Nighthawk News
Week of February 10, 2025
Nighthawk Families,
Please join us Monday, February 10th for our last home basketball games of the season as we honor our 8th grade athletes! The spirit day theme is Neon! Our girls team remains undefeated and both teams have 3 games this week to finish out their season. We are so proud of all of the student athletes who have demonstrated significant character on the court representing our school during the winter athletic season!
We are proud of our Nighthawk Science Olympiad team who competed this weekend at NC State and represented with high character and commitment. #NighthawksRise in ALL we do!
Love the Bus Week is Feb. 10-14, an annual event where all students, staff, and families are encouraged to show their appreciation for our hard-working transportation staff! Our transportation staff are going above and beyond to make sure students get to and from school safely each and every day. Please make sure they know how much they are valued!
Nighthawks, 9th grade registration is quickly approaching! Open house dates and curriculum night dates for our feeder high schools can be found on the Herbert Akins website by clicking tabs in the following order: Families, Student Services, Course Registration, 9th Grade Registration. If you do not see information for your student’s high school, please contact Mrs. McGee for assistance.
Also, counselors will be going over registration information and assisting students with completing registration specific to their currently slated high school in February. Track 1: February 19, Track 3: February 20, and Track 4: February 25.
- Class attendance and participation are critical elements of the educational process. Any absences, whether excused or unexcused, can have a negative impact on a student’s academic achievement. Regular attendance must be prioritized and encouraged throughout our school community.
- We want to reward and acknowledge those students who attend school regularly.
- Each month, students with Perfect Attendance (no excused or unexcused absences) will be recognized.
- If there are extenuating circumstances for your student with regards to attendance, please contact your grade level counselor for support.
- Buy Spirit Wear (the PTA receives a portion of sales) - Herbert Akins Road spirit wear, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Nighthawks | 1st Place Spiritwear
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
Tracks 1 & 2: OPM: Cheering Others' Successes and Track 4: Perspective
Dear Families,
This week, Tracks 1 and 2 will focus on the Other People Mindset of Cheering Others’ Successes. This means when someone else does well, we are happy for them and show our support.
It's normal to sometimes feel jealous or envious when others succeed, but learning to genuinely celebrate their accomplishments can improve our own happiness and relationships. Supporting others not only helps them feel good but also strengthens our community and creates a positive environment.
Encouraging your child to be happy for others can start with simple actions, such as congratulating a friend, noticing feelings of envy and asking why, or learning from others’ successes. These steps build a supportive culture in families, teams, schools, and communities.
To practice and encourage this Other People Mindset at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below is the link to this week’s P2 for Families lessons.
This week, Track 4 will focus on the character strength of Perspective. This means understanding and appreciating different points of view. Perspective, often seen as wisdom, goes beyond intelligence. People with this strength are valued for their advice because they see the big picture and understand complex issues.
Those with perspective can get to the heart of difficult matters and bring clarity. They are honest, ethical, and good at seeing what truly matters. This helps them stay calm and learn from mistakes. By reflecting on their own feelings and thoughts, they can empathize with others and offer strong listening and questioning skills. They help their groups navigate challenges and find opportunities for success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below is the link to this week’s P2 for Families lessons.
Herbert Akins Road Middle School proudly announces that Aurelis Lugo, Visual Arts Educator, has been selected to join the 2025 School for Art Leaders (SAL) Cohort, a highly competitive leadership program organized by the National Art Education Association (NAEA).
Lugo was chosen from a distinguished pool of applicants following a rigorous selection process, recognizing her dedication to art education and leadership within the field. As part of this prestigious program, she will engage in an immersive learning experience both at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and through virtual sessions running through March 2026.
The School for Art Leaders is designed to empower art educators with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to lead and advocate for the advancement of visual arts education on local, state, and national levels. Lugo’s selection is a testament to her passion for fostering creativity, equity, and student engagement through the arts.
“We are incredibly proud of Aurelis Lugo for this well-deserved recognition,” said Anne Marie Adkins, Principal of Herbert Akins Road Middle School. “Her dedication to her students and commitment to excellence in art education make her a true leader in our school community and beyond.”
The entire Herbert Akins Road Middle School community congratulates Aurelis Lugo on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to the impact her participation in the NAEA School for Art Leaders will have on our students and the broader field of art education.
Please check out this week's Nighthawk Athletic Newsletter .
To prepare for future seasons ~
Click here for the video on how to do athletic physicals
Brent Winston
Athletic Director
Herbert Akins Road Middle School
919-694-8300 ext. 53051
Meal Benefits Expiration Date HAS PASSED - However, if you would like to still apply due to any personal changes, please see below.
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
Please take a moment to click here and register NOW!
