Dear Farmingdale School Community,
It’s safe to say that none of us, including myself, knew what to expect this school year. Those first few days of school were a whirlwind. Four days felt like four weeks. But amidst the noise and haste, something interesting happened in the days that followed, our staff started to “settle the ball.” Our level of comfort grew in this new world that we created and so did the experiences that we provided for our students. Walking the halls, I heard the sounds of joyful learning, heartfelt laughing, and a connection that I could have never imagined possible.
In soccer, settling the ball provides momentary control, allowing the player to make a good next decision. Failing to settle the ball causes players to rush their decision-making process and ultimately results in careless mistakes. It is a reference back to Superintendent's Conference Day in September and my attempt to slow down the pace of what was going on all around us. “Settle the Ball” is the theme of this year’s Daler pin, something that we here in the district wear with pride to remember the essence of what it is to be a family and to remember the importance of our collective efforts. This year's Daler pin is featured in the attached video.
As we enter the Thanksgiving break, I’d like to take a moment to thank the incredible staff we have here in the Farmingdale School District. We are truly blessed. I have found that sometimes words are not enough to express a person’s worth. Sometimes, people need to see themselves and see their impact to truly realize how selfless and powerful they truly are. This video is a testament to our staff putting their needs on the back burner and focusing instead on the needs of their students. Although we are all a bit beaten and battered, there has never been more reason to feel an overwhelming sense of pride than today. May every one of you have a most blessed and safe Thanksgiving break and enjoy the attached “Settle the Ball” video!
All my best,
Paul Defendini
https://youtu.be/mW3HRokVSbw