Today we opened Upper Allen’s 1965 time capsule—a true peek into our school’s beginnings! 📜 While the documents inside weren’t exactly thrilling for our students (lots of paper, little glitter 😄), they were beautifully preserved after 60 years. Now the real excitement begins as our Wildcats decide what to include in our new time capsule—a snapshot of 2025 for the next generation to discover! 🐾✨
5 months ago, Upper Allen
photo of mr mcintosh and dana padfield in front of the time capsule
photo of mr mcintosh taking items out of the time capsule
photo of documents found in the time capsule
🎃 Our students are diving into all things pumpkin! From cutting and gluing to scooping and exploring, it’s a hands-on fall adventure in the classroom! 🍂✨
5 months ago, Upper Allen
Photo of a smiling student making a pumpkin craft
photo of student exploring a cut pumpkin
Exploring Trails & Trees 🌿
Our 2nd graders had a blast at Mechanicsburg’s Trails & Trees Environmental Center, learning about plant parts, seeds, and ecology while hiking the forest trails and listening to the sounds of the stream.

Thanks to the beautiful 26-acre preserve, students got hands-on time with nature — turning curiosity into discovery. 💧🌱
5 months ago, Sara Kuhn
students studying parts of a plant
student studying different parts of a plant
students making leaf rubbings
photograph of students walking on a trail

Our 3rd graders spent the day at Messiah University’s Oakes Museum of Natural History, where they dove into guided, interactive tours of African and North American exhibits.


Highlights included:

Viewing taxidermied big game and animal specimens—all more than 75 full mounts on display

Learning about skulls, furs, and predator/prey relationships

Exploring creek life and macroinvertebrates near campus streams during creek-study time

It was a day of curiosity, discovery, and hands-on learning. Thanks to Messiah’s docents for making it come alive!

5 months ago, Upper Allen
students posing at oakes museum
image of students at creek
image of students with polar bear
Sequencing success! 📚✨
This smiling storyteller is proudly showing off his hard work on a story sequencing activity — building reading skills and confidence, one story at a time! 💛
5 months ago, Upper Allen
image of boy smiling, holding his school work
🧦 YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF // Wow! In just about 20 minutes, Amanda Payne recently served breakfast to more than 150 Wildcats (because who can resist a chocolate chip muffin? 😋). But that’s not all—Amanda has also taken it upon herself to learn basic sign language so she can connect and communicate with EVERY student who comes her way at Upper Allen Elementary. 💜👏

Your heart, hustle, and dedication make a world of difference, Amanda. Thank you for spreading kindness (and muffins!) every day.

#WildcatPride #YouKnockedOurSocksOff
5 months ago, MBGSD
An adult male presenting branded socks to a female staff member.
Soft Start = Strong Start! 🌞✨

A student in Mrs. Maloney’s class kicked off the morning with some kinetic sand fun 🏖️ during soft start time — a great way to spark creativity, calm minds, and get ready for a day of learning! 💛
📸 Photo credit: Mrs. Maloney 👏
5 months ago, Upper Allen
picture of a student playing with kinetic sand
Rhythm and movement in PE! 🥁

Our 3rd graders had a blast drumming, moving, and keeping the beat during a recent PE lesson!
5 months ago, Upper Allen
image of students drumming in PE class
🍦 FIELD TRIP FUN // Wildcats in Jen Bitz's class at Upper Allen Elementary School recently visited the Turkey Hill Experience — and it was a sweet success! Students had a blast exploring and discovering the science (and fun!) behind most everyone’s favorite frozen treat.

📸 Special thanks to Mrs. Bitz for capturing the smiles throughout the day.

#WildcatPride
5 months ago, MBGSD
Students smiling at a toy kitchen.
Students working at a pretend kitchen.
Student driving a pretend milk truck
Students standing in a pretend ice cream container.
Student standing next to an oversized cow display.
💙 CELEBRATING OUR OLYMPIANS // Today our Wildcat athletes shined bright at Special Olympics! With determination, teamwork, and big smiles, they gave their all — showing us the true spirit of sportsmanship and Wildcat Pride. 🐾🏅

A huge thank you to the buddies who cheered, encouraged, and stood side-by-side with our athletes every step of the way. Together, you created memories full of joy, friendship, and celebration.

We couldn’t be prouder of our Wildcats — you inspire us all! 💛

Visit our official Facebook page for a full photo album from this beautiful day - www.facebook.com/MASDwildcats

#WildcatPride
6 months ago, MBGSD
A special olympian competing in the long jump. He's mid air.
A special olympian and her big buddy.
Special Olympics parade of athletes.
Special olympians and their buddies walk in the opening ceremonies.
A student smiling with a little student in a wheelchair during special olympics.
A special olymian and his big buddy.
Group of student celebrating special olympians.
A young special olympian walking hand in hand with his big buddy.
Young special olympians standing with a college mascot dressed like a red devil.
A special olympian and her big buddy.
🏈 Relationships that matter most often start with something simple—like a game of catch.

We love seeing our District Resource Officer, Officer Mark, connect with our students on and off the field. These moments build trust, belonging, and smiles that last well beyond the school day. And we’re so grateful for strong partnerships with our local police departments and for the ways they support the success and safety of every Wildcat. 💙

👏 We'd love it if you would give Officer Mark a round of applause in the comments.

📸 Special thanks to Abbie Thompson, third-grade teacher at Upper Allen Elementary School, for capturing this special moment.

