This week, our school community came together to celebrate kindness and collaboration in exciting and meaningful ways! 
We kicked off the week with Kindness Bingo, encouraging students to engage in small acts of kindness throughout the day. On Mix-It-Up Lunch Tuesday, students stepped out of their comfort zones to sit with new friends, fostering connections and inclusivity. 

The highlight of the week was today’s Laser Prismatic Assembly with Jesse the Laser Guy! Using vibrant laser light animations set to high-energy music, Jesse delivered an unforgettable message about teamwork and empathy. Students learned to recognize the signs of bullying, understand the importance of considering others’ perspectives, and how each of us can contribute to preventing bullying by doing the right thing. 
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this week a success. Together, we are building a stronger, kinder school community! Thank you MPES PTO for sponsoring the assembly!  
 
Wednesday, November 20-School store will be open during all lunch periods. 
Wednesday, November 27-Half Day for students-The front window will close at 11:45 am so we can prepare for dismissal.  (This is only if you need to pick up your child early.)  
If you are picking up your child(ren) the cafeteria doors will open at 12:05.  The buses will depart campus around 12:12.    
Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29-School will be closed for Thanksgiving Recess.   
 

These books are excellent tools for sparking discussions about kindness, empathy, and how we treat others. They can also inspire students to reflect on how they can incorporate kindness into their daily lives!


Picture Books (Younger Readers)

  1. "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud
    A heartwarming story that teaches children about the impact of kind words and actions on others.
  2. "Be Kind" by Pat Zietlow Miller
    This book explores what it means to be kind and how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
  3. "Kindness is My Superpower" by Alicia Ortego
    A colorful and engaging story about how kindness can transform relationships and brighten lives.
  4. "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig
    A touching story about inclusion and making others feel seen and valued.
  5. "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson
    A thought-provoking tale that emphasizes how small acts of kindness can have a big impact—but also how missed opportunities can leave a lasting mark.

Chapter Books (Older Elementary Readers)

  1. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio
    This beloved book follows Auggie, a boy with facial differences, and teaches lessons about empathy, kindness, and acceptance.
  2. "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo
    A beautiful story of friendship, kindness, and healing through the bond between a girl and her dog.
  3. "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate
    A moving story told from the perspective of a captive gorilla, highlighting compassion and kindness toward all living creatures.

Interactive and Inspirational Books

  1. "What Does It Mean to Be Kind?" by Rana DiOrio
    A simple yet powerful book explaining the many ways to show kindness.
  2. "I Am Human: A Book of Empathy" by Susan Verde
    A book that helps children understand how empathy and kindness are essential parts of being human.
Next week our new library will open for our students!  In December we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for families and guardians.  I will keep you posted!

Monday, November 18 is day 3 in our specials cycle.

Fondly,

Jennifer Darling 
 

Latest MPES Headlines

  • Core Knowledge in the Real World

    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.

    Read more

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News
  • A Visit From Baby Goats

    Some visitors to Matthew Paterson Elementary School recently brought out the nurturing instinct in students from kindergarten through fourth grade, not to mention their teachers and administrators.  

    Nearly everyone who got to see the three baby goats that visited from Ridge Ranch in Patterson started cooing.  

    “Oh, they are so cute,” they cried. “Can we pet them?”  

    The district’s Special Education PTO, or CCSD SEPTO, sponsored three goats this year at Ridge Ranch, an educational farm run by Arielle and Dan Honovich that specializes in “Animal Experiences.”   

    Read more

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News
  • Thankful for Senior Citizens

    The Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon sponsored by The Carmel Teachers’ Association was a big success with the guests praising the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables and, of course, pumpkin pie.  

    Most of all, however, the senior citizens who came to Carmel High School, George Fischer Middle School and Matthew Paterson Elementary School were glad to return to schools that many of their children (and some of them) attended and to see friends from the throughout the community. 

    “We love our seniors,” said Alice Holzmann, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at George Fischer Middle School. “And they love this event.” 

    Read more and see more photos

    District News
  • A Thank You to the Board of Education

    The week of October 14 is School Board Recognition Week, but Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben thanked the Board of Education for their service a few days early, during the Board of Ed meeting on Octobert 8th. 
    "I know we are a little early, but I just wanted to take the chance to thank you for all you do," Dr. Fairben said. 
    Then she showed a surprise video that was created by students in Tim Raney’s Video Production class at Carmel High School, who included children from all five school buildings.    
    CHS Senior Kasey Carboy led the project. She wrote the outline, filmed and edited the video, which was her first project as lead.
    Seniors Ivy Kolovik and Dan Fanceschi assisted Kasey with filming at the various school buildings. 
     
