🍎 October is Principal and Director Appreciation Month!
This month, we proudly celebrate the incredible leaders who guide our schools with dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
• Mrs. Nichole Parks, Special Education Director – Leads with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to advocacy, ensuring every student receives the individualized support they need to reach their full potential.
• Mr. Kevin McCarn, Athletic Director – A passionate leader in high school athletics for years, Mr. McCarn transitioned from head football coach to athletic administration in 2021. He continues to champion both athletic excellence and the development of student character on and off the field.
• Mrs. Leeanna Hoskinds, IT Director – Ensures the district’s infrastructure is modernized, expanded through 1:1 device access, and strengthened with robust cybersecurity protocols—all while staying current with emerging technologies, regulations, and best practices in educational technology.
• Mr. Zach Harber, Child Nutrition Director – Oversees the success and compliance of the district’s child nutrition programs through diligent management of records, reports, and documentation—helping keep our students nourished and ready to learn every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Parks, Mr. McCarn, Mrs. Hoskinds, and Mr. Harber, for your passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff. You make our schools shine! 🌟
This month, we proudly celebrate the incredible leaders who guide our schools with dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
• Mrs. Nichole Parks, Special Education Director – Leads with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to advocacy, ensuring every student receives the individualized support they need to reach their full potential.
• Mr. Kevin McCarn, Athletic Director – A passionate leader in high school athletics for years, Mr. McCarn transitioned from head football coach to athletic administration in 2021. He continues to champion both athletic excellence and the development of student character on and off the field.
• Mrs. Leeanna Hoskinds, IT Director – Ensures the district’s infrastructure is modernized, expanded through 1:1 device access, and strengthened with robust cybersecurity protocols—all while staying current with emerging technologies, regulations, and best practices in educational technology.
• Mr. Zach Harber, Child Nutrition Director – Oversees the success and compliance of the district’s child nutrition programs through diligent management of records, reports, and documentation—helping keep our students nourished and ready to learn every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Parks, Mr. McCarn, Mrs. Hoskinds, and Mr. Harber, for your passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff. You make our schools shine! 🌟
🎉 October is Principal and Director Appreciation Month! 🎉
This month, we are celebrating the incredible leaders who guide our schools with dedication, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to student success.
💙 Ms. Tara Rush, Principal, and Mr. Jason Qualls, Assistant Principal, lead with kindness, enthusiasm, and a strong focus on helping every student thrive. Their leadership inspires excellence and creates a supportive school community where everyone feels valued.
💙 Mr. Steven Chaney, Principal, and Mrs. Sadie Jenkins, Assistant Principal, demonstrate exceptional leadership each day, fostering a positive learning environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and achievement for all.
💙 Mrs. Mandy Hunt, Preschool Director and Mrs. Maggie Lawrence, Assistant Preschool Director create a nurturing, joyful environment where our youngest learners begin their educational journey. Their heart for children and dedication to early learning make a lasting difference every single day.
Thank you, Ms. Rush, Mr. Qualls, Mr. Chaney, Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Lawrence, for your passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff. You make our schools shine! 🌟
Red Ribbon Week is next week!
Need help with the FAFSA Application, Career Coach Mrs. Abbi Smith will be setup in the High School Library during parent teacher conferences to assist.
Reminder:
Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM.
School will dismiss at 1 PM.
Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM.
School will dismiss at 1 PM.
October School Board Meeting scheduled fro October 27,, 2025.
🎉 Ready, Set, Tailgate!🏈
You’re invited to an evening of fun, food, and football!
🗓️ Friday, October 10
Tailgate Schedule:
* ⏰ **Setup Begins:** 4:00 PM
* 🍔 **Tailgate Party Begins:** 4:30 PM
* 👑 **Fall Royalty Presentation:** 6:30 PM
* 🏈 **Kickoff – Melbourne vs. Mayflower:** 7:00 PM
🔥 But that’s not all!
Don’t miss the **Pep Rally** on **Friday morning at 9:00 AM** at the football field — let's show our Bearkatz pride and get loud!
Wear your red, white, and blue, bring your game-day spirit, and get ready to cheer on Melbourne as they take on Mayflower!
GO KATZ GO
You’re invited to an evening of fun, food, and football!
🗓️ Friday, October 10
Tailgate Schedule:
* ⏰ **Setup Begins:** 4:00 PM
* 🍔 **Tailgate Party Begins:** 4:30 PM
* 👑 **Fall Royalty Presentation:** 6:30 PM
* 🏈 **Kickoff – Melbourne vs. Mayflower:** 7:00 PM
🔥 But that’s not all!
Don’t miss the **Pep Rally** on **Friday morning at 9:00 AM** at the football field — let's show our Bearkatz pride and get loud!
Wear your red, white, and blue, bring your game-day spirit, and get ready to cheer on Melbourne as they take on Mayflower!
GO KATZ GO
Good Luck at the 3A State Golf Tournament today!
September School Board Meeting 9/22 5 PM
Game Day 7 PM @ Marked Tree
Game Day
JR High Bearkatz at ICC 6 PM
#gokatzgo
JR High Bearkatz at ICC 6 PM
#gokatzgo
Location Change for Bearkatz Bash!
