Fire prevention week is next week and Thursday the Mena Fire Department brought by some information for students at Louise Durham Elementary.

📚 Creating Lifelong Readers from the Very Start! 📚
We kicked off our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program with our preschool students in August, and we are so excited to begin this reading journey together! ❤️
This fun program encourages families to read 1,000 books with their child before kindergarten while building early literacy skills, enjoying stories together, and fostering a lifelong love of reading. 📖✨
Preschool teachers have sent home more information about our exciting 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, so be sure to check it out!
📚 Preschool Library Starts This Week!
Our preschool students will visit the Louise Durham Library on a rotation schedule to check out great books, learn about the library and book care, and discover just how important books and reading are in our lives.
And this month, we are especially excited to celebrate the preschool students who have already read at least 100 books this school year! 🎉📚
Keep reading, keep sharing stories, and keep growing those little readers! ❤️
Bexlie Buckley
Violet Cox
Piper Holmes
Savanna Smith
Ellie Poteat
Legend McKelvey
Kehlanii Gonzalez
Wesley Watts
Lettie Lawson
Jackson Speer
Darren Holmes
Georgia Mosley
Lola Cottrell
Ellie Jewell
Tatum Belknap
“Reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible.”📚

MHS Student Council would like to invite all MPS students and staff to our annual Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday, September 25th beginning at 9am in the Union Bank Center. The theme is RED OUT! We can't wait to see you there!
**Parents are allowed to attend but must check in at the high school office with a valid driver’s license and sit in the designated visitor area.

Homecoming shirt orders are due on Wednesday of this week!

Mrs. Sawyers class welcomed their second Mystery Reader visit today, and this time our firsties guessed correctly! 🎉 They were SO excited when Ellie’s mom walked through the door to read to us! 🥰
She even brought a fun chocolate treat for everyone to enjoy!

Math talks, rekenrek bracelets, and roll-n-reads…. We’re getting settled in and hands-on as much as possible in Mrs. Philpots first grade!

We’ve been busy this week in Mrs. Bentleys first grade.…
*’I Bloom When’ writing… 🌻✏️
*Math on the table… ➕
*Building short i words… 🔡

Flashlight Fridays.

Mena School Board Members Robby Hines, Reed Mendoza, Holly Henry, and Calvin Cummings helped welcome Louise Durham students on the first Friday of the school year.

The District Convocation was held on Monday morning in the Performing Arts Center. District employees heard from representatives from Arkansas Teacher Retirement and Air Evac plus new employees at each campus were introduced.
The keynote speaker was Mr. Jason Curry. Jason founded Finish Empty®, a leadership company dedicated to equipping people in every environment. Through speaking, training, and coaching, he develops athletes, strengthens teams, inspires individuals, guides businesses, and supports organizations committed to excellence and impact.
In June of 2025, Jason released his debut book, Finish Empty®. That same month, he was named Life Coach of the Year by AY Magazine, recognizing his influence in personal growth and leadership development.
The staff continues final preparations for the 2026-2027 school year which begins on Wednesday, August 12th.
https://www.facebook.com/FinishEmpty

First grade teachers loved meeting so many of our sweet friends today! We’re excited to start with you all next Wednesday, Aug. 12!

Mena Public School Counselors had a great time at the 2026 ArSCA School Counselor Conference, June 29–July 1! Be the spark!

First grade had a blast at Tapley Park on Wednesday!