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Welcome to Mathew Paterson Elementary School
Creating Consistent, Meaningful Learning Experiences for All Students
Last year, a committee of dedicated educators came together to curate a powerful book list for our school librarian to share with students. The goal was to provide every child with a consistent and enriching experience by introducing high-quality literature, encouraging deep conversations, and creating opportunities for reflection and personal connection.
Over the summer, our team continued this collaboration by integrating technology into library visits:
đ» Kâ2nd Grade
Students will explore Learning.com, with a special focus on building keyboarding skillsâan essential foundation for digital learning.
đ 3rdâ4th Grade
Students are diving into a capstone project. After Mrs. Fitzpatrick reads each book aloud, students will use Book Creator to reflect on the story, make connections, and capture their thoughts creatively.
đ October's Library Focus: Compassion, Collaboration & Citizenship
In alignment with our October calendar themesâCompassion, Collaboration, Citizenship, and Anti-Bullying Awarenessâeach grade level will enjoy a special read-aloud that sparks meaningful discussion.
Hereâs what each grade will be reading this month:
- Kindergarten: Itâs Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
- 1st Grade: We Are All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
- 2nd Grade: What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
- 3rdâ4th Grade: Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
(Included in their Book Creator capstone project)
These titles help students understand and celebrate differences, build empathy, and reflect on their role in creating a caring school community.
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Upcoming Events
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Cycle Day 2
Carmel Central School District -
Columbus Day / Indigenous People's Day
Schools and Administrative Offices Closed
Carmel Central School District -
Cycle Day 3
Carmel Central School District -
MPES - PTO School Store
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Cycle Day 4
Carmel Central School District
Kindergarten Students
Cultivating Opportunities for All
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Transforming a Garden -- Together
Members of Carmel Teachers' Association, Teaching Assistants, CCSD SEPTO and Girl Scout Troop Inspire 1234 came together on October 8 to grow with kindness in a fun and amazing garden project at Matthew Patterson Elementary School.
The group all worked together to beautify MPES garden for Fall.
After the planting, students and families enjoyed painting birdhouses and rocks for the garden. They also created paper flowers, colored Chrysanthemums and enjoyed sensory sand bins. Every student who participated received a gardening certificate of achievement.
It was a beautiful evening working together and learning how to grow with kindness!
Matthew Paterson Elementary School News -
New Superintendent Eager to Start
Though his official start date is not until October 17, incoming Superintendent of Schools Michael F. Plotkin has been hard at work in the Carmel Central School District since the Board of Education appointed him on September 16. Mr. Plotkin, a longtime member of the Carmel schools community, has been meeting nights and weekends with Interim Superintendent Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben to ensure a smooth transition.
âI am so eager to start that I wanted to jump right in,â Mr. Plotkin said. âIâm excited to meet all the parents, staff and the students, and I look forward to being involved in the day-to-day operations of the Carmel schools.â
A resident of Holmes whose three daughters are Carmel High School graduates, Mr. Plotkin has deep roots in the community. He particularly enjoyed the recent homecoming weekend, since his son is one of the Carmel High School Rams football players.
âI am so honored to have the chance to serve my home district,â Mr. Plotkin said.
After touring the schools and discussing issues with Dr. Fairben, who announced her retirement plans this past spring, Mr. Plotkin solidified his goals for his first 100 days in office. Now, when he officially starts as Superintendent, he will hit the ground running.
âOver these past few weeks, I have gotten to know Michael, and I am confident that I am leaving the district in excellent hands,â Dr. Fairben said. âI am certain that the Carmel Central School District will thrive under his leadership.â
District News -
Carmel Schools Remember
Throughout the Carmel Central School District on Thursday, educators took time to reflect on the history of 9/11.
âThis morning, we observed a moment of silence during our announcements,â said Jeffrey Noto, Interim Principal of Kent Elementary School. âWe also shared a short paragraph with students about the significance of September 11, 2001. Our statement recalled the heroic acts on and following September 11, 2001. We referenced Carmelâs 6Câs: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Creativity and Compassion, and how these characteristics contribute to developing a greater school community.â
At Kent Primary School, third grader Gregory said he was wearing a red, white and blue shirt to honor Patriotâs Day for the memory of 9/11.
âToday was the day the twin towers were destroyed,â Gregory said.
John Fratto, the principal of George Fischer Middle School, said the day not only included time to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11.
âWe also want to thank the first respondersâfirefighters, police officers, EMTs, and everyday peopleâwho showed incredible bravery in the face of unimaginable danger. Your actions saved lives, and your courage continues to inspire,â Mr. Fratto said. âItâs a day to reflect, to honor, and to never forget.âDistrict News -
Carmel Among Best Communities for Music Education
Congratulations to the Carmel Central School District Music Department for being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAAM Foundation.
This is the 12th time that NAAM (the National Association for Music Merchants) recognized Carmel for its exceptional music education.
âThe award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education,â the group said.
The music program is excellent throughout the district.
