Our Vision: The Herbert Akins Road MS Learning Community collaborates to facilitate equitable outcomes and growth through social, emotional, and academic opportunities.

Nighthawk Families,

• This is the last week of Quarter 1 for students on Tracks 2, 3, and 4! We are asking all parents to review PowerSchool grades with your student and help to ensure ALL work is submitted by Friday so it can be included in your students' Q1 grade. Teachers have been communicating student need via Talking Points and email so please check all communication resources.

• School Cash Online is the new way for parents to pay for most school activities such as field trips online. We need all families to create an account so you can pay for your student field trips, NJHS, etc. online. Please use the instructions below to create your account so you can see your students and any activities attached to them.

  
  

  English Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pm30oAhTy63oUhLZ8Vzu28IxF2mMgEqb/view

  
  

  Spanish Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cCYPcJavxbC6vApNop_70riIEqNC6IMy/view

• On Monday after school, the football team will have a scrimmage. The scrimmage is for parents and students who are in attendance with an adult. It is not open for students to stay after school to attend.

• WCPSS enrollment plan open house at Herbert Akins Road Middle on Sep. 24

  Families who may be affected by the proposed 2025-26 school assignment plan are invited to attend an open house at Herbert Akins Road Middle on Sep. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. You'll have the chance to talk with district staff and learn more about how we open new schools and support your student’s transition. Staff from academics, special education, transportation, and magnet programs will be available to answer any specific questions you may have about this process. Register to attend this event. This event is not a formal public hearing. The official public hearing will be on Nov. 12 during a regularly scheduled board meeting. To learn more about this proposal, visit wcpss.net/2025enrollmentproposal.

• On Wednesday, the Nighthawks host our first Girls Soccer game against Reedy Creek MS starting at 4:00 PM.

• On Thursday our 8th grade NJHS students will be inducted during a ceremony beginning at 6:00 PM in the gym.

• On Friday our 6th grade students are all invited to the 6th Grade Social from 3:30-5:30 PM. Students who attend the social will not be able to leave early due to the number of staff needed to supervise and the number of students at the event. Track 1 students may be dropped off at the front of the school at 3:30 PM. More information below in the newsletter.

• Buy Spirit Wear (the PTA receives a portion of sales) - Herbert Akins Road spirit wear, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Nighthawks | 1st Place Spiritwear
• Rent the Spirit Rock (for birthdays and other celebrations)

• Volunteer Renewal closes October 1st!

  As a valued member of our volunteer community, we would like you to renew your volunteer status for the 2024-25 school year.

  The volunteer renewal process is quick and simple for all volunteers who were approved for the 2023-24 school year. The renewal window is now open through Oct. 1, 2024. Go to the MyVolunteer Volunteer Renewal site to renew your volunteer status today! Log into your MyVolunteer account and follow the directions for Volunteer Renewal. The process should only take a few minutes. Once approved, the renewal date in your MyVolunteer profile will be updated.

  All 2023-24 approved volunteers received an email on July 1 from no-reply@criminalrecordcheck.com with a link to renew your approved volunteer status for the 2024-25 school year.

  If you have any issues during the renewal process, contact the MyVolunteer customer support team at 877-272-0266 or customercare@mycrc.com

• Please follow us on our school's Facebook page, X "Twitter" account, and Instagram to stay abreast of up-to-date news and reminders throughout each school week. Scroll all the way to the end of this newsletter and click on the buttons to follow us on each platform.

With appreciation for your support and partnership as we continue to #buildournest in Year 3,

Anne Marie Adkins

Principal

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on all aspects of the Other People Mindset that were studied during the first quarter. Students and staff will complete a Quarter 1 survey and the data will be unpacked and analyzed by one of our School Improvement Indicator Groups to determine any action steps to positively impact best practices moving forward.

The Positivity Project (P2) aims to empower youth to build positive relationships by understanding, appreciating, and exemplifying the character strengths in us all. People who have a strong “Other People Mindset” are able to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with others by consistently practicing these five Other People Mindset principles:

1. Cheer other people on when they succeed

2. Recognize the good in other people

3. Remain present when giving people your attention

4. Support others when they struggle

5. Understand that everything you say and do affects other people

While mental health is incredibly complex, we do know that positive relationships can help people become happier, healthier, and more resilient. And, the Positivity Project believes educators have a tremendous opportunity and vital role to play in this endeavor. Our nation’s youth spend a large percentage of their time in school. By deliberately and consistently teaching students that relationships are important — and that positive relationships are cultivated through character strengths and the Other People Mindset — educators can roll back these trends and create strong citizens and leaders for our communities and countries.

To practice and encourage the Other People Mindset at home, please visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you will watch a video clip together and discuss a quote and three questions.

Thank you for your support!

