Louise Durham Elementary School
Home of the Bearcats
Mena School Board Members Robby Hines, Reed Mendoza, Holly Henry, and Calvin Cummings helped welcome Louise Durham students on the first Friday of the school year.
We had a GROOVY first day of school!
The District Convocation was held on Monday morning in the Performing Arts Center. District employees heard from representatives from Arkansas Teacher Retirement and Air Evac plus new employees at each campus were introduced.
The keynote speaker was Mr. Jason Curry. Jason founded Finish Empty®, a leadership company dedicated to equipping people in every environment. Through speaking, training, and coaching, he develops athletes, strengthens teams, inspires individuals, guides businesses, and supports organizations committed to excellence and impact.
In June of 2025, Jason released his debut book, Finish Empty®. That same month, he was named Life Coach of the Year by AY Magazine, recognizing his influence in personal growth and leadership development.
The staff continues final preparations for the 2026-2027 school year which begins on Wednesday, August 12th.
https://www.facebook.com/FinishEmpty
The keynote speaker was Mr. Jason Curry. Jason founded Finish Empty®, a leadership company dedicated to equipping people in every environment. Through speaking, training, and coaching, he develops athletes, strengthens teams, inspires individuals, guides businesses, and supports organizations committed to excellence and impact.
In June of 2025, Jason released his debut book, Finish Empty®. That same month, he was named Life Coach of the Year by AY Magazine, recognizing his influence in personal growth and leadership development.
The staff continues final preparations for the 2026-2027 school year which begins on Wednesday, August 12th.
https://www.facebook.com/FinishEmpty
First grade teachers loved meeting so many of our sweet friends today! We’re excited to start with you all next Wednesday, Aug. 12!
Mena Public School Counselors had a great time at the 2026 ArSCA School Counselor Conference, June 29–July 1! Be the spark!
First grade had a blast at Tapley Park on Wednesday!
Thank you Justin Goodnight and the Mena Ag Department for helping our students be more independent. You have made his day.
Mrs Floyd's class had a great time visiting the Mena Regional Health System for the Teddy Bear Clinic this morning!
We love Math!
Mena Athletes from Louise Durham Elementary, Holly Harshman Elementary, Mena Middle School and Mena High School are participating in the Area 14 Special Olympics today in the Hensley Activity Center and Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium.
Celebrating BIG Reading Milestones! ✨📚
We are so proud of our Preschool readers who have reached amazing goals — 100, 500, and even 1,000 books before Kindergarten! 🎉 What an incredible accomplishment!
We are so proud of our Preschool readers who have reached amazing goals — 100, 500, and even 1,000 books before Kindergarten! 🎉 What an incredible accomplishment!
Mena Foster Grandparents were treated to training recently at the DeQueen Mena Education Service Cooperative. The workshop focused on various science activities that the grandparents could do with students in the classroom or their own grandkids at home.
Congratulations to our Second Grade Battle of the Books champions on an incredible day at the 2026 competition hosted by the DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative! 📚🏆
These LD readers rose to the challenge and brought home 2nd Place — what an outstanding achievement! 🎉
Their hard work and preparation truly shined, but what stands out even more is their genuine love for books and reading. These students didn’t just compete — they celebrated stories, strengthened their understanding, and grew as readers along the way.
We are beyond proud of their commitment, character, and love for literacy!
These LD readers rose to the challenge and brought home 2nd Place — what an outstanding achievement! 🎉
Their hard work and preparation truly shined, but what stands out even more is their genuine love for books and reading. These students didn’t just compete — they celebrated stories, strengthened their understanding, and grew as readers along the way.
We are beyond proud of their commitment, character, and love for literacy!
Congratulations to our First Grade Battle of the Books teams for a job well done at the 2026 competition hosted by the DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative! 🎉🏆
Our students earned 2nd and 3rd place — an amazing accomplishment! 🎉📚
Not only did they compete with excellence, but they also represented Mena Public Schools with pride, teamwork, and outstanding character.
Our students earned 2nd and 3rd place — an amazing accomplishment! 🎉📚
Not only did they compete with excellence, but they also represented Mena Public Schools with pride, teamwork, and outstanding character.
Reading is a SLAM DUNK! Mrs. Floyd's class enjoyed having stories read to them by Bearcat basketball players on Tuesday.
Congratulations to all the LD students who earned our PAWSitive awards this month!
Mena High School hosted the Basketball Skills Competition for Special Olympics on Monday in the Union Bank Center. Athletes from LD, HHE, MMS, MHS, and PCDC competed.
This week Mrs. Sawyer's class was on a secret mission to spread kindness all around our school!
Join us in giving a HUGE round of applause to our amazing Preschool readers who have reached incredible goals — 500 Books Before Kindergarten and 100 Books Before Kindergarten! 🎉🎉
We are beyond proud of each of you! We continue to fill our weeks with great stories, new authors, exciting adventures, and so much growth. With every book opened, you are building a strong foundation to become lifelong readers.
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
❤️ — Emilie Buchwald
Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is completely FREE and designed to encourage families to read together every single day. Reading at home is not only a special bonding time — it builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, develops memory, sparks imagination, and lays the groundwork for future academic success.
🎉 A special congratulations to our students who have reached the 500 Book milestone! What an incredible accomplishment! Keep turning those pages! 📖✨
Charlotte Hall
Ray Riley
🎉 And a big celebration for our students who have reached the 100 Book milestone! Every page you turn helps you grow stronger, smarter, and more confident as a reader. We are so proud of your hard work — keep reading and keep shining! 📚✨
Zackori Hamilton
Luca Mendez
Harmmoni Foret
We are beyond proud of each of you! We continue to fill our weeks with great stories, new authors, exciting adventures, and so much growth. With every book opened, you are building a strong foundation to become lifelong readers.
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
❤️ — Emilie Buchwald
Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is completely FREE and designed to encourage families to read together every single day. Reading at home is not only a special bonding time — it builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, develops memory, sparks imagination, and lays the groundwork for future academic success.
🎉 A special congratulations to our students who have reached the 500 Book milestone! What an incredible accomplishment! Keep turning those pages! 📖✨
Charlotte Hall
Ray Riley
🎉 And a big celebration for our students who have reached the 100 Book milestone! Every page you turn helps you grow stronger, smarter, and more confident as a reader. We are so proud of your hard work — keep reading and keep shining! 📚✨
Zackori Hamilton
Luca Mendez
Harmmoni Foret
There’s nothing better than finding your next favorite book—especially when it comes highly recommended by a friend! That’s what makes We Recommend Wednesday so much fun at LD! 📚✨
This week, we’re shining the spotlight on our First Grade Battle of the Books team and what they think is a must read!❤️ 📚
The teams top pick? Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin!
They shared, “ We love Click Clack Moo because the animals were so funny and we couldn’t wait to find out what happened at the end!”
If you’re ready for giggles and great stories, swing by the LD Library to check out this great story—and while you’re there, you just might discover your next favorite book too!
This week, we’re shining the spotlight on our First Grade Battle of the Books team and what they think is a must read!❤️ 📚
The teams top pick? Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin!
They shared, “ We love Click Clack Moo because the animals were so funny and we couldn’t wait to find out what happened at the end!”
If you’re ready for giggles and great stories, swing by the LD Library to check out this great story—and while you’re there, you just might discover your next favorite book too!