Updates from the Superintendent

  • January 18, 2022

    Dear Carmel Community,

    On January 13, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) aligned its isolation and quarantine guidance, with a few exceptions and clarifications, with the recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated guidance.

    This updated guidance supersedes the essential worker portion of the December 24, 2021, NYSDOH Shortened Isolation Guidance, and the January 4, 2022, NYSDOH Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance.

    Updated Guidance & Resources 

    Updated Guidance Summary 
    Please refer to the NYS Department of Health Isolation & Quarantine Guidance from January 13, 2022, for the update in its entirety. A summary of the updates as it relates to our schools is included here: 

    Quarantine Exception for Schools (K-12) 

    • Any exposed student or staff member who is not vaccinated must quarantine for five (5) days. Individuals may return to school after their quarantine period if they are symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and do not have a runny nose/productive cough.  
    • All fully vaccinated students and staff can remain in school regardless of exposure.  
    • Exposed students, teachers, and staff who are vaccinated but did not receive a CDC-recommended booster when eligible must quarantine for five (5) days but can attend or work at school during the quarantine period where masking, distancing, etc., is monitored and enforced. However, these individuals must continue to quarantine as otherwise required outside of academic instruction periods in school. Extra-curricular, after-school, or community activities are not permitted during quarantine. 

    What To Do if Not Subject to Quarantine 

    • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of last close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19. The date of last close contact is considered day 0.  
    • Get tested at least five (5) days after the date of last close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19. 
    • Anyone who was positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, and has since recovered and remained symptom-free, does not need to get tested after close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19. 

    Changes to Contact Tracing 

    • The Putnam County Department of Health is no longer requiring a report of close contacts from individuals who test positive for COVID-19, and they are no longer recording this data. You should no longer expect to hear from the Department of Health regarding quarantine.  
    • Effectively immediately, our District will begin notifying families of any exposure in school by class within each building, a practice that most schools are also currently shifting to. This notification will come directly from the school your child attends.  
    • If your child was in a classroom where a notification has been sent regarding exposure and you are concerned with the status of his/her exposure to an individual who is positive for COVID-19, you can reach out to the building principal. We are ready to assist you with offers of testing options and instructions on what to do when quarantining.  

    As we have mentioned previously, guidance changes and clarifications are released frequently, and the information is accurate at the time it has been shared. We will continue to keep you updated to the best of our ability as new information is provided to our district. Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation. 

    Sincerely, 

    Mary-Margaret Zehr 
    Superintendent of Schools 

    Joseph Simoni 
    Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services & Technology 

    Superintendent of Schools

  • January 7, 2022

    Dear Carmel Community,

    As a follow-up to the message we sent yesterday, interim updated isolation and quarantine guidance from the Putnam County Department of Health regarding isolation is included here:

    Updated Guidance from the Department of Health
    On January 4, 2022, New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) released interim updated isolation and quarantine guidance. This guidance aligns with some of the recent CDC recommendations. While it is anticipated that there may be further updates from NYSDOH and/or the CDC in the near future, the following changes are being adapted by the Putnam County Department of Health in the interim.

    These changes are immediately in effect for all Putnam County residents, regardless of age:

    Isolation for those who test positive for COVID-19:   

    • Isolate for five (5)days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive specimen. Can return to school/work on day 6.  
    • If asymptomatic at the end of five (5) days, or if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms are resolving, isolation ends, and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional five (5) Can return to school/work on day 6. 
    • Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow the standard (i.e., not shortened) 10-day isolation period, and can return to school/work on day 11.  
    • Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for five (5)days after a 5-day isolation should also follow the standard (i.e., not shortened) 10-day isolation period, and can return to school/work on day 11.  
    • See “COVID Positive Condition & Isolation Period” 

    Quarantine for those who were exposed to a confirmed positive individual:   

    • Quarantine for a period of five (5)days for any age individual if symptoms have subsided, and the individual can wear a well-fitting mask.   
    • See "Vaccination Status & Quarantine Requirement” below

    If you are currently quarantined and have surpassed day 5, and, if symptomatic, your symptoms have subsided (see below), you may return to work/school.

