John Golding representing the Knights of Columbus donated to the Mena School District Feed A Bearcat fund. We appreciate the contribution and the generosity to our students.
Thanks to Lynn Ashley for hosting the December Faculty Breakfast today at Mena Middle School!
The 4th-8th grade GT students will be participating in the Geography Bee next Friday, December 13 at the PAC. The 4th-5th grade will begin at 8:30 a.m, and the 6th-8th grade students who are participating will follow at approximately 9:30- 9:45.
Announcements for Thursday, December 5th
This Week’s Events:
Tonight –
MMS & MHS Choirs will present their Christmas concerts at the MHS PAC, starting at 7:00 pm
The finals of the Union Bank Basketball Tournament are tonight and both Mena teams are in the finals. The Jr High Lady Cats will tip off at 5:00 followed by the Jr High Bearcats.
Saturday: The annual City Christmas Festival will take place. Main Street Christmas Parade will begin at 6:00, followed by the activities in Janssen Park, including a Rockin’ Christmas concert, fireworks, and the lighting of the park.
Teacher’s Aides will have a group photo taken next Tuesday.
From Ms. Taylor: Choir members will rehearse today in the PAC 6th and 7th periods. Sixth grade choir members come to the PAC after 5th period.
Students, our last day of the semester is Friday, December 20th. If your family is planning a trip and you will be leaving for Christmas break before the 20th, your parents must contact either myself or Mr. Sherrer for approval, otherwise, your absences will be unexcused and you may get zeros on any missed work or semester tests. Mr. Sherrer sent an email to all students regarding this.
Lunchtime Weather:
Lunch Menu:
Line 1 – Lasagna, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos
Line 2 – Cheeseburger Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Popcorn Chicken Salad
Concession – Pizza Burger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders
TONIGHT AT THE PAC!!!!
The concert will open with the Sixth Grade Treble Makers followed by the Middle School Choir. The Spotlight Singers will then take the stage and the Bearcat Chorus will round out the program. Please plan to attend on Thursday, December 5, at 7 PM in the high school auditorium.
12/5/19 - MMS & MHS Choir Christmas Concert @ 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/6/19 - 2nd Grade presents "An All-American Christmas"
@ 6pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/7/19 - Mena Bearcat Band in the "Parade of Lights" in downtown Mena @ 6pm.
12/9, 12/10 & 12/12/19 - Baseball tryouts for 9th-12th grade athletes from 3:45pm-5:00pm at Union Bank Ball Park.
12/12/19 - MMS & MHS Bands Christmas Concert @ 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.
12/13/19 - 4th-8th Grade Geography Bee @ 8:30am in the
Performing Arts Center.
12/14/19 - Jr. High All Region Concert Band Auditions @ Ozark High School
12/17/19 - Enrollment window for the second semester closes at noon. Call 479-394-1710 to find out how to be a Bearcat!
12/20/19 - Second grading period & end of first semester
12/23/19 thru 01/03/20 - Christmas Holidays
1/6/20 - Second semester begins
If your student wants to be a Bearcat you should know that the enrollment window for the second semester is now open. Forms can be picked up from the district you are currently attending. When you have completed those forms bring them to the Mena Public School Administration Building located at 501 Hickory in Mena. Forms should be filled out & turned in before noon on Tuesday, December 17th. If approved by the school board the student will begin classes on Monday, January 6th 2020. For more information call 479-394-1710.
GO BEARCATS!
Mena Middle School is still taking donations for the MMS Christmas Shop. New or very gently used items that students can pick out as gifts for parents. We are always short on male gifts. Students will begin shopping next week. We love teaching our students that giving is important and as joyful as receiving. Many of our students will only have this opportunity to shop. Your donations are appreciated.
Announcements for Tuesday, December 3rd
This Week’s Events:
Tonight – There will be three basketball games at the UBC tonight vs Waldron. Jr High Bearcats will tip off at 5:00, followed by the Sr High Lady Cats and Sr High Bearcats.
Wednesday: Round 2 of the Union Bank Jr High Basketball tournament.
Thursday: The MMS & MHS Choirs Christmas Concert, 7:00 pm at the PAC. Also, the finals of the Union Bank Tournament will be taking place at the UBC.
Today there are several MMS students in ISS due to excessive tardies. There are several of you that, despite warnings, are only one or two tardies away from going to ISS. Get to class on time.
Yesterday, I had to pick up some trash after both lunches. Remember that if this problem continues, you will be banned from using devices during lunch.
Lunchtime Weather:
Lunch Menu:
Line 1 – Chili, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos
Line 2 – Meat Lover’s Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Cobb Salad
Concession – Bacon Cheeseburger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders
Mena Middle School December Menu!
Recent freezing temperatures have exposed a need for coats in our student population & Mena Public Schools would like to thank Christine & Rodney Bird with Handcrafted Garden Bridges for their generous donation. The coats will be distributed to children in need. Pictured are Rodney, Christine & Mena Superintendent Benny Weston.
https://www.redwoodbridges.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Handcrafted-garden-bridges-486508584834143/
Christmas Concert Thursday!
Announcements for Friday, November 22nd
We will be out of school next week for Thanksgiving break. School will resume on Monday, December 2nd. After the break there will be only 3 weeks of school remaining until the end of the semester.
From Mrs. Rose: If you receive a food bag on Fridays and want to continue getting one, or if you are interested in getting one, you must email Mrs. Rose today.
There will be an FBLA meeting in Mrs. Sikes’ room right after these announcements.
