Kent Elementary School

Every year, the music teacher Ms. Madison makes a holiday video featuring Kent Elementary School Staff to show the students at the annual sing-along. 

See the 2025 KES Holiday Video here. 

See the playlist to all past years' videos here. 

We are excited to announce that at the Tuesday 12/16 Board of Education meeting Kerry Weltman was appointed as the new principal of Kent Elementary School.  

Ms. Weltman brings strong leadership experience and a deep belief in building positive relationships with students, staff and families. She is committed to providing Kent Elementary School with stability and growth over the coming years.  

Ms. Weltman, an administrator at Carmel High School, is especially known for how well she connects with kids. She makes students feel seen, heard and valued, and she takes time to understand what each child needs to succeed. Skilled at identifying areas where a school can improve, Ms. Weltman works collaboratively with teachers and families to make meaningful, student-centered changes. Just as important, she cares deeply about creating a warm, welcoming school community. Her goal is for every child and every family to feel that they belong at Kent Elementary and are an important part of our school.  

Please join us in welcoming Kerry Weltman to Kent Elementary School! 

Some enterprising third and fourth graders at Kent Elementary School started their very own newspaper. The first issue of KES PAWPRINTS was published in November. The 16-page publication included everything you’d expect to find in a good local newspaper. It had interviews with new teachers and the school’s new interim principal, Jeff Noto; stories on news events like the Halloween Costume Caper; opinion pieces on indoor vs. outdoor recess; and even a student poll. It also included newspaper staples like puzzles, comics and sports coverage. 

Nicholas wrote about Carmel’s 8-and-under football team:  

“Carmel won the Red Zone Championship,” he wrote. “Jack, in third grade, scored a touchdown. Michael (MJ) caught a catch for a first down and scored a touchdown.” 

Elodie and Nora wrote about upcoming events:  

“This year we will have some amazing school events, from the glow party to the book fair,” they wrote. “A new event this year will be the Talent Show. The information will be out soon. Be sure to be on the lookout!”  

In all, 32 students participated in the newspaper club, said club co-advisors music teacher Antonia Madison and reading teacher Trisha Emmeluth. 

“We started the newspaper because we wanted to offer our students something meaningful beyond their regular school day,” Ms. Emmeluth said. “Something they could truly get excited about. The newspaper gives them a chance to create together, share their voices, and build something that can grow stronger every year. My hope is that it becomes a place where curiosity, teamwork, and confidence all come to life.”   

See KES Pawprints here. It was distributed in print to Kent Elementary students.  

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Carmel High School.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Community members who wish to speak during the public comment section of the Board meeting are asked to sign up in advance using our Public Comment Sign-up Form here: https://forms.office.com/r/SnQBCFWYy8

Board meetings will continue to be live streamed on this page.  Committee meetings are open to the public.

Upcoming Board of Education Committee Meetings:

Policy Committee: May 4, 2026, Administrative Office, 5:30 p.m.

Audit, Facilities & Operations:  April 21, 2026, Carmel High School, Science Room #201, 5:30 p.m.

Special Education, Support & Wellness Committee: April 21, 2026, Carmel High School, Library Lab, 5:30 p.m.

Dear Carmel Central School District Community:

As I begin my work leading the Carmel schools, I’m eager to listen and learn from our community. I invite you to read my Entry Plan, which outlines my goals for understanding our district’s strengths and challenges

Please also take a few minutes to complete our community survey. Your feedback will help shape priorities and ensure we continue building on what’s working while addressing areas for growth.

Read the Entry Plan
Take the Superintendent's Community Survey by December 1, 2025

Respectfully,

Michael Plotkin
Superintendent of Schools 

If you like something a CCSD staff member has done, tell us at compliments@carmelschools.org. Likewise, if there is an area you think needs improvement, send an email to complaints@carmelschools.org. Both email addresses will go directly to the superintendent of schools and to the president of the Board of Education. 

Community members can sign up for our Carmel Central School District News group through ParentSquare to stay up-to-date on district news and events. You will receive weekly e-newsletters as well as other updates with important district information. Current parents and staff are automatically subscribed to receive e-newsletters.

Sign-up now!

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.  

These individuals will be called upon during the scheduled public participation section on the agenda.  To facilitate follow-up, please provide your name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address, as well as the topic of your comments.  Speakers are limited to five (5) minutes each.  No district employee or student may be commented upon or identified by name or situation.

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing safety, communication and equity districtwide, Carmel Central School District has launched a new communication tool, Anonymous Alerts®. This tool enables students or parents to report urgent information to school officials quickly, easily and anonymously across all our school campuses. 

Access the Anonymous Alerts portal.

Recordings of Board of Education meetings and presentations from those meetings are available to the public.   

View recordings from Board of Education meetings.