Carmel Central School District

Cultivating Opportunities for All

• Bringing the Middle Ages to Life

  Learning about the Middle Ages is part of the fourth-grade curriculum. To bring the curriculum to life, the fourth graders at Matthew Paterson Elementary School showed one another what they learned about the Medieval Period.  

  The students had to pick a topic – Castles and Knights, Lord of the Manor or Serf, Medieval Village – and then decide how to present it to the class. They could make a diorama, a poster or a Power Point presentation. Then each of the fourth-grade classes took turns visiting each other's classrooms and seeing what their schoolmates created.   

  Johniel’s diorama showed what life was like during the Plague. 

  “I learned that hundreds of people died because doctors then didn’t have the tools they do now,” he said. “Their streets were really dirty. There was sewage everywhere. They used to hold flowers in their mouths to keep from smelling the bad smell.” 

  Daniel, 9, said it took him half the weekend to make his diorama.  

  “I had help,” he said. “My mom made the moat. My uncle showed me how to use the 3D printer to make the castle.”  

  Emily thought it would be fun to live in a big castle.  

  “I think I would have liked to live in the Middle Ages,” she said. “They didn’t have to go to school.”   

  Still, in some ways not much has changed since the Middle Ages. Then, as now, several students agreed that it would have been better to be the Lord of the Manor than a serf. 

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• See the KES 2025 Staff Holiday Video

  Every year, the music teacher Ms. Madison makes a holiday video featuring Kent Elementary School Staff to show the students at the annual sing-along. 

  See the 2025 KES Holiday Video here. 

  See the playlist to all past years' videos here. 

   

   

  Kent Elementary School News

• Carmel's Rich Revolutionary History

  Seventh-grade students recently had the exciting opportunity to meet with Kara Matteson, the Educational Director of the Putnam History Museum. During her visit to the GFMS library, Ms. Matteson introduced students to the Jean Saunders History Contest and shared insights into the rich Revolutionary-era history of Carmel and the surrounding Putnam County community.

   

  Students chose a topic that sparked their interest and began researching using reliable online sources and school library databases. Many explored notable local figures such as our hometown hero, Sybil Ludington, or our county’s namesake, Israel Putnam. Others focused on broader themes from the era, including the role of African Americans in the Continental Army, significant geographic sites, and additional aspects of Revolutionary history.

   

  Seventh grader Nyah selected Peggy Shippen Arnold. “Finding 100% true information was challenging since many things are still questioned about her role, since she played it so well,” she said.

   

  “Israel Putnam was an American Revolutionary war general known for his bravery and he was the key patriot leader early in the revolutionary war," Yinehidy, a seventh grader, said. "It’s been interesting collecting facts and evidence, and it was a bit challenging finding the sites for the evidence.”

   

  With guidance from school librarian Lindsay Gerard and their social studies teachers, students are now working on both a research paper and a creative project to showcase what they’ve learned. We look forward to seeing their thoughtful and engaging final products in the new year.

  George Fischer Middle School News

• New Members Inducted into National Honor Society

  Carmel High School proudly welcomed 58 new students into the National Honor Society (NHS) on December 11.  

  Membership in NHS is a distinction earned through dedication and perseverance. The juniors and seniors who were inducted, each achieved a minimum unweighted cumulative grade point average of 89.9, completed 30 hours of community service within the past academic year and held leadership positions or responsibilities in school, the community, or the workplace. 

  The evening’s induction ceremony was student-led, but Carmel Central School District leaders spoke to the group as well.  

  “Let this induction serve as both a recognition and a call to action,” Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said. “Allow yourselves to dream with ambition and to serve with humility. Allow your curiosity to lead you to undiscovered places and your character to guide your every step. The true mark of honor is not only what you achieve, but how you choose to uplift others along the way.” 

  Including the new inductees, the Carmel High School Chapter of the National Honor Society now includes 110 members, and each one serves as a role model for scholarship, service, leadership and character.  

  “This event celebrates students who have not only demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, but who have also shown a deep and ongoing commitment to service, leadership, and character,” said English Teacher Joanne Morgan, the National Honor Society Advisor for CHS. “Their dedication in the classroom and in our community reflects the very best of what NHS stands for, and I could not be more proud of each one of them.” 

  Carmel High School News

• New Principal for Kent Elementary

  We are excited to announce that at the Tuesday 12/16 Board of Education meeting Kerry Weltman was appointed as the new principal of Kent Elementary School.  

  Ms. Weltman brings strong leadership experience and a deep belief in building positive relationships with students, staff and families. She is committed to providing Kent Elementary School with stability and growth over the coming years.  

