爆料TV

Cultivating Opportunities for All

• Kindness is Contagious

  Four girls in Alison Cordone鈥檚 fourth grade class decided they wanted to spread positivity throughout Matthew Paterson Elementary School, so they started a Kindness Bookmark Club called 鈥淪pread the Word!鈥� 

   鈥淭heir goal was to make a bookmark with a phrase or an illustration of kindness for every student in the fourth grade,鈥� said Ms. Cordone. 鈥淭hey want their bookmarks to be a reminder to spread kindness wherever you go.鈥� 

   But after making their first 100 bookmarks, the group 鈥� Samantha, Lucy, Adrianna and Scarlett 鈥� 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鈥檚 students and stickers for the other half. 

   鈥淭he whole reason we are doing this is because we want to spread kindness around the school,鈥� 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 鈥淗ave You Filled a Bucket Today?鈥� It鈥檚 a story about how kind actions help 鈥渇ill鈥� others鈥� buckets, while unkind choices empty the bucket. Then they watched a video where students shared their acts of kindness. 鈥淚 helped a friend by bringing food to the table,鈥� Lillian said. 鈥淚 stopped to ask someone if they were ok,鈥� Ethan said.  

  At the end of the assembly, the students in Ms. Cordone鈥檚 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 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 鈥�

   

  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.鈥�

   

  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

• Fourth Graders Have a Dream

  Fourth graders in Amy Constantinides and Sandra Cairl鈥檚 class at Kent Primary School honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day by learning about the life and legacy of the civil rights leader and reflecting on his dream for a more just and peaceful country. 

  Students discussed Dr. King鈥檚 work and the impact he had on the nation. 鈥淗e fought hard so kids could go to the same schools,鈥� said Vivian. Thea shared that Dr. King believed in freedom for everyone. 鈥淗e was saying let freedom spread out so we can all have it together. I think what he did was awesome,鈥� she said. Alexander added that Dr. King used peaceful protests to stand up for what he believed in, even when it meant going to jail. 

  After listening to a book about Dr. King鈥檚 famous 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech, Ms. Constantinides invited students to write about their own dreams for themselves and their community. The class shared thoughtful hopes for world peace, kindness, food for everyone and an end to littering. 

  Some students also wrote deeply personal dreams. One boy shared that he hopes everyone can stay in this country, while another wrote that his dream is for his family not to be deported. 

  Through discussion, reflection and writing, the lesson helped students connect Dr. King鈥檚 message to their own lives and the world around them鈥攕howing that his dream continues to inspire even the youngest voices 

   

  Kent Primary School 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 upper abdomen, the piece of the mozzarella stick he had been eating popped out. He could breathe again. She had saved Ethan鈥檚 life.  

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

  鈥淭here is nothing I wouldn't do to help a child in any emergency,鈥� Ms. Lopez said. 鈥淎s a paraprofessional you must always be mindful of your environment and student鈥檚 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.鈥�   

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

  鈥淚n a moment that could have ended very differently, Jeanine acted with calm, courage, and quick thinking,鈥� Matthew Paterson Elementary School Principal Jennifer Darling said. 鈥淲hen a student was in danger, she didn鈥檛 hesitate鈥攕he stepped in and performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving that child鈥檚 life. 

  鈥淏ecause 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.鈥� 

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

  鈥淭his 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,鈥� 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鈥檚 hand and smiled.  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Writing and Creating Holiday Memories

  The seventh graders in Glara Dorgan鈥檚 English Language Arts class at George Fischer Middle School celebrated the holidays through creative writing and art.  

  鈥淲e could make something about any winter holiday memory,鈥� Julie said. 鈥淚t could have been any holiday from Thanksgiving to New Year鈥檚.鈥�   

  Alex, Adrian, and Matthew made an entire house for the holiday season.  

  鈥淥urs is about the magic of family and friends and the wonder of Christmas,鈥� Alex said.  

  The students worked on a writing assignment that focused on their favorite winter or holiday moment,鈥� Ms. Dorgan said. 鈥淭hen they used vivid imagery and sensory details to bring these moments to life either by drawing a window scene on paper or creating a three-dimensional float.鈥�    

  Charlotte drew her favorite Christmas scene鈥攖he tree with many presents.  

