For the past ten years, Howitt Middle School's 6th-grade health teacher, Mrs. Pietronigro, has proudly hosted the annual Anti-Tobacco Advertising Contest. This meaningful project gives our students the opportunity to bring the truth about tobacco to life by creating powerful, eye-opening advertisements to share with their peers. Truth ads play an important role in raising awareness of the harmful effects of all tobacco products and reinforcing the importance of protecting our health. The smart decisions our students make today can have a lasting impact on their future well-being.

This year, every 6th grader created an outstanding advertisement, and Mrs. Pietronigro is incredibly proud of the hard work, creativity, and effort shown by all. A special congratulations to this year’s contest winners, Gavin Arenella and Conor McDougall!

The 100th day of school is a major milestone, marking the halfway point of an incredible year of learning and growth. It’s a special opportunity to celebrate just how much our students have accomplished since September. Across the district’s elementary schools, classrooms were filled with excitement as students created lists of 100 favorite things, counted and strung 100 beads, designed festive “100 Days” headbands, and took part in hands-on activities centered around the number 100. The biggest highlight? Students dressed up as 100-year-olds, imagining their future selves with plenty of creativity and laughs along the way.

Dalers of all ages throughout the district donned purple on Friday, February 13, 2026, to show their support for P.S. I Love You Day. This day shines a light on mental health and combating bullying. By introducing mental health education to students at an early age, discussions will become more open, enabling students to identify when they or others require assistance. Every second Friday of February, communities wear purple to promote kindness, create a welcoming atmosphere, and emphasize that mental health is as crucial as physical health.

The Farmingdale High School Varsity Cheer team recently celebrated a series of historic achievements, culminating in a dominant performance at the Nassau County championship.

National Success in Orlando

The team traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC). Competing in the DI Small division—the largest and highest-scoring division in the competition—the Dalers placed 19th out of 115 teams from across the nation. This milestone marks the first time in school history that the program has advanced to the final round of the national competition.

Nassau County Championship Victory

On February 14th, the Dalers continued their winning streak closer to home. The team secured the Nassau County championship title for the fourth consecutive year. They achieved the highest score in the entire county, finishing with an impressive 94.9.

Looking Ahead to States

Following their county victory, the team will travel to Binghamton, New York, on March 7th. They are set to compete in the New York State championship, representing Farmingdale High School against the state's top teams.

The REAL Harmony Club honored 100 years of Black history with a powerful performance on Feb. 11, 2026. The event featured a fashion show, dancing, music, poetry, and the Steppin’ Dalers. Through their voices, vision, and leadership, students transformed the stage into a living tribute to the past and a bold promise for the future.