Announcements

  • Kindergarten Registration 2023-2024

    Online registration for incoming 2023-24 kindergarten students is now open!

    Please visit our New Student Registration page for additional information and the 2023-24  New Student Registration Form.

     

    Carmel Central School District
  • Board of Education Candidate Nominations

    Nominating petitions for prospective Board of Education candidates are now available! This year, two vacancies exist on the Board of Education for the seats of Trustee Heitman-Cayea and Trustee Morello. The two seats will be filled by the two candidates with the highest number of votes for three (3) year terms commencing July 1, 2023, and expiring on June 30, 2026. Nominating petitions must be submitted to the District Clerk on or before Monday, April 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. A minimum of 72 signatures are required to nominate a candidate. To receive a nomination packet, please contact Joanne Stevens, district clerk, at jstevens@carmelschools.org or (845) 878-2094 x201.

    Carmel Central School District
  • CCSD Safety & Wellness Update from Superintendent Zehr

    March 8, 2023

    Dear Carmel Community, 

    During the last week, the district hosted two forums for community members to discuss safety, communications and equity in the Carmel Central School District. Thank you to all who attended the forums where we heard many compelling and thought-provoking statements, listened to your concerns and reflected on different perspectives. 

    One thing is clear: We all want to make a difference. 

    Among our core values as a district is the belief that individuals thrive when they feel safe, supported and respected, and that every person has intrinsic value. We strive to keep these values at the center of all that we do. The recent incidents and conversations at the forums have taught us that more work is necessary to make these values a reality. We are taking this opportunity to focus on how we can bring change to our district, and we are committed to engaging in that work with all of you. 

    I am providing you with an update regarding two recent incidents and the district’s plan for next steps. 

    Updates Regarding District Actions in Response to Recent Incidents 
    On the morning of Monday, February 13, the district conducted an investigation into student-created videos shared on social media. The videos used artificial intelligence to impersonate district staff and contained language that was inappropriate and concerning. As the district continued the investigation, additional videos containing threatening and racist language were discovered.  

    We immediately contacted law enforcement, beginning with the School Resource Officer (SRO), to conduct a threat assessment and determine what actions were needed to safeguard our students. At the time of the discovery of the additional videos, the students involved were already facing disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct and their parents had been notified. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the district is unable to share any information about students involved in incidents or any disciplinary action that may have been taken.   

    Throughout the investigation, the district followed Incident Command protocols, provided evidence and cooperated fully with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. As the lead agency, the Sheriff’s Department followed its threat assessment procedures while the district followed all directives regarding safety. 

    The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office conducts intensive and immediate investigations into all threats toward school students and staff. Investigatory measures include: 

    • Interrogations and interviews of all persons with possible knowledge 
    • Background investigations 
    • Searches for weapons and dangerous instruments 
    • Locating evidence including internet and social media searches 
    • Identifying behavior patterns looking for threatening behavior 
    • Identifying any issues that may have psychiatric implications including family dynamics, academic and employment concerns, relationship issues, indications of substance abuse or self-harm, attitudes toward violence, grievances or past victimization, and any other significant stressor.  
    • Welfare checks are conducted as well as searches of residences, vehicles and personal belongings including electronic devices  
    • Security sweeps of buildings and grounds may occur 
    • The Department also provides immediate enhanced security 

    While not all-inclusive, these examples illustrate the depth and breadth of investigative measures undertaken to ensure safety. The department deemed there was no immediate threat to students and staff and that it was safe to keep the buildings open.  

    When the investigation concluded late on Monday morning, principals for both Carmel High School and George Fischer Middle School sent emails to building parents and staff regarding the incident. The district also provides building social workers or counselors to support students when needed.  

    The Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools have requested a meeting with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department to enhance our working relationship and response to incidents in the future. 

    On Thursday, February 16, after the school day ended, the district learned of a possible threat based on a student drawing at Matthew Paterson Elementary School. The concerning information was relayed to the principal by a teacher. Law enforcement was immediately notified. 

    The Sheriff’s Department followed its threat assessment procedures (outlined in the previous section of this letter). The district, as per protocol, followed all law enforcement directives regarding student and staff safety. Late in the evening, when the Sheriff’s Department deemed there was no immediate threat to students and staff and that it was safe for the buildings to remain open, parents and staff were notified. Once again, building social workers and/or counselors were available to any students in need of support. 

    The district has an SRO or SPO (School Patrol Officer) in each of our school buildings throughout the day as part of our regular operating procedures. In the event of an incident, the Sheriff’s Department may increase police presence at school buildings to support the SRO/SPO as needed.  