  Oren and Carter built a house that featured sledders on the roof.  

  鈥淲e both had the same idea, and we thought we could incorporate it into one project,鈥� Carter said. 

  鈥淲e wanted to show how we spent the snow day,鈥� Oren said.  

  Brody showed his sense of humor with a diorama he could slip over his head and wear. It involved a bush with a sled sticking out of it and a spider on the side. He had a lot of fun walking around the classroom and explaining to everyone what they were seeing.  

  鈥淚 went sledding, and I hit a bush, and when I got up, I saw that there was a spider in the bush,鈥� Brody said.  

  George Fischer Middle 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 鈥� Castles and Knights, Lord of the Manor or Serf, Medieval Village 鈥� 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鈥檚 diorama showed what life was like during the Plague. 

  鈥淚 learned that hundreds of people died because doctors then didn鈥檛 have the tools they do now,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir streets were really dirty. There was sewage everywhere. They used to hold flowers in their mouths to keep from smelling the bad smell.鈥� 

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

  鈥淚 had help,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y mom made the moat. My uncle showed me how to use the 3D printer to make the castle.鈥�  

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

  鈥淚 think I would have liked to live in the Middle Ages,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 have to go to school.鈥�   

  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

• See the KES 2025 Staff Holiday Video

  Every year, the music teacher Ms. Madison makes a holiday video featuring Kent Elementary School Staff to show the students at the annual sing-along. 

   

   

   

  Kent Elementary School News

• Carmel's Rich Revolutionary History

  Seventh-grade students recently had the exciting opportunity to meet with Kara Matteson, the Educational Director of the Putnam History Museum. During her visit to the GFMS library, Ms. Matteson introduced students to the Jean Saunders History Contest and shared insights into the rich Revolutionary-era history of Carmel and the surrounding Putnam County community.

   

  Students chose a topic that sparked their interest and began researching using reliable online sources and school library databases. Many explored notable local figures such as our hometown hero, Sybil Ludington, or our county鈥檚 namesake, Israel Putnam. Others focused on broader themes from the era, including the role of African Americans in the Continental Army, significant geographic sites, and additional aspects of Revolutionary history.

   

  Seventh grader Nyah selected Peggy Shippen Arnold. 鈥淔inding 100% true information was challenging since many things are still questioned about her role, since she played it so well,鈥� she said.

   

  鈥淚srael Putnam was an American Revolutionary war general known for his bravery and he was the key patriot leader early in the revolutionary war," Yinehidy, a seventh grader, said. "It鈥檚 been interesting collecting facts and evidence, and it was a bit challenging finding the sites for the evidence.鈥�

   

  With guidance from school librarian Lindsay Gerard and their social studies teachers, students are now working on both a research paper and a creative project to showcase what they鈥檝e learned. We look forward to seeing their thoughtful and engaging final products in the new year.

  George Fischer Middle School News

• New Members Inducted into National Honor Society

  爆料TV proudly welcomed 58 new students into the National Honor Society (NHS) on December 11.  

  Membership in NHS is a distinction earned through dedication and perseverance. The juniors and seniors who were inducted, each achieved a minimum unweighted cumulative grade point average of 89.9, completed 30 hours of community service within the past academic year and held leadership positions or responsibilities in school, the community, or the workplace. 

  The evening鈥檚 induction ceremony was student-led, but Carmel Central School District leaders spoke to the group as well.  

  鈥淟et this induction serve as both a recognition and a call to action,鈥� Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said. 鈥淎llow yourselves to dream with ambition and to serve with humility. Allow your curiosity to lead you to undiscovered places and your character to guide your every step. The true mark of honor is not only what you achieve, but how you choose to uplift others along the way.鈥� 

  Including the new inductees, the 爆料TV Chapter of the National Honor Society now includes 110 members, and each one serves as a role model for scholarship, service, leadership and character.  

