Elmwood Academy

Happy Read Across America Week! We're grateful for all the guest readers we had come to our school this week from parents of teachers and students to state representatives! Thank you for sharing the gift of reading with our students!

💙 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WEEK // This week, we recognize the incredible impact of our school social workers and the vital role they play in supporting students and families. They help navigate challenges, connect families with resources, and partner with staff to ensure students have what they need to be successful in school. Their work often happens quietly and behind the scenes — but it strengthens our entire Wildcat community.

Today we celebrate you. Every day we appreciate you. 💙

#WildcatPride

Storytelling commences at our February Community Meeting with 7 brave students telling their stories to the entire student body and faculty of around 800 people! Stories were supported by family artifacts/pictures such as a National Park passport, Family store calendar from 1926, Ecuador Carnival regalia, pistols gifted by George Washington, pension paystub from Bethlehem Steel, family saxophone used across 3 generations, and letters from Presidents celebrating the birth of one of our students. Our students were amazing!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Shively! Students in Dr. Dankosky's class surprised Mr. Shively with a birthday song they created using these pieces in Soft Start. Tomorrow is Mr. Shively's last day with us and we couldn't be prouder of the work he's done for us over the past two years at Elmwood and five at MMS. We wish him well in his future endeavors!

🧦 HEY NATE, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF (again) // Everyone needs more than one pair of socks — and Nate Chesky has earned them. Our first two-time honoree, Mr. Chesky was nominated by a colleague after delivering a K’NEX Challenge prize to a student’s home when the student had gone home sick before break.

As the longtime coordinator of Elmwood Academy’s K’NEX Challenge team, Mr. Chesky consistently goes above and beyond to support and celebrate his students. Thank you for the care, dedication, and extra steps you take to make a difference.

#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff

❄️ TWO-HOUR DELAY // Tomorrow, Monday, February 23, 2026, Mechanicsburg Area School District will operate on a two-hour delay schedule. We will continue to monitor conditions overnight and will reach back out if weather or road conditions necessitate any further changes. Thank you and stay safe, Wildcats.

💜 THIS IS COMMUNITY // Elmwood Academy crossing guard Kim Wolfe was spotted bringing her own shovel to clear snow and ice that formed at a crosswalk near the school — helping keep the path safe for our students.

Our municipal partners and community members do a great job keeping roads and sidewalks clear, but we all know winter weather has a way of shifting, day by day. Seeing members of our school community step in like this is a powerful reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. Thank you for showing what Wildcat community looks like in action.

📸 Special thanks to Heather Strock for sending us this photo so that we can celebrate this small act of kindness and care.

#WildcatPride

❄️ TWO-HOUR DELAY, 1/29/26 and 1/30/26 // Mechanicsburg Area School District will operate on a two-hour delay schedule on Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, 2026. Based on several factors—including cold temperatures, the need to navigate snow piles, and the benefits of increased daylight—a delay was the best decision for our students.

Thank you for your patience as we work our way back to a normal school schedule.

❄️💪 A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR MAINTENANCE & FACILITIES CREWS // Through heavy snowfall and challenging temperatures, our dedicated maintenance and facilities teams have been hard at work clearing parking lots, roads, and sidewalks to ensure our buildings and campuses are safe and ready for the return of our students and staff. They’ll be back at it again today for another round of winter weather cleanup.

Your long hours, teamwork, and commitment do not go unnoticed. We are incredibly grateful for all you do behind the scenes to keep our Wildcat community moving, no matter the weather. THANK YOU. 💜

📸 Special thanks to Erick Hoffman, Director of Facilities, for sharing these photos with us.

#WildcatPride

❄️ CLOSED // All Mechanicsburg Area School District schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. This will be a traditional snow day with no makeup day needed.

Our Facilities Department and local municipalities did an amazing job today, as they worked tirelessly to clear roads, sidewalks, and parking lots throughout the district. Unfortunately, there are still a few trouble spots out there that we'll hopefully see cleared up tomorrow.

Stay safe, Wildcats!

❄️ WEATHER ALERT // Mechanicsburg Area School District will be CLOSED on Monday, January 26, 2026. This will be a traditional snow day with no makeup day needed. We will continue to monitor forecasts and road conditions for Tuesday and will communicate with staff and families if there is a need to alter the schedule for the day.

