爆料TV

Cultivating Opportunities for All

• The 42nd Annual Student Art Show

  爆料TV will showcase student creativity and skill when its 42nd Annual Student Art Show opens Monday, April 13, in Casey Hall.

  The exhibit features more than 500 pieces of student artwork, highlighting the breadth of talent across the school鈥檚 visual arts program.

  The Carmel Central School District offers a wide range of art courses, beginning with studio art in eighth grade and continuing through Advanced Placement classes, where seniors develop portfolios for college applications.

  鈥淲e are very lucky to have the amount and variety of the art classes we offer here,鈥� said art teacher Danielle Marino. 鈥淲e not only have great kids and great teachers, but we have a robust program as well. I don鈥檛 know of many other high schools that have ceramics or a black-and-white darkroom.鈥�

  The works on display include drawing, painting, mixed media, graphic design and photography, reflecting students鈥� broad exposure to the arts, according to department chair Christine Bevan.

  Among the featured student artists is Petra, a senior who focuses on drawing and painting birds. Her work has also been displayed at the Friends of the Great Swamp art show.

  鈥淏irds have been symbols since Roman times,鈥� Petra said. 鈥淚 like how they can reflect the emotions of people.鈥�

  Tyler, a junior, creates comic book characters shaped by phobias.

  鈥淧hobias show a strong, targeted feeling toward something that can be drawn,鈥� he said.

  The show runs through Friday, April 17, in Casey Hall at 爆料TV.

  Hours are 1 to 3 p.m. on opening day, Monday, April 13; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 14鈥�16; with additional evening hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 17.

  爆料TV News

• Executive Brings Women's History to Life

  In celebration of Women's History Month, students in 爆料TV's SUNY Racism, Sexism, Classism class welcomed Suzanne Tesi, Senior Vice President of People at Fanatics Live and Collect, Inc., for an engaging and inspiring discussion on leadership, innovation, and career growth. Students can receive 3 college credits from SUNY Albany for the class.

   

  Tesi offered students a behind-the-scenes look at Fanatics鈥� expanding role in the collectible industry, explaining how the company has recently moved beyond traditional sports merchandise into trading cards. She described how the collectibles market works, including the value of limited-edition items, athlete branding, and the growing demand among fans and investors.

   

  To bring the topic to life, Tesi shared Women's Professional Soccer trading cards with the class, giving students a tangible connection to the evolving sports marketplace. She explained how sports have always been a part of her life, Tesi was a NCAA D1 Lacrosse athlete at Towson University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

   

  Tesi also spoke candidly about her personal and professional journey, which students found especially impactful. The SUNY RSC class asked thoughtful questions ranging from her choice of college to career path to how she successfully balances a high-level executive role while being a mother. Her openness provided a realistic and relatable perspective on navigating both career ambitions and personal responsibilities.

   

  Throughout her presentation, Tesi emphasized the importance of leadership rooted in integrity and courage. Reflecting on her own experiences, she shared:

   

  鈥淥ne of the best leaders I had taught me the true meaning of courage鈥攖hat leadership isn't about being popular, it鈥檚 about doing what is right even when it鈥檚 hard. She showed me that true strength comes from standing by your values and having the courage to make tough decisions with integrity.鈥�

  爆料TV News

• Embracing Acceptance

  On March 23, Katherine Magnoli held a virtual zoom presentation at Matthew Paterson Elementary School. Ms. Magnoli is a children鈥檚 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

• Carmel Takes Top Prizes in County History Contest

  Students at George Fischer Middle School swept the top honors in the Putnam County History Museum鈥檚 annual history contest, showcasing their creativity and knowledge of Putnam County鈥檚 role in the Revolutionary War. 

  The competition drew entries from seventh graders across Putnam County. Winners were announced March 22 during a reception at the Putnam County History Museum. 

