Kent Primary School

The New York State School Boards Association named October 13-18 as School Board Recognition Week, a time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by local school boards.  

Since the Carmel Board of Education did not have a meeting that week, new Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin took the opportunity to extend the district’s thanks to the Board during the Tuesday, Oct. 21 meeting. It also happened to be Mr. Plotkin’s first meeting as Superintendent of Schools.  

“We pause to honor the extraordinary dedication of the Carmel Central School District Board of Education,” Mr. Plotkin said. “Each of you give countless hours, often behind the scenes, to ensure that every decision you make supports the success, safety and well-being of our Carmel students. Your leadership guides our vision and anchors our community in shared purpose. The progress we celebrate, which includes strong schools, innovative programs and caring classrooms, stands as a direct reflection of your commitment. For all of that, we want to say ‘Thank you.’” 

The district thanked the board members with a certificate of appreciation, drawings from elementary school students, tissue paper flowers made by art students and the gift of one service from the Carmel High School auto shop, where oil changes, tire rotations and detailing are all part of the curriculum.

The Board members, President Melissa Orser, Vice President John Curzio, II, Trustee Jordi Douglas, Trustee Frank Grasso, Trustee Nicholas Magliano, Trustee Michael Torpey and Trustee James Wise, all serve as volunteers in the unpaid Board positions. 

Michael Plotkin’s first day as Carmel’s Superintendent of Schools started out with a tour of George Fischer Middle School, where he seemed to already know just about everyone.  

That’s because Mr. Plotkin has been an active parent in the Carmel Central School District for decades.   

His walk through the middle school hallways was punctuated with hugs and handshakes as he rekindled old relationships and quickly made new ones.  

Fifth grade teacher Deanna Belascio reached out in greeting. 

“I had all of his daughters,” she said. “They grew up, but I stayed the same age; I have only taught here for 26 years.”  

Further down the hallway, Assistant Principal for fifth grade Joe Keenan offered a bear hug. 

“Thanks for taking this on,” Mr. Keenan said. “This is a big job, but you’re going to do really well here.”   

Up in the sixth-grade wing, even students called out to him.  

“Do you remember me?” sixth grader Giuliana asked. “I’m Kevin’s daughter.”  

“Of course, I remember you,” the new superintendent said. “Let’s take a selfie so I can send it to your father.” 

Her father served as the D.A.R.E. officer in Mr. Plotkin’s previous district, Croton-Harmon. 

Since it was a Friday, several middle school Carmel Rams Football fans were wearing their jerseys.  

“Are you going to the game?” Mr. Plotkin asked as he slid into a booth in the school library where a group was working on an independent study project. 

“Yes, my brother is on the team,” said a boy named Henry.  

“My son, Ben, is on the team,” Mr. Plotkin said. “I’ll tell him to say hi to your brother.”  

Then it was on to the building’s lowest level, where he spoke with the cafeteria manager about the day’s lunch (Taco Pizza), stopped to talk to the kids learning coding in the technology classroom, and checked into Head Custodian Terrence McQuade’s office to see the equipment that keeps the building humming.  

Of course, he knew Mr. McQuade from back in the day. 

“I used to do the youth wrestling program here, and he was instrumental in making sure that we didn’t kill ourselves,” Mr. Plotkin joked.  

Before he headed over to Carmel High School and the district’s three elementary schools, Mr. Plotkin stopped to hear the students in Erika Wahlers’ music class practice drumming to a Halloween song.  

“That teacher was friends with my daughter when they were in school,” he said.  

With his outgoing and friendly demeanor, it seems Mr. Plotkin will soon know everyone in the Carmel Central School District. 

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, English as a New Language Teachers Sarah Albrecht and Angeline Solimine read books to their students that sprinkled some Spanish words in with the English text.   

Albrecht read “Pepe and the Parade: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage” by Tracey Kyle to her first graders at Kent Primary School.  

In the book, Pepe goes to the city to see a Hispanic Heritage Parade that showcases clothes, foods and music that come from places like Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. “Todos Celebramos!” the grandfather/abuelo says.  

One line in the book says “Abuelo shakes maracas. People love the ‘chuk chuk’ sound.”  So, Albrecht had her students make maracas of their own. They filled plastic eggs with pinto beans and wrapped them in brightly colored tissue paper.  

“I like this,” said Gael, 6, shaking his maraca and giving a little wiggle.  

“I’m going to use a lot of colors,” said Mia, 6. “I’m going to make a rainbow.” 

Over in the Kent Primary School library, ENL Teacher Angeline Solimine read “Isabel and Her Colores Go to School” by Alexandra Alessandri to her kindergarten students.  

It is the story of a girl who is afraid to go to her first day of school because she does not speak English.  

“She was sad because she didn’t understand the language – yet,” Solimine said. “You are all learning English, too. Think of how much you have learned already.”  

While most English skills are taught in subject areas throughout the day, students who need extra help attend more intensive English language classes for one period a day.  

“There are a lot of good words to learn in this book,” Solimine told the class. “What are ‘corazones’ in English?”  

Elena, who is five, put her hand on her heart to show she understood.  

Though his official start date is not until October 17, incoming Superintendent of Schools Michael F. Plotkin has been hard at work in the Carmel Central School District since the Board of Education appointed him on September 16. Mr. Plotkin, a longtime member of the Carmel schools community, has been meeting nights and weekends with Interim Superintendent Dr. Erin Meehan-Fairben to ensure a smooth transition.  

“I am so eager to start that I wanted to jump right in,” Mr. Plotkin said. “I’m excited to meet all the parents, staff and the students, and I look forward to being involved in the day-to-day operations of the Carmel schools.”  

A resident of Holmes whose three daughters are Carmel High School graduates, Mr. Plotkin has deep roots in the community. He particularly enjoyed the recent homecoming weekend, since his son is one of the Carmel High School Rams football players.   

“I am so honored to have the chance to serve my home district,” Mr. Plotkin said.  

After touring the schools and discussing issues with Dr. Fairben, who announced her retirement plans this past spring, Mr. Plotkin solidified his goals for his first 100 days in office. Now, when he officially starts as Superintendent, he will hit the ground running.  

“Over these past few weeks, I have gotten to know Michael, and I am confident that I am leaving the district in excellent hands,” Dr. Fairben said. “I am certain that the Carmel Central School District will thrive under his leadership.” 

Kent Primary School Principal Vincent Fino went into all the kindergarten classrooms recently and read a book with kindergartners. In Kelly Tierney's class he read Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis. Kindergarten Rocks!  is a fun and reassuring story about a boy named Dexter who insists he's not nervous about starting kindergarten—even though his stuffed dog Rufus might be. The story shows children that it is okay to feel unsure about new experiences.

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.” 

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.”

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 the superintendent of schools and to the president of the Board of Education. 

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.

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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

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.

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.

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

View recordings from Board of Education meetings.