Mark your calendars for January 2, 2025, at 6 PM! Our Superintendent of Schools, Paul Defendini, is hosting a special webinar to discuss the BOND Proposition. This is your chance to get all your last-minute questions answered before the big vote on January 7, 2025!

Scan the QR code to join the Zoom Webinar, where you'll have the opportunity to listen and submit questions! Don't miss out on this chance to stay informed and engaged in our community's future!

Farmingdale School District Concludes Vibrant Winter Concert Season

It's a wrap! The winter concerts in the Farmingdale School District have drawn its final curtain. This season, brimming with anticipation, kicked off with a parade down Main Street, then dazzled us with a medley of daytime and evening concerts, punctuated by festive tree lightings, heartfelt performances at local nursing homes, and a memorable journey to the iconic Rockefeller Center for Tuba Christmas.

Count them all, and you'd have more than twenty performances. Not to mention the spontaneous morning melodies that filled the district as students treated early birds to a musical serenade on the days leading up to the holiday recess. These impromptu performances became cherished moments, bringing unexpected joy and a festive spirit to hallways and classrooms. The dedication of the students and their teachers was evident not only in the scheduled concerts but also in these delightful surprises that brightened the winter days.

"There's truly nothing that compares to the winter concert season in Farmingdale," remarked Greg Warnokowski, Director of Fine and Performing Arts. "Each performance is a culmination of hard work and passion, and it's rewarding to see how it all comes together to create something magical. The joy and pride on the faces of our students as they take the stage is something to behold."

The arrival of the new year heralds fresh musical experiences. As January ushers in the new year, the Tri-M Senior Recital is set to mesmerize audiences with various gifted student musicians. February is equally exciting, featuring the All-District Band Concert and the Mid Winter Concert, both ready to highlight the remarkable talents and dedication of our students and staff.

In Farmingdale, the music program is more than just performances; they are a vital part of the community's fabric, enriching lives and inspiring future generations of Dalers. As the school district continues to support its ever-growing music program, the future shines brightly with promise and potential.

Farmingdale High School Art students attended a trip to the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington. This trip focused on the current exhibit, The Body Politic, a bi-annual exhibit featuring local Long Island artists and their current artwork. The museum educators allowed our students to collaborate, explore, discuss, and gain insight into the artworks. After the museum, students enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon outside at Heckscher Park - photographing their surroundings and feverishly sketching ideas inspired by the artwork they viewed. Students will now be tasked with completing an artwork of their own inspired by one of the pieces they viewed at the exhibit. Students' work will then be entered into the juried Long Island’s Best Art exhibition at the museum. This exhibit allows Long Island high school art students to submit artwork to the only juried exhibit available locally. Hundreds of students apply to be featured in this showcase, and we are excited to see if any of our students will be accepted this year. Stay tuned!

It's that magical time of year, and the Farmingdale High School Holiday Boutique is spreading the cheer by offering a complimentary shopping spree that's sure to enhance their holiday season.

The 2024 Holiday Boutique, a labor of love orchestrated by the Next-Gen Dalers Club and supported generously by various clubs and organizations, brought the spirit of giving to life on December 11 at Farmingdale High School. This year's event was a testament to the power of teamwork, as dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, turning weeks of preparation into lasting holiday memories.

The Next-Gen Dalers Club, run by high school teachers Alyssa Panaro and Paul Phelan, spent weeks pooling together donations of toys, clothes, books, and household items, all to make the holiday season a little brighter for students in need. This year, the Next-Gen Dalers joined forces with an impressive line-up of clubs and organizations, including SADD, the REAL Harmony Club, the Spanish National Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and DECA, all contributing to the vibrant tapestry that was the Holiday Boutique.

In the spirit of the season, we extend our warmest gratitude to the custodial staff, who worked wonders in transforming an ordinary space into a festive wonderland in record time. Special thanks go to Alessandro Palumbo and his team for the heartwarming hot chocolate setup and to Michelle Carlow for her leadership in gift wrapping. We also extend our appreciation to the chaperones, volunteers, and security personnel, who upheld the safety of our students and played a vital role in the event's success.

The Holiday Boutique serves as a heartening symbol of unity and generosity. The Next-Gen Dalers Club looks forward to future opportunities to spread joy and make a positive impact within our spirited school community.

Farmingdale School District celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of 21 graduating student-athletes who will be advancing to compete at the collegiate level. A commitment signing ceremony took place on Monday, December 9, 2024, to recognize these exceptional individuals for their unwavering commitment to academics and athletics.

Held at Farmingdale High School, the ceremony was a significant event filled with pride, excitement, and heartfelt congratulations. Parents, coaches, and friends gathered to celebrate these student-athletes, who have demonstrated excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

“Your passion and dedication to your sport have brought you to this moment,” stated Jeanne Berkoski, Director of Athletics. “A heartfelt thank you to the parents for your crucial role in supporting your children's athletic pursuits.”

Paul Defendini, Superintendent of Schools, highlighted the importance of balancing academics with athletics, encouraging students to embrace the challenges and opportunities that await them.

The entire Daler community extends its warmest congratulations to these talented student-athletes as they embark on the next chapter of their athletic and academic journeys. Their achievements inspire all students, showcasing the rewards of hard work, dedication, and a growth mindset.

The following Farmingdale High School graduating student-athletes have signed to play college sports:

• Juliana Abbene: Softball at Mercy University
• Angel Cartagena: Baseball at Iona University
• Jack DeLeo: Baseball at the University of Mount Saint Vincent
• Andrew Dillon: Baseball at SUNY Oneonta
• Ava Fierst: Softball at St. John’s University
• Gavin Gatchalian: Football at Saint Anselm College
• Logan Genna: Lacrosse at SUNY New Paltz
• Mia Hayes: Diving at Drexel University
• Katie Hecker: Softball at Russell Sage College
• Colin Horowitz: Baseball at SUNY Maritime College
• Matthew Hughes: Lacrosse at the University of Bridgeport
• Matt Ippoliti: Lacrosse at Long Island University
• Kiara Kegel: Softball at Farmingdale State College
• Aidan MacGilvray: Lacrosse at Saint Leo University
• Jake Mangio: Lacrosse at Bryant University
• Jack Molloy: Baseball at the College of Staten Island
• Allison Priestley: Swimming at SUNY Oswego
• Kevin Renneisen: Lacrosse at DeSales University
• Dylan Rosenberg: Soccer at Russell Sage College
• Loveleen Singh: Cross Country at Molloy University
• Riley Walsh: Lacrosse at Belmont Abbey College