  Adelia won first place and impressed judges with her project, 鈥淪pies of the Revolution,鈥� which featured handmade ciphers, turmeric ink and encoded letters demonstrating spy techniques of the era. 

  鈥淚 learned that they used invisible ink during the revolution so that if their letters got stolen, their enemies would not be able to read them,鈥� said Adelia, who is 12. 鈥淭hen I researched and found out how to make invisible ink.鈥�  

  Logan earned second place for 鈥淏enedict Arnold: Legendary Turncoat,鈥� a digital video presented as a first-person journal entry from Arnold鈥檚 perspective. 

  Logan said he loves history, but he thinks his teachers are the reason Carmel students took all the top prizes in the contest. 

  鈥淚 think Carmel put the most effort into the contest,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t the awards ceremony, the announcer was talking about how involved the Carmel teachers were in getting students interested in this.鈥�  

  Abigail placed third with a poster display that explored the question, 鈥淗ow did Enoch Crosby compare to other spies of the time?鈥� 

  鈥淓noch Crosby was only a spy for nine months, but he accomplished a lot,鈥� Abigail said. 鈥淗e shut down a lot of loyalist companies.鈥� 

  The winners received cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500. 

  Lisa Steiner, social studies teacher and department chair at George Fischer Middle School, praised the students鈥� efforts and said she was proud of their accomplishments. 

  Earlier this year, Steiner organized the school鈥檚 first internal history contest for seventh graders to mark the nation鈥檚 upcoming 250th anniversary. That contest was decided last month by judges made up of members of the Junior Honor Society and middle school staff. Some of the students who presented projects in George Fischer Middle School鈥檚 history contest went on to compete in the Putnam County History Museum鈥檚 contest. 

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Kindergarten "Farm Day"

  It鈥檚 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.  

  鈥淭hey are so cute,鈥� one little girl said of the birds, named Sweet Potato, Wheezy, Cocoa and Cinderella.   

  The chicken visits were part of a hands-on 鈥淔arm Day鈥� 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. 

  鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to follow up on what they learned,鈥� Mrs. Rolewicz said. 鈥淔arm Day takes the vocabulary and the concepts they have studied in class and brings them to life.鈥� 

  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鈥檚 鈥滵airy Barn,鈥� 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. 鈥淚t was a little hard to squeeze it out,鈥� 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 鈥渟helter鈥� and 鈥渃rops,鈥� before participating in creative activities.  The students made a barn craft with different animals in Carol Cassidy and Christina Tucci鈥檚 class and then created vegetable crops out of handprints and craft materials in Antoinette Stasiak鈥檚 class. 

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

  鈥淚 have ten chickens,鈥� one boy said proudly. 鈥淲e get eggs from them.鈥� 

  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

• 19,888 Acts of Kindness

  The Kent Elementary School Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Team set up a fun challenge for the Kent Elementary students.

   

  "We placed all of the Paw Tickets that were distributed to KES students from September 2025 through March 2026 into a clear container and had KES students guess the number of tickets in the container," said Chris Livulpi, fourth grade teacher and PBIS coach at KES.

   

  The winner was Derek from Antonietta Feliciotto's first grade class. Derek's guess was 20,000 tickets and it was the closest to the exact amount of 19,888 tickets!

   

  Kent Elementary staff distributes paw tickets to children who show respectful, responsible and safe behavior throughout the school day, which means KES students have shown respectful, responsible and safe behavior 19,888 times since September! And that's just the number of times teachers have caught them in these acts of kindness!

   

  The school's mascot is a tiger, that's why the tickets are Paw Tickets, and the PBIS slogan is KES RoaRS!

  Kent Elementary School News

• Book Fair Open for Business

  The spring George Fischer Middle School Scholastic Book Fair was fully stocked when the doors of the school library opened to young shoppers on Monday.

  The school鈥檚 fall book fair was so popular that the GFMS PTA organizers had to ask Scholastic to provide more books for the spring event.

