Nov 18, 2014 3 min read

MAPLETOWN – It was five years ago this week that Bobtown Elementary School librarian Darlene Phillips lost her life in a car accident in Dunkard Township while on her way to work. At a Southeastern Greene School Board meeting Monday, one student from each grade in the elementary school was honored as the recipient of the Darlene Phillips Award of Excellence for the first nine-weeks grading period.

Phillips, who was instrumental in working to raise the PSSA scores in the district and help Southeastern Greene achieve AYP (adequate yearly progress), was remembered by district curriculum coordinator Scott Sinn for raising the bar in more ways than just test scores.

“Darlene (Phillips) was always encouraging manners and character traits,” Sinn told the student recipients, noting Tuesday was the anniversary of her death. “She still has an impact. She was fantastic for the community as a mother, teacher and community member.”

Sinn said the awards recognize students who make an impact, serve as role models and make their families proud. He said the six students being honored were kids who made others “feel good,” were “model citizens” and people “other students look up to.” In addition to considering personal behavior, grades and attendance are contributing factors in the selection process.

The first grading period recipients are first-grader MaKenna Lopspeich, second-grader Rene Sweeney, third-grader Elizabeth Cunningham, fourth-grader Cody Greene, fifth-grader Aubrie Hawkins and sixth-grader John Flanigan.

In other matters, the board approved two field trips. The first, a trip for 45 students to visit Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville and attend a holiday concert at State Theater in Uniontown Dec. 14, will cost $500 for admission and transportation. The students will be accompanied by teacher Janis Smearcheck, who volunteered.

The second is a trip to Pittsburgh Center for the Arts studio Dec. 9. There is no cost to the district as this field trip is covered by the art residency grant in the district.

Under extra-extracurricular activities and athletics, the board approved the hiring of four seventh-and eighth-grade coaches.

John Johnston was hired as the head boys basketball coach at a salary of $1,850; Steven Johnston as assistant at a salary of $1,350; Colby Kincell as an assistant wrestling coach at a salary of $1,350; and Kate McCullough as the head volleyball coach at a salary of $1,850.

The board approved a request by assistant athletic director Linda Messich for up to 10 members of the varsity football team to attend the program, “Lee Rubin Speaks,” at Canon-McMillan High School Dec. 2. The cost to the district is $200 for transportation. Rubin is a motivational speaker and former starter for the Nittany Lions football team under Joe Paterno.

The board also approved teachers Breanne Scears and Dana Pacolay to serve as mentors for two recent hires and accepted the resignation of school security officer Lee England, because of health reasons.