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Nighthawk News
Week of November 20, 2023
Our Vision: The Herbert Akins Road MS Learning Community collaborates to facilitate equitable outcomes and growth through social, emotional, and academic opportunities.
Week of November 20, 2023
Nighthawk Families,
As a reminder, students will have school on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Wednesday through Friday are off in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Our Nighthawk Team is grateful for the unwavering support of our families as we continue to #buildournest as a new school community. Enjoy your holiday break!
Winter Athletic Tryouts will finish on Monday, November 20, 2023. Details are below in the Athletics section. Mr. Brent Winston, Athletic Director, can answer any questions you may have at bwinston@wcpss.net.
The garden club is in need of someone with general contracting or related experience to help us design and execute a restorative garden in our traffic circle including large planters and benches. If you would be interested, please contact Lea Ellis (lellis2@wcpss.net) and/or Sarah Maye (smaye@wcpss.net). Thank you for helping us grow!
From our PTA: Holiday Cookie & Wrapping Supplies for our Teachers! Please sign up to assist at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094EA5AB2C7-45748688-wrapping
Spring nominations for AIG testing are now being accepted. Go to HARMS AIG for more information about the nomination process and the nomination form. The deadline for Track 1,2, and 3 is Friday, December 8th ; Track 4 - Friday, January 5th. {Students that are currently AIG and those awaiting test results do not need to be nominated.}
Fall AIG testing scores have not been returned yet and will be distributed as soon as they are received. AIG DEPs for the school year were distributed in October. Please ask your AIG student if you have not received their DEP at this time.
Ms. Hockaday is out of the office until Thursday, November 30 and thanks you for your understanding that your emails and calls will be returned beginning at that date.
Please take time to stay connected and find all the opportunities offered to our students and school community each week. This Nighthawk News is filled with much information so be sure to continue reading below!
With appreciation for your support and partnership as we continue to #buildournest in Year 2,
Anne Marie Adkins
Principal
Holiday Cheer for Staff - Sponsored by PTA (Click infographic to sign up!)
Positivity Project at Herbert Akins Rd MS
Knowing My Words and Actions Impact Others and Humility
Dear Families,
This week Track 1 will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Identifying and Appreciating the Good in Others. It’s important to deliberately work to identify and appreciate others’ character strengths.
Identifying and appreciating the good in others is a core tenet of the Other People Mindset. This isn’t always what comes naturally. Often, it’s easier to blame others for our problems or find flaws in others to use as excuses for our own jealousy, bitterness, or resentment. The problem is that this negativity usually leads to problems -- for ourselves, for the other person, and for our relationships.
Identifying and appreciating the good in other people helps you see the world through a more positive -- and less threatening -- lens. If you’re constantly seeing the negative traits of people, you’re going to think the world is comprised of bad people -- and you’re going to operate from a defensive posture. This isn’t to say that we should be naive or see the world, and its people, through “rose-colored glasses.” It’s just that we should strive to understand people’s intent. If you see the good in another, they are likely to see the good in you.
This week Tracks 3 and 4 will be focusing on the character strength of Social intelligence. Social Intelligence means you are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
Social intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand and manage interpersonal relationships. It is distinct from a person’s IQ or “book smarts.” It includes an individual’s ability to understand, and act on, the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of other people. This type of intelligence can take place “in the moment” of face-to-face conversations but also appears during times of deliberate thinking. It involves emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships -- and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. And it assists a person against being taken advantage of. People with social intelligence can “read” other people’s faces and know what motivates them. Social intelligence builds over time and as a person ages. In this sense, it is similar to the character strength of perspective.
To practice and encourage the character strength of social intelligence with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
Nighthawk Athletic News
Winter Athletic Tryouts
Winter Athletic Tryouts will be completed on Monday, November 20, 2023, for cheerleading, boys' and girls' basketball.
Parent Meeting for Players who make Winter Athletic Teams
On Tuesday, November 28th, there will be a mandatory Parent Meeting for parents in the cafeteria at 6:00 PM. After the Winter Sports Parent Meeting, each team will meet with the coach for specific detailed information.
Booster Club Memberships
Here is a link to the booster club website where information regarding sponsorships and memberships are available. Herbert Akins Road Middle School Booster Club
Booster Membership Square Site
Lastly, if you have any questions or need any help please feel free to reach out. Thank you!
Brent Winston
Athletic Director
Herbert Akins Road Middle School
919-694-8300 ext. 53051
Little Mermaid Jr. - Important Information for Students to Be Involved!
Herbert Akins Rd MS Theatre Arts First Ever Production!
Parents and Students - this is the LAST WEEK to fill out an audition or tech form for The Little Mermaid Jr. There have been updates to audition information (including times that students will be done) - please read over the information carefully and plan accordingly. Thank you!
Audition Information:
Tracks 1, 3, & 4:
Monday, November 27th - Audition Workshop (3:30-5:30)
Tuesday, November 28th - Acting Auditions (3:30-6:00)
Wednesday, November 29th - Singing Auditions (3:30-6:00)
Track 2:
Monday, December 4th - Audition Workshop (3:30-5:00)
Tuesday, December 5th - Acting & Singing Auditions (3:30-5:00)
Notes about auditions:
All audition materials will be provided at auditions.
Students must attend all audition dates for their track to be considered for a role.
All who audition must sing (even if you don't want to be considered for a role in which you sing by yourself on stage.)
All who audition must complete THIS GOOGLE FORM WITH THEIR PARENT PRIOR TO AUDITIONING.
