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Exterior photo of front of Howitt Middle School building

Weldon E. Howitt Middle School


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Important Information

Parents: please take some time to review the district Attendance Policy, Code of Conduct, and Emergency Planning Guide as well as other notices in this folder: Important Policies and Notices

Check us out on Twitter! @HowittMS

 

Moving up to Middle School - 6th Grade Summer Orientation slideshow.

 


updates

 

  

 

Principal's Welcome to the New School Year Letter

 

Click the link below to view the 2024 HMS Moving Up Ceremony: 

 

 

announcements

 

 

TODAY IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2024, AND IT IS AN "A" DAY

 

SPORTS

NO SPORTS GAMES

 

October marks Italian-American Heritage Month and the contributions and achievements of Italian-Americans are recognized. Over 26 million Americans of Italian descent currently live in the US, making it America’s 7th largest ethnic group. It is held in October to coincide with Columbus Day, the national holiday celebrated on the 2nd Monday of the month.
Today for Italian-American Heritage Month we remember Maria Montessori. She was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator who was acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally. Her educational methods are widely used and accepted in today’s early childhood education.

 

Reminder that FREE breakfast for all students is served every day in both cafeterias.

Morning Rec Program is held every morning from 7:25 to 7:50 am in both the East and West Gyms. 
6th & 7th grade students who are not attending Morning Rec should go to either the East Cafeteria to eat breakfast or to the auditorium to wait for the 7:55 am bell.  8th graders not attending Morning Rec should go to the West Cafeteria to eat or wait until homeroom begins.

Yearbooks may be pre-ordered for $60 by using the link found below.  


After School Extra Help is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 2:50 to 4:50 pm.

In their final 1.5 mile race, almost every Daler left with a new best time. For the boys, there were great finishes by Connor Stegmeier, Jacob Lam, and Milan Deshmukh. The girls came in first place, beating Berner, with amazing times from Hanna Paltoo, Natalie Calderon, and Stella Levenson. Next up, is two miles. The team did a great job.
 
Yesterday the 7th/8th Girls Swimming team won the second meet in a row with a 71-41 defeat of a tough Uniondale team.  Their next meet is Wednesday, October 16, against Great Neck North at the Aquatic Center.
 
The 7th Boys Soccer Team ended yesterday’s hard fought match against Salk Middle School in a 5-5 draw. The team was led by Jayden Blake, who scored 4 of the 5 goals for Farmingdale and Xavier Coston
 
Today is the last day for PTA’s Book Fair that is being held in the Multi-Purpose Room. Ms. Smyth, Ms. Klock, Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Bova, Mr. DiOrio, Mr. Lee, Ms. DeStefano, & Mr. Clark will be going during their Social Studies classes. The link for the Book Fair “eWallet” can be found on the ANNOUNCEMENT page.

(www.scholastic.com/bf/howittmiddleschool1)

 

Homecoming Spirit Week Color Wars is today: 6th should be wearing PURPLE, 7th should be wearing BLUE, 8th YELLOW, Staff/Faculty wears GREEN.
 
The deadline for the Principal’s Cabinet applications has been extended to Tuesday, October 15. Applications are still available in the Main Office.
 
Ms. Ginexi’s, Ms. Donroe’s, and Ms. Panzica's Art classes should report to the auditorium today for class and students should bring their charged chromebook.
 
Mr. Szabo's Orchestra rotations are CANCELLED for today. 

 

Mr. Hulse’s 6th Lunch Chorus is CANCELLED for today, and his rehearsals will resume on Tuesday.

     

       The following will be held after school TODAY:
Step Club w/Ms. Carter & Mrs. Reilly in the East Cafeteria

 

  

 

 

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation Slide Presentation

Click here to view the slide presentation

 

yEARBOOKS

Yearbooks may be pre-ordered for $60 until January 1 by using the following link: yearbookforever.com  After January 1, the price will increase to $65 and the price will increase again to $70 on March 15. Yearbooks may be purchased until May 15 and the deadline for parent ads is February 14.  

 

ID BADGES & LANYARDS

Lost or broken IDs or lanyards can be replaced by submitting the form that can be found on the student's chromebook under FD BOOKMARKS. Students are also able to access the form from their ClassLink launchpad.

 

LOST & FOUND

Water bottles, books, clothing, sweatshirts, shoes/sneakers are placed in the back of both cafeterias. Eye glasses, jewelry, pocketbooks, cell phones are in the Main Office.


 

Graphic with text: 'Students of the Quarter'

STUDENTS OF THE QUARTER

The Student of the Quarter award is given to students chosen by their teachers.

Students selected demonstrate excellence in leadership, participation, attendance, work ethic, and citizenship. Recipients are chosen at the end of the quarter. Stay tuned.....

