Mena Middle School will host our 7th Annual Christmas Shop. We want to continue to offer this opportunity to model giving. We are seeking new or very gently used items students would enjoy giving to parents. Small items are preferred as gifts will travel home from school. We will be setting up shop the week after Thanksgiving. If you would like to contribute to our store please drop off items at MMS Office or contact Mrs. Rose or Mrs. Gann and we will arrange to pick up items.
To kick off Red Ribbon Week. The new Project Prevent Team at Mena Middle School set up the opportunity for student to sign the banner to pledge to be drug and tobacco free.
Be a part of the Mena Middle School Diaper Drive!!!!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Our funding for next year is based on the number of meals that we serve this year and the number of free/reduced applications we receive. Which can be accessed on the Mena school website, under food service information.
In an effort to maintain our funding for school year 21-22, Mena Public Schools will be providing meals for students participating in Flex Fridays, blended learning, and PCVA. Blended and PCVA students can request a week's worth of meals by accessing the
link each week on the school website under food service information or there is a link shared on Facebook each week.
Flex Friday meals will be sent home with students on Thursday afternoon with students who will not be attending in-person classes on Friday. In order to meet USDA meal pattern requirements, some items may need to be refrigerated as soon
as your child arrives home. Please check their meal bags for these.
There will be a form posted on the Mena Schools website, and the school's Facebook pages. We would appreciate you filling this out if you plan for your child to learn from home on Fridays. If in the future you decide not to participate you may opt-out by contacting Susan Bodey, Aramark food service director @
479-234-1161, or Amy Bartow, Mena schools food service director @ 479-216-0060.
Thank You for your support during these trying times!
Susan Bodey
Follow the link to the Flex Friday Meal Order Form. https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd4vRrLvAy.../viewform...
You can order your Mena Middle School Yearbook online. Just follow the link.
https://www.jostens.com/
Students bringing lunch from home must take all three in order to be free.
Announcements for Monday, October 26 th
I. 1 st Quarter report cards will be handed out today during ACHIEVE.
II. After these announcements, the 6 th grade Quiz Bowl team will be meeting in the conference
room.
III. From Mrs. Lunsford: The 7 th grade Cheerleaders will have a group photo for the yearbook
this Thursday during 7 th period. Bring your uniform to change into.
IV. This Friday, October 30 th , will be our first district-wide “Flex Friday.” For more important
details, you and your parents can see the Superintendent’s informational video on the
Mena Public School Facebook page, or Mr. Sherrer’s informational letter on the MMS
Facebook page. Mr. Sherrer also sent each of you an email with information.
V. Tomorrow's Red Ribbon Week dress up Theme is Team up Against drugs. Dress up as
twins or as your favorite team.
VI. We have had a problem lately of someone opening the handicap access door to Mrs.
Farringer’s room during 6 th grade lunch. This is a reminder that we have video cameras in
each hallway and will use it to determine who is doing it, if it happens again.
VII. Lunchtime Weather: If we have to say inside for lunch today…
After eating your lunch, please leave the cafeteria and go sit in your grade-level hallway.
You are not allowed to use your phone / device until you have left the cafeteria and are
in the hallway.
VIII. Lunch Menu:
* Pork Carnitas * Steak Sandwich * Hamburger * Waffle Bar
* PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Chef Salad
Friday, October 23, 2020
Dear Parents & Students
The Mena School Board recently approved a change to our Ready for Learning Plan that I want to inform you of. It is the implementation of a 4:1 school week with a Flex Friday option beginning on Friday, October 30th.
What does this mean?
School will operate just as it is now for four days per week. On Flex Friday, school will be open, lunch will be served, and assignments will be given but the day will be optional for all students to attend in person or not.
On Flex Friday, students who choose to flex will log into their classroom assignments given by their teachers and do their learning at home. Students who choose to attend school will also have virtual assignments for that day and will have an adjusted schedule to accommodate their online assignments and to give their teachers time to help blended students and plan for the upcoming week.
Students who choose to learn from home on the Flex-day will not be counted absent. Instruction will be 100% virtual. These are catch-up days for teachers and students: there will be no new content taught or major assessments given.
When will this start? Friday, October 30th
How long will this go on? Indefinitely, we will continue to monitor the needs and concerns of our students, teachers and parents and adjustments could continue to be made throughout the school year.
What if I don’t have internet access?
Many of the assignments for Flex Friday may be assigned earlier in the week and students will have an opportunity to work on them using the school internet. We also offer tutoring Monday through Thursday after school till 4:30 (and Monday evenings 5:30-6:30) at school. The Flex Friday is an option to stay home but school will be open to those students that need to attend.
Your student will be receiving an email with a questionnaire about Flex Friday. Answering this will give us some valuable information on how to plan for which students may be here.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 479-394-2572.
Thanks for your understanding during these unprecedented times.
Clifton Sherrer, Principal
Mena Middle School
Click the link for the meal order form for the week of November 2nd-6th. PIck up is Friday from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham & Mena High School.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOG-sWE3CuHP56xPONR7UNug5LM9iQoZmyepN4uAIovJCLUg/viewform
Announcements for Friday, October 23 rd
I. Today is the deadline to order your Yearbook at the lowest price possible.
II. One week from today, Friday, October 30 th , will be our first district-wide “Flex Friday.” You
will have a choice whether to attend school that day or stay home and conduct virtual
learning. For more important details, you and your parents can see the Superintendent’s
informational video on the Mena Public School Facebook page.
