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Nighthawk News
Herbert Akins Rd MS Community Newsletter
Beginning of the School Year 2023-2024
Our Vision: The Herbert Akins Road MS Learning Community collaborates to facilitate equitable outcomes and growth through social, emotional, and academic opportunities.
We are excited for Monday's Meet and Greets for Tracks 1, 2, and 3! New information has been added throughout this newsletter.
Tracks 1 and 2 have their Meet and Greet from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Teachers for these tracks and classes will only be available during this timeframe on Monday, July 10th.
Track 3 will have their Meet and Greet from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Teachers for these tracks and classes will only be available during this timeframe on Monday, July 10th.
- Bus transportation information
- Cafeteria accounts, payments, and meal information
- PTA Membership and PTA Information www.nighthawkspta.org
- PowerSchool Access
- Carpool Tags - Can be picked up in the gym during Meet the Teacher
- Medication or Health Plan collaboration with the School Nurse
Students' schedules will be distributed in the gym. Students and families should visit the teachers on their schedules to meet their teachers. Students who are unable to attend the Meet and Greet on Monday, July 10th will be provided with their schedule upon arrival on the first day of school, Tuesday, July 11th.
2023-2024 Beginning of the Year Letter from Principal Adkins
Dear Nighthawk Families:
We are excited to welcome to our 2023-2024 students and families at Herbert Akins Rd MS. As we begin our new school year, students' physical, social, and emotional needs as well as growth will be a focus in our school environment. We will align all aspects of our work to our school's vision of The Herbert Akins Rd MS Learning Community will collaborate to facilitate equitable outcomes and growth through social, emotional, and academic opportunities.
Our focus areas this school year as we build community and connections are Restorative Practices, Co-teaching to support Student Achievement, and Positivity Project. Information about each of these can be found by clicking on the linked words. More information will be shared throughout the school year.
Our Administrative/Leadership team this year includes
Rendell Farrar, 8th Grade AP
Kyle Hamstra, 7th Grade AP
Emily Petersohn, 6th Grade AP
Ben Bell, AP Intern
Reggie Rushing, Part-time AP Intern
Thomas Galloway, Instructional Facilitator
Jesse DiMartino, Dean of Culture
Our school website, https://www.wcpss.net/herbertakinsroadms, will be updated often by our team and provide information at your fingertips to ensure a successful partnership to support student growth and achievement. Here are some highlights of what you will find:
School-wide Announcements
Weekly Community Message
Calendars and Schedules
Teacher Websites/Staff Directory
Twitter (@HerbertAkinsMS)
Athletic and Club Information
Our School Counselors
- Katie McGinty, 8th Grade Counselor
- Shaunrick McGee, 7th Grade Counselor
- Nicole Hackett, 6th Grade Counselor
Important Beginning of the Year Dates for your Calendar:
Meet and Greet Teachers
Monday, July 10, 2023 from 11:00-12:00 PM for Track 1
Monday, July 10, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM for Track 3
Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 4:00-5:00 PM for Track 4
All students on Tracks 1, 2, and 3 will attend school for their first day on Tuesday, July 11th. There will be multiple staff members greeting students and showing them where to go for their classes. We want everyone to be assured that we take this transition seriously and will strive to make it the best possible for every student. Track 4 will begin school on Monday, July 31, 2023.
It is important students attend school on their first day to be considered enrolled and in attendance for the 2023-24 school year. If your student is unable to attend the first day of school, please email kmcginty@wcpss.net (8th Grade), smcgee@wcpss.net (7th Grade), or nhackett2@wcpss.net (6th Grade), our school counselors, as they will be working on attendance during the first couple of weeks.
Important Information to assist in navigating the school year at Herbert Akins Rd MS:
Our instructional school day this year will be from 8:15 AM - 3:00 PM with students able to enter the building at 7:45 AM. Each morning we begin the day with announcements at 8:10 AM; therefore, it is ideal if students are in their classrooms and seated ready to begin the day at that time. Students miss valuable instruction when they come to school late, leave early, or are absent.
Attendance is taken each class period; therefore, attendance is based on number of classes attended/missed.
Students will not be checked out after 2:30 PM on school days as the staff will be preparing for student dismissal. If a student must be checked out of school early, they will need to be checked out prior to 2:30 PM.
WCPSS Transportation information can be found at https://www.wcpss.net/transportation and bus routes for Herbert Akins Rd MS can be found here. Per WCPSS and regardless of personal, social or recreational activities, students may not ride any bus other than that to which he/she has been assigned.
Breakfast and lunch will be available this school year. Breakfast will be $1.75 for paying students and free for those eligible for reduced-price breakfast. Lunch will be $3.50 for paying students and $.40 for those eligible for reduced-price lunch. All families are asked to complete the online application so the school and school system receive the appropriate funding. For all other information regarding school meals, please visit the WCPSS website.
Office staff will be available to assist you with information and procedures regarding student medication. Medication may be given at school only with the proper documentation from the doctor. Parents will need to bring the completed 1702 form and medication prior to the student’s first day of school. Office staff will be available to receive the medication and forms during the Meet and Greet sessions (see above dates).
