Upper Allen Elementary

2025-2026 Instructional Calendar

MASD Families,

A little over a month ago, I shared with you an update on Mechanicsburg’s 2025-26 Instructional Calendar. I shared a video with you discussing the shift of our school year earlier into August. I also indicated that a group of stakeholders met as a committee this past fall and had other recommendations that were still in the works.

I am excited to share with you that last week, the school board unanimously approved the 2025-26 Instructional Calendar (attached below and also available on our website). I will note some highlights below:

·     We will shift to start earlier in August and thereby allow for the last student day to be the Friday after Memorial Day.

·     We will maintain a “soft start” to the school year by now having three 4-day-weeks for students before having the first 5-day-week.

·     Should we need to close school for weather or emergencies, our first three closures will not require any make-up days nor remote expectations for students and staff. A fourth closure will result in a make-up day. Additional closures would move to remote instruction.

·     The long break in the fall (November) and in the spring (April) are both protected from any possible make-up days.

·     The calendar now includes just four types of days – student days, early dismissals, staff-only days, and no school.

·     We will utilize several purposeful early dismissals for conferences, grading period transitions, etc.

·     At the high school, the shift in the calendar will increase the amount of instruction that will occur in the second semester prior to spring Advanced Placement exams.

I am looking forward to seeing the new calendar play out. I am optimistic that it will provide benefits to both staff and students as we work to demonstrate value through the way that we use our time.

With Wildcat Pride,

Andy Bitz