Hello to Our Farmingdale Family, This is Paul Defendini, Superintendent of Schools and today is Monday, March 17, 2025. Today's message includes a few short updates along with another short clip from The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse.
Updates to Google’s Workspace for Education—In line with New York State Education Department guidance and Education Law 2-D, school districts must adjust student access to Google services. As a result, some Google Services (e.g., YouTube, Translate, Earth, Photos, Maps) will be disabled for students. All of the foundational aspects of Google will continue to operate without interruption. Teachers have updated their materials to provide limited access. Videos will be embedded into digital tools for student viewing, and Google Core Services will be used to allow text translation. These measures ensure safe navigation of Google’s Additional Services for students.
Sportsmanship Video—Behavior at athletic events has declined in recent years, both locally and at the National level, with ejections reaching an all-time high. This has led to several issues, including a shortage of referees willing to take on these roles. Our student-athletes have expressed how this impacts their ability to stay focused while competing. To address this, our Varsity Leaders Club collaborated with the high school video production class under the direction of Ms. Jensly Cella, to create a video that is both funny and serious, aimed at improving behavior and reversing the current trend. The video, attached to this message, serves as a reminder that we all have some responsibility on game day.
HMS Sportsmanship Video
FHS Sportsmanship Video
Upcoming Budget Cycle—It’s hard to believe the budget vote and election cycle are already here. We’ve been working hard since the start of the year to prepare next year’s budget, which is designed to align with the expectations of our parents and students while being mindful of the tax obligation in Farmingdale. Our in-person presentations will begin this week and continue through the month of May. In addition to these presentations, we’re taking a more active role on social media. You may have noticed our new handle on key Facebook pages. We’re also offering opportunities to ask questions or fact-check any information you’ve received through our "Daler Double Check." Our goal is to help the community cast an informed vote, and we recognize the importance of social media in ensuring an informed electorate. Keep an eye out for our posts on Facebook in the coming weeks.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse—This year’s theme is inspired by the book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, a beautiful tribute to humanity. I’ve attached a video for your enjoyment. This short clip serves as a powerful reminder that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. In the video, the Mole, despite great adversity and the risk of his life, stays true to his ideals and does the hard thing—a great role model for us all. Enjoy the video, and stay well, Farmingdale.
The Mole Does the Right Thing Video