Mena High School

Attention Seniors! If you would like to be recognized for the scholarships you have been awarded please follow the link & fill out the Google form. https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSclZMgid0la3wh3G8…/viewform

Caps and Gowns, along with anything else you have ordered from Herff-Jones will be delivered to Mena High School, Tuesday, April 28. Rick and Michelle Lancaster, our Herff-Jones partners, will provide a drive-through pick-up service for your safety and convenience. Here is how it works: Between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., enter the bus loop between Mena Middle School and the football field. You will continue to the high school area. Place a sheet of paper in the front window of your car on the passenger side with your name printed in LARGE letters. When you arrive at the high school, lower your window and your graduation order will be passed to you. PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR. If you are paid in full, after you receive your order, continue on the bus loop around the field house and exit the campus by the football field. If you owe for your supplies, you may pay by debit/credit card or with correct change in cash. If you need to know how much you owe, you can check on-line or text Rick (501) 318-8126 with your name and that you go to MHS and he will reply with your balance.

Arkansas Choral Directors Association recognizes individual students and choral groups that participate in region choral performance assessment and excel in academic achievement. The awards program features two levels of recognition based on the 4.0 grading scale: Distinguished Academic Achievement (GPA of 3.25 or higher) and Excellence in Academic Achievement (GPA of 3.00 - 3.24). The GPA of the first semester of the current school year is used to determine award recipients. The Spotlight Singers earned a group Distinguished award with a combined GPA of 3.85. The Bearcat Chorus earned a group Excellence award with a combined GPA of 3.0. Students earning individual Distinguished Academic Achievement honors are: Spotlight Singers Cassidy Ashcraft, Miranda Burt, Cassidy Delaney, Hope Egger, Christina Gragg, Cloey Massey, Zoe McPherson, Ali Ogden, Kendall Posey, and Nalu Pruitt Bearcat Chorus Ashtan Carr, Hannah Willis, Devon Davis, Misael Knight, Latonia Siler, Julia Bailey, Leilani Knight, Gabby Pierce, Maddison Gunn, Tabitha Levering, Gabe Betz, Phong Nguyen, Ethan Scott Students earning Excellence in Academic Achievement are: Bearcat Chorus Chloe White, Sierra Taylor, Alexyss Hilderbrand, Summer Venable

SCHOOL CHOICE DEADLINE IS MAY 1st ! Follow the link to the forms & email or mail the completed form to 501 Hickory Avenue Mena, AR 71953. Contact sherry.newman@menaschools.org for more information. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/…/School_Choice_Form_202… tagTag PhotopinAdd Locationpencil

NEW HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE FOR FOOD DELIVERY ON MONDAY, MARCH 13th, We strive to continue offering our weekly meal orders. Due to our intent on “Slowing the Spread” and keeping “Social Distancing”, we are adding increased measures of protection to our meal delivery process to protect our students, guardians, and employees. For onsite or offsite meal pickups each Monday, please help us by adhering to the following guidelines: 1. Please remain in your car with your windows rolled up. 2. Please have a piece of paper with the "Guardian's First and Last Name" written on it viewable on the front passenger side window. 3. We will only be loading in the trunk of your vehicle or the back of a pickup truck. We will no longer be able to load into the seats of a vehicle. If you are unable to open or offer a trunk space, please write “no trunk” on your paper. We will then have you pull up, and let you load your own sacks. 4. If possible, please wear a mask if you will need to be exiting your vehicle to self-load. These are increased measures to help us continue to serve you! We appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you.

We are so grateful for the positive response to our Weekly Student Meal Preorders, but we are not able to continue filling orders for families who have not picked up the meals the past two weeks. If you filled the original order form on March 24/25 and have not picked up the meals the past two weeks your name has been removed from the list, you can contact the Food Director if you would like to be added to next week’s meal preorder list for delivery or pickup on Monday, April 13th, please directly contact our Aramark Food Service Director by phone at (479)234-1161 Any further questions or comments about your weekly preorder, please call (479)234-1161. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to meet the needs of our students, parents, and community during this time.

NEW HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE FOR FOOD DELIVERY! We strive to continue offering our weekly meal orders. Due to our intent on “Slowing the Spread” and keeping “Social Distancing”, we are adding increased measures of protection to our meal delivery process to protect our students, guardians, and employees. For onsite or offsite meal pickups each Monday, please help us by adhering to the following guidelines: 1. Please remain in your car with your windows rolled up. 2. Please have a piece of paper with the "Guardian's First and Last Name" written on it viewable on the front passenger side window. 3. We will only be loading in the trunk of your vehicle or the back of a pickup truck. We will no longer be able to load into the seats of a vehicle. If you are unable to open or offer a trunk space, please write “no trunk” on your paper. We will then have you pull up, and let you load your own sacks. 4. If possible, please wear a mask if you will need to be exiting your vehicle to self-load. These are increased measures to help us continue to serve you! We appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you.

SCHOLARSHIP: Still looking for college scholarships? It's not to late to apply for the Polk County Farm Bureau Scholarship. The deadline has been extended to May 29, 2020. Email Nikki at nikki.cureton@afbic.com for a copy of the application. If you prefer a paper application, you can pick one up at the door of the office Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. REQIREMENTS: Current Farm Bureau Member, 2.5 minimum GPA

A thank you to MPS & Aramark employees from an anonymous patron. Thank you and all that help make it possible for the food boxes. We appreciate it so much. It has eased some stress during this time. The stress of having to purchase enough food to feed our constantly hungry growing children during a time where most are out of work. The stress of having to go to public places like the grocery store and try and shop cheaply, quickly, and stay healthy. My children who are missing going to school were very excited to see the items they are use to at school. They even pretended they were back at school with our plates that look similar to school trays. Grabbing their milks first and walking around the kitchen as it was the lunch line. Thank you so much again! We are lucky and grateful to have such a kind and helpful school and community. - A grateful family Week 2 meals will be delivered on Monday April 6th. See the schedule below..

