Want to know more about "Summer of the Monkeys" and the "One District, One Book" community reading event? Just follow the link.
https://www.menaschools.org/page/one-school-one-book?fbclid=IwAR2sjC5pTH78UFkV4h8GaG0GYGrM6zXxSHDg3yOjJRwR5dmQIJ-TUupusaM
Special education teachers and para professionals continue preparation for 2022/2023. Mena hosted Dalene Magsam and Debbie Ware with Easter seals who presented the SpED update on Thursday in the Mena High School library.
https://eastersealsopts.org/
A new app is up and running for Mena Public Schools & it includes a link to the FM101 stream. Get ready for the new school year by downloading the new app asap !!!!
Louise Durham Elementary Counselor Avanlea Chaney with author/speaker Dr. Ruby Payne! Dr. Payne spoke at the Emotional Poverty Professional Development held in DeQueen on Wednesday..
https://www.facebook.com/rubypayne
Parents can quickly and easily make payments and monitor what their students are purchasing with MyPaymentsPlus. Whether you utilize the online platform or the mobile app, MyPaymentsPlus is your one-stop shop for school-related payments.
Mena administrators are attending the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Annual Summer Conference this week. The theme for the event is is Love Public Education - Changing the Narrative. GO BEARCATS!
1st grade teachers as well as Pete Rose, and Curtis Black visited the Polk County Senior Citizen Center recently. We had a great time with live music, delicious food, and creating new friendships! Thanks again to everyone at the Center for allowing us to visit and for being so welcoming.
Mena teachers continue to work in preparation for 2022-2023.
On Tuesday educators underwent MathQuEST training the MHS Library.
Math QuEST (Quantitative Essentials for Students and Teachers)
is a journey for ambitious teaching that promotes equity and engagement of all students in meaningful mathematics learning experiences of reasoning and problem solving. AR Math QuEST empowers educators and families to help students develop positive identities as doers
of mathematics to increase student achievement.
Please welcome Sandra Spence to Louise Durham Elementary!
I graduated from University of Oregon with a BA in English. I put my degree to good use drafting manufacturing contracts in California’s Silicon Valley. While working, I added an Associates in Paralegal Studies. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, writing, quilting and many forms of art. Passing on my love of the written word is a challenge and a blessing, and if there’s one thing I could teach your student, it’s this: The only limit to what you can achieve is the limit you set for yourself.
Mena School administrators are teaming up with our local Walmart for the annual “Tip the Tank,” a fundraising activity for the Arkansas Children’s Miracle Network. Pictured are Louise Durham Principal Curtis Black and Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith.
Please welcome STACY SALISBURY to the staff at Mena Public Schools !
Hello Bearcat Nation-
I am so happy to be a part of Mena Schools as your dyslexia specialist and coordinator of the dyslexia program at Mena Schools. I am a CALT or Certified Academic Language Therapist. I received my CALT training from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas at the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders in 2007. I have been a dyslexia therapist for several school districts in Texarkana,Texas serving grades K-12. I started my teaching career in 1982 (graduating from Texas A&M- Texarkana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education) and have been a classroom teacher for grades 1st-6th until becoming a dyslexia therapist. I retired from teaching in Texas in 2017. After only being retired a few months, I returned part-time as a dyslexia therapist for Texas High School in Texarkana. I truly enjoy helping students overcome their dyslexic challenges and achieving their highest academic success.
My husband of 42 years, Dennis Salisbury, and I found your beautiful community about 4 years ago and bought property on Highway 8 West. We have been busy building our home here and finally Dennis has decided to retire! He has been a quality home builder in the Texarkana area building beautiful homes for over 30 years. I look forward to continuing my passion of helping dyslexic students and bringing my experience and knowledge of dyslexia to Mena Schools. I feel extremely blessed to be a part of Bearcat Nation!
Mena School Staff are wrapping up three days of professional development at the Arkansas School Counseling Association Conference in Hot Springs.