  Ms. Weltman, an administrator at Carmel High School, is especially known for how well she connects with kids. She makes students feel seen, heard and valued, and she takes time to understand what each child needs to succeed. Skilled at identifying areas where a school can improve, Ms. Weltman works collaboratively with teachers and families to make meaningful, student-centered changes. Just as important, she cares deeply about creating a warm, welcoming school community. Her goal is for every child and every family to feel that they belong at Kent Elementary and are an important part of our school.  

  Please join us in welcoming Kerry Weltman to Kent Elementary School! 

   

  Kent Elementary School News

• Carmel Musicians Play at Rockefeller Center

  Students from George Fischer Middle School and Carmel High School joined about 100 musicians from around the world to play holiday tunes at Rockefeller Center's 52nd Annual TubaChristmas in NYC on Sunday, December 14.  

  This was the third consecutive year that George Fischer Middle School music teachers Erika Wahlers and Eric Pecor led Carmel students to participate in the event.  

  “Tubas are not instruments that typically have melodic parts,” Ms. Wahlers said. “Tuba Christmas is an event that allows tuba players to make up an entire ensemble, meaning tuba players get to be the melody, the harmony and the bass. This provides a unique playing opportunity for the students that they do not get every day in school.” 

  Carmel High School ninth grader Andrew returned for his third TubaChristmas and decorated his tuba by topping it off with a house with lights. Benjamin, an eighth grader, decorated his tuba with a holiday ribbon. It was the first time that seventh graders Evie and Claire got to play music in front of the world’s most famous Christmas tree, and they decorated their tubas with lights, garland and ribbons.  

  The students got to play holiday classics like Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Silent Night, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, but the event was about more than music.  

  “The students are able to connect with other tuba players from Carmel but also get to meet tuba players from other schools, professional musicians and adults who have continued to play for the joy of making music,” Mr. Pecor said. “This is a fun performing opportunity where students get to share holiday cheer.” 

  TubaChristmas (the name is trademarked) was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day 1902. Now, tuba and euphonium players from around the world gather in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center for one afternoon a year to play Christmas carols on their horns.  

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Science That Makes Your Hair Stand on End

  In John Hildenbrand's AP Physics II class at Carmel High School, the students recently experimented with a Van de Graff machine.  

  A Van de Graaff generator is a machine that uses friction to build a massive electrical charge on a hollow metal sphere.  

  The students in Mr. Hildenbrand’s class had so much fun that their hair stood on end. Students took turns experimenting with the machine, and then Assistant Principal Allison Golan ad a chance to step into the action. Check out the static energy coursing through her hair!   

  Carmel High School News

• Third Graders Celebrate the Harvest

  Third graders at Matthew Paterson Elementary School had an amazing time celebrating the Harvest Festival! Students kicked off the day with a pumpkin hunt, followed by decorating their own pumpkins with lots of creativity and color.

  They played festive rounds of fall bingo, and the kids worked together to build a turkey trap using toothpicks and marshmallows - their engineering skills were impressive!

  One of the biggest highlights was the candy apple station, where students got to choose from a variety of delicious toppings to make their own fall treat.

  It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, teamwork, and plenty of autumn fun! 🍂🍎
  We’re so proud of how our third graders celebrated the season together!

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Science Day

  The third-grade team at Kent Primary School proudly hosted their first Science Day of the year, an event brimming with excitement and discovery.

  Science Day featured four captivating experiments, each intricately designed around the themes of Forces and Interactions. Every third-grade teacher crafted an engaging and interactive lesson, immersing students in hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and fostered a deeper understanding of scientific principles.

  The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as students eagerly participated in each experiment, making learning an exhilarating adventure.

  Kent Primary School News

• Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

  Some enterprising third and fourth graders at Kent Elementary School started their very own newspaper. The first issue of KES PAWPRINTS was published in November. The 16-page publication included everything you’d expect to find in a good local newspaper. It had interviews with new teachers and the school’s new interim principal, Jeff Noto; stories on news events like the Halloween Costume Caper; opinion pieces on indoor vs. outdoor recess; and even a student poll. It also included newspaper staples like puzzles, comics and sports coverage. 

  Nicholas wrote about Carmel’s 8-and-under football team:  

  “Carmel won the Red Zone Championship,” he wrote. “Jack, in third grade, scored a touchdown. Michael (MJ) caught a catch for a first down and scored a touchdown.” 

  Elodie and Nora wrote about upcoming events:  

  “This year we will have some amazing school events, from the glow party to the book fair,” they wrote. “A new event this year will be the Talent Show. The information will be out soon. Be sure to be on the lookout!”  

