Matthew Paterson Elementary School

Cultivating Opportunities for All

• Reading, Writing and Recycling

  In Janine Avitabile’s fourth grade reading class at Matthew Paterson Elementary School, students marked Earth Day with a lesson on reducing plastic waste. The project blended reading, writing and creativity. It gave students a chance not just to learn about the issue, but to see themselves as part of the solution. 

  The lesson began with the book “One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia,” by Miranda Paul, which tells how one woman’s determination to recycle discarded plastic bags sparked change in her community.  

  “The book was about littering,” Johnny said. “They decided to take the plastic bags that were left around and make a recycled purse out of them.” 

  Then the class turned to Adobe Express to design their own Earth Day posters. Each student created a message about reducing, reusing or recycling plastic. They matched their words with images that reinforced their ideas. The students each listed something they could change in their own lives to reduce plastic waste.  

  “I will use a metal water bottle instead of a plastic one,” Eliana said.  

  Once the posters were complete, students evaluated each other’s work across four categories: themes, visuals, readability and layout. The exercise encouraged them to think about how effectively their messages were communicated, an important skill for any writer. 

  For these fourth graders, Earth Day was not just a lesson. It was an opportunity to imagine a cleaner world and the role they can play in creating it. 

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Teachers Go To Class

  The Carmel Teachers' Association partnered with district administration to host a full day of professional learning during the recent Superintendent’s Conference Day at George Fischer Middle School. The event featured more than 60 courses designed to support staff growth and student success.

  “Days like today matter,” Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said. “It’s one of those rare moments where you get to pause, reflect and reconnect -- with ideas, with colleagues and maybe even with the reason you chose this work in the first place. Today isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about giving you something back.”

  The conference day underscored the district’s ongoing commitment to professional growth, collaboration and community, all of which enhance learning experiences for students across Carmel schools.

  “CTA/Superintendent’s Conference Day reflects a strong partnership between district administration and the CTA, with over 60 thoughtfully planned courses designed to meet the needs of our staff,” said Dr. Jeff C. Gorman, assistant superintendent for instruction. “It’s a clear example of our shared commitment to continuous growth and improving outcomes for the students we serve.”

  Educators spent the day engaged in a wide range of sessions, from college preparation and application strategies to interactive workshops on emerging instructional practices. One featured session, “America is 250!” led by history teacher Rob Buccheri, explored the American Revolution and its impact on Putnam County.

  Another popular offering, “Innovation in the Classroom with AI,” introduced participants to tools that can enhance student engagement through interactive content. The session also focused on differentiating instruction and creating standards-aligned materials using AI-powered platforms.

  The day’s programming was coordinated by middle school science teachers Joanna Sweeney and Sara Schmidt, who helped organize a schedule aimed at meeting the varied needs of district staff.

  In addition to professional development, the event featured several CTA-led initiatives. The CTA Scholarship Committee hosted a raffle of themed gift baskets created by each school building, with all proceeds supporting scholarships for Carmel High School seniors.

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  Photos by Denise Santalis

  District News

• Embracing Acceptance

  On March 23, Katherine Magnoli held a virtual zoom presentation at Matthew Paterson Elementary School. Ms. Magnoli is a children’s book author and passionate disability advocate dedicated to promoting inclusion and breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities. She is also the founder of KatGirl and Friends Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on empowering individuals with disabilities to share their talents, strengths, and unique abilities.

  Through her work as an author and advocate, she encourages communities to embrace acceptance, understanding, and opportunity for all. During the virtual presentation, Katherine read aloud one of her books and shared her personal story with students. She also invited students to ask questions about her disability, creating a meaningful opportunity for open conversation, learning, and empathy.

  Her presentation helped students better understand the importance of inclusion and reminded them that everyone has strengths that make them unique. This was a great way to celebrate March's Developmental Disability Awareness Month!

  MPES Principal Jennifer Darling, organized and created this amazing experience for the students. The students loved the read aloud and their questions with Katherine were thought provoking, immersive and well prepared.  Thank you to CCSD SEPTO and MPES PTO who sponsored the event.

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Kindergarten "Farm Day"

  It’s not every school day that kindergartners get to hold chickens on their laps. But the youngsters at Matthew Paterson Elementary School recently got to watch, pet and hold four chickens that teacher Heidi Rolewicz brought in from home.  

  “They are so cute,” one little girl said of the birds, named Sweet Potato, Wheezy, Cocoa and Cinderella.   

  The chicken visits were part of a hands-on “Farm Day” that brought the kindergarten reading lessons to life. The day of activities reinforced the farm unit the children had just completed in their reading program, Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA. 

  “It’s a way to follow up on what they learned,” Mrs. Rolewicz said. “Farm Day takes the vocabulary and the concepts they have studied in class and brings them to life.” 

  The students rotated among the four kindergarten classrooms throughout the day and worked on a variety of farm chores.  They milked pretend cows in Jessica Kuney’s ”Dairy Barn,” a creative setup that featured a paper cow with latex gloves for udders. The udders were filled with a mixture of water and white paint to resemble milk.  

  Jaylyn gave it a try. “It was a little hard to squeeze it out,” she said. 

  After milking the cows, they also got to make butter by shaking jars of milk.  Ms. Kuney even brought in some bread so they could taste their homemade butter.  

  In the other classes, students reviewed farm vocabulary, such as “shelter” and “crops,” before participating in creative activities.  The students made a barn craft with different animals in Carol Cassidy and Christina Tucci’s class and then created vegetable crops out of handprints and craft materials in Antoinette Stasiak’s class. 

  A highlight for many seemed to be meeting the four chickens in Mrs. Rolewicz and Mrs. Perez’s classroom.  

  “I have ten chickens,” one boy said proudly. “We get eggs from them.” 

