Kent Elementary School

Latest KES Headlines

• KES Principal John Fratto is a Friend to All

  If you happen to swing by Kent Elementary School this year, do not be surprised if Principal John Fratto calls out to greet you. Fratto, who was named principal of the elementary school in July, says the best part of being in a school building is talking with students, teachers and families.  

  “I always lead with relationships,” Fratto said. “It is my number one trait. Walking around the building, saying hi to the students and the staff, to me that is a shot of life for the day.” 

  Getting to know students allows Fratto to identify their strengths and help them succeed, even if they make mistakes.   

  An educator for 12 years, Fratto started his career teaching social studies at Beacon High School but soon realized he wanted to be an administrator.  

  “I loved teaching, but I was always taking the lead, so I thought ‘Why not go into administration?’” Fratto said. “My goal was to be a principal and to have the chance to implement my own vision in a school. I feel so lucky that this opportunity allowed me to stay in Carmel. The kids in this district are impressive and there is a lot of great community involvement.” 

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  Kent Elementary School News

• A Carmel Graduate Gives Back

  Come October, Chris DeChent will have worked in the Carmel Schools for 20 years. But that anniversary does not even include the time he worked in the district before graduating from Carmel High School in 2004.  

  DeChent, the Information Systems Technician, started helping out with district technology when he was in Carmel High School. By tenth grade he had a summer internship in the IT department and, later, an after-school job.  

  “In high school I was always the student ready to jump in and help the teacher if the computer had a problem or the projector wasn’t working,” DeChent said. “I enjoyed building computers, understanding how they worked, and figuring out how to repair them. My name became known to the IT department and they let me help out. I started here full time after graduation.” 

  DeChent credits his teachers with encouraging his interests and talents.  

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  District News

• An Announcement

  We unequivocally denounce antisemitism in all of its forms and expressions.

  The Carmel Central School District serves a diverse population. We embrace that diversity and are focused on shaping the next generation of successful Carmel graduates who exemplify the Carmel 6 Cs (Citizenship, Compassion, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication). Through education, our students are taught to engage in civil and respectful discourse. Our mission is to educate the whole student through partnerships to become lifelong learners in an ever-changing world.

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  District News

• Welcoming New Principals

  New principals have been hired this summer at Kent Primary School and Kent Elementary School.  

  Vincent Fino, who served as Assistant Principal at Carmel High School is the new principal at Kent Primary School. He replaces Dan Brown, who retired at the end of the school year.   

  At Kent Elementary School, new Principal John Fratto is replacing Michael Setaro, who took a position at Southern Westchester BOCES. Mr. Fratto also served as an Assistant Principal at Carmel High School.  

  With such great leadership in place, Kent Elementary and Kent Primary will be well prepared for a great 2024-25 school year.  

   

  District News

• Introducing Carmel's New Superintendent of Schools

  On July 1, Erin Meehan-Fairben, Ed.D.  will take over as the Carmel Central School District's new Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Fairben, who brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of educational leadership and a deep commitment to student success, was appointed by the Board of Education in February.

  Dr. Fairben has been an educator for 32 years. She has taught at elementary, middle and high school as well as college-level courses for aspiring educators at SUNY Brockport, St. John Fisher, and Hobart and William Smith colleges.  She has held various leadership roles at both the building and district level including Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Programs, Superintendent of the NYS School for the Blind, Director of P16, Assistant Superintendent and most recently as an Associate Superintendent at the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. Throughout her career, Dr. Fairben has worked tirelessly to support all students and has expanded educational opportunities for students through collaboration, effective communication, and visionary leadership.  Dr. Fairben brings with her decades of leadership experience in building strong relationships with her staff and community.   

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  District News

• Revolutionary Kent Elementary Students

  Fourth graders at Kent Elementary School learned about the Revolutionary War by participating in a drill with tri-corner hats, muskets, marching and more. Colonial and Revolutionary history are part of the fourth grade curriculum and George Fischer Middle School Social Studies Teacher Keith Reilly and Carmel High School History Teacher Rob Buccheri came to the school to help bring the history to life for the youngsters.  KES Fourth Grade Teacher Cathleen Rossetti organized the event and GFMS Reading Teacher Denise Santalis took the photos. 

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  Kent Elementary School News