Culbertson Elementary School

CULBERTSON SCHOOL PTO -- Current Minutes 2008-2009

PTO Home | PTO Committees | Culbertson Home

June 2, 2009 @ 8PM
Recorded by Angela DiPrinzio

New Business:

Mr. Cook opened the meeting by introducing and welcoming Culbertson's new principal for 2009-2010 school year, Mr. James Orwig. Mr. Orwig is from Kutztown and has been either assistant principal or principal for the last 15 years. He is currently the principal of 2 school buildings, one building of 100 students and the other building of 350 students. His school mascot is the cougar, so he will feel right at home as a Culbertson cougar! He will be coming to meet the students on June 11 during lunch periods. He spoke to the parents present and stated his priority and focus is always the children. He was very happy to be invited to the PTO meeting and is looking forward to meeting his new Culbertson family. Welcome Mr. Orwig!
Luanne Carlton, a PTO parent, thanked the PTO and all Culbertson families for all their support this past year during her daughter's illness and medical treatment. She was overwhelmed with gratitude and announced that her daughter, Catrina, has completed her scheduled rounds of treatment and is doing very well. Culbertson Cougars love Catrina!
Pam Lairdieson, playground committee chair, discussed the playground equipment status. The equipment was delivered today and holes are currently being dug for the foundation of the playground equipment. Installation is tentative for this week and next week, depending on the weather. A ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for all students, faculty and sponsors, etc., date TBA. A $10,000.00 grant from SAP is currently pending. She acknowledged and thanked all Culbertson families and local businesses for all their time and financial support!
Arlana Ross, PTO co-president, reviewed the yearbook order forms will be in the communication envelopes once more for anyone who would like to place an order. Yearbooks will also be available at the front desk after distribution for $14.00. If anyone is interested in purchasing a yearbook but does not have a form, please send a check made out to "Culbertson PTO" or cash in and envelope marked "Yearbook" and your child's name and homeroom #. The 5th graders will be receiving yearbooks free, courtesy of the PTO.
Janet Rote, Culbertson PTO parent, suggested anyone who has any school event pictures, please save them on a CD for future yearbooks; in particular for 5th grade yearbook pages.

Notes from Mr. Cook:

Mr. Cook thanked several PTO committees for all their services for the children including: Pam Lairdieson and the playground committee, school store, communication envelopes, sundae day, hospitality committee, the PTO for the plaque relief, gift and slide show tribute for his retirement and the PTO co-presidents, Arlana Ross and Beth Malone, for all their leadership and support. He also thanked the faculty and staff for all their dedication educating our children. He spoke directly to the faculty present, Mrs. Lebo and Mrs. Corle, first grade teachers, Ms. Crawford, life skills teacher and Mrs. Lyon, reading specialist. He spoke to Ms. Crawford and thanked her for all her support for the past 19 years as a colleague and advisor and described her as an "assistant principal." Ms. Crawford was a faculty member when Mr. Cook became principal! He also spoke to Mrs. Lyon stating she is the best reading specialist we could ask for.
All the faculty present spoke of Mr. Cook with great respect and thanked him for all his years of service to this school. Each teacher stated it was a privilege to work with such an outstanding principal!
Mrs. Lyon, reading specialist, announced the dates for the book fair for the remainder of the week: Wed., June 3 and Thurs., June 4 from 8:30A.M.-3:00P.M. in the LGI room.
Mrs. Corle announced the first graders will be hosting their "Sing-To-Read" Wed., June 3 @ 9:30A.M. in the cafeteria.
Mr. Cook announced the annual "Family Cookout" was a huge success and thanked Jennifer Gries and her committee for organizing this event. He also thanked Mrs. Walker for organizing the time capsule ceremony that was held this afternoon following the family cookout. In addition, he thanked Mr. Robert D'Angolell for donating the time capsule to Culbertson school.
Today, the students wore their 50th anniversary t-shirts and formed a "50" on the playground hardtop, and a picture was taken as part of the 50th anniversary celebration!

Important Dates:

Wed., June 3 @ 9:30A.M.: First graders host "Sing-To-Read" in the cafeteria.
Wed., June 3 @ 3:00P.M.: Mr. Cook climbs the NS Fire Co. ladder!
Thurs., June 4 from 8:30A.M.-3:00P.M.: Final day of the Book Fair.
Tues., June 9: 5th grade trip to Brandywine Picnic Park. All 5th grade parents welcome. Parents please provide your own transportation.
Tues., June 9 @ 6:30P.M.: School Board Budget Meeting @ the Gauntlett center.
Thurs., June 11 @ lunch periods: Mr. Orwig, new principal, will meet Culbertson students.
Fri., June 12 @ 1:00P.M.: Field Day (rescheduled from Fri., June 5)
Mon., June 15 @ 9:45A.M.: Kindergarten "End of the Year" program.
Tues., June 16 @ 9:30A.M.: 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony in the cafeteria.
Tues., June 16 and Wed., June 17: last days of school. 12 noon early dismissal. No lunches served.

Farwell from Mr. Cook:

Mr. Cook announced Culbertson Elementary School is 50 years old, he is 57 years old and a first-time grandfather (AKA: "Poppy"), is expecting his second grandchild, will continue working in retail part-time at "Eddie Bauer" and has just completed 19 wonderful years as principal of Culbertson Elementary School! Although he will be retiring, he will be very busy starting this new, exciting chapter in his life.
Mr. Cook, on behalf of the PTO, students, faculty and entire Culbertson family, we will miss you…."the man, the myth, the legend!" The words "thank you" just don't seem suffice for all that you have done for so many. Good luck in all your future endeavors!