  By the end of the day, students experienced firsthand some of the farm life they had been learning about for weeks.  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Kindness is Contagious

  Four girls in Alison Cordone’s fourth grade class decided they wanted to spread positivity throughout Matthew Paterson Elementary School, so they started a Kindness Bookmark Club called “Spread the Word!” 

   “Their goal was to make a bookmark with a phrase or an illustration of kindness for every student in the fourth grade,” said Ms. Cordone. “They want their bookmarks to be a reminder to spread kindness wherever you go.” 

   But after making their first 100 bookmarks, the group – Samantha, Lucy, Adrianna and Scarlett – decided to go a few steps further. They solicited help from their classmates and together the class made bookmarks for one half of the school’s students and stickers for the other half. 

   “The whole reason we are doing this is because we want to spread kindness around the school,” Scarlett said.  

   Their work was showcased at a Random Acts of Kindness Assembly on Wednesday, January 21 for the entire school. In two separate sessions, students from kindergarten to fourth grade listened to “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” It’s a story about how kind actions help “fill” others’ buckets, while unkind choices empty the bucket. Then they watched a video where students shared their acts of kindness. “I helped a friend by bringing food to the table,” Lillian said. “I stopped to ask someone if they were ok,” Ethan said.  

  At the end of the assembly, the students in Ms. Cordone’s class handed out the bookmarks and stickers and heard the thanks from all their schoolmates.   

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• 2026-27 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Information

  Dear Carmel Community,

   

  We are happy to share that our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program will continue for the 2026-27 school year. 

   

  Our 2026-27 registration packet and other information will be available on our UPK page starting Monday, January 26, 2026.

   

  Completed registration packets will be accepted starting on Wednesday, January 28. 

   

  Registration will close on Friday, April 10, and parents/guardians will be informed of their child's assigned location by Friday, May 1. 

   

  Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available here: Carmel 2026-27 UPK FAQs ​

   

  We will also hold information sessions with our UPK partners in February and will communicate the dates and times of these sessions on Monday, January 26th.​

   

  We look forward to welcoming our youngest learners as we embark on the second full year of our Carmel UPK program. If you have any questions before then, please feel free to reach out to:
  
  Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent of PPS
  (845) 878-2094
  ekennedy@carmelschools.org
  
  For Spanish speaking assistance, please contact:
  Mrs. Denise Ramirez
  Bilingual Outreach Coordinator
  (845) 540-9094

  Dramirez@carmelschools.org 
  
  Sincerely,

  Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Assistant Superintendent of PPS

   

  District News

• Quick Thinking Saves a Child from Choking

  One day last month, Jeanine Lopez, a paraprofessional at Matthew Paterson Elementary School, was in the school’s cafeteria during lunch when a fourth grader named Ethan began choking, panicked and just got up and ran.  

  Ms. Lopez was able to grab him. She kept her cool and quickly did the Heimlich maneuver. The first thrust of her clenched fist did nothing. Then she performed a second, and a third. On the fourth thrust to the boy’s upper abdomen, the piece of the mozzarella stick he had been eating popped out. He could breathe again. She had saved Ethan’s life.  

  A member of Matthew Paterson’s Safety Team, Ms. Lopez is certified in CPR, first aid, AED, Narcan emergency and, luckily, the Heimlich maneuver.  

  “There is nothing I wouldn't do to help a child in any emergency,” Ms. Lopez said. “As a paraprofessional you must always be mindful of your environment and student’s needs. My advice to anyone who works with children is to be trained in emergency situations because the more you are informed and trained, the better you are prepared. My advice to others in this emergency is to remain calm, trust your training, and act quickly.”   

  Ms. Lopez was recognized at the January 13 Board of Education meeting. 

  “In a moment that could have ended very differently, Jeanine acted with calm, courage, and quick thinking,” Matthew Paterson Elementary School Principal Jennifer Darling said. “When a student was in danger, she didn’t hesitate—she stepped in and performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving that child’s life. 

  “Because of her training, her bravery and her willingness to act, a child went home safely that day. We are beyond grateful and proud to have Jeanine Lopez as part of our school community. Thank you for being a true lifesaving hero.” 

  Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin then honored Ms. Lopez as well.  

  “This Certification of Recognition acknowledges that Jeanine Lopez has been recognized for her dedication and outstanding care for the children of the Carmel Central School District,” Mr. Plotkin said at the meeting.  

  Ms. Lopez has been shy about taking the credit she deserves. As the audience applauded her at the meeting, she just held Ethan’s hand and smiled.  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Bringing the Middle Ages to Life

  Learning about the Middle Ages is part of the fourth-grade curriculum. To bring the curriculum to life, the fourth graders at Matthew Paterson Elementary School showed one another what they learned about the Medieval Period.  

  The students had to pick a topic – Castles and Knights, Lord of the Manor or Serf, Medieval Village – and then decide how to present it to the class. They could make a diorama, a poster or a Power Point presentation. Then each of the fourth-grade classes took turns visiting each other's classrooms and seeing what their schoolmates created.   

  Johniel’s diorama showed what life was like during the Plague. 

  “I learned that hundreds of people died because doctors then didn’t have the tools they do now,” he said. “Their streets were really dirty. There was sewage everywhere. They used to hold flowers in their mouths to keep from smelling the bad smell.” 

  Daniel, 9, said it took him half the weekend to make his diorama.  

  “I had help,” he said. “My mom made the moat. My uncle showed me how to use the 3D printer to make the castle.”  

  Emily thought it would be fun to live in a big castle.  

  “I think I would have liked to live in the Middle Ages,” she said. “They didn’t have to go to school.”   

  Still, in some ways not much has changed since the Middle Ages. Then, as now, several students agreed that it would have been better to be the Lord of the Manor than a serf. 

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News