❤️ FRIENDSHIP IS ALL AROUND // Our KinderCats had a very important question: Just how many friends can fit inside a hula hoop sphere?
We counted four inside, but judging by those smiles, the fun was shared by all five friends! Sometimes a little curiosity makes for a whole lot of fun. 🐾
📸 Special thanks to KA Teacher Scott Herbein for capturing this sweet moment among friends.
#WildcatPride
We counted four inside, but judging by those smiles, the fun was shared by all five friends! Sometimes a little curiosity makes for a whole lot of fun. 🐾
📸 Special thanks to KA Teacher Scott Herbein for capturing this sweet moment among friends.
#WildcatPride
🧦 YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Sometimes, the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
When one of our youngest Wildcats struggled to board the bus during the first few days of school, bus driver Shannon Creque found a special way to help. With a little patience and kindness ... and a stuffed animal ... Ms. Shannon helped turn those nervous mornings into a more comfortable experience.
Thank you, Ms. Shannon, for going the extra mile to make sure one of our KinderCats felt safe and cared for. You Knocked Our Socks Off! 🧸
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
When one of our youngest Wildcats struggled to board the bus during the first few days of school, bus driver Shannon Creque found a special way to help. With a little patience and kindness ... and a stuffed animal ... Ms. Shannon helped turn those nervous mornings into a more comfortable experience.
Thank you, Ms. Shannon, for going the extra mile to make sure one of our KinderCats felt safe and cared for. You Knocked Our Socks Off! 🧸
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
🐾 OUR FAVORITE KIND OF WEDNESDAY // There's just something about seeing our schools filled with maroon and steel and our Wildcats showing off their school spirit.
Wildcat Wednesday (and every day!) is a great day to be a Wildcat.
📸 KinderCats proudly donning their maroon and steel.
#WildcatPride
Wildcat Wednesday (and every day!) is a great day to be a Wildcat.
📸 KinderCats proudly donning their maroon and steel.
#WildcatPride
➕🍎➖ COUNTING ON OUR KINDERCATS // If our Wildcat brought five apples to school and gave three friends one each, how many apples would be left? 🤔
Need a little help? Our KinderCats have you covered!
We recently spotted our youngest Wildcats in Heather Lane's class at Kindergarten Academy putting their math skills to work, using five frames to practice addition and subtraction. These young mathematicians are already building some pretty impressive number skills.
#WildcatPride
Need a little help? Our KinderCats have you covered!
We recently spotted our youngest Wildcats in Heather Lane's class at Kindergarten Academy putting their math skills to work, using five frames to practice addition and subtraction. These young mathematicians are already building some pretty impressive number skills.
#WildcatPride
🧦 YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Alyssa Messner, EL Teacher, Kindergarten Academy! 🐾
Sometimes, a little creativity and a whole lot of heart can make a big difference.
When Alyssa noticed a KinderCat struggling to understand daily classroom routines and transitions due to a language barrier, she took action, creating an adjustable visual schedule to help the student know what to expect and feel more confident throughout the day.
While supporting 62 English learners at Kindergarten Academy, Alyssa still finds ways to recognize and respond to the individual needs of her students.
Thank you, Alyssa, for going the extra mile to help every Wildcat feel supported, included, and ready to learn.
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
Sometimes, a little creativity and a whole lot of heart can make a big difference.
When Alyssa noticed a KinderCat struggling to understand daily classroom routines and transitions due to a language barrier, she took action, creating an adjustable visual schedule to help the student know what to expect and feel more confident throughout the day.
While supporting 62 English learners at Kindergarten Academy, Alyssa still finds ways to recognize and respond to the individual needs of her students.
Thank you, Alyssa, for going the extra mile to help every Wildcat feel supported, included, and ready to learn.
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
🚒 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK // Learning to stay safe is even more exciting when firefighters come to visit. 🔥
From exploring fire trucks to meeting local firefighters, our KinderCats spent part of today learning important fire safety lessons with a little hands-on help from the pros at Mechanicsburg Fire Department.