  鈥淭his event celebrates students who have not only demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, but who have also shown a deep and ongoing commitment to service, leadership, and character,鈥� said English Teacher Joanne Morgan, the National Honor Society Advisor for CHS. 鈥淭heir dedication in the classroom and in our community reflects the very best of what NHS stands for, and I could not be more proud of each one of them.鈥� 

  爆料TV News

• New Principal for Kent Elementary

  We are excited to announce that at the Tuesday 12/16 Board of Education meeting Kerry Weltman was appointed as the new principal of Kent Elementary School.  

  Ms. Weltman brings strong leadership experience and a deep belief in building positive relationships with students, staff and families. She is committed to providing Kent Elementary School with stability and growth over the coming years.  

  Ms. Weltman, an administrator at 爆料TV, is especially known for how well she connects with kids. She makes students feel seen, heard and valued, and she takes time to understand what each child needs to succeed. Skilled at identifying areas where a school can improve, Ms. Weltman works collaboratively with teachers and families to make meaningful, student-centered changes. Just as important, she cares deeply about creating a warm, welcoming school community. Her goal is for every child and every family to feel that they belong at Kent Elementary and are an important part of our school.  

  Please join us in welcoming Kerry Weltman to Kent Elementary School! 

   

  Kent Elementary School News

• Carmel Musicians Play at Rockefeller Center

  Students from George Fischer Middle School and 爆料TV joined about 100 musicians from around the world to play holiday tunes at Rockefeller Center's 52nd Annual TubaChristmas in NYC on Sunday, December 14.  

  This was the third consecutive year that George Fischer Middle School music teachers Erika Wahlers and Eric Pecor led Carmel students to participate in the event.  

  鈥淭ubas are not instruments that typically have melodic parts,鈥� Ms. Wahlers said. 鈥淭uba Christmas is an event that allows tuba players to make up an entire ensemble, meaning tuba players get to be the melody, the harmony and the bass. This provides a unique playing opportunity for the students that they do not get every day in school.鈥� 

  爆料TV ninth grader Andrew returned for his third TubaChristmas and decorated his tuba by topping it off with a house with lights. Benjamin, an eighth grader, decorated his tuba with a holiday ribbon. It was the first time that seventh graders Evie and Claire got to play music in front of the world鈥檚 most famous Christmas tree, and they decorated their tubas with lights, garland and ribbons.  

  The students got to play holiday classics like Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Silent Night, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, but the event was about more than music.  

  鈥淭he students are able to connect with other tuba players from Carmel but also get to meet tuba players from other schools, professional musicians and adults who have continued to play for the joy of making music,鈥� Mr. Pecor said. 鈥淭his is a fun performing opportunity where students get to share holiday cheer.鈥� 

  TubaChristmas (the name is trademarked) was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day 1902. Now, tuba and euphonium players from around the world gather in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center for one afternoon a year to play Christmas carols on their horns.  

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Science That Makes Your Hair Stand on End

  In John Hildenbrand's AP Physics II class at 爆料TV, the students recently experimented with a Van de Graff machine.  

  A Van de Graaff generator is a machine that uses friction to build a massive electrical charge on a hollow metal sphere.  

  The students in Mr. Hildenbrand鈥檚 class had so much fun that their hair stood on end. Students took turns experimenting with the machine, and then Assistant Principal Allison Golan ad a chance to step into the action. Check out the static energy coursing through her hair!   

  爆料TV News

• Third Graders Celebrate the Harvest

  Third graders at Matthew Paterson Elementary School had an amazing time celebrating the Harvest Festival! Students kicked off the day with a pumpkin hunt, followed by decorating their own pumpkins with lots of creativity and color.

  They played festive rounds of fall bingo, and the kids worked together to build a turkey trap using toothpicks and marshmallows - their engineering skills were impressive!

  One of the biggest highlights was the candy apple station, where students got to choose from a variety of delicious toppings to make their own fall treat.

  It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, teamwork, and plenty of autumn fun! 馃崅馃崕
  We鈥檙e so proud of how our third graders celebrated the season together!

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Science Day

  The third-grade team at Kent Primary School proudly hosted their first Science Day of the year, an event brimming with excitement and discovery.

