🤍 AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK 2025 // From us to you, we share the special message below.

We are grateful for you — your commitment, your care, and your belief in every Wildcat’s inherent worth and potential. Thank you!

🎨 Please help us also celebrate and thank Broad Street Elementary School's Jonah, Vivienne, and Rahil for the hand drawn artwork (and smiles!).

Be sure to check back later today for a special video message from Dr. Bitz.

#WildcatPride
3 days ago, MBGSD
Collage of photos of students holding handdrawn signs that share a message of appreciation and belonging.
Elmwood PTO's "Un-Fundraiser" is underway collecting donations which benefits our students and school. So far we've unlocked our first reward and on our way to the next one! Thank you for your generous contributions!
6 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
poster for “un-fundraiser"

💛 HAPPY WORLD KINDNESS DAY, WILDCATS // Kindness comes in so many forms — a smile, a high-five, a helping hand, or simply showing up for one another. Throughout the day, we’ll be celebrating the big and small acts of kindness that make our schools feel like home.

🚓 First up: a seriously joyful moment at Elmwood Academy! Our friends at the Mechanicsburg Police Department surprised 4th and 5th graders with a drop-in kickball game yesterday — and based on the smiles all around, we’re pretty sure they had just as much fun as our Wildcats. 🐾

Stay tuned for more kindness in action across MASD, today and every day.

📸 Special thanks to Keith Shively and Dr. Dankosky for capturing this special moment of kindness, joy, and community partnerships in action.

#WildcatPride #WorldKindnessDay

7 days ago, MBGSD
A group of students on a playground with police officers after a game of kickball.
Students playing kickball on the playground with police officers.
A police officer playing kickball on a playground with a group of students.
Police officers playing kickball on a playground with a group of students.
🐾 BRRR! IT'S OFFICIALLY WILDCAT BLANKET WEATHER // These Wildcats are staying warm and cozy — and you can too! If you purchased a Wildcat blanket through Mechanicsburg Area PTO (MAPTO), it’s time to pick up your order.

🕓 Pickup Times: 4–7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13
📍 Location: Kindergarten Academy (enter through the doors facing Norway Street)

Blankets will be distributed by purchaser’s last name, so be sure you know which adult in your household placed the order.

Didn’t order yet? A few extra blankets are available for $25 each (cash or check made out to MAPTO) — grab yours before they’re gone!

📸 A warm thank-you to Northside PTO/MAPTO rep Ann Marie Bolish for capturing these cozy smiles!
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#WildcatPride
9 days ago, MBGSD
Three students cozied up with a warm and fuzzy maroon wildcat blanket.
💜 YOUNG WILDCATS, BIG HEARTS // Ahead of tonight’s PIAA District 3 5A playoff game at Bishop McDevitt, our 5th graders at Elmwood Academy created baskets filled with heartfelt messages and treats for every football player and coach. One note, written from 5th grader Paul to senior Alex Lombardi, said it best: “Use grit, even when things get tough…" and make sure to "be the change you want to see in the world.”

Moments like these remind us what it means to be part of the Wildcat family—lifting each other up, leading with kindness, and showing pride in every season.

🏑🏈 Best of luck to our Football team tonight and to our Field Hockey team tomorrow as they also continue their postseason run against Villa Maria at Exeter Township High School. 💜

Go, Cats!

📸 Thanks to Keith Shively for capturing this special moment.

#WildcatPride
12 days ago, MBGSD
A football player holding a handwritten message from a young student.
🥞🍎 Every Wildcat deserves a great start to the day — and that begins with breakfast! Don't forget, breakfast is free for all MASD students every school day, so be sure to grab a bite before the bell rings. It’s one of the many ways we’re helping every Wildcat learn, grow, and thrive. You can also find a list of meal supports for Wildcat families on our district website. Because when we take care of one another, our whole community grows stronger. 💜 #WildcatPride
13 days ago, MBGSD
a young boy picks breakfast items
a young girl and boy pick breakfast items
a young girl picks breakfast items
young students pick breakfast items
a young student picks breakfast items
🍂 FALL FUN // Fourth graders at Elmwood Academy had a blast soaking up the fall sunshine at Koser Park recently! From games and giggles to colorful leaves and friendship, it was the perfect opportunity for Wildcat-style autumn fun. 💛 📸 Thanks to Nicole Hutcheson for the photo. #WildcatPride
13 days ago, MBGSD
A group of elementary students in hats and jackets enjoying the fall weather
We held Cool CATS Lunches today in the Glass Palace to celebrate and recognize our students-of-the-month for October. We enjoyed answering poll questions for favorite and least favorite candy as well as discussing unusual treats they've received for Halloween. Ramen, potatoes, and cash top the list from our community!
16 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Cool CATS lunch!
Cool CATS lunch!
Cool CATS lunch!
A few Elmwood students visited the Kindergarten Academy to cheer them on at a school-wide pep rally last week. Go Cats!