  鈥淲e wanted to make sure we had books for 5th graders and not just older middle schoolers,鈥� said GFMS PTA President Cynthia Sa. 鈥淭hey still like the 鈥楧iary of a Wimpy Kid鈥� books, and the 鈥楧og Man鈥� books by Dav Pilkey are really popular.鈥�

  The book fair is a chance for students to shop on their own.

  鈥淐an somebody spare $60?鈥� Brody, a 5th grader, joked as he held up a 鈥楩azebear Frights鈥� graphic novel collection set. 鈥淐ome on, I鈥檒l pay you back later.鈥�

  He settled on buying just one book in the series instead of the whole collection.

  A couple of students gathered around the cookbook table.

  鈥淚 like baking,鈥� one girl said. 鈥淚 bake everything. I like to make things with sourdough.鈥�

  Another, who said she loved animals, picked up a book about a heroic dog.

  The book fair, which is staffed by volunteers from the GFMS PTA, is open through Friday, March 20.

   

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Kids Snuggle Up to Read Across America

  Students in Heather Carlson and Celeste Pregno's second grade class celebrated Read Across America Week with a "Snuggle Up with a Good Book" Day! Students and teachers wore pajamas or comfy clothes, brought in blankets and their favorite stuffed animal. The students made forts, grabbed some flashlights, and spent the afternoon reading together. The teachers even joined in on the fun by reading their own books and climbing into the forts. A wonderful afternoon spent enjoying the magic of friends and books! 

  Kent Primary School News

• March is Youth Art Month!

  The Carmel community is warmly invited to celebrate our 33rd Annual Youth Art Month Exhibit, taking place at various locations throughout the month. Art from students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be on display at local banks, town halls, libraries and businesses. 

  For more than three decades, this special event has showcased the incredible creativity, imagination, and talent of our student artists. From vibrant paintings and detailed drawings to ceramics and mixed media pieces, the exhibit reflects the hard work and artistic growth happening in our schools every day.

  We are proud to present this year鈥檚 exhibit in partnership with the Carmel/Kent Chamber of Commerce, whose continued support helps us highlight the importance of arts education within our community. The artwork will be displayed this month, offering families, friends, and neighbors the opportunity to experience and celebrate the artistic achievements of our students.

   

  爆料TV News

• Students Perform in Prestigious Concert

  Two CHS students and one outstanding GFMS musician had the privilege of performing with the prestigious New York State Band Directors' Association (NYSBDA) Honor Bands this month, in Syracuse, NY. This prestigious performance is a significant accomplishment, as only the most talented young musicians from across the state are selected to participate.

  Vivienne deGaillande (GFMS), Chloe White (CHS), and Jason Murray (CHS) demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication to their craft. Being selected for this honor band is a testament to their musical talent, hard work, and passion for music.

   

  The NYSBDA Middle School Honor Band brings together some of the best middle school musicians in the state for a weekend of rehearsals and a final concert performance. Under the direction of distinguished conductors, students engage in rigorous practice sessions, collaborate with peers, and experience the thrill of performing at a professional level. Their concert was Saturday night. 

   

  The NYSBDA High School Honor Band is the same format, taking the best HS students in the state for a weekend of rigorous rehearsals and final concert performance. These students rehearsed from Friday morning until Sunday morning with a Sunday 1pm performance.

   

  This is an incredible achievement for Vivienne, Chloe, and Jason, and we couldn't be more proud of them. Their dedication to their music and their discipline has truly paid off, and their performance in this honor band is a reflection of their hard work and commitment.

   

  The students will continue to hone their musical skills and look forward to furthering opportunities to perform and grow as musicians. Their participation in the NYSBDA Honor Band is just one of the many exciting milestones in their bright musical futures.

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Students Perform in Prestigious Concert

  Two CHS students and one of our outstanding GFMS musicians had the privilege of performing with the prestigious New York State Band Directors' Association (NYSBDA) Honor Bands this month, in Syracuse, NY. This prestigious performance is a significant accomplishment, as only the most talented young musicians from across the state are selected to participate.

