Farmingdale Solar Eclipse: Schools Announce Early Dismissal

FARMINGDALE, NY — All Farmingdale School District buildings will be dismissed one hour earlier than normal on Monday because of the solar eclipse, Superintendent Paul Defendini announced in a letter to the community obtained by Patch.

The 89.2% partial solar eclipse is slated to begin at 2:11 p.m. Monday, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code.

The eclipse will last 2 hours and 25 minutes from beginning to end in Farmingdale.

Farmingdale's aftercare program will run under its normal schedule, according to the district. Accommodations will be made to pick students up at their respective elementary school based on the early dismissal window. Pickup will still occur at 6 p.m., Defendini said.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten will also maintain its normal operating schedule.

"We kindly request your patience during the afternoon dismissal, as it may overlap with the elementary student's departure from the building," Defendini wrote.

The district is canceling all after-school programs and clubs at its elementary and middle schools. It is also canceling interscholastic athletic practices at Howitt Middle School.

Interscholastic athletic practice schedules for Farmingdale High School Sports and high school after-school clubs will be shared with parents by their child's respective coach or advisor. Late buses for high school athletic practices will be provided at 3 p.m. All high school athletic games will be played at times that were originally established on the district's website, Defendini said.

The District Wellness Fair at Farmingdale High School is still on and scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No changes are being made to the event, according to the superintendent.

All outside organization events will remain unchanged, he added.

Continuing Community Education was already canceled because of the Wellness Fair, Defendini said.