Welcome to Mathew Paterson Elementary School

 

Dear Matthew Dear Matthew Paterson School Community, 
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoyed a relaxing and joyful summer filled with special moments. We are thrilled to welcome our students back to school and are especially excited to greet our new families who are joining our school community for the first time. 
Our team has been working hard to prepare for another year of growth, learning, and connection. As always, our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best. 
This year, we will continue to build on our strong foundation of academic excellence, social-emotional learning, and inclusive practices. We are committed to nurturing a community where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and explore their passions. 
Here are a few important reminders as we begin the year: 

  • The first day of school is September 2 for grades 1-4
  • Kindergarten Open House for parents/students on September 2, 9:30-10:45. The first full day for kindergarten students starts on Wednesday, September 3.
  • Class assignments and teacher welcome letters will be shared on Monday, August 25th on ParentVue.
  • Our annual Back-to-School Curriculum Night will be held on September 17 (K-2) and September 18 (3rd & 4th) —we look forward to seeing you there!
  • Please be sure to update any contact information in our school system to ensure clear communication throughout the year.

Strong partnerships between home and school are vital to student success. We encourage you to stay connected with us—whether it's through regular newsletters, classroom updates, family events, or simply reaching out to your child's teacher or to me directly. We are here to work alongside you. 

Please read below for important information regarding the start of the school year. 

Arrival  Dismissal 
  • Students who are arriving by car can be dropped off starting at 8:45 am. A custodian will be there to open your car door by the kindergarten entrance. 
  • All students being dropped off by cars will enter through the main entrance. 
  • The students who ride the school bus are released upon arrival at our campus. 
  • Breakfast is available Monday through Friday starting at 8:45.
  • Children can be picked up in the cafeteria starting at 3:25 pm.
  • If you have to pick up your child early, please pick up by 3:00.
  • Please bring identification for the safety of our students. Parents/guardians are expected to bring identification every day.
  • Buses depart campus at 3:35. 
 


School Dismissal Manager (SDM):  
 We will continue to utilize SDM starting Tuesday, September 2, 2025. I wanted to follow up on how important it is that we have clear communication on how your child gets home every day. The purpose of the School Dismissal Manager app is to for you to have easy access to change your child’s dismissal. The School Dismissal Manager digital system is the most efficient and accurate way to track dismissal requests; its purpose is to make things easier and less prone to confusion. Several neighboring districts have used it, and the feedback is positive.  Before September, you will receive an email to set up your child's SDM account. The email from SDM will contain important instructions and your personal login credentials. 

Get Involved! 
Family engagement is an essential part of a successful school community. We invite you to take an active role in your child’s school experience by joining one—or both—of the following organizations: 
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

Our PTO plays a vital role in enriching student life and supporting school initiatives. We encourage you to get involved, attend meetings, and participate in events that directly benefit our students and staff. Your time and talents make a difference! For more information, please visit the MPES PTO website. 

Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO)
Families are also welcome to participate in our districtwide SEPTO. This group is dedicated to building collaborative relationships between families, the Carmel schools, and the community in support of individuals with disabilities. SEPTO provides education, resources, and advocacy for families. To learn more, you can contact Marie Camacho, SEPTO President, at ccsdsepto@carmelschools.org. 

Let’s make this a fantastic year filled with compassion, collaboration, and celebration. I can’t wait to see our hallways filled with the smiles and laughter of our students once again. 

Fondly,

Jennifer Darling
Principal

   

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

  • Superintendent's Conference Day

    Carmel Central School District

  • Labor Day

    Schools and Administrative Offices Closed

    Carmel Central School District

  • First Day of School

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cycle Day 1

    Carmel Central School District

  • MPES - Kindergarten Orientation

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
View Monthly Calendar

Kindergarten Students

Cultivating Opportunities for All

  • 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

  • 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 – built like tiny houses on top of a post – and thought it would be great if Matthew Paterson could have one of its own.  

    “When teachers reorganize their classrooms, they often have a lot of books that they no longer need,” Maher said. “I just thought this would be a great way to make those books available to our students.”  

    Principal Jenn Darling loved the idea of giving students yet another fun way to fall in love with reading. 

    “Lots of families come here after school, to the playground or for sports,” Darling said. “Now they can stop and pick up a book. We are happy to do anything that promotes a love of reading.” 

     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.  

    “He was volun-told,” she joked. “But he didn’t mind. He was happy to build a little library for the school, and he doesn’t do anything half-way. Look at all the detail. It’s really beautiful.”  

    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.  

    “I just live down the block,” Maher said. “In the summer, I can just stop by and restock it.”  

    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.   

    “I’m so appreciative to the community for supporting students and allowing us to fulfill the mission of the district,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben said. “I also want to welcome the three new Board of Education members Nicholas Magliano, Frank Grasso and Michael Torpey.” 

    The Board of Education results were:  

    Nicholas Magliano -- 1390  
    Frank Grasso -- 1252 
     Michael Torpey --1255 
     Prakash Tewari -- 1059 
     Nathaniel Query -- 740 

    Board President Melissa Orser said she was grateful that the community approved the budget.  

    “I want to thank the community for coming out to support our schools,” Board President Orser said. “I also want to thank the administration – both the superintendent of schools and the assistant superintendents – for upholding the board’s focus on fiscal responsibility.” 

    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. 

    District News

  • 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. 

    See more

     

    District News

  • Second Grader Inspires a Relay for Life Team

    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.”

    Read more

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

  • 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

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

  • Matthew Paterson Third Graders Celebrate History

    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.”

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News
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Announcements

  • Board of Education Committee Meetings

    Upcoming Board of Education Committee Meetings:

    Audit, Facilities & Operation: September 16, 2025, GFMS, Library #1, 5:30 p.m.
    Special Education, Support & Wellness Committee:  September 16, 2025, GFMS, Library #2, 5:30 p.m.
    Policy Committee: September 8, 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, September 16, 2025, at the George Fischer Middle School.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. immediately followed by a 30-minute 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.

    Board of Education

  • 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 School Superintendent Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben and to the Board of Education President Melissa Orser. 

    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.

    Sign-up now!

    Carmel Central School District

  • Standardized Testing and Our Commitment to Student Success

    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.

     

     

    Superintendent of Schools

  • Leadership Plan

    Dear Carmel Community: 

    After listening to stakeholders throughout the Carmel School Community, I have put together a Leadership Plan that is designed to reflect the mission, vision and core beliefs of the Carmel Central School District. 

    This plan allows us to maintain District strengths, add revisions to areas in need of improvement, increase opportunities and promote an inclusive environment for all. It will serve as our guiding document as we move forward to make Carmel Schools the best they can be.   

    Respectfully, 

    Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.  

    Superintendent of Schools

  • Superintendent's First 100 Days Plan

    As your Superintendent of Schools, I am excited to lead the Carmel Central School District into the future to continue and build on the proud tradition of cultivating opportunities. The leadership transition of a new superintendent represents a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth and
    development. I have put together this First 100 Days Plan to share with you how I will transition into the district.

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben

    Superintendent of Schools

  • 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 Alerts®. This tool enables students or parents to report urgent information to school officials quickly, easily and anonymously across all our school campuses. 

    Access the Anonymous Alerts portal.

    Carmel Central School District

  • Board of Education Meeting Recordings

    Recordings of Board of Education meetings and presentations from those meetings are available to the public.   

    View recordings from Board of Education meetings.

    Board of Education
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