Writing a story can be a big challenge for young learners. The first graders at Albany Avenue recently tackled this important skill by using their snow day excitement as inspiration. The lesson focused specifically on the difficult task of taking an idea from the mind and putting it down on paper.

These students proved that a day away from school can still spark wonderful learning moments in the classroom.

Eight students, now in the 9th grade, were part of the accelerated, high school-accredited 8th-grade Studio Art course taught by Ms. Barbara Ginexi. Their hard work and creativity were showcased at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County’s Art competition.

This juried competition, evaluated by professional artists on criteria including craftsmanship, design, and imagination, saw a remarkably strong showing from our students, resulting in one Gold Winner, two Silver Winners, and five Bronze Winners. This collective success means that the work of all eight students is featured in the prestigious 2025-26 Cornell University Gardening Calendar and Guide, with the Gold-winning piece prominently featured for the month of September.

This recognition not only highlights the students' exceptional talent but also the dedication of our art educators and the rigor of the district's program. Please join us in congratulating these exemplary artists!

• Sabrina Badalamenti
• Emma Eng
• Chiara Elise Langkay
• Gabriella Agrillo
• Bridget Daniels
• Alexander Kost
• Yaison Maldonado
• Samantha White

Parents and guardians in the Farmingdale School District will soon have a new tool to make morning and afternoon routines easier. The district is thrilled to announce a partnership with BusRight to bring real-time bus tracking technology directly to our families. This initiative represents a significant step forward in modernizing our transportation communications.

For specific details regarding the rollout schedule and setup instructions, please review the official communication from the transportation department.

Education comes alive when students can touch and build what they are learning. This week at Albany Avenue, the curriculum moved off the page and into the hands of eager students. Kindergarten Teachers Ms. Buckley and Ms. Mastropasqua introduced a dynamic lesson focused on geometry, specifically the concepts of composing and decomposing shapes.

A Foundation for Learning

The lesson resulted in a classroom filled with unique designs. Students proudly displayed their 3D masterpieces, trains, towers, castles, and more. This interactive approach helps students visualize mathematics in the real world, laying a strong foundation for their future education in the district.

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.