🎒 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
8 days ago, MBGSD
A graphic of a cartoon wildcat and a message, "Your Journey Begins Here: Kindergarten Registration Now Open."
🎄 HOLIDAY CHEER, DELIVERED // Kindergarten Academy School Counselor Kayce Heck and Principal Riley Baer made the rounds with their Holiday Cheer Cart, spreading sweet treats, smiles, and warm wishes to staff along the way. Sometimes the smallest visits bring the biggest joy. 💜

#WildcatPride
14 days ago, MBGSD
Two adults standing behind a holiday cheer cart full of snacks.

💜 A SWEET SURPRISE // Special thanks to our KinderCats, Sam and Cyrus, for delivering handmade gingerbread friends and spreading lots of smiles to staff at the District Office yesterday. We love these moments that help us stay connected to our Wildcats.

#WildcatPride

18 days ago, MBGSD
Two young students deliver handmade gingerbread men to staff in an office.
Two felt gingerbread men handmade by young students.

❄️🧢 FESTIVE KINDERCATS // From winter hats to holiday hair flair, our littlest Wildcats are spreading cheer everywhere they go today.

#WildcatPride

21 days ago, MBGSD
Collage of young students in winter hats.
Collage of young students in winter hats.
Collage of young students in winter hats.
🥨 SWEET MOMENTS // Thanks to Becca Petrone and Katy Pratt and their Cooking Club, our KinderCats at Kindergarten Academy whipped up chocolate- and candy-covered pretzels — made with love for Mrs. Gochenaur in the office!

Learning, teamwork, and a whole lot of sweetness from our Little Chefs. 💜

#WildcatPride
22 days ago, MBGSD
Young students in a chef's hat and aprons presenting a teacher with a plate of handmade treats.

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!

22 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
23 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.
🎁 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
30 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.
🎄 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
about 1 month 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.
📚 🐾 LITTLE WILDCATS, BIG STORIES // Our littlest Wildcats in Lee Ann Reardon's class at Kindergarten Academy recently brought their folktale unit to life in a big way — by becoming the characters themselves.

From Chicken Little to The Bremen Town Musicians to The Three Billy Goats Gruff, students stepped into the stories, acted out key moments, and had a wonderful time retelling these timeless tales together. Just look at those smiles!

We love seeing their imaginations shine.

📸 Photos courtesy Miss Reardon.

#WildcatPride
about 1 month ago, MBGSD
A group of young students acting out different folktales.
A young student acting out a folktale.
A group of young students acting out different folktales.
A group of young students watching a folktale story.
Group of young students standing on a kindergarten classroom carpet.
A young student acting out a folktale.
💙💛 CHILDREN'S GRIEF AWARENESS DAY // Across our Wildcat community, students of all ages spent time today learning simple, age-appropriate ways to be Champions of Hope — everyday helpers who notice when someone needs a little extra care and lift them up with kindness.

Our youngest Wildcats learned about feelings through butterfly art 🦋, reminding us that even small acts of compassion can make a big difference. Together, we’re building a community where every Wildcat feels supported, seen, and cared for. 🐾

#WildcatPride
about 2 months ago, MBGSD
A young child proudly holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child proudly holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child coloring a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child proudly holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child proudly holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child proudly holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child sitting in circle time in school, holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child sitting in circle time in school, holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child sitting in circle time in school, holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.
A young child sitting in circle time in school, holding a picture of a butterfly they colored.

🧦 HEY RACHEL, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF! // Today we’re celebrating Art Teacher Rachel Connell for truly going above and beyond. When we came to her with a brainstorm about switching up our annual appreciation card, she didn’t miss a beat — she jumped right in, pivoted effortlessly, and, with the help of some young Wildcats, brought the new idea to life.

Thanks to her creativity and quick thinking, we now have beautiful student artwork that perfectly captures a heartfelt message of belonging for our entire Wildcat community. 💜🐾 If you haven't already seen the card, be sure to check out this morning's post.

#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff

about 2 months ago, MBGSD
A man in a suit presenting a paid of branded socks to a teacher.
🤍 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 2 months ago, MBGSD
Collage of photos of students holding handdrawn signs that share a message of appreciation and belonging.
🐾 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!
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#WildcatPride
about 2 months ago, MBGSD
Three students cozied up with a warm and fuzzy maroon wildcat blanket.
🥞🍎 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
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

We had lots of Fall fun at Kindergarten Academy today - Wildcat style, of course!

2 months ago, MBGSD
A student showing a temporary tattoo of a paw print on his hand.
A student showing a temporary tattoo of a paw print.
A student showing a temporary tattoo of a paw print on her hand.
Students showing a temporary tattoo of a paw print on their hands.
A student showing a temporary tattoo of a paw print on her hand.
A student getting a temporary tattoo of a paw print.
A student getting a temporary tattoo of a paw print.
A student getting a temporary tattoo of a paw print on her hand.
A student getting a temporary tattoo of a paw print.
🍁 AUTUMN VIBES, WILDCAT STYLE // Our district is bursting with color (and Wildcat pride!) this fall. 💜

#WildcatPride
2 months ago, MBGSD
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
A chair and desk overlooking a colorful fall tree.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
Colorful fall trees in front of a school.
A building surrounded by fall foliage.
💡 TEAMWORK + LEARNING = GROWTH // Professional development days give our team time to learn, connect, and grow—so we can give our best to our Wildcats every day. 🌟 Today, our Instructional Aides came together for hands-on collaboration and shared learning.

💜 Thank you to our families for supporting this important time dedicated to staff growth and continuous improvement.

#WildcatPride
2 months ago, MBGSD
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
Staff members collaborating during professional development.
🧺 SHOP FOR A CAUSE // It's not too late to swing by the Operation Wildcat’s 24th Indoor Yard Sale, open until 8 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 24) and from 7:30 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church. Find treasures big and small — books, collectibles, home décor, jewelry, toys, and more — all while helping students and families in need right here in our district. 💜

📅 Friday, Oct. 24 | 8 AM–8 PM
📅 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:30 AM–12 PM
📍 1050 S. York St., Mechanicsburg

Cash and credit accepted. Every purchase supports a Wildcat family! 🐾

#WildcatPride
2 months ago, MBGSD
Photo of a yard sign advertising a charity yard sale, as described in our post caption.