From the Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community: 

Our kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open. To qualify, children must be five years old by December 1, 2025 and live within Carmel Central School District boundaries.  

Here is the link to the kindergarten registration: New Student Registration - Carmel Central School District. 

If you know someone with a kindergarten-aged child, please share this email so they can register the child for school. Thanks! 

Respectfully,  

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools

February 13, 2024  

Dear Carmel Community:  

This has been quite a stormy winter, and I think we could use a break about now, so I hope you all have a fun and relaxing winter recess. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead this district. In the past several months, I have seen how deeply this community cares about its children and its schools. I am grateful to have the support of a talented staff that is dedicated to making sure students have access to opportunities that will help them grow.  

It’s great to work in a district where residents and staff are so engaged.  

School resumes on Monday, February 24. I look forward to welcoming our staff and students back then. Enjoy the precious time with your families.  

Regards, 

Dear Carmel Community:

Come discuss the draft Proposed 2025-2026 School Budget with me on Wednesday, February 12, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in my office at the District Office. Everyone is welcome to just drop in for coffee, conversation and to review the draft budget.  If the time doesn't work for you, email me at emeehan@carmelschools.org to schedule a time. 

Regards,

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community: 

I am reaching out today to provide an update on the Town Hall held on January 28 and to keep you apprised of important information from NYSED. I also want to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student in Carmel feels safe, welcomed and valued. 

We had an amazing turnout at last night’s Town Hall meeting at Carmel High School.  

More than 75 district residents attended and learned about our strategies to make certain that Carmel schools are welcoming, affirming and safe places for all. After the presentation by District Equity Team members, residents broke into groups and discussed their ideas about our district’s strengths and ways we can improve. We also looked at external opportunities and threats that could prevent the district’s work. Each group then presented their ideas, outlining a framework for the district’s most important next steps.  

“I am thrilled by the turnout,” Board of Education President Melissa Orser said. “This was a collaborative assignment. I hope we can take all this information and move our work on equity forward.”  

In the coming days, I will compile all the information, share it with the entire Board, meet with my administrative council and immediately focus on improving our schools.  

The district continues its commitment to support all our students.  We would like to draw your attention to a recent guidance document from the Office of the Governor, Attorney General and State Education Department New York State’s Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students.  Our policies and practices are in alignment with this guidance. 

Here are a few important points to keep in mind:  

• Both state and federal laws guarantee all students access to a free public education. The district will provide no barriers, including requests for immigration-related documentation, that would prevent students from enrolling in or attending school.  
• Under the law, personally identifiable information, including a student’s immigration status, cannot and will not be shared without proper parental consent. If you would like to opt out of Directory information pursuant to FERPA, please contact the Director of Information Systems and Human Resources, Timothy Wade at twade1@carmelschools.org.  
• The district has procedures in place to ensure that students only be released to their parents or guardians listed in the student information system.   

As this is a rapidly changing environment, we are working closely with our school attorneys and the New York State Education Department to ensure we have the most current and accurate information. Additionally, we have shared resources with our administrators to support our students and their families during this time.    

We are responsible for every child’s educational journey. Please be assured that we in the Carmel schools take that responsibility seriously. All students in the Carmel schools will continue to have access to education that informs, challenges and helps them grow. 

I am so grateful to be working in such an engaged, child-focused community.  

Respectfully, 

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools 

Dear Carmel Community: 

I would like to update you on the status of our January 28 Town Hall meeting.  

When we announced the meeting, we said that it would be a community conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion, and be led by a specialist from U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service.  

A lot has changed, however, in the weeks since I sent that announcement. Now, given the Trump administration’s recent ban on DOJ participation in any diversity, equity and inclusion work, there will not be a representative from the DOJ at our meeting.  

More than ever, we are now relying on you to join us for the Town Hall. Let’s work together to create a welcoming, affirming and safe environment for all our schools. The meeting will be in the Carmel High School Library on Tuesday, January 28 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  

As planned, our meeting will still include a presentation by the District Equity Team, which will be followed by a breakout session where you will help assess the Carmel Central School District’s strengths and weaknesses.   

I really hope to see you there.  

