The artwork you are about to enjoy highlights the perseverance and dedication of our teachers and students, some of who spent a year and a half learning from home. Through technology and inventive media we’ve become more resilient, more prolific Daler artists. And now, I invite you to enjoy our 2021 Farmingdale District Art Show!!

Enter the Art Gallery HERE!

Every member of the Farmingdale School District brings a unique presence to our community, which is worth celebrating! Every April, Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, the focus is on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.

“Autism Awareness Month has always had a special place in my heart,” said Special Education teacher Nancy Pavlic. “Promoting awareness and acceptance was, and still is, an important part of my career.”

Pavlic, along with fellow special education teacher Ivelysse Powers, with the support of Farmingdale High School staff and students, promoted Autism Awareness and Acceptance throughout April. Their goal is to spread awareness and educate others about Autism. “Dalers We All Fit Together” was selected as the theme for this year’s t-shirt to represent how, as Dalers, we all foster a spirit of acceptance and community.

“Making a difference in my student’s lives every day is what keeps me doing what I love to do, and showing others that students with autism can do so much, and more, just like anyone else,” said Special Education teacher Nancy Pavlic. “I do not see their disability; I see their amazing personalities and all of the wonderful things they are capable of accomplishing for themselves.”

Through t-shirt sales, Nancy and Ivelysse raised $619.29, all of which was donated to the Nassau Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA). Suzanne Reek, the executive director of NSASA, visited Farmingdale High School last Friday to receive the donation. She thanked Pavlic, Powers, their students, Farmingdale High School Principal, Dr. Sam Thompson, and Farmingdale’s Special Education Chairperson, Brian Norton, for their support and posed for a picture.

“The selflessness demonstrated in our school community is a joy to be a part of,” said Farmingdale High School Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson. “We were following the lead to support a worthy cause, and Ms. Pavlich and Ms. Powers led the way.”

NSASA is a parent-run organization serving over 4,000 families on Long Island. The organization’s mission is to support individuals with autism in our local community. NSASA provides free educational, social, and recreational opportunities to families touched by autism through their fundraising efforts. NSASA also offers grants to local school programs that serve children with autism.

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.

Farmingdale High School has been on a roll all year, receiving commendations and awards in a variety of areas both locally and nationally. Now, Farmingdale High School can add one more award to the impressive list! On Tuesday, April 27, U.S. News & World Report published the highly anticipated 2021 Best High Schools rankings. Among the impressive list of high schools was the District’s very own Farmingdale High School!

“Farmingdale High School is honored to be named as part of the U.S. News & World Reports’ 2021 Best High Schools,” said Farmingdale High School Principal, Dr. Samuel Thompson. “I can’t think of a better way for the work of our students and staff to be recognized. May this achievement serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished as a united community with a shared goal of academic excellence.”

The Farmingdale School District prides itself on its ability to prepare students for life post-graduation through the employment of a curriculum that provides students with the tools and experience they need to succeed. The data, collected during the 2018-2019 academic year, assessed students' display of college preparedness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, and performance on Advanced Placement exams, as well as the District’s high graduation rates, all of which are core metrics for evaluating a high school’s national ranking. Our Dalers’ performance in all of these areas, as well as their impressive scores on several statewide assessments, did not go unnoticed, affording the school a spot on this highly regarded list.

“Farmingdale School District’s students’ and educators’ ability to continue to perform at a high caliber is truly remarkable but in no way surprising,” said Superintendent Paul Defendini. “Recognition of our student’s academic capabilities in U.S. News & World Reports’ is a tremendous achievement, and we should strive to be included every year. Congratulations, Dalers!”

Schools that ranked in the top 40 percent nationally achieved status as U.S. News Best High Schools. Those recognized gained eligibility to display U.S. News-trademarked 2021 Best High Schools award “badges,” which are emblematic of the institution’s hard work. This achievement is shared by the students, staff, and teachers of Farmingdale High School, whose dedication to providing top-tier education, especially during these times, is truly commendable.

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.

(from L-R) Glen Beck, Nova Bulin, Rebecca Kenjesky, Audrey Anderson Aidan Kelly, Emma Graziadei, and Luke Pichichero

Farmingdale High School Thespians Receive Top Honors in Monologue Competition

This April, six students from Glen Beck’s theater class at Farmingdale High School entered a virtual monologue competition sponsored by Nassau Community College. The performers competed against other high schools with solid theater programs such as Long Island High School of the Arts, Holy Trinity, and Lynbrook. Farmingdale had the most wins of any other school, and three Dalers took home top honors.