In May, several Carmel High School and George Fischer Middle School groups excelled at NYSSMA majors. All three Carmel High School bands, all three CHS orchestras and the CHS chorus each performed at NYSSMA majors and received gold and silver ratings. The groups went on to play at the Music in the Parks Festival last week and were awarded superior ratings for the second year in a row. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestras also performed well at the NYSSMA majors.
Music education plays a big part even in elementary school, as music teachers lead students in performances for events throughout the year.
Carmelâs music program helps introduce our students to a larger music community. Carmel hosted state and countywide functions this year and brought additional music opportunities to our students. The department sets the groundwork for our students to have a lifetime of music.
District News -
Matthew Paterson Gets a Little Lending Library
Students at Matthew Paterson Elementary School now have another place to find great books to read.
The school just opened a Little Lending Library, which sits right by the main entrance and is open to all.
Teaching Assistant Leslie Maher came up with the idea. She had seen little lending libraries â built like tiny houses on top of a post â and thought it would be great if Matthew Paterson could have one of its own.
âWhen teachers reorganize their classrooms, they often have a lot of books that they no longer need,â Maher said. âI just thought this would be a great way to make those books available to our students.â
Principal Jenn Darling loved the idea of giving students yet another fun way to fall in love with reading.
âLots of families come here after school, to the playground or for sports,â Darling said. âNow they can stop and pick up a book. We are happy to do anything that promotes a love of reading.â
But who could build the tiny library?
Diana McDermott, who teaches third and fourth grade at Matthew Paterson, knew just the guy. Her husband, Bill, built both of their homes. She volunteered him.
âHe was volun-told,â she joked. âBut he didnât mind. He was happy to build a little library for the school, and he doesnât do anything half-way. Look at all the detail. Itâs really beautiful.â
When Principal Darling cut the ribbon on the Little Lending Library this week, the school already had close to 300 books collected to fill it.
âI just live down the block,â Maher said. âIn the summer, I can just stop by and restock it.â
Matthew Paterson Elementary School News -
Budget Passed and Three New Board Members Elected
Voters endorsed the Carmel Central School District Budget Tuesday and elected three new board members to the Board of Education.
The budget passed by a vote of 1290 to 1113. Nicholas Magliano, Frank Grasso and Michael Torpey were elected to the Board of Education.
âIâm so appreciative to the community for supporting students and allowing us to fulfill the mission of the district,â Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben said. âI also want to welcome the three new Board of Education members Nicholas Magliano, Frank Grasso and Michael Torpey.â
The Board of Education results were:
Nicholas Magliano -- 1390
Frank Grasso -- 1252
Michael Torpey --1255
Prakash Tewari -- 1059
Nathaniel Query -- 740Board President Melissa Orser said she was grateful that the community approved the budget.
âI want to thank the community for coming out to support our schools,â Board President Orser said. âI also want to thank the administration â both the superintendent of schools and the assistant superintendents â for upholding the boardâs focus on fiscal responsibility.â
District News -
See the Budget Newsletter
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.
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Fourth Graders Experience History
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.
District News
Announcements
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Board of Education Committee Meetings
Upcoming Board of Education Committee Meetings:
Audit, Facilities & Operation: October 21, 2025, Carmel High School, Science Room 201, 5:30 p.m.
Special Education, Support & Wellness Committee: October 21, 2025, Carmel High School, Library Lab, 5:30 p.m.
Policy Committee: November 3, 2025, Administrative Office, Executive Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.Board of Education -
Board of Education Meeting
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Carmel High School. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. immediately followed by a proposed entry into executive session. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
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.
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Send us Compliments or Complaints
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 the superintendent of schools and to the president of the Board of Education.
Carmel Central School District -
Sign-up for Weekly E-Newsletters and District Alerts
Community members can sign up for our Carmel Central School District News group through ParentSquare to stay up-to-date on district news and events. You will receive weekly e-newsletters as well as other updates with important district information. Current parents and staff are automatically subscribed to receive e-newsletters.
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Board Meeting Public Comment Sign-Up
Community members who wish to speak during the public comment portion of a Board of Education meeting are asked to sign-up in advance using our Public Comment Sign-up Form or by contacting the District Clerk four (4) hours prior to the meeting at jstevens@carmelschools.org. The sign-up form will also be available at the meeting for anyone who wishes to speak and did not sign up in advance.
These individuals will be called upon during the scheduled public participation section on the agenda. To facilitate follow-up, please provide your name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address, as well as the topic of your comments. Speakers are limited to five (5) minutes each. No district employee or student may be commented upon or identified by name or situation.
Board of Education -
CCSD Launches Anonymous Alerts Tool
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing safety, communication and equity districtwide, Carmel Central School District has launched a new communication tool, Anonymous AlertsÂź. This tool enables students or parents to report urgent information to school officials quickly, easily and anonymously across all our school campuses.
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Board of Education Meeting Recordings
Recordings of Board of Education meetings and presentations from those meetings are available to the public.
Board of Education