MPS will provide many hand sanitizing stations in
classrooms and hallways. The district has purchased state-of-the-art antimicrobial
electrostatic systems.
Mena tech team members Lorrie Henry & Chuck Cox are inspecting & doing inventory on the new Go Bundles that recently arrived.. These feature the latest technology that will allow teachers to apply online & traditional teaching formats..
The Mena School Board gathered for their regular July meeting on Tuesday evening at Mena Middle School.
The meeting began with the Superintendent’s Report. Mr Benny Weston informed the board that they may be seeing some large purchases in the financial report & that the district will be reimbursed with CARES Act Funding on those purchases at a later date.
Weston then asked the board for input on whether or not exchange students should be accepted in 20/21. This is normally an administrative decision. After a brief discussion all board members agreed that the district would accept exchange students as usual.
A quick mention was made of the state & local bus training which was held at the MHS Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.
Also a part of the Superintendent’s Report was the Bearcats Ready for Learning Plan which was presented by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith. That led to discussion on the use of mask by students in the coming school year. The board agreed that the district will adhere to the Governors order & adjust as guidance is given.
In new business Mena Middle School Principal Mr. Clif Sherrer presented the adjusted School Calendar for 20/21. It was approved unanimously & the new calendar will be posted on social media & the Mena Schools Website soon.
Mena Mayor Seth Smith has requested a partnership with the district on a project to extend the overlay on Geyer Drive next to Holly Harshman Elementary. The board gave Weston permission to negotiate an agreement with the City of Mena.
A bid was accepted & approved from Polk County Farm Bureau in the amount of $22,698 on insurance for all the district buses & vehicles.
The board approved the annual $200 petty cash allotment for each campus in the district & the annual Statement of Assurances passed with no discussion.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton gave an update on numerous projects. He also approached the board with two bids to paint the red portions of MHS. The low bid of $22,000 by a Mena company was approved. Minton also stated that sneeze guards for each office & some other locations have been ordered & a needs assessment is underway for classrooms. A total of 20 bottle filling stations have been ordered & 20 hand sanitizing stations have been built.
The financial reports were approved, the amended adjusted salary schedule proposed at the June meeting was approved & the board voted to allow principals to make changes to student policies as guidance from the state is delivered.
Finally in personnel matters the resignation of Josh Bradford was accepted & the hiring of Tyler Huntington as MMS Band Director was approved. Sam Varner was also put on contract as a bus driver…
URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
Mena High School Band Parents (2020)
Please go to this link and sign up for the new high school band parents remind. All upcoming communication will go out on this new remind.
https://www.remind.com/join/h2h2ga
Mena High School Band Students (2020)
Please go to this link and sign up for the new high school band parents remind. All upcoming communication will go out on this new remind.
https://www.remind.com/join/f4fd9d8
The graduates of 2020 bid farewell to Mena High School Saturday at Bearcat Stadium.. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!!
Mena Public Schools will provide many hand sanitizing stations in classrooms and hallways. Signage in bathrooms will emphasize the importance of hand washing and instruct students on proper procedures. The district has purchased state-of-the-art antimicrobial electrostatic systems to disinfect classrooms, hallways, commons areas, and buses. These systems will be used on a routine basis and in the event of outbreaks. Furthermore, general cleaning agents will be
used along with further disinfection training of administrative,
teaching, clerical, and custodial staff.
Wax on!!! Mr. Leo Barge making it happen today at MHS!!!
https://www.facebook.com/MenaPublicSchools/videos/684033732489968/
WE will supply MOST supplies for students this year in our school supply kits & ask that you provide the following items
*Backpack
*Disinfectant wipes or Lysol
*Hand sanitizer
*Kleenex
*24 pack of bottled water
Kits provided for students that choose traditional OR blended.
The Mena High School Class of 2020 participated in graduatiion practice this morning. Commencement will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, July 18th in Bearcat Stadium.
Schedule adjustment for next week:There will be no 7th and JH workouts on Tuesday. Senior High work outs will be at 1:00. The rest of the week will be normal.
We just finished a great work week for all age groups! Bearcats got better!
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has issued a mandate requiring masks to be worn in public statewide. The district will wait on guidance & may make changes to the district's Ready for Learning Plan. Click the link to watch the press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3NOo84PDQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0MEaCvKNLQZKh41brknB9Z5jSKNMDV6LAgQGW92FA0xygr2oozU6W2q8o
The Mena Public Schools Bearcats Ready for Learning Plan!
Learning options, safety & frequently asked questions are included. Follow the link to the Mena School District website to read the entire document.
https://5il.co/icgo
Final preparations are underway this morning for the 2020 graduation ceremony at Mena High School. Practice will be on Friday, July 17th at 7:30 a.m.. Commencement will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, July 18th in Bearcat Stadium...
Dear Families of 2020 Graduates,
UPDATE!!!!
Congratulations on your graduate’s accomplishment. I am excited about this event as I hope you are, and I really am looking forward to Saturday morning.
As we are under Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidance, the following guidelines are expected for the safety of those in attendance:
1. Family passes will be given to the graduate at Friday morning’s practice. It will be the graduate’s responsibility to deliver these to family members.
Each pass will be color coded for bleacher or on-field seating and will be personalized for the graduating family according to the number of passes initially ordered.
2. Special ADA wheelchair accessible seating has been provided for those that have requested, as well as one family member to sit with ADA seating on the track in a social distancing setting.
3. Gates for stadium entrance will be opened at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday morning for the 9:00 a.m. start.
4. All family pods in the home and visitor bleachers will be marked with social distancing guidelines in mind. (An eight person family pod will require sixteen feet of space for the family to sit together. The next family pod will be six feet away in all directions)
5. All seating is first come first served including on-field seating for parents. Family groups need to enter the stadium together in order to keep our social distancing requirements intact.
6. Masks must be worn by all persons inside the venue over the age of ten (10) years.
7. Infants, in the care of a pass holder, do not count against the maximum eight (8) stadium capacity.
As much as I would love to have the stadium filled for this event, our guidance requires only ⅔’s capacity. I am asking for your cooperation with district staff in this endeavor so that we may celebrate the graduates as they should be celebrated.
Sincerely,
David R. Maxwell, Ed.S.
Principal
Mena High School
Mena FFA Lamb Day Camp is happening today at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Students are learning showmanship skills for the upcoming livestock shows.
Attention MHS Parents & Students!
Student Chromebooks issued last school year need to be turned in as soon as possible at the Mena High School office. Each one will need to be serviced & disinfected before the new school year begins. Office hours are 8:00am - 4:00pm. Your cooperation is appreciated.
The Mena High School graduation will be this Saturday at 9am in Bearcat Stadium. You can watch the event on the Mena High School Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/MenaHighSchool/
Back by popular demand! The actual cover of the 2020 Hooten's Arkansas Football & the Mena Bearcat version... GO BEARCATS!
The 2020 Mena Ladycat volleyball schedule has been released. Just follow the link to the website..
https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics…
