Happy Friday!

As we wrap up another productive week, I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the hard work and dedication you continue to demonstrate. Your commitment to our students and community remains unwavering, and it is reflected in the ongoing work toward meeting our discipline and attendance performance targets. While discipline referrals continue to present challenges, we are seeing improvement in our attendance rates, thanks to your continued efforts. Additionally, we were informed by DESE that we will be receiving our ATLAS results within the next two weeks. I look forward to sharing these with you and discussing how we can continue building on the areas where we are making progress. Thank you again for all that you do!

Our Leadership PLC met this morning to review and discuss current trends in our discipline and attendance data. As a district, we are committed to addressing the challenges we face head-on, and we are actively collaborating on solutions that will help us meet our goals. In this week’s Wrap-up, I want to provide you with an overview of our recent discussions, insights into how we are addressing specific discipline trends, and a few important informational items to keep on your radar.

Year-to-Date Discipline

As of October 4, 2024, we have seen a notable increase in discipline incidents across several categories compared to the same period last year. For example, bus incidents have risen significantly, from 58 incidents in 2023 to 83 incidents in 2024. Class disruptions have also increased, with 33 incidents this year, up from 31 last year. Fights have increased from 5 incidents to 16. Additionally, incidents related to disorderly conduct have surged from 11 in 2023 to 40 this year, reflecting an area that requires focused attention. We are also seeing a higher number of violations related to personal electronic devices, which jumped from 6 incidents in 2023 to 39 incidents in 2024.

Our district leadership team is fully aware of these trends and is actively collaborating to analyze the underlying causes and identify more effective intervention strategies. I would like to provide a little more insight into how we are addressing these increases.

Personal Electronic Devices

It is obvious why our electronic devices infractions would increase due to our prohibiting cell phones but we are also seeing very positive results from this policy such as more social interaction among students and less distraction in the classroom.

Bus Incidents

At the start of this year, Mr. Torix informed me that we have more students riding the buses than in previous years, and we are still experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. Last year, to address the driver shortage, we combined one route with others, which allowed us to operate with one less driver. However, this year, with one fewer route and more students, some of our buses have become overcrowded.

I plan to reinstate the combined route to help alleviate the crowding, but we do not yet have enough drivers to do so. Several individuals are currently in the process of obtaining their CDL, and we are holding after-school and evening sessions to help expedite their certification. Once these new drivers are on board, we will add the extra route, which we anticipate will reduce the overcrowding and help address some of the discipline issues we are seeing on the buses.

Class Distruptions and Disorderly Conduct

Class disruptions have not increased a great deal but we still acknowledge them. While "disorderly conduct" is a broad category within our discipline framework, we are actively addressing it by upholding high expectations and consistently following the discipline matrices that each building has developed. We are committed to supporting our teachers and staff as they report these infractions and ensuring they have the tools needed to manage discipline issues effectively, both inside and outside the classroom. This includes providing additional training and strategies to help navigate challenging behaviors and create a positive learning environment for all students.

Fighting

We have seen an increase in the number of fights this year, and while we are strictly following district policies regarding disciplinary actions, we are also taking a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes. In addition to enforcing consequences, we are working closely with our student mental health teams and counselors to provide support for students involved in these incidents. Our goal is not only to manage behavior but to help students develop the social and emotional skills needed to resolve conflicts in healthier ways. By addressing both the immediate actions and the underlying issues, we aim to reduce these incidents and create a more positive school environment.

We are committed to addressing these challenges and working together to create a learning environment that fosters better behavior and success for all students. Thank you for your ongoing support and for continuing to help us guide students in the right direction.

Growth Opportunity

For those of you considering a path into school leadership, I encourage you to explore the IMPACT Arkansas Fellowship Program offered by the University of Arkansas. This program is designed to support educators who aspire to become administrators, providing high-quality leadership training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in Arkansas schools. It is a great opportunity to develop the skills needed to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact on our students, staff, and community. If you have been thinking about taking this next step in your career, this program could be an excellent fit for you.

A Reminder of Our "Why"

As we navigate the challenges and victories of each school year, it is important to remember why we do what we do. A special moment was shared with me today—a senior picture of one of our students, Thallen, who has been with us since kindergarten. Seeing this joyful expression reminded me of the deep impact we have as educators, not just in shaping minds, but in creating a supportive, loving environment where every child can thrive.

Thallen’s journey is a testament to the power of inclusion and the importance of serving all students, regardless of their abilities or challenges. When we approach each day with heart, dedication, and care, we not only help our students grow academically, but we also foster a sense of belonging and joy in their lives and in the lives of their families.

This is the core of our mission at Mena Public Schools—to create an environment where no dream is diminished, and every student is seen, supported, and valued. Thank you for the role each of you plays in this mission. Let this be a reminder of the joy we help create when we serve with compassion and purpose.

Serving Every Student, Even When It Is Hard

Thallen’s story is encouraging to us but as educators, we know that some days are more challenging than others. We all have students who push our patience to the limit, who seem uninterested, ungrateful, or even disrespectful. These students can sometimes make us question why we do what we do. But it is precisely in those moments, when it is hardest to care, that our commitment and professionalism matter the most.

Our mission calls us to serve every student, not just those who show appreciation or make our work easy. The students who may seem to have disdain for us are often the ones who need us the most. It is easy to offer kindness and support to those who are eager to receive it, but the true test of our impact comes when we extend that same grace to the students who resist it. These are the students who will remember that we showed up for them, even when they did not want us to.

Let us not forget that each student’s journey is shaped by experiences we may not fully understand. They may not always show it, but our efforts to connect, support, and guide them are making a difference. We may not see the fruits of that labor today or even this year, but the seeds of care, patience, and dedication are being planted.

Let this serve as a reminder that our work is not about receiving thanks or recognition—it is about making a lasting impact, especially when it feels the most challenging.

Closing

We are deeply grateful to all the teachers, parents, community members, and volunteers who made the Louise Durham Fall Carnival such a success! Your generous donations of time, prizes, and support created a fun-filled evening of games, student recognition, and excitement. Events like these strengthen the bond between our school and community, bringing joy to our students and families while celebrating their achievements. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact on our children’s lives!

October brings several opportunities to show our appreciation and celebrate key school community members. This month is National Principal’s Month, a time to recognize our principals' hard work and leadership. We also celebrate