Review and update your student’s personal data in PowerSchool to ensure your current email, phone numbers, and emergency contacts are updated in the system so you will be able to receive emails, texts, and other important notifications. If changes need to be made, please email the documentation to NCWise435@wcpss.net.
Carpool arrival will not begin until 7:45 AM as students cannot be on campus without adult supervision. Board policy states they can arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the instructional day which is 7:45 AM at Herbert Akins Rd MS.
Carpool dismissal is available at Herbert Akins Rd MS for middle school students and will begin at our 3:00 PM dismissal time. We have a large volume of carpool students, walkers, and bike riders. The carpool pattern works well when everyone follows the procedures for both the middle school and elementary school. Please drive carefully when approaching the school area and follow the instructions staff provide as they work at their duty locations. We request that all families who plan to use carpool at any point this school year watch this video. Families that have an elementary school student should exit to the left from the parking lot (not turn right) and then enter the elementary school line on Herbert Akins Road. Due to the volume of cars for both schools and having 18 bus routes (with some of those being doublebacks) at the middle school, our hope is that we can have our dismissal completed by 3:30 PM to allow the elementary school the opportunity to begin their safe dismissal processes at 3:45 PM.
Students may walk/bike between school and home if they meet the criteria for a pass. This form will need to be completed in order to receive a walker/biker pass. Students will qualify for a pass if there is a sidewalk the entire route between home and school. Students must leave campus at dismissal to walk home and may not loiter at the end of the school day. Students may not request a walker’s pass to walk to a nearby neighborhood to avoid carpool. This is a potential safety concern.
Click here for a Carpool Number/Walker Pass.
Students will utilize a backpack and/or bag to bring their supplies to school. The Supply List can be found here. Students may also want to bring a water bottle (not squeezable as they result in spills and unsafe conditions) as we have water bottle filling stations throughout the school. Students’ backpacks should not be filled with other items as nothing additional will be needed at school, and it will keep backpacks/bags at a reasonable weight. Lockers will not be used by students unless one is requested by a parent. Requests should be sent to a school counselor (kmcginty@wcpss.net, smcgee@wcpss.net, nhackett2@wcpss.net).
The primary school supply for students is their Google Chromebook. These are issued by WCPSS and the expectation is for students to utilize them daily for educational purposes. Students should charge them each night and bring their Chromebook and charger to school each day. “Paper” will be minimally used at Herbert Akins Rd MS.
We understand that a student’s family may have their student keep a personal technology device and/or mobile phone in their backpack for before/after school safety purposes. These are to remain in backpacks unless approved by a teacher to be used for educational purposes. In the WCPSS Student Code of Conduct, personal electronic devices are only to be used for education purposes under the direct and discretion of the teachers/school staff. The school and school system assume no responsibility for personal technology devices brought to school.
We ask that all students and their families review the WCPSS Student Code of Conduct which can be found here.
We hope your student will become involved in the whole middle school experience by trying out for one of the Nighthawk sports’ teams, take part in our music program, and/or join one of the many clubs sponsored by our staff.
Your partnership is invaluable to us as we utilize our #NighthawkVision to lift up our students in reaching goals and finding success. Together, our entire school community will ensure a successful school year at Herbert Akins Rd MS!
Respectfully,
Anne Marie Adkins
Principal
Transportation Information
If you have not yet requested bus transportation for 2023-2024, please go to the WCPSS website to complete your request. You will have to request transportation even if you had transportation last school year.
To request a walker's pass and/or carpool number click here.
Please watch this carpool video to better understand how carpool will operate at our school. It is imperative that everyone adhere to the structures for safety and to ensure we are completed with carpool and bus arrival/dismissal so the elementary school can begin their procedures.
Information about Carpool/Walkers/Bus Riders can be found in this folder.
2023-24 Volunteer Procedures
Board Policy 5015: School Volunteers
Per WCPSS Board Policy 5015: School Volunteers, the school board encourages principals to develop and implement plans and procedures for utilizing school volunteers, including those who wish to volunteer in a virtual capacity. Principals continue to have discretion to determine whether volunteers are needed. If the principal determines that a volunteer is needed for an activity or daily operations of the school, he or she may permit the volunteer to be on campus.
Volunteer or Guest?
- Guests are visitors who are never left alone with students. They do not need background checks. Typical examples would include speakers, presenters and community members/parents attending a school event.
- Volunteers are visitors who may or may not be alone with students at any point, including in a virtual setting. Volunteers do require background checks. There are no "levels" of volunteer status. Typical examples range from a community volunteer who reads with a child to an overnight chaperone, as well as field day workers, testing proctors, and volunteer coaches. The same background check is done for every type of volunteer.
Current Volunteers
- Current volunteers who were approved for the 2021-22 school year do not have to register again this year
All volunteers must pass criminal history and sexual offender registry checks and comply with WCPSS Board policy 5020: Visitors to the School.
New Volunteers for 2023-24
All new volunteer applicants must register and have an approved criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work.
Herbert Akins Road Middle School
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/herbertakinsroadms
Location: 2275 Herbert Akins Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
Phone: (919) 694-8300
Twitter: @HerbertAkinsMS