Nighthawk News
Week of October 9, 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 October 9, 2023
Nighthawk Families,
We need the assistance and support of our parents and family members when working with students at school. In order for high levels of learning and engagement to take place, your partnership with discussions at home are appreciated. Here are some school ready behaviors we ask that you discuss with your student as we begin the 2nd quarter:
- Bring all school supplies, including a charged Chromebook, to school each day.
- Adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, especially to ensure a safe and orderly environment for learning and engaging with others.
- Personal devices are not to be used in classrooms or the hallway.
- Personal devices can only be used at lunch for watching school appropriate videos, playing school appropriate games, or listening to school appropriate music. Volume is not to be on for others to hear. Students may wear an earbud or headphones but only one ear can be covered at a time. This allows students to hear adult instructions.
- All work must be submitted to teachers on time. If a student has a question, it must be sent or asked of the teacher.
- Students are to be quiet in the hallways during work and/or transitions. Each grade level has their own schedule, and all staff and students must be respectful to others' learning by transitioning quietly. Redirection and reteaching will take place if students are interrupting others' work.
- Students should attend all classes each day. Early dismissal and late arrival impact students' success.
- Students should pick up/clean up after themselves in the classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeteria, and at after school events.
On Friday, October 6th, all Track 1, 2, and 3 students received a copy of their first quarter report card. If you have not yet reviewed it with your student, please ask them for it and review their efforts, learning, and grades for the first quarter.
- Due to the delays in WCPSS Bus Transportation and the significant increase in our enrollment impacting carpool, athletic team tryouts/practices will not begin until 3:30 PM this school year. Track 4 athletes must be dropped off at 3:30 PM through our carpool line.
- All Club information can be found on our school website here.
- All family members and parents are asked to take the VIA Survey using this link. This will help to build partnership and collaboration between home and school as we all focus on the Character Traits/Strengths in the Positivity Project's Other People Mindset
Nighthawk Family Ed Camp Survey - If you attended the September 26, 2023, evening event or if you've reviewed the presentations, please take a moment to provide feedback here.
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
Southern Region Resource Event for Families - Click below.
Nighthawk Family Ed Camp!
Due to a low number of RSVPs for the October 17, 2023, we are cancelling the event.
However, if you would like to view the presentations you can click here. All presentation folders include slides with information as well as a video of the session.
Oct. 18 - Wear ORANGE for Unity Day to Unite around Kindness, Support, Inclusion
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying prevention is a year-round effort, but there are additional activities that we promote and participate in during the month of October. Bullying refers to acts or behavior that intentionally cause harm and happen repeatedly. It's important to have conversations with students both at home and at school surrounding this important topic. Our school counseling team, Ms. McGinty, Ms. McGee, and Ms. Hackett can assist you if you have any additional questions.
Please join us on October 18th in wearing ORANGE 🧡 for Unity Day to unite around kindness, support, and inclusion.
Positivity Project at Herbert Akins Rd MS
Integrity
Dear Families,
We want to offer the opportunity for you to take the VIA Survey at home so you can engage in dialogue and discussion with your student about the Other People Mindset and Character Strengths found within all of us. You will be able to share stories and perspectives with your student and other members of your family as you highlight and learn more about your top Character Strengths.
To access the VIA Survey, please click this link.
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Integrity. Integrity means you are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.
Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching. People with integrity practice what they preach and maintain a consistent pattern of behavior aligned with their values. They have the courage not to follow the crowd if it means going against their beliefs. Integrity is closely aligned with the terms of honesty and authenticity. People with integrity tell the truth and have alignment in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Integrity is vital to individual growth. It is correlated with a multitude of psychological well-being measures. Harmony in your feelings, thoughts, and actions makes you better able to personally grow and achieve goals. Authenticity and a lack of pretense make you more likable and trusted by others, meaning your relationships will benefit.
To practice and encourage the character strength of integrity 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.
Nighthawk Athletic News
Game Scores
Last week was a lot of fun for our students with spirit week and our fall pep rally. Our athletic teams fought hard against Fuquay with our soccer team tieing 2-2 after OT, our volleyball team fell 3-1 and our football team lost 22-0. All teams are working hard to improve to get ready to travel to Lufkin Rd next week!
Tracked Out Athlete Drop Off
Parents due to our large number of carpool and coaches being on duty in the afternoon. Please go through the carpool line to drop off athletes no earlier than 3:30. Athletes will enter through the front of the school building. If an athlete arrives earlier than 3:30 they will need to sit in the cafeteria until it is time for practice. Parents please be sure not to drop off your athletes in the back by the gym.
Fall Team Schedule
Girl’s Soccer:
Practice Monday 10/9, Tuesday 10/10, Thursday 10/12 from 3:30-5:30. Game Wednesday 10/11 at Lufkin Road starting at 4 PM.
