Hello to Our Farmingdale Family. This is Paul Defendini, Superintendent of Schools and today is April 3, 2025.
In my last message to you all, I shared a video to encourage our community to reflect on proper behavior at sporting events. I feel it’s only fitting to follow up with a beautiful story from last week that highlights the true meaning of sportsmanship.
Last week, our girl's basketball team faced off against our rivals to the south, Massapequa. Throughout the game, both teams gave their best, competing fiercely while maintaining a positive and supportive attitude. They cheered each other on and even took a memorable photo together at the end of the game.
This moment is a powerful reminder that kindness and sportsmanship are all around us when we take the time to notice. Great job, girls – we are all incredibly proud of the example you are setting for our community.
I’ll attach the photo from the game to the transcript of this message.
You may have heard that Farmingdale Schools recently experienced the heartbreaking loss of a very special young man, Angelo Caruso-Galluccio. Angelo tragically passed away after falling ill just days before. There is no greater sorrow than losing a child, a pain that no loved one should ever have to endure.
I spoke with Angelo’s family, and they asked me to share an important event in his memory. On April 26th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, there will be a celebration to honor what should have been Angelo’s 16th birthday. It is a celebration of life event. I will most certainly attend this event and invite anyone who knows Angelo to join as well. I will include the event details in the transcript of this message. We will also be wearing green on April 28th in an act of solidarity and support for Angelo’s family. We will send out a reminder later in the month to remind everyone to wear green on April 28th.
In true Daler fashion, let’s come together to support one another during this incredibly difficult time for Angelo’s family. Let’s also keep Angelo’s family in our thoughts, sending them prayers and love as they navigate this painful chapter in their lives.