    District News
  • Fire Department Visits Matthew Paterson

    For National Fire Prevention Week, the Patterson Fire Department No. 1 visited Matthew Paterson Elementary School to teach kids about fire safety and help familiarize them with emergency equipment so they could be less anxious in case of an actual emergency.  

    EMT Foreman Susan McLaughlin, who came to Matthew Paterson in an ambulance, asked students in Jessica Curran’s first grade class when it might be appropriate to call 911.  

    “If someone is bleeding or hurt,” one student said.  

    “If there is a car accident or a fire,’ another added.  

    Then McLaughlin pulled the stretcher out of the ambulance, asked first grader Abigail to climb aboard and called upon classmate Hunter to act as the doctor.  

    “Ok, Dr. Hunter, you need to check your patient’s heart rate,” McLaughlin said, as she put the stethoscope on Abigail’s forehead.  

    The class all laughed and yelled “No, that’s not where it goes.” McLaughlin scratched her head and put the stethoscope on Abigail’s foot to an even louder outcry from the first graders. Finally, she handed it over to Dr. Hunter, who placed the stethoscope on Abigail’s heart.  

    Read more and see more photos

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News
  • Second Graders Learn New Sports

    Now that the first couple of weeks of the school year are over, the games can begin. The games in physical education class at Matthew Paterson Elementary School, that is.  

    “Soccer is our first intro to a sport activity,” said Physical Education Teacher Lisa Palmieri as she led groups of second graders around the school field. “The first weeks are about learning routines such as how to behave in the gym and how to act outside. Now they are learning soccer skills like passing, dribbling, shooting – the basics.”  

    Playing school sports teaches all of Carmel’s Six Cs -- Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Compassion, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication.  

    Darwin, a 7-year-old, passed an orange soccer ball to his classmate Jackson. 

    “I do play soccer all the time,” Darwin said. “I asked my mom if she could take me to soccer practice and she said she would.”  

    Read more and see more photos 

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News
  • A Carmel Graduate Gives Back

    Come October, Chris DeChent will have worked in the Carmel Schools for 20 years. But that anniversary does not even include the time he worked in the district before graduating from Carmel High School in 2004.  

    DeChent, the Information Systems Technician, started helping out with district technology when he was in Carmel High School. By tenth grade he had a summer internship in the IT department and, later, an after-school job.  

    “In high school I was always the student ready to jump in and help the teacher if the computer had a problem or the projector wasn’t working,” DeChent said. “I enjoyed building computers, understanding how they worked, and figuring out how to repair them. My name became known to the IT department and they let me help out. I started here full time after graduation.” 

    DeChent credits his teachers with encouraging his interests and talents.  

    Read more

    District News
  • An Announcement

    We unequivocally denounce antisemitism in all of its forms and expressions.

    The Carmel Central School District serves a diverse population. We embrace that diversity and are focused on shaping the next generation of successful Carmel graduates who exemplify the Carmel 6 Cs (Citizenship, Compassion, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication). Through education, our students are taught to engage in civil and respectful discourse. Our mission is to educate the whole student through partnerships to become lifelong learners in an ever-changing world.

    Read more 

    District News
  • Welcoming New Principals

    New principals have been hired this summer at Kent Primary School and Kent Elementary School.  

    Vincent Fino, who served as Assistant Principal at Carmel High School is the new principal at Kent Primary School. He replaces Dan Brown, who retired at the end of the school year.   

    At Kent Elementary School, new Principal John Fratto is replacing Michael Setaro, who took a position at Southern Westchester BOCES. Mr. Fratto also served as an Assistant Principal at Carmel High School.  

    With such great leadership in place, Kent Elementary and Kent Primary will be well prepared for a great 2024-25 school year.  

     

    District News
  • Introducing Carmel's New Superintendent of Schools

    On July 1, Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.  will take over as the Carmel Central School District's new Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Fairben, who brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of educational leadership and a deep commitment to student success, was appointed by the Board of Education in February.

    Dr. Fairben has been an educator for 32 years. She has taught at elementary, middle and high school as well as college-level courses for aspiring educators at SUNY Brockport, St. John Fisher, and Hobart and William Smith colleges.  She has held various leadership roles at both the building and district level including Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Programs, Superintendent of the NYS School for the Blind, Director of P16, Assistant Superintendent and most recently as an Associate Superintendent at the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. Throughout her career, Dr. Fairben has worked tirelessly to support all students and has expanded educational opportunities for students through collaboration, effective communication, and visionary leadership.  Dr. Fairben brings with her decades of leadership experience in building strong relationships with her staff and community.   

    Read more

    District News
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Upcoming Events

  • MPES - School Store

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
  • MPES - General PTO Meeting

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
  • Elementary Trimester Ends

    Carmel Central School District
  • MPES - Spirit Day

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
  • Early Dismissal (Districtwide)

    Early Dismissal (Districtwide)

    Professional Development

    Carmel Central School District
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