Kathy Howard, Secretary, Phillips Elementary School.

Melissa Galusha looks on as some of her students tackle a problem. She is not really a new face, but is in a new place. Another transition, she is a former second grade teacher, to the math classroom for students grades 5 – 8.

This is Red Squirrel, the rascal that raised the ruckus in the Kindergarten room at Phillips Elementary School just before his daring escape leap out the window.

PHILLIPS – The first week of school at Phillips Elementary was much like any other – with one exception. There was a most unexpected new face in Dawn Maceda’s kindergarten classroom. It was a day early, too, on the first teacher day. The little fellow entered the building with custodian Betty White, but scurried quickly ahead of her to hide in Amanda Wilkins’ first grade room. 

Ever vigilant for suspicious activity around her school, Betty followed cautiously to apprehend the infiltrator. Leaving the door open behind her, she entered the classroom in stealth mode, but not quickly enough to prevent the culprit’s escape. He was across the hall in a flash. And the chase was on…

By this time quite an audience had gathered in the hallway to watch the shenanigans as Principal Jeffrey Pillsbury joined Betty in pursuit of the unwanted visitor, who I’m sure you’ve figured out by now was not the usual kind of scamp to raise a ruckus in the halls of this edifice. 

Round and round the room, behind the bookcases, over the tables, up the screens, in and out of the cubbies – the little red squirrel gave its would-be captors a merry chase. In the end, Mr. Pillsbury took the screen off the window nearest to its current hiding place and stepped back. Almost immediately, Red saw his chance! He leaped from the temporary safety of the cubby where he’d been catching his breath on a backpack – and practically flew out the window to freedom!

A cheer went up from the onlookers and the excitement was over. Business as usual returned and the halls were quiet once again as each one moved on to the tasks of getting ready for the real rascals who would be filling those same halls and classrooms next day.

Joining the Phillips School family for real this year are Kathy Howard, secretary to Mr. Pillsbury, and Lance Harvell, social studies teacher for grades 5 – 8.

Mrs. Howard, a Mt. Abram High School graduate, has worked in MSAD58 for 35 years, starting as a summer custodian in 1983. She became a bus driver in 1986 and also worked in the school’s library for 14 years. Kathy shared, “I always said, ‘When Mrs. Haggan retires, I would love to have that job.'” When Joan Haggan retired at the end of the last school year, Kathy applied, interviewed, and was hired for the position.

“I’m very happy to be here, but it was hard to give up driving,” Kathy confessed, “I love that, too.”

She is keeping her license, “just in case.” 

Lance Harvell comes to Phillips from the Farmington/Wilton area. He graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 1981, then served in the Air Force, including almost four years in the Netherlands. It was there he met his future wife, Bernadette, who has been a speech therapist in this district for several years. 

Upon leaving the service, Harvell worked at International Paper/Verso in Jay for 29 years. He took various classes at University of Maine Farmington during the years 2000 – 2005, concentrating on history and political science. He also got involved in politics and was elected four times to the State Legislature. 

In 2015 when he was laid off from the mill, Harvell finished up his college courses. As he begins his teaching career, he is also wrapping up his final term in office.  

Harvell, who describes himself as “a well-read redneck,” is starting out with a provisional teaching certificate as he looks into what he needs to do to get his professional endorsement.

“History has always been my first love. We’ll see how it works out,” Harvell said, “So far, so good.”

Another change at the middle level is the transition of Melissa Galusha, former second grade teacher, to the math classroom for students grades 5 – 8. Ms. G, as she is fondly called, has taught in the district for 29 years, with experience from grades K – 12 in special education settings. For the past eight years, she has taught second grade in Phillips.

Then the middle level math position opened up and Ms. G, who likes math, moved in. 

“I have started using brain teasers/problem solving with students to get them thinking outside the box to find a solution,” she says, adding, “They seem to be liking it. I am looking forward to interacting with the students and getting them to have fun with math again.” 

In other local news and notes, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce announced the last of the results of various Old Home Days competition. 

After nearly five hours of competition, Midlife Crisis had secured first place in the Annual Bill Robichaud Volleyball Tournament, with Sets on the Beach in second, and Danny’s Lads taking third.

This year’s Photography Contest was staged at Shadagee Senior Housing. Winners in the Children’s Classes were for Animals: first place, Fae submitted by Olivia Roderick; 2nd, Pup by Brooke Douglass, and for People: first, Selfie also by Brooke Douglass.

In adult competition, for Scenery Lori Burgess won first place with Sandy River Spring Thaw; 2nd was Lucky Day by Meghan Crockett; 3rd Redington Falls by James Roderick.

In Animals, first went to Crooked Comb by Meghan Crockett, which also received this year’s Judges’ Choice Award, which, incidentally, Meghan also won last year. Mike Jalbert earned 2nd place for Mother and Child. Third place was to Diana McCall for Scary Cat.

Mac Smith won first place in the People class for his Class of 1939.  It was noted that Mavis Henderson, a member of that class who recently received the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen in Phillips, was in that photo. Smith also earned a second place for Spring Hiking. Amen by Diana McCall achieved third place.

Winners in Black and White were Train Ride by Lori Burgess, Gangsters by Priscille Tyler, and A Road to a Place Home by Meghan Crockett, first, second, and third respectively.

There were no entries in the Professional category.

Finally, you may want to mark your calendars for the Sandy River Ramblers who will be performing original songs about Maine and old time gospel favorites at Reeds Mill Church on September 30 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 639-2713.

Lance Harvell, Social Studies Grades 5 – 8, Phillips Elementary School, another new face. As he begins his teaching career, he is also wrapping up his final term in office. 

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