  In all, 32 students participated in the newspaper club, said club co-advisors music teacher Antonia Madison and reading teacher Trisha Emmeluth. 

  “We started the newspaper because we wanted to offer our students something meaningful beyond their regular school day,” Ms. Emmeluth said. “Something they could truly get excited about. The newspaper gives them a chance to create together, share their voices, and build something that can grow stronger every year. My hope is that it becomes a place where curiosity, teamwork, and confidence all come to life.”   

  See KES Pawprints here. It was distributed in print to Kent Elementary students.  

  Kent Elementary School News

• Mentors and Buddies

  The Kent Primary School Mentor-Buddy Program, spearheaded by Principal Vince Fino and the PBIS team, launched in November and has already made a positive impact.

   

  The program pairs classes from different grade levels for 20–30 minutes of connection and collaboration. During each session, students are matched with a buddy and participate in SEL activities designed to help them build relationships and get to know one another.

   

  Students and staff have already expressed how much they enjoy the program. Younger and older students alike are excited to see their buddies in the hallway, on the bus, and throughout the school day. The program will continue throughout the year, offering ongoing opportunities for mentorship and community-building.

   

  In November, Susan Paggiotta’s kindergarten class and Aimee Pagano’s third-grade class met to collaborate on a festive Turkey Art Project.

  Kent Primary School News

• Balloons Over Kent Primary

  The first graders at Kent Primary School brought the magic of the season to life with a charming, pint-sized version of New York City’s famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

  To kick off their project, students read Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet. Then they watched a video showing how Macy’s designs its massive balloons and features a new balloon every year. 

  With excitement bubbling, the students headed to art class, where they cut out and colored animal shapes, which they attached to their own balloons.  Their imaginations soared: Elena transformed her balloon into a bright pink cat.  

  “I love cats so much,” she said.  

  Gabriel turned his balloon into a dog, complete with flashing lights for extra flair. 

  The celebration ended with a march outside, where families lined up to cheer on the young parade-makers. 

  Kent Primary School News

• World War II Veterans Teach History

  Two 99-year-old Veterans of World War II spoke to eighth graders at George Fischer Middle School on Friday, and they didn't mince words. When students asked them to describe the experience in one word, Ralph J. Osterhoudt, Sr. who entered the U.S. Army before even graduating from high school and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, said "Hell." He described the scenes of destruction he saw in France and Germany and reminded the students that soldiers who fight wars are often just 18 years old. Nils Mockler, who served in the Marines Corp and fought at Iwo Jima, told students about the battle and the pride he felt when he finally saw, from a far distance, the American flag being raised at the top of Mt. Suribachi. "It was the size of a postage stamp, and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. I knew we were going to make it."  

  Osterhoudt said he would always be proud of his service. "You are speaking English today," he said. "If we didn't win that war, you might not be speaking English."  

  Several members of the Board of Education and local political leaders, including Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, attended the ceremony, and thanked the veterans for their service. Congressman Mike Lawler spoke by video from Washington D.C. 

  In introducing the veterans, Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said: "It's important to teach the next generation about history, so we don't repeat it. " He thanked George Fischer Middle School Social Studies Teacher Lisa Steiner and Assistant Superintendents Jeff Gorman and Ken Silver for arranging the program. 

  The lesson had an impact on the auditorium full of eighth graders. Paul, a 13-year-old, said it made him think about his family.

  "I wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for them," Paul said. "My whole family is from France. My grandparents immigrated here after the war. It's crazy to think about. My family might have been caught up by the Nazis if it wasn't for the veterans who defended us." 

   

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Mix-It-Up Day

  At the yellow table, all the boys said they liked dinosaurs. It is one of the things they shared during Matthew Paterson Elementary School’s mix-it-up day, when students are assigned to lunch tables with children who are not already their friends. It’s a day to make a new friend.  

  “I love t-rex,” said Benjamin, who is in first grade.  

  “Me too,” said a new friend. 

  “They are so big,” Benjamin said. “They have big teeth. They have big legs. The only thing I don’t like about them is their tiny hands.”  

  Mix-it-up day is only one way that Matthew Paterson Elementary School Pandas, as students there are known, practice kindness. It is part of their Panda Power Promise 

  During a week last month all the students celebrated their success completing the “First 30 Days” refresher lessons. Each day the Pandas participated in different fun activities that ranged from earning a “Panda Power at Home,” to “Hats Off to Positive Behavior” (with hats and fun hair), to “Sock it to Negative Behavior” (wearing fun and mismatched socks) and more.  