The history of Mena Public School Part 5:
Friday, June 10, 1949 will always be remembered as a very special day for Central School. This was Louise Durham Day for all the pupils. Teachers and community came together to honor Miss Louise Durham who was retiring from the Mena Schools after fifty-seven years in education. All students in grades seven through twelve were housed in the high school building. The enrollment in these grades had increased in number until the high school building was not large enough to care for the students without overcrowding. Mena Junior High School was organized in 1951. A new gymnasium was approved by district patrons and construction on the project was completed in 1958. In 1960-61 a much needed school auditorium was added to the high school building. In 1968 students first occupied a new cafeteria. The 1968-19 term was a time of change at Stillwell. The first four grades were all moved to Louise Durham School. Only fifth and sixth grade children attended Stillwell. In 1973, the district asked for a five-dollar-per-thousand tax increase to build a new high school. Following the completion of the high school project, the Mena District underwent a reorganization as a middle school was created and kindergarten was added to Louise Durham Elementary. This reorganization began in 1976. The middle school housed 6-8, and the high school housed 9-12. The Stillwell school remained until 1983. In the fall of that year, grades three, four, and five were moved to a new elementary facility that was named after Miss Holly Harshman who had served the Mena District 45 years as a teacher and elementary principal. In 1986 a total of 10 new classrooms plus a band room and athletic facility was built by the district to help meet new state standards. Two years later a new 2200 seat stadium was constructed to replace Boyd Stadium which was plagued by inadequate seating, restrooms, and lighting. The Mena District went from 1973 to 1991 without asking its patrons for a millage increase. However, In September of 1991 district patrons were asked to vote a two mill increase in order to bring the district into compliance with Arkansas Law. The two mills were approved by the people.
As of May. 2022, the Mena District has a present enrollment of 1696.. Louise Durham PreK-2 has 460, Holly Harshman has 368, Mena Middle School has 391, Mena High School has 463, Polk County Virtual Academy 14.
Please welcome REBECCA SPRAGUE to our team at Mena Public Schools !!!
My name is Rebecca Sprague and I’m excited to be joining the Louise Durham Elementary teaching team
as a special education teacher. I’ve taught in the general education kindergarten classroom, K-6 special
education, and early intervention settings for the past 14 years. My family of five enjoys spending time
outside camping, fishing, hunting, and baseball. I love to read, crochet, and spend time with my family. I
grew up on a farm outside of Mena and I look forward to giving back to a school district that provided
my K-12 foundation in education. I can’t wait to meet everyone and be a part of this thriving community
of educators, learners, families, and supporters.
Mena Counselors Delivered over 300 pounds of can tabs to the Arkansas School Counselors Summer Conference today. Tabs were donated this past school year to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to all who helped by donating!
The Mena Public Schools are happy to welcome JAMIE COPELIN to our staff at Louise Durham Elementary!
Hello everyone, my name is Jamie Copelin and I am so excited to be joining Mena Public Schools. My husband and I are long time Mena residents and Bearcat fans! We have a son in college, twins in 4th grade, and a mini poodle fur baby that is very spoiled and likes to travel with us. I keep myself busy with a love of crafts, camping with the family, and whatever new adventure is on our calendar. I am very blessed to be living in a community where my children can grow and learn good values and character. I have spent many years working with children either in school or church and look forward to continuing that passion at Louise Durham Elementary.
The Mena Public Schools are pleased to welcome AVANLEA CHANEY to our staff for 2022/2023 !
Hi my name is Avanlea Chaney. I will be joining Louise Durham Elementary this upcoming school year as the new School Counselor. I grew up in Mena, AR and recently moved back after being in Conway, AR for five years. My husband, David and I bought our first home and are excited to be back! I graduated in 2019 from the University of Central Arkansas with my bachelor’s degree in family consumer science while also receiving an art minor. I continued my education at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville for my master’s degree in human environmental science, but recently transferred back to UCA to pursue my degree in school counseling. I have worked closely with children and families in my career through the Department of Children and Family Services, Families Inc. School Based Counseling Services, Youth Home, and the U of A Cooperative Extension Services in 4-H Youth and Development. I am passionate about helping children and families thrive by guiding the way towards a brighter future and am excited to see how I can make a difference in this new position.
The Mena Little Cats Basketball Camp came to a close on Friday at the Union Bank Center. There were smiles all around as awards were given for their hard work this week. GO BEARCATS!!!
The Mena Public Schools are excited to welcome MEGAN AUER to our staff!
Hi! My name is Megan Auer. I will be teaching 2nd grade at Louise Durham this coming school year! I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elemenatry Education from Northeastern State University and my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from William Woods University. I have taught for 14 years, teaching kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Chad and I have been married for 18 years. We have two sons and one daughter. In my free time I enjoying gardening, camping and family movie/game nights. I am thrilled to be apart of Mena Public Schools family!
Wednesday was the first day of the Little Cats Basketball Camp at the Union Bank Center. Coach Randy Peters & the Bearcats put camper thru their paces. Those left handed layups were a challenge.. GO BEARCATS!!!
