Feb March Tiger Tracks

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,

As we enter the winter months, I want to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of staying safe and healthy during this season. Winter brings its own set of challenges, from colder weather to longer days, but it also offers us the opportunity to embrace a season of reflection, growth, and togetherness.

Winter is also a wonderful time to refocus on academic goals. As we approach the mid-year, it’s a great opportunity for students to review their progress, set new goals, and prepare for the upcoming semester. We encourage everyone to continue striving for excellence, both in and out of the classroom. Please remember to dress warmly and appropriately for the weather, and encourage your children to do the same.

Finally, let's take this time to practice kindness and gratitude. The winter months can sometimes bring added stress, so I encourage our school community to support each other and spread positivity, as we continue to build a warm, welcoming environment for all.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support. I look forward to a successful and fulfilling winter term!

Mr. Caprio

During the month of December, students and staff focused on the character counts pillar of Caring. Students were selected that consistently demonstrated a strong sense of caring and compassion toward others. The following students were selected and enjoyed a Character Counts Ice Cream Celebration!

Sixth Grade - Regina Reakes, Devonta Banks, Teagan Kumro, Ari Bruce, and Val Rossi

Seventh Grade - Addison Massaro, Emsley Stuber, Ayla Jagielo, Noelle Gerstung and Abigail Schlabach

Eighth Grade - Clara Bogdan, Holly Wolfe, Emma Pfeiffer, Magynn Cocco, and Luke Cayea

During the month of January, students and staff focused on the character counts pillar of Fairness. Students were selected that consistently treated others with respect and equity by listening to peers, including peers, and considering all viewpoints. The following students were selected and enjoyed a Character Counts Ice Cream Celebration!

Sixth Grade - Joel Martek, Nathan Green, Snyder Pragle, Gemma Knope, Laura Wadell, and Pierce Drew

Seventh Grade - Charley Hamlet, Anna Shpakovsky, Brady Harrington, Gaetano Aquilina

Eighth Grade - Kendel Murray, Eli Doll, Bentley Jones, and Colten Hilton

For the month of February, the Akron Middle School is focusing on the pillar of Citizenship. Students can earn Tiger Tickets for demonstrating citizenship what by:

• Holding themselves accountable
• Being respectful and responsible

Tiger Tickets can be earned from teachers, faculty or staff by students demonstrating the character counts traits or good behavior. With these tickets students can:

• Purchase rewards from teachers
• Purchase Akron T-shirts from the main office
• Put Tiger Tickets into a drawing to win a gift card

2 - 1:00-9:00 Grade 6-8 Ski Club

3 - CDE Field Trip to ECC

4 - Spanish Club

9 - 1:00-9:00 Grade 6-8 Ski Club

13 - Board of Education Meeting

13 - Parent Teacher Conferences (4:30-7:30)

14 - Parent Teacher Conferences (8-11:30)

16 - 1:00-9:00 Grade 6-8 Ski Club

17-21 - Mid Winter Recess

24 - School Resumes

1 - All County Rehearsal for grades 5/6 @ Sweet Home MS

4 - Spanish Club

6 - ECMEA Music Festival Rehersal @ Grand Island HS

7 - ECMEA Music Festival Concert @ Grand Island HS

12 - Board of Education Meeting

14 - Musical Production @ 7:00 in the Aud

15 - Musical Production @ 1:00 in the Aud

15 - Musical Production @ 7:00 in the Aud

17 - HS/MS Orchestra Dress Rehearsal (9th period)

18 - Music and Munchies @ 7:00 in the HS Cafe

26 - Board of Education meeting @ 7:00

29 - Cabaret Concert @ 2:00 in Gym 1

1 - 10:00 Mod Boys Basketball (B Team) @ Home (vs. Newfane) - Gym 2

3 - 4:30 Mod Boys Basketball (A Team) @ Home (vs. Newfane) - Gym 2

3 - 4:30 Mod Boys Basketball (B Team) @ Medina

3 - 5:00 Mod Swim @ Newfane

5 - 5:00 Mod Swim @ Albion

6 - 4:45 Mod Boys Basketball (A Team) @ Home (vs. Alden) - Gym 2

8 - 10:00 Mod Swim @ Home (vs. Barker & Roy-hart)

