The month of November brings forth many opportunities to celebrate with our families and friends traditions that become cornerstone memories that are remembered for a lifetime.  My personal challenge for all members of our learning community is to take the opportunity to prioritize and reset during the Thanksgiving break as we have much to be thankful for.  Each day, our students are provided opportunities to learn.  Our teachers engage them, challenge them, and demonstrate both commitment and care for their achievement and growth.  Our students demonstrate the Wildcat Way in their words and in their actions.  Our parents and community continue to embrace the importance of education and in the provision of an environment where all students can be successful and have a feeling of belonging at Broad Street Elementary.

Please continue to ask your child what they learned, how they were a friend, or how they were a leader in school.  These conversations are an investment in the value of their education as well as a reminder to their role as a member of our community.  

The month of November will have many opportunities for us to come together for special events and celebrations.  Parents are always invited to volunteer or visit Broad Street as a support for learning in the classroom, grade level, or building based activities.  If you are interested in volunteering or visiting, please contact your child’s teacher. 

Thank you again for your support of our learning community.  

#WE_BELONG

Visit us on Facebook  (https://www.facebook.com/BroadStreetWildcats)

Mr. Bigham
Principal

Broad Street Elementary Picture Day

Thursday, November 6, 2025

All students will have their picture taken for record keeping purposes.  If you wish to purchase photos you can do so in two ways:

Order online AHEAD of picture day one of two ways:

• mylifetouch.comusing your picture day ID: EVTFQ6C7B
     (order forms do not need to be turned in if ordering online)

•  Order using the Lifetouch order form (previously sent home—also available in the office)

  • Fill out the order form completely

  • Enclose EXACT payment — cash, money order or check made
    payable to Lifetouch.  The Photographer will not make change.

  • Return the order form with payment before or on picture day.  Late orders are not accepted.

Picture Retake Day is Thursday, January 15, 2026
Questions?  Email the office BroadStreetOffice@mbgsd.org  

Operation Wildcat Pennie's for Pies

Put your spare change toward a great cause. All proceeds from our Pennies for Pies fundraiser will go to support Operation Wildcat and provide Thanksgiving pies to families in need in our community. We will be collecting coins November 3-7

Here’s how it works:

• Containers are located in each classroom

• Students will be asked to bring in spare change

• All classroom jars will be emptied into a school jar.

• We will weigh our school jar each morning to see if we can beat our goal.

• At the end of the day on Friday, all change will be counted and donated.

Start saving your change—it can make a big difference!

• Last year we collected 40.9 pound of coins

• Our goal this year will be to collect 45 pounds

Thanksgiving Food Drive

November 10 - 14

Students have another opportunity to serve others by participating in our Thanksgiving Food Drive

Help the cause by bringing in the following items:

• 3rd Grade

  • Vegetables (canned - corn, green beans, peas, mixed veggies)

  • Yams/ sweet potatoes (canned)

• 2nd Grade

  • Cranberry sauce (canned)

  • Instant mashed potatoes (boxed or pouched)

• 1st Grade

  • Instant stuffing mix (boxed or pouched)

  • Gravy (jarred or canned)

Items will be collected up through Friday, November 14, 2025 and will be donated to Operation Wildcat Project Thanksgiving to help our Wildcat families in need.

The Broad Street Staff would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the AMAZING lunch that the PTO Hospitality organized for our Parent/Teacher conference day on Friday, October 24th. As usual, you all made us feel very special, thank you!

Help Needed:
Mrs. Bradley is looking for two volunteers to help with picture day. If you would like to volunteer to help with picture day (7:45 - 12:45), email Mrs. Bradley @ broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org
(You must have all your volunteer requirements completed with the district)

Every Wildcat. Every Day. — Belonging, Health, and Showing Up Matter!

As the weather turns colder and calendars fill up, it’s easy for absences to add up—but every day in class makes a difference. Regular attendance helps students stay on track academically and feel connected socially. Children who miss even two days a month can fall behind in reading by third grade and struggle to graduate with their peers.

Healthy habits—like handwashing, balanced meals, and enough rest—help keep students strong and ready to learn. When in doubt about illness, check with the school nurse before keeping your child home; many mild symptoms are safe for school.

Encourage your Wildcat to get involved in clubs, teams, and classroom activities that make school feel like home. Strong relationships with teachers and friends are one of the best predictors of regular attendance.

And as the holidays approach, remember: the days leading up to break are filled with projects, concerts, and hands-on learning your student won’t want to miss. Every day counts!

Since October 6th, we have been using the new Attendance Auto Notification System, and it has been going well.

What this means for you:

1. Report absences by email only. Please send notice of your student’s absence to broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org. (Phone calls are not required.)
   

2. By 8:15 AM: If we have not received an email, or if you only call without emailing, your student’s absence will be marked unlawful and an automatic attendance message will be sent via text, email, and phone call.
   

3. If you receive an absence notification but your student is actually present, please call the office at 717-691-4574 to clear it up.

We appreciate your patience as this new system is rolled out districtwide

Interested in Volunteering for a field trip or in the classroom? Make sure you have your volunteer requirements completed, contact the office @ 717-691-4574.

Need to complete the volunteer requirements? All of this information can be found on our website

Sooner rather than later, sometimes it take a while to complete. :)

Contact Mrs. Bradley by email (broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org) to claim lost and found items.

✅ Please help us by labeling your child's coat, sweatshirts and lunch boxes.