A big thank you to our local fire departments for making fire safety fun, memorable, and meaningful for our Wildcats across the district this week.
📸 Check out our official Facebook page for a full photo ablum.
#WildcatPride
🌈 A COLORFUL START // Mother Nature added a little extra color to the sky at Kindergarten Academy this morning. Wildcats, we hope your day ended just as beautifully as it started.
And check out the reflection of the sunrise in the windows, too! 🌅
📸 Thank you, Maggie Stern, for capturing this photo to share with us.
#WildcatPride
And check out the reflection of the sunrise in the windows, too! 🌅
📸 Thank you, Maggie Stern, for capturing this photo to share with us.
#WildcatPride
🧦 YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Miss Krystal Jones is knocking our socks off with the kindness, patience, and care she brings to her bus each day! 🚌
Miss Krystal goes out of her way to help students feel settled and comfortable, especially when the bus environment can feel a little overwhelming. Her patience and compassion make a meaningful difference for our Wildcats from the moment they climb aboard. As the proud mom of one of our KinderCats shared, “Being a school bus driver has to be one of the hardest jobs I can imagine, but Miss Krystal still shows up with a smile every day.”
Thank you, Miss Krystal, for going the extra mile for our Wildcats! 🐾
📸 And spy our little KinderCat who popped over the seat just in time to hop into the picture. 😊
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
Miss Krystal goes out of her way to help students feel settled and comfortable, especially when the bus environment can feel a little overwhelming. Her patience and compassion make a meaningful difference for our Wildcats from the moment they climb aboard. As the proud mom of one of our KinderCats shared, “Being a school bus driver has to be one of the hardest jobs I can imagine, but Miss Krystal still shows up with a smile every day.”
Thank you, Miss Krystal, for going the extra mile for our Wildcats! 🐾
📸 And spy our little KinderCat who popped over the seat just in time to hop into the picture. 😊
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
🚗 STOP, DROP & GO // Mornings at Kindergarten Academy come with plenty of smiles and lots of high fives! ✋😊 Our Stop, Drop & Go Crew is there each day to greet our KinderCats and help get everyone headed in the right direction.
And they’re not alone. Across the district, staff members are out bright and early, helping students start their school day with a friendly face and a helping hand.
A big shoutout to all of our morning crews who help get each day rolling! 🐾
#WildcatPride
And they’re not alone. Across the district, staff members are out bright and early, helping students start their school day with a friendly face and a helping hand.
A big shoutout to all of our morning crews who help get each day rolling! 🐾
#WildcatPride
☀️ COOL CAT MODE: ACTIVATED. // Sunny skies, blue shades, and one cool KinderCat ready for the school day! 😎 Now that’s how you make an entrance. 🐾
Make it a great day, Wildcats!
#WildcatPride
❤️ IT’S THE LITTLE MOMENTS // To our community, he’s Dr. Bitz, Superintendent of Schools. But to this little KinderCat, he’s simply a grown-up who took a few moments of his time to talk all things animals. 🦖🦁🐍
Sometimes, the little moments really are the biggest ones.
#WildcatPride
FIRST DAY, ROUND 2 COMES TO A CLOSE // As they were getting ready to pack up their bags for the day, we asked our newest KinderCats how their first day of school went, and the reviews are in: 👍! Some even gave us a double thumbs up. 👍👍
We think that’s pretty high praise! Welcome to the Wildcat family, KinderCats! 🐾
Special thanks to all of our staff across the district for making these first two days (and every day!) so special for our students.
#WildcatPride
🫧 CHALK IT UP TO A GREAT DAY // One of the best parts of the last few days of school? Slowing down just enough to enjoy the simple things. Our KinderCats (who are now BIG 1st graders ☺️) wrapped up the year with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and plenty of smiles. We even caught Dr. Bitz getting in on the bubble action! ☀️💛
📸 Special thanks to Heather Riley and Marisa Zimmerman for contributing to this collection of photos.
