🎒 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
about 15 hours ago, MBGSD
A graphic of a cartoon wildcat and a message, "Your Journey Begins Here: Kindergarten Registration Now Open."
😎 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
3 days ago, MBGSD
Teachers in holiday spiritwear.
Teachers in holiday spiritwear.
Teachers dressed for the 80s.
Staff dressed in colorful holiday aprons.
Teachers pretending to be taking a photo for a holiday card.
Teachers dressed in holiday flair.
Teachers dressed for decade day.
Teachers dressed from different decades.
A staff member dressed like the olympic torch.
A group of staff wearing MASH music sweatshirts.
🏠🍬 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
3 days ago, MBGSD
A student proudly shows off his handmade gingerbread house.
A student proudly shows off her handmade gingerbread house.
Students at a table behind their handmade gingerbread houses.
💜 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
8 days ago, MBGSD
Two teachers standing beside each other to celebrate a retirement.
A teacher standing in front of a table to celebrate her retirement.
A group of teachers standing together to celebrate a colleague's retirement.
🧦 HEY DR. LANTZY, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Dr. Sheri Lantzy, 5th grade teacher at Elmwood Academy, sparked a heartfelt act of kindness that brought our Wildcat community together. Inspired by her care and creativity, her students created encouragement bags for our football players—sharing pride, positivity, and support in the most meaningful way (if you missed this story, scroll through our posts to learn more.) 💜

Moments like these remind us that small ideas can make a big impact. Dr. Lantzy, your influence truly knocked our socks off.

#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
9 days ago, MBGSD
A teacher holding a pair of branded socks presented to her by the superintedent.

🐾🎄 Our four-legged friends didn’t want to miss out on the fun, so they proudly showed off their festive flair, too.

We’re so proud of our facility dog program and the comfort, connection, and love these pups bring to our Wildcat family throughout the year.

📸 Special thanks to Josh and Christina Bull and Kaitlin Bigham for capturing these sweet moments.

#WildcatPride

9 days ago, MBGSD
A black dog wearing a red, snowflake bandanna and sitting in front of a holiday tree.
A black dog wearing a blue holiday coat and sitting in front of a holiday tree.

TWO-HOUR DELAY // Due to the possibility of a refreeze, all Mechanicsburg Area School District schools will be operating on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Special shoutout to our crews at MASD and the road crews in our local municipalities and PennDOT for all of their hard work in making sure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are passable and safe for our Wildcats!

15 days ago, MBGSD
Two hour delay graphic
🎁 IT TAKES A VILLAGE // Huge thanks to our incredible school social workers and our amazing community volunteers who came together again this holiday season to support Wildcat families through the Sheetz for the Kidz program.

Bundled up and full of generosity, this team worked side by side to pack and distribute holiday gifts—making the season a little brighter for families across our district. We’re so grateful for the care, compassion, and community spirit that make moments like this possible.

#WildcatPride
16 days ago, MBGSD
Ladies surrounded by lots of red bags full of gifts.
A lady in a white jacket holding a red bag full of holiday gifts.
A pile of green bags full of holiday gifts.
A lady in a red cap and black jacket holding a red bag full of holiday gifts.
It's concert season for Elmwood Academy students in band, orchestra, and chorus! Pictured here is Mr. Weaver, band teacher, who celebrated his students for rising to achieve their "challenge piece" as he conducts. Roughly half of our 715 students are in at least one of our ensembles as they explore new interests!
22 days ago, Joseph Underkoffler
5th grade band
🎁 WILDCAT ELVES IN ACTION // From jackets to school supplies and everything in between, each gift tells a story of community coming together. Thank you to our friends at Operation Wildcat and to their supports from across the community for making OW's Project Gift Box a beautiful reminder of what it means to take care of one another. 💛

📸 Members of our facilities team brave the cold to wheel in boxes and racks of gifts that will become part of this month's Project Gift Box, as coordinated and distributed by Operation Wildcat.

#WildcatPride
22 days ago, MBGSD
A man wheeling a cart of cardboard boxes.
A man wheeling a rack of coats into a building.
Two men wheeling carts of cardboard boxes.
🐾 TWINNING // When our assistant principal at Elmwood Academy and one of our young Wildcats show up in matching boots, we have to snap a photo. Matching boots, matching smiles — and hopefully not a long-term style trend for either of them.

No matter the footwear, we’re always here to support, connect, and care for our Wildcats. 💜

#WildcatPride
26 days ago, MBGSD
A staff member and student wearing matching "boots"
🎄 THANK YOU, MECHANICSBURG! // Please help us give thanks to our friends at Operation Wildcat for another successful Project Tannenbaum distribution night. Because of their hard work — and our generous community — 76 families received trees, ornaments, lights, wreaths, garland, stockings, and more. 💜

Special thanks to every volunteer and supporter who donated, sorted, organized, and distributed items. Your kindness continues to brighten the season for our Wildcats. 🐾

🎁 LAST CALL TO SUPPORT PROJECT GIFT BOX! Operation Wildcat is still welcoming gift card donations to help support families across the district. Gift cards may be dropped off at the MASD District Office (600 S. Norway St.) no later than today, Friday, December 5, 2025.

Sign up: https://www.timetosignup.com/operationwildcat/sheet/1379347/
Learn more: https://www.operationwildcat.org/projects

📸 Photos courtesy Operation Wildcat.

#WildcatPride
26 days ago, MBGSD
A group of volunteers standing in a hallway.
Holiday trees lining a hallway.
Two volunteers sitting at a table.
Two men sorting artificial holiday trees.

🎁 PROJECT GIFT BOX // Our friends at Operation Wildcat – Mechanicsburg, PA are once again spreading joy throughout our community by helping ensure a bright holiday season for our Wildcats.

Operation Wildcat is inviting community members to support this year’s Project Gift Box by donating gift cards, which will be shared with families across the district. Currently, more than 200 opportunities to give still remain. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.

Gift cards may be dropped off at the Mechanicsburg Area School District Office (600 S. Norway St.) no later than Friday, December 5, 2025. The District Office is closed through Monday, December 1, and will reopen from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. To sign up: https://www.timetosignup.com/operationwildcat/sheet/1379347/

To learn more about Project Gift Box and the many ways Operation Wildcat supports our school community, please visit their website. https://www.operationwildcat.org/projects 

#WildcatPride

about 1 month ago, MBGSD
A fall craft display holding gift cards.
Our School Counselors facilitate recognizing Children's Grief Awareness today as remember loved ones we lost.
about 1 month ago, Joseph Underkoffler
children’s grief awareness
children’s grief awareness
🤍 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
about 1 month 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!
about 2 months 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

about 2 months 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!
.
#WildcatPride
about 2 months 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
about 2 months 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
about 2 months 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