Friday, October 23, 2020
Dear Parents & Students
The Mena School Board recently approved a change to our Ready for Learning Plan that I want to inform you of. It is the implementation of a 4:1 school week with a Flex Friday option beginning on Friday, October 30th.
What does this mean?
School will operate just as it is now for four days per week. On Flex Friday, school will be open, lunch will be served, and assignments will be given but the day will be optional for all students to attend in person or not.
On Flex Friday, students who choose to flex will log into their classroom assignments given by their teachers and do their learning at home. Students who choose to attend school will also have virtual assignments for that day and will have an adjusted schedule to accommodate their online assignments and to give their teachers time to help blended students and plan for the upcoming week.
Students who choose to learn from home on the Flex-day will not be counted absent. Instruction will be 100% virtual. These are catch-up days for teachers and students: there will be no new content taught or major assessments given.
When will this start? Friday, October 30th
How long will this go on? Indefinitely, we will continue to monitor the needs and concerns of our students, teachers and parents and adjustments could continue to be made throughout the school year.
What if I don’t have internet access?
Many of the assignments for Flex Friday may be assigned earlier in the week and students will have an opportunity to work on them using the school internet. We also offer tutoring Monday through Thursday after school till 4:30 (and Monday evenings 5:30-6:30) at school. The Flex Friday is an option to stay home but school will be open to those students that need to attend.
Your student will be receiving an email with a questionnaire about Flex Friday. Answering this will give us some valuable information on how to plan for which students may be here.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 479-394-2572.
Thanks for your understanding during these unprecedented times.
Clifton Sherrer, Principal
Mena Middle School