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Nighthawk News
Week of February 26, 2024
Our Vision: The Herbert Akins Road MS Learning Community collaborates to facilitate equitable outcomes and growth through social, emotional, and academic opportunities.
Communication Protocol
Week of February 26, 2024
Nighthawk Families,
On Tuesday of this week, some of our 8th Grade students will be taking NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress). Our school was randomly chosen by this national organization and the students chosen were random and not picked by the school. Parents of students who were randomly selected have been notified. We are required to participate in this testing so we appreciate all Nighthawks supporting the testing environment on Tuesday morning.
8th Grade Parents whose student are going on the Washington, DC field trip will be receiving a green slip this week with the final amount owed for the trip. Due to a lower number of students and parents participating than originally reported, the price of the trip has changed. The tour company determines the price based on the number of attendees. If you have any questions, you can reach out to AP Farrar or your student's Social Studies teacher.
We are excited to host our first ever STEM Guest Speaker Day at Herbert Akins Rd MS for our 7th grade students on Thursday, February 29th. All students will spend the afternoon engaging with professionals in our community who will share their experiences and knowledge.
On Wednesday, February 28th, students on Tracks 1 and 3 will have their Spring Pictures taken during their math class.
A big congratulations and thank you to ALL student athletes who tried out for spring sports. There were a total of 139 7th and 8th grade students who tried out for track, boys soccer, and softball this year, showing how much passion our students have for athletics.
Mandatory parent meeting for spring sport athletes and families on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6pm
All families of student athletes who are participating in track, softball, and boys soccer are required to attend the spring sports parent meeting this Tuesday, February 27 from 6-7pm. Athletic Director Brent Winston will have a short presentation with information regarding expectations and procedures on and off the field to help this spring sport season run smoothly for everyone. Following AD Winston’s presentation, each coach will break into team sections with their own Q&A with respective athletes and families.
With appreciation for your support and partnership as we continue to #buildournest in Year 2,
Anne Marie Adkins
Principal
Positivity Project at Herbert Akins Rd MS
Tracks 1: Enthusiasm - Tracks 3 and 4: Other People Mindset of Cheering Others' Successes
Dear Families,
This week Track 1 will be focusing on the character strength of Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm means you approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.
Enthusiasm is the ability to bring life and excitement to different situations. It often leads to a higher level of involvement and engagement both for individuals and for groups. Those who demonstrate enthusiasm bring an energy and level of intensity to individual and group work. These people are often identified as early leaders and innovators as a result of their outward excitement about a task or project. Look for these people to recruit new group members and generate ideas.
For groups, enthusiasm can be directly tied to high levels of success, happiness, and achievement. Enthusiasm is contagious. One person’s enthusiasm can spark others to think, speak, and act with more energy and conviction. Groups that are enthusiastic about tasks are much more likely to spend longer periods of time in service to the group’s overall goals.
This week our Tracks 3 and 4 will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Cheering Others’ Successes. This means when other people succeed, I am happy for them and cheer them on.
Being happy for other people when they succeed isn’t always everyone’s initial reaction. Often, it’s easy to become jealous or envious of others’ victories -- or even to experience schadenfreude, which is deriving pleasure from witnessing (or learning about) another person’s misfortune. People who have these reactions to the success or misfortune of others are colloquially known as “haters.” It’s important to note that these are natural emotions and in small doses can be helpful in allowing us to see what we care about -- and motivate us to pursue those goals.
But making a commitment towards cheering on other people’s successes can be a great way to improve our own health, happiness, and relationships. People can take active steps to be more genuinely happy for the achievements of others. Ways to do this include; telling others about the success of your modest friend; noticing when your reaction to a sibling’s success is envy or jealousy -- and asking yourself why that is; reminding yourself that appreciating the excellence in another is a character strength; asking your successful teammates and classmates what they do to prepare for games or tests.
Being supportive of people who succeed is good for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being and when people cheer each other on it begins a reciprocal process that forges stronger relationships. Those relationships are the foundation for a strong culture in teams, schools, and businesses.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective 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!
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
Students with Special Needs
Transition and Community Agency Fair on Feb. 28 for middle and high school students with special needs
Middle and high school students with special needs and their families are invited to this event on Feb. 28 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Athens Drive High School, 1420 Athens Drive, Raleigh.
The fair will feature representatives from community organizations that offer support services for students with disabilities and their families. There will also be presentations on guardianship options and other adult services available following high school.
If you can't attend, there will be two other fairs this school year:
- March 21 - Heritage High School
- April 4 - Sanderson High School
Nighthawk Athletic News
This Week's Newsletter can be found here!
Spring Sports Tryouts
Students who tried out for softball and track have received emails regarding the results for this year's teams. The bravery and perseverance of our students is very much appreciated as trying out for a sports team takes many character strengths.
7th Grade Boys Soccer tryouts will continue after school on Monday, February 26th. The final roster will be posted online Monday evening and all student athletes trying out for the team will be notified via email.
Mandatory parent meeting for spring sport athletes and families on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6pm
All families of student athletes who are participating in track, softball, and boys soccer are required to attend the spring sports parent meeting this Tuesday, February 27 from 6-7pm.
Mark your calendars for our End of Year Sports Banquet on Wednesday, May 22.
At the banquet, we recognize each sport from the 2023-24 school year.
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
Click below to join our Fine Arts Boosters!
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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/10C0C4AAEAE2BA7FE3-46949039-gift
Spiritwear Store Link https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/NC/Fuquay-Varina/Herbert+Akins+Road+Middle+School