Liberty Curtin Elementary was recognized as the District’s School of the Month, and principal Brett Umbenhauer invited board members and the public to the school’s ribbon‑cutting ceremony and community open house on Monday, Sept. 22 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Principal Umbenhauer said the new building represents two years of planning under the theme "One team, one dream" and described a community effort to prepare the site, including volunteers who seeded lawns, installed appliances and washed exterior windows. The school received a buddy bench from the Beech Creek American Legion Auxiliary to help students find playmates at recess. The presentation included student remarks highlighting activities such as a grandparents and special person day that drew about 300 guests. Umbenhauer said the new facility provides larger collaborative spaces, a media center and gymnasium, and noted volunteers and local businesses helped outfit the building.

Why it matters: the new building changes facility capacity and offers spaces for community events and expanded curricular opportunities such as media‑center activities and family events that were limited in the former building.

Key details: the ribbon‑cutting and open house will include food trucks, music and self‑guided tours with stops at the media center and gymnasium; volunteers and a local contractor (Vittorio Exterior Professionals) assisted with exterior preparations. Students present at the meeting briefly described their post‑graduation plans, including nursing, architecture, industrial and mechanical engineering and ROTC aspirations.

Ending: Board members praised the community volunteer effort and said they look forward to attending the Sept. 22 ceremony; the presentation closed with the district extending an invitation to attend the open house.