Welcome to Kent Primary School


Welcome Back, KPS!

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 

 Dear Kent Primary School Families, 

 Welcome back to another exciting school year! We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health and high spirits. As summer draws to a close, we are eagerly preparing to welcome your children back to a year filled with growth, learning, and new adventures. 

 We are thrilled to announce that the first day of school for 1st to 4th graders will be on Tuesday, September 2nd.  Our kindergarten students will have a shortened day on September 2nd.  Along with their parents, they will participate in an orientation session from 9:30 – 10:45am (There is no school bus transportation for kindergarten on this day).  The first full day of school for kindergarten students will be September 3rd. Our dedicated staff is ready to create a safe and enriching environment for every student. We have been hard at work enhancing our curriculum, updating our facilities, and planning a variety of engaging activities to ensure that this academic year is both enjoyable and educational.  

 

Class Placements: Class placements will go live via ParentVue on Monday, August 25th, 2025. Please click this link for more information about ParentVUE:  ParentVUE / StudentVUE - Carmel Central School District 

 Daily Arrival and Pick-Up: School begins promptly at 9:00 AM and it ends at 3:35 PM. Student drop off begins at 8:50 in our front parking lot.  Staff will be there to help your child exit your vehicle and proceed to the front doors. We would like to remind families that transport their children to school that they are expected to arrive in their classroom by 9:00 AM. Instruction begins as soon as our students enter the classroom, so late arrivals interfere with all the children’s learning. Pick up at the end of the day begins at 3:25 PM in our cafeteria.  You may arrive at 3:20 PM. Please enter through the cafeteria doors.  You must bring ID with you, and the adult picking up must be listed as a contact in our system.  If you plan to pick up, you must use School Dismissal Manager to report .  Please do NOT pick up your child early unless there are extenuating circumstances as this disrupts the learning environment. From 2:50 – 3:25 PM, there will be no early pickups unless it is an emergency. 

 Our Commitment to Safety: The health and safety of our students, staff, and families remain our top priority. We work closely with local health and safety authorities to create a secure environment throughout the school year. Our staff is excited to continue a schoolwide PBIS program in which we teach expected behaviors that are aligned to Respect, Responsibility and Safety. Along with our support staff, we work to ensure we monitor every student’s social and emotional wellbeing. As a learning community, we recognize the importance of understanding emotions and teaching the different strategies to handle daily social interactions among peers and adults.  

 Exciting Updates:  

  • This year we will continue with our new ELA curriculum, Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), which will help enrich student learning and align practices to the Science of Reading. 
  • Each day, our school will take part in a WIN period, (what I need), during which students will be provided with intervention or enrichment in ELA and Math according to their own ability levels. 
  • We will continue our Weekly Principal Newsletters in which we update our families on the interesting happenings and important information for KPS.   

 School Dismissal Manager (SDM):  

 
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.  We look forward to another great year with the application.  

Kent Primary School proudly announces that we will continue to utilize SDM starting Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.  Classroom teachers will receive a dismissal report between 2:30-3:15 PM.  
 
Through the online dismissal management system, you can:  
 

  • Report student absences and late arrivals.  
  • Schedule early pick-ups from school.  
  • Make transportation changes as late as 2:15 PM on the current day.  

In the coming days, you will receive an email to set up your child's SDM account if you did not have an account during the previous school year (2024-2025).  The email from SDM will contain important instructions and your personal login credentials.   
 
If you don’t receive an email, please do the following: 
  1. Check your spam mail 
  2. If that doesn’t work, try clicking on forgot username and type in your email. 
  3. If that doesn’t work, please call the main office for assistance during school hours. 
 
Thank you for your ongoing support with the School Dismissal Manager.  

 

 

 Family-Teacher Collaboration: At Kent Primary School, we strongly believe in the power of collaboration between family and teachers. Open communication is key to your child's success, and we encourage you to stay engaged in your child's education. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to meet with teachers, attend conferences, and participate in school events. In September we will communicate to all families how they can get to participate at their children’s grade level by using Grade Level Parent Pathways. 

 Get Involved: Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) plays a vital role in enhancing the school experience for our students. We encourage you to join the PTO and participate in its activities and initiatives. Family involvement strengthens our school community and supports our shared mission of providing the best education for our students. 

 As we embark on this new school year together, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to work with your amazing children and support their growth. We look forward to creating memories, fostering friendships, and achieving great academic accomplishments. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating your children. We are excited to welcome them back to Kent Primary School and can't wait to see the bright future they will create.  

 

Sincerely, 

Vincent Fino 

KPS Principal  

Kent Primary School logo #2

 

Students of the Week

Congratulations to our Eagle Ticket winners! 

 

               

   

Upcoming Events

  • Cycle Day 4

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cycle Day 5

    Carmel Central School District

  • Miss Chocolate Fundraiser

    Kent Primary School

  • Cycle Day 6

    Carmel Central School District

  • KPS Curriculum Night (K-2, Specials, ENL)

    Kent Primary School
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Cultivating Opportunities for All

  • Carmel Schools Remember

    Carmel Schools Remember 

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

    “This morning, we observed a moment of silence during our announcements,” said Jeffrey Noto, Interim Principal of Kent Elementary School. “We also shared a short paragraph with students about the significance of September 11, 2001. Our statement recalled the heroic acts on and following September 11, 2001.  We referenced Carmel’s 6C’s: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Creativity and Compassion, and how these characteristics contribute to developing a greater school community.” 

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

    “Today was the day the twin towers were destroyed,” Gregory said.  

    John Fratto, the principal of George Fischer Middle School, said the day not only included time to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11. 
     