    Vaccination Status & Quarantine Requirement 

    • Any age individual who is quarantined due to exposure and, if symptomatic, whose symptoms have subsided (24 hours fever-free without the use of medication, no runny nose, no productive cough): Quarantine for five (5) days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional five (5) 

    COVID Positive Condition & Isolation Period 

    • Symptomatic: Isolate for five (5)days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset. Can return to school/work on day 6 
    • Asymptomatic Positive: Where day 0 is the day of collection of the first positive specimen. Can return to school/work on day 6.
    • Asymptomatic at the end of 5 days or if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms are resolving: The individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional five (5) Can return to school/work on day 6. 
    • Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised: 10-day isolation period. Can return to school/work on day 11. 
    • Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for five (5)days after a 5-day isolation as determined by a 504 Plan or IEP: 10-day isolation period. Can return to school/work on day 11. 

    As you are aware, guidance changes frequently, and the information is accurate at the time it has been shared. We will continue to keep you updated to the best of our ability. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.

    Sincerely,

    Mary-Margaret Zehr
    Superintendent of Schools

    Joseph Simoni
    Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services & Technology 

    Superintendent of Schools

  • January 6, 2022

    Dear Carmel Community,

    I want to thank you for your cooperation and understanding this week as the weather provided us with another challenge to overcome. Our priority is always the safety of our students and staff, and we remain vigilant in our monitoring of the COVID-19 status in our community as well as the weather forecasts. We appreciate your ongoing flexibility and patience.

    We want to ensure that parents/guardians, students and staff are aware of the following updates:

    At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit Pick-up
    In order to accommodate additional district families who were unable to pick up their student’s test kit this week, we have updated our schedule to include additional pick-up times.

    The district will provide one test kit per district student. Students must attend one of the five schools in our district in order to receive a test kit. Parents/guardians must be the ones to pick up for their child(ren) and will be asked to provide the name(s) of their district student(s) to receive the test kit(s).

    At-home COVID-19 test kits will be available for pick up at the Carmel Central School District Administrative Office (81 South Street, Patterson, NY, 12563) on: 

    • Monday, January 10: 8-10 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. 

    When picking up the at-home test kits, parents/guardians are asked to enter the building using the lower-level double doors that face South Street. As a reminder, masks must be worn by anyone entering a school district building. Anyone entering the building for pick-up must not be experiencing any symptoms or illness.

    If your child(ren) is experiencing any symptoms or tests positive, please notify your child’s building principal and do not send your child to school.

    Updated Guidance from the Department of Health
    We received additional guidance from the Department of Health earlier today and are currently reviewing it. We hope to provide specific updates to our district community tomorrow.

    Putnam County COVID-19 Testing
    The Putnam County Department of Health is offering COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at several locations throughout the country for residents. Additional information is available on the PCDOH website.  

    Putnam County has special testing hours for students and staff that are symptomatic and/or have been exposed: 

    • COVID-19 Testing Centers: Open to Residents of Putnam County Only
      • School Children & School Staff Only
        • Monday – Friday, 6-9 a.m., Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Rd., Carmel
        • Monday – Friday, 6-9 a.m., Philipstown Recreation Center, 107 Glenclyffe, Garrison
      • All Ages
        • Daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Paladin Center
        • Daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Philipstown Recreation Center
    • PCDOH COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Schedule: January 2022

    Keeping our buildings, students and staff safe and healthy is a priority, and we will continue to keep you updated to the best of our ability. 

    Sincerely, 

    Mary-Margaret Zehr
    Superintendent of Schools

    Superintendent of Schools

  • January 3, 2022

    Dear Carmel Families,

    To slow the transmission of COVID-19 into schools, the New York State Department of Health has provided schools districts with at-home rapid antigen test kits to distribute to its families and staff.

    Carmel Central School District has received a shipment of test kits which are being made available to each district family. The number of test kits given to each family will depend on the number of students in the family who attend one of the five schools in our district.

