Matthew Paterson Elementary School

Cultivating Opportunities for All

• 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

• Thank you, Board of Education

  The New York State School Boards Association named October 13-18 as School Board Recognition Week, a time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by local school boards.  

  Since the Carmel Board of Education did not have a meeting that week, new Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin took the opportunity to extend the district’s thanks to the Board during the Tuesday, Oct. 21 meeting. It also happened to be Mr. Plotkin’s first meeting as Superintendent of Schools.  

  “We pause to honor the extraordinary dedication of the Carmel Central School District Board of Education,” Mr. Plotkin said. “Each of you give countless hours, often behind the scenes, to ensure that every decision you make supports the success, safety and well-being of our Carmel students. Your leadership guides our vision and anchors our community in shared purpose. The progress we celebrate, which includes strong schools, innovative programs and caring classrooms, stands as a direct reflection of your commitment. For all of that, we want to say ‘Thank you.’” 

  The district thanked the board members with a certificate of appreciation, drawings from elementary school students, tissue paper flowers made by art students and the gift of one service from the Carmel High School auto shop, where oil changes, tire rotations and detailing are all part of the curriculum.

  The Board members, President Melissa Orser, Vice President John Curzio, II, Trustee Jordi Douglas, Trustee Frank Grasso, Trustee Nicholas Magliano, Trustee Michael Torpey and Trustee James Wise, all serve as volunteers in the unpaid Board positions. 

  District News

• Schools Welcome Superintendent Michael Plotkin

  Michael Plotkin’s first day as Carmel’s Superintendent of Schools started out with a tour of George Fischer Middle School, where he seemed to already know just about everyone.  

  That’s because Mr. Plotkin has been an active parent in the Carmel Central School District for decades.   

  His walk through the middle school hallways was punctuated with hugs and handshakes as he rekindled old relationships and quickly made new ones.  

  Fifth grade teacher Deanna Belascio reached out in greeting. 

  “I had all of his daughters,” she said. “They grew up, but I stayed the same age; I have only taught here for 26 years.”  

  Further down the hallway, Assistant Principal for fifth grade Joe Keenan offered a bear hug. 

  “Thanks for taking this on,” Mr. Keenan said. “This is a big job, but you’re going to do really well here.”   

  Up in the sixth-grade wing, even students called out to him.  

  “Do you remember me?” sixth grader Giuliana asked. “I’m Kevin’s daughter.”  

  “Of course, I remember you,” the new superintendent said. “Let’s take a selfie so I can send it to your father.” 

  Her father served as the D.A.R.E. officer in Mr. Plotkin’s previous district, Croton-Harmon. 

  Since it was a Friday, several middle school Carmel Rams Football fans were wearing their jerseys.  

  “Are you going to the game?” Mr. Plotkin asked as he slid into a booth in the school library where a group was working on an independent study project. 

  “Yes, my brother is on the team,” said a boy named Henry.  

  “My son, Ben, is on the team,” Mr. Plotkin said. “I’ll tell him to say hi to your brother.”  

  Then it was on to the building’s lowest level, where he spoke with the cafeteria manager about the day’s lunch (Taco Pizza), stopped to talk to the kids learning coding in the technology classroom, and checked into Head Custodian Terrence McQuade’s office to see the equipment that keeps the building humming.  

  Of course, he knew Mr. McQuade from back in the day. 

  “I used to do the youth wrestling program here, and he was instrumental in making sure that we didn’t kill ourselves,” Mr. Plotkin joked.  

  Before he headed over to Carmel High School and the district’s three elementary schools, Mr. Plotkin stopped to hear the students in Erika Wahlers’ music class practice drumming to a Halloween song.  

  “That teacher was friends with my daughter when they were in school,” he said.  

  With his outgoing and friendly demeanor, it seems Mr. Plotkin will soon know everyone in the Carmel Central School District. 

   

  District News

• Students Learn Fire Safety

  Visitors to Matthew Paterson Elementary School for Fire Safety Week came complete with lights and sirens.  

  Firefighter Anthony Rivera of the Patterson Fire Department No. 1 talked to students about how important it is to remember the phrase “Stop, Drop and Roll” in case they were ever in a fire. Then he had the children line up, drop to the ground and roll under polls that were set about two feet high.  

  “That was so funny,” Aidan, a second grader in Stephanie Moran’s class, said after rolling across the grass. “It was really easy.”  

  Firefighter Rivera, like many of the emergency responders who visited Matthew Paterson during Fire Safety Week, has a child of his own in the school.  His son, Anthony, is in third grade.   

  First grader Josie was proud that her father, Firefighter Gene Boo, was there. He donned a scary looking oxygen mask to help children know what to expect if a masked firefighter came to rescue them during a fire. Later he helped students tour the Patterson fire engine.   

  “He wants everybody to be safe,” said Josie, who is in Jennifer Pili's class.     

  In addition to the Patterson firefighters, ambulance crew, fire police and rescue team, the Carmel Fire Department also visited the school. Carmel firefighters invited students to tour its signature green truck.  

  “We provide mutual aid. All the departments around here do,” Carmel Firefighter Steve Rivera said. “We come to all of Carmel Central School District Elementary schools for the fire safety lesson. Our department serves much of the district but only the middle and high school are within our boundaries.”  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• 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.  

  “I am so eager to start that I wanted to jump right in,” Mr. Plotkin said. “I’m 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.”  

  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.   

  “I am so honored to have the chance to serve my home district,” 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.  

  “Over these past few weeks, I have gotten to know Michael, and I am confident that I am leaving the district in excellent hands,” Dr. Fairben said. “I am certain that the Carmel Central School District will thrive under his leadership.” 

  District News

• Carmel Schools Remember

  Throughout the Carmel Central School District on Thursday, educators took time to reflect on the history of 9/11. 

  “This morning, we observed a moment of silence during our announcements,” said Jeffrey Noto, Interim Principal of Kent Elementary School. “We 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 Carmel’s 6C’s: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Creativity and Compassion, and how these characteristics contribute to developing a greater school community.” 

  At Kent Primary School, third grader Gregory said he was wearing a red, white and blue shirt to honor Patriot’s Day for the memory of 9/11.  

  “Today was the day the twin towers were destroyed,” 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. 
   
  “We also want to thank the first responders—firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and everyday people—who showed incredible bravery in the face of unimaginable danger. Your actions saved lives, and your courage continues to inspire,” Mr. Fratto said.  “It’s a day to reflect, to honor, and to never forget.” 

  District 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.

  “The 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,” 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. 

  Carmel’s 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