Week 6: Parent Communication is Key to Academic Success

Happy Friday!

Welcome to this week's Bearcat Wrap-up! As we move through another busy and productive week at Mena Public Schools, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. I have started tracking progress of our current performance targets focus on discipline and attendance, once again, with the same target numbers as last year: 93.5 percent attendance and a ten percent decrease in discipline referrals. Our academic performance will not be tracked until we have our ATLAS results from the spring and the screeners. We know that reaching our goals requires everyone working together. Effective parent communication is a key component of this teamwork, ensuring that we stay connected, informed, and united in supporting our students' success every step of the way. This week’s Wrap-up will highlight the crucial role of parent communication in helping us build a supportive and successful learning environment for every Bearcat.

Recent Efforts

Our recent efforts to enhance parent communication have been truly commendable, and I want to highlight the impact they are making. Grade-level parent nights in our elementary schools have provided valuable opportunities for teachers to share important information about curriculum, behavior expectations, communication methods, and various resources available to support students and families. Additionally, parent-teacher conferences have been a success, with parents expressing their appreciation for the level of engagement and dedication shown by our staff—one parent even reached out to commend our high school teachers for their involvement during conferences. Beyond these events, teacher newsletters and social media posts have been instrumental in keeping parents informed and connected. Posts that showcase student achievements and set clear expectations through exemplars and modeling have been particularly effective in helping parents understand the level of work required for success. Each of these efforts are fostering a collaborative environment where students can thrive.

Continuous Parent Engagement

Effective and continuous communication with parents is fundamental to the success of our students and the overall school community. At MPS, we are fortunate that most school days are filled with positive experiences for both students and teachers. Sharing these good days regularly helps build trust with parents and keeps them informed, creating a solid foundation of support when challenges arise. Frequent and consistent communication ensures that parents feel connected, valued, and engaged in their child’s education.

Proactive communication is at the heart of maintaining these strong relationships. Reaching out early—before concerns surface—sets a positive tone and fosters collaboration. By consistently sharing updates, both big and small, we create a supportive partnership that empowers parents to take an active role in their child’s education. This proactive approach also helps prevent misunderstandings, as parents appreciate being kept in the loop about what is happening in their child’s school life.

Clarity and consistency are equally important in every message we send. Our parents lead busy lives, and clear, straightforward communication helps them stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. Whether it is a quick note about a student’s progress, an upcoming event, or a simple reminder, delivering information in an easy-to-understand format ensures that parents have what they need to support their child effectively. Consistent communication, especially when delivered routinely, provides a sense of stability and reassurance to families.

Respect and empathy should be at the core of every interaction we have with parents. Every family has unique circumstances, and approaching our communication with understanding and compassion fosters a more positive and collaborative relationship. By acknowledging parents’ efforts and working together as a team, we strengthen our shared responsibility for each student’s success. Proactivity, clarity, and respect are key principles that drive our efforts to build meaningful connections with our school community.

Another vital aspect of effective communication is discerning when to reach out to individual parents versus using broader channels like social media posts or sending newsletters home. Personal communication is best suited for addressing specific concerns, achievements, or behaviors related to individual students. These messages show parents that we see their child as an individual and are attentive to their needs. However, not every update requires personal contact. Group posts and newsletters are ideal for sharing general information, classroom updates, and reminders that apply to all students. These broader communications keep parents informed without overwhelming them, balancing individual engagement with efficient information sharing. By choosing the right method for each situation, we ensure that our messages are impactful, respectful of parents’ time, and effective in maintaining a positive flow of information between home and school.

What Works and What Does Not

Research consistently shows that the most impactful means of parental communication are those that are proactive, positive, and two-way in nature. Studies indicate that personalized, regular communication—such as phone calls, individualized emails, or face-to-face meetings—fosters a strong connection between parents and educators, leading to improved student outcomes. These methods allow for a dialogue where parents feel heard, respected, and involved in their child’s learning, reinforcing the home-school partnership. In contrast, research highlights that communication perceived as negative, sporadic, or reactive can be detrimental. Overemphasis on problems without offering solutions, a lack of consistency in messaging, or impersonal mass communications that lack empathy can erode trust and disengage parents. Communication that is perceived as judgmental, dismissive, or overly critical often leads to defensive reactions, reduced parental involvement, and a breakdown in the collaborative effort needed for student success. Effective communication strategies focus on building relationships, offering support, listening, and maintaining a positive, solution-focused dialogue that benefits both students and families.

Listening and Getting Results

Based on the results of last year’s District Engagement Survey, the feedback from parents and the community has been overwhelmingly positive. The majority of respondents indicated that Mena Public Schools provide multiple opportunities for engagement through events like parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and after-school activities. Many parents expressed that they feel welcomed in the school environment and believe that their child is learning in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Additionally, most parents reported that they receive timely and clear communication about their child's progress, reflecting a strong connection between school and home. These survey results demonstrate that, in the eyes of parents and the community, MPS is effectively building a collaborative environment that supports student success.

While the District Engagement Survey highlighted many strengths, it also revealed areas where improvements are needed. Some parents noted inconsistencies in communication, especially regarding the timing of important updates, with some receiving last-minute notifications that made it difficult to participate fully. Additionally, there were calls for more frequent and detailed updates on student progress and clearer communication channels, particularly for middle and high school levels. Some parents also expressed a desire for more in-person involvement opportunities, such as classroom visits or school events, which have been limited in recent years. Addressing these areas by providing earlier and more consistent communication, increasing parent involvement opportunities, and ensuring that every parent feels fully informed will help strengthen our connection with families and further enhance the learning environment for our students.

Research consistently shows that when parents are engaged and feel connected to their child’s school, student achievement improves significantly. Effective communication fosters a sense of partnership, enhances students' motivation, and supports academic and social development. Schools that prioritize positive and proactive communication see higher rates of student attendance, improved behavior, and better academic outcomes, as students benefit from the combined support of both educators and parents working together toward shared goals. Maintaining and enhancing these communication practices will continue to have a positive impact on our students’ learning and overall success.

Closing

This week, our Bearcat football team has a bye week, so there will be no game tonight. However, the action continues as our Junior Ladycat Volleyball team will be hosting our tournament this weekend. Congratulations are also in order for our Junior High Bearcat Football team, who secured an impressive victory over Russellville, showcasing their hard work and determination on the field. Additionally, our volleyball teams have been on fire, with both our junior and senior teams celebrating victories over Magnolia. Great job, Bearcats! Keep up the fantastic work, and we will continue to cheer on our athletes as they make us proud!

Thank you to everyone who participated in celebrating Constitution Day. Also, Freedom Week is next week, these are meaningful and engaging experiences for our students. We also want to take a moment to recognize that September 17th was IT Professionals Day, and we are grateful to our outstanding IT team who keep our district running smoothly. A special thank you to Lorrie Henry, Chuck Cox, Cindy Brevik, and Nathan Stone—our dedicated IT professionals—whose hard work and expertise are invaluable to Mena Public Schools. Your commitment to supporting our staff and students does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate everything you do to keep us connected and learning every day!

We also have National Teaching Assistants’ Day coming next Friday, providing us an opportunity to celebrate and thank our dedicated teaching assistants who play a vital role in supporting our students and teachers every day. Please make sure to show our appreciation for their hard work and the positive impact they have on our school community!

The latest #menareads efforts are going 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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