  Vivienne deGaillande (GFMS), Chloe White (CHS), and Jason Murray (CHS) demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication to their craft. Being selected for this honor band is a testament to their musical talent, hard work, and passion for music.

   

  The NYSBDA Middle School Honor Band brings together some of the best middle school musicians in the state for a weekend of rehearsals and a final concert performance. Under the direction of distinguished conductors, students engage in rigorous practice sessions, collaborate with peers, and experience the thrill of performing at a professional level. Their concert was Saturday night. 

   

  The NYSBDA High School Honor Band is the same format, taking the best HS students in the state for a weekend of rigorous rehearsals and final concert performance. These students rehearsed from Friday morning until Sunday morning with a Sunday 1pm performance.

   

  This is an incredible achievement for Vivienne, Chloe, and Jason, and we couldn't be more proud of them. Their dedication to their music and their discipline has truly paid off, and their performance in this honor band is a reflection of their hard work and commitment.

   

  The students will continue to hone their musical skills and look forward to furthering opportunities to perform and grow as musicians. Their participation in the NYSBDA Honor Band is just one of the many exciting milestones in their bright musical futures.

  爆料TV News

• Spring Book Fair March 16 - 20

  The GFMS Spring Book Fair will be open to our students on March16th-March 20th. Please use this link  for easy and convenient purchasing. 

  
  We are also in need of volunteers to help run our fair. , we have plenty of time slots available to choose from. Thank you always for your support!

  George Fischer Middle School News

• History Contest Explores the Revolution

  The spirit of the American Revolution came alive at George Fischer Middle School this winter, as students explored the rich Revolutionary-era history of Carmel and the surrounding Putnam County community in the school鈥檚 first-ever history contest.  

  The excitement culminated on Thursday when the winners of the inaugural competition were announced. 

  The contest began back in December with a visit to the middle school library from Kara Matteson, Educational Director of the Putnam History Museum. Matteson spoke with seventh graders about the Hudson Valley鈥檚 vital role in the American Revolution, sparking ideas and inspiration for student projects. 

  To enter the contest, students were required to complete a detailed research paper, cite reliable sources in a reference page, and create a hands-on or creative project connected to their topic. 

  鈥淲e are really doing this to recognize the 250th anniversary of our country,鈥� said Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair Lisa Steiner. 鈥淚t is the first time the school has held a history contest.鈥� 

  Social Studies teachers for seventh grade helped the students develop their ideas. School Librarian Lindsay Gerard taught students how to navigate online databases and make use of local resources, including the Putnam Historical Society. 

  The results were as creative as they were educational. One student produced a dramatic video portraying Benedict Arnold, bringing the controversial historical figure to life. Another student wrote a powerful journal from the perspective of an African American soldier fighting during the Revolution. Seventh grader Adelia crafted a working wheel cipher, a device used to encode and decode secret messages during the war.  

  In total, 11 students submitted projects, and their work was proudly displayed in the school library throughout February for classmates and staff to enjoy. Several participants also advanced their research to the regional Jean Saunders History Contest, sponsored by the Putnam History Museum, with those results to be announced in March.   
   
  Projects were carefully evaluated by members of the Junior Honor Society and middle school staff.  

  The contest winners, Adelia (Spies of Revolution), Nyah (Peggy Shippen Arnold), Logan (Benedict Arnold), Chase & Donovan (Rifle Jack and role of African Americans in Revolution, were recognized for their outstanding scholarship and creativity and received special awards for their achievement. 

  George Fischer Middle School News

• A Blind Date Inspires Reading

  George Fischer Middle School Librarian Lindsay Gerard is always finding new ways to encourage middle schoolers to read. This month she set up a Blind Date with a Book contest. "We always say, 'Don't judge a book by its cover,'" she said. "So, we gave them just a little information about each book and made it into a contest."

