♻️ TRASH TO TREASURE // Wildcats at Elmwood Academy recently took a Community-Based Instruction trip to the York County Resource Recovery Center, where they learned what really happens after the trash truck pulls away.
From waste to watts, we discovered how garbage is turned into electricity, and how we can all do our part to help reduce pollution. 💡
📸 Check out a few snapshots, shared courtesy Anne Yohn, of our Wildcats in action, learning how small changes can make a big impact!
#WildcatPride
🚌🛑 BUS SAFETY PROGRAM LAUNCHES MAY 5, 2025 - PLEASE SHARE // Mechanicsburg Area School District has partnered with BusPatrol and our friends at Mechanicsburg Police Department, Upper Allen Township Police Department, and Shiremanstown Police Department to launch a new school bus safety program in line with PA Motor Vehicle Code § 3345.
As part of the program, all school buses transporting our Wildcats will be outfitted with stop arm photo enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses while the stop sign is out and red lights are engaged.
Footage obtained of a vehicle that illegally passes the stopped bus is then shared with the police department to determine whether to issue a violation by mail. The violation is reviewed by law enforcement and, once approved, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail. The program will officially launch on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Learn more about this program and school bus safety laws here - https://www.mbgsd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=838760&type=d&pREC_ID=2665518
Know the law. Keep our Wildcats safe.
🎉 Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the behind-the-scenes heroes who keep our schools, departments, and offices running smoothly! From warm welcomes at the front desk to organizing ALL THE THINGS—your kindness, patience, and superpowers don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do to support our students, staff, and families each day! Today we celebrate you, every day we appreciate you.
📸 Photos of a few of the many amazing Administrative Assistants from across our district.
#WildcatPride #WildcatExcellence
🍦🎉 SCOOPIN' UP SOME FUN // Elmwood Academy Principal Joe Underkoffler and Assistant Principal Keith Shively recently traded in their school badges for ice cream scoops at Rakestraw's. As celebrity scoopers, they served up smiles and sweet treats during a special fundraiser for the PTO.
The community came out in full force to support the cause — and to see if their principals could handle the pressure of a double-scoop cone! 😊
Thank you to everyone who came out, supported the PTO, and enjoyed a delicious night of fun. Special shoutout to our principals for going the extra mile for our students and families.
📸 Photos courtesy Mindy Shively and Nikki Hutcheson.
💼 WE'RE HIRING—and building a great team, BRICK by BRICK!
Check out our custom action figures that spotlight some of our open positions, including teachers, instructional assistants, food service workers and cafeteria aides, custodians, and a soccer coach! Each role plays a vital part in creating an exceptional experience for our Wildcats—and we’d love for you to join the team.
Ready to bring your skills to our district?
Explore open positions and apply today: www.mbgsd.org/jobs
#WildcatPride
👏 HELP US GIVE A 'GIANT' THANK YOU // Mechanicsburg Area School District Food Service is a recipient of GIANT's Feeding School Kids initiative. Thanks to GIANT’s support, we will receive $14,273.99 to grow school feeding programs to help eliminate child hunger within our schools. Thank YOU to all who rounded up at the register. Together, we are ensuring our Wildcats have access to the nutrition they need to grow and fuel their education.
#WildcatPride
🎉✨ HAPPY NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WEEK // This week, we're giving a special shoutout to our incredible assistant principals who go above and beyond every single day. From supporting students and staff to creating a positive, safe, and welcoming learning environment — your dedication makes an impact!
👏 Keith Shively, EA
👏 John Althouse, MMS
👏 Kelly Ziegler, MMS
👏 Cody Marker, MASH
👏 Kelly Mefford, MASH
👏 Sunada Roberts, MASH
Thank you for your leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our schools. Today we celebrate you, every day we appreciate you.
#WildcatPride
🎤 On Saturday, Elmwood Academy was honored to host the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 7 Elementary Song Fest, a choral festival that welcomed more than 240 talented student musicians from across Eastern Pennsylvania (including several of our very own Wildcats). An estimated 1,000 family members, friends, and supporters filled our auditorium to listen to the beautiful performance.
📸 Photos courtesy Alice Broadway, music teacher at Elmwood Academy.
#WildcatPride
📚 LET'S READ // Throughout the month, our elementary classrooms welcomed some very special guests in celebration of Read Across America Week! From community leaders to staff members and volunteers to family members, mystery readers brought stories to life and helped spark a love of reading in our Wildcats. ❤️
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share a story — your words made a difference, and your presence made it even more memorable!
📸 Photos courtesy Elmwood Academy teacher Heather Strock and Upper Allen teachers Melissa Gotthard-Shumate, Karol Maloney, and Kaitlynn Dolan.
#WildcatPride
Special thanks to Agent Mitchell from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office for presenting to our Wildcats at Elmwood Academy recently about making smart decisions when online.
📸 Photo courtesy Elmwood Assistant Principal Keith Shively.
#WildcatPride
🐾 WE'VE GOT WILDCAT SPIRIT // Today marked our very first #WildcatWednesday, and our staff showed up in style! From t-shirts and sweatshirts to maroon and steel suits and shoes, the halls were full of Wildcat pride. 💙 It’s all about celebrating who we are and the incredible community we’re proud to be part of.
📸 Special thanks to our staff from across the district for proudly sharing these photos. Be sure to check our official social media channels (FB and IG @MASDwildcats) for more photos.
#WildcatPride
🎨 AN ART-TASTIC EVENING // Creativity was in full swing as our young Wildcats and their families came together recently for an evening of hands-on art activities. Imaginations ran wild and masterpieces were made. 🖌️ A big thank you to everyone who joined in the fun—your creativity and enthusiasm made the night one to remember. And a special shoutout to everyone involved in organizing this fun-filled evening for our Wildcat community. 📸 Photos shared courtesy of staff from across the district.
We recently sent a team of Wildcats to the Council for Exceptional Children conference, where they had an opportunity to continue to learn and grow while also connecting with other educators and advocates. From innovative strategies to meaningful collaboration, our team brought back new insights that will allow us to continue meeting the needs of all our Wildcats.
📸 Photo courtesy Mark Miller, Assistant Supervisor of Special Education.
#WildcatPride
🎉 WE'VE GOT LOTS OF REASONS TO CELEBRATE // We’re honored to share that two of our Wildcat programs were recently recognized with the Exemplary Program award from the Shippensburg University School Study Council.
🏅 Mechanicsburg Middle School’s MMS Plus Program was honored for providing students with additional supports to help them succeed—while fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening the home/school connection.
🐾 The District’s Facility Dog Program was also recognized for integrating four-legged team members into our schools to support the well-being of both students and staff.
📸 Pictured left to right with Facility Dog Carson: Jaime Bott, Supervisor of Special Education (Facility Dog Program); Jess Long, School Social Worker (MMS Plus Program); Superintendent Andy Bitz; Board President Mr. John Rupp; and MMS Principal Joel Yohn (MMS Plus Program).
#WildcatPride #WildcatExcellence