  Their efforts culminated in a special celebration where each student proudly signed the Panda Power Promise, committing to making our school a kind, caring, and positive place to learn and grow.  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Seniors Get Instant College Decisions

  Forget the long, agonizing wait for college admissions letters. Some Carmel High School seniors are learning their fate instantly, without even leaving school. 

  Through Instant Decision Days, local universities send admissions representatives directly to Carmel High School’s Counseling Office to meet with students one-on-one and deliver immediate admission decisions. 

  Recently, 10 Carmel seniors met with Manhattan University Associate Director of Admission Jose De La Cruz and Admission Counselor Michael Troia. 

  Among them was Gianna Palazzo, 17, who beamed when she heard that she was accepted. 

  “It’s so nice to know that you got in somewhere,” Gianna said, smiling. “I’m not sure where I’m going to go to college yet, though.” 

  Gianna, who plans to study chemical engineering, has taken six Advanced Placement courses and 10 college-level classes through Westchester Community College, Syracuse University Project Advance and other programs. During her interview, she discussed with the admissions team which credits might transfer to Manhattan University. 

  “What I want to do is use those credits to get ahead with requirements so I can focus on my major,” she explained. 

  Instant Decision Day acceptances are not binding, and students admitted through the program still have until May to make their final choice. 

  Carmel High School counselor Kristen Mancini said the event makes the college admissions process more accessible and less stressful for students. 

  “For the past several years, CHS has partnered with local colleges to offer Instant Decision Days, providing students with the opportunity to meet directly with admissions representatives and receive an immediate admission decision,” Mancini said. “Each year, CHS typically hosts two to three colleges, depending on student interest and college availability.” 

  This year’s participating institutions include Manhattan University, Iona University and Western Connecticut State University. 

  During the meetings, students can ask questions, learn more about each university, and receive their admission decisions in person, making the process faster, more personal and a lot more exciting. 

  Carmel High School News

• A Mock Congress Debates Laws

  Students in Kerry Hackert’s U.S. History classes at Carmel High School recently stepped into the shoes of lawmakers during a Mock Congress designed to explore how the American legislative process works. 

  As part of their study of the U.S. government, students first examined the legislative branch and learned how a bill becomes a law. They were then divided into committees to draft their own legislation on major national issues. This year’s topics: the drinking age and the death penalty. 

  Working in teams, students researched their assigned issues, analyzed arguments for and against, and crafted bills that reflected their proposed policies. Each committee then presented its bill to the full “Congress,” where spirited debate and questioning followed before votes were cast and the bills were sent to “President Hackert” for final approval. 

  In one class, the mock lawmakers voted to keep the national drinking age at 21. Representative Ava Connors, who led the committee in favor of maintaining the current law, gave a persuasive speech emphasizing the dangers of lowering the drinking age. 

  “Keeping the drinking age at 21 gives younger kids a harder time getting alcohol,” Connors said. “If the drinking age is 18, the approximate age of a senior in high school, younger people will have easier access. This could lead to alcohol abuse at an earlier age, and research shows the brain doesn’t fully develop until around age 25.” 

  In a different class, however, the outcome was different: the class voted to lower the drinking age to 18. Despite their differing decisions, both classes reached the same conclusion on another issue -- voting to keep the death penalty legal, though several students presented compelling arguments to abolish it. 

  Hackert, who organized the Mock Congress, said the project remains a highlight of the year. 

  “I love doing this every year because there are always students who don’t talk much in class but really shine in this format,” Hackert said. “They feel more comfortable, they’re engaged, and they come to class excited. I was also very proud of how respectfully they discussed and debated with one another.” 

  Carmel High School News

• Don't Miss the CHS Drama Club's Fall Play

  The CHS Drama Club presents "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" by Don Zolidis November 14 through November 16 at Casey Hall. 

  You may think you know the story of Cinderella, Rapunzel, or Hansel and Gretel, but you’ve never seen them quite like this. Guided by a team of Narrators, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is a madcap ride through all 209 of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. An ensemble cast zips from story to story, weaving each one together as we discover the origin stories of some of literature’s most well-known characters. November 14-16 in Casey Hall at CHS.

  Shows are:
  Friday Nov 14 @ 7pm
  Saturday Nov 15 @ 2pm & 7pm
  Sunday Nov 16 @ 5pm
  
  Visit chsperform.booktix.com for more Information and tickets!

  Carmel High School News

• Awareness Months Bring Students Together

  Since she started at Matthew Paterson Elementary School three years ago, Principal Jennifer Darling wanted to find a way to use the various awareness months that dot the school calendar and give children a real understanding of what is being recognized, whether it’s September 11, or anti-bullying efforts, Native American heritage or women’s history.  

