Week 10: Mena, The Arkansas "Capital for a Day"

Happy Friday!

Thank you for all you have done this week to balance the celebratory events with our regular work to educate students. As far as I know, there has never been a week like this at Mena Public Schools when we have an international film crew doing a documentary and our Governor establishes her administration here to tour and operate. It has been quite a memorable week.

Our performance targets are up-to-date and what is most notable is a 10.5 percent increase in discipline referrals in the last two weeks. That is really not a surprise considering what we have had going on here this week. Nevertheless, our district leadership PLC team will be looking into the possible reasons for this increase and work to return to the positive trends of previous weeks.

Governor Sanders

Governor Sanders and Secretary Oliva were our guests today and will be again at tonight’s homecoming football game. Early this afternoon the two of them spent some time at Louise Durham Elementary where they were hosted by several of our students and staff along with some student leaders from the other campuses. I want to thank Mrs. Sellers, Mrs. Buckley, and Mrs. Smart for putting together a Mena Bearcat-themed gift basket for the Governor and everyone who made the tour so enjoyable for her, the secretary, and their staff. They visited Tiffany William’s library, Jessica Dickison’s music class, and Tracy Floyd’s First Grade and were able to see the new security fence built using safety grant money.

This is a day our students will remember throughout their lives and it is important for us to capitalize on this experience by teaching them about not only public service but about the pride of our community and the way we work together. Mayor Smith and Representative Maddox along with Sheriff Sawyer and Chief Stueart have worked with the Governor’s staff to put together a great day for our community.

Budget Information

As we approach the holidays the question about a Christmas Bonus always comes up. When I presented this year’s budget to the board in September, I did not include a bonus. When Mrs. DePriest and I calculated what a bonus of $1000 or $750 would cost, we projected a deficit at the end of the year. We will look at this again at the end of the year.

Closing

Tonight, the 2023 Mena High School Homecoming Queen will be crowned and the Governor of Arkansas will join our pregame traditions. Please come out and be a part of a special evening as our Bearcats take on the Fouke Panthers.

Our Homecoming pep rally was really awesome today! It is great to have all the students come together like that, especially the elementary students. I am sure that several of them set a personal dream to become one of the student leaders they saw out on the court today - band, cheer, athletics, or court. We should have district pep rallies more often.

We also say farewell to our British students and film crew this weekend. It has been a very special experience for our school system and town to have had this taking place. Thanks go to the Love Production crew of Oli, Emily, Jason, George, Jenn, John, Ryan, Nelson, Lilly, Sophie, Clare, Jess, Dave, Hannah, Glen, Alex P., Olly, Alex M., Jodie, Felix, Michael, Sahiba, Colleen, Adam, Kallum, and Jean for capturing a special period of time here at Mena Public Schools. We also send our thanks to the families in London for entrusting us with Dae-Jaun, Jude, Lily, Magda, Naomi, Poppy, and Richae while this film was being recorded. We look forward to seeing the final production!

Volleyball senior night was last night followed by the last home game against Arkadelphia, which the Ladycats won in three sets. We wish them luck in the state tournament on Tuesday.

Our FFA livestock exhibitors have had a great week at the Arkansas State Fair. Congratulations to Kylie Hughes for winning Reserve Grand Champion with her market lamb! We also congratulate Claire Walston for having the Grand Champion Hampshire Market Hog and Jaylie Huff for her Grand Champion Junior and Open Charolais Composite Bull! Kylie’s work earned her a spot in the Arkansas State Fair Junior Livestock Auction. If you have not experienced that, take a look.

Here is a meaningful writing assignment for your students. It is the Holiday Cards for Our Military Challenge. Click here to see what to do.

Remember that Monday the 23rd is our fall break so we will all come together again on Tuesday to make a strong surge of learning leading up to Thanksgiving Break.

At Mena Public Schools our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Have a nice LONG weekend!!