Earlier this week the Mena Public Schools asked patrons to participate in a survey. There were only 40 responses on the poll and 12 of those indicated they would participate in a vaccine clinic at the school. We have talked to health officials in town and the number of young people being vaccinated at the Health Unit and pharmacy is increasing so we encourage all of you who said 'yes' to the clinic to have our students vaccinated at those places. There is not enough interest to organize a vaccine clinic at the school. Thank you!
Just a reminder that we will be looking for your pictures on the first day of school, August 16th. Be looking for a post where you can share as a comment that Monday.. We can't wait to see our students !!!
TIFFANY WILLIAMS & all the Louise Durham Elementary teachers are back on campus today preparing for the 21/22 school year. The first day of class at Mena Public Schools is Monday, August 16th.
Out of an abundance of caution, Mena School District will make the following adjustments to the upcoming Open House schedule:
On-site Open Houses for 1st through 8th grade students will be limited to students who are new to the district (did not attend school at Mena Public Schools last year) and students new to that building; Kindergarten for Louise Durham, 3rd grade for Holly Harshman, and 6th grade for Mena Middle School.
All other students will have a virtual open house available to them during the same scheduled time as their original Open House or they will receive communication from their homeroom teacher at that time.
On-site Open House for Kindergarten and students who are new to LDES will be:
Last Name A-M: Monday, August 9 from 1-6pm
Last Name N-Z: Tuesday, August 10 from 1-6pm
On-site Open House for 3rd grade and students who are new to HHES will be Tuesday, August 10th from 1-6pm.
On-site Open House for 6th grade and students who are new to MMS will be Tuesday, August 10, from 1-7pm.
Mena High School will still have on-site Open House for all students, 9th-12th grade. Times will be:
Tuesday, August 10 Juniors/Seniors 4 pm-7 pm
Wednesday, August 11 Sophomores/Freshman 4 pm-7 pm
For any questions regarding your student’s Open House, please contact their building.
Mena High School: (479) 394-1144
Mena Middle School: (479) 394-2572
Holly Harshman Elementary School: (479) 394-3151
Louise Durham Elementary School: (479) 394-2943
As always, Louise Durham Elementary will provide most school supplies for our students! Families will only need to supply a backpack. If you are able to bring hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing wipes, we would greatly appreciate the help.
We cant wait to see our HEROES!
2021 Sales Tax Holiday
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday August 7, 2021, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday August 8, 2021, the State of Arkansas will hold its sales tax holiday allowing shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain Electronic Devices, School Supplies, School Art Supplies, School Instructional Materials, and Clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.
All retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday.
https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/.../sales.../sales-tax-holiday/
If you live in the Mena School District be looking for our new newsletter to arrive in your mailbox in early August. GO BEARCATS!
Classified staff interested in the REACH program were invited to an informational meeting on Wednesday.
REACH is a para to teacher program that partners with REACH University to train paraprofessionals in the pathway to earning a Bachelor's degree. Cost is minimal and time invested includes course work as well as the time at work.
https://www.reach.edu/
https://www.facebook.com/ReachUniversity
Just a reminder That sub training will be on Monday at 9:00am !
Mr. John Ponder, immediate past director of the DeQueen Mena Educational Service Cooperative & former Mena High School superintendent, was recognized for 38 years of service to education at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Summer Conference today. He is pictured with his wife, Mrs. Robin Ponder who recently retired from her position at Mena MIddle School. Congratulations!
The Mena Public Schools are well represented at the 46th Annual Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Summer Conference in Little Rock. In the Photo:
Amy Montgomery - MHS Assistant Principal
David Maxwell - MHS Principal
Dr. Lee Smith - Superintendent
Bridget Buckley - Assistant Superintendent
Christy Harrison - SPED Supervisor
Teresa Warner - MMS Assistant Principal
Pete Rose - LDE Building Manager
The 2021 Open House is just around the corner!
PreK will be making appointments with parents individually & you should be receiving a call from the teacher to schedule a time.
Michelle Finn, an educational consultant with Marzanos Research, will spend the day with Mena School District faculty on Thursday, August 12th. She will focus on The New Art and Science of Teaching. Student engagement and the district instructional model will be highlights of the day. Finn is the a coauthor of A Handbook for Personalized, Competency-Based Education.
Michelle recently received notoriety as a cast member on the tv show "Alone" on the History Channel.
https://www.history.com/shows/alone/cast/michelle-finn
Mena Public Schools Transportation Supervisor James Davis would like to remind you that the bus driver in service will be Monday, July 26th. This will be for all bus drivers from 9am-noon & Mena drivers will continue from 1pm-3pm. All happening in the MHS Performing Arts Center.
As always, Louise Durham Elementary will provide most school supplies for our students! Families will only need to supply a backpack. If you are able to bring hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing wipes, we would greatly appreciate the help.
We cant wait to see our HEROES!
Check out the new sensory walk that has been added to the hall at Louise Durham Elementary this summer. The students are gonna love it!!!!
See a full video on our social media.
Some much needed shade has been added to the playground for students at Louise Durham Elementary to enjoy in 2021/2022. The first day of school will be Monday, August 16th.
Mena Sr. High Head Coach Randy Peters, Jr. High Head Coach Isaac Minton & Bearcat players are putting future Bearcats thru their paces today during day one of the Little Cats Basketball Camp at the Union Bank Center! GO BEARCATS!
The Mena Public Schools are excited to welcome a number of new teachers in 2021-2022. One of those is ABI TILLEY at Louise Durham Elementary.
Hi I am Abi Tilley. I just graduated from Henderson State University in May with a degree in Elementary Education. I am so excited to begin my teaching adventure in Kindergarten this year! Me and my husband, Caleb, have been married for two years and we are highly anticipating our 1st child’s arrival in September! My hobbies include playing music with my husband, spending time with family and friends, and anything crafty. I am extremely honored to be able to teach in Mena. I’m looking forward to what this year has in store!
Many opportunities have been missed in recent years at Mena Public Schools simply because parents have declined to fill out a free and reduced meal application. Filling out the application not only helps those in need but helps ALL students in the district. It’s easy to do & can be done on the Mena Public School website at
https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/welcome
Additional information is also available on the website at
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/813911/FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUESTIONS_ABOUT_FREE_AND_REDUCED_PRICE_SCHOOL_MEALS.pdf
If you require still more information feel free to stop by the administration building during office hours at 501 Hickory in Mena. You may also call 479-394-1710 or Email sherry.newman@menaschools.org .
