Mena Middle School

Monday Pre-order Meal Pickup Times ! Old Cove Gym - 11:00-11:45 Hatfield First Baptist Church - 11:00-11:30 Old Potter Sale Barn - 11:45-12:15 Board Camp Baptist Church - 11:00-11:30 Big Fork Community Building - 11:45-12:15 Mena Union Mission - 11:00-11:15 Cherry Hill Store - 11:45-12:15 Mena Kess’ Corner - 11:00-11:30 Old Rocky Church - 12:00-12:30 Louise Durham Pickup Line 11:30-1:00 Mena High School Pickup Line 11:30-1:00 You will simply need to give the guardian name the pre-order was made under. Thank you!

The Mena School District has created safe learning zones where students can access Wi-fi and technology support. One is in the parking lot at Bearcat Stadium, Another is in the Mena High School student parking lot & a third is in the front parking lot at Louise Durham Elementary.

Commissioner Johnny Key announced today that Arkansas will be seeking the waiver to cancel the Spring State ACT Aspire Testing as well as the K-2 Assessment for this year, Here is the official statement! Due to the extraordinary circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures, states have been provided flexibility regarding the assessment and accountability requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Given the widespread, extended school closures, and the interruption in school operations and on-site classroom education, Arkansas will cancel administration of state testing for the spring of 2020. This includes the Act Aspire and the K-2 assessments. Arkansas will participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s expedited waiver process and will be seeking broad flexibility from both assessment and accountability provisions.

MENA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARD ROOM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Susan Rowell, Clint Montgomery, Edd Puckett, Kyle Cannon and Todd Aynes. Members absent: Phillip Wilson and Robert Hines Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. In the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Weston presented a Mitigation Report to the Board per guidance and direction of the Governor, DESE, and CDC. Mr. Weston presented the Arkansas School Boards Association Model Policy Service Contract renewal effective the first day of February, 2020 and terminating on the last day of January, 2022, in the amount of $2,850.00. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the ASBA renewal in the amount of $2,850.00. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read: School Choice Capacity Resolution for school choice applicants for the 2020-2021 school-year under the provisions of policy 4.5 - School Choice and applicable Arkansas Law. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the School Choice Capacity Resolution. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion passed unanimously. Mr. Weston asked Ray Beardsley of First Security Beardsley, a Division of Crews & Associates, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to inform the board of refunding bond bids. Mr. Beardsley presented information to the Board regarding the 3 quarters bond interest. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $14,830,000 in Refunding Boards to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the publics sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $5,650,000 in Refunding Bonds to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the public sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Edd Puckett seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. The previous two items would only occur as the market improves and an agreement is reached between the Superintendent and the fiscal agent. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To employ First Security Beardsley as Financial Advisor for a period of three (3) years effecitve as of the date of adoption. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Edd Puckett made a motion to approve financial reports. Kyle Cannon seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Mr. Weston recommended the resignation of Geraldine Krudwig - Secondary English, Mena High School. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve Mr. Weston’s retirement recommendation. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. With no further business, Edd Puckett moved for adjournment, Kyle Cannon seconded and meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m..

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that all schools in Arkansas will be closed until April 17 and further action will be evaluated at the time. Continued education will continue through alternative methods. Keep checking the Mena Public School social media & website for more information as it becomes available.

Hey Bearcats (of all ages) Coach Arnold has put together a great "In Home" workout for you on this extended break!

Mena Public Schools served a total of 233 students Grab & Go lunches today!

After classes conclude & school dismisses today, Monday March 16th, all Mena Public School facilities will be closed to the public. This includes all buildings as well as Bearcat Stadium, Union Bank Park, playgrounds, etc. Deep cleaning will be taking place over the next few days & all will remain closed till at least March 30th, 2020. All buildings will be off limits. If a Student or district patron has a need, March 17th-20th, they should call ahead. For MHS & MMS call 479-394-1144. For HHE & LDE call 479-394-2943. You may also contact the central office at 479-394-1710... Spring Break will be March 23rd-27th !

Announcements for Monday, March 16th Spring Break is next week, March 23 – 27. Report cards for the 3rd grading quarter are on hold for the moment and may be available after Spring Break. EAST students will go to the Middle School EAST room today instead of the High School. Students, if you normally get a food bag on Fridays from Mrs. Rose, you can get one today at the end of the day. Lunchtime Weather: We will be inside for lunch today. There will be only one lunch period. All students and staff will follow the 6th grade bell schedule and go to Lunch “A.” Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Hamburgers Line 2 – Pizza Concession – CLOSED Club / Group Meetings: ** Unless further guidance is received from the Governor’s Office, school will resume on Monday, March 30th. Over the next two weeks, please look for updates on the Middle School Facebook Page and other social media outlets.

Mena Public Schools will be offering “Grab & Go” lunches for our students for the remainder of this week Tuesday, March 17th - Friday, March 20th. The Louise Durham Elementary Car Rider Line will be open from 10:00-11:30. The Mena High School student parking lot porch area drive up will be open from 11:45-1:15. Parents may choose either location and receive meals for all of your students in one stop. All of our students are able to eat at no charge for this week. Due to the Child Nutrition Unit guidelines, this is only for students and not adult meals. We appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to continue to meet the needs of our learners.

Important information from MMS Principal Clifton Sherrer!

The Governor just updated In reference to Arkansas School Closings. It will be optional to attend school tomorrow on Monday, March 16th. Students may need to pick up learning packets or check out a chrome book for online learning at home. Mena Public Schools will be continuing with online learning Tuesday, March 17th through Friday, March 20th. The following week is spring break. We will keep you posted with continual communication. We appreciate your support in our efforts to keep the safety of our students first.

AAA Suspends Spring Interscholastic Competition

The sixth grade GT Quiz Bowl participated in the Murfreesboro Invitational Quiz Bowl on Thursday, March 12.  There were 10 teams. Our team was seeded first  after lunch and ended up taking first place at the end of the day, as well. We are so proud of them! Pictured are Denton Warner, Valley Reppo, Tripp Hensley, Jackson Thompson, Brandon Dong, Dax McMellon, Chloe Hooper, Kate Wilson, Eli Swall, Elliott Dugan, and Lynnlee Cook.

The Governor’s Office is in charge of making the decision to close schools. The Mena School District has been told we are presently still at a low risk and will remain open. Any further closings will come through the Governor’s Office. We are following all precautionary steps. Thank you.

Under the continued guidance of the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Arkansas Department of Health, Mena Public Schools is taking all measures to carefully monitor potential risks. We encourage frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick.

Announcements for Tuesday, March 10th Anyone on the Jr High Track Team will be meeting with Coach Dover and Coach Peters in the gym right after these announcements. Reminders: The EAST Presentation Team will meet today and Thursday in the EAST room after the announcements. 6th grade ETS students will be meeting tomorrow during ACHIEVE and 7th grade ETS will be meeting next Monday. Magic Springs money and permission slips are due Friday. Friday is the end of the 3rd grading quarter. Spring pictures will take place one week from Thursday, March 19th. There are extra picture forms in the front office. These pictures are voluntary. Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Salisbury Steak, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos Line 2 – Meat Lovers Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Cobb Salad Concession – Cheeseburger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders Club / Group Meetings: At this time, the EAST Presentation Team needs to go to the MMS EAST room, and Jr High Track Team members need to go to the gym.

March is Music In Our Schools Month!

Act Aspire & Star Testing will be taking place at Mena Public Schools in April. Star Testing April 13th - 24th @ LDE ACT Aspire Testing April 6th - 9th @ HHE April 13th - 16th @ MMS April 23rd - 24th @ MHS