💛 LOVE FOR LENNON // One brave Wildcat. One powerful story. And a whole lot of love.
Last week, Elmwood Academy fourth-grader Lennon shared her childhood cancer journey with classmates in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma last fall while in third grade at Upper Allen (where she also received LOTS of Wildcat love and support!), Lennon returned to school this year healthy and in remission. 👏
As Lennon shared her story, classmates colored ribbons gold for childhood cancer or chose colors representing cancers that have touched their own loved ones. Lennon also brought gold ribbon stickers for her entire team to wear in support. 🎗️
We are incredibly proud of the courage Lennon has shown throughout her journey and of her willingness to use her experience to raise awareness and connect with others.
This is Wildcat strength. This is Wildcat community. And this is a whole lot of LOVE FOR LENNON. 💛🐾
📸 Thank you to Nikki Hutcheson and Paige Eakes for sharing these photos with us, and special thank you to Lennon, with Mom's permission, for sharing her journey with all of us!
#WildcatPride #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth
Last week, Elmwood Academy fourth-grader Lennon shared her childhood cancer journey with classmates in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma last fall while in third grade at Upper Allen (where she also received LOTS of Wildcat love and support!), Lennon returned to school this year healthy and in remission. 👏
As Lennon shared her story, classmates colored ribbons gold for childhood cancer or chose colors representing cancers that have touched their own loved ones. Lennon also brought gold ribbon stickers for her entire team to wear in support. 🎗️
We are incredibly proud of the courage Lennon has shown throughout her journey and of her willingness to use her experience to raise awareness and connect with others.
This is Wildcat strength. This is Wildcat community. And this is a whole lot of LOVE FOR LENNON. 💛🐾
📸 Thank you to Nikki Hutcheson and Paige Eakes for sharing these photos with us, and special thank you to Lennon, with Mom's permission, for sharing her journey with all of us!
#WildcatPride #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth
🧦 YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Andrea Pahowka, Elmwood Academy, has a way of making every student feel seen and valued. During the opening days of school, she made a point to get to know students as they came through the breakfast line, taking time to connect with each one.
As one observer shared, “She made every child feel like they were the most special person she had interacted with all day.”
Those small moments of connection can make a big difference, especially at the start of a new school year. Thank you, Andrea, for making our Wildcats feel so special. 💙
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
As one observer shared, “She made every child feel like they were the most special person she had interacted with all day.”
Those small moments of connection can make a big difference, especially at the start of a new school year. Thank you, Andrea, for making our Wildcats feel so special. 💙
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
🧦 HEY MARY, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // We’ve been saving up several of our You Knocked Our Socks Off celebrations so we can keep recognizing our amazing staff all summer long. First up...
Congratulations to Mary Dankosky of Elmwood Academy, who, with administrative support, helped reimagine 4th-grade science by creating learning experiences that spark curiosity and put students in the driver’s seat. Through phenomena-based investigations, students are asking questions, thinking deeply, and taking ownership of their learning.
Her willingness to try new approaches, reflect, and continue refining her practice is helping create meaningful experiences for Wildcats every day.
Thank you, Mary, for your commitment to innovation and student growth. 💛
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
🎬 THAT'S A WRAP // We're still sorting through all of the great photos from the last day of school and will do a larger photo drop in the coming days, but we couldn't wait to share this one. If there was ever a picture that captured some serious last-day-of-school energy, this might be it. 💛
Have a great summer, Wildcats. ☀️
#WildcatPride
Have a great summer, Wildcats. ☀️
#WildcatPride
What a great year it's been! Let's do it all again next year! Wishing you all a wonderfully rejuvenating summer!
5th grade field day! Thank goodness the weather cooperated for a great day outside! Many thanks to Mr. Bull for his coordination, organization, and execution. Shout out to the many volunteers who helped make today possible too! The cooler temps didn't alter the water events in the afternoon. Our teachers are great sports!
4th Grade Field Day! Thanks to Mrs. Condran for her planning and organization to make today fun! What a glorious day it was to be outside! Many thanks to our volunteers who helped run the stations including our Community Resource Officers from MPD!
Thanks, Representative Thomas Kutz for reading to our students once again!
🚓 THANK YOU, MPD // We always appreciate the opportunity to welcome our friends from the Mechanicsburg Police Department into our schools. Thank you for recently visiting Elmwood Academy and taking time to connect with our students. We’re grateful for the positive relationships you help build with our Wildcats each day. 💛
📸 Thank you to Christina Bull for capturing this moment for us to share with you.
