In this challenging and pandemic year, I believe we have seen just how important the arts are in our world. Music is a big part of how we survive in difficulty, celebrate in good times, bond with others, and create memories. Music can be our escape or how we connect with our own emotions. I am thankful that theatre incorporates music in so many ways. Students need to see how music defines a scene, a character, a feeling, or changes the atmosphere in a production. -JESSICA KROPP-

Mena Middle School 7th graders completed their study of the body systems with the frog dissection lab recently. Students were able to use lab tools and practice proper dissection methods to examine the exterior and interior organs of the frog.

Mena Public School employees were given an opportunity to take the Johnson & Johnson Covid Vaccine today. Pictured is District Maintenance Supervisor DANNY MINTON. Many chose to take the Moderna Vaccine earlier this year.

Mena Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences will be held for struggling students March 16th, 17th & 18th. Parents can sign up to talk to a teacher on the phone or virtually by using the teacher's link on this page. Click the link to get started. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OCxkuUSclqDHlmGAYVOD1c_F1hdLz2SEuX2G6Hxrc7c/edit?ts=60424163

MMS ANNOUNCEMENTS Tuesday, March 9 th   I. 7 th & 8th grade Quiz Bowl will meet in the Conference Room right after these announcements. II. Reminders:  The Pennies for the Plunge for Special Olympics continues until March 18 th .  The 3 rd grading quarter ends this Friday. III. All current 8 th & 9 th graders that signed up for Jr High Cheer will have a mandatory parent meeting tomorrow evening, 5:30, at the High School PAC (Auditorium). Cheer candidates and a parent are required to attend. IV. Lunchtime Weather: V. Lunch Menu: * Popcorn Chicken Bowl * Rib Patty Sandwich * Spicy Chicken Sandwich * Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Deli Sandwich * Cobb Salad

Attention Mena High School and Middle School FFA Members: This week we will be competing in the Cream of the Crop virtual judging contest. This is for CDE teams only! You will compete during your normal practice time this week. If you are unable to compete during the normal practice time or can not make it to practice please let Mr. Maye, Goodnight, or McCormick know! That way we can figure out a time for you to compete this week. You will need to make sure and bring your Chromebook with you to practice!

MMS ANNOUNCEMENTS Monday, March 8 th   I. This grading quarter ends this Friday. Make every effort to get all of your assignments completed before report cards are issued. II. 6 th grade Quiz Bowl will meet in the Conference Room right after these announcements. III. The Pennies for the Plunge campaign starts today. Between now and March 18 th , the ACHIEVE class that contributes the most money for Special Olympics will receive a donut party. IV. Lunchtime Weather: V. Lunch Menu: * Fish Sticks with Mac & Cheese * Cheeseburger * Chicken Sandwich * Chili with Grilled Cheese * PB&J Sandwich * Deli Sandwich * Cobb Salad

Congratulations to Autumn Lockhart and Kaylee Noble. Both applied and were accepted to participate in this year's Girls of Promise Conference. Girls of Promise, an initiative of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, exposes girls to opportunities and mentors in STEAM fields. GOP has the goal of increasing the number of women in higher-level STEAM courses, careers and putting them on the path to achieving economic security as women. The Girls of Promise Conference is open to 8th-grade girls who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math in Arkansas! Students will spend multiple days learning about various STEAM careers, enhancing their skills, and meeting women mentors excelling in their fields. The conference will be held virtually, April 1 and 2. If you see these two ladies give them a virtual high five!

