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George Fischer Middle School

Realizing Academic and Social Potential

Schoolhouse News - Oct. 16, 2026

Posted Date: 10/16/26 (12:35 PM)

October 16, 2026
The Carmel Schoolhouse eNews: News, Notes & Reminders

District News

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Board of Education Meeting, Carmel High School Library, 6:30 p.m

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Board of Education Committee Meetings, Carmel High School
Special Education, Support & Wellness, 5:30 – 6:20 p.m., Library Lab
Audit, Facilities & Operations, 5:30 – 6:20 pm., Science Room 201

Board of Education meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. but are expected to consider an immediate entry into 
Executive Session with a 30-minute limit. The public portion of all meetings begins at 7:00 p.m. 
Community members who wish to speak during Board of Education meetings are asked to sign up in advance.  

Note: Regular Board of Education Meetings are livestreamed on the CarmelCSD Youtube Channel. 
Board of Education Committee Meetings are livestreamed here. 

BUDGET ADVISORY MEETING
Saturday, October 17, 2026,  9:00-10:00 a.m.,  Carmel High School library.  
This first meeting of the budget cycle will be for the purpose of reviewing where we are in the current budget and describing our assumptions for the 2027-2028 budget, including some significant challenges we will face. 
Light refreshments will be served. Join Superintendent Michael Plotkin and Assistant Superintendent Ken Silver for this introductory meeting as we start the process for the next budget cycle.

FLU CLINICS IN THE SCHOOLS
The Putnam County Department of Health is offering flu vaccination clinics in all Carmel schools this fall.  Staff and students must register in advance via the link for the school that they work in or attend.
  • George Fischer Middle School -- Wednesday, 10/21/26, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
  • Carmel High School - Thursday, 10/22/26, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
CCSD ANNUAL THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON
Senior citizens residing in the Carmel Central School District are invited to the Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon prepared by the Carmel Central School District’s Food Services Department on Thursday, November 5, 2026. (Snow date is November 6th.) Lunch will be served at the various schools at the following times:
  • CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL…………………….12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • GEORGE FISCHER MIDDLE SCHOOL…….11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • MATTHEW PATERSON ELEM SCHOOL…...10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
There is no charge for this event, as the Carmel Teachers’ Association continues to sponsor this luncheon.
Reservations Required: Call the Putnam County Office for Senior Resources, (845) 808-1700, ext. 47100 by Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

PUTNAM ON-DEMAND
Get to work, school, errands, and more with Putnam On-Demand. Book a shared ride anywhere in the zone covering Patterson, Southeast and Carmel 6 days a week. See attached flyers.

Carmel High School News
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACTION MEETUP Students throughout Putnam County are invited to a conversation on Nov 12 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Putnam Valley Library to meet and work toward common goals. This event is free, pizza and light refreshments will be served. RSVP https://bit.ly/PutnamHSCommunityAction
A promotional flyer for the Putnam Community Action Meetup for 9th-12th grade students on November 12th, featuring details on activities, food, and location.

SEE ART BY CCSD STUDENTS AT THE GREAT SWAMP ART SHOW
The 30th Annual Great Swamp Celebration and Art Show, Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 18, noon - 4 p.m. at Christ Church on Quaker Hill, 17 Church Road, Pawling, NY 12564
 *Admission is free to all!

A colorful painting of a deer with antlers looking over its shoulder against a green background.
THE SCHOOL SPIRIT STORE IS OPEN
A new school store has launched with Carmel apparel and merchandise! 
This store is an on-demand store.  If you do not see your size, please check back as stock is continually resupplied!
Sales benefit the Senior Class of CHS.  

LUNCHTIME BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT 
Carmel High School is running a 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament during Community Lunch beginning on Wednesday, October 21. Use this link to register with two of your friends before Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m.: Community Lunch 3 v 3 basketball tournament


A colorful poster advertising a community lunch 3v3 basketball tournament featuring a ram mascot.

George Fischer Middle School News
GFMS PTA Fundraiser 
Our favorite Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser has started and will run through Friday, October 23rd. Packets were delivered to the classrooms for all students. You have the choice of using the paper order form or easy online ordering for you to share with family and friends. 
Follow this link to get started!  Thank you for your support!
*For all current 8th grade students who participate, they will get 20% of their profits applied to the cost of their Washington D.C. trip. 
 

Stay Connected:   GFMS PTA Facebook, GFMS PTA Instagram, GFMS PTA on the school website. 
Kent Elementary School

Two informational posters about October events, featuring blue backgrounds with orange borders, eagles, panda illustrations, and text about National Bullying Prevention Month. 

Kent Primary School News
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Matthew Paterson Elementary School News

TRUNK OR TREATA flyer for a sensory-friendly Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:00 PM, featuring cute ghosts and pumpkins.


