Episode Details

Happy Friday!

As we close another full and fast-paced week, I want to thank each of you for your continued focus, effort, and resilience. This time of year requires much from all of us, and I am grateful for how you continue to show up for our students and one another. Our district vision—preparing students, supporting staff, and building community confidence—is not just words on a page. It is seen daily in classrooms, hallways, and offices throughout Mena Public Schools. This week, we also have reason to celebrate. The Arkansas Department of Education released our school grades, and I am proud to say that your hard work is creating academic growth, as indicated by our state’s measures. This recognition affirms what we already know: progress is being made. With that in mind, this week’s Wrap-up is titled Progress, Not Panic—a reminder that while the pace may be demanding, we must not let it diminish our purpose or our belief in what we are building together.

A Reason to Celebrate

While the Arkansas Department of Education will not issue official school letter grades for the 2023-2024 school year, we have received simulated outcomes aligned to the new statewide accountability model. These results are part of a transition period outlined in House Bill 1598, which pauses official grading to allow schools time to acclimate to changes in how performance is measured. The revised system focuses on three key priorities: Achievement, Growth, and Readiness, to ensure that every student is prepared for what comes next.

Although these ratings are not final or official, we are encouraged by what they suggest about the direction of our schools. Louise Durham Elementary remains a B, Mena Middle School remains a C, and Mena High School remains a C. Most exciting, however, is that Holly Harshman Elementary has improved from a C to a B in this simulation. That upward movement is a testament to the focused efforts of staff, the hard work of students, and the intentional leadership within the building. It is also a reminder that growth takes time, and small steps forward often reflect major efforts behind the scenes.

As we continue to align our work to this new accountability system, let us celebrate progress without confusion—this is not a final scorecard, but it is a strong signal that we are headed in the right direction.

Progress, Not Panic

Spring brings a new kind of pressure—one filled with final assessments, growing to-do lists, shifting roles, and the weight of what is next. It can feel like we are racing a clock that never quite slows down. However, I want to remind you: the presence of pressure does not mean the absence of progress. We are not behind—we are moving forward. The whirlwind of this season is not a sign of failure or disorganization; it is evidence that what we do matters deeply. When you feel the push, remember it is because you are carrying something valuable.

We saw that value affirmed this week in the encouraging news from the state about Holly Harshman Elementary. While the ratings are not official, the improvement signals something important—our efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Growth does not always come with fanfare or instant recognition, but it builds quietly, day by day, in classrooms, conversations, and careful choices. Let this be a reminder: do not let the pace of spring diminish your purpose. When one part of our district moves forward, it strengthens us all.

This is the time of year when fatigue tempts us to retreat into survival mode. However, our influence is greatest when we push through with purpose. Instead of focusing on what is left to do, focus on what has already been done—how far your students have come, the culture you have helped shape, and the consistency you have brought day after day. Every hallway conv