Students & Parents must FULLY and CAREFULLY read and complete the audition Google Form.
Please note - this is a different form than the Play Production Interest form. You must fill out this form and audition to be considered for a part.
Take a breath! We are here to help and support you through your audition. 😀
Questions? Contact Mr. Pressley at tpressley2@wcpss.net
Tech Information:
Students interested in being on the tech crew do not need to audition.
Students wishing to participate in tech must complete THIS GOOGLE FORM as their “audition.”
Students & Parents must FULLY and CAREFULLY read and complete the tech Google Form.
Please note - this is a different form than the Play Production Interest form. You must fill out this form to be considered for a tech role.
Questions? Contact Mr. Pressley at tpressley2@wcpss.net
Helpful Links:
Thank you for your interest in the production. We look forward to seeing your student(s) at auditions!
Mr. Travis Pressley
Theatre Arts Teacher & Director
Herbert Akins Road Middle School Theatre Arts
2275 Herbert Akins Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Click below to join our Fine Arts Boosters!
Fine Arts Booster Fundraiser
Help support the Herbert Akins Road Middle School Fine Arts Programs by participating in our inaugural fruit sale! The sale runs to December 10th. We are raising money to support the purchase of instruments, accessories need for the instruments, some art supplies for our art classes, and to cover the cost of supplies that may be needed for our first ever theatre production, The Little Mermaid Jr. We have partnered with Florida Indian River Groves to provide you with the freshest fruit available. Your fruit will be harvested the very same day it's shipped to us, ensuring that you receive fruit that is hours off of the tree. Now that's fresh! Now's the time to pick up a box of Navel Oranges that are sure to be bursting with flavor or a box of sugar-sweet, Indian River Red Grapefruit. And don't forget your friends, family, and coworkers. Everyone loves Fresh Fruit From Florida! Thank you! We appreciate your support!
Game Night - Friday, December 1st - Mark your calendars!
HARMS PTA Silent Auction Fundraiser - Mark your calendar to participate!
Culver's Spirit Night - Supporting our PTA
Prospective Student/Family Tours
Prospective Student/Family Expo - January 18, 2024
AIG Elective During 2nd Semester - For Students Already Identified AIG
2024 N.C. Aviation Art Contest entries with cash prizes
Entries must be RECEIVED by Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
This year’s theme is “Air Sports for a Peaceful World.” Read more about the theme at https://www.fai.org/yac-contest-theme. All students who live in or attend school in North Carolina are invited to grab their favorite art supplies (note: pencils and colored pencils are prohibited) and conjure up a vision of a peaceful world in which people live together in harmony, uniting through common interests – such as air sports – to create friendships, and show kindness and respect.
All students who participate will receive Certificates of Participation. Additionally, the top three entries in each age group, determined by date of birth, will be forwarded to Washington, D.C., to be judged in the national competition. The artwork of the national winners will be sent to Switzerland to compete in the international competition.
Cash awards for student winners are:
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
1st Place
$75
$100
$225
2nd Place
$50
$75
$150
3rd Place
$25
$50
$100
Additionally, the school of each winner will receive:
1st Place
$100
2nd Place
$75
3rd Place
$50
Student artwork will be returned after the competition if:
· The student or school submits return packaging/mailer and postage at the time the artwork is submitted.
· The student does not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the national or international level. The national and international contests may retain winning artwork.
Contest tips and rules, entry forms, and the required Certificate of Authenticity may be found at https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/aviation/aviation-art-contest/Pages/contest-rules.aspx
Mail artwork submissions to:
North Carolina Aviation Art Contest
NCDOT Division of Aviation
Attn: Corbi Bulluck
1560 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1560
STEM Career Day
Apply for School Meals
To apply for free or reduced-price meals, you can do so online by visiting www.MySchoolApps.com. Paper applications will always be made available in our school's front office, or you can call 919-588-3535 or 919-856-2920 to have one mailed to you.
- Application information
- Application information - información sobre la solicitud (Español)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions - preguntas frecuentes (Español)
- Sample application/Ejemplo de solicitud (Please fill out an original / Favor de completar una solicitud original)
- Meal charges policy | Cuentas de Alimentos
Online Application
- Apply for Free or Reduced Price Meals Online
- Solicitud en línea para las comidas escolares Gratis/Precio Reducido: Español
Meal Benefits Expiration Date
Prior year meal benefits will carry over up to 30 school days in the new school year based on your student's school calendar. Families must reapply every school year if they are interested in receiving meal benefits.
Questions about applying for free and reduced meals:
(919) 856-2920 (English)
(919) 588-3535 (English and Spanish)
cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net
Free and Reduced-Price Benefits Office fax number:
(919) 856-3704
Communication Protocol
We Need You as a Volunteer this Year!
Please take a moment to click here and register NOW!
Nighthawks PTA Information and Updates
Teacher / Staff Appreciation
PTA is getting an early start on collecting gift cards for Teacher / Staff Appreciation this year. Please sign up and add a small gift card to your next grocery store run! Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AAEAE2BA7FE3-gift
Spiritwear Store Link https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/NC/Fuquay-Varina/Herbert+Akins+Road+Middle+School
Email attendance435@wcpss.net or scan QR code/fill out info in body of email
Harlem Wizards - Nighthawk Family Event - Mark Your Calendars!
On February 7th Herbert Akins Road MS will welcome the Harlem Wizards for a fun filled family night and we need volunteers to help make this event great. If you would like to sign up for the planning committee, please see the sign up genius link.