This past Friday, our 2nd-grade students delivered a wonderful performance of their "Seussical" musical. It was a fantastic show by all! We would like to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Ark and Mr. Bell for their dedication and direction in making this performance a success.
We are keeping the celebrations going this week! While we recently spotlighted our amazing social worker, we couldn't let School Counselor Week (February 2-6th) pass by without recognizing the other half of this vital support team. Crystal and Ashley work hand-in-hand every day to ensure our students receive "whole-child" support—moving beyond just academics to care for their social and emotional well-being. We are so lucky to have this powerhouse duo looking out for our kids!
Now lets introduce our school counselor: Crystal Canfield!
Since joining Mechanicsburg in 2020, Crystal has been an essential part of the team. As our K-8 School Counselor, she wears many hats, but her favorite part of the job is the "gift" of walking alongside our students and staff through every season of life.
Crystal wants to debunk the myth that counselors only step in when there's a problem—she is here proactively, helping all students develop the academic, career, and emotional skills they need to thrive.
When she’s not at school, you’ll likely find her with her family or planning her next travel adventure—usually with a White Mocha Latte (with raspberry and an extra shot!) in hand.
Crystal’s Message to Our Community: "Please know that you are valued, cared for, and depended on daily. This world is better because you are in it!"
We are so grateful for the heart and dedication Crystal brings to our halls every day.
Now lets introduce our school counselor: Crystal Canfield!
Since joining Mechanicsburg in 2020, Crystal has been an essential part of the team. As our K-8 School Counselor, she wears many hats, but her favorite part of the job is the "gift" of walking alongside our students and staff through every season of life.
Crystal wants to debunk the myth that counselors only step in when there's a problem—she is here proactively, helping all students develop the academic, career, and emotional skills they need to thrive.
When she’s not at school, you’ll likely find her with her family or planning her next travel adventure—usually with a White Mocha Latte (with raspberry and an extra shot!) in hand.
Crystal’s Message to Our Community: "Please know that you are valued, cared for, and depended on daily. This world is better because you are in it!"
We are so grateful for the heart and dedication Crystal brings to our halls every day.
In honor of School Social Worker Week we would like to spotlight: Ashley Hixenbaugh! ✨
Now in her 7th year with the district, Ashley is a familiar face at "The Burg," where she has spent the last five years dedicated to our students’ success. As a School Social Worker, Ashley is a firm believer that when we collaborate instead of working in silos, our students win. Her favorite part of the day? Watching a student thrive because they finally got the "something different" they needed to succeed.
Outside of the classroom, Ashley is a fan of the "simple things"—whether that’s a Frozen Caramel Latte, a competitive game of Wingspan, or exploring new spots like Local Roots in Powell with her daughter.
Myth Buster: Ashley wants the community to know that school social workers are here to support and preserve families, working tirelessly to provide the resources needed to keep families strong and together.
We are so grateful for Ashley’s wisdom, her commitment to our kids, and her very practical advice to always wear good shoes—because you never know where the day will lead!
Now in her 7th year with the district, Ashley is a familiar face at "The Burg," where she has spent the last five years dedicated to our students’ success. As a School Social Worker, Ashley is a firm believer that when we collaborate instead of working in silos, our students win. Her favorite part of the day? Watching a student thrive because they finally got the "something different" they needed to succeed.
Outside of the classroom, Ashley is a fan of the "simple things"—whether that’s a Frozen Caramel Latte, a competitive game of Wingspan, or exploring new spots like Local Roots in Powell with her daughter.
Myth Buster: Ashley wants the community to know that school social workers are here to support and preserve families, working tirelessly to provide the resources needed to keep families strong and together.
We are so grateful for Ashley’s wisdom, her commitment to our kids, and her very practical advice to always wear good shoes—because you never know where the day will lead!
There aren't enough words to describe what Ms. Margie means to our school, but "extraordinary" is a good place to start. We are thrilled to share that Ms. Margie was presented with the Golden Tomahawk Award, an honor reserved for those who truly exemplify the heart and spirit of the Burg.
