Bearcat Wrap-up Podcast - Week 25 Bearcat Deep Dive

Episode Date: March 8, 2025

This Bearcat Wrap-up Deep Dive covers a variety of topics relevant to the Mena Public Schools community. It includes updates on the school calendar, such as closures due to winter weather. A significant focus is on the District Climate Survey, which gathers insights from students, parents, staff, and community members to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. The podcast also addresses areas needing improvement, like bullying prevention and communication. Legislative updates such as the Arkansas ACCESS Act, which aims to enhance postsecondary education and create a more seamless transition for students, are also covered. Additionally, the podcast highlights achievements and events such as the celebration of National FFA Week and the successes of the Bearcat Basketball team, as well as the hosting of the men's 5A South Regional Wrestling Tournament. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com

All right, buckle up, everyone. We're diving deep today. We're heading down to Meena, Arkansas, you know, home of the Bearcats. Go Bearcats. That's right. And we're going to be taking a close look at Meena Public Schools.

Specifically, we've got this Bearcat wrap-up post right here from Superintendent Dr. Leigh Smith and Bridget Buckley, dated February 20th, 2025. Oh, interesting. Yeah, and it's basically like a behind-the-scenes peak at what's working well in the district and what might need a little bit of extra attention based on a recent climate survey they conducted. Climate surveys super useful tools. They really are. Imagine getting a pulse check you know on an entire school district like what's making people happy, what are they

worried about, all that good stuff. That's what this climate survey is all about. And it sounds like MENA is really using this data to shape their future, which is great. Letting the data guide decisions, that's a really proactive approach to identifying strength in areas for growth. I love that. So let's get into the nitty gritty. First up, what are some of the things

MENA Public Schools is really excelling at? Always good to start with the positive. Yeah, absolutely. Well, right right off the bat safety stands out. Over 90% of respondents said they feel safe and secure in the school environment. That's huge. That is huge. I mean feeling safe is the foundation for everything else. You can't learn, you can't grow, if you don't feel safe. What else jumped out at you? Well they're also getting really high marks for teacher support and engagement. We're talking 88% approval there. Wow. And academic support

is even higher, with 92% of staff feeling confident that students are getting the help they need to succeed. So, you know, you've got a strong sense of security, engaged teachers, a supportive learning environment that's a pretty solid recipe for success. Sounds like it. But as we know, every organization has areas where they can improve. What did the survey flag is needing some attention in MENA? Well, two main areas emerged, bullying prevention and communication. These are definitely areas where a lot of school districts struggle, so it's not surprising to see them come up here. Yeah makes sense Let's tackle the bullying issue first. What exactly were the concerns raised? The main issue seems to be a disconnect between how teachers and students view bullying interventions

Teachers generally feel pretty confident in their response to incidents while students are saying those interventions are inconsistent or just ineffective That's a pretty significant perception gap. Yeah, it is. You've got teachers thinking they're handling things well and students feeling like they're falling through the cracks. It's a problem. So why do you think that disconnect exists in such a head-scratcher, you know? Well, I think there are a couple of possibilities. It could be that teachers and students just have different definitions of what an effective

intervention looks like. Maybe teachers are focused on those immediate actions like separating students or issuing a warning, while students are looking for more long-term solutions, you know, something that addresses the root causes of bullying or ensures that consequences are consistent. So it's almost like they're speaking different languages even though they're talking about the same problem. Exactly. And then there's the issue of underreporting.

Students may not be comfortable or confident enough to report bullying, especially if they don't think anything will actually be done about it. If there's no visible follow-up on those reported cases, that can further discourage students from speaking up. Yeah, it's a tough cycle to break. So how can MENA public schools bridge that gap you know between perception and reality when it comes to bowling? It's all about actively seeking student input you know asking what do you feel is missing from the current interventions? What would make

you feel safer and more supported? That sort of thing. Okay so getting that student perspective what else? This could involve things like student focus groups, surveys specifically designed for student input, or even creating a student advisory board, like a dedicated board just for bullying prevention. That's interesting. Yeah. And the key is to really make those students feel

like their voices are being heard and that their concerns are actually being taken seriously. That's so important. It's about empowering them, not just protecting them. Now, let's move on to that second area for improvement. Communication. What were stakeholders saying about communication in meetup public schools?

Well, the survey revealed a pretty strong desire for more transparency from the school leadership and more consistent communication with parents and staff overall. People want to be in the know. They want to understand how decisions are being made and how those decisions are going to affect them and their children.

I mean, that's fair. Transparency is so important, especially when it comes to our kids' education. But it can be tough to balance, right? How do you strike that balance between being transparent with the community and respecting everyone's privacy, particularly when you're dealing with sensitive student data?

