February 1, 2026

 

Morning greetings and Kids Heart Challenge kickoff!

First Grade CKLA Planet Expo

January Community Meeting

This Week

  • February 2 (Day 1) 
    • Happy School Counselor Week! 💙 Thank you, Mrs. Lawler, for your dedication, care, and support of our students and staff at Shep!
    • February 2-6 - Souper Bowl Food Drive begins - see below for more information
  • February 3 (Day 2)
  • February 4 (Day 3)
    • Wildcat Wednesday 🐾 Show your school spirit by wearing Wildcat gear or maroon and steel/gray!
  • February 5 (Day 4)
    • Happy 100th Day of School!
  • February 6 (Day 5)
 

February

February 11 - Miss Cerio's Class Field Trip to Money Joe's

February 11 - 3rd Grade to Whitaker Center

February 12 - Early Dismissal, 10:45am

February 12 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 11:15 - 6:00pm

February 13 - No School - Teacher in-service

February 16 - No School - Presidents' Day

February 27 - February Community Meeting, 1:30pm

March

March 4 - Wildcat Wednesday

March 5 - Spring Open House, 6:00 - 7:00pm

March 6 - Student Early Dismissal, 10:45am

March 9 - Pre-K Soccer Shots

March 9 - 13 - Coin Drive

March 11 - Mobile Dentist Visits

March 11 - PTO Meeting via Zoom

March 16 - Pre-K Soccer Shots

March 17 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Oaks Museum (Messiah University)

March 18 - Elementary Family Arts Night, 6:00 - 7:30pm

March 23 - Wildcats Around the World Event!

March 24 - 1st Grade to MMS Musical (AM)

March 24 - 2nd and 3rd Grade to MMS Musical (PM)

March 30 - Pre-K Soccer Shots

 
 

During the month of January, our Super Paw focus was self-control. In addition, students could also earn Super Paws for demonstrating any of the CATS expectations: Communicating with Respect, Acting Responsibly, Taking on Challenges, and Staying Safe. These students below were recognized for showing positive choices and strong character throughout the school day. Congratulations to our January Super Paw recipients!

Looking ahead, our schoolwide focus for next month will be organization as we continue building skills that support student success.

 
 

Upcoming Events

 

The Mobile Dentist is Coming!

Great news! Our school has collaborated with Smile Program Mobile Dentists to offer in-school dental care at on March 11, 2026.

This dental care is usually at no cost to you. All insurance is accepted including
Medicaid and CHIP. For those without insurance, a low cost self-pay option and grants are available.

The in-school dental program saves you time and provides a safe and comfortable
place for your child to receive gentle dental care from licensed local professionals and fulfills the school dental health requirement. 

Dental care includes a complete dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants
when necessary, and in some cases, restorative care such as fillings.

Sign up your child today at www.myschooldentist.com. 

Second grade families, Exams completed one year prior to the third grade year are acceptable. If you are headed to the dentist in the next few months, ask your dentist to fill out a form for your student and submit it to the school.

Dental Exams Required for 3rd Graders!

Third grade families, please submit a dental exam for your student if you haven't already done so.

If your child has been examined a private dentist, please submit your child’s dental health report as soon as possible in order to fulfill the state dental screening mandate.

 
 

Souper Bowl Food Drive

 
 

Spring Girls on the Run

 
 

Smart Watch Policy Reminder

Below is the smart watch policy from our Elementary Handbook:

Students are permitted to wear smart watches to school. It shall not be used during the school day for playing games or communicating, including sending or receiving texts.

Any student who needs to communicate with parents/guardians during school hours should ask to use the phone in the main office. Parents needing to contact their child must call the school office rather than texting their child on their smart watch.

If the device is used during the school day contrary to the directives of school staff, it will be confiscated by school personnel and disciplinary consequences will be given. Refusal to submit the device to school personnel is an issue of insubordination and will result in additional consequences.

The device will be returned ONLY to a parent or guardian after disciplinary consequences have been served.

 
 

Kindergarten Registration Now Open for Fall 2026!

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. Registration is required to be completed before April 1, 2026, to participate in The Wildcat Expedition, our special kindergarten orientation held at Kindergarten Academy later in the month. This experience introduces families to Kindergarten Academy while incoming Wildcats enjoy age-appropriate activities and screenings.

Learn more and begin the registration process: www.mbgsd.org/registration.

Your journey begins here!

 
 

Cold Weather and Recess Time

Cold weather has definitely arrived! Here are some reminders about our winter weather and recess procedures:

Outdoor Recess: Students will go outside for recess most days to enjoy fresh air and a movement break. Please make sure your child comes to school with a warm coat, hat and mittens or gloves. 

Cold Weather Guidelines: If temperatures are especially low or there are weather advisories, an announcement will be made about recess being inside. Decisions will prioritize student safety. 

Thank you for helping us ensure our students stay safe, warm and ready to play during the upcoming winter months. 

 

 
 

On the website: Go to your child’s school webpage, click Menu, then Dining. Or, from the school’s homepage, click the Dining button located just below the main photo.

In the app: Select your child’s school, tap More, then Dining.

Need help accessing menus?

Click here to watch how to access menus from a desktop.

Click here to watch how to access menus from the mobile app.

Click here to learn how to set your default school of choice in the app.

Thank you for helping us keep menus accessible and translatable for all families.

 
 

Mark your calendars! Below are the Shepherdstown PTO meetings for the 2025-2026 school year. Please join us for the first PTO meeting in person at Shep on Wednesday, September 10 at 7 PM in the library.

  • Wednesday, March 11 at 7 PM (Zoom)

  • Wednesday, April 8 at 7 PM (Zoom)

  • Wednesday, May 13 at 7 PM (Zoom)

 
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Calendar, Schedules, and Handbook

District Calendar
Elementary Handbook
 
 

Prior Editions of the Newsletter

 
Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown Elementary School

Email: Dechelmeier@mbgsd.org
Website: https://shepherdstown.mbgsd.org/
Location: 1849 S. York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: 717-691-4589