Street To Be Renamed For Farmingdale Educators Killed In Bus Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — A street will be renamed in October in memory of Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, the two Farmingdale educators killed in the high school marching band bus crash in Orange County on Sept. 21, 2023.

Woodward Parkway at 11th Avenue will be named in honor of Ferrari, while 10th Avenue at Woodward Parkway will bear Pellettiere's name, according to an announcement from the school district. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8 on the turf field at Farmingdale High School.

A charter bus carrying 40 members of the Farmingdale High School marching band overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County on the way to band camp in Pennsylvania, killing Pellettiere and Ferrari.

“The Farmingdale School District is pleased to share the news of the upcoming Street Dedication Ceremony celebrating Bea and Gina," Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini said in a news release. "As the district and the Town of Oyster Bay come together to unveil the new street signs, it will serve as a symbolic gesture of the everlasting impact that educators can have. These signs will stand as beacons of hope and inspiration and will forever honor the extraordinary lives of Bea Ferrari and Gina Pellettiere."

Defendini will lead the ceremony, which will showcase the Farmingdale High School Marching Band, Dalerettes, and Daler Guard, along with district officials, the board of education, family members, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, along with members of the Oyster Bay Town Board.

During the ceremony, there will be speeches celebrating the contributions of "Ms. P" and "Mrs. Ferrari," anecdotes from those who knew them well, and an exceptional musical performance by the Farmingdale High School Marching Band.

Attendees were encouraged by the district to wear Daler gear and come together as a community to pay tribute to these "exceptional educators, whose influence will continue to inspire future generations."

"We are proud to honor the life and public service of beloved educators, Gina Pellettiere and Beatrice Ferrari," Saladino said. "While these amazing women left us too soon, we will forever remember them as caring, compassionate, joyful, and selfless professionals that inspired students to reach their full potential. Their legacy will forever live on in our hearts, as well as at this special
place in the Farmingdale community."

Ferrari was a dedicated global studies teacher for 36 years — 32 of them in the Farmingdale School District. Despite retirement, she remained involved, joining the high school marching band every year at band camp to chaperone.

Woodward Parkway at 11th Avenue in Farmingdale will be renamed "Beatrice Ferrari Way" in her honor.

Pellettiere, known as "Ms. P" to her students, was the longtime band program director at Farmingdale High School.

"Her profound impact on students through her passion for music and teaching is immeasurable," the district wrote.

Tenth Avenue at Woodward Parkway in Farmingdale will be renamed "Gina Pellettiere Way" as a lasting tribute to her legacy.

In the event of inclement weather, a rain date of Oct. 16 has been scheduled.

Related:

• Thank You, 'Ms. P': Honoring The Music Teacher And Her Impact On Us
• Gina Pellettiere's Rise To Farmingdale Band Director
• 'Remarkable': Farmingdale HS Marching Band Performs 2 Weeks After Tragic Bus Crash
• Remembering Gina Pellettiere: Farmingdale Band Students Share Memories
• Farmingdale HS Marching Band Performs 2 Weeks After Tragic Bus Crash
• 'Life Of The Party': Beloved Farmingdale Music Teacher Laid To Rest
• 'The Most Beautiful Soul': Farmingdale's Bea Ferrari Mourned
• Eat Pizza, Help Farmingdale Marching Band: 100 LI Pizzerias Join Cause
• McDonald's To Donate To Farmingdale HS Marching Band
• Nearly $3K More Raised For 'Ms. P's' Son At 2nd Farmingdale Fundraiser
• Fundraisers For 'Ms. P's' Son, Farmingdale Students Hurt In Bus Crash
• Adventureland To Host Farmingdale Marching Band At Park For Free
• Step By Step Dance Studio Of Farmingdale Raises $2,450 For 2 Causes
• LI Students Critically Injured In Bus Crash In 'Less Critical Care'