FLEX Friday at MMS! Mrs. Lauren Frost doing her best FLEX on a virtual cooking lab with Family & Consumer Science Students at Mena Middle School.

Blended & virtual student meals for November 16th-November 20th may be picked up today at Louise Durham Elementary or Mena High School between 1 and 2 pm.

The 2020-2021 FBLA Officers were recently elected at Mena MIddle School. President: Makenzie Vega Vice President: Max Rocha Secretary: Dax McMellon Treasurer: Trinaty Richmond Reporter: Eli Swall Historian: Abbie Martin

The Jr. Bearcats are still looking for their first win of the season after falling to Greenwood 70-25 on Thursday. The boys are back in action on Monday when they play Jessieville at the Union Bank Center. https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics?filter=20091

The Jr. Ladycats are now 1-2 on the season after today's 47-31 loss to Greenwood. The girls are back in action on Monday 11/16 when they play Jessieville at the Union Bank Center. https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/athletics?filter=41091

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. As a chapter project Mena Middle School BADD/ Project Prevent members are spreading the word by reading to elementary students. Kinley Garrett read to Mrs. Lynch's 5th grade class yesterday. She read "NoThanks, but I'd Love to Dance choosing to Live Smoke Free" by Jackie Reimer.

Announcements: Thursday, November 12 th   I. Tomorrow is Flex Friday.  Food bags will be distributed today during 6 th period. Only take a meal if you are not going to be at school tomorrow.  Check your email and complete the Flex Friday survey that Mr. Sherrer has sent you. II. Reminder: As Covid cases rise in our community, it is important that you do not come to school if you are not feeling well. III. Lunchtime Weather: IV. Lunch Menu: * Fish Sticks with Mac & Cheese * Cheeseburger * Chicken Tenders * Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Popcorn Chicken Salad

The Mena Public Schools would like to take this opportunity to put our patrons at ease & address recent rumors concerning Covid-19. We are aware of an increase of cases in the area. As of November 10th there are 7 positive cases involving staff & students. At this time there are no plans to close for an extended period of time unless we do not have enough adults to safely monitor students. If and when we reach that point, we will make the public aware through our normal communication methods. Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Johnny Key addressed such rumors on Tuesday as a part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily Covid-19 Update. Key said “There is a rumor that the state might call off on-site instruction between Thanksgiving and the Christmas break. There is not a plan to do that, and it has not been suggested to the Governor.” You may check the ACHI School District Geographic Boundary Level Maps to see the trends for new positive COVID-19 cases for school districts. Just follow the link https://achi.net/covid19/

Click the link for the meal order form for the week of November 16th-20th. PIck up is Friday from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham & Mena High School. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel720L9Gxpp0xjQUkSKZFcjcIgmBbKpe4MmbOBkAJOGFPTeg/viewform

Idabel has cancelled the 7th grade & Jr. High basketball games scheduled for Thursday, November 19th. Please spread the word.

Today’s Announcements: I. The 6 th grade ETS students will meet in the cafeteria after these announcements. II. From Mr. McCormick: 8th grade FFA members who are wanting to be officers - don't forget to pick up an application in Mr. McCormick's room or fill one out online in the Mena FFA google classroom. The applications are due tomorrow. III. Reminder: As Covid cases rise in our community, it is important that you do not come to school if you are not feeling well. IV. Lunchtime Weather: V. Lunch Menu: * Baked Potato * Hamburger * Spicy Chicken Sandwich * Wing Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Turkey Salad

The Jr. Bearcats hosted Lake Hamilton Tuesday at the Union Bank Center Mena lost the JV game 7-41 & Mena lost the varsity game 12-60 The Jr. Bearcats will host Greenwood on Thursday & games begin at 4:30pm in the UBC.

As part of a coordinated response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in partnership with the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas has developed a Parent/Guardian Survey for soliciting family input on what is working now and what may be considered for the future. We encourage you to share the survey link with your families and ask them to complete the survey before November 20th. A Spanish version of the survey is available here. The survey seeks to involve families in an organized, ongoing and timely way in planning, review, and improvement. The survey will provide feedback regarding: * family concerns * how families are making decisions * family awareness of options and resources available * family considerations for the future The intention of this survey is not to identify individual school or district responses, but rather to establish an understanding of the state as a whole. The information will be aggregated by region only; therefore, families will be asked to identify the region of the state in which they live in order to understand the distribution of the survey without specifically identifying any district or school by name. OEP will be sharing results at the December State Board meeting. Follow this link to the Survey:https://uark.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6X7aRF3ErNNXFel... Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser: https://uark.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6X7aRF3ErNNXFel...

The Jr. High & JV teams will play beginning at 4:00pm in the Union Bank Center.

Announcements: Tuesday, November 10 th     I. Corona Virus cases in our community are on the rise. Remember to follow all mask and social distancing guidelines. If you need a mask break, simply distance yourself from everyone else. II. The 7 th & 8 th grade Quiz Bowl Team will meet right after these announcements. III. The 6 th grade ETS students will be meeting tomorrow after the announcements. IV. Despite a few warnings, several of you are still wanting to use your school email for social chatting with friends. If this continues, your email contacts will be edited to where you will only be able to contact your teachers. V. Picture re-takes are tomorrow and should begin during 1 st period. These pictures are voluntary. If you were absent on the first picture day, however, you need to have your picture taken for the yearbook. You are not required to purchase pictures. Come to the front office if you need an order form. VI. Lunchtime Weather: VII. Lunch Menu: * Baked Chicken * Chicken Tenders * Hot Dog * Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Cobb Salad

We are still in need of items for our Christmas Shop. If you have a gift drawer or some new or gently used items please consider sending them our way. 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.

Retakes and make-up picture day with Lifetouch for MHS & MMS School Pictures, which will be on Wednesday, November 11.

Announcements: Monday, November 9 th     I. There are only 2 weeks of school left until Thanksgiving Break. Thanksgiving Break will take place the week of November 23 – 27. II. The 6 th grade Quiz Bowl Team will meet right after these announcements. III. Picture re-takes are this Wednesday. These pictures are voluntary. If you were absent on the first picture day, however, you need to have your picture taken for the yearbook. You are not required to purchase pictures. Come to the front office if you need a form. IV. Reminder: Basketball season begins this week. There will be no ballgames in the Middle School Gym this year, all games will be at the Union Bank Center at the High School. You must wear a mask to the ballgames and must keep your mask on at all times unless you are eating or drinking. With basketball being an indoor event, the mask requirement will be strictly enforced. V. Lunchtime Weather: If we are able to go outside today, please stay on the hard surfaces and stay out of the grass. VI. Lunch Menu: * Salisbury Steak * Meatball Sub * Double Cheeseburger * Waffle Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Chef Salad

Click the link for the meal order form for the week of November 16th-20th. PIck up is Friday from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham & Mena High School. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel720L9Gxpp0xjQUkSKZFcjcIgmBbKpe4MmbOBkAJOGFPTeg/viewform

Click the link for the meal order form for the week of November 9th-13th. PIck up is Friday from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham & Mena High School. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzWskHVttYPxEZDVMEKoA3wmAYMklJ_J7EkE0_h8kvnJhCfA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3mqMxdDgj7nox7lWff2HSNgtcqJgMviv1iqzZcU8rnkbsKEMWnelcerkI