Elmwood Academy

🧤❄️ 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

3 months ago, MBGSD

A hat and glove hanging on a playground fence.

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.

3 months ago, Joseph Underkoffler

🚓💙 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

3 months ago, MBGSD

A police officer stands in front of a school and holds a first day of school sign.

A police officer happily poses for a picture with some students.

Police officers playing kickball on a playground with a group of students.

A police officer greets a student as he's coming into school.

A police officers stands with a group of students who presented him with a gift.

A police officer stands in front of a school.

A police officer gives a presentation to a group of students in an auditorium.

A police officer plays catch with a group of young students on a school playground.

A police officer stands with a group of educators in front of a school

A police officer speaking in front of a group of students who are sitting on the floor.

🏈 A BET’S A BET // Elmwood Academy Assistant Principal Keith Shively made a friendly deal with some of our young football fans: if his beloved Ravens fell to the Steelers, he’d wear a Steelers jersey to school. Well, game over ... and Mr. Shively showed up this week proudly honoring his promise. 💛🖤

Moments like these may seem small, but they matter. Shared laughs, friendly rivalries, and showing students that adults keep their word are just a few of the many ways we build relationships and strengthen connections across our Wildcat community.

#WildcatPride

3 months ago, MBGSD

A principal wearing a Steelers jersey poses for a photo with a small group of students.

🎒 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

3 months 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 months ago, MBGSD

Staff dressed in colorful holiday aprons.

Teachers pretending to be taking a photo for a holiday card.

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 months 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

3 months 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

3 months 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

3 months 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!

4 months ago, MBGSD

🎁 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

4 months 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!

4 months ago, Joseph Underkoffler

🎁 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

4 months 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

4 months 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

4 months ago, MBGSD

A group of volunteers standing in a hallway.

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

4 months 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.

4 months ago, Joseph Underkoffler

🤍 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

5 months 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!

5 months ago, Joseph Underkoffler