    At-home COVID-19 test kits will be available for families to pick up at the Carmel Central School District Administrative Office (81 South Street, Patterson, NY, 12563) on Tuesday, January 4, 8-10 a.m. and 6-8 p.m., and Wednesday, January 5, 8-10 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

    When picking up the at-home test kits, families are asked to enter the building using the lower-level double doors that face South Street. Masks are required for anyone entering the building. Families will be asked to provide the name(s) of district students in order to receive their test kit(s).

    It is recommended that the test kits are used when your child(ren) are experiencing symptoms. Parents can opt to test their child prior to entering school as a means of screening. Please note that this is completely optional, and the district does not require the test prior to school entry. 

    If your child(ren) is experiencing any symptoms or tests positive, please notify your child’s building principal and do not send your child to school.

    Putnam County Test to Stay Update
    Due to the increase of cases in the county, Putnam County Department of Health is pivoting to testing any symptomatic student or school staff rather than initiating test to stay at this point.

    Putnam County COVID-19 Testing
    The Putnam County Department of Health is offering COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at several locations throughout the country for residents. Additional information is available on the PCDOH website.  

    Putnam County has special testing hours for students and staff that are symptomatic and/or have been exposed: 

    • COVID-19 Testing Centers: Open to Residents of Putnam County Only
      • School Children & School Staff Only
        • Monday – Friday, 6-9 a.m., Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Rd., Carmel
        • Monday – Friday, 6-9 a.m., Philipstown Recreation Center, 107 Glenclyffe Dr., Garrison
      • All Ages 
        • Daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Paladin Center 
        • Daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Philipstown Recreation Center 

    We continue to monitor the ever-changing COVID-19 status in the local community and in our district, and any possible impacts it may have on our student and staff attendance over the coming days. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding and remind our entire community to be prepared for any changes that may result.

    Keeping our buildings, students and staff safe and healthy is a priority, and we will continue to update you as soon as possible if anything changes.

    Sincerely,

    Mary-Margaret Zehr
    Superintendent of Schools

    Superintendent of Schools

  • January 2, 2022

    Dear Carmel Parents/Guardians & Students,

    Over the past few days, our administrative team has continued to monitor the current COVID-19 status in the local community and any effects that it may have in our student attendance and staffing this week. The safety of our students and staff is a top priority and remains central in all our planning and decision making. We recognize the importance of in-person education for our students' academic and mental wellbeing, and we are all committed to keeping schools open. At this time, our plan to welcome our students and staff back in person to our buildings on Monday, January 3, still remains.

    As we prepare to return to our schools tomorrow, we want to ensure that parents/guardians, students and staff are aware of the following updates:

    Health & Safety Reminders
    As a reminder, helping ensure our district stays healthy and safe starts at home. We need your help as our first line of defense in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on our district. We ask that you please do not send your child(ren) to school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses.

    Test To Stay
    The Putnam County Department of Health continues to work to create a Test to Stay initiative plan that has begun being used in other local counties. At this time, a formalized plan has not been shared by the Department of Health. As soon as we have the most up-to-date information, we will send it to all staff and parents.

    COVID-19 Home Tests from NY State
    We received notification that the home test kits will arrive in the District on Monday, January 3. We are still working to determine how to distribute the tests and will update you as we have more information to share.

    This week we will continue to monitor the absence rate of staff and students. Elementary students who are COVID positive or quarantined will have an option to be remote beginning on Tuesday. Building principals and elementary teachers will provide additional details on Monday.

    Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep our schools safe and open.

    Sincerely,

    Mary-Margaret Zehr
    Superintendent of Schools

    Superintendent of Schools
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Latest News

  • Sixth-grade Student-Musicians Host Virtual Performance for Fourth-Grade Peers

    When our current district fourth-graders enter George Fischer Middle School next year, they will have the opportunity to follow a musical path (or two!) by joining the band, orchestra or chorus ensembles. On Friday, our fourth-graders, districtwide, were treated to a virtual music performance and mini informational session from their sixth-grade peers in the CCSD Music Department! See photos from the virtual performance.