  Science Day featured four captivating experiments, each intricately designed around the themes of Forces and Interactions. Every third-grade teacher crafted an engaging and interactive lesson, immersing students in hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and fostered a deeper understanding of scientific principles.

  The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as students eagerly participated in each experiment, making learning an exhilarating adventure.

  Kent Primary School News

• Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

  Some enterprising third and fourth graders at Kent Elementary School started their very own newspaper. The first issue of KES PAWPRINTS was published in November. The 16-page publication included everything you鈥檇 expect to find in a good local newspaper. It had interviews with new teachers and the school鈥檚 new interim principal, Jeff Noto; stories on news events like the Halloween Costume Caper; opinion pieces on indoor vs. outdoor recess; and even a student poll. It also included newspaper staples like puzzles, comics and sports coverage. 

  Nicholas wrote about Carmel鈥檚 8-and-under football team:  

  鈥淐armel won the Red Zone Championship,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淛ack, in third grade, scored a touchdown. Michael (MJ) caught a catch for a first down and scored a touchdown.鈥� 

  Elodie and Nora wrote about upcoming events:  

  鈥淭his year we will have some amazing school events, from the glow party to the book fair,鈥� they wrote. 鈥淎 new event this year will be the Talent Show. The information will be out soon. Be sure to be on the lookout!鈥�  

  In all, 32 students participated in the newspaper club, said club co-advisors music teacher Antonia Madison and reading teacher Trisha Emmeluth. 

  鈥淲e started the newspaper because we wanted to offer our students something meaningful beyond their regular school day,鈥� Ms. Emmeluth said. 鈥淪omething they could truly get excited about. The newspaper gives them a chance to create together, share their voices, and build something that can grow stronger every year. My hope is that it becomes a place where curiosity, teamwork, and confidence all come to life.鈥�   

  . It was distributed in print to Kent Elementary students.  

  Kent Elementary School News

• Mentors and Buddies

  The Kent Primary School Mentor-Buddy Program, spearheaded by Principal Vince Fino and the PBIS team, launched in November and has already made a positive impact.

   

  The program pairs classes from different grade levels for 20鈥�30 minutes of connection and collaboration. During each session, students are matched with a buddy and participate in SEL activities designed to help them build relationships and get to know one another.

   

  Students and staff have already expressed how much they enjoy the program. Younger and older students alike are excited to see their buddies in the hallway, on the bus, and throughout the school day. The program will continue throughout the year, offering ongoing opportunities for mentorship and community-building.

   

  In November, Susan Paggiotta鈥檚 kindergarten class and Aimee Pagano鈥檚 third-grade class met to collaborate on a festive Turkey Art Project.

  Kent Primary School News

• Balloons Over Kent Primary

  The first graders at Kent Primary School brought the magic of the season to life with a charming, pint-sized version of New York City鈥檚 famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

  To kick off their project, students read Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy鈥檚 Parade by Melissa Sweet. Then they watched a video showing how Macy鈥檚 designs its massive balloons and features a new balloon every year. 

  With excitement bubbling, the students headed to art class, where they cut out and colored animal shapes, which they attached to their own balloons.  Their imaginations soared: Elena transformed her balloon into a bright pink cat.  

  鈥淚 love cats so much,鈥� she said.  

  Gabriel turned his balloon into a dog, complete with flashing lights for extra flair. 

  The celebration ended with a march outside, where families lined up to cheer on the young parade-makers. 

  Kent Primary School News

• World War II Veterans Teach History

  Two 99-year-old Veterans of World War II spoke to eighth graders at George Fischer Middle School on Friday, and they didn't mince words. When students asked them to describe the experience in one word, Ralph J. Osterhoudt, Sr. who entered the U.S. Army before even graduating from high school and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, said "Hell." He described the scenes of destruction he saw in France and Germany and reminded the students that soldiers who fight wars are often just 18 years old. Nils Mockler, who served in the Marines Corp and fought at Iwo Jima, told students about the battle and the pride he felt when he finally saw, from a far distance, the American flag being raised at the top of Mt. Suribachi. "It was the size of a postage stamp, and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. I knew we were going to make it."  

