How a dash of Wonka, a giant’s dream, and a pajama-clad middle school transformed a Tuesday night into a masterclass for Farmingdale families.

For the second year in a row, the Farmingdale School District hosted a successful Parent University on March 10, 2026. The district transformed Weldon E. Howitt Middle School into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl, creating an evening of family connection and learning.

Interactive Workshops for Parents

While students enjoyed movie screenings, parents attended interactive workshops led by district educators. These sessions provided parents with practical strategies and tools to help foster reading growth and support literacy at home.

A "Pajama Party" for Students

Students in grades K-8 participated in a movie night featuring Wonka and The BFG. Attendees wore pajamas and enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn. The event was designed to make literacy feel accessible and fun for all ages.

Connecting the Screen to the Page

The evening bridged the gap between film and reading. Before leaving, every student received a copy of either Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or The BFG. This allowed families to take the magic of the movies home and continue building reading skills together.

A Community Effort

The event’s success relied on the dedicated work of staff and volunteers. Event organizer and Instructional Coach Meghan Sepe-Hickey shared her appreciation for the team effort following the event.

"The success is a reflection of the teamwork and care each of you brought. Your efforts created a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our district community."

As this year's event concludes, the Farmingdale community looks forward to seeing what educational adventures next year will bring.

Farmingdale Students Perform at 21st Annual Day of Horn

On February 27, 2026, eight talented Farmingdale horn players participated in the 21st annual Day of Horn. Music teachers Erica Hartmann and Dr. Katie Duke accompanied the group to Longwood High School for the day-long event, which brought together approximately 100 student and professional musicians from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Mentorship and Performance

The highlight of the 2025-2026 school year event was a masterclass and performance by guest artist Kevin Newton. A member of the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds, Kevin Newton is a professional hornist known for his work with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Under his guidance, Farmingdale students gained technical insights and inspiration to help them refine their craft.

Farmingdale Participants

The following students represented the district at this year’s gathering:

• James Shapiro, Albany Avenue Elementary School
• 6th graders Cameron Chiu and McKayla Uzenski
• 7th graders Michael Borowski, Lucy Cutter, and Jared Martinez
• 8th graders George Guadagnino and Dominic Rolon Fischer

About the Event

Founded and organized by Alan Orloff, the Day of Horn provides a unique platform for local brass players to collaborate and perform. Our students had the opportunity to play alongside their peers and learn from industry professionals in a high-energy, educational environment.

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!

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 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.