Week 16: The Final Stretch of the Fall Semester

Happy Friday!

Welcome back, Bearcats! We hope your Thanksgiving break was restful and filled with joy. Now that we are recharged, it is time to focus on the final stretch of the fall semester. With just a few weeks left before winter break, this is a pivotal moment to reflect on our progress and lay the groundwork for a successful spring. I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication toward achieving our performance targets this year. Your efforts make a lasting difference for our students and our community.

In this Wrap-up, we want to provide some in-depth analysis of our data for attendance and discipline and set the stage for the data deep dive we will be doing in our ATLAS Interim results.

Discipline

The discipline chart on our targets page provides a clear depiction of discipline referrals for the current 2024-2025 school year compared to the previous 2023-2024 school year. While the total number of referrals this year remains higher than last year, it is important to understand the context behind these numbers. This year, all buildings have implemented a comprehensive behavior matrix and have undergone THRIVE training. As a result, we are recording more infractions than in years past, which naturally makes our numbers appear higher. This reflects our commitment to consistency and accountability in addressing behavior, ensuring that all incidents are documented and addressed appropriately to support a positive learning environment.

It is encouraging to note, however, that the rate of growth in the gap between this year and last year is shrinking. This means that, as the semester has progressed, fewer new infractions are being recorded each week relative to earlier in the year. Early in the semester, the change percentage between this year and last year was consistently growing at a sharper rate. However, in recent weeks, this gap has started to stabilize and even reduce slightly, as evidenced by a smaller increase in referrals compared to previous weeks.

This trend suggests that our collective efforts to address discipline proactively and create a supportive environment for students are beginning to yield results. It is an important reminder of the value of consistent, data-driven approaches to student behavior and the power of teamwork in fostering a positive school culture. As we approach the end of the semester, let us continue to build on this momentum and aim for even greater improvements in the spring.

Attendance

The attendance data across Mena Public Schools presents a positive picture as we approach the mid-year mark. With an overall district attendance rate of 93.6%, we are slightly exceeding our target of 93.5%. This consistency highlights the dedication of our staff, students, and families in prioritizing regular attendance, which plays a crucial role in academic success.

Breaking the data down by individual campuses, Mena High School leads the way with a strong attendance rate of 94.3%, reflecting the efforts to engage older students as they prepare for post-secondary goals. Mena Middle School closely aligns with the district average at 93.6%, indicating steady performance in this critical transitional stage for students. Both Holly Harshman Elementary and Louise Durham Elementary have slightly lower attendance rates, at 93.2% and 93.1% respectively, but they remain within close range of the target. This consistency across schools demonstrates a district-wide commitment to maintaining high attendance rates.

Overall, this data reflects a positive trajectory as we move into the latter half of the school year. The continued collaboration among staff, students, and families will ensure we maintain or even surpass our attendance goals, reinforcing the foundation for academic success across all grades. Let us use this momentum to further strengthen our attendance efforts, knowing that each day in the classroom is an investment in our students’ futures.

Looking Into the Interims

As we reach the mid-year mark, the data gathered from the ATLAS Interim assessments gives us invaluable insights into student progress. This is the time to dig into the details and reflect on where our students are excelling, where challenges are emerging, and which students may need additional support to thrive. By analyzing this data carefully and thoughtfully, we can align our instruction to meet the needs of our students, creating tailored learning experiences that help every child succeed.

These weeks also offer an opportunity to plan for the spring semester purposefully and prepare for our spring planning on January 6th, 2025. Use what you know about your students to guide differentiation in your classrooms. Group students for targeted instruction to ensure that all learners are receiving what they need, from challenges for high achievers to focused interventions for those who are struggling. Setting short-term and long-term goals with students based on their data can empower them to take ownership of their learning, which fosters growth and accountability. As we collaborate in Professional Learning Communities and staff meetings, let us share the trends we are seeing and strategies that have proven effective. Together, we can learn from one another and approach the spring semester with an even stronger plan.

Your role in this process is vital, whether you are in the classroom, supporting our students, or working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. By acting on the insights we have gained so far this year, we are setting the stage for an impactful spring semester. The finish line for the fall is in sight, but our goals for the year extend far beyond it. Let us move forward with purpose and pride, knowing that the steps we take today will lead to greater success tomorrow.

Closing

This week, all of our basketball teams showcased their determination and skill in competitive tournaments across the region. From the Sr. Ladycats in the RABC Invitational to the Jr. High teams in the Steve Martin Invitational, our athletes demonstrated incredible effort and resilience on the court. The Sr. Bearcats also competed strongly in the Berryville 4A Boys Classic, holding their own against tough opponents. These games highlight the progress and growth of our teams as they continue to represent Bearcat pride with dedication and sportsmanship. Keep cheering them on as they build momentum for a strong season!

The wrestling season is officially underway, and the Bearcats are off to an impressive start with a 2-0 record. Building on the success of previous years, the team is poised for another great season. With hard work and determination, our wrestlers are ready to represent Bearcat pride on the mat. We look forward to seeing their continued success as the season progresses!

A heartfelt thank you to the Mena Choir program for delivering a truly wonderful and uplifting Christmas performance last night. The event was a beautiful celebration of the season, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of all the performers. Your hard work and passion for music brought joy to everyone in attendance—thank you for sharing the gift of music with our community!

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.

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming and have a nice weekend!

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