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 (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

Shepherdstown Elementary

Board approves 2025-26 Instructional Calendar

Wildcat e-Connect