Along with this honor, we are sharing the bittersweet news that Ms. Margie will be retiring at the end of this year. While it is hard to imagine our district without the world’s best secretary and friend, we are so excited for her to begin a new chapter of family and adventure. We have been beyond lucky to have her steady hand and kind heart in our front office for so many years.
If you think you have what it takes to fill these very big shoes and join the staff at the best small school in Ohio, we are now accepting applications. Please visit our website to apply online.
Along with this honor, we are sharing the bittersweet news that Ms. Margie will be retiring at the end of this year. While it is hard to imagine our district without the world’s best secretary and friend, we are so excited for her to begin a new chapter of family and adventure. We have been beyond lucky to have her steady hand and kind heart in our front office for so many years.
If you think you have what it takes to fill these very big shoes and join the staff at the best small school in Ohio, we are now accepting applications. Please visit our website to apply online.
Big thanks to Mr. Butler and his Ohio Hi-Point students! This year, they debuted their Candy Machine project, and our students absolutely loved it. 🍬✨
We are so impressed by the creativity the Hi-Point crew brought to this project. Take a look at some of the highlights below! 📸
We are so impressed by the creativity the Hi-Point crew brought to this project. Take a look at some of the highlights below! 📸
The Champaign County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored several outstanding students this past weekend. It was a wonderful day celebrating their hard work and achievements. Congratulations to all!
Belle Rodgers was recognized as the Mechanicsburg Good Citizen.
Neva Varner was named the 5th grade winner. Also writing essays was Michael Bumgarner, Tucker Campbell, Reid Matesic, Kylee Moore, Nadia Pack, Hunter Stritenberger, Cam Taylor, and Evan Thomas.
Anderson Wiant was named the 7th-grade winner, also writing was Ainsley Drexler.
The 8th-grade winner was Blake Rousch. Other writers included Bailee Eyink, Ruby Forrest, Raelynn Henderson, and Nora Davis.
It has been an incredible week of hands-on learning and innovation here at DWE! We kicked things off Monday by celebrating the 100th Day of School. Our Kindergarten students "reported for duty" as construction workers to build 100 in various creative ways, while our first graders dove into a variety of hands-on activities to master the milestone.
The excitement continued for our 4th graders, who welcomed students from Ohio Hi-Point’s construction and education programs. Together, they worked on building candy machines, a project that perfectly blends high academic rigor with real-world innovation. These experiences are exactly how we bring our Portrait of a Graduate skills to life every day, encouraging our students to be creative problem solvers and collaborative learners.
We are so proud of the hard work and curiosity our students showed this week!
The excitement continued for our 4th graders, who welcomed students from Ohio Hi-Point’s construction and education programs. Together, they worked on building candy machines, a project that perfectly blends high academic rigor with real-world innovation. These experiences are exactly how we bring our Portrait of a Graduate skills to life every day, encouraging our students to be creative problem solvers and collaborative learners.
We are so proud of the hard work and curiosity our students showed this week!
Unleash your culinary creativity at the Future Chef Competition! 👩🍳👨🍳
Do you have a secret recipe that is sure to impress? Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just love experimenting in the kitchen, this is your chance to shine!
This year, we are looking for the most delicious and innovative recipes inspired by countries or cultures from around the world. From spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats, we want to see the best dishes DWE has ever seen!
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the Future Chef?
🗓 When: March 18th
📝 Register today: futurechefschallenge.com
Let’s get cooking!
Do you have a secret recipe that is sure to impress? Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just love experimenting in the kitchen, this is your chance to shine!
This year, we are looking for the most delicious and innovative recipes inspired by countries or cultures from around the world. From spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats, we want to see the best dishes DWE has ever seen!
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the Future Chef?
🗓 When: March 18th
📝 Register today: futurechefschallenge.com
Let’s get cooking!
Blood Drive Alert!
Mechanicsburg High School Student Council is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 25th, from 8 AM – 2 PM in the High School Gymnasium.