Respectfully, 

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools 

Dear Carmel Community: 

After listening to stakeholders throughout the Carmel School Community, I have put together a Leadership Plan that is designed to reflect the mission, vision and core beliefs of the Carmel Central School District. 

This plan allows us to maintain District strengths, add revisions to areas in need of improvement, increase opportunities and promote an inclusive environment for all. It will serve as our guiding document as we move forward to make Carmel Schools the best they can be.   

Respectfully, 

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.  

Dear Carmel Community,

This is my first Thanksgiving in Carmel since I lived here as a child many decades ago, and I am excited to be back in the community I have always considered home. I want to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve as your Superintendent of Schools.    

As I spend time in our school buildings, I am constantly surprised by the talent, diligence and kindness of our students. They give us so many reasons to be proud. Their success, of course, stems from the dedication and hard work of our teachers and staff. I am grateful to work with such devoted professionals.    

Working in a community that shows such support for its schools is another reason I am so glad to be here.  

I hope you find space over the long, busy weekend to spend time with friends, family and our great community – things we can all be thankful for. 

Respectfully, 
Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community:

I am happy to announce that the Carmel Central School District will be starting a Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program in January 2025. 

We will be hosting three Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Informational Nights to share information about the following:

• The timeline for the program
• The structure of the program
• The registration process
• A presentation by each childcare facility
• Question & Answer session

The three informational sessions will be held November 14 & November 21 from 7:00-8:30pm at the Matthew Patterson Elementary School and November 26 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Kent Elementary School.  All sessions will offer the same presentation, so you only need to attend one session.  We are providing three sessions to make it convenient for families. 

There is no need to register for this event.  Please come and learn more about the UPK program that will start on January 6, 2025. 

Please reach out with any questions.

Thank you,

Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community, 

I want to reassure you that the safety and security of your children and our entire school community is our highest priority. In the Carmel Central School District, we are dedicated to creating a safe environment where every student can learn. While events like the tragic school shooting in Georgia are deeply unsettling, I want you to know that we constantly take proactive measures to protect our schools. 

The Carmel Schools utilize a nationally recognized, evidence-based threat assessment model developed with the help of our safety consultants, Altaris Consulting Group. This model brings together a team of administrators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and other key personnel to evaluate and address potential threats. Early detection and prevention are crucial, and we created an Anonymous Alert system so students, staff, and families can report any concerns immediately. Every reported threat is investigated thoroughly and with the utmost care. 

The Safety and Security Capital Project that the community endorsed this spring has helped us strengthen our buildings and ensure that we know who is in them. We are in the process of installing swipe key access on all doors and intruder-resistant security film on all ground level windows and doors. We have also implemented a visitor management system in each school for identification checks against databases. 

But technology alone is not enough, that is why we focus on training and preparing our staff to respond effectively in any situation. Each school in the district has a detailed emergency plan and conducts training drills regularly to focus on prevention and response. Local law enforcement partners with us during these drills to ensure a coordinated and swift response in emergencies. 

Maintaining a safe learning environment requires constant evaluation and improvement. Beginning at our next meeting, the Board of Education will review our reunification plan. That is one of the Board’s safety goals for the year. As things change, we review and update our protocols to make sure they align with best practices in school safety. 

These are challenging times, but we remain dedicated to transparency and collaboration with our families. We know that prevention is key. To that end, we believe in early intervention, multidisciplinary threat assessment teams and creating a school culture that encourages students and staff to report concerns. In the Carmel Central School District, our focus on safety is an essential part of both our daily operations and our long-term planning. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben

Dear Carmel Community, 

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year!  

Whether your child just took their first kindergarten bus ride, walked the halls of the middle school for the first time or is a senior who knows the ropes at Carmel High School, there is so much to look forward to.  

As your new Superintendent of Schools, I am beyond excited about all we can accomplish together. I look forward to connecting with you and I encourage you to reach out. If you like something a staff member has done, tell us at compliments@carmelschools.org.  Likewise, if there is an area you think needs improvement, send an email to complaints@carmelschools.org. Both email addresses will go directly to me and to the Board of Education President Melissa Orser.  We feel so strongly about listening to you that the Board adopted an open communication policy – Policy 1400 – at the last meeting.   

I also hope to see many of you at a Meet and Greet on September 11 at 6 p.m. at Carmel High School Library.  Refreshments will be served and children are invited. 

