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!

Mena Middle School BADD (Bearcats Against Destructive Decisions) members are busy planning 2020 Red Ribbon Week! The National Theme this year is Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free. Monday 10/26-Follow Your Dreams, Stay Drug Free-Pajama Day Tuesday 10/27- Team Up Against Drugs-Twins or Teams Wednesday 10/28- Wild about being Drug Free-Wild Hair and Wild/Mismatched Clothes Thursday 10/29-Drug Free and Proud to Be Bearcat-Wear Red and Black Friday 10/30- I'm To Bright For Drugs-Wear Bright/Neon Colors

To: All ESS Staff serving Mena School District From: Benny Weston Re: Your Safety We want to assure our substitute teachers that Mena Public Schools is making sincere efforts to reduce everyone’s risk of exposure to COVID-19. Although we cannot guarantee that exposure will not happen, we are doing these things to maintain a safe environment: 1. Reducing the interactions between teachers and other students not in their classrooms through scheduling and student pods. 2. Requiring masks to be worn by all people in the buildings ages 10 and older. 3. Reducing exchange of materials such as food trays and books. 4. Disinfecting surfaces daily and providing hand sanitizing in every room throughout the district. 5. Maintaining social distancing protocols in classrooms and commons areas when possible and maintaining students pods when it is not. 6. Not allowing large assemblies. 7. Restricting outside guests from entering the buildings to maintain a controlled environment. 8. Quarantining infected individuals and their close contacts using Arkansas Department of Health standards, which are strictly adhered to. We feel that our school buildings are as safe as any other facility which hosts large numbers of people and would invite all substitute teachers to return to the classrooms. Our cases at Mena Public Schools have been very few and we feel that our attention to the standards and protocols are why we have been successful at controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Please remember that Mena Public Schools will be closed on Friday 10/16. That means that Virtual & Blended meal pick up will be today from 1pm-2pm at Louise Durham Elementary & Mena High School. These are meals for 10/19 thru 10/23...

Announcements for Thursday, October 15 th   I. School pictures were handed out yesterday. If you were absent, see your ACHIEVE teacher about your pictures. II. Reminder: No school tomorrow or Monday. Monday will be a virtual learning day. Be sure and log on to your classes to check for assignments. III. There will be a fire drill today at the end of ACHIEVE. The fire alarm will be used and all classes will evacuate. You can review the evacuation map posted in your classroom. Be sure to have your mask on. IV. Since Monday is a virtual day and counts as a school day, the school is required to provide a meal. That meal will be handed out to you today during 6 th period. The meals will be delivered to your classroom. Do not let this cause a problem for you in class or on the bus. If you ride a bus, keep the food bagged up until you get home. DO NOT get the food out on the bus. V. Lunchtime Weather: VI. Lunch Menu: * Steak Fingers * Chicken Tenders * Meatball Sub * Taco Bar * PB&J Sandwich * Turkey or Ham Sandwich * Popcorn Chicken Salad