#WildcatPride
📸 Thank you to Christina Bull for capturing this moment for us to share with you.
#WildcatPride
🎨 NOW ON DISPLAY // Student-created artwork is now a permanent part of the library at Elmwood Academy, turning the space into an even brighter and more inspiring place to learn and explore. 💛
The selected pieces were enlarged and mounted on the walls for students, staff, and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
👏 Congratulations to Grace, Logan, Lucy, Poppy, Stella, and Cora on this special recognition and for sharing your creativity with the Elmwood community.
#WildcatPride
The selected pieces were enlarged and mounted on the walls for students, staff, and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
👏 Congratulations to Grace, Logan, Lucy, Poppy, Stella, and Cora on this special recognition and for sharing your creativity with the Elmwood community.
#WildcatPride
❤️💛 SCHOOL NURSE DAY // Today we’re celebrating the caring hearts behind our health rooms. Our school nurses are a calm presence, a listening ear, and a source of comfort for students each day.
From bumps and bruises to moments that call for extra care, they show up with kindness, patience, and expertise.
Thank you for all you do to help our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Today we celebrate you, every day we appreciate you.
📸 Photo of our school nurses shared courtesy Missy Coffman.
#WildcatPride
From bumps and bruises to moments that call for extra care, they show up with kindness, patience, and expertise.
Thank you for all you do to help our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Today we celebrate you, every day we appreciate you.
📸 Photo of our school nurses shared courtesy Missy Coffman.
#WildcatPride
🚌 DRIVEN BY CARE // Today, we’re celebrating Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Day. From the first to last smile of the day, our bus/van drivers do so much more than get students from point A to point B. They create a welcoming start, a safe ride, and a familiar, friendly presence our students can count on.
📸 Thank you to Mr. Scott of B&S and all of our bus/van drivers across the district for your patience and care. Today we celebrate you, every day we appreciate you. 💛
💬 Feel free to drop a note of thanks or share a favorite memory of a bus/van driver who made a difference in the comments.
#WildcatPride
🐾 READY, SET… HEARTS IN MOTION // Someone was very patiently waiting on Friday for the fun to begin 💙 Sunny, our favorite four-legged friend at Elmwood Academy, was spotted on the playground soaking up the sunshine and keeping a watchful eye out for students getting ready to head outside for the Kids Heart Challenge.
A perfect day, a great cause, and the best kind of cheerleader 🐶
📸 Special shoutout to Christina Bull for capturing this moment.
#WildcatPride
A perfect day, a great cause, and the best kind of cheerleader 🐶
📸 Special shoutout to Christina Bull for capturing this moment.
#WildcatPride
Some of our students competed in the Special Olympics today! One of our favorite traditions is lining the hallways and cheering them on as they get ready to board the buses! Thank you for representing our school proudly!
Thanks to Mr. Bull for a wonderful morning as he arranged a school-wide Kids Heart Challenge event. He says we've raised $10,600 for the American Heart Association and are just shy of the $12,000 goal! He's going to extend the deadline through Friday, May 1. Let's see if we can hit the goal which will trigger Mr. Bull to complete an Escape Room type game on the last day of school at our Community Meeting!
Mr. Bull and Mr. Brown led our students in a bike rider refresher safety course this morning. All bike riders need signed permission slips, following state law, and attend the course to ride to and from school.
It's spring concert season! Going first, Mr. Weaver's and his 5th grade band rock the stage tonight at Elmwood!
🛍️ OPERATION WILDCAT YARD SALE STARTS TOMORROW // The 25th Indoor Yard Sale, hosted by our friends at Operation Wildcat, kicks off tomorrow, and it’s bigger than ever. Thousands of items will fill the tables at McBIC – Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church, including books, toys, vintage finds, household items, collectibles, sporting goods, and more.
Friday, April 10 - 8 AM – 8 PM
Saturday, April 11 - 7:30 AM – 12 PM
Stop by, find a few great treasures, and support a great cause. We hope to see you there!
📍 Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church
1050 S York St, Mechanicsburg
#WildcatPride
Math 24 finals were held this morning at Elmwood where the top students in the challenge competed against each other to determine which students would represent the school at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit to face other schools later this spring.
Major thanks to Mrs. Baum, Mrs. Hutcheson, and Mrs. Weiler for their leadership and coordination, making this possible.
IA Appreciation Day! Our PTO surprised our staff today with an amazing breakfast spread! Our support staff and instructional assistants are amazingly dedicated people who positively contribute to our building's culture as they support our students and teachers. Thank you for recognizing them!
