In a recent poll by the Mena Star Mr. Andy Philpot of Mena High School was chosen as "Best Teacher". Congratulations to one of our most valued teachers. At MPS we want to see improvement every day in our teachers, students & the learning atmosphere. GO BEARCATS!
In a recent poll by the Mena Star the Mena Public Schools were chosen as "Best School". We would like to thank our patrons for their continued support. At MPS we want to see improvement every day in our teachers, students & the learning atmosphere. GO BEARCATS!
The new drum slips are in and on the drums. The drumline finished their practice in style.
The Colorguard is working hard on the first halftime routine. Drum major Faith Chaney is supervising. Go Bearcat Band!
https://menabands.weebly.com/
Marc Wilson on the list at 5 News KFSM!
https://5newsonline.com/2019/07/25/top-5-countdown-defensive-backs-to-watch-this-fall/
The Mena Sr. Girls wrapped up play at the Morrilton Team Camp Today. The season opener Ladycat basketball will be November 18th in the Robinson Invitational. See the complete schedule on the MPS website http://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics…
Mena Jr Ladycats wrapped up their summer of basketball team camps at DeQueen today. Varsity went 2 and 0
JV went 1 and 1
We saw tremendous growth during the summer, and are very excited about this season. Go JR Ladycats!!
Senior Faith Chaney attended Phantom Regiment’s Drum Major camp this week to learn leadership skills and musicality in order to lead the Mena Bearcat Marching Band as the 2019-2020 Drum Major.
Polk County Virtual Academy is excited to announce our partnership with Edmentum and Calvert Learning for our K-8 curriculum in the 2019-2020 school year. Calvert Learning has been working with home-school curriculum for over 100 years. 9th through 12th grade will continue to use EdOptions. Both programs offer Arkansas certified teachers and are aligned with Arkansas State Standards. For more information about PCVA contact Bridget Buckley at 479-216-0205 or bridget.buckley@menaschools.org. You can also follow this link to our website https://www.menaschools.org/o/polk-virtual-academy
Before the bright lights go on Friday nights at Bearcat Stadium the band will have completed hours of preparation.. Members of the drum line were practicing this morning in the Paul Gray Band Hall. GO BEARCAT BAND!
Mena Band members Annika Thompson, Jackson Efird & Shylee Head recently attended the Jazz Camp at the University of Arkansas Monticello... Go Bearcat Band!
The Mena Fastcats have been working hard over the past three weeks & today was the last day. As a reward for their hard work these future Bearcats & Ladycats got a little grub & some slide action at the MHS Field House.... GO FASTCATS!!
The Mena Sr, Girls Basketball Team competed in a team camp at Morrilton today. The girls lost to Star City & Morrilton but bounced back for a win over Flippin. The camp continues on Thursday, GO LADYCATS!
It’s not all drills & conditioning. The Jr. Ladycats are having a blast at tonight’s swim party. Go Ladycats!
Four MHS Yearbook students, along with Yearbook Adviser Mr. Philpot, attended the three-day Jostens Yearbook Summer Workshop this week in Searcy. The students went through multiple training sessions, participated in activities, and designed a covering rendering for the 2020 MHS Yearbook. While at the workshop, the MHS Yearbook Staff was voted Best All-Around Staff in the People’s Choice Awards.
The Mena School Board met at the district administration building the evening of Tuesday, July 23rd. See the full story under news on our website at
https://www.menaschools.org/article/121534?org=mena-school-district
Tuesday evening, July 30th,we will have our parent meeting at 6 PM. A "Parent Appreciation Cookout" at the field house at 7 PM sponsored by Union Bank. This is free to all parents/ guardians of any 7-12 football player. Please spread the word.
The Mena School District will be adding Coach Jim Pennington to their coaching staff as the Head Senior Boys Basketball Coach and Head Girls/Boys Tennis Coach. Arkansas coaching legend, Pennington, is a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame and also a member of the White Hall High School Hall of Fame. With 36 yrs of coaching experience, he is best known for his 18 year tenure at Emerson High School. His overall record is 676-316. At Emerson Jim coached his teams to 15 conference championships, 15 district championships, and one state championship in 2001. In track he led teams that won a total of 13 state championships, and he led a successful tennis program as well. Jim retired from coaching in 2012 and retired from teaching in 2014. Since that time he spent a season volunteering in the basketball program in Doniphan, Missouri and volunteered at Lake Hamilton where his son Scotty Pennington is the head Sr Boys Basketball coach. Another son Chris Pennington is the head coach at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Superintendent Benny Weston said "We are excited to add a coach of Jim Pennington's caliber to the coaching staff in Mena. His expertise will not only have an impact on our athletes but also on our coaches and the community. This hire reflects our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our students high school experience.”
Let's all welcome Jim Pennington to Mena!!!
In 2016 Bearcat Foundation, Inc. partnered with Mena Public Schools to develop a consistent, new funding program for all 13 athletic programs from 7th-12th grade. This allows coaches to supplement their school budget for much needed student expenses. Every team receives funds generated from membership and fund raising dollars. These funds can be used for team needs such as skill camps, equipment, Hudl annual fees, Platform workout, etc. On average, BFI has paid out a total of $18,000 each year distributed among the various athletic programs.
In addition to the new funding BFI made a $125,000 capital improvement pledge to Mena Public Schools to be used for major facility/capital athletic improvements. To date BFI has donated $50,0000 for different needs over the last three years. BFI is now fulfilling the rest of the pledge by donating $75,179.83 to the Mena School District to be used toward stadium upgrades and improvements. Pictured above are BFI Board Members - Aarika Cox, Amy Hernandez, Gretchen Cannon, Mena Superintendent - Benny Weston, and BFI Board Members Mandy Godfrey and Ty Plunkett. This recent donation along with funds received from the Bob Carver Foundation and Union Bank will allow the district to modernize and provide safety upgrades to the Bob Carver Mena Bearcat Stadium.
BFI board is very excited to be able to support our school and athletic program by filling a need. Our hope is to increase our support each year but need continued support from fans, parents and community.
The Bearcat Foundation, Inc. was started in the summer of 2006 with a few simple hopes to help the Ladycats and Bearcats. BFI exists to support the student athletes and activities of the Mena School District by supporting programs, pursuing facility improvements and encouraging community spirit in an ultimate attempt to make our teams more competitive and increase moral, unity and school pride.
Please visit www.bearcatfoundation.com for more information on how you can help and join BFI. We need you! #bearcatproud
Jr Ladycat basketball went 6 and 1 today at Morrilton. The girls played very well, and we couldn't be more proud of how hard they worked. Go Jr Ladycats!
Mena Public School Bus Drivers are undergoing their annual training today in the MHS Performing Arts Center. These professionals are a great asset & are very much appreciated. The new school year begins on August 14th.
