Week 21: Regaining Momentum

Before getting the the Wrap-up, it is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the news of the unexpected passing of Sonja Stueart, our esteemed School Resource Officer at Holly Harshman Elementary. Sonja was not just a guardian of safety; she was a cherished member of our school family, beloved by staff and students alike. Her dedication to our school went beyond her role, touching many lives with her kindness and commitment. Her absence leaves a void in our hearts and our halls. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and all who knew her. Sonja's legacy of care and community will be dearly remembered and deeply missed.

Welcome to Friday!

Thank you for all you did this week! It was another short week because of the weather but we only missed one day as opposed to attending one day, like we did last week. Despite the initial chill and slow rhythm set by the weather, Mena Public Schools is steadily regaining its momentum, warming up for a vibrant and productive spring semester. As the ice thaws and the sun starts shining again, our collective enthusiasm and dedication are reigniting. We are poised to overcome these initial hurdles with renewed excitement, ensuring that our journey towards the end of the school year is not just a sprint to the finish, but a testament to our Bearcat spirit of perseverance, growth, and excellence toward personal and district performance targets!

The Calendar

Now that we have closed school for weather for five days so far, we do not have a full day left to use should we close again. We have a little over half of a day “in the bank”, so to speak. Winter weather is still a strong possibility so we could wind up using some of our scheduled Mondays off. We have one coming this Monday but do not need to use it yet, so enjoy the long weekend. I hope the weather is fine.

Speaking of calendars, we are planning next year’s options in the midst of much calendar discussion here and around the state. The feedback from the Thought Exchange was positive about seeking the waiver and positive toward the current calendar set up. One point that was made was to create the calendar in a more familiar format, so we will do that as well as use the calculator format this year’s is in.

Here are the overall results from the Thought Exchange about the calendar for next year.

A Salute to Our Dedicated Bus Drivers

In the past few days, as our towns have been navigating the challenges of rain and snowmelt, creating muddy and demanding road conditions, there has been a group of unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes – our devoted bus drivers.

Each day, come rain or shine, our drivers are the first to greet our students in the morning and the last to wish them well at the end of the day. Their commitment goes beyond just driving; they ensure the safety, comfort, and timely arrival of every child. This task has been particularly challenging recently, with the unpredictable weather making our roads trickier to navigate.

We may not always see the extra care they take to maintain the buses, the added attention they pay to weather reports, or the careful planning of routes to avoid delays. But these efforts do not go unnoticed. Our bus drivers are an essential part of our educational system, and their dedication is a cornerstone of our daily operations.

Led by James Davis and Alicia Moody, all our drivers in this message, each one of them deserves our deepest gratitude and respect. Their unwavering dedication under challenging conditions is a testament to their commitment to our students and our community.

So, to all our bus drivers – thank you. You are a vital part of the Mena Public Schools family, and your hard work and perseverance, especially during these past few challenging days, are greatly appreciated.

AE Success

We are brimming with pride as our Alternative Education program, led by Celeste Ashcraft and Shanda Craig, along with their incredible team of AE teachers, staff, and students, has been honored with a prestigious recognition by the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators and the Arkansas Department of Education. This accolade, celebrating significant student outcomes in Alternative Education, brings our district into the limelight. Our team's dedication to fostering educational excellence and innovation will be showcased during the “Alternative Education Leadership Day” at the Arkansas State Capitol on February 13th. This event, featuring the presentation of Academic Achievement Awards, Student Diamond Awards, and highlights of individual programs, is a testament to our district's commitment to nurturing a transformative and supportive learning environment. Congratulations to all for achieving this distinguished statewide recognition, and for continuously inspiring and shaping the future of education in Arkansas.

Closing

Congratulations to Colby Singleton for the prestigious invitation to serve as an AP Reader, a role that reflects her expertise and dedication in education. Her participation in this vital aspect of the AP Program not only contributes to the academic success of students worldwide but also highlights her commitment to excellence in teaching our students at Mena Schools. This is a remarkable achievement and an honor for both Colby and our school district!

Monday the 29th is one of our scheduled closure days. The timing is not good being that we have missed some days of school; however, we do not need Monday as a make-up day so we will not make any changes to the schedule.

Despite ending on such a sad note, it was another great week at Mena Public Schools.

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

Have a nice long weekend!

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