Episode Details

Happy Friday!

As we close the first quarter of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued dedication and hard work. It is hard to believe how quickly the first nine weeks have flown by, and we have accomplished a great deal in that short time. From implementing new initiatives to fostering student growth in the classroom, our collective efforts have shaped a positive start to the year. This Week 9 Wrap-up will allow us to reflect on where we stand after the first quarter, review our progress, and acknowledge the areas where we are growing. Let us take pride in what we have achieved and stay focused on our goals for the remainder of the year.

First Quarter

As we reflect on the first quarter of this school year, it is clear that our staff’s unwavering dedication has set a strong foundation for success. From the successful kickoff to the implementation of new policies, your adaptability and commitment have made a significant impact. We have also seen steady progress in our academic efforts, with a focus on Tier 1 instruction, professional growth, and creating a supportive environment for all. However, challenges such as staffing shortages and transportation issues remain a priority, and we will continue working together to address these needs in the coming months.

Our students have already shown remarkable achievements in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. From outstanding performances in football, volleyball, and tennis, to the success of our REACH program graduates and Mena Reads initiative, our students and staff continue to thrive. Their success is a direct result of the efforts you put forth each day, both in and out of the classroom. As we move into the second quarter, let us continue to foster a culture of growth and achievement for all.

Let us keep this momentum going and strive to make the next quarter even more successful. I challenge each of us to reflect on what has worked, address areas for improvement, and push forward with the same energy and passion that brought us through this first quarter. Together, we can ensure that this school year is one of continued progress and collective success for both staff and students.

Performance Targets

This week’s discipline referral tracking shows a positive development. While we are still above our goal of a 10% reduction compared to last year, we can see a key trend: the yellow bar, which tracks gap between increase or decrease in referrals, has started moving downward. For Week 9, it stands at 40.34%, showing progress in closing the discipline gap between last year and this year. This decline highlights our ongoing efforts to create a more focused and positive learning environment. Our attendance is holding steady at 93.9%, which is above our target, and I encourage you to visit our Performance Target page for additional insights, including charts tracking our attendance and other key performance metrics.

As many of you know, we have been experiencing a lot of illness across the district, which could begin to impact our attendance. To help mitigate the spread of germs, our custodial team has sprayed all facilities using the Clorox 360 system. I also encourage everyone to do their part in maintaining their health. Be sure to wash your hands regularly, stay hydrated, eat well, and get plenty of rest. Together, we can work to keep our school environment as healthy as possible as we move into the next quarter of the school year.

Monday’s PD

This coming Monday, we have a professional development day, which will provide an opportunity for us all to dig into the data from the first nine weeks. Without students on campus, I encourage you to take full advantage of this time to reflect on both the celebrations and areas of improvement t