Week 22: The 100th Day of School

Happy Friday!

I want to express my deepest appreciation for all of your hard work and dedication this week. COGNOS, the state data reporting system, has been down since last Friday and there are still academic assessments to finish, so there are no updates but your efforts to reach our performance targets have not gone unnoticed. We are still collecting walkthrough observation data of our own and from the Bailey Group and continue to be encouraged by the level of effort being put forth in our classrooms. Your resilience and commitment to excellence ensure that our students continue to receive the best education possible, even in the face of technical difficulties. The state is working diligently to resolve these issues and when COGNOS is working again and all assessments are wrapped up, we will provide updates on our performance targets.

In this week’s Wrap-up, I will provide some news and also talk more about how we are using the data collected from the sets I just mentioned.

Data Use

We use data gathered from classroom visits as a pivotal tool in guiding district decision-making and enhancing instruction for improved student outcomes. By systematically observing classroom environments, teaching practices, and student engagement, administrators collect qualitative and quantitative insights that offer a comprehensive understanding of the current educational landscape in our schools. This data enables us to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and best practices within and across schools. We will use these insights to tailor professional development programs, allocate resources more effectively, and implement targeted interventions where needed. Furthermore, this data-driven approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, encourages collaborative problem-solving among teachers, and directly aligns instructional strategies with student needs, thereby fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and personal growth. Through such strategic use of classroom visit data, school leaders are better equipped to make informed decisions that ultimately enhance teaching quality and student learning experiences. So, thank you for letting them see what is taking place in your classrooms!

100th Day of School

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in our academic calendar—the 100th day of school. This day is more than just a number; it symbolizes the journey of learning, growth, and resilience our students and staff are in together. Across the elementary grades, celebrations were in full swing, blending fun with education. These activities not only brought joy to our students but also creatively highlighted the significance of the number 100. It is a reminder of how far we have come and a moment to look forward to the achievements yet to unfold. Thanks go to all of the teachers, administrators, and staff who organized and dressed up for yesterday’s celebrations. Let us continue to cherish and support these meaningful milestones in our educational journey.

Lions Hamburger Fundraiser

In our continued effort to foster a sense of community and support initiatives that directly benefit our students, we are excited to share an opportunity for Mena School employees to contribute to a cause that will impact our students. Next Friday, February 9th, the Lions Club is hosting a hamburger fundraiser from 9:30 AM until noon at the Mena Regional Health System's cafeteria. The proceeds from this event will go towards purchasing a Plusoptix vision screening device for our schools. This device is instrumental in the Lions Club's vision service program for school children, helping identify vision issues early to support our students' health and academic success. To support this vital cause and enjoy a good burger, orders can be placed by calling 479-234-7150. More information is available in our local papers, The Mena Star and The Polk County Pulse. We encourage all Mena School employees to participate in this fundraiser, if possible, demonstrating our collective commitment to the well-being of our students and the strength of our community ties.

Closing

If you did not see the email with the intent form for next year, you can access that here to let us know your plans where Mena Schools is concerned. There have been 150 responses so far.

Monday will be senior night for our basketball programs so please make plans to come out to UBC and cheer on the Bearcat and Ladycat seniors as they play their last home basketball games.

The steel beams for the Hensley Activity Center will be arriving in mid-February and the building will start to take shape then. Here is the architect’s rendering of what it will look like.

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

Have a nice weekend!