Louise Durham Elementary School

NEW HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE FOR FOOD DELIVERY ON MONDAY, MARCH 13th, We strive to continue offering our weekly meal orders. Due to our intent on “Slowing the Spread” and keeping “Social Distancing”, we are adding increased measures of protection to our meal delivery process to protect our students, guardians, and employees. For onsite or offsite meal pickups each Monday, please help us by adhering to the following guidelines: 1. Please remain in your car with your windows rolled up. 2. Please have a piece of paper with the "Guardian's First and Last Name" written on it viewable on the front passenger side window. 3. We will only be loading in the trunk of your vehicle or the back of a pickup truck. We will no longer be able to load into the seats of a vehicle. If you are unable to open or offer a trunk space, please write “no trunk” on your paper. We will then have you pull up, and let you load your own sacks. 4. If possible, please wear a mask if you will need to be exiting your vehicle to self-load. These are increased measures to help us continue to serve you! We appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you.

We are so grateful for the positive response to our Weekly Student Meal Preorders, but we are not able to continue filling orders for families who have not picked up the meals the past two weeks. If you filled the original order form on March 24/25 and have not picked up the meals the past two weeks your name has been removed from the list, you can contact the Food Director if you would like to be added to next week’s meal preorder list for delivery or pickup on Monday, April 13th, please directly contact our Aramark Food Service Director by phone at (479)234-1161 Any further questions or comments about your weekly preorder, please call (479)234-1161. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to meet the needs of our students, parents, and community during this time.

NEW HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE FOR FOOD DELIVERY! We strive to continue offering our weekly meal orders. Due to our intent on “Slowing the Spread” and keeping “Social Distancing”, we are adding increased measures of protection to our meal delivery process to protect our students, guardians, and employees. For onsite or offsite meal pickups each Monday, please help us by adhering to the following guidelines: 1. Please remain in your car with your windows rolled up. 2. Please have a piece of paper with the "Guardian's First and Last Name" written on it viewable on the front passenger side window. 3. We will only be loading in the trunk of your vehicle or the back of a pickup truck. We will no longer be able to load into the seats of a vehicle. If you are unable to open or offer a trunk space, please write “no trunk” on your paper. We will then have you pull up, and let you load your own sacks. 4. If possible, please wear a mask if you will need to be exiting your vehicle to self-load. These are increased measures to help us continue to serve you! We appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you.

A thank you to MPS & Aramark employees from an anonymous patron. Thank you and all that help make it possible for the food boxes. We appreciate it so much. It has eased some stress during this time. The stress of having to purchase enough food to feed our constantly hungry growing children during a time where most are out of work. The stress of having to go to public places like the grocery store and try and shop cheaply, quickly, and stay healthy. My children who are missing going to school were very excited to see the items they are use to at school. They even pretended they were back at school with our plates that look similar to school trays. Grabbing their milks first and walking around the kitchen as it was the lunch line. Thank you so much again! We are lucky and grateful to have such a kind and helpful school and community. - A grateful family Week 2 meals will be delivered on Monday April 6th. See the schedule below..

If you would like to be added to next week’s meal preorder list for delivery or pickup on Monday, April 6th, please directly contact our Aramark Food Service Director by phone at (479)234-1161 by 3pm today (Wed. 4/1) Any further questions or comments about your weekly preorder, please call (479)234-1161. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to meet the needs of our students, parents, and community during this time.

Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now available and can be completed online at the link below. PCVA is an online, home based educational option for K-12 students. For more information, contact PCVA Director Bridget Buckley at bridget.buckley@menaschools.org or 479-216-0205. https://forms.gle/13iWJAdUPgCMYDKS7

LDE Kindergartener Maybree Davis working on her Eureka Math from home!

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.

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 !

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.

An important message from LDE Principal Jimma Holder!

Parent Teacher Conferences scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th @ Louise Durham Elementary & Thursday, March 19th @ Holly Harshman Elementary have been postponed until further notice.

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.

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.