Congratulations to the LDE Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Tawana Ricker! She is our Keyboarding and Coding teacher and we are so lucky to have her!
The Mena Preschool Teacher's are celebrating 100 Days of LOVING their jobs and their Student's!
HEADS UP!!!
Mena Public Schools will be closed on Friday, February 14th. Classes will resume on Monday the 17th. We hope you enjoy the break.
Due to inclement weather, Mena Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 22nd.
The district will use the 1st Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI) Day approved by the State.
Please follow the AMI Day procedures for your child’s building and grade level.
Students will have the opportunity to complete their assignments on the day missed or when school resumes.
Attendance will be calculated by the successful completion of the assignments.
If 90% or more of the students complete their required learning expectations for the AMI Day, the day will not have to be made up at the end of the year.
The Mena School Board held their January meeting on Tuesday Night at the Administration Building .
The board went into executive session immediately to discuss the renewal of Benny Weston's contract as Superintendent. When the executive session ended the board voted unanimously to add an additional year to Weston's contract.
Danny Minton addressed the board on the HVAC Scheduled Maintenance Agreement. The board renewed the agreement for Mena High School, including the addition of the safe room systems, at a cost of $14,850.00. The board also approved the addition of an agreement for Louise Durham Elementary at a cost of $4,292.00.
Minton also gave an update on the district facilities which included information on damage caused by a recent lightning strike. The strike took place on a light pole at the baseball field & not only caused damage there but also to phones, cameras, HVAC & more. A complete damage assessment is underway & may continue for some time before all damage is discovered.
Attention then turned to the Mid Year Review in which Weston was pleased to report that the district had exhausted 47% of the budget for the year.
Weston then updated each member of the board on the requirements of Act 589 the School Board Member Training Report in which all board members had met or exceeded the required number of hours.
The Board moved on to the financial report which was approved.
The Annual School Board Liability Insurance & General Liability Coverage premium was briefly discussed before the being approved at a cost of $8783.00.
Finally there were a pair of personnel issues. The board accepted the resignation of Hope Cannon who is a para pro at MMS & also they also approved the move of bus driver Gwen Andrews from a "C" to a "B" route.
School Board Appreciation Month!
Mena’s Benny Weston was recently recognized as Superintendent of the year and gave his acceptance speech and charge to the audience at the recent AAEA 2020 Superintendent Symposium. Closing the event was Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson who spoke to the state superintendents.
The Polk County Spelling Bee is underway in the Ouachita Center at UA Rich Mountain & Mena students are in the thick of it.. Check back later for more pictures!
School Board Appreciation Month!
There is a 30% chance of light rain when school dismisses today increasing to an 80% chance of rain by the time the basketball games end tonight. There is also a chance of severe weather today. Check the hour by hour forecast, radar & weather cam on the Mena Public Schools Weather Page...
Just click on the link.
https://www.weatherbug.com/wea…/10-day-weather/mena-ar-71953
January is School Board Appreciation Month!
We are proud to acknowledge the efforts of the men and women who shape the direction of the Mena Public Schools.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Mena 2nd Grade performed “An All American Christmas” Friday night in the Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a few scenes from the show!
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.