It's definitely a challenge. But the district does acknowledge that need for balance. They want to be open with the community, but they also have a responsibility to protect the privacy rights of students, families, and staff, it's a tricky puzzle to solve, for sure. And I imagine the sheer number of people involved in a school district makes communication even more

complex. You've got the students, the parents, the teachers, the staff, the administrators, the wider community. And everyone has different needs and expectations. Oh, absolutely. But one thing's for sure. It's clear that the MENA community is really invested in their schools. The fact that over 1,500 people, I think it was 1,544

to be exact, participated in this climate survey that really speaks of volumes. Yeah, wow. It shows a strong desire to be engaged, to be involved, and they're definitely looking to the district for clear, consistent communication. It's really inspiring to see that level of engagement from a community. Now while MEDA is working through these internal challenges, they're also keeping an eye on the bigger picture in Arkansas education, right? Right. There's some new legislation in the works, the Access Arkansas Act. It's been introduced as both House Bill 1512 and Senate Bill 246.

And it's specifically designed to, you know, beef up post-secondary education in the state. So how could this act, which is primarily focused on higher education, how could that potentially impact a K-12 district like MENA public schools? Well, the act actually includes some provisions specifically aimed at smoothing that transition for students,

you know, as they move from high school to college. Kind of like building a stronger bridge between those two worlds. Ah, okay. I see where you're going with this. It's about setting students up for success beyond high school, not just within the walls of MENA High. So what sort of changes might we see in MENA because of this act? Well, it could impact things like curriculum alignment, you know, making sure what students learn in high school actually prepares them for college-level coursework. And it could also lead to more opportunities

for early college credit, which would allow those students to get a head start on their college careers while they're still in high school. Yeah, smart. And I think we could also see some really cool collaborations happening between those K-12 schools and those higher education institutions, leading to stronger partnerships, shared resources. So it's really about creating pathways for students to thrive no matter what comes next

for them. We've covered a lot of ground already. Safety, bullying, communication, college readiness. But before we move on, let's celebrate some of the amazing things happening in MENA. What are some of their recent achievements? Well, they just finished celebrating National FFA Week, which is awesome. It shows a real commitment to agricultural education and, you know, recognizes all the hard work of their FFA members and advisors.

Love it. What about in athletics? Any exciting news from Bearcat country? Oh, definitely. The Bearcat basketball team just won their district tournament game, so they've secured a spot in the upcoming conference tournament. Go Bearcats.

And get this, MENA is also hosting the Men's 5A South Regional Wrestling Tournament, which is a pretty big deal for the school and the community. Wow, that's fantastic. It sounds like there's a lot to be proud of in MENA, both on and off the court, off the field. So as we wrap up this first part of our deep dive, what's resonating with you the most so far? For me, it's got to be the sheer number of responses to that climate survey. Over 1,500 people took the time to share their thoughts, their experiences. That's remarkable.

It really is. And it just shows a deep level of engagement, this desire to make MENA public schools the best it can be. It's inspiring. Absolutely. And that dedication is evident in everything they're doing. Stay tuned, everyone, because in part two of this deep dive, we're going to take an even closer look at those specific concerns raised in the climate survey, explore potential solutions, and really discuss how these findings can help us all, not just in MENA, but in any school, in any community. Welcome back to our deep dive into MENA public schools. We're picking up where we left off, exploring the results of their recent climate survey.

It's like we're getting this exclusive backstage pass to see what's really going on, right? Exactly. And this isn't just about collecting opinions. This is about using those opinions to actually make tangible improvements. It's about putting that feedback into action. Now, in the last part, we talked about those two key areas

for growth, bullying, prevention, and communication. And we sort of touched on some of the complexities around those issues. Yeah. So let's dig a little deeper, starting with the bullying prevention piece. One of the most interesting findings, as we discussed, was the discrepancy between how teachers perceive

the effectiveness of those bullying interventions and how the students perceive them. Teachers are feeling good about things, but students feel like it's not really making a difference. Right. And this disconnect, this is what we need to unpack, because it really suggests that there's a potential gap in understanding or maybe even communication between the students and the staff. It's almost like they're both looking at the same problem

but through totally different lenses. Exactly. Imagine you're a student who's being bullied. Right. When you finally work up the courage to report it, hoping things will get better. But then, you know, from your perspective, nothing really changes. The bullying keeps happening, or maybe the consequences seem really small or not even there. That can be so disheartening, not just for the student who's being bullied, but for anyone who sees it happening.

Yeah. It can actually erode trust in the whole system and make students less likely to report incidents in the future. They just start thinking, what's the point? Exactly. And then that silence, that just allows the problem to grow. So how can MENA public schools bridge that gap and create this environment where students

truly feel safe and supported? Well recognizing that a problem exists is a good first step. And it seems like they're already doing that by conducting the survey and really diving into the data. They're willing to look at it, that's for sure. And then the next step is to actually go out and seek that student input. To really understand their experience, what they need. Exactly.

