This month, our school is focusing on one of our core PBIS expectations—the importance of Being Safe. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and respectful school culture, we are highlighting safe behaviors throughout the school day.
During our morning announcements, we are reviewing what “Being Safe” looks like in various settings:
We encourage you to talk with your child about these expectations and how they can demonstrate safe behaviors both in and out of school.
To further support this theme, we are excited to welcome the Putnam County Child Advocacy Center later this month. They will be providing a developmentally appropriate presentation on child safety, reinforcing the important message that every child deserves to feel safe and supported.
As we near the end of the school year, our PBIS team is also preparing a school-wide celebration to recognize students who have consistently demonstrated the 4 B’s:
Upcoming Events:
May 20-School budget vote
May 23, May 26, May 27-School will be closed for Memorial Day Weekend.
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Fondly,
Jennifer Darling
The 2025-26 Budget Newsletter has been mailed to residents throughout the Carmel Central School District. You don't, however, have to wait for yours to come in the mail. You can read it right here: 2025-26 Budget Newsletter.
Fourth graders in all three Carmel Central School District elementary schools learned about the American Revolution in a History Day celebration that allowed them to experience life the way soldiers did 250 years ago. They dressed in uniform, marched, drilled and pitched tents.
Colonial and Revolutionary history are part of the fourth-grade curriculum and George Fischer Middle School Social Studies Teacher Keith Reilly and Carmel High School History Teacher Rob Buccheri visited Kent Elementary School, Kent Primary School and Matthew Paterson Elementary School to help bring American history to life for the youngsters.
GFMS Reading Teacher Denise Santalis organized the event and took the fantastic photos.
The CCSD Parents Group is sponsoring a Meet the Candidates Night on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in the George Fischer Middle School Auditorium. It will be livestreamed and then posted on the district website for those who cannot attend in person.
Five candidates are running for three open seats on the Board of Education.
The candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are:
Nicholas Magliano
Frank Grasso
Michael Torpey
Prakash Tewari
Nathaniel Query
Questions for the candidates may be submitted in advance by emailing gfmspta@carmelschools.org by May 5.
The Budget Vote and Board of Education Election is Tuesday May 20.
When Lucas, a second grader at Matthew Paterson Elementary School, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, the impact on his family was tremendous.
“Lucas was six months old at the time,” his mother Ashley Martinez said. “He is a twin, we were so worried that his twin brother, Oliver, would develop cancer, too. Our oldest son, Adrian, was just three. It was a very scary time.”
Lucas is cancer-free now. Since his recovery, the family has helped raise money in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to help find a cure. Lucas has been involved in the Relay since he was two years old, walking and raising money for cancer research.
This year, the Relay for Life of Eastern Putnam will be held at Brewster High School on Saturday, May 31 from 2 to 10 p.m.
The Martinez family will be there along with a team of about 20 family members and friends who call themselves “The Lukey-Dukes.”
“We welcome all friends, families and CCSD staff to join us,” Mrs. Martinez said. “Our team raises money specifically for childhood cancer. At the Relay, we do a dinosaur lap with inflatable costumes. We just try to bring attention to childhood cancer.”
On two warm fall days, third graders from Matthew Paterson Elementary School walked across the road to the Patterson Environmental Park.
The park includes part of the Great Swamp, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in New York State and home to many species of wildlife. The students’ visit would allow them to see its ecological diversity up close.
“We finished the unit on animal classification in our reading program, Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), so we added a trip to the Great Swamp for a hands-on extension,” Teacher Gina Boalt said. “I love this reading program; it is so rich in content.”
Judging from their enthusiasm, the students were excited to put their new knowledge to the test
The Third-Grade Harvest Festival at Matthew Paterson Elementary School is an event that brings students, teachers, staff and families together to celebrate an American tradition.
Parents dressed as Pilgrims and helped the third graders with activities, including grinding apples to make applesauce. The apples were donated by Fishkill Farms in East Fishkill and Wilkins Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown
“This is a great tradition,” said Dan Minieri, who dressed as a Pilgrim for the event. Mineri’s son, Dan, is in the third grade.
The lack of rain this fall led to a burn ban throughout Putnam County, so the tradition of cooking applesauce over an open flame was replaced by a safer inflatable campfire toy with a smoke machine.
“It was still great fun,” said Third Grade Teacher Michelle Belasco. “This event encompasses our Carmel 6 Cs, and it is something we look forward to each year.”
As the students rotated through the four fourth-grade classrooms at Matthew Paterson Elementary School, they made coats of arms, stained glass, illuminated letters and castles – some with modern-day twists.
In Michael Dwyer’s classroom, the students used K’NEX building toys to create castles that would do any royal family proud. One group of builders even put their castle on wheels.
“Castles don’t use wheels,” nine-year-old Chace said to his teammates. “That’s castle-ing 101.”
Pretty soon, though, Chace went along with his group’s idea and started adding wheels. When the group rolled its castle up and down the aisles, their classmates all laughed.
Middle Ages Day was the culminating activity of the reading unit that fourth graders had just completed in the district’s Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA, reading program. The unit had them reading, writing and learning the vocabulary of medieval times.
“They learned all about the Middle Ages, so everything they are creating now is building on their prior knowledge,” Teacher Anastasia Amelio said. “It’s more than just ‘Oh, this is cool.’ These are activities that tie it all together.
They used to say you had to know someone to get a book published.
Not anymore.
Fourth grade reading students at Matthew Paterson Elementary School published their own books using Book Creator, the online publishing software.