Community News
PUTNAM COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU TRUNK OR TREAT
Friday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Tilly Foster Farm. See attached Flyer

EAST FISHKILL LIBRARY
For more events and information see East Fishkill Community Library
Homework Help: October 19 and 26, 5 - 7 p.m. All subjects, grades K-6. 
Mindful Movement: October 26, 5 - 5:30 p.m., Grades K-3. We will practice yoga poses, wiggle, stretch, breathe and relax!

KENT PUBLIC LIBRARY
For more events and information see www.kentlibrary.org
Teen Volunteer Program, Mondays, 4 - 5:45 p.m. Ages 12-18. Get community service hours by helping around the Kent Library.
Bilingual Storytime, Monday, October 19, November 16 & December 21 at 11:30 a.m. Ages 2–5. A fun storytime for little ones learning English, Spanish, or both! 
Paws to Read, Wednesday, October 28 starting at 4:00 p.m. Ages 5–11. Practice reading skills by reading aloud to a friendly therapy dog.
Kids Yoga, Wednesday, October 21 at 4:30 p.m., Grades K–4. Children will explore playful poses, balance activities, grounding exercises, and breath work while learning simple tools to help calm and regulate their bodies and minds.
Pumpkin Glow & Halloween Show, Monday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. Children of all ages. Join us for Halloween music, dancing, mini trick-or-treating, crafts, tattoos, refreshments, and spooky fun! Bring your carved pumpkin for our Jack-o’-Lantern Contest—we’ll provide the tea lights!
Kent Library Free Clothing Boutique, Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. All ages.
Join us for The Great Give Back, a one-day-only pop-up boutique at the library. Browse donated items and take home FREE clothing—no purchase necessary!
LEGO Club, Select Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Ages 5–10. Come build with fun LEGO challenges and creative projects!
Kids Craft Club, Select Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Ages 5–10. Enjoy a fun story together, then bring it to life with a creative craft!
Solar System Ambassador November 16, 4:30-5:15, Ages 5-12. Blast off with Dr. Z. and explore the amazing Mars Rovers, then make a fun space-themed craft.


PATTERSON LIBRARY
Teen Takeover: Social Media Safety - Tuesday, 10/20 @ 4 PM for ages 12-19.  Learn how to use the Internet safely and avoid internet trolls so you can surf the web with confidence!

REED MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Register at Carmellibrary.org, (845) 225-2439
Little Reeders Playgroup- A Drop-In caregivers group. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
Looking for a place to connect with other local caregivers while your little one learns and plays? Join us for a relaxed morning of stories, crafts, snacks, and open play designed for children ages 2+. 
Reed Library & Friends Halloween Parade - Saturday, October 31.  Parade Kicks off at 11:00 am  Starts at the Reed Memorial Library and ends at the new Reed Community Hub.  There will be pumpkin decorating and fall snacks.  
November Crafternoon: Amazing Maize  with Haley Brown. Tuesday, November 17, 4:30 pm. For children ages 5 & up. Learn about the importance of corn in American history, make a craft and have a popcorn snack.  

PATTERSON RECREATION DEPARTMENT
For more info, see pattersonny.myrec.com
Nerf Night: Friday November 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m, Grades 1-8. Grab your Nerf Blaster and get ready for an action-packed night! 
Pizza, Music & Mayhem: Saturday, November 14, 6 – 9:00 p.m., Grades 3-5. Games, music and delicious pizza. 
Little Pizza Pals: Join us on Saturday, November 21, 6 – 9:00 p.m., Grades K-2. Games, music and delicious pizza. 
Youth Winter Basketball League:  Pre-K through 8th grade, with divisions for Pre-K, K–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6–8. We are also looking for volunteer coaches for teams in each division. Coaches must complete a Volunteer Packet and five mandatory courses. 

VEGA GYMNASTICS COMMUNITY DAY
Vega Gymnastics, 3 Day Road, Carmel, is hosting a Community Day on October 25, featuring Putnam Humane Society pet adoptions, as well as a letter-writing station and donation drive for United for the Troops. See attached flyer. 

CARMEL UNITED SOCCER
Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Recreational Soccer Registration is open. For players from 3 years old through 13 years old (players born between 2013-2023. When you register for the Fall, you automatically receive the Spring season with it.
Carmel United has a few Travel teams looking for 1-2 more players for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 season:
  • Boys U13 Impact: boys born between 8/1/2013 and 7/31/2014
  • Girls U12/13 Cheetahs: girls born between 8/1/2013 and 7/31/2015
  • Girls U08/09 Sirens: girls born between 8/1/2017 and 7/31/2019
  • Boys HS Titans: boys born between 8/1/2007 and 7/31/2010
Travel games are typically played on Sundays. If you are interested, please email us at info@carmelsoccer.com. For additional information about our Travel soccer program, please visit www.carmelsoccer.com/travel-soccer.html.


Carmel Central School District
81 South St., P.O. Box 296, Patterson, NY 12563
info@carmelschools.org | 845 878-2094
www.carmelschools.org