FARMINGDALE, NY (May 21 , 2020) — On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, the Farmingdale Board of Education adopted the 2020-2021 Farmingdale School District budget. The budget, adopted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, calls for a spending plan totaling $173,076,607—an increase of $1,992,807 (1.16%) from last year’s budget—and a tax levy of 1.95%. “The ongoing pandemic and the uncertainty of state aid made this budget a particularly challenging and time-sensitive undertaking,” said Assistant to the
FARMINGDALE, NY (May 13, 2020) — The Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI) recently held its 11th Annual Youth Showcase. Fifteen Long Island High Schools participated, and six Farmingdale High School students from Ms. Steffen’s digital photography class placed in the following categories. Print Category: Haley Huebner – First Place – Portrait – Anti-Fragility Anjali Bhavnani – Second Place – Photojournalism – Preservation of Wisdom Kiersten Hacker – Second Place – Photographer's Choice Color –
On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Farmingdale teachers and administrative staff gave the town of Farmingdale a parade to remember. Beginning at 9am and continuing for ten hours, they zigzagged their way through nearly every street in the district, waving and beeping their horns for all the students and families who came out of their homes to hold up signs and cheer them on. A total of six hundred staff members participated during the course of the day, decorating their vehicles in unique ways and writing notes
FARMINGDALE, NY (April 28, 2020) — Farmingdale School District is proud to announce the selection of Michael Gavalas for the position of principal of Weldon E. Howitt Middle School. The Farmingdale Board of Education is expected to officially appoint Mr. Gavalas at the next board meeting, scheduled for May 6, 2020. The current principal, Mr. Luis Pena, will be retiring at the end of June. Mr. Gavalas is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience, most recently as the Assistant Principal of Sanford
The FHS Science Department and Robotics Team are collaborating on a new project—3D printed face masks for healthcare workers. Last week, science teacher/VEX Robotics coach Ann Grady and VEX volunteer and team mentor Jerry Dubuke donated 20 plastic masks to Catholic Health Services that were created on a 3D printer. The FHS Robotics Team provided the revenue for the materials, using funds generated from the January tournament they hosted at FHS and through community sponsors. When schools shut down in
FARMINGDALE, NY (April 17, 2020) —??The Farmingdale School District is stepping up to help local hospitals with badly-needed medical supplies. With schools closed and students learning remotely, administrators, teachers, and students mobilized to take an inventory of what they could donate to those working on the frontline. “It started with an email thread to share ideas of how we could help health care workers, and the ideas just kept coming in,” said Superintendent Paul Defendini. Lead nurse Dawn
Over two hundred masks have been stitched and donated to essential workers in the greater Farmingdale area—courtesy of dozens of aides and monitors from the Farmingdale School District. Lisa Bell— a Woodward Parkway Elementary School aide, seamstress, and member of the Facebook group, Stitched Together Long Island, went to work right after school buildings were closed to help produce the protective equipment in short supply in our metro area. Soon afterwards, she partnered with Aides and Monitors CSEA
The Farmingdale High School varsity cheerleading competition team won the New York State Championship title this past weekend—capturing the Division I Large School title. The team is the first Nassau County cheerleading team to ever win a state championship title in cheerleading. This was the second year that Farmingdale competed at the varsity level and the third year that competitive cheerleading has been a part of the Farmingdale athletic program. The competition was held at Rochester Institute of
On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, members of Farmingdale’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC) traveled to the New York State Capitol in Albany to present their 2019-2020 legislative proposals and to discuss the impact of pending and future legislation on public schools. The LAC committee—made up of students, teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and Farmingdale Board of Education Trustee Kathy Lively—took a guided tour of the Capitol and saw the chambers where their state government convenes. The group
Last week, Farmingdale High School Junior Anthony Diaz was presented the Rising Star Award by representatives of the Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs. He was given the award during a brief ceremony in Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson’s office. Executive Director Amy Flores and Administrative Aide Estefany Ruiz presented Anthony with his award, which was given in recognition of his emerging leadership, curricular accomplishments, and noteworthy contributions to the Dominican community. It was intended
Last December, at the Dalers Deck the Halls Holiday Breakfast at Farmingdale High School, a fourth-grade Albany Avenue student named Anthony dropped every single one of his raffle tickets into the bucket for a chance to win the prize of being Honorary Superintendent of Farmingdale Schools for a day. He didn’t win, but his twin brother Jake—who ironically dropped in only one raffle ticket—did, and graciously agreed to share his win with his brother. Dressed to kill, with Daler pawprints on their ties and
On Thursday, February 6, 2020, Farmingdale High School hosted the All District Chorus Concert, bringing together 420 students from all six Farmingdale schools—elementary through high school. Each year, the All District Concert is a showcase that demonstrates the amazing level of growth that takes place from the elementary to the high school level. It alternates every three years with band, orchestra, and chorus. Music teachers Christina Cinnamo and Emilie D’Andrilli conducted the elementary chorus.
