Farmingdale To Hold 3 Ceremonies Thanking 'Heroes' Following Bus Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — The Farmingdale School District has three ceremonies planned to honor everyone who helped the community in the wake of the September marching band bus crash tragedy.

"Our season of Thanksgiving is upon us," Farmingdale Superintendent Paul Defendini said in a letter to the community. "Over the course of the next two weeks, scores of thankful Dalers will be traveling far and wide to thank all of our heroes, those loving groups of courageous souls that served our Farmingdale Family in the wake of September’s tragic accident."

The Farmingdale community was rocked when a bus carrying part of the high school marching band crashed in Orange County on Sept. 21. The bus was headed for the school's annual band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, when it crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine.

The crash injured dozens of students and killed the school’s band director, Gina Pellettiere, 43, and retired teacher, Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale. Pellettiere, a Massapequa resident, was the single mother of a 2-year-old boy, Joseph.

The entire community mourned the losses of Pellettiere and Ferrari while supporting their families, as well as the students who suffered physical and emotional wounds in the crash.

Elementary-age students crafted hundreds boxes containing gifts.

"Yet again, our Farmingdale Family, this time represented by our elementary-age teachers and students, went above and beyond the call of duty," Defendini said. "It is in our soul and part of our very fabric to give graciously and selflessly during our season of Thanksgiving."

The district selected three days for recognition ceremonies: one local and two in upstate New York.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the district will celebrate all of its local heroes: first responders and emergency workers; school PTA and staff who will be represented by PTA and union leadership; chaperones who planned to serve Farmingdale students at band camp; local counseling centers who volunteered in the schools; and local businesses that donated food to the schools and counseling center. The event will take place in the Howitt Middle School Auditorium.

The event will be live-streamed and recorded. Those being honored, the students and families from buses 1 through 6, and those staff members who were most closely involved will have seats reserved in the auditorium. Additional seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Thursday, the district will honor the hospital workers from the upstate region.

"The noble doctors, nurses, and administrators who took care of our children and families when they needed it the most," Defendini said.

The district will travel to St. Luke Hospital and continue on to Garnet, Bon Secours, and Westchester hospitals after that.

The third slated date is Nov. 20. The district will be thanking its upstate first responders.

"Our upstate heroes that responded valiantly during a chaotic time in our history," Defendini said.

Defendini said the district has not forgotten "any of our heroes far and wide," as it has been taking several small road trips to thank other local businesses, schools, and universities, as well.

"I don’t know if it is just me, but things seem a bit different around town," Defendini said. "Our community is more connected, and the love we share for one another is more apparent than at any other time in recent history. I think I speak for the lot of us in saying that this has been a long time coming. It just feels good to be a Daler. Sending you all our love during this blessed time of year, and I hope to see you all during our Season of Thanksgiving."