URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
Today we welcomed school nurses for the DMESC Back to School Nurse Workshop!*❤️🩺
From important health updates to best practices and collaboration, our nurses spent the day preparing for a safe, healthy, and successful school year. Thank you for the incredible care you provide to students, staff, and families every day. We appreciate all you do!
#thinkcoop1st
From important health updates to best practices and collaboration, our nurses spent the day preparing for a safe, healthy, and successful school year. Thank you for the incredible care you provide to students, staff, and families every day. We appreciate all you do!
#thinkcoop1st
What a way to wrap up Day 3 of the Early Childhood Summit!🌟
Today, we rolled out the red carpet for more than 160 early childhood educators who spent the day learning, collaborating, and growing together. 🎬🍿
Today's sessions included:
⭐ Gemini
⭐ Canva
⭐ Cybersecurity Awareness Training
⭐ How to Be High CLASS
⭐ Screening & SPED Overview for HIPPY, SPED & PreK
⭐ Math Strategies
Thank you to every participant, presenter, and partner who made today such a success. Your commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences for our youngest students is truly award-worthy! 🎥🏆
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
The Early Childhood Summit at the DMESC campus was a great success again today! We are incredibly grateful to Zeb's Lunch Box, Lockesburg Grocery Store, Shroer Medical, and Zacango's Mexican Restaurant for generously providing lunch for our 160 early childhood educators today.
A special thank you to Regina Grubbs for helping make today's lunch possible. Your support and generosity are truly appreciated. Our educators are thankful for the wonderful meal and for the community partners who helped make this event even more special!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
A special thank you to Regina Grubbs for helping make today's lunch possible. Your support and generosity are truly appreciated. Our educators are thankful for the wonderful meal and for the community partners who helped make this event even more special!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
Lunch for day 2 of the EC summit was sponsored by Kara and Cody Tedford Farms and Todd Moore Shield of Shelter Insurance/Moore Logging Supply of Dierks. We are so grateful for the support of these community stakeholders.
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Rolling out the red carpet for Day 2 of our Early Childhood Summit! 🍿✨
Today’s feature: Captivating Kids’ Hearts! We’ve had a full house every day, and we are loving every minute of learning and connecting together.
We still have 3 more star-studded days to go! 🎬❤️
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Today’s feature: Captivating Kids’ Hearts! We’ve had a full house every day, and we are loving every minute of learning and connecting together.
We still have 3 more star-studded days to go! 🎬❤️
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Day 1 of the DMESC Early Childhood Summit 2026:
Lights, Camera, Early Childhood! We kicked off the week strong with Capturing Kids’ Hearts and our amazing presenters, Carrie Parsley and Allyson Price. A big thank you for our delicious lunch, coordinated by local leads Captain Karen Garner and prepared and provided by Telia Dunn with Cornerstone Counseling. We’re grateful for Telia’s culinary talents and generous heart. Looking forward to more inspiration and collaboration this week!
#LightsCameraEarlyChildhood #CapturingKidsHearts
Lights, Camera, Early Childhood! We kicked off the week strong with Capturing Kids’ Hearts and our amazing presenters, Carrie Parsley and Allyson Price. A big thank you for our delicious lunch, coordinated by local leads Captain Karen Garner and prepared and provided by Telia Dunn with Cornerstone Counseling. We’re grateful for Telia’s culinary talents and generous heart. Looking forward to more inspiration and collaboration this week!
#LightsCameraEarlyChildhood #CapturingKidsHearts
📢 Computer Science Teachers—Save the Dates! 💻🗓️
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
September 23, 2026
November 4, 2026
February 24, 2027
#thinkcoop1st
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
September 23, 2026
November 4, 2026
February 24, 2027
#thinkcoop1st
📢 Computer Science Teachers—Save the Dates! 💻🗓️
Final Meeting: February 24, 2027
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
#thinkcoop1st
Final Meeting: February 24, 2027
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
#thinkcoop1st
☀️ Summer learning. Year-round impact. Week 8 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to grow, collaborate, and prepare for a successful school year. From meaningful conversations to fresh ideas, our educators are ready to bring new learning back to their schools. Check out this week’s highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
☀️ Summer learning. Year-round impact. Week 8 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to grow, collaborate, and prepare for a successful school year. From meaningful conversations to fresh ideas, our educators are ready to bring new learning back to their schools. Check out this week’s highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
Special Education / Paraprofessional Opportunity Mena Area
Typical qualifications include:
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Must meet Arkansas paraprofessional qualifications, which can be done by:
Passing the ParaPro Assessment/ParaPathways test, or
Completing at least 60 college credit hours, or
Earning an associate degree or higher.