   

  It turned out that the mystery of what book they were getting was a big incentive. The books wrapped in newsprint were flying off the shelves. Ms. Gerard has had to restock the shelves with wrapped books many times.

   

  To enter the contest, students have to read a book and submit a brief review. The winner will be chosen by raffle on February 26. The prize is -- what else? -- a book to take home and keep.

   

  "I figured if I raffle off a book, students would only participate if they actually wanted to read," she said. "If I raffled off candy, they would be in it for the candy and maybe not for the reading."

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Learning the Meaning Behind a Symbol

  Eighth grade students in George Fischer Middle School learned about the meaning behind symbols like the swastika and what actions they can take if they see such imagery in their school. 

  The lesson in Lisa Steiner鈥檚 eighth grade class started with a laughing emoji, a symbol that all the students knew the meaning of without anyone having to explain it to them.  

  鈥淵ou get to know the meaning when people start using it,鈥� Jenny said. 鈥淲hen a lot of people use a symbol, then you understand it.鈥�  

  Then the class discussed a half鈥揹ozen familiar symbols, from the wi-fi signal to the peace sign to the breast cancer ribbon.  

  A short video talked about how the swastika was an ancient symbol used in in many cultures to represent a good life until Hitler appropriated it and it became known as a symbol of hatred and Aryan supremacy. 

  The video featured brutal historic footage of Nazi atrocities and the voices of some Holocaust survivors.  

  鈥淚t was a lot,鈥� Mia said after watching the video. 鈥淭here was so much violence then.鈥� 

  Today, when someone uses the swastika symbol, it represents hatred toward an entire group of people, Ms. Steiner, the social studies teacher and department chair, told her class.  

  The lesson was timely as swastikas have been found in schools throughout the region recently, including in Carmel. When they learned about the history and meaning of the symbol, and how it represents hate, the students agreed that anyone who saw a swastika drawn on a school desk or wall should report it to an adult.  

  鈥淚鈥檓 surprised that swastikas still turn up,鈥� Alexandra said. 鈥淚 thought Nazi activity and all that hate had died down but now it seems like it鈥檚 rising again.鈥� 

   

  George Fischer Middle School News

• Student Reps Join Board of Education

  This year, New York State required boards of education to include student representatives, and those chosen for the slots in Carmel intend to make the most of the opportunity. 

  Isabella and River, both seniors, worked alongside Max and Aarav, sophomores. Because all four students juggle packed schedules, they split attendance at the twice-monthly meetings. 

  Each student noticed something different at the meetings. What stood out to Isabella was the public nature of the discussions.  

  鈥淚t鈥檚 good that everyone can air their concerns,鈥� Isabella said. 鈥淭here is a sense of accountability because issues are raised and brought up in a public space.鈥� Seeing decisions unfold in real time changed how Isabella understood leadership. 

  Aarav paid close attention to how the board functioned. The formal process was structured and deliberate, and surprisingly interesting. 

  鈥淚 learn something about how a board works at every meeting,鈥� Aarav said. 鈥淭here is a specific order that things must happen on the board. Someone makes a motion, and someone has to second it. It is interesting.鈥� 

  River focused on the relationships in the room. Different opinions did not stop progress, they shaped it. 

  鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting to see that board members can have different points of view but there鈥檚 still a balance there,鈥� River said. 

  Max viewed the role as a new way to connect with the community. 

  鈥淚 wanted to be able to speak about issues that are important to me and to other students,鈥� Max said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a different way of interacting with my community and the teachers and students.鈥�   

  Before each meeting, Superintendent Michael Plotkin meets with the students to review the agenda and explain what to expect. He emphasized preparation and problem-solving.  

  鈥淚f you want to bring up an issue, try to propose a possible solution,鈥� Mr. Plotkin said. 鈥淭hat usually sparks a real conversation.鈥� 

  爆料TV News

• 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