Carmel High School

Carmel High School will showcase student creativity and skill when its 42nd Annual Student Art Show opens Monday, April 13, in Casey Hall.

The exhibit features more than 500 pieces of student artwork, highlighting the breadth of talent across the school’s visual arts program.

The Carmel Central School District offers a wide range of art courses, beginning with studio art in eighth grade and continuing through Advanced Placement classes, where seniors develop portfolios for college applications.

“We are very lucky to have the amount and variety of the art classes we offer here,” said art teacher Danielle Marino. “We not only have great kids and great teachers, but we have a robust program as well. I don’t know of many other high schools that have ceramics or a black-and-white darkroom.”

The works on display include drawing, painting, mixed media, graphic design and photography, reflecting students’ broad exposure to the arts, according to department chair Christine Bevan.

Among the featured student artists is Petra, a senior who focuses on drawing and painting birds. Her work has also been displayed at the Friends of the Great Swamp art show.

“Birds have been symbols since Roman times,” Petra said. “I like how they can reflect the emotions of people.”

Tyler, a junior, creates comic book characters shaped by phobias.

“Phobias show a strong, targeted feeling toward something that can be drawn,” he said.

The show runs through Friday, April 17, in Casey Hall at Carmel High School.

Hours are 1 to 3 p.m. on opening day, Monday, April 13; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 14–16; with additional evening hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 17.

The Carmel community is warmly invited to celebrate our 33rd Annual Youth Art Month Exhibit, taking place at various locations throughout the month. Art from students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be on display at local banks, town halls, libraries and businesses. 

For more than three decades, this special event has showcased the incredible creativity, imagination, and talent of our student artists. From vibrant paintings and detailed drawings to ceramics and mixed media pieces, the exhibit reflects the hard work and artistic growth happening in our schools every day.

We are proud to present this year’s exhibit in partnership with the Carmel/Kent Chamber of Commerce, whose continued support helps us highlight the importance of arts education within our community. The artwork will be displayed this month, offering families, friends, and neighbors the opportunity to experience and celebrate the artistic achievements of our students.

Two CHS students and one of our outstanding GFMS musicians had the privilege of performing with the prestigious New York State Band Directors' Association (NYSBDA) Honor Bands this month, in Syracuse, NY. This prestigious performance is a significant accomplishment, as only the most talented young musicians from across the state are selected to participate.

This year, New York State required boards of education to include student representatives, and those chosen for the slots in Carmel intend to make the most of the opportunity. 

Isabella and River, both seniors, worked alongside Max and Aarav, sophomores. Because all four students juggle packed schedules, they split attendance at the twice-monthly meetings. 

Each student noticed something different at the meetings. What stood out to Isabella was the public nature of the discussions.  

“It’s good that everyone can air their concerns,” Isabella said. “There is a sense of accountability because issues are raised and brought up in a public space.” Seeing decisions unfold in real time changed how Isabella understood leadership. 

Aarav paid close attention to how the board functioned. The formal process was structured and deliberate, and surprisingly interesting. 

“I learn something about how a board works at every meeting,” Aarav said. “There is a specific order that things must happen on the board. Someone makes a motion, and someone has to second it. It is interesting.” 

River focused on the relationships in the room. Different opinions did not stop progress, they shaped it. 

“It’s interesting to see that board members can have different points of view but there’s still a balance there,” River said. 

Max viewed the role as a new way to connect with the community. 

“I wanted to be able to speak about issues that are important to me and to other students,” Max said. “It’s a different way of interacting with my community and the teachers and students.”   

Before each meeting, Superintendent Michael Plotkin meets with the students to review the agenda and explain what to expect. He emphasized preparation and problem-solving.  

“If you want to bring up an issue, try to propose a possible solution,” Mr. Plotkin said. “That usually sparks a real conversation.” 

Carmel High School proudly welcomed 58 new students into the National Honor Society (NHS) on December 11.  

Membership in NHS is a distinction earned through dedication and perseverance. The juniors and seniors who were inducted, each achieved a minimum unweighted cumulative grade point average of 89.9, completed 30 hours of community service within the past academic year and held leadership positions or responsibilities in school, the community, or the workplace. 

The evening’s induction ceremony was student-led, but Carmel Central School District leaders spoke to the group as well.  

“Let this induction serve as both a recognition and a call to action,” Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said. “Allow yourselves to dream with ambition and to serve with humility. Allow your curiosity to lead you to undiscovered places and your character to guide your every step. The true mark of honor is not only what you achieve, but how you choose to uplift others along the way.” 