    “We also want to thank the first responders—firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and everyday people—who showed incredible bravery in the face of unimaginable danger. Your actions saved lives, and your courage continues to inspire,” Mr. Fratto said.  “It’s a day to reflect, to honor, and to never forget.” 

     

    District News

  • Getting to Know the Kent Public Library

    Seven-year-old Camryn ran through the aisles at the Kent Public Library searching for science books. Her search was part of a scavenger hunt that the librarians devised to show children from Kent Primary School all the different types of books the library holds.

    “Science is nonfiction,” Camryn, a first grader, said. “I know what nonfiction is because cartoons are fiction, but nonfiction is real. Science is real, they do tests on animals.”

    Kent Library welcomed the classes from Kent Primary School one day recently and had a set of outdoor and indoor activities designed to show how much fun visiting the library can be.

    “We are trying to show them how many resources are in the library and all the interesting programs and activities that the library offers,” said Christine DiTota, a children’s librarian.

    First Grade Teacher Corinne Phillips said the library trip reinforced a lot of what students are learning in their Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA, program

    “We just learned about nonfiction,” Phillips said. "With CKLA, they are getting introduced to a lot of information and knowledge that is pretty incredible for the first grade.”

    Carmel Central School District elementary schools encourage parents to take their children to the library to get their own library card.

    “We have a contest,” Phillips said. “The first class in which everyone gets a library card is rewarded with an extra recess -- with ice pops.”

    Kent Primary School News

  • Carmel Among Best Communities for Music Education

    Congratulations to the Carmel Central School District Music Department for being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAAM Foundation.

    This is the 12th time that NAAM (the National Association for Music Merchants) recognized Carmel for its exceptional music education.

    “The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education,” the group said.

    The music program is excellent throughout the district. 

    In May, several Carmel High School and George Fischer Middle School groups excelled at NYSSMA majors. All three Carmel High School bands, all three CHS orchestras and the CHS chorus each performed at NYSSMA majors and received gold and silver ratings. The groups went on to play at the Music in the Parks Festival last week and were awarded superior ratings for the second year in a row. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestras also performed well at the NYSSMA majors.

    Music education plays a big part even in elementary school, as music teachers lead students in performances for events throughout the year. 

    Carmel’s music program helps introduce our students to a larger music community. Carmel hosted state and countywide functions this year and brought additional music opportunities to our students. The department sets the groundwork for our students to have a lifetime of music.

    District News

  • Soup from a Stone at Kent Primary

    Lisa Chase’s second grade class at Kent Primary School proudly presented a delightful Readers Theater musical titled “Stone Soup,” based on the classic folktale.

    The students brought the story to life with spirited narration, charming dialogue, and catchy songs that captured the magic of sharing and community. Each child played an important role, whether as a narrator, a villager, or the clever traveler, showcasing their enthusiasm and teamwork. The simple yet heartfelt performance was a wonderful celebration of kindness and cooperation, leaving the audience smiling and inspired.

    Juliana Schultz, Kent Primary's retired music teacher, came back to school and volunteered her time as "musical director" to help prepare the students for the production. Schultz and Chase have been collaborating on a musical performance each year since 2012. 

    After the show, the class came together to celebrate their accomplishments and a wonderful second grade year.

    Kent Primary School News

  • Cookbook Unites Kent Primary Community

    Families who are looking for a tasty meal have a new resource to turn to: The Kent Primary School Community Cookbook.

    The book features nearly 50 recipes that range from Irish Soda Bread, to Zeppoles to Chiles Rellenos and Marry Me Chicken.

    “A community cookbook in a diverse neighborhood is more than just a collection of recipes – it’s a celebration of culture, connection and shared stories,” said Third Grade Teacher Alison Spunt. “By bringing together dishes from different backgrounds, it fosters inclusion, preserves traditions and builds community pride, all while introducing neighbors to new flavors and traditions.”

    Read more

    Kent Primary 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
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Quick Links

Kent Primary School Mission Statement

We are a community that is dedicated to developing and inspiring children to be their best selves in all aspects of their lives.

Who We Are:
We are a cohesive community of professionals with a strong sense of family that possess, celebrate and share our unique and individual strengths. We share a common focus to help, facilitate and encourage young minds to grow and fulfill their potential. As facilitators of learning, we utilize a multitude of resources to model and promote these desired outcomes. A strong cohesive community.

What We Do:
As an academic institution we contribute to the development of minds through inspiring children to create and pursue their own goals and objectives. We accomplish this by creating a welcoming, nurturing and trusting environment for all that empowers children to work alongside their peers, regardless of limitations, ultimately becoming independent lifelong learners.  Foster personal and academic growth.

Who We Do It For:
Our service is focused on the children who will develop a solid foundation of skills, knowledge and values, maximizing their individual potential along the way. This will in turn contribute to the perpetual improvement of society. Our children.

Why We Do It:
As we practice our deep commitment to learning, we accept the roles we fulfill because we understand that children require a safe, positive environment in which to develop into self-motivated and socially appropriate adults. We realize that fulfilling these responsibilities has an even greater benefit to all of us as a growing and ever evolving global community. To inspire children to be their best in all aspects of their lives

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

  • School Dismissal Manager is here! Download & begin using the APP.

    All parents should have received their credentials via email.  Please check your SPAM/Junk email if you have not.  If you still cannot find the email, please contact Mrs. Murray in the Main Office at 845-225-5025 X342.  We already began using this application for dismissal changes, and it is working beautifully.  Take advantage of this "soft launch!"  In the fall, use of this application will be mandatory for all students' dismissal changes.  

    For an overview, please see The School Dismissal Manager Website

    Kent Primary School

  • 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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