📞 Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org
and enter: MS to schedule your appointment.
Let’s come together and make a difference! 🙌
Mechanicsburg High School Student Council is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 25th, from 8 AM – 2 PM in the High School Gymnasium.
📞 Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org
and enter: MS to schedule your appointment.
Let’s come together and make a difference! 🙌
Mechanicsburg families - You're Invited to a free night of Fun!
Thursday, February 12th
5pm-7pm
Mechanicsburg Cafeteria
Thursday, February 12th
5pm-7pm
Mechanicsburg Cafeteria
Food Service Substitutes
Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools is currently seeking Cafeteria/Food Service Substitutes. This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking a flexible, part-time schedule while making a difference in our students' daily lives.
Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools is currently seeking Cafeteria/Food Service Substitutes. This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking a flexible, part-time schedule while making a difference in our students' daily lives.
It's that time of year, Kindergarten Registration for the Fall of 2026 is right around the corner. Start the process on April 1, 2026. See the information below!
Unleash your culinary creativity at the Future Chef Competition! 👩🍳👨🍳
Do you have a secret recipe that is sure to impress? Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just love experimenting in the kitchen, this is your chance to shine!
This year, we are looking for the most delicious and innovative recipes inspired by countries or cultures from around the world. From spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats, we want to see the best dishes DWE has ever seen!
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the Future Chef?
🗓 When: March 18th
📝 Register today: futurechefschallenge.com
Let’s get cooking!
Do you have a secret recipe that is sure to impress? Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just love experimenting in the kitchen, this is your chance to shine!
This year, we are looking for the most delicious and innovative recipes inspired by countries or cultures from around the world. From spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats, we want to see the best dishes DWE has ever seen!
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the Future Chef?
🗓 When: March 18th
📝 Register today: futurechefschallenge.com
Let’s get cooking!
December always flies by, but we certainly made the most of every moment at DWE. Our students stayed busy exploring math and engineering while building gingerbread houses, conducting science experiments with dissolving candy canes, and giving back to our community through our Giving Tree and caroling at local nursing homes. We also shared a special "gift of words" with one another during a beautiful PTO-sponsored Mindset Monday.
Amidst the excitement, we were proud to celebrate our December Students of the Month, who were recognized as our Adaptable Decision Makers. In a month as busy as this one, their ability to stay flexible and make great choices has been an inspiration to us all!
We wish our entire community a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and everything merry and bright. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us here at DWE!
Amidst the excitement, we were proud to celebrate our December Students of the Month, who were recognized as our Adaptable Decision Makers. In a month as busy as this one, their ability to stay flexible and make great choices has been an inspiration to us all!
We wish our entire community a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and everything merry and bright. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us here at DWE!
Capture the Candy Cane Math Review was a success! 3rd-grade students practicing for their test and having fun showing what they know!
As we close out November and reflect on the season of gratitude, we have so much to be thankful for! Our school community was buzzing with learning, connection, and healthy activity:
🏃 A huge thank you to our PTO for organizing a wonderful Turkey Trot filled with joy, running, hot cocoa, and popcorn!
📖 Literacy Night was a success, reinforcing our commitment to learning and Creative Problem-Solving through reading activities. This event was a true display of community spirit.
🌟 We celebrated our amazing Empathetic Citizens of the Month—the very heart of our Portrait of a Graduate!
🏛️ Our 3rd Graders met with local village government employees, engaging in great conversation and practicing Confident Communication about civic life.
🎨 Our annual Disguise a Turkey project showcased incredible creativity and Adaptable Decision-Making!
🎈 Our Kindergartners delighted us all with their adorable Balloons Over Broadway Parade!
Thank you to every student, staff member, family, and community partner who made these wonderful events possible. We are incredibly grateful for the spirit and energy you bring to our school every day!
🏃 A huge thank you to our PTO for organizing a wonderful Turkey Trot filled with joy, running, hot cocoa, and popcorn!