If you're applying for the DMESC 3–5 Special Education Program in the Mena area, taking and passing the ParaPro exam is an accepted way to qualify if you don't already have the required college hours or degree.
Contact kelli.parson@dmesc.org or shelley.gilchrist@dmesc.org
Typical qualifications include:
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Must meet Arkansas paraprofessional qualifications, which can be done by:
Passing the ParaPro Assessment/ParaPathways test, or
Completing at least 60 college credit hours, or
Earning an associate degree or higher.
If you're applying for the DMESC 3–5 Special Education Program in the Mena area, taking and passing the ParaPro exam is an accepted way to qualify if you don't already have the required college hours or degree.
Contact kelli.parson@dmesc.org or shelley.gilchrist@dmesc.org
Cue the lights...
Roll the cameras...
Our cast is almost here!
Everything is ready, and we can't wait to welcome you to the
DMESC Early Childhood Summit!
Get ready for an unforgettable week of
learning, connecting, and celebrating the incredible work of early childhood educators.
See you Monday—the show is about to begin!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
Roll the cameras...
Our cast is almost here!
Everything is ready, and we can't wait to welcome you to the
DMESC Early Childhood Summit!
Get ready for an unforgettable week of
learning, connecting, and celebrating the incredible work of early childhood educators.
See you Monday—the show is about to begin!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
ATTENTION PARENTS of Students who received early childhood services through DeQueen Mena ESC
State and Federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed six years after a student leaves the special education or speech therapy program. You have the right to review and pick up your/your child’s due process records. The special education records are available at DeQueen Mena ESC. Contact Kelli Parson 870-584-8657. The records will be destroyed on August 31, 2026. These records are not your child’s permanent records. The records contain special education due process forms and evaluations. If your child exited our program by July 1 of 2020, the records will be destroyed August 31, 2026.
State and Federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed six years after a student leaves the special education or speech therapy program. You have the right to review and pick up your/your child’s due process records. The special education records are available at DeQueen Mena ESC. Contact Kelli Parson 870-584-8657. The records will be destroyed on August 31, 2026. These records are not your child’s permanent records. The records contain special education due process forms and evaluations. If your child exited our program by July 1 of 2020, the records will be destroyed August 31, 2026.
URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
🌞 Sunshine outside. Success inside. Week 7 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to learn, connect, and prepare for an amazing school year. Check out this week's highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
🌞 Sunshine outside. Success inside. Week 7 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to learn, connect, and prepare for an amazing school year. Check out this week's highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
DMESC Director Benny Weston and several DMESC district leaders joined professionals from across the state at the Arkansas Rural Education Summer Conference this week. We appreciate their leadership and look forward to the ideas and insights they'll bring back to strengthen our districts!
#thinkcoop1st
#thinkcoop1st
DMESC Job Openings
Early Childhood Paraprofessional in Mount Ida-
Minimum qualifications are a CDA or the willingness to obtain a CDA within one year. Must be dependable, pass a criminal background check and be willing to be a team player. 185 day contract
Early Childhood Classroom Teacher in Ashdown-
Minimum qualifications are an AA or a CDA with the ability obtain an AA within two years. Must be dependable, pass a criminal background check and be willing to be a team player.
Send resume to kelli.parson@dmesc.org
#thinkcoop1st#
We Serve and Support our Schools so that ALL Students Succeed.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Early Childhood Paraprofessional in Mount Ida-
Minimum qualifications are a CDA or the willingness to obtain a CDA within one year. Must be dependable, pass a criminal background check and be willing to be a team player. 185 day contract
Early Childhood Classroom Teacher in Ashdown-
Minimum qualifications are an AA or a CDA with the ability obtain an AA within two years. Must be dependable, pass a criminal background check and be willing to be a team player.
Send resume to kelli.parson@dmesc.org
#thinkcoop1st#
We Serve and Support our Schools so that ALL Students Succeed.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
🌴 Summer is for recharging, reconnecting, and reimagining what's possible. Week 6 of DMESC Summer PD gave educators the chance to collaborate, learn, and prepare for an incredible year ahead. Here's a look at this week's highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
