Brooklyn Rysanek, a fourth-grade student at Woodward Parkway Elementary School, pulled up a chair to the main desk to review the morning agenda. After winning the prestigious "Superintendent-for-a-Day" raffle during the Dalers Deck the Halls breakfast in December, her highly anticipated day at the helm arrived on June 2, 2026. Shadowing Superintendent Paul Defendini, Brooklyn spent her hours fully immersed in the wide-ranging, vital operations that keep the district running smoothly.

The day began with official district business, where Brooklyn signed important administrative documents alongside Superintendent Defendini. Her itinerary then brought her back to her home school, Woodward Parkway Elementary School, for a series of special leadership tasks. She joined Dr. Klocek to read Pete the Cat to eager kindergarten students, delivered an official address to the entire building over the public address system, and even ventured up to the roof to inspect the school's solar panels. Before concluding her elementary school visit, she popped into her own fourth-grade classroom to surprise her peers with a completely homework-free week.

The afternoon shifted to Farmingdale High School, highlighting the interconnectedness of the school community. Brooklyn enjoyed a special lunch with her great-aunt Rose in the cafeteria before heading to the lecture hall to watch a dress rehearsal of Friday's Beckie's performance by the theater class. Her musical talents were put to use when she was invited to conduct the high school Band. Her final stop brought her to the Cosmetology Suite for a professional salon experience where high school students styled her hair and nails.

By stepping into the role of a district leader, Brooklyn gained an authentic understanding of the dedication required to support a thriving school ecosystem. The district looks forward to continuing this wonderful tradition, inspiring future generations of young scholars to explore leadership roles and active community citizenship.

Hear ALL About Brooklyn's Groovy Day

In your Daler Digest, you’ll find the latest news, special moments, and stories that highlight the energy, talent, and spirit of our schools. With six buildings and countless activities happening every day, this publication captures only a snapshot of the great work underway throughout the district.

Read May's Issue Now

What a fantastic district-wide 5th-Grade Field Day at Weldon E. Howitt Middle School on May 28, 2026! Our students from all four elementary schools joined forces for an unforgettable day of events. The excitement reached its peak during the final event of the day, the tug-of-war! We are so proud of the spirit our future middle schoolers displayed. Thank you to the Farmingdale physical education department, the volunteers, and the Howitt Fun Bunch for making this such a success!

All of our spring concerts will be held in person this year! No tickets are required to attend. Performances will be recorded, and links will be posted on the district website a few days after each show.

March 27, 2026 FHS POPS Concert

April 21, 2026 Jazz Showcase

April 30, 2026 NS Show Choir

May 13, 2026 FHS Chorus Spring Concert

May 14, 2026 FHS Bands & Wind Ensemble Concert

May 18, 2026 AA Junior Spring Concert

May 18, 2026 AA Senior Spring Concert

May 20, 2026 FHS Orchestra Spring Concert

May 28, 2026 WP Jr. Spring Concert

May 28, 2026 WP Sr. Spring Concert

The gentle click of a tape measure locking into place signaled a new discovery for our second graders. Moving beyond the classroom, students at Woodward Parkway Elementary School explored the school grounds to apply their math skills to the real world.

Partners worked together to estimate and then measure the lengths of benches, planters, and pathways. This hands-on challenge transformed abstract numbers into tangible distances, fostering teamwork and precise communication. By seeing how math exists in their daily environment, students are building a foundation for the more complex geometric concepts they will tackle later in the 2025-2026 school year.