Reading Teacher Janine Avitabile recently gave her students the chance to each present their books to their class.
“Our focus was winter holiday traditions that ranged from Christmas, Ramadan and ended with our New Year's resolutions,” Avitabile said. “They each got to tell the story of their own family traditions.”
The students wrote the story and chose the photos. They even created the design, picking their own fonts and adjusting the sizing and layout of their images.
The Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Carmel High School Library lab. The Board will immediately enter executive session There will be no public comment.
The Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Carmel High School library lab. The Board will adopt the budget vote and election results, then immediately enter Executive Session. There will be no public participation.
Upcoming Board of Education Committee Meetings:
Special Education, Support & Wellness Committee: 05/06/25, 5:30 p.m., Carmel High School, Library Lab
Facilities & Transportation Committee: 05/27/25, 5:30 p.m., Carmel High School, Library Lab
Audit, Finance & Personnel Committee: 05/06/25, 5:30 p.m., Carmel High School, Science Room
Policy Committee: 05/29/25, 6:00 p.m., Administrative Office, Executive Conference Room
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Carmel High School. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by an immediate entry into a 30-minute Executive Session. The public portion of the meeting will begin with a Budget Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m., immediately followed by a regular Board of Education meeting.
Community members who wish to speak during the public comment section of the Board meeting are asked to sign up in advance using our Public Comment Sign-up Form here: https://forms.office.com/r/SnQBCFWYy8
Board meetings will continue to be live streamed on this page. Committee meetings are open to the public.
This year, elementary school cross-zone transportation requests are accepted between April 1st and June 1st prior to the start of the new school year.
Students are assigned to one of our three elementary schools based on their residential address.
Cross-zone change requests are primarily considered when the pick-up/drop-off of a student’s childcare is not within the attendance zone assigned for their elementary school.
You can request to transfer your child to the elementary school that is within the attendance zone of their childcare by completing the Cross-Zone Change Request form.
If your request is for a reason other than childcare, and approved, transportation will be your responsibility.
All requests will be reviewed over the summer and a decision will be made once class enrollment size has been determined.
You will be notified of a decision, in writing, by August 1, 2025.
Thank you!
Enjoy the District's newsletter here.
April 11, 2025
Dear Carmel Community:
When spring arrived, it brought a rush of school district activities with it. From the impressive 41st Annual Student Art Show, to competitive athletic events and the Districtwide Read of “I’m Not a Scribble,” our students have been busy.
Let’s hope they take time during this upcoming break to relax and recharge.
I want you to know how grateful I am for the chance to lead this district. It is amazing to see how much our students have accomplished in just months. Our hardworking teachers, administrators and staff make it seem easy, but we know they are guiding students every step of the way.
Remember, schools will be closed Monday, April 21 because we did not use all our snow days. I look forward to getting back on Tuesday, April 22 and gearing up for all the exciting end-of-year activities.
Enjoy your spring break!
Sincerely,
Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.
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
Dear Carmel Families,
As we approach the upcoming standardized testing period for students in grades 3-8, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to the academic growth and success of all our students.
Standardized testing is a key component of our educational system, providing valuable insights into student learning, the effectiveness of instruction and overall school performance. The data from these assessments helps us tailor teaching strategies to better meet individual student needs and evaluate the strength of our districtwide curriculum.
We understand that standardized testing can bring a range of emotions for students, parents and educators alike. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that the testing experience is as positive and supportive as possible, in alignment with our goal of fostering a nurturing and effective learning environment.
To address concerns about potential stress or anxiety, our district has implemented strategies to create a calm and supportive atmosphere during the testing period. These strategies include clear communication with students about the purpose of the assessments, the provision of helpful resources and guidance on effective test-taking techniques. We encourage open and ongoing dialogue between parents, teachers and students to ensure that we approach the testing process together in a constructive and collaborative way.
Additionally, I would like to stress the importance of student participation in the testing process. The data we gather from these assessments not only highlights areas for growth but also plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the academic standards of our district.
Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting quality education and fostering a positive learning environment within Carmel Central School District. If you have any questions or concerns about the testing process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s principal or the district office.
We truly appreciate your partnership in helping our students thrive.
Respectfully,
Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.
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:
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
August 14, 2024
Dear Carmel Central School District Community,
After our board meeting on August 13, 2024, the board has carefully listened to and reflected on the sentiments expressed by some members of our community. Now, we need your help in moving forward.
We heard from many of you who felt unwelcome or unsafe at our board meetings. We want to make it clear that the board stands united in denouncing all forms of discrimination, prejudice, harassment, bullying, and hate. We are dedicated to supporting all of our community.
Our mission at Carmel Central School District is to educate the whole child in an environment free of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. We have received numerous letters, emails, and concerns brought to us at the podium, and we are committed to addressing them, as we have historically done, with our mission at the forefront.
We ask for the community’s collaboration in maintaining a respectful and inclusive atmosphere at our board meetings. The board needs to focus on the district’s important business with our new superintendent while adhering to the standard of conduct outlined in our Code of Conduct.
We ask for your adherence to our Code of Conduct as we strive to create a welcoming, affirming and productive environment for all members.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Respectfully,
Board of Education President Melissa Orser
Vice President Dawn Dall
Trustee John C. Curzio II
Trustee Jordi Douglas
Trustee Jason Paraskeva
Cc: Superintendent of Schools
If you like something a CCSD 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 School Superintendent Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben and to the Board of Education President Melissa Orser.