On Saturday, February 1, 2020, the Farmingdale High School History Club took part in the Eleventh Annual Long Island High School Ethics Bowl at Hofstra University. They participated with two teams— analyzing and discussing real-life, timely, ethical issues. The students were accompanied by Farmingdale High School teachers Jim Hughes and Jennifer Theo-Kupstas, who devoted many hours preparing students to defend the ethical questions posed during the bowl. Team One (Amanda Stoll, Ariana Anderson, Paul
Farmingdale School District sent 101 of their top student musicians to the 2020 Nassau Music Educators Association (NMEA) All County Music Festival—held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on multiple days in January. The festival brings music students together from schools throughout Nassau County. To qualify for participation, students must perform at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Adjudication Festival and be nominated by their music teachers. A committee of Nassau
The Farmingdale School District is pleased to announce that after a year of planning, designing, creating new content, and migrating existing material, the new district website has launched! In 2018, when Superintendent Paul Defendini took over the district, he promised transparency and multiple pathways of communication. “Our newly designed website is just one example of how we are making information accessible to all members of the Farmingdale community,” said Superintendent Defendini. “We hope that
Farmingdale High School hosted their third annual VEX Robotics Competition on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Close to eighty teams participated, comprised of high school and middle school students from across southern New York State. The purpose of the competition is to explore innovation through robotics, celebrate student accomplishments, and encourage friendly competition. The tournament was open to the public and admission was free. Nearly a dozen FHS alumni were on hand as volunteer referees and
Nassau County Local Law 7-2019 - Polystyrene Foam Container Ban The Nassau County Polystyrene (Styrofoam) container ban begins January 1, 2020 and encompasses, among other items, all single-use food service items (such as coffee cups and clamshell containers) made with polystyrene foam. Products made with polystyrene foam are typically labeled with the recycling chasing arrows symbol surrounding the number 6 and followed by the letters “PS.” If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County
Twenty-four seniors at Farmingdale High School signed their letters of intent on December 2, 2019 to signify their commitment to college sports teams. The seniors gathered in the lecture hall of Farmingdale High School, where they were joined by family members, coaches, Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson, Assistant Principal Jed Herman, Director of Athletics Jeanne Berkoski, and Assistant Superintendent Glen Zakian. The Farmingdale athletes who participated in the signing play lacrosse, baseball,
On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 122 students were inducted into the Farmingdale High School chapter of the National Honor Society. Students entered carrying candles, representing the promise of their futures. The ceremony took place in the auditorium and included speeches from Superintendent Paul Defendini, Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson, and teacher Ilan Gornstein, who spoke about the significant character traits that encompass members of the National Honor Society. “This event showcases the
Farmingdale High School Principal Dr. Samuel Thompson announced yesterday that identical twin sisters are the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2020. Gianna Morales achieved the highest cumulative GPA out of 508 students, earning herself the top spot of valedictorian. Sister Rebecca Morales achieved the rank of salutatorian. “This is an outstanding accomplishment for these two students and puts us in awe of their commitment to learning,” said Dr. Thompson. “Congratulations to both Rebecca