Pictures are courtesy of Megan Garrison
16 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders
Thank you, Senator Dawn Keefer, for visiting with us this morning! We're grateful for you sharing one of your family's favorite books with us that we enjoyed too.
20 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Senator Keefer
Senator Keefer
Senator Keefer
Senator Keefer
Senator Keefer
🍁 AUTUMN VIBES, WILDCAT STYLE // Our district is bursting with color (and Wildcat pride!) this fall. 💜

#WildcatPride
26 days ago, MBGSD
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
A chair and desk overlooking a colorful fall tree.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
A building surrounded by fall foliage.
💡 TEAMWORK + LEARNING = GROWTH // Professional development days give our team time to learn, connect, and grow—so we can give our best to our Wildcats every day. 🌟 Today, our Instructional Aides came together for hands-on collaboration and shared learning.

💜 Thank you to our families for supporting this important time dedicated to staff growth and continuous improvement.

#WildcatPride
26 days ago, MBGSD
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
🧺 SHOP FOR A CAUSE // It's not too late to swing by the Operation Wildcat’s 24th Indoor Yard Sale, open until 8 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 24) and from 7:30 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church. Find treasures big and small — books, collectibles, home décor, jewelry, toys, and more — all while helping students and families in need right here in our district. 💜

📅 Friday, Oct. 24 | 8 AM–8 PM
📅 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:30 AM–12 PM
📍 1050 S. York St., Mechanicsburg

Cash and credit accepted. Every purchase supports a Wildcat family! 🐾

#WildcatPride
26 days ago, MBGSD
Photo of a yard sign advertising a charity yard sale, as described in our  post caption.
Elmwood students enjoyed their classroom fall parties with snacks, games, and STEM challenges! We'll see students back at school on Tuesday, October 28 after a long weekend!
27 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
Fall parties
💜 LEARNING TO LIFT OTHERS // Students and staff from Mechanicsburg Area School District recently attended the 2025 Caring Team for Grieving Students Summit, joining peers and professionals from across Pennsylvania to learn how to better support classmates who are coping with grief and loss.

Representing MASD were student leaders from Elmwood Academy and Mechanicsburg Middle School, alongside our dedicated elementary and middle school counselors and social workers. Together, they explored ways to foster understanding, compassion, and connection within our schools — helping ensure that no Wildcat grieves alone.

#WildcatPride
28 days ago, MBGSD
Students dressed as superheroes.
A group of students and staff dressed as superheroes.
Elmwood is celebrating Unity Day today by wearing orange as we encourage our students to be "up-standers" against bullying.
29 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Unity Day
Unity Day
Conferences and Book Fair are underway this week at Elmwood. Don't forget to check out the Lost and Found too!
29 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Book Fair
Book Fair
Book Fair
Lost and Found
Students from Mrs. Yohn's class competed in the Special Olympics recently. Today, we held our own Ribbon Ceremony awarding those who placed in the top 6 of their event. Congratulations to our Wildcats!
29 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Ribbon Ceremony
Ribbon Ceremony

🚌 IT’S NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK // Every day, our amazing bus drivers safely transport our Wildcats — rain or shine, morning and afternoon, always with care. Thank you for the patience, smiles, and watchful eyes that keep our students safe.

🚨 Safety reminder: When a bus has its stop arm out and red lights flashing, all traffic must stop — in both directions. Through our enforcement program that equips each school bus with stop-arm cameras, law enforcement issued 131 citations in May and September to drivers who illegally passed stopped MASD buses.

Let’s all do our part to keep Wildcats safe. ❤️ Slow down, stay alert, and always stop on red!

📸: A student-made “World’s Best Bus Driver” sign — proudly displayed on the dashboard of one of our school buses.

#WildcatPride

29 days ago, MBGSD
A "World's Best Bus Driver" sign proudly displayed on the dashboard of a school bus.
4th graders learn about our town's local history through the Mechanicsburg Walking Tour this fall or spring. They visit sites including the Frankenberger Tavern (1801), Cumberland Valley Railroad Passenger Station (1867), Stationmaster's House (1866), and the Union Church (1825).

Thank you to our chaperones who are able to join us on this trip and the docents for helping our students understand what life was like years ago, including how to haul buckets of water for the day.

Pictures are courtesy of Noreen Kirbos.
about 1 month ago, Joseph Underkoffler
Stationmaster House
Frankenberger Tavern
Inside the tavern
Hauling water
Hauling water