After reading “Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker”, we talked about being good listeners in Mrs. Smith's kindergarten class!
It was a a foggy start to the first day of school in Mena but all seemed excited to start the 2021/2022 school year !!!!
How about those Little Cat Cheerleaders ! Boosting the Bearcats at Thursday's Red & Black Scrimmage ! GO BEARCATS!!!
Teachers from across the Mena School District are meeting in the Mena High School Performing Arts Center today. They are there to hear Michelle Finn speak on "The New Art and Science of Teaching." Finn is the coauthor of "A Handbook for Personalized, Competency-Based Education" & recently received notoriety as a cast member on the tv show "Alone" on the History Channel.
https://www.history.com/shows/alone/cast/michelle-finn
Rodney Dominguez & Logan Myers work on the finishing touches in preparation for the first day of school on Monday, August 16th. A scene that's been repeated at all campuses today.
If you participated in the Little Cats Cheer Camp this year you are invited to cheer at the Red & Black Scrimmage on Thursday 8/12. That will be at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium beginning at 6pm... GO BEARCATS !!!!
Our students return to school on Monday, August 16th. Please help us keep them safe. Be aware that busses will be picking up students in the morning & dropping them off in the afternoon each school day. Blinking yellow means that the bus is approaching a stop. Blinking red means that the bus is stopped & students are currently entering or exiting the bus. Let's all do our part to make it a safe year!!!
PCVA chromebook pickup is available Tuesday from 9am-noon or Wednesday 1pm-5pm at Mena Middle School. All other pickups can be scheduled by emailing or calling Teresa Warner at the Middle School.
teresa.warner@menaschools.org
479-394-2572
Earlier this week the Mena Public Schools asked patrons to participate in a survey. There were only 40 responses on the poll and 12 of those indicated they would participate in a vaccine clinic at the school. We have talked to health officials in town and the number of young people being vaccinated at the Health Unit and pharmacy is increasing so we encourage all of you who said 'yes' to the clinic to have our students vaccinated at those places. There is not enough interest to organize a vaccine clinic at the school. Thank you!
Just a reminder that we will be looking for your pictures on the first day of school, August 16th. Be looking for a post where you can share as a comment that Monday.. We can't wait to see our students !!!
TIFFANY WILLIAMS & all the Louise Durham Elementary teachers are back on campus today preparing for the 21/22 school year. The first day of class at Mena Public Schools is Monday, August 16th.
Out of an abundance of caution, Mena School District will make the following adjustments to the upcoming Open House schedule:
On-site Open Houses for 1st through 8th grade students will be limited to students who are new to the district (did not attend school at Mena Public Schools last year) and students new to that building; Kindergarten for Louise Durham, 3rd grade for Holly Harshman, and 6th grade for Mena Middle School.
All other students will have a virtual open house available to them during the same scheduled time as their original Open House or they will receive communication from their homeroom teacher at that time.
On-site Open House for Kindergarten and students who are new to LDES will be:
Last Name A-M: Monday, August 9 from 1-6pm
Last Name N-Z: Tuesday, August 10 from 1-6pm
On-site Open House for 3rd grade and students who are new to HHES will be Tuesday, August 10th from 1-6pm.
On-site Open House for 6th grade and students who are new to MMS will be Tuesday, August 10, from 1-7pm.
Mena High School will still have on-site Open House for all students, 9th-12th grade. Times will be:
Tuesday, August 10 Juniors/Seniors 4 pm-7 pm
Wednesday, August 11 Sophomores/Freshman 4 pm-7 pm
For any questions regarding your student’s Open House, please contact their building.
Mena High School: (479) 394-1144
Mena Middle School: (479) 394-2572
Holly Harshman Elementary School: (479) 394-3151
Louise Durham Elementary School: (479) 394-2943
As always, Louise Durham Elementary will provide most school supplies for our students! Families will only need to supply a backpack. If you are able to bring hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing wipes, we would greatly appreciate the help.
We cant wait to see our HEROES!
2021 Sales Tax Holiday
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday August 7, 2021, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday August 8, 2021, the State of Arkansas will hold its sales tax holiday allowing shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain Electronic Devices, School Supplies, School Art Supplies, School Instructional Materials, and Clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.
All retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday.
https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/.../sales.../sales-tax-holiday/
If you live in the Mena School District be looking for our new newsletter to arrive in your mailbox in early August. GO BEARCATS!
Classified staff interested in the REACH program were invited to an informational meeting on Wednesday.
REACH is a para to teacher program that partners with REACH University to train paraprofessionals in the pathway to earning a Bachelor's degree. Cost is minimal and time invested includes course work as well as the time at work.
https://www.reach.edu/
https://www.facebook.com/ReachUniversity
Just a reminder That sub training will be on Monday at 9:00am !
Mr. John Ponder, immediate past director of the DeQueen Mena Educational Service Cooperative & former Mena High School superintendent, was recognized for 38 years of service to education at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Summer Conference today. He is pictured with his wife, Mrs. Robin Ponder who recently retired from her position at Mena MIddle School. Congratulations!
The Mena Public Schools are well represented at the 46th Annual Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Summer Conference in Little Rock. In the Photo:
Amy Montgomery - MHS Assistant Principal
David Maxwell - MHS Principal
Dr. Lee Smith - Superintendent
Bridget Buckley - Assistant Superintendent
Christy Harrison - SPED Supervisor
Teresa Warner - MMS Assistant Principal
Pete Rose - LDE Building Manager
The 2021 Open House is just around the corner!
PreK will be making appointments with parents individually & you should be receiving a call from the teacher to schedule a time.