📖 Literacy Night was a success, reinforcing our commitment to learning and Creative Problem-Solving through reading activities. This event was a true display of community spirit.
🌟 We celebrated our amazing Empathetic Citizens of the Month—the very heart of our Portrait of a Graduate!
🏛️ Our 3rd Graders met with local village government employees, engaging in great conversation and practicing Confident Communication about civic life.
🎨 Our annual Disguise a Turkey project showcased incredible creativity and Adaptable Decision-Making!
🎈 Our Kindergartners delighted us all with their adorable Balloons Over Broadway Parade!
Thank you to every student, staff member, family, and community partner who made these wonderful events possible. We are incredibly grateful for the spirit and energy you bring to our school every day!
A week ago, our school was buzzing with detectives and book lovers for our annual Literacy Night—The Whodunnit Mystery! It was truly wonderful to have so many families join us to celebrate the joy of reading together.
Our student detectives worked hard at amazing stations, including:
🔍 Fingerprinting and Sight Word Searches.
📝 Procedural Text Centers created by our talented 4th graders.
🖼️ Clue-solving activities, like identifying Emotion Pictures created by our staff.
And, of course, a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Book Fair! It was another tremendous success, fueling the love of reading in every home.
The Great Reveal...
The mystery of who stole Mrs. Margie's candy jar was finally solved on Friday! With the help of all our sharp-eyed students and families, we discovered the culprit was none other than Mr. Duress! (But don't worry—he was just refilling the jar because he noticed it was empty! What a thoughtful twist!)
We are so thankful for our community partnerships that make reading such a fun and engaging activity for all our students. We can't wait for next year!
Our student detectives worked hard at amazing stations, including:
🔍 Fingerprinting and Sight Word Searches.
📝 Procedural Text Centers created by our talented 4th graders.
🖼️ Clue-solving activities, like identifying Emotion Pictures created by our staff.
And, of course, a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Book Fair! It was another tremendous success, fueling the love of reading in every home.
The Great Reveal...
The mystery of who stole Mrs. Margie's candy jar was finally solved on Friday! With the help of all our sharp-eyed students and families, we discovered the culprit was none other than Mr. Duress! (But don't worry—he was just refilling the jar because he noticed it was empty! What a thoughtful twist!)
We are so thankful for our community partnerships that make reading such a fun and engaging activity for all our students. We can't wait for next year!
We are super excited to have our 2nd annual Pancakes and Pajamas!
Yesterday, our school community gathered for a deeply moving Veterans Day Breakfast and Assembly to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation.
As a proud Purple Star School, supporting our military-involved students and families is central to who we are, and this assembly was a beautiful testament to that commitment. The program was a true collaborative effort:
⭐ Led with maturity and grace by our 5th Grade Student Council, who shared a thoughtful skit on the importance of Veterans Day.
🎶 Coordinated by Mrs. Campbell (our Librarian and Purple Star Coordinator) and Mrs. Ark (Music Teacher), every grade level, K-5, shared a heartfelt song or sign language piece for our veterans and their families.
🎺 The ceremony was highlighted by our High School Band, featuring a touching and solemn rendition of "Taps," performed beautifully by our own Mr. Oyer.
We are profoundly grateful for the service and sacrifice of all veterans. Thank you for protecting the freedoms we cherish. We salute you today and every day.
Sunshine, pumpkins, and a giant corn maze! Our K-5 students had the best time exploring The Maize at Little Darby Creek!
This wonderful day out—complete with pumpkin picking and endless outdoor play—was made possible entirely by the generous support of our PTO! Experiential learning like this helps our students develop Adaptable Decision-Making and practice Empathetic Citizenship as they interact with peers across different grade levels.
What a wonderful way to enjoy the season! Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
This wonderful day out—complete with pumpkin picking and endless outdoor play—was made possible entirely by the generous support of our PTO! Experiential learning like this helps our students develop Adaptable Decision-Making and practice Empathetic Citizenship as they interact with peers across different grade levels.
What a wonderful way to enjoy the season! Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