What's missing from the current interventions, from the student's perspective? What would make them feel safer? What would make them feel more supported? So it's not just, you know, did someone bully you? Yeah. It's, tell us about it. Tell us everything. Exactly. This could mean using student focus groups,

maybe some surveys designed specifically for student perspectives, or even creating a student advisory board specifically on bullying prevention. Oh, I like that. The students are part of the solution. The key is to make students feel like their voices are being heard, that their concerns are being taken seriously, that they're active participants in creating the safer school environment. It's about, you know, empowering them, not just protecting

them. And beyond just gathering that student input, there needs to be a focus on transparency and follow-up. So when something is reported, students know something is being done. That there are consequences for harmful behavior. Of course, this all needs to be done in a way that respects privacy. Absolutely. We're not saying they should, you know, publicly shame anyone. But maybe sending out a general announcement about the types of consequences given for bullying. Or highlighting successful interventions without naming specific individuals. So students see that the system is working. The goal is to create a culture where bullying is simply not tolerated, and where students

feel confident that reporting something will actually lead to a meaningful change. A culture of accountability and support. Exactly. Alright, let's transition to that second area for improvement, that communication piece. This seems to be a struggle for pretty much every school, not just Mina. Especially today, you know. Information spreads so fast and everyone wants to be kept in the loop. They want to understand those decisions being made and how it's going to affect them and

their kids. And they want to feel like they have a voice. So how can Mina get better at this communication piece, you know, and build those stronger relationships with everyone involved? Well, leveraging technology is a huge one. get better at this communication piece, you know, and build those stronger relationships with everyone involved. Well, leveraging technology is a huge one. Maybe creating a dedicated website or an app specifically for parents and staff to access important information.

Kind of like a one-stop shop for everything MENA Public Schools. I like that. Exactly. They could also send out regular email newsletters, use social media to share updates and engage in those conversations, maybe even use text alerts for those really important announcements. So using a variety of different ways to reach everyone make it easy to find information. But it can't just be about sending stuff out, right?

Right. Communication has to be a two-way street. So how do you do that? Things like town hall meetings, parent forums, even online surveys can be great ways to get feedback from everyone involved. It shows you're listening. It's about creating a sense of partnership where everyone feels like they have a stake in the success of the district.

Now it's important to acknowledge that transparency doesn't mean you have to tell everyone every single detail. There are legitimate reasons for confidentiality, especially when you're dealing with sensitive information like student records or personnel matters. Privacy is super important. The challenge is to strike that balance, you know? Be as open as you can while also protecting

everyone's privacy. Be transparent, but not intrusive. Exactly. It takes some thoughtfulness and it takes a commitment to open and honest communication. Speaking of communication, I'm curious. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like the communication was just like totally lacking? Oh absolutely. I think we all have, right? Whether it's at work, in our personal lives, even in our communities.

It's so frustrating when you feel left out of the loop, like your voice isn't being heard. It can really damage relationships, lead to distrust. Looking back at those experiences, what do you think could have been done differently to make things better? Well, sometimes it's as simple as being more proactive about sharing information. You know, give those regular updates,

be clear about expectations. And being willing to listen. Yes. Active listening, that's crucial. It's not just about hearing what someone is saying. It's about understanding their perspective and responding in a way that shows that you actually care. Building those connections. Exactly. Good communication.

It's essential for building trust, for collaboration, for creating a positive environment. And that's true for schools, workplaces, families, everything. Now, in addition to these very specific concerns about bullying and communication, MENA is also looking at the potential impact of that Access Arkansas Act we talked about. The one focused on higher ed, right?

Yeah, but it also has those provisions that could really impact K-12. Because it's about creating that smooth transition from high school to college. Exactly. Making sure students are set up for success from day one. One key area is that curriculum alignment piece. Making sure what they learn in high school actually prepares them for college coursework.

It's not just about getting them into college, it's about making sure they can succeed once they're there. This might involve reviewing the existing curriculum, identifying those gaps, those areas that need to be strengthened, and working directly with higher education institutions to make sure everything is aligned. So it's a team effort. And another potential impact is increasing those opportunities for early college credit. Which can save them time and money down the road.

And give them a real taste of what college is like. I wish I had more of that in high school. The Access Arkansas Act also encourages more collaboration between those K-12 schools and higher ed. That could mean forming new partnerships, sharing resources, developing some joint programs. All aimed at supporting students beyond high school. The potential impact of this act on MENA is huge.