Football
Practice Monday 10/9, Tuesday 10/10, Wednesday 10/11 from 3:30-5:30. Game Thursday 10/12 at Lufkin Rd.
Volleyball
Practice Monday 10/9, Tuesday 10/10, Thursday 10/12 from 3:30-5:30. Game Wednesday 10/11 at Lufkin Road starting at 4 PM.
Cheerleading
Practice Monday 10/9, Tuesday 10/10, Wednesday 10/11 from 3:30-5:30.
Here is a link to our 2023-2024 NightHawk Athletic Schedule with tryout dates for each season. This document will be updated if any changes are made to the game schedules.
Athletic home Game Parking/Entrance
Spectators should park in the athletic parking lot labeled on the map below. Please use the right carpool lane to enter the school as the elementary carpool will be going on. Football/Soccer spectators should walk around to the back of the building to the athletic fields and volleyball spectators should enter the school through the front doors labeled on the map.
Athletic Game Concessions
In order to have concession stands at all home games it is essential every fall athlete have someone volunteer for one of the home games. Ideally, a soccer/volleyball volunteer would sign up for the football games and a football/cheer volunteer would sign up for the volleyball/soccer games. Here are the links for signing-up. We still need volunteers for our Football game on 10/19 against Apex. Please take the time to check the links.
Football: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4bada62eabf94-harms#/
Volleyball/Soccer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4bada62eabf94-girls#/
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!
Linked here.
Student Spectators Athletic Attendance Expectations
Please read if your student is staying after school.
We encourage our Nighthawk students to stay after school to attend home athletic events and cheer for our athletic teams. We would like to lift our athletic event expectations to be observed at Nighthawk athletic events.
Our goal is to provide a safe and orderly environment for everyone while on our school campus and following these expectations will ensure that goal. We appreciate everyone supporting these expectations as we continue to lift up our Nest.
Students who stay after school for an athletic event will be provided a 30 minute staff supervised study hall. Students are expected to work quietly and utilize this time effectively. Students who decide to disrupt their learning or the learning of others will be given a chance for redirection. After redirections, if behavior does not change, students will be asked to notify their parents and leave campus.
Students will need to pre-purchase their ticket via Go Fan or have $6 cash ready at the gate for entry to the event.
Once at the event, students may purchase concessions or use the restroom before the game, at half time of the game, or between games. Students will value Nighthawk athletes by remaining seated during gameplay.
Students who are not attending with a parent or adult spectator must sit in the designated Nighthawk Nest Student Section. Students will remain at the game during game play.
ALL FOOD and DRINK is prohibited within the gymnasium. This damages the bleachers and gym floor.
ALL FOOD and DRINK are to be consumed in the cafeteria or outdoors. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and dispose of all trash in the proper containers.
Students are to keep their belongings with them at all times. Personal items should not be left unattended in any areas.
We will demonstrate integrity by remaining in the area of the designated athletic event at all times, including consuming food and beverages.
Nighthawks will demonstrate the Positivity Projects’ Other People Mindset at athletic events. This means only positive chants and cheers for our team and demonstration of good sportsmanship at all times.
Students who are unable to exemplify the characteristics of a Nighthawk while at an athletic event will be asked to contact a parent for pick up and will be removed from the game.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in our Nest!
Did you know the following Nighthawk Team Members represent Chile, Argentina, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Honduras? We are so proud to have their expertise and service in the Nest!
Ms. Janine Perez--Rivera, Ms. Lucia Cervantes Damian, Ms. Odalys Gomez, Ms. Aurelis Lugo, Mr. Guillermo Guzman, Ms. Maria Gonzalez, Ms. Maria Sanchez, Mr. Arturo George, Ms. Lorena Schakel, Ms. Magdalena Lyles, Ms. Maria, Mr. Omar Cespedes, Ms. Claudia Marongiu-Engle
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
Reflections Art Program
We would like to let you know that the NC PTA Reflections art contest is on now with the themes, categories and last dates for the submission.
For those who are wondering what the Reflections program is..
The National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
Categories and Divisions
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome).*
Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts
*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
So it is the time for us to kickstart the program at school Level.
“ I am Hopeful Because .... ” is this year’s theme and it couldn’t be more appropriate! Does your child love art, music, photography, dancing, or any other art form? Then this is the contest for them.
The last date to submit your entries to the school level competition is
October 25 , 2023. We will be announcing the school level winners by the end of October !
For more details and entry forms visit : https://nighthawkspta.weebly.com/reflections-program.html
If you have any questions feel free to contact : Tori Barbour
Please use the Below QR Code to submit your art work before October 25.
If you find Difficulty to submit through google form please feel free to contact
Ms.Tori Barbour or Nighthawk PTA for a hard copy of submission form to submit your entries in person.
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.