    George Fischer Middle School News

  • Carmel High School Senior Named a 2022 Regeneron Scholar

    Preventing HIV and promoting equity in healthcare. Those were the ambitious goals that propelled Carmel High School senior Ryan Doherty to be named a 2022 Scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition. Read more about Ryan's achievement.

     

     

     

    Carmel High School News

  • Fourth-Grade Students Search for the Gingerbread Man

    There was a holiday mystery to solve and Jacqueline Zulauf's fourth-grade students were on the case! Before the break, class mascot Zen Cat took off with the Gingerbread Man and the students made it their mission to bring him back! Read more on this adventure!

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

  • Fourth-Grade Students Put a Little Jingle in Their Steps

    Fourth-grade students at Kent Elementary School put a little jingle in their steps with a fun, musical relay race during an outdoor music class with Mrs. Madison. See a video of the fun musical relay!

    Kent Elementary School News

  • GFMS RAMtv Holiday Episode

    Digital Media students at George Fischer Middle School have been hard at work the last few weeks putting together a special holiday episode of RAMtv. Watch Carmel Creativity in action with the latest episode of RAMtv.
    George Fischer Middle School News

  • CHS-BOCES Animal Care Student Learns About Goat Behavior

    Carmel High School student Walter Harding is getting a hand-on opportunity to learn about goat behavior in the Animal Care program at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES. Read more about Walter and the Animal Care program. 

    Carmel High School News

  • CHS-BOCES Child Development & Education Student Applies Skills in a Kent Primary Classroom

    Carmel High School student Samantha Stofko is applying all that she is learning in the Child Development and Education program at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES to her internship in a classroom right here at Kent Primary School! Read more on Samantha and the BOCES program. 

    Carmel High School News

  • Kent Elementary Students Give the Gift of Healthy Holidays

    In the spirit of giving, Kent Elementary fourth-grade students assembled & donated individual hygiene kits to Putnam CAP for individuals in need. The kits included hygiene essentials & hand-drawn cards from the students! Read more and see photos of the students with their cards.

    Kent Elementary School News

  • CHS Senior Recognized by The College Board

    Congratulations to Carmel High School senior Leanna Florez for being selected for The College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program!

    Leanna was recognized by the College Board for her academic achievements and outstanding performance on the January 2021 PSAT.

    Carmel High School News

  • CHS Student-Musicians Selected for NYSSMA All-State Honors Ensembles

    Congratulations to Carmel High School's Eli Harrison, Maureen Henshaw & Emily Matera for being selected out of hundreds of New York State students to participate in the NYSSMA All-State Honors Ensembles in Rochester, December 4-5. Read more about our All-State students.

    Carmel High School News

  • CHS Celebrates Football State Champions

    Students and staff at Carmel High School lined the hallways cheering, clapping and tossing some confetti at a Ram Trot on December 3 in honor of our team and coaches. See a video of the Ram Trot.

    Carmel High School News

  • Matthew Paterson Elementary Third-Grade Students Celebrate Thanksgiving

    In a Matthew Paterson tradition dating back more than 45 years, third-grade students and teachers celebrated Thanksgiving with a feast, festive lawn games and lessons before the holiday break. Read story & see more photos!

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  • CHS Social Studies Teacher Attends Annual Lincoln Forum

    Carmel High School Social Studies teacher Robert Buccheri was one of three teachers selected from across the nation to attend the 26th Annual The Lincoln Forum last month as a teacher scholarship recipient. Read more about Buccheri's participation.

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  • KES Kindergarteners Have Big Dreams of Dancing

    Our Kent Elementary School kindergarteners have big dreams of dancing like the Sugar Plum fairy from The Nutcracker... so they are practicing with a finger ballet! See video of the students practicing their ballet.

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  • Carmel High School Students Make Plans for After Graduation

    It's college application season & the Counseling Department at Carmel High School has been busy hosting visits with nearly 70 reps from colleges & universities to help students make plans for success after CHS. Read more about the college visits at CHS!

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  • All Aboard the Kent Primary Polar Express

    The Kent Primary School Polar Express provided a festive and fun outdoor celebration for students, staff and families, while collecting non-perishable food items for Gilead Food Pantry to support families in need in the community. See photos from the Polar Express event!

