Mena Middle School

Mena Public Schools—Ticket Sales for 2020-21 The Mena Public School District has announced plans for sales of tickets for athletic events for the 2020-21 school year. Due to Covid-19, the Governor and Arkansas Department of Health has put a limit on the number of people who can attend indoor and outdoor activities. These restrictions are not the desire of anyone in the district. However, for the health and safety of our players, coaches and fans, we MUST adhere to the guidelines set by the ADH and Governor. We are fortunate, at this time, to be able to continue with our sporting events. Mena Public Schools will adhere to the Indoor and Outdoor venue guidelines set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health. Anyone over 10 years of age must wear a face covering at all times. Single-household family groups can sit together but must be 6-feet apart from other groups or individuals. Seating areas will be marked such that every other row is unoccupied. Anyone found not to be in compliance with the regulations set forth by the ADH will be asked by an administrator or security officer to comply. Refusal to follow directives will result in removal from the premises. Due to the new guidelines, MPS will no longer allow FREE ADMISSION passes other than those issued by the Arkansas Athletics Association. Ticket Prices: Per game admission is $5.00 per person. Football Games: -Bearcat Stadium Capacity-680 Football Players, Band, and Cheer will be issued a certain number of redeemable tickets first. Then there will be a limited number of tickets available to the general public (no more than 2 tickets per person) that can be picked up at the Central Office the day of the event from (8:00am to 3:45pm). Volleyball Games (7th-12th grade):--UBC Capacity-240 Volleyball players will be issued a certain number of redeemable tickets first. Then there will be a limited number of tickets available to the general public (no more than 2 tickets per person) that can be picked up at the Central Office the day of the event from (8:00am to 3:45pm). Football and Volleyball Visitors: a limited number of tickets will be provided for the visiting team at the beginning of each week. State officials are not allowing band and cheer to attend away games. (The same will happen when the Bearcats/Ladycats go on the road—we will get the ticket information out ASAP for these events.) Unfortunately, during this time, tailgating before athletic events is NOT ALLOWED. Attendees will NOT be allowed on the track, field, or court at any time before, during or after the event. Immediately after the event, fans need to exit the facility. During multi-game nights, parents are encouraged to exit the facility when their child’s game is over to allow room for other parents/family the opportunity to watch their child’s game. Hopefully, we can complete our seasons as scheduled and YOU can help by supporting our efforts. GO LADYCATS and BEARCATS! tagTag

Mena Middle School & Holly Harshman Elementary Open House Videos are now available for you to watch. Just click on the link below to get started. Mena High Schools video will be added as soon as it is available. LDE has sent their videos to the individual students on SeeSaw & they will not be available online. https://docs.google.com/…/2PACX-1vRxBBzTmS50mV_Kz9ceNv…/pub…

Joe Bunch & James Davis walk you through bus safety policies for the start of the 20/21 school year. The first day of school is Monday, August 24th. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sNMmvbQBiZu3Ru1mYSlLPeLNrIJCoY4K/view?usp=sharing

The Mena School Board conducted their August meeting on Tuesday Evening in the Mena High School Library. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the July meeting & a brief Superintendents Report. In new business the board approved the 2019/2020 inventory list. Assistant Superintendent Lee Smith spoke on changes in the District Policies Manual. A majority of the changes revolved around recently released changes in Title IX requirements. The changes were accepted. Administrators from LDE, HHE, MMS, MHS & PCVA then spoke on changes in the handbook as well as the reentry plan at each campus. All were minor & mostly related to Covid 19. The changes & re-entry plans were unanimously approved. Little to no changes have been made to the extracurricular/athletic handbook, coaches handbook & athletic administration guidebook. The few changes had to do with Covid policies & all were approved. Mr. Shane Torix then presented point of contact information to the board. He updated them on Covid policies & the reporting procedure. No action was required. Mr. Danny Minton then gave an update on projects around the district of which Included the installation of new equipment in the kitchen at HHE, a walk in cooler at MMS, new track fencing at Bearcat Stadium and painting of faded red awnings at the high school. Minton also happily reported that the district has passed all inspections leading up to the school year. The board approved a year end transfer of $362,767.22 to the building fund. These funds were designated for projects in 19- 20. These funds will be transferred back as those projects are completed. Personnel was the final item on the agenda. The board accepted the retirement of Tammy Taylor & the resignation of Terry Dino Cabello as well as Julie Gordon. The board also approved the hiring of Heather Catlett for MHS History & Kristi Cogburn for MHS/MMS Choir. The next meeting of the Mena School Board will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd

Changes have been made to the Jr. High & Sr. High volleyball schedules.. Click the link https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics

MMS Blended Students Next Steps Make sure you have completed the Blended Application. Complete the School Registration for new and returning students. Call the MMS office if you need a “snap code” Complete the Online Meal Application, this helps the school receive funding regardless of those that qualify. Watch our Virtual Open House to get information about MMS. Come by Mena Middle School Bus Loop: (Wednesday or Friday 8:00- 11:30, 1:00-3:00) sign the Parent/Student Compact for Blended Learning** sign the Mena Public Schools Chromebook Acceptable Use agreement** Sign the Parent Acknowledgement and Permission sheet.** sign or pick up any grade specific paperwork. Receive the checked out Chromebook for the student. Monday, August 24th login to Google classroom and start working. Students check your email and classroom daily. ** IF you can print and sign these documents early, it will speed up the process.** Schedules Available! Student Schedules are available online in HAC. For a printed copy of the Schedule, drive by the Middle School Bus Loop on Wednesday, August 19th from 8:00 to 10:00 to pick one up.