This year’s Monologue Competition, organized by Nassau Community College’s Theater and Dance Department, took place on April 17 in a virtual format. High school students were divided into two groups, Underclassmen (9,10) and Upperclassmen (11,12). Performers’ monologues could be no shorter than 45 seconds and no longer than 75 seconds and had to fit the theme of the competition, “Wonder.” Within the two minutes allotted, performers were evaluated on appropriateness of material to the theme, dramatic effectiveness, including strong choices, clarity of expression, oral and non-verbal, and thoroughness of preparation/introduction and execution of the material.

“I selected these six students to represent Farmingdale in the 2021 Monologue Competition based on their effort, intention, and ability to connect with their respective pieces,” said theater teacher Glen Beck. “ I couldn't be more proud of the work they did.”

The students selected to represent Farmingdale High School in the Monologue Competition were: Rebecca Kenjesky, Audrey Anderson, and Luke Pichichero. Top honors were awarded to Aidan Kelly, who finished 2nd place in the upperclassmen category, reciting a monologue from “Dog Sees God.” Emma Graziadei took 3rd place in the same category with her monologue from “The Social Network.” Freshman Nova Bulin finished 2nd place in the underclassmen category with a performance from the comedic play “The Solve-It Squad.”

The Monologue Competition is sponsored by the Department of Theater and Dance at Nassau Community College. The Department of Theater and Dance provides enriched curricula for students enrolled in its discrete Associate in Arts degree programs: Acting, Dance, and Technical Theater.

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.

Farmingdale, NY (April 25, 2021 )—The scene is set. A jury room. It’s the summer of 1957—late afternoon. Reasonable doubt in what appeared to be an open and shut case sets the stage for Farmingdale High School Playcrafters’ rendition of 12 Angry Jurors. This time last year, the Playcrafters were about to perform their spring production of The Outsiders when schools nationwide were shut down due to COVID-19. Everyone involved in this year’s production was ready to take to the stage to perform once again.

“I am so thankful that we were able to offer a full performance of our spring play this year,” said theater teacher and director Glen Beck. “We managed to produce a great virtual show under the circumstances; there is truly nothing like the thrill of a live audience.”

12 Angry Jurors is Glen Beck’s fourth production with the Playcrafters. He’s joined by set designers Jamie Capasso and Erik Chocianowski. Heads of the student crew include Ann Burns (head of sound), Joseph Corsi (head of construction), Dominic DiBartolo (assistant stage manager), Dylan Dowdican (head of makeup), Vanessa Espinosa (head of costumes), Patrick Flanagan (backstage manager), Rachel Goldberg (head of sound), Jordan Harley (head of props), Ayla Irvine (head of props), Freddie Kaden (head of lighting), Brooke Kubelka (house manager), Maggie Lafferty (head of makeup), Matteo Laurino (house manager), Zoe Leung (head of paint), Sharon Lin (head of paint), Richard Magnani (head of construction), Katherine Marino (stage manager), Jordan Ohlenschlager (backstage manager), Luke Pichichero (assistant director), Vincent Sottile (head of lighting) and Amanda Treulich (head of costumes).

The cast who are only referred to by their juror numbers includes Aiden Kelly (juror 1/foreman), Ava Lanot (juror 2), Gabby Sferlazza (juror 3), Emma Graziadei (juror 4), Olivia Espinosa (juror 5), Trinity Babino (juror 6), Griffin Buksa (juror 7), Ryan Sweeney (juror 8), Jaxon Rivera (juror 9), Rebecca Kenjesky (juror 10), Megan Dreher (juror 11), Alexa Nazario (juror 12), Kiley Cacace (guard), Kaitlyn Cavallo (clerk), Matthew Fielding (guard), Sara Hughes (clerk), and Joanna Posillico (judge).

“12 Angry Jurors is a play that contemplates the huge responsibility of twelve ordinary people as they consider the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murder,” said theater teacher and director Glen Beck. “The twelve jurors bring their histories, prejudices, and biases to the jury room as they work through this life or death decision.”

The original play, 12 Angry Men, was written in 1954 by Reginald Rose for male actors only since, during that time, women were forbidden from serving on a jury. However, since then, there have been countless productions where the cast has been entirely gender-inclusive. Meaning anyone could be cast in any role within the play.

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.