If you would like to be added to next week’s meal preorder list for delivery or pickup on Monday, April 6th, please directly contact our Aramark Food Service Director by phone at (479)234-1161 by 3pm today (Wed. 4/1) Any further questions or comments about your weekly preorder, please call (479)234-1161. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to meet the needs of our students, parents, and community during this time.

Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now available and can be completed online at the link below. PCVA is an online, home based educational option for K-12 students. For more information, contact PCVA Director Bridget Buckley at bridget.buckley@menaschools.org or 479-216-0205. https://forms.gle/13iWJAdUPgCMYDKS7

Monday Pre-order Meal Pickup Times ! Old Cove Gym - 11:00-11:45 Hatfield First Baptist Church - 11:00-11:30 Old Potter Sale Barn - 11:45-12:15 Board Camp Baptist Church - 11:00-11:30 Big Fork Community Building - 11:45-12:15 Mena Union Mission - 11:00-11:15 Cherry Hill Store - 11:45-12:15 Mena Kess’ Corner - 11:00-11:30 Old Rocky Church - 12:00-12:30 Louise Durham Pickup Line 11:30-1:00 Mena High School Pickup Line 11:30-1:00 You will simply need to give the guardian name the pre-order was made under. Thank you!

The Mena School District has created safe learning zones where students can access Wi-fi and technology support. One is in the parking lot at Bearcat Stadium, Another is in the Mena High School student parking lot & a third is in the front parking lot at Louise Durham Elementary.

Commissioner Johnny Key announced today that Arkansas will be seeking the waiver to cancel the Spring State ACT Aspire Testing as well as the K-2 Assessment for this year, Here is the official statement! Due to the extraordinary circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures, states have been provided flexibility regarding the assessment and accountability requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Given the widespread, extended school closures, and the interruption in school operations and on-site classroom education, Arkansas will cancel administration of state testing for the spring of 2020. This includes the Act Aspire and the K-2 assessments. Arkansas will participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s expedited waiver process and will be seeking broad flexibility from both assessment and accountability provisions.

MENA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARD ROOM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Susan Rowell, Clint Montgomery, Edd Puckett, Kyle Cannon and Todd Aynes. Members absent: Phillip Wilson and Robert Hines Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. In the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Weston presented a Mitigation Report to the Board per guidance and direction of the Governor, DESE, and CDC. Mr. Weston presented the Arkansas School Boards Association Model Policy Service Contract renewal effective the first day of February, 2020 and terminating on the last day of January, 2022, in the amount of $2,850.00. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the ASBA renewal in the amount of $2,850.00. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read: School Choice Capacity Resolution for school choice applicants for the 2020-2021 school-year under the provisions of policy 4.5 - School Choice and applicable Arkansas Law. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the School Choice Capacity Resolution. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion passed unanimously. Mr. Weston asked Ray Beardsley of First Security Beardsley, a Division of Crews & Associates, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to inform the board of refunding bond bids. Mr. Beardsley presented information to the Board regarding the 3 quarters bond interest. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $14,830,000 in Refunding Boards to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the publics sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $5,650,000 in Refunding Bonds to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the public sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Edd Puckett seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. The previous two items would only occur as the market improves and an agreement is reached between the Superintendent and the fiscal agent. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To employ First Security Beardsley as Financial Advisor for a period of three (3) years effecitve as of the date of adoption. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Edd Puckett made a motion to approve financial reports. Kyle Cannon seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Mr. Weston recommended the resignation of Geraldine Krudwig - Secondary English, Mena High School. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve Mr. Weston’s retirement recommendation. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. With no further business, Edd Puckett moved for adjournment, Kyle Cannon seconded and meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m..

In light of everything that we are dealing with, here is some good news for some special students!! Congratulations to these young people! 2020-2021 SR High Cheerleaders Competition and Sideline Blake Castor Competition only Leilani Day Sam Efird Competition only Kyleigh Johnson Ciara Lance Allie Martin Marissa Ortiz Cassidy Ashcraft Abri Evangelista Bethany Godwin Christina Gragg Jaiden Milam Kyra Stephens Addi Dollar Cloey Massey Eisayah Day Competition only Briley Dean Competition only Hailey Emerson Competition only Abby Felix Competition only Amy Gragg Competition only Brooklyn Hilderbrand Competition only Kiylee Hughes Competition only Kaelyn Nichols Competition only Jeffrey Richmond Competition only Shantal Tecson Competition only Makayla Vega Competition only 2020-2021 JR High Cheerleaders Competition and Sideline Eisayah Day Briley Dean Hailey Emerson Abby Felix Amy Gragg Brooklyn Hilderbrand Kiylee Hughes Kaelyn Nichols Jeffrey Richmond Shantal Tecson Makayla Vega Lainee Garrett Bailey Heald Elizabeth (Izzy) Henry Kayleigh Noble Myranda Richmond Stay well and enjoy your break!

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that all schools in Arkansas will be closed until April 17 and further action will be evaluated at the time. Continued education will continue through alternative methods. Keep checking the Mena Public School social media & website for more information as it becomes available.

Hey Bearcats (of all ages) Coach Arnold has put together a great "In Home" workout for you on this extended break!

Congratulations to David Grenier on bring selected as the 2019-2020 Polk County Basketball Player of the Year by the Mena Star! Grenier is a senior at Mena High School and earned All-Conference honors in his final season as a Bearcat.