The 6th Grade Social will be held Friday, September 27th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Tickets may be purchased online on the PTA Website until midnight on September 25th. Students can also purchase tickets with cash during lunch on September 25-27th. Students who purchase in-person need a signed permission slip. Please note that the social ends at 5:30 pm. Students cannot be picked up early from this event.

Permission Slip: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dYFk-zo0MkSFHVvvoYiXocuBwhPBGomo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117054496572315199450&rtpof=true&sd=true

Link to PTA website for online purchasing: https://harmsmemberhubcomstore.givebacks.com/store/items/1099910

A huge thank you to everyone who donated to and shared the Build Our Nest Fundraiser! We raised a total of $22,373, and minus the credit card fees, we netted $20,317.23!

7th Grade - $9,060

6th Grade - $8,205

8th Grade - $3,995

Misc - $1,113

The PTA is confident we will be able to still make our goals for the students and teachers possible this year, but will need your help to make them possible! We will have Spirit Nights at local restaurants, and ask for volunteers for events like working the concessions at local athletic events.

Thank you again to everyone who donated to and shared the fundraiser!

- Your PTA

Now's the time to order a yearbook for your student and SAVE. https://bit.ly/3B8oAKd

The yearbook is a record of moments in time for your student. Order today for $45.00.

JOSTENS PAYMENT PLAN: Spread out the cost of your yearbook order with three interest-free payments.*

Please checkout this week's Nighthawk Athletic Newsletter .

We need your assistance! Please sign-up to work concessions at a NC Courage Game here. All proceeds (and tips) benefit our Athletic Booster Club.

To prepare for future seasons ~

Click here for the video on how to do athletic physicals

*Check out our NEW athletic paperwork/physical Google Doc for information on how to load all paperwork on DragonFly

Brent Winston

Athletic Director
Herbert Akins Road Middle School

bwinston@wcpss.net

919-694-8300 ext. 53051

Meal Benefits Expiration Date HAS PASSED - Please see below.

Families must reapply every school year if they are interested in receiving meal benefits.

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

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

The Community Partnership Mapping Initiative is a strategic effort to compile a contact list and mapped database of new and existing community partners. Through this initiative, WCPSS stakeholders can share specific needs and will be connected with the community partners that have the ability to provide the needed resources or services.

Once approved by WCPSS staff, your organization's profile will appear in a mapped database that will be accessed and used by district staff, school administrators, social workers, and counselors. The information you provide will not be made available to the public.

This form is specifically for nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, and private foundations that provide goods and/or services to individuals or school communities. If you represent a business vendor, grantor, or if you are an individual volunteer, please review our vendor approval process or volunteer clearance process.

The Community Partnership Mapping Initiative aligns with Aim 12 of our Strategic Plan, which aspires to "Build strong relationships among staff, families, and community organizations in order to share resources and promote well-being." This aim reflects our commitment to Priority 2: Student Disposition and Well-Being. As noted in Core Belief #6: "The Wake County residents value a strong public school system and will partner to provide the support and resources to fully realize our shared vision, accomplish the mission, and sustain our core beliefs." Thank you for joining us in these essential efforts. We appreciate your support!

The 2024-2025 PTA is very excited about this upcoming school year!

• Please join the PTA so that you can receive communications throughout the year (we promise to keep them to a minimum!) regarding school dances, fundraisers, Teacher Appreciation events, family fun nights, and more!
• Join here: Join the PTA - HERBERT AKINS RD NIGHTHAWKS PTA (weebly.com)

• Buy Spirit Wear (the PTA receives a portion of sales) - Herbert Akins Road spirit wear, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Nighthawks | 1st Place Spiritwear
• Rent the Spirit Rock (for birthdays and other celebrations)
• Find information on volunteering for events
• If you have any interest in joining a committee this year, please contact Alex Jamieson at herbertakinsmsptapresident@gmail.com. Examples of committee positions are:
• School Dances
• Fundraising
• Teacher Appreciation
• Audit
• Spirit Nights
• So much more! Do you have special interests? Let us know! We probably have a committee for it! :)

Thank you so much, and we look forward to a FUN and awesome school year!

Alex Jamieson, PTA President

In middle school, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will all take the NC End of Grade test in Reading and Math during the last ten days of their school year. 8th graders will also take the NC EOG for Science. The NC Department of Public Instruction requires schools to administer these tests during a specific timeframe (the last ten days of the school year) and does not allow for any retesting during the school calendar. Over the last two years, students who did not earn a level 3, 4, or 5 on a test were invited to retake the test after the last day of the school year. This is not ideal for students, staff, or families which is why we promote students remaining focused during the specified testing window.

More details to come in following weeks to help families better understand passing criteria for each of the tests as the criteria is not the same for all tests.

Please take a moment to click here and register NOW!