The Elmira Heights Central School District Board of Education honored recently retired Cohen Elementary Principal Andrew Lutz with the dedication of the school's Pre-K Playground. At their meeting on September 6, Mr. Lutz was recognized for his many years of dedication to this community’s young people, becoming a person synonymous with the community itself over his 30 year career.
Originally from the Syracuse area, Mr. Lutz first took a position as a PE and Health teacher at Thomas A. Edison. He would go on to teach at the Cohen Middle School, and later became the Dean of Students and Athletic Director.
In 2010 Mr. Lutz was appointed to the position of Principal of Cohen Elementary School, the position he held with great pride and many successes until his retirement this past year.
Generations of Spartans and Cougars benefited from his tireless energy in the classroom, on the sports fields and courts, and at all the activities and celebrations, often rocking out to "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen.
Mr. Lutz is a Heights legend who's name will forever be connected to this community, and which is now forever highlighted on the plaque he posed with at the Board Meeting this past Wednesday in the Cohen Auditorium. The auditorium where he conducted countless assemblies alongside the Cohen Cougar.
The plaque will soon be installed permanently just inside the entrance to the Pre-K wing, and a sign will be installed on the playground fencing outside the space which now bares his name.
Thank you for all you have done for our community, Mr. Lutz!