In addition, the Board recently adopted a new Code of Conduct, which follows state regulations will hold everyone in the Carmel Central School District -- including students, families and staff -- to one standard of conduct. We will talk about this more in the coming weeks and months, but I wanted you to have a chance to read the document and discuss it with your children. I have scheduled a town hall meeting about Restorative Practices, which are the foundation of the Code of Conduct, for September 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Matthew Paterson Elementary School Cafeteria.  Please email me at emeehan@carmelschools.org to participate so that I can plan for refreshments and space. 

We have a lot to accomplish in the 2024-25 school year, and I cannot wait to get started.  

Sincerely,
Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben
Superintendent of Schools

As your Superintendent of Schools, I am excited to lead the Carmel Central School District into the future to continue and build on the proud tradition of cultivating opportunities. The leadership transition of a new superintendent represents a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth and
development. I have put together this First 100 Days Plan to share with you how I will transition into the district.

Sincerely,

Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben

It is my pleasure to officially introduce myself to the Carmel Central School Community. I consider it a true privilege to have been appointed your new Superintendent of Schools and to have taken the oath of office last evening during the district’s reorganization meeting. 

The Carmel Central School District has earned a reputation for academic excellence. The boundless opportunities offered beyond the classroom are exemplary and provide enriching learning experiences for students at all levels. As an educator for 32 years, I wholeheartedly value the programs and services Carmel already has in place, and I am committed to building upon them to ensure that current and future students have opportunities to explore their interests and find their true passions. 
 
In addition to the robust educational program, it was the level of community involvement that drew me to this district. I witnessed this sense of pride as I underwent the interview process and have experienced it firsthand over the past few days, as each of the faculty members, parents, students, and residents I have met have been extremely welcoming and helpful. Please know that it is my intent to make every effort to foster and cultivate this practice to ensure the continued success of our students, schools, and community.  
 
While serving as your Superintendent of Schools, I plan to be accessible to all stakeholders and maintain an open door for communication. I encourage and welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you have about our schools and can be reached directly at emeehan@carmelschools.org or 845-878-2094 ext. 200.    
 
It is an exciting time for the Carmel Central School District, and I am looking forward to the year ahead. Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy summer. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben 

Dear Carmel Community,

It is not every day that we get to share news about something that is going to save families in the Carmel Central School District a lot of money. So, we are very excited to tell you that, starting December 1, 2023 school breakfast and lunch will be free for all students in all our schools.

This program, which is funded by a New York State Education Department grant, will save families $1,130 per child per year. Families with two children will save $2,260 per year. Three-child families will save $3,390 per year, and so on. These savings are based on a grant that allows Carmel schools to provide students with a free breakfast and lunch every school day through June 2027.

Additional meals may be purchased at the following prices: breakfast at the elementary schools, $1.50; breakfast at the middle and high schools, $2.00; lunch at the Elementary School, $3.35; lunch at the middle and high Schools, $3.65. There is still an additional cost to purchase à la carte items such as snacks, bottled water, extra portions and secondary beverages.

It is important to note that the no-cost breakfast and lunch program is not retroactive. Any negative debt incurred prior to December 1, 2023, will remain on the student’s account until payment is received.

Previously, only certain families qualified for free meals through New York State. I want to thank Director of School Food Services Patrick Rodia and his assistant, Christine Foltmer, for ensuring that every child who was previously eligible for free meals was enrolled. Their efforts made our entire school district qualify under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and receive the funding granted by the New York State Education Department. Now, what was once limited to a few students is available to all.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. If you have any questions, please contact the Food Services Department at: carmelfoodservices@carmelschools.org

Sincerely,
Joseph McGrath
Interim Superintendent of Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?

A: The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a funding option under the National School Lunch Act that allows eligible schools to provide free meals to all students.

Q: Do I need to fill out an application for my child to receive meals at no cost?

A: No, families do not need to fill out an application for their child to gain eligibility for breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Q: What does CEP cover for my child?

A: With the CEP designation, all Carmel Central School District (CCSD) enrolled students can receive one healthy breakfast and one nutritious lunch per school day.

Q: I am new to the District and/or the Food Services program - what does a healthy lunch entail for my child? What about breakfast?

