Mena Middle School

Mena Middle School is still taking donations for the MMS Christmas Shop. New or very gently used items that students can pick out as gifts for parents. We are always short on male gifts. Students will begin shopping next week. We love teaching our students that giving is important and as joyful as receiving. Many of our students will only have this opportunity to shop. Your donations are appreciated.

Announcements for Tuesday, December 3rd This Week’s Events: Tonight – There will be three basketball games at the UBC tonight vs Waldron. Jr High Bearcats will tip off at 5:00, followed by the Sr High Lady Cats and Sr High Bearcats. Wednesday: Round 2 of the Union Bank Jr High Basketball tournament. Thursday: The MMS & MHS Choirs Christmas Concert, 7:00 pm at the PAC. Also, the finals of the Union Bank Tournament will be taking place at the UBC. Today there are several MMS students in ISS due to excessive tardies. There are several of you that, despite warnings, are only one or two tardies away from going to ISS. Get to class on time. Yesterday, I had to pick up some trash after both lunches. Remember that if this problem continues, you will be banned from using devices during lunch. Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Chili, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos Line 2 – Meat Lover’s Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Cobb Salad Concession – Bacon Cheeseburger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders

Mena Middle School December Menu!

Recent freezing temperatures have exposed a need for coats in our student population & Mena Public Schools would like to thank Christine & Rodney Bird with Handcrafted Garden Bridges for their generous donation. The coats will be distributed to children in need. Pictured are Rodney, Christine & Mena Superintendent Benny Weston. https://www.redwoodbridges.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Handcrafted-garden-bridges-486508584834143/

Christmas Concert Thursday!

Announcements for Friday, November 22nd We will be out of school next week for Thanksgiving break. School will resume on Monday, December 2nd. After the break there will be only 3 weeks of school remaining until the end of the semester. From Mrs. Rose: If you receive a food bag on Fridays and want to continue getting one, or if you are interested in getting one, you must email Mrs. Rose today. There will be an FBLA meeting in Mrs. Sikes’ room right after these announcements. Lunchtime Weather: If it is not raining during your lunch, we will go outside. Remain on the hard surfaces only. The ball box will not be opened. Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Crispitos, MTO Baked Potato Line 2 – Sausage & Jalapeno Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Pizza Salad Concession – Hamburger, Chicken Sandwich, Corn Dog Club / Group Meetings: On behalf of the faculty and Staff at Mena Middle School, we hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.

Announcements for Wednesday, November 20th Reminders: 6th grade ETS will meet in the Cafeteria after these announcements. If you are not sure whether or not you are an ETS student, each of your teachers received the list by email and there is a list posted in the Cafeteria on the Library windo. 7th grade GT students will meet in the Conference Room after these announcements. Also, those GT students that are going to be scorekeepers tomorrow, need to remember that you are leaving school at 8:00 and you need to bring your lunch. Today shortly after 1:00, I will begin dismissing students to the PAC for the Senior Play. You will pay your $2 to your 5th period teacher. Because of the holiday meal being served in our cafeteria today, there will likely be quite a few visitors and seating will be limited, especially during Lunch “B.” For that reason, students, if you are not eating, you need to go straight outside and if you are eating, you need to go outside just as soon as you are finished, in order to make sure everyone has a seat. We would also encourage you to take your food outside, if you would like. Update on picture retakes_______________ Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: The Thanksgiving meal will be served in Line 1 only. All other items will be served in Line 2. There will be no Concession Stand Line today. Line 1 – Thanksgiving Meal Line 2 – Pizza, Hamburger, Turkey Chef Salad Concession – Closed Today Club / Group Meetings: At this time, 6th grade ETS students need to go to the Cafeteria and 7th grade GT students need to go to the Conference Room.

NOVEMBER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING! The Mena School Board met for the regular November meeting on Tuesday evening. The board began by approving the minutes from the September & October meeting. They quickly moved to passing a disclosure statement for board member Kyle Cannon who is also an employee of the Union Bank of Mena. A proposal was made to change the district employees vision plan. Mena Insurance currently holds the contract through Superior Vision. The new plan offered by Mena Insurance would be through Blue Cross & Blue Shield at a lower cost to employees & an increase in benefits. The change was passed by the board & will go into effect February 1, 2020. Next was the approval of the financial reports for September & October. Resignations were accepted by the board including Carol Sproles, Michaela VanPelt, David Goodner, & Howard Elliot. The board approved an addendum to the contract of Cheryl Goodner, additional hours to Keri Duer, and a transfer of duties for Alicia Moody. Superintendent Benny Weston presented a plan to restructure current Mena School District custodial employees & outsource the needed evening janitorial shifts. The board approved accepting a bid from SG360 for only the evening janotorial shifts at Louise Durham Elementary & Holly Harshman Elementary.

Mena-15 Cossatot-19 The Mena 7th Grade Bearcats came up short Tuesday night at the UBC. Losing by 4 to Cossatot. The boys will be back in action at Arkadelphia on 12/9/19..

The Mena 6th grade Quiz Bowl team participated in the Ashdown Invitational Quiz Bowl on November 19. There were 11 teams . Our team's efforts paid off when they were seeded second after lunch and received a bye. They beat Dierks in the quarter finals, Spring Hill in the semi finals, and played Genoa in the finals. Genoa did win the final game, so Mena took second. Pictured are Lynnlee Cook, Valley Reppo, Tripp Hensley, Jackson Thompson, Dax McMellon, Eli Swall, Denton Warner, Elliott Dugan, Kate Wilson, and Brandon Dong. We are proud of all of our Quiz Bowl Participants.