#WildcatPride
📸 Special thanks to Heather Riley and Marisa Zimmerman for contributing to this collection of photos.
#WildcatPride
🧦 HEY LISA, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Lisa Hoover, Reading Specialist at Kindergarten Academy, not only helps our youngest Wildcats build a love of reading, but also helps support future Wildcats and their families through Wee Wildcats, a monthly program for PreK children. 📚
Recently, Lisa had the opportunity to share the Wee Wildcats model with several other districts as they explore creating similar programs of their own. What a wonderful example of leadership, collaboration, and the impact that starts right here in our Wildcat community.
Thank you, Lisa, for not only sharing your love of reading with neighboring districts, but also for helping our youngest learners and future Wildcats feel welcomed, supported, and excited about learning from the very beginning. 🐾
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
Recently, Lisa had the opportunity to share the Wee Wildcats model with several other districts as they explore creating similar programs of their own. What a wonderful example of leadership, collaboration, and the impact that starts right here in our Wildcat community.
Thank you, Lisa, for not only sharing your love of reading with neighboring districts, but also for helping our youngest learners and future Wildcats feel welcomed, supported, and excited about learning from the very beginning. 🐾
#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
💛 THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MEAN EVERYTHING // This is worth the read, we promise! Throughout the school year, Emma, a KinderCat who is visually impaired, often stopped by the front office while learning the layout of the building. During those visits, she formed a special bond with Administrative Assistant Melinda Gochenaur.
Emma was especially drawn to Mrs. Gochenaur’s textured, beaded lanyard, and what started as a simple connection quickly became something much more meaningful. To celebrate all Emma accomplished this year, Mrs. Gochenaur found a similar lanyard and partnered with Christina Leister and Carrie Lersch to personalize it with beads that spelled EMMA in Braille before gifting it to her.
These are the moments that define who we are and what we do. The moments that create connection, foster belonging, and remind students they are seen, valued, and loved. Thank you, Mrs. Gochenaur, Mrs. Leister, and Mrs. Lersch.
(Proudly shared with the support of our young Wildcat’s mom.) 💛
#WildcatPride
Emma was especially drawn to Mrs. Gochenaur’s textured, beaded lanyard, and what started as a simple connection quickly became something much more meaningful. To celebrate all Emma accomplished this year, Mrs. Gochenaur found a similar lanyard and partnered with Christina Leister and Carrie Lersch to personalize it with beads that spelled EMMA in Braille before gifting it to her.
These are the moments that define who we are and what we do. The moments that create connection, foster belonging, and remind students they are seen, valued, and loved. Thank you, Mrs. Gochenaur, Mrs. Leister, and Mrs. Lersch.
(Proudly shared with the support of our young Wildcat’s mom.) 💛
#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
🐾 KINDERCAT FAVORITES // Field trips, friends, fun, and of course, lots of learning are some of our KinderCats’ favorite things. These smiles say it all.
From exploring new places to sharing laughs with classmates, it’s been a year full of moments that make learning even more special. Check out some of the recent adventures of our young Wildcats in Scott Herbein’s class. 💛
#WildcatPride
From exploring new places to sharing laughs with classmates, it’s been a year full of moments that make learning even more special. Check out some of the recent adventures of our young Wildcats in Scott Herbein’s class. 💛
#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
🎨 LITTLE ARTIST, BIG TALENT // Sometimes the smallest hands create the biggest masterpieces.
KinderCat Vedanth was proud to show off his incredible drawing of a car (a BMW, to be specific 😊) and truck, and we couldn’t help but be impressed by the detail, creativity, and care he put into every line. 🚗🚛
We love seeing our young artists shine and share their talents with such confidence. Keep creating, young Wildcat! We can’t wait to see what you draw next.
#WildcatPride
🛍️ 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
