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 .
MRS. CARRI CRANFORD will be a new face in the first grade hall at LD this year. We can't wait to see her in action.
Hello! My name is Carri Cranford and I will be teaching 1st grade at LDE this year! I graduated from UALR in 2007 with a degree in Early Childhood Education then obtained my Masters in Educational Leadership from ASU in 2016. I am from North Little Rock, AR and taught there for 12 years then moved into a Multi-Classroom Leader position for the past two years. I just got married this summer and have a 16 year old daughter. We reside in Sims, AR. We love traveling, camping, and spending time with friends and family. I love teaching am so excited to be at LDE!!
Welcome BETHANY MEADERS to LDE !!! My name is Bethany Meaders. I have 22 years of teaching experience and am excited to be teaching resource classes at Louise Durham Elementary. I am married and two awesome daughters. We have relocated to the area from Texas and are loving this beautiful state of Arkansas. We enjoy traveling, hiking, biking and kayaking. I’m looking forward to a great school year!
SHELBY GARCIA will be joining the staff at Louise Durham in 2021/2022. Please help us welcome Shelby to the Kindergarten crew!
Hello, I’m Shelby Garcia
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from SAU in 2016. Over the past several years, my husband and I, along with our amazing family, have made Mena our home. I had the privilege to work for DMESC for three years teaching Preschool in Mena. My philosophy of teaching is centered on each child that I hope to equip to face today's changing world. I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve our children and community alongside my fellow educators at Louise Durham Elementary.
The Mena Public Schools are pleased to welcome a number of new teachers in 2021/2022. One of those is JAQUELINE REDFEARN at the Louise Durham campus!!!
My name is Jaqueline Redfearn. I graduated from Southern Arkansas University with my bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I am married and have one daughter. I love to spend time with my family and friends, travel, and do anything outdoors. I am so excited to teach second grade this year!
Mena Public Schools is excited to welcome HANNAH CRAFTON to our staff at Louise Durham Elementary.
My name is Hannah Crafton. I graduated from Williams Baptist University pursuing an Elementary Education degree while playing softball. I love the outdoors, lake time with my family, and playing with my miniature schnauzer, Harper.
Join us in welcoming COURTNEY WARREN to Louise Durham Elementary. Mrs. Warren will be teaching 2nd grade.
My name is Courtney Warren. I am from Russellville AR, where I attended Arkansas Tech University and obtained a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. I moved to Mena with my husband, had a son, and after subbing for a year, I decided to pursue a career in teaching. My faith is very important to me, and I truly believe God called me to this profession so that I could make a difference in the children of our community. I love spending quality time with my family, hiking, yoga, and traveling. I cannot wait for the upcoming school year, and I am so excited to begin teaching second grade!
