Hello to Our Farmingdale Family. This is Paul Defendini, Superintendent of Schools, and today is Friday, May 9, 2025.

This was an incredible week here in Farmingdale! For those of you who are unaware, this week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Lauryn Schmettan at Farmingdale High School had a wonderful idea to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by setting up a spot in the Commons where Farmingdale High School students could share heartfelt messages about their teachers. Jensly Cella teamed up with Lauryn to create a fantastic video capturing those student sentiments. I was inspired. I asked Shannon Shaw to coordinate with the other buildings to ensure all schools were included.

I truly can’t think of a better way to say thank you than through the voices of our own students. Attached to the transcript of this message, you’ll find a few of the videos—each one is absolutely worth watching. And make sure to have some tissues handy.

This project has also inspired me to expand the idea next year to celebrate all of our employee groups: Administration, Teacher Aides and School Monitors, Cafeteria Workers, Nurses, Secretaries, and our Buildings & Grounds staff. You are all extraordinary, and your impact on our students' lives is greater than you may ever realize.

Hope you’re enjoying the change in weather, Farmingdale, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

FHS Teacher Appreciation Week Video

HMS, AA, NS, SEM, WP Teacher Appreciation Week Video