September 17, 2025

Highlights of news, events, and celebrations from around the district.

Pictured top row, left to right:

• At Mechanicsburg Middle School, lunchtime isn’t just about food—it’s about friendships, smiles, and the connections that brighten our school days.

• K-3 Literacy Coach Rebecca Morris introduces our Wildcats to some of the adventures they'll go on as part of their journey to becoming confident readers and storytellers through CKLA.

• A Wildcat at Upper Allen Elementary School made a special bouquet for Administrative Assistant Sara Kuhn, courtesy of a Flower Bar assembled by the UA Social Committee with flowers donated by Paulus Farm Market.

• Elmwood Academy 5th grader Paul Pahowka volunteers daily to care for the flowers outside of the school.

Pictured bottom row, left to right:

• Northside Elementary School third-grade teachers wore matching “Mr. Toad’s Taxi Service” shirts when students read The Wind in the Willows as part of their recent Classic Tales unit.

• Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School students cheering on the Wildcats at a recent football game.

Unless otherwise advertised, all meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and will take place in the District Office (600 S. Norway St, 2nd Floor).

• School Board Work Session, September 23, 2025

• School Board Meeting, October 7, 2025

• School Board Work Session, October 28, 2025

Meet the Board of School Directors
Board Agendas - Posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Watch Live - School Board meetings are live streamed to our YouTube channel.

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our school community safe and informed, we have prepared a resource that provides an overview of what and how our district might communicate during emergency and crisis situations.

Our priority is to ensure that you receive timely and accurate information, and our hope is that this guide will help you understand the steps we take to keep you informed and supported during these critical moments.

As you are able, please take a few moments to review the document, available by clicking the link below and always viewable on our Safety of Students and Schools webpage. We are committed to working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students and families.

We can’t wait to kick off another season of Friday night lights at Memorial Park with our first home game on Friday, September 5, 2025. To help make the experience safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone, here are a few updates and reminders for this year:

• Student Entrance & ID: All Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School students should enter through the new student entrance to the right of the main gate, nearest the restrooms. Please have your MASD student ID ready—or show your student profile on Sapphire from your phone—for quick admittance. K-8 students should enter through the regular gate with their supervising adult.

• Bag Policy: Students are not permitted to bring backpacks and drawstring bags into the stadium. A small clutch or purse for personal items is permitted.

• Younger Student Supervision: Elementary and middle school students must be with a supervising adult upon entry and at all times throughout the game.

• Student Expectations: Students are encouraged to enjoy the game alongside their supervising adult. Congregating in groups at the gates, concession stand, restrooms, or grassy areas won’t be allowed. Staff and security will kindly redirect students back to their supervising adult if needed.

• School Function Reminder: Athletic events are considered school functions, so the same behavioral expectations apply as during the school day. We hope all students will be there to cheer on our athletes, color guard, and marching band!

Thank you for helping us create a fun, spirited, and safe game-day atmosphere for our Wildcat community. We can’t wait to see you this Friday and all season long.

Go Wildcats!

As shared in August and earlier this month, we want to remind you of an important change to our publicity and media permissions process.

Beginning this school year, Mechanicsburg Area School District shifted from an opt-IN to an opt-OUT model regarding the use of student photographs and videos. This means that students will automatically be permitted to be photographed or videoed by district staff for use in publications, on our website, and on social media—unless a parent or guardian submits an opt-out form.

This change also applies to coverage by local news media, which occasionally visits our schools to highlight student achievements, school events, and more.

If you do not wish for your child to be photographed or videoed for these purposes, please complete the opt-out form located in the Sapphire Parent Portal as part of the annual sign-off process. No action is required regarding publicity if you give permission for your child to be photographed/videoed.