Week 4: Staying Focused and Moving Forward

Happy Friday!

Thank you to everyone for your continued dedication and hard work this week. Your efforts make all the difference in the success of our students. I would especially like to thank those who have been working tirelessly to deliver the preliminary ATLAS tests. Your commitment to providing high-quality assessments ensures we start the year with a strong understanding of our students' needs. But remember, it is not how we start that is most important but how we finish.

This Wrap-up is about our continual focus on excellence in Tier 1 instruction, maintaining our safety protocols, and celebrating the successes that make Mena Public Schools a community of growth and achievement.

Reinforcing Our Focus on Tier 1 Instruction

As we continue our focus on Tier 1 instruction, it is important to revisit the insights shared in the Thought Exchange conducted toward the end of last year. The overwhelming consensus from our staff is that Tier 1 instruction serves as the foundation of student learning. It is designed to ensure that all students receive high-quality, grade-level instruction using standardized, evidence-based strategies.

Tier 1 instruction is essential in setting the stage for future learning. Teachers highlighted the importance of using high-quality instructional materials and delivering lessons that are both engaging and differentiated. These strategies ensure that every student can access and succeed with grade-level standards, regardless of their background or learning pace.

Our new teachers, in particular, should understand that from the district’s perspective, Tier 1 is non-negotiable. It is the primary layer of instruction that all students experience, and we must deliver this instruction daily, using direct, explicit methods that build on prior knowledge. We must also assess students regularly to monitor progress and ensure mastery of the skills and concepts they need to advance.

As we move forward, we will stay committed to this focus and make sure we are providing consistent, high-quality Tier 1 instruction to all our students.

Countering Negative Press While Acknowledging Needed Growth

As many of you know, there has been a recent Gallup poll on parent satisfaction with K-12 education that has garnered some attention. Depending on which headline you read, the interpretation of data in the survey could be vastly different. For instance, one article highlights that "More than half of Americans 'dissatisfied' with K-12 education", while another headline states, "Why did satisfaction with K-12 rise in the past year despite little changes?". It is worth noting that even Gallup’s own headline was positive, and they are the people who gathered the data. You can see their article titled "Americans' View of Education Improves From 2023 Low".

As a school, we must read and understand data and news about our chosen profession and counter the negative narratives by showcasing the tremendous work we are doing to support our students. Test scores are one measure, but they do not tell the full story of student growth or the incredible dedication of our staff. Every day, we are creating opportunities for success, focusing on the whole child, and making a difference. We need to ensure that these successes are part of the conversation as well.

That being said, it is essential that we also acknowledge areas where improvement is needed. Test scores and surveys are valid sources of information and negative press can serve as a reminder that there are always aspects of our work that require attention. By being transparent about our challenges and working together to find solutions, we strengthen our community and our commitment to student achievement. Acknowledging where we can grow while celebrating our accomplishments, helps us move forward with purpose and unity.

We cannot sit idle and let our detractors land punches. Nor can we put our heads in the sand and place blame on external factors. We look within for solutions. We still have a mission, vision, and set of community expectations to fulfill. Let us continue to work hard, support one another, and ensure that both our successes and our dedication to improvement are heard loud and clear.

Exploring Learning Opportunities with Crystal Bridges Museum

As we continue looking for ways to expand our students' learning experiences, I want to bring to your attention the educational opportunities available through the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The museum offers a variety of school tours and resources that can align with our curriculum and provide unique learning experiences outside the classroom.

While we cannot take every student on a field trip, there are opportunities for those teachers who have a thoughtful plan for how a museum visit can complement their content. The museum also offers financial assistance, including transportation reimbursements and substitute teacher coverage.

Let us keep thinking creatively about how to engage our students in meaningful ways. For more details on the tours and resources available, I encourage you to visit Crystal Bridges Museum School Programs.

School Shooting

On Wednesday, a tragic school shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Four lives were lost—two students and two teachers—and several others were injured in this devastating event. The 14-year-old shooter is now in custody, and authorities continue to investigate how the weapon was obtained and brought into the school. This tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of being vigilant about school safety measures. As educators and staff members, we play a crucial role in ensuring our classrooms remain secure.

In the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission’s 2015 final report, it was noted that “there has never been an event in which an active shooter breached a locked classroom door.” This highlights the importance of adhering to safety protocols, such as locking classroom doors and remaining alert to potential threats. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff by following these proven precautions and, please, take the time to review our active shooter protocols here that were provided to you by SRO, Justin Wagner.

Closing

Our Mena FFA students had an outstanding showing at the Polk County Fair last week, achieving more top placings than ever before. Their dedication to their livestock projects truly paid off, with multiple students winning Grand and Reserve Champion titles across a variety of categories, including Market Goats, Cattle, Lambs, and Hogs. Congratulations to all those students and advisors—you have continued to set a high standard of excellence for our program, and we are very proud!

Our volleyball, golf, and tennis teams continue to represent Mena Public Schools with excellence! The volleyball team has been dominating on the court with strong performances and impressive teamwork. Meanwhile, our golf team is swinging their way to success in tournament play, and our tennis team has been excelling in matches, showing their hard work and dedication on the courts.

Tonight, we invite everyone to come to support the Bearcat Football team and Bearcat Band as they take the field for our first home game of the season at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium and Randal Whorton Field. They will be facing the Little Rock Hall High School Warriors. Our special guests will be the Louise Durham First and Second graders and the 1994 Football Conference Champion Bearcat Team. So, pack the stands and show our school spirit as we cheer on our athletes and musicians. Go Bearcats!

A big thank you to all of the wonderful grandparents who joined us yesterday and today for Grandparents' Day at Louise Durham Elementary! Your presence made the day extra special for our students, and we are grateful for your continued support. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers and staff who worked hard to make the event a success. Your efforts brought joy to our school community!

Thank you to those who provided feedback in our Thought Exchange about the start of school. There were not very many of you but the responses were helpful and encouraging knowing that we had already identified the issues that came out in the Thought Exchange. Here are the results.

The #menareads effort is doing great! Keep it up!

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!

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