Upper Allen Elementary

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!

3 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

3 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.

🎁 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

3 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.

🧦 HEY KAIT, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Big cheers for Kait Dolan, 2nd grade teacher and chair of Upper Allen's staff Social Committee, whose leadership is elevating connection and belonging across the building.

From thoughtful goal-setting to creating intentional opportunities for staff to engage and recharge together, Kait’s impact is unmistakable. In fact, her work has been so impactful that Dr. Bitz dropped by an after-school music trivia event to surprise her with a special pair of Wildcat socks.

Thank you, Kait, for bringing our staff together and strengthening our Wildcat community. 💜🐾

#YouKnockedOurSocksOff #WildcatPride

3 months ago, MBGSD

Man in suit presenting a pair of branded socks to a teacher while colleagues look on in the background.

🎄 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

3 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.

🧦 HEY DANA, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF! // When a colleague called to report they’d been in an accident, Upper Allen Elementary School's Dana Padfield didn’t think twice. She dropped everything, went straight to them, and offered the comfort and support they needed most in that moment.

Her kindness, quick response, and genuine care are perfect examples of the Wildcat Way. 💙🐾

#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff

4 months ago, MBGSD

A man in a suit presenting a pair of branded socks to a staff member.

🌍 WORLD TRAVELERS // Wildcats at Upper Allen Elementary School proudly hosted their annual World Expo Day — a special tradition that celebrates the many cultures and stories that make our school community so vibrant and beautiful. Our Wildcats "traveled the globe” as they explored the traditions, languages, and experiences of their classmates, strengthening the connections that make our schools feel like home.

We are deeply grateful to our family and community volunteers who make this event truly extraordinary. From hands-on demonstrations to delicious cultural treats, this immersive experience continues to be one of the most beloved days of the year. 💙🐾

#WildcatPride

4 months ago, MBGSD

Students participate in a World Expo Day.

Participants in colorful attire during a World Expo Day.

💦 SINK OR FLOAT? LET'S FIND OUT! // Kelly Jo Wharton’s 3rd graders at Upper Allen Elementary School put their predictions to the test during a hands-on science lesson. From curious questions to big splashes and even bigger smiles, our young scientists were all in!

Learning is always an adventure for our Wildcats. 🐾

📸 Thank you to Stacy Salter for capturing learning in action!

#WildcatPride

4 months ago, MBGSD

Students looking into a bucket full of water and items to see what sinks and what floats.

Students gathered around a table with items and a bucket of water, making predictions about what will sink and what will float.

🤍 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

4 months ago, MBGSD

Collage of photos of students holding handdrawn signs that share a message of appreciation and belonging.

🍂 Fall fun was in full swing at the recent Fall Festival hosted at the Trails & Trees Environmental Center. Wildcats from across the district enjoyed pumpkin decorating, games, and plenty of smiles as they celebrated the season together.

A big thank-you to our friends at Paulus Farm Market for providing the perfect pumpkins for our Wildcats to enjoy. 🎃

📸 Thank you to Terrin Sheeder for capturing some of our Wildcats from Upper Allen Elementary School full of smiles during the festival.

#WildcatPride

4 months ago, MBGSD

A student with a big smile, painting a small pumpkin.

A student in a wheelchair with an orange balloon.

A young student with a row of paint on a table.

🐾 BRRR! IT'S OFFICIALLY WILDCAT BLANKET WEATHER // These Wildcats are staying warm and cozy — and you can too! If you purchased a Wildcat blanket through Mechanicsburg Area PTO (MAPTO), it’s time to pick up your order.

🕓 Pickup Times: 4–7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13
📍 Location: Kindergarten Academy (enter through the doors facing Norway Street)

Blankets will be distributed by purchaser’s last name, so be sure you know which adult in your household placed the order.

Didn’t order yet? A few extra blankets are available for $25 each (cash or check made out to MAPTO) — grab yours before they’re gone!

📸 A warm thank-you to Northside PTO/MAPTO rep Ann Marie Bolish for capturing these cozy smiles!
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#WildcatPride

4 months ago, MBGSD

Three students cozied up with a warm and fuzzy maroon wildcat blanket.

🥞🍎 Every Wildcat deserves a great start to the day — and that begins with breakfast! Don't forget, breakfast is free for all MASD students every school day, so be sure to grab a bite before the bell rings. It’s one of the many ways we’re helping every Wildcat learn, grow, and thrive. You can also find a list of meal supports for Wildcat families on our district website. Because when we take care of one another, our whole community grows stronger. 💜 #WildcatPride

4 months ago, MBGSD

a young girl and boy pick breakfast items

🍁 AUTUMN VIBES, WILDCAT STYLE // Our district is bursting with color (and Wildcat pride!) this fall. 💜

#WildcatPride

5 months ago, MBGSD

Colorful fall trees in front of a school.

A chair and desk overlooking a colorful fall tree.

💡 TEAMWORK + LEARNING = GROWTH // Professional development days give our team time to learn, connect, and grow—so we can give our best to our Wildcats every day. 🌟 Today, our Instructional Aides came together for hands-on collaboration and shared learning.

💜 Thank you to our families for supporting this important time dedicated to staff growth and continuous improvement.

#WildcatPride

5 months ago, MBGSD

Staff members collaborating during professional development.

🧺 SHOP FOR A CAUSE // It's not too late to swing by the Operation Wildcat’s 24th Indoor Yard Sale, open until 8 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 24) and from 7:30 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church. Find treasures big and small — books, collectibles, home décor, jewelry, toys, and more — all while helping students and families in need right here in our district. 💜

📅 Friday, Oct. 24 | 8 AM–8 PM
📅 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:30 AM–12 PM
📍 1050 S. York St., Mechanicsburg

Cash and credit accepted. Every purchase supports a Wildcat family! 🐾

#WildcatPride

5 months ago, MBGSD

Photo of a yard sign advertising a charity yard sale, as described in our post caption.

United in Orange! 🧡
Our Wildcats showed their support for Unity Day by proudly wearing orange to stand for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Together, we spread the message that every student belongs.

#UnityDay #ChooseKind 🧡

5 months ago, Sara Kuhn

Challenge accepted. Challenge conquered. 🐾 Congrats to Mrs. King’s class for earning their celebratory paw by living the Wildcat Code! 🩶

5 months ago, Upper Allen

photo of a group of students receiving a paw print in mrs king's class

🚌 IT’S NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK // Every day, our amazing bus drivers safely transport our Wildcats — rain or shine, morning and afternoon, always with care. Thank you for the patience, smiles, and watchful eyes that keep our students safe.

🚨 Safety reminder: When a bus has its stop arm out and red lights flashing, all traffic must stop — in both directions. Through our enforcement program that equips each school bus with stop-arm cameras, law enforcement issued 131 citations in May and September to drivers who illegally passed stopped MASD buses.

Let’s all do our part to keep Wildcats safe. ❤️ Slow down, stay alert, and always stop on red!

📸: A student-made “World’s Best Bus Driver” sign — proudly displayed on the dashboard of one of our school buses.

#WildcatPride

5 months ago, MBGSD

A "World's Best Bus Driver" sign proudly displayed on the dashboard of a school bus.

“Wind: 1 | Hats: 0 🎩💨 The playground turned into a full-on blustery adventure yesterday, but these Wildcats held on tight and had a blast!”

5 months ago, Upper Allen

photo of students at recess on a windy day