All concerts this holiday season will take place in person, with no need for tickets to attend. Additionally, all concerts will be recorded. Links to the recordings will be accessible on the district's website a few days following the performance.

December 3, 2024 HMS 7,8 Gr Chorus

December 4, 2024 HMS 6,7,8 Gr Chamber Orchestra

December 9, 2024 AA Winter Concert

December 10, 2024 NS Winter Concert

December 12, 2024 HMS 6 Gr Band A, Symphonic Band

December 12, 2024 HMS 6 Gr Band B, Wind Ensemble

December 16, 2024 SEM Winter Concert

December 16, 2024 WP Winter Concert

December 17, 2024 FHS Symphonic Band, and Orchestra

December 18, 2024 HMS 6 Gr Chorus

December 19, 2024 FHS Treble Chorus, Mixed Chorus, and Wind Ensemble

Howitt Middle School's National Junior Honor Society Welcomes New Members. On November 25, 2024, Howitt Middle School's chapter of the National Junior Honor Society proudly welcomed 145 exceptional new members, each exemplifying the values of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character. These students are not only engaged in challenging coursework but also actively participate in a variety of clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities.

Howitt Middle School Principal Mike Gavalas spoke passionately about the dedication and hard work that these young individuals have shown, emphasizing how they embody the spirit and values that the school strives to cultivate. "Each of these students has demonstrated remarkable commitment and perseverance," Principal Gavalas remarked. "They are leaders in their own right, continuously inspiring their peers and contributing positively to our school community."

The ceremony was a memorable event for both students and their families, filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment, marking the beginning of many more achievements to come for these bright young minds. Congratulations, Dalers, on this outstanding achievement!

Students from Ms. Ginexi’s 8th Grade Studio Art class made a strong showing at this year’s Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County’s Art competition. The competition was juried over the summer by professional artists, who chose the winning submissions based on the quality of craftsmanship, design, authenticity, imagination, and overall appeal.

Studio Art in 8th grade is an accelerated course that carries high school accreditation and is offered at the middle school level. The students, now in 9th grade, were recently celebrated at an exhibit and reception showcasing their artwork, which has been featured in Cornell University's 2024-25 Gardening Calendar and Guide.

Earning Gold Awards were Madison McKenna (artwork featured for the month of August), Emma Kropp (artwork featured for the month of April), Liam Danisi (artwork featured for the month of October), and Mya Parker (artwork featured for the month of November).

Silver Awards were presented to Jillian Ganci, Eleanor Gusz, Abigail Montalbano, and Kennedy Thompson, as their artwork is prominently displayed on the back collage page of the calendar.

Bronze Awards winners have their artwork highlighted as inserts throughout the pages of their calendar.

Presented with Bronze Awards were Kyla Byrne (August insert), Luke Hantzschel (May insert & August insert), Yaxeni Morales Ruiz (March insert), Ashley Stroud (April insert & September insert), and Shannon Tower (July insert).

Ms. Ginexi expressed her admiration for her students, stating, “I am always impressed by the immense talent of my students, but I am never surprised! They are clearly talented, but it’s their winning combination of dedication, perseverance, and not being afraid to fail that are visible in the products they are able to put forward. To have so many Farmingdale students selected is a testament to the commitment of the students, as well as the passion of the Art Department! We are lucky to find ourselves in a district that understands the importance of a quality Art Education.”

Howitt Middle School's PTA hosted a free family fun night on Thursday, November 21st. This event marked the third round of the Staff vs. Students challenge, featuring an engaging trivia competition organized by Party Train and Game Night.

Participants delighted in games like Jeopardy, America Says, and Family Feud. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and cheers as families united to cheer on students and staff in this friendly rivalry.

Once again, the Howitt Middle School staff claimed victory, preserving their undefeated title! As the evening concluded, many attendees shared their excitement for the next event, already strategizing and refining their trivia skills for upcoming challenges.

The night's success can be attributed to the hard work and commitment of the PTA members, who ensured every detail was perfectly executed. Howitt joined to compete, connect, celebrate, and forge lasting memories. Here's to many more evenings filled with fun, laughter, and friendly competition

Daler and beekeeper Mr. Jason Golden joined the Howitt Middle School Garden Club for a sweet adventure! Mr. Golden demonstrated his enchanting honey-harvesting skills and even introduced live bees to captivate the audience! The children had the opportunity to step into the beekeeper's shoes, donning his gear and experiencing a newfound respect for these minute pollinators and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem. To top off an already fantastic day, Mr. Golden presented everyone with a taste of the "Golden" honey, straight from his family's hives! Now, that's a recipe for a truly unforgettable day!