A: A healthy lunch always consists of five components: a protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. To be considered a full meal, children must choose at least three of these components, including either a fruit or vegetable. A full breakfast consists of four components: two grains (main entree), one cup of fruit/juice or a vegetable, one cup of milk. Students must choose three of the four components offered with one of those components being a fruit/juice or vegetable.

Q: Can my child still purchase snacks and à la carte items? What about a second breakfast or lunch?

A: Yes, snacks and à la carte items (including milk) are available. However, students will need cash or funds in their prepaid accounts to make these purchases. Also, only the first breakfast and first lunch of the day are free. A student would need cash or funds in their prepaid accounts to pay for a second breakfast or lunch.

Q: How can I add funds to my child’s account to make those types of purchases?

A: You can add funds by sending a check or cash in with your child or virtually through MySchoolBucks, an online school meal payment system. To avoid the fee, students can always pay with cash for their purchase. In addition, parents may send in a check or cash to be added to the student’s prepaid account.

Q: What if I already have money in my child's account for meals? Can I get it back?

A: Parents can either request a refund from the Food Services Department or leave the funds in their student’s account for à la carte items or snacks. Please send an email to carmelfoodservices@carmelschools.org to request a refund. Please include the first name, last name, and ID # of the student. Also, include parent/guardian name and address where the reimbursement check should be mailed. Please note that depending on the volume of requests, refunds may take up to 45 days to process. If there is an automatic replenishment of funds set up on your student's MySchoolBucks account, please discontinue this feature before requesting meal account reimbursement.

Q: What if there is negative debt left on my child’s account?

A: Free breakfasts and lunches are not retroactive, and any negative debt incurred prior to December 1, 2023, will remain in the student’s account until payment is received.

Q: What if my child brings their own lunch and just wants some milk or a piece of fruit?

According to State guidelines, to access the free meal benefit, a child must take what counts as a full meal, which means choosing at least three of the five components (including a fruit or vegetable) that make up the meal. Food Services staff will guide your child in understanding what constitutes a full meal.

Q: Does funding for school meals come out of my school taxes?

A: No, meals and food at schools are not funded by your school tax dollars. Instead, the funding comes from Federal and State taxes.

Please let us know if you are coming by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/U87aXTUk6u 

Sincerely,
Joseph McGrath
Interim Superintendent of Schools

November 2, 2023

Dear Carmel Community,

Dear Carmel Parents and Community,

It has come to my attention that there was a drawing of a swastika found on a table leg in a Carmel High School classroom today. We do not know how long this drawing was there. It is possible it is old but that, following last month's antisemitic vandalism on the CHS tennis court, students have a renewed sensitivity to such acts of discrimination. It is also possible that this swastika was only recently drawn. Either way, we applaud the students who brought this to their teacher's attention.

We are investigating this incident. These acts have serious consequences involving law enforcement, as demonstrated a few weeks ago.

We have reached out to the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center in White Plains and, in the next few weeks, we will be holding workshops at the secondary level to combat antisemitism. There is no room for hate speech or action anywhere in our district. We are committed to fostering a a safe and protective learning environment for all.

I want to urge anyone with information about this offensive drawing to let school officials know. Students or parents who have concerns are invited to reach out to their building leadership or guidance counselors for assistance.

Sincerely,
Joseph McGrath
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community,

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. It’s going to be great because with effort and enthusiasm, we will make it so. We are thrilled to welcome the students back to school for an exciting year of learning, growth and community spirit.

Our teachers, staff and administrators have been hard at work finding new ways to inspire young minds. Their goal is to help all students feel supported, respected and motivated to reach their full potential. We know that kindness is contagious, and we will continue to spread it around showing every student how much we value them.

This year we will be offering many new opportunities for students, including a new reading program based on the Science of Reading. It will emphasize skills that help children become proficient readers.

Thank you for being the kind of community that works together to support the schools. I encourage you all to get involved and be actively engaged in the education of our students. A culture of unity is what makes our community.

As part of our commitment to providing support to the community we also wanted to make sure you knew about this: the NYS Comptroller is returning lost money to New Yorkers. Check the Comptroller’s website to see if you are owed unclaimed money. It is a reasonably quick process that could end with you getting a check in the mail.