Lunchtime Weather: If it is not raining during your lunch, we will go outside. Remain on the hard surfaces only. The ball box will not be opened.
Lunch Menu:
Line 1 – Crispitos, MTO Baked Potato
Line 2 – Sausage & Jalapeno Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Pizza Salad
Concession – Hamburger, Chicken Sandwich, Corn Dog
Club / Group Meetings: On behalf of the faculty and Staff at Mena Middle School, we hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.
Announcements for Wednesday, November 20th
Reminders:
6th grade ETS will meet in the Cafeteria after these announcements. If you are not sure whether or not you are an ETS student, each of your teachers received the list by email and there is a list posted in the Cafeteria on the Library windo.
7th grade GT students will meet in the Conference Room after these announcements. Also, those GT students that are going to be scorekeepers tomorrow, need to remember that you are leaving school at 8:00 and you need to bring your lunch.
Today shortly after 1:00, I will begin dismissing students to the PAC for the Senior Play. You will pay your $2 to your 5th period teacher.
Because of the holiday meal being served in our cafeteria today, there will likely be quite a few visitors and seating will be limited, especially during Lunch “B.” For that reason, students, if you are not eating, you need to go straight outside and if you are eating, you need to go outside just as soon as you are finished, in order to make sure everyone has a seat. We would also encourage you to take your food outside, if you would like.
Update on picture retakes_______________
Lunchtime Weather:
Lunch Menu: The Thanksgiving meal will be served in Line 1 only. All other items will be served in Line 2. There will be no Concession Stand Line today.
Line 1 – Thanksgiving Meal
Line 2 – Pizza, Hamburger, Turkey Chef Salad
Concession – Closed Today
Club / Group Meetings: At this time, 6th grade ETS students need to go to the Cafeteria and 7th grade GT students need to go to the Conference Room.
NOVEMBER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING!
The Mena School Board met for the regular November meeting on Tuesday evening.
The board began by approving the minutes from the September & October meeting.
They quickly moved to passing a disclosure statement for board member Kyle Cannon who is also an employee of the Union Bank of Mena.
A proposal was made to change the district employees vision plan. Mena Insurance currently holds the contract through Superior Vision. The new plan offered by Mena Insurance would be through Blue Cross & Blue Shield at a lower cost to employees & an increase in benefits. The change was passed by the board & will go into effect February 1, 2020.
Next was the approval of the financial reports for September & October.
Resignations were accepted by the board including Carol Sproles, Michaela VanPelt, David Goodner, & Howard Elliot.
The board approved an addendum to the contract of Cheryl Goodner, additional hours to Keri Duer, and a transfer of duties for Alicia Moody.
Superintendent Benny Weston presented a plan to restructure current Mena School District custodial employees & outsource the needed evening janitorial shifts. The board approved accepting a bid from SG360 for only the evening janotorial shifts at Louise Durham Elementary & Holly Harshman Elementary.
Mena-15 Cossatot-19
The Mena 7th Grade Bearcats came up short Tuesday night at the UBC. Losing by 4 to Cossatot. The boys will be back in action at Arkadelphia on 12/9/19..
The Mena 6th grade Quiz Bowl team participated in the Ashdown Invitational Quiz Bowl on November 19. There were 11 teams . Our team's efforts paid off when they were seeded second after lunch and received a bye. They beat Dierks in the quarter finals, Spring Hill in the semi finals, and played Genoa in the finals. Genoa did win the final game, so Mena took second. Pictured are Lynnlee Cook, Valley Reppo, Tripp Hensley, Jackson Thompson, Dax McMellon, Eli Swall, Denton Warner, Elliott Dugan, Kate Wilson, and Brandon Dong. We are proud of all of our Quiz Bowl Participants.
Announcements for Tuesday, November 19th
Reminders:
6th grade ETS will meet tomorrow.
7th grade GT students will meet tomorrow.
Picture retakes are tomorrow morning.
The Thanksgiving meal will be served in our cafeteria tomorrow. If you have any family members that plan to eat with you, please tell them that the cost for each visitor is $3.70. Visitors will pay at the front office and must either pay with exact change or write a check for the exact amount.
Tomorrow towards the end of 5th period, we will go over to the PAC to watch the MHS Senior Play. The cost is $2. Starting today, you can pay your 5th period teacher.
From Mrs. Rose: If you get a food bag on Friday's and want to continue to get a food bag please send Mrs. Rose and email today or tomorrow. Let her know you want to continue getting a bag and Include your bus route # in your email.
From Nurse Sherry: Those students who need immunizations for school got letters three weeks ago to take home to parents. You must have these immunizations to remain in school. If you have gotten your shots in the last couple of weeks, run by the nurse's office and let her know. This is a state law and you must have your required shots so remind your parents or guardian to make your appointment if you want to remain in school. I will also add that if you do not get your shots, you are not allowed to participate in athletics until you get your immunizations.
The lost and found box is overflowing with coats, books, lunch boxes. Everything in it will be bagged up later this week and taken to PCDC.
The basketball Bearcats will be hosting Cossatot tonight at the UBC at MHS. 7th grade boys will tip off at 5:00, followed by the Jr. High JV boys, and ending with the Sr High Varsity boys.
Lunchtime Weather:
Lunch Menu:
Line 1 – Chicken Parmesan, MTO Tortilla, MTO Nachos
Line 2 – Meat Lovers’ Pizza, Deli Sandwich, Cobb Salad
Concession – Rib Patty Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders
Thanksgiving break is next week!
Gameday Tuesday!