    Students involved in the Matthew Patterson incident were dealt with in accordance with the district code of conduct. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the district is unable to share any information about students involved in incidents or any disciplinary action that may have been taken. 

    Where Do We Go from Here? 

    As a community, we must face these challenges together. We must work to create a learning environment where all students feel safe and respected. We must continue to enhance the partnership between parents and school. We must work to create communication protocols that are a model for others to follow. Next steps include: 

    • The district will share feedback from the forums and detailed plans for enhancements in the areas of safety, communication and equity. The district will also send regular updates on this work to the community and will post them on the website. 
    • The district will implement an anonymous alert system that enables students to report issues and concerns. Such systems have been found to not only alert districts to schoolwide threats but to bring attention to individual students at risk. The District-Wide Safety Team will review feedback and provide updates to the community. 
    • To strengthen the school-community partnership, the district is creating a communications committee comprising students, parents, staff and communications specialists. We are seeking interested people who can commit to regular meetings to discuss district communications and offer ideas and suggestions. If you are interested in being a part of the CCSD Communications Committee, please complete our interest form by Wednesday, March 15. Our goal is to include a representative cross-section of our community on the committee. 
    • We are working with agencies to provide learning experiences that help students feel connected and safe. Parent and community members shared programs that we will ask the District Wide Equity team to explore and possibly implement. Both the high school and middle school are currently forming student focus groups and scheduling working sessions where students can voice issues or concerns and help brainstorm solutions with the building administration. The District Wide Equity Team will also review feedback, determine changes, work with the building-level equity teams and provide updates to the community. The team will prioritize staff training in the area of Dignity for All Students. 
    • The Board of Education will review crucial district policies, including 0012 - Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity in Education; 5020.2 - Racial Harassment of Students; 5020.3 - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 5804 - Dignity for All Students; and 5300 - Code of Conduct.  

    This is such challenging, but transformative and important work, and our goal is to provide the community with many opportunities to get involved. Our partnerships with the parents, students and community members are critical to our growth. It takes a village to raise our children, and we appreciate all that you do to support those efforts. 

    Sincerely, 

    Mary-Margaret Zehr 
    Superintendent of Schools

    Carmel Central School District
  • Upcoming Board of Education Meetings

    • The Carmel Central School District Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carmel High School Library. Prior to the BOE meeting the Facilities & Transportation Committee will meet from 4:30 -  5:20 p.m.; the Special Education, Support Services & Wellness Committee will meet from 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.; and the Audit, Finance & Personnel Committee will meet from 5:30 - 6:20 p.m. 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.
    • The Carmel Central School District Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, April 11, at 6:30 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. 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
  • Transportation Requests for 2023-2024

    In compliance with New York State Education Law Section 3635, a parent or guardian of children residing in the Carmel Central School District attending a non-public school, or who are requesting transportation to or from childcare, must request transportation services each year prior to the first day of April of the preceding school year by completing a Transportation Request form. Requests for the 2023-2024 school year must be submitted and received by April 1, 2023. Please complete the Transportation Request form for either childcare or private/parochial school on the district's Transportation page and email, mail, fax or bring it in person to Michael Klenotiz, Supervisor of Transportation, by April 1.

    Carmel Central School District
  • 2022-23 Calendar at a Glance

    Our calendar at a glance provides information on planned school recesses, early dismissals, report card conferences and calendar changes due to snow days. This important resource should be kept handy throughout the year! See the Board-approved calendar at a glance for the 2022-23 school year.

    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 Scholastic Book Fair

    George Fischer Middle School
  • CHS LIBRARY LAB

    BOE Committee Meetings: 4:30 - 6:20 p.m.

    BOE Committee Meetings:
    Facilities & Transportation: 4:30 - 5:20 p.m.
    Audit, Finance & Personnel: 5:30 - 6:20 p.m

    Board of Education
  • CHS Classroom 111

    BOE Committee Meeting: 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

    BOE Committee Meeting:

    Special Education, Support Services & Wellness Committee

    Board of Education
  • CHS LIBRARY

    BOARD OF ED MEETING; 6:30 P.M., CHS LIBRARY

    BOARD OF ED MEETING; 6:30 P.M., CHS LIBRARY

    Board of Education
  • MPES - SCHOOL STORE OPEN

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
  • KPS Cafeteria

    KPS Talent Show Act Review/Preparation

    Kent Primary School
  • GFMS LIBRARY

    PTA Book Fair Evening

    George Fischer Middle School
  • KES Cafeteria or Zoom

    KES PTO Meeting

    Kent Elementary School
  • AUD

    GFMS NJHS Induction

    George Fischer Middle School
  • MPES - Wizards Assembly

    Matthew Paterson Elementary School
View Monthly Calendar