Nighthawk News
Week of May 6, 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 May 6, 2024
Nighthawk Families,
We are so proud of our students and Mr. Travis Pressley on four wonderfully successful performances of The Little Mermaid Jr., our school's inaugural musical production! It was absolutely amazing and highlighted the wonderful talent of our Nighthawk students.
Since Track 4 students were unable to attend the Special Olympics event due to track out, we hosted a Unified Sports Soccer Event at Herbert Akins Rd MS this past Friday. Our boys' soccer team along with our Nighthawk Ambassadors and Kindness Club cheered our special olympiads. Thank you for all your support and check out the pictures on the WCPSS Facebook Page!
This coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Please see the graphic below as to how you can thank your students' teachers each day. The week also begins with our Teacher of the Year, Aurelis Lugo, being recognized at the WCPSS Teacher of the Year Banquet on Monday, May 6th.
You should have received an email to take the Panorama Parent Survey. Thank you for your support in assisting WCPSS in hopefully increasing our previously low response rates for this survey. There are multiple uses of this survey to include: metrics of the Strategic Plan, ability to provide perception data for schools for the School Improvement process, and the results are often used to monitor multiple programs in our district and school. You can find the survey here.
We would love to have you join our PTA Board next school year! Here is the link to share your interest.
Please see below for information about our Memorial Day Event at Herbert Akins Rd MS - The Murph Challenge! We hope you will join us in our dedication to those who have served our country, in particular Navy Seal Lt. Michael P. Murphy.
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!
We hope to have you join us for our Spring Athletic Events! You can find the link to the schedule below.
Student enrollment numbers as well as having to provide four tracks determine the number of teachers we are allotted from the school system each year. We ask that our 6th and 7th grade families complete this Student Destinations Form to assist us with planning. Thank you in advance as this will ensure we recommend the correct number as well as the best teachers possible for our students.
End of Year Dates for your calendars:
8th Grade Track 1 - May 31st (Field Day/Picnic/Yearbook Signing); 8th Grade Dance - All Tracks - May 31st 7:00-9:00 PM
6th/7th Grade Track 1 - June 3rd
(Outdoor Stations)
8th Grade Track 3 and 4 - June 21st (Field Day/Picnic/Yearbook Signing)
7th Grade Tracks 3 and 4 - June 25th (Outdoor Stations)
6th Tracks 2, 3, and 4 - June 26th
(Outdoor Stations)
We encourage families to take vacations during track outs to ensure students are in the Nest on instructional days to ensure learning and growth each school year. Here are the 2023-24 school calendar and the 2024-25 school calendar for your planning purposes.
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 and 2 - Love; Track 4 - Perseverance
Dear Families,
This week our Tracks 1 and 2 will be focusing on the character strength of Love. Love means you value close relationships with others and being close to people.
The character strength of love represents the way we think, feel, and behave towards the people with whom we have close relationships. When one person loves another person, that person: comforts and makes the other feel safe; sacrifices on the other’s behalf; supports the other during struggles; and places the others' needs ahead of their own. If you love a person, that person makes you feel safe and secure. You can be yourself with that person. You miss that person when they are not around.
On a group level, love is vital for the well-being of society. The world is endlessly interconnected. We are all dependent upon each other for survival and happiness. Love produces positive feelings, which help negate loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Without love, we cannot form strong relationships with our families, friends, or communities. A world without love is a dangerous world.
This week, our Track 4 will be focusing on the character strength of Perseverance. Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
The concept of perseverance can most often be found in one’s active pursuit of overcoming obstacles. Perseverance is a uniquely human characteristic that identifies an individual’s ability to spend long periods of time devoted to a single goal or set of goals. People demonstrating high levels of perseverance can handle significant, sometimes repeated, setbacks in pursuit of goals.
Those who persevere through setbacks often reap the benefits of the success gained by refusing to give up. Sometimes, this comes with the added benefit of increased knowledge and skill as a result of the work needed to achieve. A single group member’s ability or willingness to persevere can substantially impact those working with them and the team. Groups that show high levels of perseverance can achieve goals they may not have believed possible.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perseverance 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
This Week's Newsletter can be found here!
Track finishes season strong; Soccer wrapping up this week
The Nighthawk track team finished the season with a strong showing at the conference track meet. Numerous athletes placed, with Victoria Currie winning both the Girls 100m and 200m races and the boys 4x100m placing first in the conference. Congratulations to all athletes and a special thank you to the coach on such a successful season!
The softball team is back at the Nest on Monday for a game against Holly Grove. Then, on Thursday they travel to take on Holly Ridge.
The boys soccer team play their final game of the season this Tuesday at Apex Friendship.
A reminder that all home or away individual game tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the event or via Go Fan App.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Monday
Softball v. Holly Grove 4:15pm
Tuesday
Soccer at Apex Friendship 4pm
Thursday
Softball at Holly Ridge 4:15pm
NOTE: For students’ safety, all tracked out students MUST use carpool to be dropped off in front of school. Ideal drop-off time is between 3:20 - 3:30.
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
Please get your friends and enter your team for the 3 v 3 basketball tournament in May! Details linked below
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
Teacher Appreciation Week - We are so fortunate at HARMS to have our teachers!
Click the picture below for the Science Spelling Words.
The Spelling Bee will be held during FLIGHT Time Clubs from 9:15-9:45 over two Wednesdays.
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Herbert Akins Rd MS
Sign-up as a Free Agent or Sign-up as a 3 Player Team! Teams that sign-up together can pick their team name! Sign-up NOW to ensure you and your team get a spot in the tournament!
Thank you for wanting to participate in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Herbert Akins Rd Middle School. Please complete the attached form and send it back via email when possible. The form also has a space to list your teammates.
Become a Nighthawk PTA Board Member and serve our school! (Click the form.)
Order Your 8th Grade Yard Sign by Clicking on the Form Linked Below
The Murph Challenge - Memorial Day Event
8th Grade Dance scheduled for May 31st from 7-9 pm. Theme is Glow in the Dark.
The 8th Grade Dance "Glow in the Dark" will be held on Friday, May 31st.
This event will take place from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the school Cafeteria.
Volunteers are needed to make this event a success! This is the last dance of the year and the last at HARMS for our 8th Grade Students!!
Volunteers are needed before the event for set up, and after the event for clean up. We will have a DJ playing students favorite hits, Sparks Photo Booth taking pictures, and drinks/ snacks/cupcakes available at no charge for all students attending the event.
In order to volunteer, YOU MUST be registered with WCPSS as a volunteer!! Volunteer sign up is now done online from the convenince of your home. Please DO NOT wait as approval takes time.
Please reach out to herbertakinsmsptasecretary@gmail.com for any questions!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E45A5AD29A7F49-48628623-8thgrade
It's hard to believe that we are already deep into planning for next school year. Planning enrollment is one of the most critical elements to planning a new school year. To have a better idea of student enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year, we would like to know your intentions ( Please note that this is not binding). To assist our team in accurate planning, please complete the following form to the best of your knowledge at this time.
Please select the option that best describes your family's plan for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. As a reminder, the school year for Tracks 1, 2, and 3 begins on July 8th, 2024. Track 4 will start on July 29, 2024.
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
Herbert Akins Rd MS Track Change Request Form 2024-25
This form will be reviewed through June 2024 if seats come available on tracks. Families will be notified prior to making the change.
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/10C0C4AAEAE2BA7FE3-46949039-gift
Spiritwear Store Link https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/NC/Fuquay-Varina/Herbert+Akins+Road+Middle+School