co-Director and Choreographer Ms. Amanda Whorlow, the production was a "full-circle moment," as Seussical was her senior musical in high school. “It meant the absolute world to me that I was now able to share the Seussical experience with my students—an experience filled with joy, laughter, and the most unforgettable memories,” said Ms. Whorlow.

The talented young cast of 44 performers impressed the audience with their dedication and growth. The production featured:

• Gabriel Haas as the mischievous and storytelling Cat in the Hat.
• Victoria Carbone as the imaginative Jojo.
• Liam Rosenthal as the kind-hearted and faithful Horton the Elephant.
• Stella Levenson as the devoted Gertrude McFuzz.
• Nilah Nicolas and Alexandria Romano as the spirited Mayzie La Bird and Sour Kangaroo.
• George Guadagnino and Leah Lopez as the Mayor and Mrs. Mayor of Whoville.
• Ella Cook as the formidable General Genghis Khan Schmitz.
• Benjamin Sinisi as Yertle the Turtle and Maguire Jones as The Grinch.

The magic of Seussical was a massive collaborative effort involving approximately 150 additional students contributing to the crew, scenery club, and orchestra. Under the guidance of Production Manager Ms. Kate Shields, the stage crew managed everything from complex lighting to the "unreal sewing skills" required for the production's unique costumes.

“It takes a village to put together a production as complex as this one,” Ms. Whorlow added. “These kids were talented beyond belief. They were also dedicated, passionate, kind, caring, supportive, and absolutely hilarious.”

A student at the March 19, 2026, science fair leaned in close to their display, carefully explaining how a custom-built bridge held the weight of hundreds of pennies before finally giving way. This moment of pride was one of many as students from across the district transformed months of curiosity into tangible experiments.

The event was organized by Julia-Anna Searson, who also served as a judge alongside fellow Farmingdale High School science teachers Brittany Clark and Jacob Murphy. Students from Albany Avenue Elementary School, Northside Elementary School, Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School, and Weldon E. Howitt Middle School gathered to showcase their findings. Adding to the excitement of the evening, Superintendent Paul Defendini toured the exhibits to speak with the young researchers about their hypotheses and the challenges they overcame.

Celebrating Achievement

The district is proud to recognize the 2026 winners and their impressive projects:

Beginner’s Category

• 1st Place: Bobby Humann (Albany Avenue) – "Which bridge design holds the most weight in pennies?"
• 2nd Place: Gianni Verde (Saltzman) – "Whether wood baseball bats or metal provide a further hitting distance."
• 3rd Place: Mark Iannotta (Northside) – "Board Crane Build"

Intermediate Category

• 1st Place: Boden Hopper and Kevin Orofino (Northside) – "Double Dip v. 5 Second Rule: Which grows more bacteria?"
• 2nd Place: Amelia Contardo (Howitt) – "Vegetation to Groundwater"
• 3rd Place: Kennedy Cinelli (Northside) – "Cereal Porosity"

These budding scientists remind us that the quest for knowledge starts with a simple question. As these students continue their academic journeys, the skills they learned—critical thinking, resilience, and observation—will serve as the foundation for the innovators of tomorrow.

How a dash of Wonka, a giant’s dream, and a pajama-clad middle school transformed a Tuesday night into a masterclass for Farmingdale families.

For the second year in a row, the Farmingdale School District hosted a successful Parent University on March 10, 2026. The district transformed Weldon E. Howitt Middle School into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl, creating an evening of family connection and learning.

Interactive Workshops for Parents

While students enjoyed movie screenings, parents attended interactive workshops led by district educators. These sessions provided parents with practical strategies and tools to help foster reading growth and support literacy at home.

A "Pajama Party" for Students

Students in grades K-8 participated in a movie night featuring Wonka and The BFG. Attendees wore pajamas and enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn. The event was designed to make literacy feel accessible and fun for all ages.

Connecting the Screen to the Page

The evening bridged the gap between film and reading. Before leaving, every student received a copy of either Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or The BFG. This allowed families to take the magic of the movies home and continue building reading skills together.

A Community Effort

The event’s success relied on the dedicated work of staff and volunteers. Event organizer and Instructional Coach Meghan Sepe-Hickey shared her appreciation for the team effort following the event.

"The success is a reflection of the teamwork and care each of you brought. Your efforts created a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our district community."

As this year's event concludes, the Farmingdale community looks forward to seeing what educational adventures next year will bring.

Farmingdale Students Perform at 21st Annual Day of Horn

On February 27, 2026, eight talented Farmingdale horn players participated in the 21st annual Day of Horn. Music teachers Erica Hartmann and Dr. Katie Duke accompanied the group to Longwood High School for the day-long event, which brought together approximately 100 student and professional musicians from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Mentorship and Performance

The highlight of the 2025-2026 school year event was a masterclass and performance by guest artist Kevin Newton. A member of the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds, Kevin Newton is a professional hornist known for his work with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Under his guidance, Farmingdale students gained technical insights and inspiration to help them refine their craft.

Farmingdale Participants

The following students represented the district at this year’s gathering:

• James Shapiro, Albany Avenue Elementary School
• 6th graders Cameron Chiu and McKayla Uzenski
• 7th graders Michael Borowski, Lucy Cutter, and Jared Martinez
• 8th graders George Guadagnino and Dominic Rolon Fischer

About the Event

Founded and organized by Alan Orloff, the Day of Horn provides a unique platform for local brass players to collaborate and perform. Our students had the opportunity to play alongside their peers and learn from industry professionals in a high-energy, educational environment.