💙 Please help us give a special shoutout to our in-house maintenance crews and all crews across our municipalities who are working tirelessly to keep our roads clear and safe.

Stay warm, dry, and safe, Wildcats!

📸 Special thanks to Music/Vocals Teacher Gordon Kaslusky for capturing this picturesque moment at Kindergarten Academy.

#WildcatPride

Growing as digital citizens! Representatives from the PA Attorney General’s Office came to present to our students on being safe and smart online. They’ll go deeper with individual classes in upcoming library classes this winter. 

🧤❄️ A SIGN OF THE SEASON // One brave glove. One cozy winter hat. Both waiting patiently on the fence.

If this looks even slightly familiar, consider it your sign to check the lost and found at your child’s school for anything that might be yours. Winter gear has a way of wandering off—and we’d love to see these items make it back home where they belong.

Pro tip: a quick label can help lost items find their way back next time. 💜

#WildcatPride

TELLING STORIES! Elmwood students and staff are spending the month of January sharing stories about their families, culture, backgrounds, and traditions. Students in Mrs. Puchalsky and Mrs. Bull's class combine to share stories about two dollar bills, a Dutch cookbook, cruising, a college graduate, and hiding the pickle ornament.

🚓💙 LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY // Today (and every day!), we’re grateful for the strong partnerships we share with law enforcement across our community. Their presence in our schools goes beyond safety—it’s about connection, trust, and meaningful relationships with our students and staff.

A special thank you to Officer Mark, our District Resource Officer, whose steady presence and genuine care help our Wildcats feel supported and safe. From morning fist bumps and catch on the playground to lunchtime check-ins and hallway conversations, these moments matter.

Thank you to all of our law enforcement partners for being an important part of the Wildcat community. Today we celebrate you. Every day we appreciate you.

#ThankYOU #WildcatPride

🎒 YOUR WILDCAT JOURNEY BEGINS HERE // Families with a child who will be age 5 on or before September 1, 2026, are invited to register now for full-day kindergarten at Mechanicsburg Area School District. PLEASE SHARE with any MASD families who have an eligible child for kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year!

To participate in The Wildcat Expedition — our special kindergarten orientation held later this spring at Kindergarten Academy — registration must be completed by April 1, 2026. During The Wildcat Expedition, families are introduced to Kindergarten Academy while incoming Wildcats enjoy age-appropriate activities and screenings designed just for them — a meaningful first step into their school experience.

Learn more and begin the registration process 🔗 www.mbgsd.org/registration

We can’t wait to welcome our future Wildcats. 💜

#WildcatPride

😎 SPIRIT ON DISPLAY // Staff at Elmwood Academy brought the fun during the 12 Days of December spirit days — and proved that school spirit comes in many forms.

From Don’t Sweat the Holidays (comfy workout wear) to Sweater Weather (wear a fun, festive, and colorful sweater), Holiday Card Day (dress like you’re taking a holiday card photo), and everything in between, the creativity and good humor were on full display.

Whether festive or just plain fun, these moments reflected what makes Elmwood special: connection, camaraderie, and a staff that knows how to show up with heart (and personality) every day.

📸 Special shoutout to 4th grade Teacher Maribeth Allen for passing along these fun and spirited photos.

#WildcatPride

🏠🍬 SWEET DESIGNS IN THE MAKING // Some of our Wildcats in Christina Brandt's class at Elmwood Academy recently rolled up their sleeves and got creative with gingerbread houses—and we might just have a few future architects among us. From clever details to candy-covered creativity, these designs were as impressive as they were sweet.

📸 Special thanks to Mrs. Brandt for sharing these moments with us.

#WildcatPride

💜 WITH GRATITUDE & BEST WISHES // Staff at Elmwood Academy recently celebrated Beth Hanus as she begins a well-earned retirement after 39.5 years of dedicated service to our district.

As a learning support teacher at Elmwood, Ms. Hanus made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students through her patience, expertise, and unwavering care. Her impact reaches far beyond the classroom and will be felt for years to come.

We are grateful for the commitment, compassion, and heart she brought to our Wildcat community every single day. Please join us in thanking her for nearly four decades of service and wishing her happiness, health, and joy in this next chapter. 💜

#WildcatPride