Happy Friday!

I want to begin by thanking everyone for their dedication and the hard work you put in this week to help us meet our performance targets. As we continue pushing forward, your commitment to ensuring our students reach their full potential is making a difference across the district. We are constantly setting the bar higher and working together to meet the expectations we have for our schools and our community. With that said, this week, I want to focus on a crucial element of our long-term success: the LEARNS Act's emphasis on early childhood education. By investing in our youngest learners, we are laying the foundation for future achievement and ensuring that our students are ready from the moment they enter kindergarten. We will take a closer look at the work being done to support early childhood learning and how it connects to our vision for student success.

As we continue refining our performance targets, we have temporarily removed the graphs for ELA, math, and science on the performance targets page. This decision was made to ensure that we present the most accurate and meaningful data. We are currently determining the best format for incorporating last year's ATLAS results and this year's interim data. Once we have the appropriate structure in place, we will update the page accordingly to provide a clear picture of our progress.

(As a fun coincidence, the ATLAS comet made an appearance in the night sky just as our ATLAS assessment results were released—clearly, the universe is keeping an eye on our progress! Perhaps it is a sign that we are reaching for the stars… or at least aiming for a few more Level 3s!)

ATLAS Insights

We have had some time to review our ATLAS scores and engage in conversations with educators at the state and co-op levels, and we have gained some valuable insights. One of the most important takeaways is that our Level 2 students have the potential to move up if we challenge them more by increasing the rigor of our lessons and deepening the level of knowledge we require. This means we need to push our students to think critically and stretch beyond surface-level understanding. Additionally, every teacher must know their standards forward, backward, and inside out. Mastery of these standards is the key to ensuring that all of our students, regardless of their current level, can reach their full potential. All of our lessons must support the standards and we must stay on pace to have those essential standards mastered before the end of the year.

Furthermore, our K through 5 teachers must be confident in both their knowledge and application of the Science of Reading. This foundational skill set is essential to developing strong readers who are capable of higher-level thinking and comprehension as they progress through school. I encourage each of you to reflect on your knowledge and abilities in these areas where growth is needed and seek the support or resources necessary to improve. Together, with intentional focus and effort, we will see our students grow and succeed.

LEARNS Early Childhood

Since the LEARNS Act became law in Arkansas, early childhood education has become a top priority, with a renewed focus on preparing students from their earliest years. The LEARNS Act, championed by Governor Sanders, emphasizes the critical importance of early childhood learning, particularly in areas such as literacy and numeracy. A significant initiative born out of this reform is the Pre-K RISE initiative and Launch Pad curriculum, which aims to provide young learners with a solid foundation in reading, math, and social skills before they enter kindergarten. This curriculum is designed to support evidence-based teaching methods and early interventions, giving students a "launch pad" for success throughout their academic journey.

Recently, Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. Sellers, and I attended a meeting at the DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative, which serves as our "local lead." A local lead is an organization responsible for supporting schools and early childhood programs within a particular region, ensuring that state initiatives are effectively implemented at the community level. This meeting brought together private daycares within our cooperative, alongside Head Start, public school Pre-K, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) programs, intending to set a unified vision for early childhood education in Arkansas. The central focus was on ensuring that children across the state are prepared for kindergarten, laying the groundwork for success in their educational journey. This collaborative approach is essential as it unites various early childhood providers to align with the state's goals of increasing school readiness through robust, high-quality programs.

Despite these advances, Arkansas still faces challenges in ensuring equitable access to early childhood education. Many regions of the state, particularly rural areas, continue to lack adequate Pre-K programs, leaving children in these communities without the early educational experiences that research has shown are vital to long-term achievement. The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood is actively working to address these gaps by expanding access to high-quality Pre-K, particularly in underserved areas. This includes efforts to increase funding, partner with local communities, and offer more resources to parents and educators to ensure that every child, regardless of their location, has access to the educational opportunities necessary for future success.

While Pre-K will not be compulsory in the same way that K-12 education is, the potential impact of increased Pre-K enrollment cannot be overstated. Research shows that third-grade reading levels, a key indicator of future academic success, will significantly improve if more families take advantage of early childhood education opportunities. Recognizing that access can be a barrier for some families, the Arkansas Office of Early Childhood has developed programs to support those who cannot afford Pre-K services. These initiatives aim to provide financial assistance and resources, ensuring that no child is left behind due to economic circumstances. By increasing participation in Pre-K, the state is making a strategic investment in its children, which will pay dividends in terms of long-term educational outcomes and overall student success.

We encourage all staff members to take the time to learn more about this critical issue and how we can all help promote early childhood learning in our schools and communities. Understanding the value of these programs and sharing that knowledge with others will contribute to better outcomes for the children we serve, helping them build a brighter future from the very start of their educational journey. Together, we can advocate for and support the early learning opportunities that will make a difference in the lives of Arkansas children.

Thought Exchange Results

Thank you for your valuable participation in our recent Thought Exchange. Your insights and feedback have been incredibly helpful in understanding the importance of protected time for data analysis and instructional planning. Overall, the responses highlighted the significance of having dedicated, distraction-free time to focus on the big picture and make informed decisions. Many of you emphasized the value of collaboration with colleagues, sharing resources, and discussing strategies to support all learners effectively. The deep dive into data analysis was appreciated, as it allowed for identifying strengths and weaknesses, which is crucial for improving student outcomes. Your commitment to a student-centered approach and the desire to base instruction on actual student knowledge rather than assumptions were evident and commendable. Notably, there was no negative feedback in any of the responses, reflecting a positive and constructive outlook from all participants. Thank you once again for your thoughtful contributions and dedication to enhancing our educational practices.

Closing

I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in making homecoming a success. The dedication from staff, students, and volunteers was evident in every celebration detail. It is this collective spirit that strengthens our bond as a district and community, reminding us that Mena Public Schools is not just about academic achievement, but about fostering an environment of support and pride.

This week we had our parent-teacher conference time at Louise Durham Elementary and Holly Harshman Elementary, an important opportunity to connect with parents and discuss their child's progress. As we prepare for these conversations, it is helpful to remember the value of steady communication throughout the year. By keeping parents informed about their child's performance regularly—whether through notes, calls, posts, or quick updates—these conference...