Kirtland Elementary off to a fully-supplied start

  • Published
  • By Jessie Perkins
  • Kirtland Public Affiars

The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Advanced Systems and Development Directorate here dropped more than a 1,000 pounds of donated school supplies from the installation community at Kirtland Elementary School here Aug. 10.


Senior Airman Roslyn Lack joined members of SMC AD and other Air Force Space Command units at Kirtland to participate in a school supply drop benefitting the school. People donated 1020 lbs. of school supplies for the drive, which is conducted annually by local units under AFSPC.


Lack has only been with the command three weeks, yet headed up this year’s drop. Col. Charles Galbreath, the SMC AD deputy director, also oversaw his unit’s efforts in the event.


Galbreath said that the unit, which is located just steps south of the school, has been donating for several years. He was appreciative of the support shown by the community in purchasing so many needed supplies. Kirtland Elementary Principal Rayetta Baty found out about the yearly event from Galbreath’s wife Mellissa, president of the Kirtland Spouse’s Club.


“This is a big help for the community school partnership and we are excited we have been able to continue this year… our families are extremely grateful,” Baty said.


Baty, in her second year with the school, also expressed her gratitude for the Airmen that took the time out of their busy schedules to help complete the drop and had several members of her staff on hand to help sort and distribute the donations along with the unit.

Galbreath said his unit also participates in the yearly coat and shoe drive.


“The school is here all year,” he said, adding that support is needed not just at the beginning of the school year but throughout it.  

Kirtland Elementary has a current enrollment of 371 students, the vast majority being military dependents.