Phanatic is a Big Surprise for South Elementary

Any good Philly sports fan knows when the Phillie Phanatic shows up, it’s party time.

in-service day Wednesday was no exception as a familiar green mascot skipped and strutted the halls, greeting teachers, administrators and other employees with hugs and high-fives, and managing to get to first base* with more than a handful of them. (*Kissing! Minds out of the gutter, people!)

Principal Dr. Michelle Cinciripino arranged for the visit as a surprise for faculty members as they geared up for the impending school year.

“He (the Phanatic) is here to give teachers an opportunity to laugh and enjoy themselves after a very serious morning of meetings and planning,” for the school year, Cinciripino said.

The plan worked. As the Phanatic made his rounds, the most common teacher reaction was a dropped jaw, followed by a delighted screech: “OH my GOD!”

Teachers scrambled to get their cell phones for a few quick pictures, and there were already three press photographers covering the event, so the number of flashes going off made South look like the scene of a paparazzi frenzy.

Some people remarked that their respective spouses and children would be very jealous; others said their loved ones wouldn’t believe it. Everyone Patch spoke with agreed the visit was an awesome surprise.

Apart from the initial shock of seeing the Phanatic at school, teachers got another surprise when the usually silly-yet-silent Galapagos native responded to questions and remarks.

“I didn’t know the Phanatic could talk!” one teacher exclaimed.
“He talks to grown-ups,” Cinciripino joked.

He continued his occasional commentary throughout the visit, including when he spied a group of teachers holding a meeting around a table inside a classroom.

“I’m going in there,” he murmured to the people who joined him on his walk through the school. “They look too serious.”

The Phanatic then proceeded to burst into the room and sprawl across the table as the teachers gasped and laughed.

One person observed, “I think this has been even more fun for the adults than it would have been for the kids.”