I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Carmel Central School District this fall and wish you all a remarkable and rewarding school year ahead.

Best regards,

Joe McGrath
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Dear Carmel Community,

I hope this letter finds you wrapped in the embrace of joy and anticipation as we prepare to embark on yet another remarkable chapter in our educational journey together. The summer sun may have been shining, but it pales in comparison to the radiance that each of your children bring back to our halls as we prepare to welcome the laughter, learning, and shared experiences once more.
Our school has missed the cheerful hum of conversations, the echo of footsteps, and the sweet melodies of youthful enthusiasm! We are counting down the days to the heartwarming symphony that only our community can compose.

This year we have the distinct pleasure of introducing not just one, not two, but three extraordinary individuals who have chosen to dance their way into our hearts as our new principals. Ms. Darling at MPES, Dr. Neufville and GFMS and Mr. Piazza at CHS are joining our existing amazing principal team with Mr. Brown at KPS and Mr. Setaro at KES. We also are pleased that Mr. Svarczkopf has joined our ranks as interim Director of Technology. Additionally, we are welcoming several new teachers and other staff members who are excited to support and nurture our wonderful students.

Can you feel the excitement in the air? These remarkable educators come bearing not just wisdom and experience, but an abundance of warmth, compassion, and the promise of forging connections that will leave an indelible mark on our students' lives.

School calendars will be sent out on Monday and should be arriving in your mailboxes any day. In additional to important dates, the calendar has lots of useful information including a referral chart and other information on how to have your concerns addressed if you have the need.

You will be receiving more correspondence from our principals and our staff very shortly with information on the return to school, but I wanted to personally wish you a fantastic school year.

With warm regards,
Joe McGrath
Interim Superintendent

Dear Carmel Community,

While summer break is still upon us, we are already looking forward to welcoming our students and staff back to our buildings for the first day of the school year in just a few weeks.

We are gearing up for another amazing year and I am pleased to share the following recent staff appointments with you:

Matthew Paterson Elementary School Principal
At the August 1 Board of Education meeting, Jennifer Darling was appointed as principal of Matthew Paterson Elementary School, beginning the week of August 14

Darling joins our district with more than 20 years of experience as an educator working with elementary school students. For the last four years, she served as the principal of Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley, having served as the building’s assistant principal there for five years prior. In these positions, she oversaw the refinement of the multi-tiered system of support for students to strengthen core instruction; led building-level committees including the Safety Team, Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Committee and the Planning and Performance Leadership Team; and redesigned and implemented a cycle design to strengthen the K-4 literacy program.

Before joining the administrative team in Ardsley, Darling spent 14 years working in the public school system in the Bronx, beginning as a fifth-grade teacher before transitioning into positions as a literacy instructional coach and then assistant principal.

Darling earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-6 from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland, an MSEd in Literacy Birth-6 from City University of New York (CUNY) Hunter College, as well as an EDM in Leadership for Educational Change from The Bank Street College of Education.

Interim Director of Technology
At the August 1 Board of Education meeting, Daniel Svarczkopf was appointed as the Interim Director of Technology for the district, beginning August 21. The vacancy was created when I took on the Interim Superintendent role and I have been serving in both capacities while we searched for and appointed a candidate as Interim Director of Technology.

Svarczkopf joins our district from Newburgh Enlarged City School District where he served as Assistant Principal of an elementary school for the last year, having also served as the Instructional Technology Facilitator for the four years prior.

Svarczkopf’s career in education has provided him with opportunities to develop a unique ability to effectively analyze student achievement data which has helped teachers drive exceptional student outcomes. He began his career as a Mathematics Teacher and Educational Technology coach at Passages Academy in New York City, before moving into roles as a Computer Science Teacher in Newburgh Free Academy’s P-TECH Program and then the Computer Science Program Coordinator at Newburgh Armory.

Svarczkopf earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education (Mathematics) from Mount Saint Mary College, a Master of Science in Educational Technology from SUNY College at Oneonta, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from SUNY New Paltz.

We are excited for both Darling and Svarczkopf to join our district’s administrative team over the next few weeks. Please join me in welcoming them to our district.

Best regards,
Joseph McGrath
Interim Superintendent of Schools