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  • Carmel Rams Football Team Makes History as State Champions

    Our varsity football team made history, both for our district and Putnam County, with its monumental win at the state championship on December 4!  Read more about our Rams' state championship win.

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  • CCSD Students Recognized as Putnam County Youth Court Members

    Congratulations to our Carmel High School and George Fischer Middle School students who were among 26 students that completed a 10-session training to be sworn in as Putnam County Youth Court members.

    What a wonderful example of our 6C, Carmel Citizenship, in action by our students! CCSD students sworn in as Youth Court members include:

    - CHS: Washington Avellaneda, Billy Jimenez, Julia Kappauf, Keira Musial, Enisa Rramanaj, Jada Spence, Antonio Testa

    - GFMS: Ben Altavilla & Aarav Prasad

    District News

  • Carmel Rams Football Heads to Syracuse

    Our local fire and police departments providing a celebratory escort of our Carmel Rams Football team bus as they embarked on their trip to the State Championship in Syracuse on December 4. See a video of the spectacular send-off!

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  • CHS Music Students Selected for Area All-State

    Carmel High School was represented by 38 student-musicians in the NY State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 10 Area All-State Festival. Read more & see a list of our Area All-State students.

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Announcements

  • Board of Education Meeting: February 1

    The Carmel Central School District Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:30 p.m., in the George Fischer Middle School auditorium.

    Prior to the BOE meeting, the Curriculum, Instruction & Technology Committee will meet from 4:30 - 5:20 p.m., and the Governance 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

  • COVID-19 School Information

    Please refer to our COVID-19 School Information webpage for resources and updates.

    Carmel Central School District

  • Employment Opportunities at CCSD

    Carmel Central School District is hiring! For inquiries and applications, please email hr@carmelschools.org. Positions available include:

    • Substitute Positions
      • Teachers ($125/day)
      • Home Instructors ($45/hr; $90 if 2 students)
      • Nurses ($162.50/day)
      • Teaching Assistants ($15/hr)
      • Clerical ($15/hr)
      • Paraprofessional Aides & Monitors (minimum wage)
      • Bus Drivers ($20/hr)
      • Bus Aides (minimum wage)
      • Food Service Workers (minimum wage)
      • Cleaners ($15/hr)
    • Permanent Positions
      • Bus Drivers
      • Bus Aides
    Carmel Central School District

  • Carmel Parent University: Rescheduled for February 9

    The Carmel Parent University meeting scheduled for January 20 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 9, 6 p.m., in the George Fischer Middle School Library.

    See more on upcoming Carmel Parent University dates.

    Carmel Central School District

  • Free & Reduced Price Meals Application

    Although all student’s school meals are provided at no charge at this time, it is still important to send in a free or reduced application if you qualify.

    Applications for free and reduced priced school meals for the 2021-2022 school year are available on the Food Service Department webpage, on page 22 of the printed school calendar, by email at carmelfoodservices@carmelschools.org, or by calling the Food Service Department at 845-878-2094, ext. 255. Only one application per family is needed.

    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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Quick Links

Upcoming Events

  • Concert snowdate makeup

    CCSD Music
  • District Office

    CPSE-CSE Parent Workshop

    Pupil Services
  • Kent Elementary

    KEPTO Special Event

    Kent Elementary School
  • George Fischer Middle School

    GFMS Gr. 7/8 Ice Ball

    George Fischer Middle School
  • Kent Primary School

    KPS PTO Winter Wonderland

    Kent Primary School

  • CHS Regents and Exams

    Carmel High School

  • Early Dismissal – Staff Development Day

    All schools dismissed early:

    - CHS: 10:15 a.m.
    - GFMS: 11:05 a.m.
    - Elementary: Noon

    Carmel Central School District
  • District Office

    Pupil Services CPSE-CSE Parent Workshop (snow date)

    Pupil Services

  • CHS, 2nd Qtr Ends

    Carmel High School

  • KEPTO Special Event (snow date)

    Kent Elementary School
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