While much of the conversation around Artificial Intelligence in schools focuses on risks, two teachers at Howitt Middle School are proving that technology can be a powerful tool for literacy. Mrs. Hilton and Mrs. Solomon recently transformed their reading block into an interactive digital theater to help students connect with text in a new way.

Creating a Shared Reading Adventure

The teachers used Google’s "Read Along" integration to create a unique experience for the class. They did not just pick a book from a shelf. Instead, they used AI to generate personalized stories tailored specifically to their students' interests. By projecting these stories onto a Newline interactive board, the class turned individual reading into a shared adventure. Students took turns reading aloud and clicked on challenging words for instant pronunciation help.

Engaging Students and Building Fluency

The interactive approach has sparked excitement in the classroom. The teachers noted that the students were not just reading, as they were fully engaged in the process. The results have been clear, including increased student confidence, better fluency, and a classroom full of students eager for the next story.

Weekly sessions in the East Gym Fitness Room attract a large number of participants

A focus on physical health is taking center stage this semester. The Middle School Fitness Club meets weekly in the East Gym Fitness Room under the supervision of Mr. Woska. This extracurricular activity has proven to be a very popular group among the student body.

To accommodate the high volume of interest, the club is broken into three groups. This structure ensures that all students have ample access to the equipment and safe supervision during their workouts. The program provides a constructive outlet for students to improve their physical fitness, learn proper exercise techniques, and socialize with peers outside of the classroom.

Teachers and Principals Welcome Families for an Evening of Interactive Learning and Games

The Farmingdale School District hosted students and families for the annual Family Math Night on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The event took place at Howitt Middle School at 6:00 p.m., bringing the community together for an evening dedicated to educational entertainment.

District teachers were on hand to guide families through a variety of interactive games and challenges. These educators expertly facilitated the activities and managed to sneak in valuable learning moments amidst the fun. The hands-on approach allowed parents and students to explore mathematical concepts together in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Principals from the district’s K-8 schools attended the event to greet families and support the teachers running the stations. The presence of administration and staff highlighted the strong partnership between home and school within the Farmingdale community. We were thrilled to see so many families enjoying mathematics together and look forward to another successful event next year.

Our talented students took their show on the road to serenade our local seniors! It was full of smiles, songs, and community connection.

We are so proud of our groups for sharing their time and talents at these locations:

• Farmingdale High School Chorus at Daleview Nursing Home
• Farmingdale High School Chorus at the Farmingdale Public Library for the Farmingdale Senior Citizens
• Howitt Middle School 6th Grade Chorus at the Farming Adult Care Center

Thank you to everyone who hosted our students for these festive performances!

The falling snow at Rockefeller Center added a touch of magic to the 52nd annual Tuba Christmas this past Sunday. Twenty-eight students from Howitt Middle School and Famringdale High School, along with alumni, gathered under the famous tree for a truly special performance.

They joined nearly 300 other musicians to fill the city air with beautiful holiday carols. The snowy backdrop transformed the afternoon into a cozy, unforgettable winter memory for everyone involved.

Teachers David Abrams and Erica Hartmann accompanied the students, who gathered for rehearsal just a few hours before the performance in the basement of Rockefeller Center.

Howitt Middle School participants included Stella Levenson, Ethan Ianotta, Dylan Nguyen, Matthew Alvarado, Tyler Brinkman, and Gianni Sparacio.

High school students included Dylan Moritz, Gabriel Winter, Earl Jones III, William Herbert, Nicholas Astuto, Isabella Salay, Chloe Grimes, Charlie Cartagena Caceres, Juan Bonilla, and Thomas Blaser.

Farmingdale alumni participants included Jayne Matzelle, Joe Geraci, Andrew Adamo, Gabe Ruiz, Aidan Timko, and Charlotte Rutkowski.

Congratulations to the following musicians on a spectacular performance