Week 2: First Full Week with Full Hearts

Happy Friday!

I want to start this week's Wrap-up by thanking each of you for your hard work and dedication throughout the week. Your efforts make a difference as we kick off the school year. In this Wrap-up, I will share some reflections on the back-to-school process, discuss the growing cell phone-free school movement across the nation, and highlight some opportunities for additional pay. I will also emphasize the importance of engaging students in conversations about what they are reading and providing updates on our sick leave bank.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey and share your thoughts on finding a more engaging term for "collective efficacy." Your input was invaluable. After considering the suggestions, I believe "Shared Success" captures the essence of collective efficacy in a more approachable and motivating way. This new term reflects our unified goals and the confidence we have in each other's contributions to our collective success. ​We will be revisiting our shared success throughout this school year once we establish our performance targets.

Back-to-School Impressions

I am pleased to report that our new cell phone policy has been well received overall, with very few instances of phones being confiscated. This indicates strong compliance and support from both students and staff. In light of this success, I found a timely article offering valuable insights and data supporting our decision. The article highlights the growing movement towards phone-free schools and provides a comprehensive toolkit for successful implementation. You can learn more about this initiative here.

As we reflect on the successful reception of our new cell phone policy, it is important to also pay close attention to how we started off the school year. A smooth beginning sets the tone for the months ahead. During our leadership meeting this morning, I was pleased to hear that all buildings and departments reported a rather smooth back-to-school period. Some issues were brought up, including technology concerns related to upcoming testing, bus overcrowding and departure times, a bus driver shortage, vermin issues at Holly Harshman, and the car rider line at Louise Durham. However, a plan has been made to resolve all of these issues, which will take a few days to implement fully. In years past, I have sought input on how we can improve the back-to-school process, so I invite all staff members to participate in this Thought Exchange to share your feedback and help us plan better for next year. Your insights are invaluable. This exchange will close next Tuesday at 6 pm.

Micro-credentials

I would like to remind our veteran employees and inform our new ones that there are opportunities to earn additional pay through the district's micro-credentialing program. Micro-credentials are a way to demonstrate and verify specific skills or competencies that go beyond your current role. They benefit our school by promoting continuous professional development, enhancing instructional practices, and contributing to a culture of learning and growth. You can find a list of the micro-credentials we currently recognize, along with information on how to obtain them, by following this link.

Sick Leave Bank

In addition to the opportunities for earning additional pay through micro-credentialing, I would also like to remind everyone about the benefits of our sick leave bank. The sick leave bank is a valuable resource that allows employees to access additional sick leave days in the event of a serious illness or injury, once their own sick leave has been exhausted. This can be a significant support during unexpected health challenges. However, to utilize the sick leave bank, there are specific rules that must be followed. One key requirement is that employees must donate a portion of their own sick leave to the bank to be eligible to use it. This collective approach ensures that we can all support one another in times of need. Please take a moment to review the guidelines and consider contributing to the sick leave bank if you have not already done so.

Mena Reads

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the 5th-grade teachers at Holly Harshman for inviting me to participate in a book talk about one of my favorite books, Hank the Cowdog and the Case of the One-Eyed Killer Studhorse. I had an absolute blast sharing my love for this story with the students, and it was a truly enjoyable experience. Thank you to the teachers for organizing this event and for your ongoing efforts to promote our Mena Reads program.

Discussing books with students is not just an enjoyable activity; it has significant cognitive benefits. Engaging students in conversations about what they read helps to deepen their comprehension, enhance their critical thinking skills, and foster a lifelong love of learning. By creating a classroom culture where reading is celebrated and discussed regularly, we can ignite a passion for books in our students that will benefit them academically and personally for years to come.

I encourage all of you to make reading a cornerstone of your classroom culture. Let us engage our students in meaningful discussions about the books they read, explore the themes and characters together, and allow them to share their insights and questions. By doing so, we are not only promoting literacy but also nurturing curious, thoughtful, and well-rounded individuals. Let us make reading a shared journey that our students look forward to every day.

Closing

I would like to close this Wrap-up by celebrating some of the great things happening in our school community. Our football team had an outstanding first outing in their scrimmage against Mansfield. The players showed tremendous effort and teamwork on the field, setting a strong foundation for the season ahead. We are all excited to see what they will accomplish this year. There was a really impressive group of junior, high school, and peewee cheerleaders who came out, as well. They could be heard cheering all over the stadium.

Our volleyball team also had their first home game of the season, and while the results may not have been exactly what we hoped for, the fan turnout and atmosphere were incredible. The support from the community was evident, and I know our players appreciated the energy and encouragement. Let us continue to rally behind them as they progress through their season.

We also had our first tennis matches since the removal of the tennis courts at McMillan Park. Our players faced off against DeQueen and managed to win some sets, showcasing their resilience and skill. It is inspiring to see our tennis program continue to thrive despite being dormant for so long, and I look forward to seeing how they perform throughout the season.

As we look ahead, our cross-country team will soon begin competing in meets, and we wish them the best of luck. Their hard work and dedication are commendable, and I know they will represent our school with pride.

Our golf teams are doing great. The girls team won their first match of the season and the boys golf team won their 4th match of the year at the Ozark Golf Club on Monday. Congratulations to all of those Bearcats!

Lastly, the upcoming county fair will be an exciting time for many of our students who will be exhibiting livestock. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their hard work and dedication to their projects, and I encourage everyone to support them during the fair. We always need people to man our booth at the fair so, please, sign up here! It is a great way to professionally engage with our patrons outside of our school walls.

Thank you all for your continued commitment to our students and our school community. Together, we are making this year one to remember.

It was a good week for us at Mena Public Schools!

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

Have a nice weekend!