Updates from the Superintendent

September 28, 2021

Dear Carmel Parents & Guardians,

Late last week, the Putnam County Department of Health provided updated guidance for students returning to school after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or when diagnosed COVID-19 positive.

As a reminder, please continue to do wellness checks on your child(ren) each morning before sending them to our school buildings. If your child is feeling ill, even with mild symptoms, please do not send them to school. You are our first line of defense in combatting the spread of COVID-19 and your diligence will help ensure that our buildings stay safe and can remain open.

Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 should receive an NAAT test (most commonly, the PCR test) prior to returning to school. Alternatively, there are instances where a healthcare provider may provide a clear alternate diagnosis. Typically, a return to school may occur after one of the following:

  • resolution of symptoms and fever free for 24 hours PLUS a negative COVID PCR test; OR
  • positive COVID test (an antigen test will suffice here), AND release from isolation.

The New York State Department of Health’s expectation is that all schools require a negative NAAT result for people with new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 to return to school.

Currently, individuals who have tested positive are NOT required to test negative before returning to school after completion of isolation.

Antigen tests are typically for screening purposes only. A negative antigen test on a symptomatic individual is not acceptable for a return to school, currently. 

Additionally, an antigen test might be accepted if a variety of conditions were met. Putnam County is currently considered an area with HIGH transmission, and because of this, we are not able to accept negative antigen test results from an individual with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 

If you have any questions regarding returning to one of our buildings. Please email reopening@carmelschools.org. Stay safe and be well!

Sincerely,

Mary-Margaret Zehr
Superintendent of Schools

Joseph Simoni                        
Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services & Technology

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Announcements

  • School Bus Safety Information Events

    In conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week, the Carmel Central School District Transportation Department will present bus safety information at
    the following locations:

    Saturday, October 23, 10am-noon, at Tops Friendly Markets

    Sunday, October 24, 6-8pm, at the Truck or Treat event at Patterson Fire Department


    Our drivers & monitors are volunteering their time to ensure our students & parents are properly educated in school bus safety! Please join us at either of these locations.

    Carmel Central School District

  • Board of Education Meeting: October 26

    The Carmel Central School District Board of Education will meet on October 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the George Fischer Middle School auditorium. Prior to the BOE meeting, the Audit, Finance & Personnel Committee will meet from 4:30 - 5:20 p.m., and the Facilities & Transportation Committee will meet from 5:30 - 6:20 p.m. in Room 194.
     
    The in-person Board of Education meeting is open to the public and will also be live-streamed on the District website for those unable to attend in-person.
     
    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.
    Carmel Central School District

  • Upcoming Influenza Clinics

    We are partnering with the Putnam County Health Department again this fall for our annual Influenza (Flu) Clinic. The Health Department will be on-site at each school building over the next several weeks offering influenza (flu) immunizations for students and staff of Carmel Central School District who sign-up in advance.

    Students will only be eligible to receive the influenza (flu) immunization if they submit the proper consent forms signed by their parent/guardian in advance of the clinic.

    Staff must also complete consent forms in advance of the clinic.

    Upcoming Clinics:

    • Matthew Paterson Elementary: October 19 (Tuesday), 9 a.m. - noon
      • Consent forms due by October 12.
    • Kent Elementary: October 20 (Wednesday), 9 a.m. - noon
      • Consent forms due by October 12.
    • Kent Primary: October 20 (Wednesday), 9 a.m. – noon
      • Consent forms due by October 12. 
    • George Fischer Middle School: November 4 (Thursday); 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
      • Consent forms due by October 28. 
    • Carmel High School: November 5 (Friday), 8:30 a.m. – noon
      • Consent forms due by October 28.

    Registration is required and no walk-ins will be accepted. Flu immunizations are provided at no cost to the CCSD community.

    If you wish to receive an influenza (flu) immunization at an upcoming clinic, a consent form must be completed in advance by the building-specific due date. Consent forms for students must be completed by a parent/guardian. Completed forms can be turned in to the building secretary in the Main Office of each school building by the building-specific due date.

    For more information, please visit the CCSD Influenza Clinic webpage. 

    Carmel Central School District

  • Substitute School Bus Drivers Needed

    Anyone interested in applying as a substitute school bus driver should contact transportation@carmelschools.org.

