The Mena School Board conducted their December meeting at the Administration Building Tuesday Night.
Superintendent Benny Weston's report consisted of information on the recent Thanksgiving & Christmas meals served at each cafeteria. Almost 1200 meals were served to parents this year.
The board next accepted a bid on workmans compensation insurance insurance from the Arkansas School Board Association. The annual premium is $24,442.00.
Approval was also given to the 2020 Master Plan, Student transfers, the annual stipend list & the financial report.
One personnel item was addressed at the conclusion of the meeting. The board accepted the resignation of Piet Fieldman.
Gavin Crawford from Mrs. Riley's 4th grade classroom at Holly Harshman Elementary used his LiveSchool points to have a Show and Tell day. He chose to bring his Husky, Lizzy, to share with his friends!
The staff at HHE are all definitely spreading Christmas CHEER sporting their traditional UGLY SWEATERS today! Feel free to join in and add your photos tagged with #hheuglysweaters19
There will be a coat drive in front of Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium this Saturday, December 14th. This is the first annual Coat the Cold event. They will be collecting new and gently used coats, jackets, hoodies, gloves, scarves, and hats. All gently used items will be laundered before disbursement. All items that are received as a donation will be distributed throughout the local schools for children in need, the remaining items will be donated to those in need, as needed.
Thursday, December 12th - Christmas Lunch (see schedule elsewhere on this page)
Friday, December 13th - Geography Bee @ The PAC (for those involved)
Thursday, December 19th - Liveschool Reward Day
Friday, December 20th - Christmas Parties begin at 8:45am
CHRISTMAS BREAK - December 23rd - January 3rd
Monday, January 6th - Second Semester begins!
The Administration Office of Mena Public Schools would like to thank the individuals and community organizations who are making contributions this holiday season to "Feed A Bearcat".
Sherry Newman, Kim DePriest, Superintendent Benny Weston, Paulette Sherrer, and Suzanne Bentley choose to annually donate to the student fund at Christmas time.
The Mena School District "Feed A Bearcat" Program aims to provide wrap around services to our students in need. These services are offered on an individual basis as needs are identified and include the backpack food program, personal hygiene items, clothing, school supplies, extra-curricular student expenses, and assistance with lunch account balances. The Mena School District appreciates the generosity of our patrons who are able to donate items or monetary gifts to our students through this endeavor to meet our local needs. If you, your organization, or your business would like to donate please call 479-394-1710 or visit our offices at 501 Hickory Avenue.
Thank you Mena Star readers!!!!
Remember if your student wants to be a Bearcat the enrollment window for the second semester is now open. Forms can be requested and completed at the district you are currently attending. Mena School District classes will begin on Monday, January 6th 2020. For more information call 479-394-1710.
GO BEARCATS!
The Mena School District "Feed A Bearcat" Program aims to provide wrap around services to our students in need. These services are offered on an individual basis as needs are identified and include the backpack food program, personal hygiene items, clothing, school supplies, extra-curricular student expenses, and assistance with lunch account balances. The Mena School District appreciates the generosity of community individuals and organizations who donate items or monetary gifts to our students through this endeavor to meet our local needs. If anyone is interested in donating items or money to the “Feed A Bearcat” program, they can call the Administration Office at 479-394-1710 located at 501 Hickory Avenue.
For more information about Mena Public Schools, please check out our website at www.menaschools.org or follow us on Facebook at Mena Public Schools.
HHE Class Parties!
HHE Christmas Lunch Schedule!
As the potential for frozen precipitation increases we want to remind our patrons that weather related school closings will be announced by radio, on social media & on our website. You can check the latest forecast, radar & more on the Mena Public Schools Weather Bug. Just Click on the link
https://www.weatherbug.com/wea…/10-day-weather/mena-ar-71953
Our menu's had Christmas Dinner on the wrong week The actual dates will be Louise Durham Elementary / Mena Middle School on Wednesday, December 11th. Holly Harshman Elementary / Mena High School on Thursday, December the 12th. Please share & spread the word!
John Golding representing the Knights of Columbus donated to the Mena School District Feed A Bearcat fund. We appreciate the contribution and the generosity to our students.
The 4th-8th grade GT students will be participating in the Geography Bee next Friday, December 13 at the PAC. The 4th-5th grade will begin at 8:30 a.m, and the 6th-8th grade students who are participating will follow at approximately 9:30- 9:45.
12/5/19 - MMS & MHS Choir Christmas Concert @ 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/6/19 - 2nd Grade presents "An All-American Christmas"
@ 6pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/7/19 - Mena Bearcat Band in the "Parade of Lights" in downtown Mena @ 6pm.
12/9, 12/10 & 12/12/19 - Baseball tryouts for 9th-12th grade athletes from 3:45pm-5:00pm at Union Bank Ball Park.
12/12/19 - MMS & MHS Bands Christmas Concert @ 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/13/19 - 4th-8th Grade Geography Bee @ 8:30am in the
Performing Arts Center.
12/14/19 - Jr. High All Region Concert Band Auditions @ Ozark High School
12/17/19 - Enrollment window for the second semester closes at noon. Call 479-394-1710 to find out how to be a Bearcat!
12/20/19 - Second grading period & end of first semester
12/23/19 thru 01/03/20 - Christmas Holidays
1/6/20 - Second semester begins
If your student wants to be a Bearcat you should know that the enrollment window for the second semester is now open. Forms can be picked up from the district you are currently attending. When you have completed those forms bring them to the Mena Public School Administration Building located at 501 Hickory in Mena. Forms should be filled out & turned in before noon on Tuesday, December 17th. If approved by the school board the student will begin classes on Monday, January 6th 2020. For more information call 479-394-1710.
GO BEARCATS!
Recent freezing temperatures have exposed a need for coats in our student population & Mena Public Schools would like to thank Christine & Rodney Bird with Handcrafted Garden Bridges for their generous donation. The coats will be distributed to children in need. Pictured are Rodney, Christine & Mena Superintendent Benny Weston.
https://www.redwoodbridges.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Handcrafted-garden-bridges-486508584834143/
NOVEMBER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING!
The Mena School Board met for the regular November meeting on Tuesday evening.
The board began by approving the minutes from the September & October meeting.
They quickly moved to passing a disclosure statement for board member Kyle Cannon who is also an employee of the Union Bank of Mena.
A proposal was made to change the district employees vision plan. Mena Insurance currently holds the contract through Superior Vision. The new plan offered by Mena Insurance would be through Blue Cross & Blue Shield at a lower cost to employees & an increase in benefits. The change was passed by the board & will go into effect February 1, 2020.
Next was the approval of the financial reports for September & October.
Resignations were accepted by the board including Carol Sproles, Michaela VanPelt, David Goodner, & Howard Elliot.
The board approved an addendum to the contract of Cheryl Goodner, additional hours to Keri Duer, and a transfer of duties for Alicia Moody.
Superintendent Benny Weston presented a plan to restructure current Mena School District custodial employees & outsource the needed evening janitorial shifts. The board approved accepting a bid from SG360 for only the evening janotorial shifts at Louise Durham Elementary & Holly Harshman Elementary.
Thanksgiving break is next week!
Awards have been given for top popcorn sales at HHE!
L to R
Aiden Miller-4th grade
Mollee Sharp- 4th grade
Scarlett McClesky- 5th grade
Grace McIntyre- 3rd grade
They each received a $50 gift certificate from the Pop Pop Shoppe and they will also get to have a popcorn party here at school.
