The Farmingdale School District’s annual All-District Concert drew a full house to the Farmingdale High School Auditorium, where 371 student musicians in grades 5 through 12 took the stage. This year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, featuring students from all six schools, as part of the district’s tradition of rotating among Band, Strings, and Chorus each year. Families and community members gathered to celebrate the students’ musical growth from elementary through high school.

A Year of Preparation

“Our choral staff began preparing for this concert more than a year ago,” said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Greg Warnokowski. “I am deeply grateful for their dedication, the countless hours of preparation, and the unwavering commitment they showed to our students. Because of their hard work, our students were given a truly special musical experience they will carry with them for a lifetime.”

Performance Highlights

The evening featured a sequential showcase of talent:

• Elementary All-District Chorus, directed by Deanna Cupolo and Irene Smykowski
• Howitt Middle School Chorus, directed by Danielle Tucker and Eric Hulse
• Farmingdale High School Treble Chorus, directed by Joseph Franzino
• Farmingdale High School Mixed Chorus and Combined Chorus, directed by Jessica Mischke

For the Grand Finale, all 371 singers filled the stage. Conducted by Danielle Tucker, the combined group performed "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman.

A Message on the Power of Community

As the evening concluded with a powerful grand finale, Superintendent Paul Defendini left families with a heartfelt reminder of the program’s lasting value. “I encourage you to do everything you can to keep your child involved in our music program, because it’s so much more than a class — it’s a community. Through rehearsals, performances, and shared experiences, your children form meaningful connections that help guide them through middle school, high school, and beyond with confidence and a true sense of belonging.”

Looking Ahead

The All-District Concert is a cherished tradition that brings together the entire Farmingdale School District. While this year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, next year’s 2026–2027 All-District Concert will proudly feature the Strings ensemble.

Congratulations to our talented students and the following choral directors: Abigail Coacci, Deanna Cupolo, Emilie D’Andrilli, Joseph Franzino, Stephanie Haas, Eric Hulse, MiHee Hwang, Catherine McLoughlin, Jessica Mischke, Nicole Nappi, Irene Smykowski, and Danielle Tucker.

On January 29, 2026, Albany Avenue Elementary School held its third annual International Night. Organized by Emily DiSanto and the Shared Decision Making Team, this vibrant event invited students and their families to share and celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the school community.

Cultural Displays and Interactive Learning

The cafeteria was transformed into a global showcase. Families organized detailed displays featuring traditional clothing, historical information, and heritage artifacts. To encourage engagement, the event featured coloring pages representing each country, allowing students to learn about global symbols while exploring the room.

A Global Feast

The highlight of the event was the international food spread. Families prepared and shared traditional dishes, and the Shared Decision Making Team provided recipes next to each dish for families to take home. The evening was a significant success, fostering a sense of community as families learned about one another through food, art, and conversation.

A Very Dahl Parent University

Join the Farmingdale School District on March 10, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Weldon E. Howitt Middle School for an evening of learning and family connection.

Students are invited to wear their favorite pajamas and bring a towel or pillow to snuggle up for a special movie night. We will screen Wonka for students in grades K-3 and The BFG for students in grades 4-8. The movies start at 6:10 p.m. sharp. Attendees will enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn during the films.

While students enjoy their movies, parents will attend interactive workshops focused on supporting literacy at home. These sessions provide practical strategies and tools to help children grow as readers.

At the end of the night, every child will receive a book to take home. Students in grades K-3 will receive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and students in grades 4-8 will receive The BFG.

Event Details

Date: March 10, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Weldon E. Howitt Middle School

RSVP for the Parent University event by February 27, 2026.

Elementary Students Master Career Skills One Cup at a Time

Albany Avenue's hallways are full of energy as The Daler Perk coffee cart makes its bi-monthly rounds to provide staff with an afternoon pick-me-up. Started by teachers Gianna Ventiere and Olivia Lechner, this student-led business was designed to provide authentic, recurring opportunities for students to practice communication and career development in a real-world setting. Students take on the role of baristas, responsible for greeting customers, clarifying orders, and managing inventory. While the cart currently runs twice a month, the school hopes to offer it every Friday following the overwhelming positive response from staff.

Building Skills for School and Home

The Daler Perk helps students master life skills that carry over into the classroom and the home. Through handling money and organizing the cart’s supplies, students practice essential math and organizational habits in a fun, hands-on way. These daily interactions build social confidence and help students learn how to follow complex routines. We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations from the Arizona Beverage Company that have helped our students thrive in these new roles and feel like true professionals.

Farmingdale’s elementary schools have added a wonderful new tool to their courtyards to help every student feel included. Last year, specialized communication boards were donated and installed at each building. We are incredibly grateful to SEPTA for the initiative they took to have these boards donated, as their efforts are making a real difference by helping every student connect and play together. These boards allow students to express their thoughts and needs by pointing to symbols, ensuring that everyone has a voice during outdoor activities.

Learning How to Use the New Tools

To help everyone understand these boards, the district worked closely with Farmingdale Executive Director of Special Education Mr. Donald Cassidy and staff to create helpful videos at each school. These videos show how the boards work and explain why someone may need to use them to communicate with friends. We want to thank Mr. Cassidy, our administrators, and our students for their hard work in creating these presentations and showing us how to use the boards effectively.

Building a Stronger School Community

By using these communication boards, our schools are becoming more welcoming for all children. It is inspiring to see our students and staff working together to support different ways of communicating. We are proud of our school community for embracing these tools and making our playgrounds a place where every child can connect with their friends.

Albany Avenue Communication Board Video

Northside Communication Board Video

Saltzman East Memorial Communication Board Video

Woodward Parkway Communication Board Video