    Carmel Central School District

  • Sign-up for Weekly E-Newsletters

    Sign up for our weekly e-newsletters, Carmel Connections & Schoolhouse News, to stay up-to-date on all that is happening in our district!

    Sign-up now!

    Carmel Central School District
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Upcoming Events

  • GFMS Book Fair

    George Fischer Middle School

  • Cycle Day 2

    Kent Primary School
  • Carmel High School

    ACT Test

    Carmel High School

  • Cycle Day 3

    Kent Primary School

  • CHS PSAT/NMSQT Exams

    The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to CHS Juniors (Class of 2023) during school hours.  

    Carmel High School
  • Auditorium

    BOE Meeting, GFMS Auditorium, 7:30 P.M.

    BOE Meeting, GFMS Auditorium, 7:30 P.M.

    Board of Education

  • Cycle Day 4

    Kent Primary School
  • GFMS Room 194

    BOE Committee Meetings: 4:30 - 6:20 P.M., Room 194

    Audit, Finance, & Personnel, 4:30 - 5:20 P.M.
    Facilities & Transportation, 5:30 - 6:20 P.M.

    Board of Education

  • Cycle Day 5

    Kent Primary School

  • Cycle Day 6

    Kent Primary School
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Seen Around CCSD

  • Middle School staff members pose with Safety Care packages donated by Grade 5 Girl Scouts

    Grade 5 Girl Scouts at George Fischer Middle School donated safety care packages to their Grade 5 homerooms!

  • Student draws a NY Yankee player on a King playing card

    Students finish up  playing card portraits in Ms. Marino’s Mixed Media class at Carmel High School.

  • Student draws a character on a King playing card.

    Students finish up  playing card portraits in Ms. Marino’s Mixed Media class at Carmel High School.

  • Student draws a character from the TV show The Office on a King playing card

    Students finish up  playing card portraits in Ms. Marino’s Mixed Media class at Carmel High School.

  • Student draws a character from the TV show The Office on a playing card

    Students finish up  playing card portraits in Ms. Marino’s Mixed Media class at Carmel High School.

  • A male student reads The Last Brother - A Civil War Tale to another student on Zoom.

    Students in Mrs. Martin's class at George Fischer Middle School read The Last Brother - A Civil War Tale to each other in-person and remotely!

  • A female student reads The Last Brother - A Civil War Tale to another student on Zoom.

    Students in Mrs. Martin's class at George Fischer Middle School read The Last Brother - A Civil War Tale to each other in-person and remotely!

  • Students playing lawn games outside

    It was a beautiful day for pétanque, bocce, and Mölkky with members of Carmel High School's French Club, Italian Club and Spanish Club!

  • Students from the High School French Club, Italian Club and Spanish Club play games outdoors

    It was a beautiful day for pétanque, bocce, and Mölkky with members of Carmel High School's French Club, Italian Club and Spanish Club!

  • Students stand with a teacher dressed as a soldier for a lesson on WWII D-Day

    Carmel High School teacher Robert Buccheri honored our nation’s heroes from WW II by dressing as a member of the 101st Airborne Division to bring the story of D-Day alive for students.

  • A student stands with a teacher dressed as a soldier for a lesson on WWII D-Day

    Carmel High School teacher Robert Buccheri honored our nation’s heroes from WW II by dressing as a member of the 101st Airborne Division to bring the story of D-Day alive for students.

  • Students stand with a teacher dressed as a soldier for a lesson on WWII D-Day

    Carmel High School teacher Robert Buccheri honored our nation’s heroes from WW II by dressing as a member of the 101st Airborne Division to bring the story of D-Day alive for students.

  • Students stand with a teacher dressed as a soldier for a lesson on WWII D-Day

    Carmel High School teacher Robert Buccheri honored our nation’s heroes from WW II by dressing as a member of the 101st Airborne Division to bring the story of D-Day alive for students.

  • Student-musicians practice during open rehearsal on the field outside.

    Carmel High School student-musicians participated in an open rehearsal outdoors. This was their first performance since December 2019 with applause from a live audience!

  • Student-musicians practice during open rehearsal on the field outside.

    Carmel High School student-musicians participated in an open rehearsal outdoors. This was their first performance since December 2019 with applause from a live audience!