  Osterhoudt said he would always be proud of his service. "You are speaking English today," he said. "If we didn't win that war, you might not be speaking English."  

  Several members of the Board of Education and local political leaders, including Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, attended the ceremony, and thanked the veterans for their service. Congressman Mike Lawler spoke by video from Washington D.C. 

  In introducing the veterans, Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said: "It's important to teach the next generation about history, so we don't repeat it. " He thanked George Fischer Middle School Social Studies Teacher Lisa Steiner and Assistant Superintendents Jeff Gorman and Ken Silver for arranging the program. 

  The lesson had an impact on the auditorium full of eighth graders. Paul, a 13-year-old, said it made him think about his family.

  "I wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for them," Paul said. "My whole family is from France. My grandparents immigrated here after the war. It's crazy to think about. My family might have been caught up by the Nazis if it wasn't for the veterans who defended us." 

   

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Mix-It-Up Day

  At the yellow table, all the boys said they liked dinosaurs. It is one of the things they shared during Matthew Paterson Elementary School鈥檚 mix-it-up day, when students are assigned to lunch tables with children who are not already their friends. It鈥檚 a day to make a new friend.  

  鈥淚 love t-rex,鈥� said Benjamin, who is in first grade.  

  鈥淢e too,鈥� said a new friend. 

  鈥淭hey are so big,鈥� Benjamin said. 鈥淭hey have big teeth. They have big legs. The only thing I don鈥檛 like about them is their tiny hands.鈥�  

  Mix-it-up day is only one way that Matthew Paterson Elementary School Pandas, as students there are known, practice kindness. It is part of their Panda Power Promise 

  During a week last month all the students celebrated their success completing the 鈥淔irst 30 Days鈥� refresher lessons. Each day the Pandas participated in different fun activities that ranged from earning a 鈥淧anda Power at Home,鈥� to 鈥淗ats Off to Positive Behavior鈥� (with hats and fun hair), to 鈥淪ock it to Negative Behavior鈥� (wearing fun and mismatched socks) and more.  

  Their efforts culminated in a special celebration where each student proudly signed the Panda Power Promise, committing to making our school a kind, caring, and positive place to learn and grow.  

  Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

• Seniors Get Instant College Decisions

  Forget the long, agonizing wait for college admissions letters. Some 爆料TV seniors are learning their fate instantly, without even leaving school. 

  Through Instant Decision Days, local universities send admissions representatives directly to 爆料TV鈥檚 Counseling Office to meet with students one-on-one and deliver immediate admission decisions. 

  Recently, 10 Carmel seniors met with Manhattan University Associate Director of Admission Jose De La Cruz and Admission Counselor Michael Troia. 

  Among them was Gianna Palazzo, 17, who beamed when she heard that she was accepted. 

  鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice to know that you got in somewhere,鈥� Gianna said, smiling. 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure where I鈥檓 going to go to college yet, though.鈥� 

  Gianna, who plans to study chemical engineering, has taken six Advanced Placement courses and 10 college-level classes through Westchester Community College, Syracuse University Project Advance and other programs. During her interview, she discussed with the admissions team which credits might transfer to Manhattan University. 

  鈥淲hat I want to do is use those credits to get ahead with requirements so I can focus on my major,鈥� she explained. 

  Instant Decision Day acceptances are not binding, and students admitted through the program still have until May to make their final choice. 

  爆料TV counselor Kristen Mancini said the event makes the college admissions process more accessible and less stressful for students. 

  鈥淔or the past several years, CHS has partnered with local colleges to offer Instant Decision Days, providing students with the opportunity to meet directly with admissions representatives and receive an immediate admission decision,鈥� Mancini said. 鈥淓ach year, CHS typically hosts two to three colleges, depending on student interest and college availability.鈥� 

  This year鈥檚 participating institutions include Manhattan University, Iona University and Western Connecticut State University. 

  During the meetings, students can ask questions, learn more about each university, and receive their admission decisions in person, making the process faster, more personal and a lot more exciting. 

  爆料TV News