Student Schedules are available online in HAC. For a printed copy of the Schedule, drive by the Middle School Bus Loop on Wednesday, August 19th from 8:00 to 10:00 to pick one up.

From Susan Bodey Aramark Food Service Director We will be handing out 5 days of breakfast and 5 days of lunch beginning this Friday Aug. 21. Meals may be picked up at Louise Durham or High School on Fridays between 1 and 2 pm We are no longer allowed to serve on the SSO option so meals will be charged to the student’s account, as though the student was in school, based on their Free/Reduced/Paid status. The form will need to be filled out by 2 pm Thursday for meal pick up on Friday. https://forms.gle/J81xjdomzJMfHr7X6

Dear Parents / Guardians, The safety of our students, staff, and patrons is an integral part of the daily routine at Mena Middle School. The purpose of this letter is to inform you about our established procedures for dropping off and picking up your child. Officers from both the Mena Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office are aware of the following safety procedures and assist in their enforcement. The Car Rider Line is located in our back parking lot on Dallas Avenue. The entry and exit points are clearly marked with signs. This is the only authorized drop off and pick up area for students who are not transported by bus. *In the mornings, students may not exit your vehicle until you have reached the clearly-marked drop off / pick up area and are not allowed to walk across the parking lot from a vehicle that is parked. *During after-school pickup, your child will not be allowed to approach your vehicle until you have stopped in the designated drop off / pick up area. Students are not allowed to walk across the parking lot to a parked vehicle. If you desire to have your child walk to your parked vehicle, you as the parent or guardian, must walk your child across the parking lot, making sure that the duty teacher is aware that you are doing so. *Vehicles are not allowed in the Bus Loading / Unloading Areas from 7:15 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.and from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. *Students are not allowed to be dropped off or picked up at the Bearcat Stadium parking lot because doing so would require the child to walk across the path of incoming and outgoing buses. *Arkansas Act 738 – Prohibits drivers of all ages from using cell phones in a school zone during school hours. If you have any questions or comments regarding the safety procedures at Mena Middle School, please feel free to contact us. 479-394-2572

Free and Reduced Meal Applications are available on-line Only ONE application PER household is needed. If your household received a Notice of Direct Certification - there is no need to complete a meal application this year - To apply online click on the link:: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/…/FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUEST… If you have any questions, contact Sherry Newman - sherry.newman@menaschools.org - 479-394-1710

There will be a virtual parent meeting for Bearcat Football(7th, Junior High and Senior High) on Thursday 8/20 @ 6:00 on Zoom. We will send the Zoom info via our remind groups. Guardians can get the info from their players, if they aren't signed up, please get them on.

The Mena Public Schools Bearcats Ready for Learning Plan! https://5il.co/icgo

If you have not registered your student online you are asked to do so as soon as possible... Links for registration: Returning Students: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=24782&culture=en New Students: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=24780&culture=en tagTag PhotopinAdd LocationpencilEdit If you need a snap code please contact the school office. Mena High School - 394-1144 Mena MIddle School - 394-2572 Holly Harshman Elementary - 394-3151 Louise Durham Elementary - 394-2943

Mr. Joe Bunch & Mr. Leo Barge talk about the cleaning & sanitizing plan for the 20/21 school year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Kd-d3FKsk Click the link for more info on the Clorox Total 360 System. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOKX4220Bqc

Mena School District teachers began early with a day of training with Edmentum Professional Services in the Performing Arts Center! Edmentum training continues Tuesday & Wednesday as in preparation continues for the 20/21 school year which begins on August 24th...

Mena Public School offices are closed today. Regular office hours will resume on Monday. You can see the complete 20/21 calendar on the Mena Schools website. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/828040/Calendar_2020-2021-4.pdf

The Mena Star recently polled it's readers & ask them to choose the "Best of the Best" in Polk County. Thanks to the Mena Star & their readers. Also a big thank you to our patrons who truly are the "Best of the Best". GO BEARCATS!

Pick up a copy of this weeks Mena Star & see who is the "Best of the Best" in Polk County. Thank you for voting for Mena Public Schools!!! We value & appreciate our students & patrons.... GO BEARCATS!

The Arkansas Department of Health released the Directive for Community and School Sponsored Music Return to Play. If you would like to read the document just click on the link.. https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/…/directive_Community_and_…

AAA news release concerning the status of fall sports in Arkansas public schools..