III. Reminders:
Check the fliers on the library windows to see what the dress-up themes are for each
day of next week’s Red Ribbon Week.
1 st Quarter report cards will be handed out next Monday
Coloring sheets for the Halloween Coloring Contest sponsored by the Pulse, are located
outside of the front office and are due today. You can turn yours in at the front office.
IV. Lunchtime Weather:
V. Lunch Menu:
* Burrito * Mini Corndogs * Backyard Burger * Pizza
* PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Pizza Salad
Blended & virtual student meals for October 26th-October 30th may be picked up today at Louise Durham Elementary or Mena High School between 1 and 2 pm.
The Mena 7th Grade & Jr. High Bearcats played at Dardanelle on Thursday.
Dardanelle won the 7th Grade game 18-8.
Dardanelle won the Jr. High game 31-0.
Both teams will play next on October 29th when Mena host Trinity Christian.
Announcements for Thursday, October 22 nd
I. Tomorrow is the deadline to order your Yearbook at the lowest price possible.
II. Today the 7 th grade football team is dismissed at 2:45.
III. Next Friday, October 30 th , will be our first district-wide “Flex Friday.” You will have a choice
whether to attend school that day or stay home and conduct virtual learning. For more
important details, you and your parents can see the Superintendent’s informational video
on the Mena Public School Facebook page.
IV. Reminders:
Check the fliers on the library windows to see what the dress-up themes are for each
day of next week’s Red Ribbon Week.
1 st Quarter report cards will be handed out next Monday
Coloring sheets for the Halloween Coloring Contest sponsored by the Pulse, are located
outside of the front office.
V. Lunchtime Weather:
VI. Lunch Menu:
* BBQ Chicken * Chicken Tenders * Bacon Cheeseburger * Taco Bar
* PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Popcorn Chicken Salad
The Mena 7th Grade & Jr. High will play ay Dardanelle today beginning at 5:30pm.. GO BEARCATS!!!
Mr. Benny Weston announces the addition of "Flex Fridays" to the Mena Public School's Ready for Learning Plan! To watch the video click on the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgKktdNJiGE&t=10s
If you would like to read the adjusted Ready for Learning Plan in it's entirety click on the link below.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/802963/Mena_Public_Schools_COVID_Plan_Ready_for_Learning.pdf
Announcements for Wednesday, October 21 st
I. Right after these announcements, the 7 th grade ETS students will meet in the cafeteria.
II. Today is the first day of the second grading quarter. Report cards for the first quarter will
be handed out on Monday.
III. Several of you need to be reminded that everything you do on your Chrome Book or other
device can be seen by our tech department, your teachers, and administrators. Use your
device for school work only. There will be consequences if you use your device
inappropriately.
IV. If you are interested in entering the Polk County Pulse Halloween Coloring Contest, you
can come get a copy of the Pulse located outside the front office. The contest is for
students 13 years old or younger. The contest sheet is located on the back page of this
week’s Pulse.
V. Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Check out the fliers on the library windows to see what
the dress-up themes are for each day.
VI. Lunchtime Weather:
VII. Lunch Menu:
* Ravioli * Hot Dog * Chicken Sandwich * Wing Bar
* PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Turkey Chef Salad
The Mena School Board met for their October meeting on Tuesday the 20th in the Mena High School Library. It was a brief meeting but included significant topics on the agenda.
The board began by approving the closing documents on a bond issue. The closing date is November 5th, 2020. This will reduce the current interest rate from 4% to a new rate of 2.55%. This change will save the district $250,000 per year for the first four years and $2.2 million over the life of the bond.
Superintendent Benny Weston reported that a part of the new facility near Holly Harshman Elementary will carry a Bearcat theme. The facility is owned by the Rich Mountain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center & they will be naming one of the homes Bearcat House & another the Ladycat House.
Next on the agenda was discussion on adding “Flex Friday” to the district’s Ready for Learning Plan. The addition was approved & the first Flex Friday will be October 30th. A video explaining this adjustment will be released on Mena Public School’s social media & website.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith reported to the board that this year’s Annual Report to the Public will be virtual & available to patrons of the district online.
The board was then made aware of upcoming training dates available to them & the meeting was adjourned.
Announcements for Tuesday, October 20 th
I. The 7 th & 8 th grade Quiz Bowl teams will meet in the conference room right after these
announcements.
II. Today is the last day of the first grading quarter. Report cards will be handed out next
Monday, in order to allow teachers time to get all grades entered into the grade book.
III. Reminder to check the lost & found box in the cafeteria if you are missing anything. There
are a few jackets and hoodies in it.
IV. Next week is Red Ribbon Week. There will be a different dress-up theme each day.
Check the fliers on the library windows to see what the daily dress-up themes are.
V. Lunchtime Weather:
VI. Lunch Menu:
* Popcorn Chicken Tater Tot Bowl * Rib Patty Sandwich * Spicy Chicken Sandwich
* Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Cobb Salad
Click the link for the meal order form for the week of October 26th-30th. PIck up is Friday from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham & Mena High School.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmGfEKqUNExBm6xVWgERoOFam3F0NLUD7DYmHwz6BSjUPiyw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2QKQBTf5xjq3dq8q7iuL3RWoGW_ZByMnuJn6UZPes8r3n2ywZLzgJ-qgA
The 7th Grade & Jr. High Bearcats played at Ozark on Thursday.
7th Grade / Mena-14 Ozark-0
Jr. High / Mena-8 Ozark-43
Mena will play at Dardanelle on Oct. 22nd at 5:30pm. GO BEARCATS!
