Week 10: Reflecting, Refocusing, and Reaching Beyond

Happy Friday!

Thank you for the energy, effort, and commitment you continue to bring each day. As we move beyond the first quarter of the school year, it is a meaningful time to pause, reflect, and align our work with the goals we set at the beginning of the year: academic growth, strong attendance, and a positive school culture.

Throughout this week and next, I have been meeting with each building’s leadership to review first-quarter progress and discuss strategies for continued growth. These conversations are centered on reflection and improvement—how we can apply what we have learned during the first nine weeks to finish the year as strong as possible. Across all schools, there is a clear sense of purpose and teamwork. Leaders and teachers are examining data, sharing effective practices, and aligning their plans to support stronger outcomes in learning, attendance, and behavior.

These discussions are also helping us focus on the practical work ahead—maintaining pacing in both literacy and math, strengthening reading stamina across all grade levels, expanding interventions for students who need additional support, and ensuring that our professional learning communities are using formative data to guide daily instruction. We are also emphasizing consistent communication with parents, purposeful use of assessment tools, and renewed attention to engagement strategies that keep students motivated and connected to their learning. This level of collaboration and reflection demonstrates our shared commitment to finishing the year with excellence and unity of purpose.

Phones in Focus: Angela Duckworth’s Research and Our Results

Many of you are familiar with Dr. Angela Duckworth, psychologist, researcher, and author of the bestselling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Her TED Talk, now viewed more than 30 million times, explores the link between perseverance and long-term success, a theme that has guided her research into self-control and achievement across schools, workplaces, and communities.

Dr. Duckworth is now applying that same scientific lens to cell phone use in schools through her national Phones in Focus study. She recently spoke to superintendents across Arkansas to share how this research is unfolding and invited teachers to participate in a nationwide survey available at phonesinfocus.org. In her short video message, she explains how teachers’ voices are shaping this study and announced that she will personally visit schools with high participation rates to highlight their impact.

The Arkansas data already show compelling patterns:

* Schools with stricter phone policies report higher educator satisfaction and fewer classroom distractions.

* Students demonstrate greater self-control and higher GPAs when they modify their environment to reduce phone temptations.

* Arkansas ranks #4 in the nation for participation, with 1,316 educators from 26 percent of schools contributing.

Dr. Duckworth and her team have promised district-specific reports for schools with strong participation, allowing us to see how our own policy compares statewide.

Here at Mena Public Schools, we are already seeing a reduction in discipline incidents, and I would like to understand how much of that improvement may be linked to the cell phone law and our consistent enforcement of policy. Please take a few minutes to complete the Phones in Focus survey. It is open to all staff and takes less than five minutes.

Your input helps place Mena among the schools shaping national research on learning, focus, and self-control. It also positions us for the possibility of a visit from Dr. Duckworth herself—a powerful opportunity to showcase the progress we are making together.

View the Arkansas data presentation here: Phones in Focus – Arkansas Findings (Canva)

Closing Celebrations

It has been a full and exciting week across Mena Public Schools.

Louise Durham Elementary was recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas as a Beating the Odds school for High Overall Growth and High ELA Growth in the Southwest region—an outstanding accomplishment that reflects the dedication of teachers and students alike. This recognition highlights the positive impact that high-quality instruction and consistent expectations are having on student learning.

Holly Harshman Elementary received a thoughtful visit from the James K. Polk Chapter of the DAR, who presented gift baskets and supplies to teachers as part of their annual service project. Their kindness and generosity were a welcome encouragement to our teachers as we move deeper into the semester.

Mena Middle School students in Project Lead The Way and FBLA traveled to the Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville, where they connected classroom learning to real-world applications in aviation, STEM, and leadership. The Beginning Choir also delivered a fine performance of Jukebox Time Machine last night—watch the concert here—showcasing their progress, confidence, and joy in performing before a live audience.

Our schools are preparing for the first round of ATLAS Interim assessments beginning next week. Parents and students are encouraged to review test dates and ensure students are rested, ready, and confident. The Mena Band also represented our school and community with pride and professionalism this week, performing at the ASBOA Region VIII Marching Assessment in Fort Smith. Their preparation and stage presence reflect months of dedication and teamwork.

Our athletic programs continue to demonstrate Bearcat determination. The 7th Grade Football Bearcats defeated Waldron 18–0, while the Jr. Bearcats won 30–14. The Sr. Bearcats will play at Waldron tonight, and we look forward to a strong performance under the lights.

The Sr. Ladycat Volleyball Team ended their regular season as Conference Champions and will compete in the 4A South Regional in Magnolia on Monday. The Jr. Ladycats will take the court Saturday in the District Tournament in Malvern. Both teams have represented Mena with effort and sportsmanship, and we wish them continued success.

Cross Country also competed this week at the Tri-County Invitational in Waldron, earning several strong finishes, including an 8th-place result in the Jr. Boys Division. Their continued improvement shows the impact of discipline and steady training.

Finally, our community came together at Fields of Faith this week—a powerful evening of music, testimony, and student leadership that embodied the spirit of unity and purpose we strive to model every day. Events like this remind us that our schools are more than places of learning—they are the heart of our community.

Before closing, I would like to encourage everyone to take a moment to support one of our neighboring schools. Dierks High School has been selected as a finalist in the T-Mobile $1 Million Football Stadium Makeover Contest, and your vote could help make a difference for their students and community. You can read more and cast your daily vote here: Dierks T-Mobile Stadium Makeover. They are in the lead, so please, help them win it!

It was a good week of successes at Mena Public Schools.

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

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming and have a great weekend!

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