Including the new inductees, the Carmel High School Chapter of the National Honor Society now includes 110 members, and each one serves as a role model for scholarship, service, leadership and character.  

“This event celebrates students who have not only demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, but who have also shown a deep and ongoing commitment to service, leadership, and character,” said English Teacher Joanne Morgan, the National Honor Society Advisor for CHS. “Their dedication in the classroom and in our community reflects the very best of what NHS stands for, and I could not be more proud of each one of them.” 

In John Hildenbrand's AP Physics II class at Carmel High School, the students recently experimented with a Van de Graff machine.  

A Van de Graaff generator is a machine that uses friction to build a massive electrical charge on a hollow metal sphere.  

The students in Mr. Hildenbrand’s class had so much fun that their hair stood on end. Students took turns experimenting with the machine, and then Assistant Principal Allison Golan ad a chance to step into the action. Check out the static energy coursing through her hair!   

Forget the long, agonizing wait for college admissions letters. Some Carmel High School seniors are learning their fate instantly, without even leaving school. 

Through Instant Decision Days, local universities send admissions representatives directly to Carmel High School’s Counseling Office to meet with students one-on-one and deliver immediate admission decisions. 

Recently, 10 Carmel seniors met with Manhattan University Associate Director of Admission Jose De La Cruz and Admission Counselor Michael Troia. 

Among them was Gianna Palazzo, 17, who beamed when she heard that she was accepted. 

“It’s so nice to know that you got in somewhere,” Gianna said, smiling. “I’m not sure where I’m going to go to college yet, though.” 

Gianna, who plans to study chemical engineering, has taken six Advanced Placement courses and 10 college-level classes through Westchester Community College, Syracuse University Project Advance and other programs. During her interview, she discussed with the admissions team which credits might transfer to Manhattan University. 

“What I want to do is use those credits to get ahead with requirements so I can focus on my major,” she explained. 

Instant Decision Day acceptances are not binding, and students admitted through the program still have until May to make their final choice. 

Carmel High School counselor Kristen Mancini said the event makes the college admissions process more accessible and less stressful for students. 

“For the past several years, CHS has partnered with local colleges to offer Instant Decision Days, providing students with the opportunity to meet directly with admissions representatives and receive an immediate admission decision,” Mancini said. “Each year, CHS typically hosts two to three colleges, depending on student interest and college availability.” 

This year’s participating institutions include Manhattan University, Iona University and Western Connecticut State University. 

During the meetings, students can ask questions, learn more about each university, and receive their admission decisions in person, making the process faster, more personal and a lot more exciting. 

Students in Kerry Hackert’s U.S. History classes at Carmel High School recently stepped into the shoes of lawmakers during a Mock Congress designed to explore how the American legislative process works. 

As part of their study of the U.S. government, students first examined the legislative branch and learned how a bill becomes a law. They were then divided into committees to draft their own legislation on major national issues. This year’s topics: the drinking age and the death penalty. 

Working in teams, students researched their assigned issues, analyzed arguments for and against, and crafted bills that reflected their proposed policies. Each committee then presented its bill to the full “Congress,” where spirited debate and questioning followed before votes were cast and the bills were sent to “President Hackert” for final approval. 

In one class, the mock lawmakers voted to keep the national drinking age at 21. Representative Ava Connors, who led the committee in favor of maintaining the current law, gave a persuasive speech emphasizing the dangers of lowering the drinking age. 

“Keeping the drinking age at 21 gives younger kids a harder time getting alcohol,” Connors said. “If the drinking age is 18, the approximate age of a senior in high school, younger people will have easier access. This could lead to alcohol abuse at an earlier age, and research shows the brain doesn’t fully develop until around age 25.” 

In a different class, however, the outcome was different: the class voted to lower the drinking age to 18. Despite their differing decisions, both classes reached the same conclusion on another issue -- voting to keep the death penalty legal, though several students presented compelling arguments to abolish it. 

Hackert, who organized the Mock Congress, said the project remains a highlight of the year. 

“I love doing this every year because there are always students who don’t talk much in class but really shine in this format,” Hackert said. “They feel more comfortable, they’re engaged, and they come to class excited. I was also very proud of how respectfully they discussed and debated with one another.” 

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Carmel High School.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 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!

The 41st Annual Student Art Show at Carmel High School was featured in the local news site Lohud.com.  The news site included a video and slideshow of the event, which drew large crowds from throughout the community.  Nearly 450 CHS students had their artwork displayed in the show, which featured works in a variety of media, including pottery, graphic arts, painting, drawing and more.  

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.