Current News

POND PERFECTION

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A Community Project That’s Making a Splash

Five Koi fish were introduced into the new Commons Pond at Farmingdale High School. This project was made possible thanks to some generous community contributions, including:

  • Starkie Brothers for the pond liner
  • No Maintenance Decking for the deck boards
  • Home Depot for the lumber
  • Mr. Kevin Brennan of Bay Shore for the Koi fish
  • Mr. Mike Pavese (FHS Security guard) for the concrete blocks
  • Intro to the Skilled Trades course for the workforce

The creation of this vibrant oasis of life and tranquility is also thanks to the tireless dedication and passion of Mr. Matthew Hobbes. His dedication to creating this serene sanctuary, often on his own time, deserves our recognition and appreciation.

Learn MORE about our Technology Department's projects. Take a look at The Legacy—a monthly newsletter designed to keep the community informed about hands-on experiences in the shops at both Weldon E. Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School.

SEPTEMBER SMILES

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As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, the spirit of the Dalers remains vibrant and optimistic. With each passing day, our schools continue to be a place where young minds flourish, friendships grow, and lifelong memories are made. Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

DALER PRIDE AND POTENTIAL

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Farmingdale’s Enthusiastic Return to Learning

The Farmingdale School District kicked off the 2024-2025 academic year on September 5th. Superintendent Paul Defendini, principals, administrators, and teachers greeted new and returning students and families as they arrived on campus.

Students hopped off the school buses and walked toward their classrooms, reuniting with friends, sharing stories of their summer adventures, and marveling at how much everyone had grown.

The district and its remarkable PTA have organized numerous informative and engaging events for the upcoming fall season to ensure a fantastic beginning to the 2024-2025 school year.

WELCOME TO HOWITT

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Sixth Grade Orientation was held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, allowing incoming students to get to know Howitt Middle School. The event commenced in the auditorium, where Principal Michael Gavalas introduced students and parents to the school's administration and grade-level team. Discussions covered student schedules, daily school routines, team interactions, and various school initiatives.

Following the orientation, students could walk through their schedules accompanied by a parent or guardian. These guided tours aimed to help students find their classrooms, lockers, and other important areas within the school, giving them confidence and familiarity before the academic year began. During the tours, the school staff and student ambassadors from the "Fun Bunch" were present to assist, offer tips on getting around the school, and address any concerns that new 6th graders or their parents might have had.

After the orientation and tours, many students and parents felt more confident and enthusiastic about the upcoming school year, having better understood the school environment and the available support systems.

WATCH highlights from HMS's 6th Grade Orientation HERE!

STREET DEDICATION CEREMONY

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Community to Celebrate the Legacy of Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice Ferrari with Special Event Featuring Marching Band

The Farmingdale School District, in collaboration with the Town of Oyster Bay, will hold a special street renaming ceremony on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. This event will honor the late Farmingdale educators Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice “Bea” Ferrari, who tragically passed away on September 21, 2023, when a charter bus carrying 40 members of the Farmingdale High School marching band overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County on their way to a band camp in Pennsylvania.

“The Farmingdale School District is pleased to share the news of the upcoming Street Dedication Ceremony celebrating Bea and Gina,” stated Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini. “As the district and the Town of Oyster Bay come together to unveil the new street signs, it will serve as a symbolic gesture of the everlasting impact that educators can have. These signs will stand as beacons of hope and inspiration and will forever honor the extraordinary lives of Bea Ferrari and Gina Pellettiere.”

Event details:

  • Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini will lead the ceremony, which will showcase the Farmingdale High School Marching Band, Dalerettes, and Daler Guard, along with District Officials, the Board of Education, Family Members, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, along with members of the Oyster Bay Town Board.
  • The ceremony will begin at 4:30 pm on the turf field at Farmingdale High School.
  • Woodward Parkway at 11th Ave in Farmingdale will be named in honor of Beatrice Ferrari. 10th Ave at Woodward Parkway in Farmingdale will be named in honor of Gina Pellettiere.
  • During the ceremony, there will be speeches celebrating Gina and Bea's contributions, anecdotes from those who knew them well, and an exceptional musical performance by the renowned Farmingdale High School Marching Band.
  • Attendees are encouraged to wear Daler gear and come together as a community to pay tribute to these exceptional educators, whose influence will continue to inspire future generations.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “We are proud to honor the life and public service of beloved educators, Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice Ferrari. While these amazing women left us too soon, we will forever remember them as caring, compassionate, joyful, and selfless professionals that inspired students to reach their full potential. Their legacy will forever live on in our hearts, as well as at this special place in the Farmingdale community.”

Beatrice “Bea” Ferrari was a dedicated global studies teacher for 36 years, 32 of them in the Farmingdale School District. Despite retirement, she remained involved, joining the high school marching band every year at band camp. Woodward Parkway at 11th Ave in Farmingdale will be renamed “Beatrice Ferrari Way” in her honor.

Gina Pellettiere, known as “Ms. P” to her students, was the longtime band program director at Farmingdale High School. Her profound impact on students through her passion for music and teaching is immeasurable. 10th Ave at Woodward Parkway in Farmingdale will be renamed “Gina Pellettiere Way” as a lasting tribute to her legacy.

In the event of inclement weather, a rain date of October 16, 2024, has been scheduled.

By The Numbers