Mechanicsburg Area School District

🏈 BIGS AND LITTLES // It was all about Wildcats, big and small, under the Friday night lights earlier this month. From the field to the sidelines, our future football players and cheerleaders joined their high school role models for Youth Night—and the smiles say it all.

Here’s to traditions, teamwork, and the next generation of Wildcats! 🐾

📸 Special shoutout to Wildcat supporter Pat Grill for the amazing photos!

#WildcatPride

🏫 HONORING OUR ROOTS // As part of Upper Allen Township’s 175th anniversary celebration, MASD historian and archivist Bill Murray delivered a fascinating lecture on the One-Room Schools of Upper Allen. His talk highlights the stories, spirit, and legacy of these early schools that helped shape our community.

📹 You can watch the full lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NtcoCFO7kQ

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💛 One of the many things that makes MASD special is the way our staff stand beside their students—every step of the way. From big milestones to everyday moments, their support helps our Wildcats grow, learn, and shine. Here’s to the connections that make school feel like family. 🐾

You're welcome to drop a note of appreciation in the comments for our amazing staff!

📸 Photos of Mechanicsburg Middle School staff with our students, as shared courtesy School Social Worker Jess Long.

#WildcatPride

💛 Instructional Assistants play a vital role in student success and build such beautiful bonds with our students and teachers. Please help us give a big round of applause and shoutout of appreciation to Carrie Strong, IA at Broad Street Elementary School, and all IAs across the district for what they do each and every day.

📸 Ms. Strong is celebrated by some of her Broad Street wildcats! Photo shared courtesy Jennifer Rogosky, third grade teacher.

💬 WILDCAT CHAT // Earlier this month, our little learners at Northside Elementary School kicked off their first Wildcat Chat of the school year with lessons that focused on our Wildcat Way values. This month’s focus: “C” – Communicate with Respect. 🐾 We’re excited to see our Wildcats learning, sharing, and growing together!

📸 Thanks to Administrative Assistant Cori Shaffer for capturing the lessons.

🎨 DOT DAY SPARKED OUR CREATIVITY // Yesterday, our Wildcats across the district joined in the global celebration of Dot Day, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot. The day reminds us to be brave, try new things, and make our own mark on the world. 💪

Students and staff wore their dots proudly, filled our hallways with hand-drawn designs, and celebrated creativity alongside their art teachers—including some who brought their own special Dot-themed style to the day.

📸 Special thanks to art teacher Rachel Connell and staff across the district for sharing many of these great photos.

#WildcatPride #DotDay

💻 HAPPY IT PROFESSIONALS DAY // Today we’re shining a spotlight on our amazing Technology Team—keeping systems running, networks secure, and classrooms connected. From quick fixes to behind-the-scenes planning, you make teaching and learning possible every day. Today we celebrate you. Every day we appreciate you. 🙌

📸 Technology Support Coordinator Paul Noss repairing a staff laptop at Elmwood Academy.

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💛 KINDNESS ALWAYS // First graders in Kelsey Sharpe's class at Upper Allen Elementary School have been busy spreading kindness! After reading All Are Welcome, they worked together to create a beautiful collaborative poster. Their message of belonging is simple but powerful. 🐾

📸 Special thanks to Ms. Sharpe for the photo of her kind and caring Wildcats.

📚 As part of their Classic Tales unit, third graders at Northside Elementary School loved every twist and turn of The Wind in the Willows. With plenty of laughter on Toad’s adventures—and teachers sporting matching “Mr. Toad’s Taxi Service” shirts—this storytime feels like one unforgettable ride. 🚕

Thanks to our staff for always going above and beyond to bring learning to life for our Wildcats!

📸 Special shoutout to K-3 Literacy Coach Rebecca Morris for the photo.

💡 MAKING THINKING VISIBLE // Wildcats in Maeve Kauffman's second grade class at Upper Allen Elementary dove into a Vocabulary Carousel during a pausing point activity—and it was so fun to see! 📝 Students reviewed key domain words while showing and sharing their learning in ways that were meaningful to them. The engagement was off the charts. We're so proud of these young learners for making their voices—and their thinking—shine!

📸 Special shoutout to Mrs. Kauffman for capturing learning in action.

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♪🥁 MUSIC IN THE PARK // The Mechanicsburg Music Alliance will host its 27th annual Music in the Park on September 27, 2025. Join us at John H Frederick Field at Memorial Park. Gates open at 5:00 PM, opening remarks/National Anthem at 5:50 PM, and the first of several high school marching band takes the field at 6:00 PM.

Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School's Maroon Machine will perform their 2025 show, “The Butterfly Effect,” in exhibition at approximately 7:30 PM. Marching bands from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University will also perform for the enjoyment of all.

🎟️ For tickets: https://givebutter.com/MITP2025

📸 Flashback to picture of our Maroon Machine in action during a football game last year.

#WildcatPride

🌇Breathtaking sky over Kindergarten Academy this evening. 📸 Shared courtesy Jen Statler. If you snapped a photo, feel free to share in the comments. #WildcatPride

🎤 Nathaniel, a Wildcat at Elmwood Academy, showcased his leadership and communication skills on the morning announcements yesterday… and he’s not stopping there!

🍋 This afternoon, you can find him running a lemonade stand from 12–3 p.m. at the Upper Allen JoJo’s parking lot—all to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Way to use your voice and your heart to make a difference, Wildcat! 💛

📸 Thank you to Assistant Principal Keith Shively for capturing our Wildcat in action.

#WildcatPride

😎 RECESS VIBES // “Bruh… this weather is too good to stay inside!” Our Wildcats are soaking up every minute of sunshine, fresh air, and outdoor fun. 🏈🛝

📸 Photos shared courtesy our staff at Upper Allen Elementary School.

PROCEDURES FOR TONIGHT'S GAME // If you're planning to head to Hersheypark Stadium to watch our Wildcats at Lower Dauphin tonight (9/12/25), please be mindful of the following entry procedures:

🏈 Hersheypark is open; allow plenty of extra time to park, navigate the grounds, and enter the stadium.
🏈 Spectators must follow the stadium's clear bag and bag size policy.
🎟️ Tickets are cash only - $5 for adults, $2 for students.
⏰ Gates open at 6 p.m. and kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Thank you and GO WILDCATS!

#WildcatPride

🔴⚪🔵 Our Wildcats donned their red, white, and blue while honoring and remembering community helpers and heroes today. 📸 Photos courtesy Mechanicsburg Middle School’s Missy Coffman and Shep Principal Dave Echelmeier. #NeverForget #WildcatPride

🍎 Lunchtime isn’t just about food—it’s about friendships, smiles, and the connections that brighten our school days. From games of Uno and volleyball to sharing tables and swapping stories, our Wildcats are building bonds that last far beyond the cafeteria.

📸 Special shoutout to MMS Assistant Principal Kelly Ziegler for these photos of our middle school Wildcats.

👏 Every day is the perfect day to celebrate our amazing Instructional Assistants—like this Dream Team at Elmwood Academy and so many more shining stars across the district. Your care, creativity, and commitment make a difference in countless ways. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

📸 Special thanks to Anne Yohn for sharing this photo.

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💛 SMALL MOMENTS, BIG HEARTS // Two of our Kindercats walking hand in hand across the playground remind us what belonging and friendship look like. Sometimes it’s the simple moments that mean the most. 🐾

📸 Special shoutout to Kindergarten Academy's Alyssa Messner for capturing this sweet moment.

#WildcatPride