Announcements for Tuesday, November 19th Reminders: 6th grade ETS will meet tomorrow. 7th grade GT students will meet tomorrow. Picture retakes are tomorrow morning. The Thanksgiving meal will be served in our cafeteria tomorrow. If you have any family members that plan to eat with you, please tell them that the cost for each visitor is $3.70. Visitors will pay at the front office and must either pay with exact change or write a check for the exact amount. Tomorrow towards the end of 5th period, we will go over to the PAC to watch the MHS Senior Play. The cost is $2. Starting today, you can pay your 5th period teacher. From Mrs. Rose: If you get a food bag on Friday's and want to continue to get a food bag please send Mrs. Rose and email today or tomorrow. Let her know you want to continue getting a bag and Include your bus route # in your email. From Nurse Sherry: Those students who need immunizations for school got letters three weeks ago to take home to parents. You must have these immunizations to remain in school. If you have gotten your shots in the last couple of weeks, run by the nurse's office and let her know. This is a state law and you must have your required shots so remind your parents or guardian to make your appointment if you want to remain in school. I will also add that if you do not get your shots, you are not allowed to participate in athletics until you get your immunizations. The lost and found box is overflowing with coats, books, lunch boxes. Everything in it will be bagged up later this week and taken to PCDC. The basketball Bearcats will be hosting Cossatot tonight at the UBC at MHS. 7th grade boys will tip off at 5:00, followed by the Jr. High JV boys, and ending with the Sr High Varsity boys. Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Chicken Parmesan, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos Line 2 – Meat Lovers’ Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Cobb Salad Concession – Rib Patty Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders

Thanksgiving break is next week!

Gameday Tuesday!

Announcements for Monday, November 18th Reminders: 8th grade ETS will meet today after these announcements. 6th grade ETS will meet on Wednesday. Picture retakes are Wednesday morning. We will attend the Senior Play Wednesday. The cost is $2. The Thanksgiving meal will be served in our cafeteria Wednesday. BADD members who are attending today’s movie will meet in the Library right after school today. The lost and found box is overflowing with coats, books, lunch boxes. Everything in it will be bagged up later this week and taken to PCDC. From Mrs. Moore: There will be no GT meeting today or Thursday. 6th grade GT students going to Ashdown tomorrow, be sure and be in the Cafeteria before 7:00 am, with your permission slip and lunch. Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Breaded Drumsticks, MTO Pasta Bar Line 2 – Sausage Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Ham Chef Salad Concession – Cheeseburger, Steak Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich Club / Group Meetings: At this time, 8th grade ETS students need to go to the Cafeteria. At this time, I need to see the following students in the office: Lynnlee Cook Aurora Muns River Pierce Trinaty Richmond Frank Smudrick Hunter Walters

Mena Public Schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday November 25th-29th. The Thanksgiving meal will be served this week! Wednesday, November 20th at LDE and MMS Thursday, November 21st at HHE and MHS

Announcements for Friday, November 15th Congratulations to the MMS 7th grade Quiz Bowl team – out of 11 schools that competed, they won 1st place. Reminders: 8th grade ETS will meet on Monday during ACHIEVE. Picture retakes are next Wednesday. We will attend the Senior Play next Wednesday. You can pay your $2 to your 1st period teacher beginning Monday. The Thanksgiving meal will be served in our cafeteria next Wednesday. Mid-term progress reports will be available in your ACHIEVE class today. Today is the deadline for BADD members to turn in their money and permission slips to Mrs. Rose for Monday’s Smoke Screen movie. The lost and found box is overflowing with coats, books, lunch boxes. Everything in it will be bagged up later next week and taken to PCDC. Right after these announcements, Mrs. Sikes needs to meet with all FBLA members. Lunchtime Weather: Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Chicken Spaghetti, MTO Baked Potato Line 2 – Sausage & Jalapeno Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Pizza Salad Concession – Hamburger, Mini Corn Dogs, Chicken Sandwich

The 7th grade quiz bowl team took 1st place at the Ashdown Invitational quiz bowl on  November 14. There were 11 teams. Mena won all of the games they participated in. Seated are Reagan Gates, Isabel Vacca, Greyson Kremers, Elijah Smith, and Dorian Knight. Standing are  Destiny Hogan, Karley Sharp, Abi Koppein, Scottie Gragg, and Izzy Henry.

Announcements for Thursday, November 14th Reminders: The FBLA March of Dimes Fundraiser is tomorrow…For a $1 donation you can wear a hat all day and you can purchase hot chocolate during lunch. BADD members see Mrs. Rose about Monday’s Smoke Screen Movie. 8th grade ETS will meet on Monday during ACHIEVE. Picture retakes are next Wednesday. We will attend the Senior Play next Wednesday. You can pay your $2 to your 1st period teacher beginning Monday. The Thanksgiving meal will be served in our cafeteria next Wednesday. If you did not pick up your mid-term grade report at last night’s conferences, they will be handed out tomorrow during ACHIEVE. Lunchtime Weather: Everyone will be going outside today during lunch. Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Fish Sticks with Mac & Cheese, MTO Tortilla Line 2 – Cheeseburger Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Popcorn Chicken Salad Concession – Rib Patty Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders Club / Group Meetings:

In honor of World Kindness Day and Mr Rogers MHS Counselor Tonya Thacker and MMS Counselor Leilani Rose rocked the red cardigans Wednesday!

The Mena High School Theatre Department will present their public performances of "The Yellow Boat" this Saturday & Sunday at the Performing Arts Center.... We will see you there!