Arkansas Rural Education Association is spotlighting the Mena School District! With an enrollment of 1737 students, Mena is in the DeQueen-Mena Coop area in Polk County and employs 229 people. Mena is proud to announce that Mr. Benny Weston, Superintendent of Mena School District, was recently presented with the 2020 Arkansas Superintendent of the Year Award. The district offers educational options to meet the needs of the individual learner. Their students may choose a traditional education or an alternative learning pathway offered to students through their K-12 Alternative Education classrooms, Mena High School HUB option, or K-12 Polk County Virtual Academy (PCVA). They will support the personal growth of each student by providing integrated opportunities for students to develop effective personal, social, and technology skills. Many opportunities are offered for students to extend learning beyond academics through participation in school organizations/clubs, fine arts, and athletics. The mission is to Engage Community, Inspire Students, and Prepare Graduates. Find more at www.menaschools.org or visit their Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/MenaPublicSchools/.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Today is the last day of spirit week & Mrs Vega's Preschool Class has the spirit on white out day!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Mrs. Vega's preschool class loves Throwback Thursday!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Throwback Thursday! Ms. Katie Thomas & students have it covered!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Throwback Thursday! Spirit week continues in Mrs. Maddox's class at Louise Durham Elementary!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Our Louise Durham Elementary Carnival King and Queen are ready for the homecoming parade. Go Bearcats!!!!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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The start time for the Homecoming Dinner has been changed to 4:30pm. Spread the word!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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National School Custodian Day!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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The annual Fall Carnival was Tuesday afternoon at Louise Durham Elementary!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Aramark Client Appreciation Day! Mr Weston, Mena Superintendent, and Susan Bodey, Aramark Director pictured. Aramark prepared and provided lunch in appreciation to the Mena School District. We are proud of our partnership with Aramark. Thank you for your excellence, commitment, and positive food service climate.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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The quarterly meeting of the Mena Public Schools Health and Wellness Committee will take place on Tuesday, September 24th, 3:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Mena Middle School Library
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Mrs. Bridgett, Ms. Becky and Lily from the U of A extension office, came to our classes today and discussed the importance of apples! They made apple crisp for all the kids to eat and it was yummy!!! The students were also given special plates and a magazine with apple recipes!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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The Mena School Board conducted their annual Report to the Public meeting on Tuesday night. The evening began with a Facilities Meeting which included a one hour update on facilities, improvements & the five year plan. In total the district buildings include 430,000 square feet with a replacement cost of 71 million dollars. Improvements over the past year were reviewed as well as those on the horizon & additions to the five year plan. That was followed by the annual Report the the Public Meeting. Mr. Benny Weston began on the district financial status. The end of year balance was $4,185,544.06 which is set aside for emergencies & potential shortfalls. Weston went on to state that the district currently employs 229 people & that 67% of the districts students qualify for free or reduced meals. Paulette Sherrer spoke briefly on curriculum & testing. She shared a graph with those in attendance which show the students in the district are meeting or exceeding the national average. Louise Durham Principal Jimma Holder says that enrollment in kindergarten has increased to 170 students & that the number of students testing proficient & exceeding have increased. Principal Tamara Smart from Holly Harshman Elementary noted a gain in ACT Aspire scores in each grade. Mena Middle School Principal Cliff Sherrer reported a total of 400 students over the three grades. He is excited about the upcoming student council elections as MMS has not had a student council for a number of years. Sherrer also added that many improvements have been added to the science curriculum. 526 students are currently enrolled at Mena High School & Principal David Maxwell told the board that is an increase of 32 students. In addition he reported that students performed well above the state average on the Aspire testing & that he is planning to improve those scores even more. Maxwell also ran down a long list of concurrent courses which have been added at Mena High School. It was at this point in the meeting that a number of VIP's interrupted the meeting to award Superintendent Benny Weston with an award as the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. (see photos & details on our social media & website) Mrs. Bridget Buckley, MHS Assistant Principal & PCVA Director, reported an enrollment of twenty nine in the Polk County Virtual Academy & a positive response to a change in curriculum. Finally Mrs. Paulette Sherrer announced an increase in federal funding & an increase of fifteen students to the schools gifted & talented program. After a short break the September School Board meeting was conducted. It was a very brief meeting that included an executive session. Afterwards the board approved a one time bonus of $1,000.00 for Mr. Weston in recognition of his well-deserved accomplishment of Arkansas 2020 Superintendent of the Year. The School Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Administration Building.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Mr. Benny Weston has been named the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Superintendent of the Year. Richard Abernathy presented the award at the annual report to the public on Tuesday night at the administration building. A number present & former superintendents from around the state also attended. Congratulations to the Boss Bearcat!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Congratulations to Mrs. Williams, our teacher of the month! Mrs. Williams is our librarian and helps us establish a culture of reading and a love for books!! She works very hard for our HEROES. We love Mrs. Williams and are so blessed to have her at LD.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Louise Durham had a great time this morning at our first Rise and Shine of the school year! Our Heroes loved it and it helps us all have an amazing start to our week!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Homecoming Dinner!
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Many Americans refer to Patriot Day as 9/11 or September 11. Patriot Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. Patriot Day remembers those who lost their lives during the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. On the direction of the President, the flag of the United States of America should be displayed on the homes of Americans, the White House and all United States government buildings in the whole world. The flag should be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect to those who died on September 11, 2001. Many people observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time). This marks the time that the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. Some communities, particularly in the areas directly affected by the attacks, hold special church services or prayer meetings. People who personally experienced the events in 2001 or lost loved ones in them, may lay flowers or visit memorials. Patriot Day is not a federal holiday and schools and businesses do not close. Public transit systems run on their regular schedules. Some people and organizations may take some time out to hold prayers for the victims of the attacks, but these do not usually affect public life for more than a few minutes. On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. The hijackers then deliberately flew three of the planes into two important buildings, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The loss of life and damage that these hijackings caused form the biggest act of terrorism ever on United States soil. Nearly 3000 people died in the attacks.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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Meditation Monday in Little Cats Academy! This helps our kids rest their minds and bodies while improving attention and behavior.
over 4 years ago, Mark Hobson
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