It really represents a shift in thinking. You know, K-12 isn't the end, it's just a step on the way to bigger things. Education is a lifelong journey. Now, for a moment of celebration, it's always good to look at the positives, the wins. MENA has a lot to be proud of. Definitely.

Their celebration of National FFA Week shows their dedication to agricultural education and the importance of teaching leadership and career skills to young people. So important. And the success of their basketball team and hosting the wrestling tournament. Those all show their dedication to athletics and creating school spirit. It creates that well-rounded educational experience and a sense of pride in the community. It's about having a school environment that's not just focused on academics, but is also vibrant and engaging. Exactly. And that's something to celebrate. So as we wrap up

this part of our dive, I want to leave you with a thought. Okay, I'm listening. The things Mina is facing, the good and the bad, those aren't unique to their district. You're right. These are things schools and communities everywhere are dealing with. Bullying prevention, communication issues, preparing kids for the future, those are universal. And what they're learning in MENA can really provide valuable insights for all of us. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone who cares about their community, there's something to be learned from MENA's willingness to, you know, face these challenges head on and find solutions. And that's what we'll be exploring in the final part of our Deep Dive.

We'll look closer at potential solutions and discuss how these findings can create positive change. All right. Welcome back for the final part of our MENA Public Schools Deep Dive. We've gone over a lot, celebrations, areas for improvement. It's been a journey. Yeah, from safety and academics to bullying prevention, communication, even how those statewide changes with the Excess Arkansas Act might shake things up. We've really dug deep, but now it's action time. What can MENA do to make things better, you know, based on what we've learned? Let's start with those bullying interventions.

How do we move from knowing there's a gap to actually fixing it, making those interventions work for everyone? Well, a good starting point might be having a truly comprehensive bullying prevention program. Not just like a one-off assembly, but something integrated into the entire school culture.

I like that, yeah. So what would that look like in reality? Imagine staff-wide training. Everyone, from the teachers to the custodians, even the bus drivers, they all learn how to recognize bullying, how to respond effectively, how to build a climate where it's less likely to happen in the first place.

So everyone's on the same page working together. What about the students themselves? They're the ones experiencing it, right? Absolutely. Clear reporting procedures for students are so important. They need to know exactly who to talk to, how to report an incident, what happens after they report, and this is key. They need to see that the system actually works, that reports are taken seriously. Transparency and follow-up, those seem to be coming up a lot. They're essential, but to really tackle bullying

It has to go beyond the school walls. You need that community involvement parent workshops open dialogues Fostering that sense of responsibility to speak up against bullying. Those are all important pieces because bullying It's bigger than any one school. It's a societal thing, right? The more people we can equip to recognize and deal with it, the better. I agree. Okay, let's talk about communication. We talked about the desire for more transparency

from leadership and just more consistent communication overall. What are some concrete steps MENA can take to improve this? Well, technology is a great tool here. Having a dedicated website, maybe an app, where parents and staff can get easy access to news, updates, announcements, all of that, all in one place.

No more searching for those crumpled up newsletters at the bottom of the backpack. Exactly, regular emails, social media, even text alerts for urgent things using whatever tools work best to keep everyone in the loop. But it can't be a one-way street, right? How do you make sure it's a two-way conversation? Town halls, parent forums, those are great for in-person dialogue. Even online surveys can be useful for

feedback. Showing that you're listening, that input is valued. It's all about that partnership where everyone feels like they have a stake in the school's success. But it's important to remember transparency has boundaries. Some things need to be confidential, you know, for legal or ethical reasons. Like student information, personnel stuff, that makes sense. So it's about finding that balance being open while also protecting everyone's privacy. Right, that's the dance. It sounds like MENA is on the right track though. They're committed to improvement and they're using data to guide their decisions. That climate survey was a big step in the right direction.

Speaking of that survey, and data in general, it's a roadmap for making positive change. It's something any school, any community can do. It's a really great model, using information to make good decisions and to actually see those improvements happen. And it's not just about numbers and statistics, it's about listening to the people who are most affected. Giving them a voice, letting them be part of the solution, and what they're learning in MENA,

that can benefit everyone, right? Whether it's bullying, communication issues, or just that feeling of being disconnected from your school. By being open to feedback, using data, and most importantly, by working together, we can build those strong schools and strong communities. And that's what it's all about. It's been really interesting exploring MENA Public Schools with you today. It's inspiring to see how much they're doing right and how they're tackling those areas

where they can grow. Their dedication is clear. So to everyone listening, think about how some of these lessons might apply to your own life, your own community. How can you make a difference? How can you help build a better future where every child has the chance to reach their full potential? It's a question worth thinking about. The conversation never really ends. Keep asking questions, keep learning and keep pushing for that progress wherever you are.

Thanks for joining us on this MeKnow adventure. Until next time, keep diving deep everyone.