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Harborfields High School

Each Child. Each Day. One Harborfields Family.

Dr. Manning's 5-Minute Weekly Update

Posted Date: 04/26/26 (10:00 AM)



Dr. Manning's 5-Minute Weekly Newsletter - April 26, 2026

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Superintendent's Message 

I had the honor of visiting with students in our Child Development and Education program to hear their analysis and feedback on the district's Strategic Plan.  These students are completing the pathway to achieve their NYS CTE Endorsement and are hoping to pursue a career in education.  After hearing them speak, I certainly think they have chosen the correct career path and would love to have them come work with us one day! Thank you to their teacher and business department coordinator, Dr. Alison Matthews, for inviting me in to hear from her students.  

Click on any of the pictures in this update for additional information. 
 

Spring Momentum Builds

I can’t believe we are already in the last week of April. Once we turn the calendar to May, it is truly full steam ahead until the end of the school year. This marks an exciting time for all of our students and families. 



HF in the Special Olympics - Next Saturday! 

Did you know that the Harborfields Track and Field Team will compete in the Special Olympics for the first time this year?  Please bring the entire family in your best HF Spirit Wear to come out in support of our athletes on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Berner Middle School, located at 50 Carman Mill Road, Massapequa.  The opening ceremony will start at 9:30 am. We hope to see you there! Go Tornadoes! 




Student Delegates in Albany 

Throughout the year, you may have read in my updates or seen on social media that two Harborfields High School students, Yoselin Benitez Almendares and Vincenza Czekaj, have been participating in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute sessions. In a recent update, I shared that both students were selected to represent Long Island at the 36th Annual Institute in Albany - an especially rare honor for two students from the same district. 


At the statewide conference, students explored the theme “AI in the Age of Democracy,” participated in a mock legislative session at the New York State Capitol, and engaged in the full legislative process by presenting, debating, and voting on four bills in both English and Spanish. 

Yoselin was chosen as a moderator, a distinction awarded to standout participants, while Vincenza was named an “Outstanding Student Delegate,” placing her among just seven students statewide to receive the honor. She will travel to Puerto Rico this fall as part of her recognition. Congratulations to these exceptional students and to their teacher, Mrs. Cervini, for her guidance and support. 


Art & Writing Contest Celebrating 250 Years of Independence
What does the 250th anniversary of our independence mean to you? Participate by submitting an original written entry of 200 words or less, or create an original drawing or painting. All students are eligible to participate! Submissions are due by May 22, 2026. Click the flyer below for more information! 




250th Anniversary Student Videos, courtesy of the Tornado News Team

Speaking of the 250th Anniversary, Mr. Ambrosio and the Tornado News Team created informative videos that are being shared in each building about the 15 historical sites in the Town of Huntington. Check out this week’s videos below: 

4/20 - Whaling Museum & Education Center

4/21 - Heckscher Museum of Art

4/22 - Conklin Farmhouse

4/23 - Ketewamoke Chapter House

4/24 - Jo-Ann Raia Archives


Harborfields is one of the Best Communities for Music Education 

For the seventh consecutive year and tenth time overall, the Harborfields Central School District was honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation. Now in its 27th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. 



HF Stronger Together Night 

Our first-ever HF Stronger Together Night was a huge success! Thank you to our PTA Health and Wellness committee for the months of planning and setting up such a special event for our students and community. The athletic teams, coaches, advisors, and student clubs who helped prepare, run clinics, and volunteer at the tables and concession stand, we appreciate you! This event would not have been possible without the tireless work of our PTA volunteers and the support of Mr. Franco and the Booster Club. The weather was perfect, the energy levels were off the charts, and the girls lacrosse win topped it all off! 


Superintendent’s Spotlight - Engineering at Harborfields High School

A new course at Harborfields High School, Introduction to Engineering Design, has been a hit with our students.  To showcase the course, Dr. Farrelly and Mr. Smith shared a presentation during the April 15th Board of Education meeting, which highlighted the impressive work of Mr. Smith's students.  Click the video below to learn more about this amazing program. 


Budget Vote & Board Election Reminder 
The Budget Vote and Board Election is less than a month away. The district’s 
Budget Newsletter has been posted to our website and should be arriving at homes in the next week. Our website also includes the 26-27 School Budget Tax Calculator and all previous budget presentations. Additional budget and voter information can be found on the district website, https://www.harborfieldscsd.net/budget  


I encourage all residents to participate in the upcoming budget and board election events, including: 

  • May 12 - BOE Regular Meeting and Budget Hearing @ OMS, 7:45 PM 

  • May 19 - Annual District School Budget Vote and Board Election @ OMS, 2 - 9 PM 

 
Here are some of my favorite moments from this past week:

Harborfields High School 

The Tri-M Music Honor Society musicians continue to raise the bar by sharing their passion, discipline, and artistry in every performance, most recently at their Recital. Click the image below and prepare to be amazed by their talents! 

 

Oldfield Middle School

OMS Earth Science teacher, Mrs. Rae, facilitated an exceptional learning experience for her students by hosting a live virtual session with two NASA interns from the Kennedy Space Center, one of whom was a graduate of Harborfield! She shared that her passion for space began in Ms. Rae’s classroom! The students not only demonstrated strong content knowledge through their responses but also asked thoughtful, high-level questions that reflected genuine curiosity and deep understanding.

 

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Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School

On Earth Day, Mrs. Thompson’s class read Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre. Afterwards, the children wrote acrostic poems using vivid language to highlight the importance of caring for our world. Each child proudly shared their poem with classmates and created a special Earth character

 

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Washington Drive Primary School

Students participated in the Innovation Hour challenge - one hour, different missions, and a whole lot of imagination! Every grade level was given a unique task, and every team used recycled materials to bring their ideas to life. 

 

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Announcements & Shoutouts

The Harborfields Music Program Does It Again!  

Nearly 1,000 students from Elwood, Northport, Huntington, South Huntington, and Harborfields walked through the doors of Oldfield Middle School to participate in a New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) festival. Our incredible music department led the festival with the support from Tri-M music honor society students. Harborfields had the largest showing, with 300 student participants, more than any other district. 

We are so proud of all our student musicians and the dedicated music staff who made this experience possible!




Long Island's Best! 
Congratulations to HHS senior, Julian Tchinnis, for making it into the Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum exhibit and for making it on the Long-Islander News’ cover regarding the exhibition! You can view his artwork and many others starting May 3rd. 


Each Child. Each Day. One Harborfields Family.