The Farmingdale School District community received some very sad news late last month when they learned that longtime Farmingdale resident Dr. Dolores Saxton passed away on May 25. She was 71. FULL STORY

At a regular board of education meeting held last Wednesday, the Farmingdale Board of Education reviewed the New York State report cards for the 2001-2002 school year (the state issues results one year after the tests are taken). Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Robert Schultz gave a special presentation at the meeting, making clear that high achievement on state assessments is just one incidental benefit of effective instruction, while the primary benefits are continuous student growth and learning. FULL STORY

The Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge #2143 softball committee announced that Golden Lions will return to Cantiague Park, in Hicksville, on June 21 to defend their championship title at the Sixth Annual Arthritis Foundation Softball Challenge. Teams interested in participating may contact special events coordinator Julie Viniotis at (631) 427-8272 for more information. FULL STORY

Farmingdale's fourth grade PAL girls' lacrosse team swept two games over the weekend to improve their record to 7-0. On Sunday they beat North Shore 12-6 with a relentless attack and stingy defense. Katie Brosnan, Kayla Ernst, Katie Gallagher, Jamie Leone, Jennifer Martin, Kelly McPartland and Maegan Meritz each scored one goal each. As usual, the scorers had help from numerous teammates hustling for loose balls and making accurate passes, including Lindsay Hund, Kristin Jadervero, Martina Khalek, Julia Rachiele, Kelly Sutherland and Michelle Tiernan. Goalies Meritz and Kyra Ochwat each made impressive saves. On Saturday, the girls played a wonderful game in brutal weather. With steady rain falling throughout the entire contest, the fourth graders beat an aggressive Wantagh team 13-9 on the road. Once again it was a team effort, but in this game, the team played with only one substitute. Kelly McPartland, Jamie Leone, Kyra Ochwat, and Maegan Meritz scored goals. Ochwat and Kayla Ernst handled the goal-keeping with help from defenders Danielle DeRiso, Michelle Jacobsohn and Megan Norman. Coach John Ochwat has been impressed with the play of his team all season, but he was especially proud of the effort produced by the girls on Saturday in the rain against a tough team. Coach Ochwat and all his girls extend their best wishes Krislyn Engelke and Kati Mazza who continue to recover from injuries. FULL STORY