  “There are so many awareness months, weeks or days now,” Darling said. “It’s helpful to have a structured plan on how to address them and to make them the shared experience for children that they are intended to be.”   

  So Principal Darling and the Welcoming and Affirming Committee got to work.  

  “I wanted to start in the library and build on the reading curriculum, Core Knowledge Language Arts,” Ms. Darling said. “The committee wanted to add a digital piece.” 

  What they came up with was a Book of the Month project. They picked out books for different age groups that would speak to the heritage, history or event that was being highlighted that month. The school librarian, Teaching Assistant Susan Fitzpatrick, now reads the chosen book to the classes during their scheduled library time.  

  “The classes follow each read-aloud session by using the Book Creator digital program to develop skills and share their thoughts,” said third grade Teacher Michele Love. “The students might create a comic based on what was read to them or write a letter.”  

  For Veterans Day, Ms. Fitzpatrick read “Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood” by Valerie Pfundstein to each class. When she finished the book, she had each student write a postcard thanking a veteran for their service.  

  “That really got them thinking,” Fitzpatrick said. “A lot of the students have parents or grandparents who served in the military, and they wanted to talk about those people in their lives.”   

  “I want to thank the committee for all its hard work,” Ms. Darling said. 

  The committee includes the following teachers, staff and parents: Jess Kuney, Jess Curran, Christine Demme, Michele Love, Michelle Belasco, Kathy Allen, Megan Adams, Lorenza Triebenbacher, Sydney Gaspar, Susan Fitzpatrick and Pascale Zeynali. 

   

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• First Grade Doctors to the Rescue

  Students in Corinne Phillips and Julie Ann Burton's first grade class at Kent Primary School put on lab coats and stethoscopes and became doctors for a day.  

  The students put together puzzles of skeletons, wore aprons decorated with internal organs, and listened to each other's hearts with a stethoscope.  

  Carmel Central School District's reading program Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA, is a science of reading-based program that emphasizes skills like phonics, decoding and blending sounds.  

  “The reading program introduces young readers to a wide vocabulary while building on topics like science and social studies,” said Dr. Jeff Gorman, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.  

  When the first graders finished their unit on the body, Mrs. Phillips let them dress up and act like doctors as a way to reinforce some of the vocabulary and topics they had read about.  

  "We had a memory game with germs, a food pyramid sort and some playdough body systems," Ms. Phillips said. "The class enjoyed rotating through each station They enjoyed calling each other Dr. and then their last name, as well as using the vocabulary we have learned." 

  Kent Primary School News

• Second Graders Make Scarecrow for Garden

  When Sarah LoCascio’s daughter started school four years ago, LoCascio knew they would both miss the outdoor time they spent together in the garden.  

  “I’m a gardener and my daughter always worked with me in our garden,” she said. “When she started kindergarten, I thought maybe I could bring the gardening to school, then every single student could experience gardening.” 

  And that is how the Kent Elementary School Garden was born. LoCascio met with administrators, set up a non-profit to raise funds for the work and recruited volunteers to help build a fence, create the raised beds and maintain the garden. In 2021, the garden was planted for the first time.  

  Now, gardening is part of every Kent Elementary student’s education. Each class is invited to participate in garden programs every fall and spring. 

  “In the fall, they pick vegetables, harvest, collect seeds and water the plants,” LoCascio said. “All the kids love to water.” 

  In the spring, students grow seeds in classroom seed kits and later plant the seedlings in raised beds in the garden.  

  The vegetables the students grow are donated to local food pantries each year, and the students take such pride in helping feed those in need, said Erica Intrieri, the garden treasurer.  

  “This year we donated 60 pounds of food to Second Chance Foods, a pantry in Brewster,” Intrieri said. “We grew a lot of cabbage and cabbage is heavy.”  

  On a recent day when the first frost was expected, Alexandra Stenger’s class of second graders came out to the garden, which sits in the side yard of Kent Elementary.   

  “Does anyone know what a frost is?” LoCascio asked. 

  “That’s when it’s lower than 32 degrees, and sometimes the plants die,” said second-grader Leanna. “But if the root is still in the ground, sometimes it grows again in the spring.” 

  Even though it was the end of the season and the pumpkins had not grown as planned, the students did not mind. They got to build a scarecrow instead. 

  They stuffed an old pair of jeans, green sneakers and a pink plaid shirt with plenty of crumpled newspaper.  

  Then the class took a vote on naming the scarecrow. They settled on “Mrs. Sunflower.”  

  “Does anybody know the purpose of a scarecrow?” LoCascio asked.  

  All the hands shot up: “It’s to scare away the birds.”  

  The students said they could not wait to start gardening again in the spring.  

  Kent Elementary School News