#WildcatPride
6 months ago, MBGSD
A police officer plays catch with a group of young students on a school playground.
🚌 SAFETY FIRST // Last week, Wildcats across the district participated in bus evacuation drills. These important exercises give students the chance to practice what to do in case of an emergency while riding the bus.

By pausing to review safety procedures together, we help ensure that every student knows how to respond quickly and calmly if the need ever arises. Safety always comes first in MASD. 💛

📸 Thanks to Nick Wilson, Supervisor of Student Affairs and Safety, for the photos of our Wildcats in action.

#WildcatPride
6 months ago, MBGSD
Students practicing how to safely exit the back of a school bus in an emergency.
Students practicing how to safely exit the back of a school bus in an emergency.
Students practicing how to safely exit the back of a school bus in an emergency.
💛 KINDNESS ALWAYS // First graders in Kelsey Sharpe's class at Upper Allen Elementary School have been busy spreading kindness! After reading All Are Welcome, they worked together to create a beautiful collaborative poster. Their message of belonging is simple but powerful. 🐾

📸 Special thanks to Ms. Sharpe for the photo of her kind and caring Wildcats.
6 months ago, MBGSD
Students sitting on the floor in front of a poster they designed that says All Are Welcome.
Upper Allen is bursting with creativity as we celebrate International Dot Day 🎨✨
A day where students let their imaginations run wild and “make their mark” in colorful, whimsical ways! From polka-dot https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/mechanicsburg_area_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/18867296/large_Dot_day.jpegoutfits to playful projects, it’s all about spreading joy, creativity, and a little bit of magic 🌈🖌️.
6 months ago, Sara Kuhn
image of Mrs. Shenk with school-wide dot day project
Mrs. young's class with their dot day projects
💡 MAKING THINKING VISIBLE // Wildcats in Maeve Kauffman's second grade class at Upper Allen Elementary dove into a Vocabulary Carousel during a pausing point activity—and it was so fun to see! 📝 Students reviewed key domain words while showing and sharing their learning in ways that were meaningful to them. The engagement was off the charts. We're so proud of these young learners for making their voices—and their thinking—shine!

📸 Special shoutout to Mrs. Kauffman for capturing learning in action.

#WildcatPride
6 months ago, MBGSD
Students laying on the floor to write on large pieces of chart paper.
Students writing on large pieces of chart paper.
Students holding large chart paper full of their writings
Students laying on the floor to write on large pieces of chart paper.
Students laying on the floor to write on large pieces of chart paper.
Students laying on the floor to write on large pieces of chart paper.
😎 RECESS VIBES // “Bruh… this weather is too good to stay inside!” Our Wildcats are soaking up every minute of sunshine, fresh air, and outdoor fun. 🏈🛝

📸 Photos shared courtesy our staff at Upper Allen Elementary School.
6 months ago, MBGSD
Boys in the grass playing sports
A group of girls playing on school playground equipment
Kids on the swings at the playground
A girls playing jump rope at recess
Young kids at recess on playground equipment
A young student on the swings
Upper Allen honored Patriot Day as Mrs. Padfield spoke on the announcements about the importance of the day and explained what a moment of silence means. 🇺🇸 Students and staff wore red, white, and blue to show remembrance and respect. ❤️🤍💙
6 months ago, Sara Kuhn
PIctures of Upper allen students
PIctures of Upper allen students
PIctures of Upper allen students
🌸 BLOOMING TOGETHER // The Social Committee at Upper Allen Elementary School kicked off the year with a back-to-school flower bar—a colorful way to celebrate another year of growth and beauty!

With flowers donated by our friends at Paulus Farm, one of our sweet Wildcats even made a special bouquet for Administrative Assistant Sara Kuhn 💐—a perfect reminder of the kindness that blooms in our Wildcat family.

📸 Special thanks to Terrin Sheeder, Sara Kuhn, and Kaitlynn Dolan for sharing these photos.

#WildcatPride
6 months ago, MBGSD
A student delivering a bouquet of flowers to a staff member
A teacher pulling a wagon of colorful flowers
Teachers holding colorful flower bouquets
Buckets of colorful flowers on a pull cart
A staff member holding a handmade bouquet of colorful flowers
Teachers picking flowers from a field
A table of flowers
A teacher making a bouqet of flowers
Colorful flowers on a table
Teachers pulling a wagon of flowers
🐾 GET COZY, STAY WILDCAT PROUD // Our Mechanicsburg Area PTO is excited to launch a custom Wildcats blanket fundraiser! Perfect for chilly game nights, movie marathons, or showing off your Wildcat pride at home. Please share with all of your Wildcat friends!

✨ Limited quantity – don’t miss out! Order by Friday, September 12, 2025.
📦 Benefits the PTOs at KA, Upper Allen, Broad Street, Shep, Northside, and Elmwood Academy - directly supporting our students.

Wrap yourself in comfort AND Wildcat spirit today! Order here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/OHVpC1VoPquj4L5uLfRsVJYRi?domain=mydesigns.teamthrows.com/

#WildcatPride
7 months ago, MBGSD
Graphic advertising wildcat blanket fundraisers
👕 😊 BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES TODAY // Nothing says Back to School like fresh shirts and Wildcat spirit! Our 2nd grade team at Upper Allen Elementary School is ready to kick off a new year of learning, laughter, and community—spreading positivity and looking great while doing it. 🐾

#WildcatPride
7 months ago, MBGSD
A group of smiling teachers.
A group of teachers showing the back of their shirts that say Be The Reason Someone Smiles Today