Art teachers across all six Farmingdale School District buildings dedicated months to curating pieces for the annual DistrictWide Art Show. Held in the Farmingdale High School Commons, this art exhibition is a vibrant celebration of creativity and self-expression, highlighting the exceptional talents of students district-wide.

Families can admire various artworks, from paintings and sculptures to digital designs and mixed media creations. This event highlights young minds’ artistic achievements and provides a platform for families to bond over their shared appreciation for the arts.

A round of applause goes out to all the Daler artists featured in the exhibition! A special thank you goes out to Farmingdale’s Fine Arts department for their outstanding efforts in nurturing these budding talents and providing them with a platform to showcase their skills.

Watch a video from the District Art Show

The National PTA Reflections program offers a platform for students of various grade levels to exhibit their creativity and skills. The 2023-2024 theme “I am Hopeful Because…” inspired young artists from the Farmingdale School District to submit an impressive total of 97 entries.

A District-Wide Reflections Ceremony was held at Farmingdale High School to honor this excellent program and the participating students. The event, celebrating artistic expression, showcased diverse entries in literature, photography, painting, drawing, and music. It highlighted the students' dedication and talent poured into their creations.

The National PTA Reflections Program recognized Howitt Middle School students Elizabeth Hilton, Emily Kelly, and Kieran Ruppert as Nassau Finalists. Sixth grader Addison Suwalski stood out with her self-choreographed dance piece “I am Unstoppable,” propelling her to the National Finals, where she earned a Merit Award. Addison's accomplishment reflects her creativity and commitment, and she will be honored at Nassau County's Spring Conference dinner.

District Administration, PTA members, and families celebrated all participants for their hard work and dedication. The PTA's support and guidance were vital in nurturing these young artists and encouraging them to explore their creative potential. Special thanks to our PTA Reflections chairs: Karyn Tanacan, Lisa Pigott, Kelly Verdi, Christine Hopper, Toni Alberghine, and Kristin Dorso.

The National PTA Reflections program recognizes students' artistic achievements, boosts their confidence, and nurtures their passion for the arts. With a history of over 50 years, this program inspires students to express their thoughts and emotions creatively, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the artistic realm. Over 300,000 students participate each year, making it a platform where students can shine and grow.

Every year, sixth graders and teachers at Howitt Middle School collaborate on a project in their Civic Engagement Class to encourage kindness, pride, or civic responsibility. This year, students opted to produce a video that celebrates Daler Pride. What began as a modest sixth-grade video project grew to encompass the high school and elementary buildings, capturing the true spirit of the Dalers.

Watch Now "We're Dalers..."

All concerts this season will take place in-person, with no need for tickets to attend. Additionally, all concerts will be recorded. Links from each performance will be made available here a few days after the performance.

FARMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL

• MAY 9, 2024—STRING, CHAMBER & SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
• MAY 16, 2024—ALL BANDS
• MAY 20, 2024—MIXED CHORUS, TREBLE CHORUS, VOCAL JAZZ & DALER A CAPELLA

HOWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL

• APRIL 18, 2024—Jazz Showcase

• MAY 6, 2024—7,8 GR. CHORUS
• MAY 7, 2024—6,7,8 GR. ORCHESTRA
• MAY 15, 2024—7,8 GR. WIND ENSEMBLE & SYMPHONIC BAND
• MAY 22, 2024—6 GR. BAND & CHORUS

ALBANY AVENUE

• MAY 28 2024—JR. SPRING CONCERT
• MAY 30, 2024—SR./JR. CHORUS, SR. BAND, SR. ORCHESTRA & JAZZ BAND

NORTHSIDE

• MAY 23, 2024—SR. SPRING CONCERT
• MAY 30, 2024—JR. SPRING CONCERT

SALTZMAN EAST MEMORIAL

• MAY 17, 2024—SR. SPRING CONCERT
• MAY 31, 2024—JR. SPRING CONCERT

WOODWARD PARKWAY

• MAY 23 2024—JR. SPRING CONCERT
• MAY 23 2024—SR. SPRING CONCERT

The collaboration between The WildLife Warriors Club, The Swiftie Society, and the Howitt Middle School Building Safety and Wellness Committee has been a heartwarming success. Every week during teacher and staff lunch breaks, a new pet rescue or therapy dog program is introduced at Howitt. The main goal is to offer the adults at Howitt Middle School a chance to de-stress and find comfort in the presence of these furry visitors. The initiative has brought joy and laughter to the school, with staff thoroughly enjoying interacting with the pets.

Adults benefit from this program, and animals reap the rewards. By socializing the puppies and kittens in these settings, the animal rescue groups are helping prepare them for adoption, increasing their chances of finding forever homes. The rescue groups greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage with potential adopters and foster families, who see the value in these interactions.

In a beautiful display of compassion and creativity, the students from the Swiftie Society went above and beyond by crafting cat toys to donate to Tender Loving Cats Rescue (TLC). This thoughtful gesture showcases the spirit of generosity and kindness that thrives within the Howitt community. Each group that brings therapy dogs or adoptable pets to our school shares their love for animals and receives a donation to support their noble cause.

The impact of this pet rescue and therapy dog program extends far beyond the school grounds, touching the lives of both humans and animals alike. It serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration, compassion, and community in creating a brighter and more caring world.