Dear Harborfields Families and Community Members,

March at Harborfields High School is a month of momentum and meaningful transition. With spring on the horizon, students are diving deeper into their coursework, finalizing academic goals, and beginning to see the year’s end come into view. Each grade level is focused on finishing strong:

Parents can support their children during this time by encouraging consistent routines, checking in on academic progress, and discussing short- and long-term goals. March is also a great time to begin conversations about summer opportunities—whether it's employment, volunteer work, enrichment programs, or college visits—that align with your child’s interests and future plans.

With spring sports, musical performances, and club activities in full swing, there’s a renewed energy on campus. As students continue building positive habits and contributing to our vibrant school community, we encourage families to stay connected and involved. Together, we can help every student finish the year with confidence, purpose, and pride.

Warm regards,

Dr. Philip D. Farrelly

Principal, Harborfields High School

The HHS Scrubs Club organized a Wellness Fair for third graders at TJL! The Scrubs Club is composed of high school students interested in pursuing careers in various healthcare fields.

Over two days, club members visited TJL, where they worked with small groups of students to teach about stress management, hygiene, nutrition, allergies, sleep, and exercise. The TJL students were enthusiastic participants and left with valuable knowledge and healthy habits to incorporate into their daily lives.

Our transition students begin by applying for jobs, practicing the process of filling out job applications. In the week leading up to the event, they rehearse the roles they have been hired for and undergo training in the class. Recipes are tested and cooked a couple of weeks in advance to work out any issues. Each student is assigned specific recipe and restaurant prep tasks. The roles include hostess, cashier, cook, dishwasher, busser, and server.

This experience gives students a firsthand look at what it’s like to work in a restaurant, while also teaching them valuable, real-world skills they can carry with them.

Skills focused on during this process include job application completion, interview skills, social skills, speech and language, cooking, money handling, and specific job skills related to restaurant work.

Our World Language Week celebrations reflected the rich diversity of cultures and languages, featuring the induction of students into La Società Onoraria Italica and La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, marking a significant achievement in their language journeys.

Throughout the week, the honor societies engaged students with daily language-themed activities, culminating in the World Language celebration. At the event, students presented projects, participated in interactive games, and enjoyed traditional foods from various cultures.

ENL Student Recognition and Family Celebration Night was vibrant and mirrored the theme of “Enjoying the Journey,” with an evening filled with reflection, inspiration, and pride. Families, students, and staff came together to celebrate achievements and share stories, reminding us all of the incredible paths our students are forging.

The Butterfly Project originated to honor the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust. Students from English 10 as well as Intro and Advanced Sculpture classes came together to gain new knowledge and perspective on this historical event.

Students examined their own identity and shared what was important to them. They were introduced to new literature, pieces from the United States Holocaust Museum. As part of their learning, they researched children of the Holocaust to honor the lives lost. They sculpted and painted butterflies, which will be exhibited on a new school mural that conveys the enduring message of remembrance and unity.

Our 10th grade AP World History classes had the opportunity to hear the stories of Holocaust survivors from their 3rd Generation family members. Thank you to Dr. Eve Meltzer-Krief and Ms. Jane Pashman for sharing your family's important stories. Dr. Meltzer-Krief stated, "Sharing this story is a tribute to my mother." Students had the opportunity to see family and historical pictures, ask questions and gain a personal understanding of this time in history.

March is Music in Our Schools Month, and what better way to celebrate than by bringing together band students from OMS and HHS!

OMS band students got a sneak peek into their musical future with a special visit to the high school. They joined HHS juniors and seniors to play music, learn about the high school band experience, and ask questions about performances, competitions, and traditions.

A big thank you to our high school band students and music teachers for always inspiring the next generation of musicians!

For the fourth consecutive year, the Harborfields High School Jazz Band was chosen to perform at the MADD Battle of the High School Big Bands Night!

Jazz bands from all over Long Island auditioned, but only five were selected. Harborfields is the only school from Suffolk County to be a finalist every year the event has been held!

The Jazz Band performed two songs, Rent Party Blues and Hallelujah, I Love [Him] So, which you can listen to in this clip. The band earned the Best Trombone Section award, and Ainsley Batsford received an Outstanding Vocalist award! Although the event isn't a formal competition, the band's participation plays a crucial role in raising awareness and funds to support MADD's mission to end drugged and drunk driving. It was an evening filled with fantastic music for an even greater cause!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Mean Girls on an amazing performance over the course of 4 days. We know the countless hours it took to prepare with hard work and talent that was clearly on display every night by the performers, technical crews and the pit band. Thank you all for your dedication and devolution to your craft for all audience members to appreciate. 

The Harborfields High School Guidance Department hosted our Spring Mini College Fair during the school day, featuring over 50 colleges and universities. A few days later, we held an exceptional College Fair Night, with more than 75 colleges and universities in attendance.

Students and parents had the chance to explore a variety of options for their future. It was inspiring to see students from all grade levels engaging with admissions representatives, asking insightful questions, and preparing for the journey ahead.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. Special shout to our PTA for supporting our college reps with an amazing dinner.

As winter sports wrapped up and before the start of the spring season, we paused for Winter Sports Recognition Night. We honored our outstanding student-athletes and their coaches who have invested immense time and effort into their sports, and their dedication is evident. We are incredibly proud of their athletic achievements throughout the winter season.

This includes all teams achieving NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete status by each team earning 90 or higher overall average, demonstrating their success both on the field and in the classroom. 

Congratulations to the 17 senior athletes who have committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level! These students were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and exceptional achievements, surrounded by their proud family members, coaches, and school and district administrators.

The evening included a special guest speaker, Chris Amoruso '16, a Harborfields alumni and former goalkeeper for Franklin & Marshall College Men's Soccer. Chris shared his experiences competing at the collegiate level, offering valuable advice on balancing academics and athletics. He encouraged the athletes to embrace their journey, find joy in their sport, and make the most of this exciting new chapter!

Congratulations to all our athletes—we know you will continue to make us proud as you embark on this next chapter!

With so much already accomplished, we can’t wait to see what the coming months have in store. As we continue to celebrate our students’ achievements and foster a positive, inclusive school culture, we look forward to even more exciting events and opportunities on the horizon.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being a part of our vibrant school community. Together, we are truly #OneHarborfieldsFamily.