All items not claimed by 11/25 will be donated to Operation Wildcat

Happy November! This month we will be focusing on how to show self-control at Broad Street and how to use our Control Signals poster to "Stop, Make a Plan, and Go". We will talk about how self-control means controlling our words and actions. We will also talk about the size of our problems and the size of our reactions and how it is important for them to match up.

November 19th we will recognize Children's Grief Awareness Day. At the elementary level, we recognize this day by wearing blue and talking about how it is okay to feel sad sometimes and that we have people at school and home who can help.

In addition to small groups, I will also be hosting a birthday lunch on November 17th for all students who celebrate a November birthday, a new student lunch on November 18th, and a lunch bunch on November 7th.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Lisa Mandia, PhD
School Counselor
lmandia@mbgsd.org
717-691-3328

Operation Wildcat aids in many ways to Mechanicsburg’s students and families in need. Did you know that they also provide assistance during the holidays? Listed below are the various projects that occur during the holiday season. Please click complete this form by Friday, November 14, if you are interested and need assistance.

Project Thanksgiving: Operation Wildcat provides Thanksgiving baskets to families in need in our district. These baskets include a turkey, canned goods, rolls, and a pie…..everything you need to make a Thanksgiving meal. If your family could benefit from one of these baskets, please fill out this form. Project Thanksgiving distribution will be Monday November 24, in the Mechanicsburg Middle School (MMS) Cafeteria from 5-7 p.m.

Project Tannenbaum: If there is a potential need for a Christmas tree, ornaments, or lights, please indicate in this form. Project Tannenbaum distribution will take place from 6-8 p.m. on December 3 at MMS (basement).

Project Gift Box: If your family is experiencing a hardship and could benefit from some gifts over the holidays, please fill out this form. If you have multiple children in different buildings, you only need to fill the form out one time with all your family information on it. Distribution will be from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on December 9 at Kindergarten Academy Lobby.

Please complete the form by Friday, November 14, if you are interested and need assistance.

**An electronic ticket will be emailed to you for each of the projects you sign up for. This ticket needs to be shown to OW when you come to pick up your distributions.

Pennsylvania School Health Law requires all children to have a physical and a dental examination. 

• Physicals are required for ALL students upon entry to school and in the following grade levels: kindergarten or 1st, 6th, & 11th

• Dental exams are required for ALL students upon entry to school and in the following grade levels: kindergarten or 1st, 3rd, & 7th

Please reach out to the school nurse if your student is missing the required documentation.You will receive written notification if your student is missing anything. If you are struggling to find medical or dental services, please visit the links below. Also, please feel free to sign your student up for the Mobile Dentist program happening in the spring. Permission forms can be completed online atwww.myschooldentist.com.

Finding Dental Care in PA
Sadler Health Center
Patient First- Mechanicsburg
Penn State Health Medical Group- Upper Allen

Dear Broad Street Families, 

As another exciting school year unfolds, I want to pause to celebrate what makes our school community so special — and why the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is so important. Our PTO makes school more than lessons and tests. Through the dedication of parents, teachers, and staff, PTO funds and organizes activities that enrich learning, foster belonging, and create lasting memories — from classroom projects and cultural assemblies to family fun nights and field trips. These experiences help our children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Just as importantly, the PTO brings our community together. When parents volunteer, plan events, or simply show up, we strengthen the connection between home and school. Teachers feel supported, students feel encouraged, and families feel united in giving our children the best possible start in life. 

But I’ll be honest — keeping these programs alive takes both time and resources. Rising costs and limited funding mean that every dollar and every volunteer hour matter more than ever. 

If you’ve donated, volunteered, or participated in any way — thank you. Your support truly makes a difference. And if you haven’t yet had the chance, now is the perfect time to get involved! Here are a few ways you can help right now: 

• Support our Fall Sub Sale — enjoy a delicious meal while helping fund upcoming student activities. 

• Join us at the next PTO meeting on November 11 to help plan this year’s Pizza Bingo Night, always a favorite with kids and parents alike. 

• Mark your calendar for May Fair in the spring — our biggest community event of the year and one that truly brings our school spirit to life! 

Whether you contribute an hour of your time, a new idea, or a financial donation, your involvement helps our children thrive. Together, we can keep our school a place where learning is joyful, community is strong, and every student feels part of something special. 

Katie Dang President, Broad Street PTO

• THANK YOU for contributing to the Broad Street Teachers Conference Luncheon!

• THANK YOU for making the Welcome Back Wildcats Paw-rty a success! After expenses, and with your donations, we raised over $400 which will pour back into Broad Street community events like Bingo, Skate Night, and Field Day.

Mark Your Calendar for Dates & Upcoming Events:

• PTO meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Broad Street Library:

  • November 11 - join us to help plan Pizza Bingo!

  • February 10

  • April 7

  • May 19

• Sub Sale ORDERS DUE - November 10th

• MAPTO blankets pick up on 11/12 and 11/13, between 4-7pm at Kindergarten academy. A VERY limited number of blankets are still available for purchase. Email pto.northsidees@gmail.com for more info.

• Sub Sale Pick Up - November 20th

• Dine Out Night - Chipotle - January 13th

Want to pay by check? A paper copy of the order form was sent home with your child, if you need another one, please contact the office by email: broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org

All checks should be made payable to MAPTO

We're excited to announce our new mobile app, which puts everything MASD in your pocket. Search Mechanicsburg Area SD in the Apple App Store or Google Play to download.

The app integrates with our website, and serves as a one stop shop for a calendar of events (with the option to add directly to your personal calendar), news, important documents, links to commonly accessed sites, and more. Push notifications coming soon!