MMS ANNOUNCEMENTS Thursday, March 4 th   I. This grading quarter ends one week from tomorrow. Make every effort to get all of your assignments completed before report cards are issued. II. Next Monday, March 8 th , the Pennies for the Plunge campaign will begin. Its purpose is to raise money for the Special Olympics. Each ACHIEVE teacher will have a collection jar in their classroom. Students are encouraged to fill the jars with as many pennies (or any type of currency), as often as possible. The contest ends on March 18 th . Whichever ACHIEVE class collects the most money will win a donut party. III. Students, if you receive unwanted emails on your school account, please do not reply to it as this simply complicates the issue. Also students, you are not to send emails to other students, either individually or to a group, unless it is approved by and directed by a teacher. IV. Tomorrow during ACHIEVE, the following students will have their photo taken for the yearbook: Isabel Vacca Zoey Andrews Charlie Self Elijah Smith Johnny Corbett Mason Davis  V. From Mrs. Brooks: The following students need to go to the Library with your Chromebook and see Mrs. Brooks: Tristan Hansen Kaylee Wisnoski Ross Wells Jude Andrews Brayden Wilson Sawyer Golden VI. Lunchtime Weather: VII. Lunch Menu: * Beef Fingers * Chicken Tenders * Meatball Sub * Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Deli Sandwich * Popcorn Chicken Salad

The MMS Project Prevent Team had a working lunch today. Team members participated in the Project Prevent March state virtual meeting.

MMS ANNOUNCEMENTS Wednesday, March 3 rd   I. The Jr High Cheerleader parent meeting scheduled for this evening has been moved to next Wednesday. However, all Jr High Cheer candidates will be meeting with Mrs. Breedlove in the Cafeteria right after these announcements. She will take you to the high school for the meeting. II. Reminders:  Charge your Chromebooks at home every evening.  If you take a ball outside during lunch, return it to the ball box after lunch.  Pick up your trash outside during breakfast & lunch. III. Lunchtime Weather: IV. Lunch Menu: * Crispito * Cheeseburger * Corn Dog * Wing Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Deli Sandwich * Turkey Chef Salad

Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed March as School Breakfast Month. The Mena Public schools recognize the importance of a good breakfast to the learning process & appreciate the governor bringing this important message to the forefront. https://www.menaschools.org/page/food-service-information

Congratulations to the following 7 th graders for having read over 4,000 pages so far this year. Pascha Wistrand Kylene Denton Abbie Martin Wesley Smith Dylon Morris Kallye Gates

Jr High Cheer candidates will have a meeting tomorrow during ACHIEVE. You will meet Mrs. Breedlove in the Cafeteria. Candidates also have a parent meeting tomorrow evening at 5:30 in the High School Library. Both you and a parent or guardian are required to attend.

The Jr. Ladycats placed 4th at the Booneville Jr. High Relays on Monday. *Jaden Roberts 2nd in high jump *4x800 2nd Kylene Denton, Addison Thomas, Rylie Bentley, Jocelyn Hernandez *800 M Kylene Denton 3rd place *Reese Montgomery 3rd in 400 m The Jr. Bearcats were led by: *Cooper Plunkett 4th in 800m * Mena 3rd in 4x800 relay * Hudson Vacca 4th in Triple Jump See complete results at this link https://ar.milesplit.com/meets/406625-booneville-bearcats-jr-high-relays-2021/results/720691/formatted

Our Mena Middle School FBLA members represented our school very well! We had five 1st place winners, three 2nd place winners, four 3rd place winners, and one 4th place winner. Isabel Vacca- 1st place Job Interview Stella Smith - 3rd place Public Speaking Trinaty Richmond - 1st place Busisness Math and Financial Literacy 2nd place -Spelling Makenzie Vega - 1st place Digital Citizenship.3rd place Business Graphics. Kate Wilson - 3rd place Digital Citizenship 3rd place Business Graphics. Max Rocha - 2nd place Intro to Business Communications Dax McMellon - 1st place Spelling 2nd place Digital Citizenship Eli Swall - 1st place Creed 3rd place Business Graphics Christian Staggs - 3rd place Proofreading 4th place Spelling

Mena Soccer will play at Poteau beginning at 5pm. Mena Softball at Dierks has been cancelled. The 7th Grade Track Team will compete at Booneville beginning at 3:30pm. Mena Baseball will play at Lake Hamilton beginning at 5pm. GO BEARCATS!

The Mena Jr. Ladycats & Bearcats will be competing in the Booneville Jr. High Relays today at 3:30pm...