The Bash will be held at First Baptist Church this evening! Food in the basement and festivities in the gym!
The Bash will be held at First Baptist Church this evening! Food in the basement and festivities in the gym!
Updated Football Schedules
🎒✏️Back-to-School Update
We're excited to share that the school district will be providing all school supplies for students this year — no need to worry about shopping for pens, notebooks, or other materials!
Families will only need to send their child with:
🎒 A backpack
💧 A reusable water bottle
🍎 Additionally, FREE LUNCH and BREAKFAST will be available to all students every day.
📚✨We’re looking forward to a great school year!
#BackToSchool #gokatzgo
We're excited to share that the school district will be providing all school supplies for students this year — no need to worry about shopping for pens, notebooks, or other materials!
Families will only need to send their child with:
🎒 A backpack
💧 A reusable water bottle
🍎 Additionally, FREE LUNCH and BREAKFAST will be available to all students every day.
📚✨We’re looking forward to a great school year!
#BackToSchool #gokatzgo
MHS 2026 Senior Athletes and Band Members! It is time for the senior banner photo shoot. Two days have been scheduled for the senior banner photo shoot. Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM and Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM. Location will be either the field house or the gymnasium depending upon weather.
Bring your uniforms for all sports and props such as gloves, helmets, golf clubs, instruments, pom poms etc.
Please pass the information along to all 2026 athletes and band members.
Bring your uniforms for all sports and props such as gloves, helmets, golf clubs, instruments, pom poms etc.
Please pass the information along to all 2026 athletes and band members.
Meet & Greet with Coach Milligan – 2025 MHS Golf Team
⛳️ Interested in joining the 2025 MHS Golf Team?
Come meet Coach Milligan on Tuesday, July 15 from 4–5:30 PM at Cooper’s Hawk!
🏌️♀️ Bring your clubs for short-range & putting practice
👉 Connect with other athletes
📍 Don’t miss this chance to learn more and get involved!
All interested players are welcome—come ready to have fun and get to know the team!
#MHSGolf #MeetTheCoach #GolfSeason2025 #gokatzgo
⛳️ Interested in joining the 2025 MHS Golf Team?
Come meet Coach Milligan on Tuesday, July 15 from 4–5:30 PM at Cooper’s Hawk!
🏌️♀️ Bring your clubs for short-range & putting practice
👉 Connect with other athletes
📍 Don’t miss this chance to learn more and get involved!
All interested players are welcome—come ready to have fun and get to know the team!
#MHSGolf #MeetTheCoach #GolfSeason2025 #gokatzgo
Melbourne School District PUBLIC RELEASE – SY 2025-2026
FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS
The [Melbourne School District] will be participating in the National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and the School Breakfast Program]. Households may be eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits. Applications may be found at https://www.bearkatz.k12.ar.us/. Households that participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must complete and return the application. Applications will be considered incomplete if all information is not provided as described in the instructions provided with the application. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year as circumstances change provided that the loss of income causes the household income during the period of unemployment to be within the eligibility criteria.
Households with children who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may submit an application with abbreviated information as described in the application instructions.
All applications are subject to verification. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request to: Tim Massey at 870-368-7070
Children who are enrolled in Head Start / Even Start programs are categorically eligible for free meals. Contact Maggie Lawrence at 870-368-0380 with questions regarding Head Start / Even Start meal benefits.
Children certified as foster, migrant, homeless or runaway by the district are categorically eligible for free meals. Contact MES at 870-368-4365 with questions regarding foster, migrant, homeless or runaway meal benefits.
Households who are notified of their eligibility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. SNAP households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by 08/13/25.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.
Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS
The [Melbourne School District] will be participating in the National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and the School Breakfast Program]. Households may be eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits. Applications may be found at https://www.bearkatz.k12.ar.us/. Households that participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must complete and return the application. Applications will be considered incomplete if all information is not provided as described in the instructions provided with the application. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year as circumstances change provided that the loss of income causes the household income during the period of unemployment to be within the eligibility criteria.
Households with children who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may submit an application with abbreviated information as described in the application instructions.
All applications are subject to verification. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request to: Tim Massey at 870-368-7070
Children who are enrolled in Head Start / Even Start programs are categorically eligible for free meals. Contact Maggie Lawrence at 870-368-0380 with questions regarding Head Start / Even Start meal benefits.
Children certified as foster, migrant, homeless or runaway by the district are categorically eligible for free meals. Contact MES at 870-368-4365 with questions regarding foster, migrant, homeless or runaway meal benefits.
Households who are notified of their eligibility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. SNAP households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by 08/13/25.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.
Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
July School Board Meeting: July 24, 2025 5 PM Central Office
The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) will observe a two-week summer dead period for all sports from June 22 to July 5, 2025. During this time, there can be no coaching or contact between coaches and student-athletes, and no school or non-school teams or training allowed in our facilities.
⭐⭐
Start Date: June 22, 2025.
End Date: July 5, 2025.
Applicable Sports: All sports (school and non-school).
Facility Closure: All Melbourne Public School Facilities.
June 2025 regularly scheduled board meeting will be June 19, 2025 at 5 PM at the Central Office.