10 - 5:00 Mod Boys Basketball (A Team) @ Home (vs. Albion) - Gym 2

10 - 5:00 Mod Swim @ Barker

12 - 5:00 Mod Swim @ Home

17 - Spring Sports Begin

25 - Spring Sport Pictures

Akron was honored to host representatives from UB's Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention in early January. They came to educate students on the different types of bullying, the differences between bullying and regular peer conflict, and ways to be an upstander when witnessing bullying. We thank the following students for participating in our subgroups after each grade-wide presentation:

Kloe Jordan, Ophelia Whitmarsh, Tucker Horsefall, Seamus Luck, Jackson Piatt, Bristol Tarbox, Elijah Kotzin, Jenny Yang, Carissa Martek, Grayson Baehr, Connor Rooney, Mary Jane Gehl, Charley Hamlett, Rockee Poodry, Tucker Outten, Wyatt Paxton, Christopher Blask, Kortlnd Jonathan, Luke Cayea, Lexie Ground, Evan Kabangira, Barusha Pragle, and Patience Hill.

To learn more about the amazing resources available through the Alberti Center, visit: https://ed.buffalo.edu/alberti/resources.html

Recently, a number of our very talented Middle School Musicians attended a solo competition against students throughout Erie County. For solo competition, students prepare a solo on their instrument/voice and they perform this solo for a judge. The judge gives them a grade and comments, and those that score highest on their instrument/voice are then selected to be a member of the various All-County ensembles. These All-County ensembles rehearse only a few times during the month of March and then perform a concert. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to prepare a solo for solo competition and it is a huge honor to be selected for the All-County ensembles.

Congratulations to the following band and orchestra students for auditioning for solo competition and congratulations to those that were selected for the All-County Ensemble:

Clara Bogdan +, Carter Greiner, Emma Pfeiffer, Ari Bruce +, Mia Groff *, Scarlett Ranney *, June-Marie Capan *, Meara McCullor +, Mia Snyder, Kate Ceratt *, Emelia Meyers, Kennedy Sundown, David Drier, Kacie Murray +, Laura Waddell *, MJ Gehl, Nicole Pafk, Hannah Witkowski *

* indicates being selected for All-County Band/Orchestra

+ indicates being selected as an alternate for All-County Band/Orchestra

Congratulations to the following chorus students for being selected for the All-County Chorus:

June-Marie Capan, Emelia Meyers, Sarah Piscitelli, Kloe Jordan, Kendel Murray, Scarlett Ranney, Kylie Karmazyn, Lyla Pechuman, Kennedy Sundown, Whitley Koopman and Bristol Tarbox

From the voices of Rylie Irish-Baker and Clara Bogdan

December was a great time to be at Akron Middle School! It was composed of lots of holiday cheer including a school spirit week and on our last day before break, we watched a Christmas movie or played games together in the gym (depending on what we signed up for)! We all hope everyone had a great time celebrating the holidays.

As we ring in the new year, MS Government is excited to welcome selected sixth graders! The application will go out this month. If you are in sixth grade and interested in applying, keep an eye on your school email account! The form to apply will come from Mr. Caprio.

We are really looking forward to Valentine’s Day in our school! AMS Government plans to have a Valentine table set up for students to create Valentine cards for local Akron senior citizens during all middle school lunches! We plan to spread the love this season!

March is World Languages Month! Are you curious about how to speak a few phrases in various languages? If so, come and join us for a fun time at the March Spanish Club meeting!

It will be held Tuesday, March 4th from 3:20-4:30 in Mrs. Bergman's classroom, M128. Hope to see you there!

Yes, a new year has begun! A time for resolutions and renewal. The first semester will be ending soon and some of our students will be taking regents exams.

This can be a very busy and sometimes frustrating time for some of us. Make time for yourself to relax and enjoy some me time.

Mother nature may be taking us on a winter rollercoaster of temperatures and precipitation. Keep warm and stay safe.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us last month at our holiday pop-up shop in the elementary school! We would like to congratulate Nathaniel Gehl for winning the holiday basket giveaway! We appreciate all of our customers and can’t wait to hold future pop-ups in the upcoming months.

New Year, New Style! The Tigers Den is happy to announce our new jewelry collection. We have earrings for sale from artisans Jeweled Creations by Lynn and Renee’s Designs and Pura Vida orange and black bracelets. Get one for yourself, friends, and family for the new year!

The Tigers Den school store takes debit/credit cards as well as Apple Pay!

Follow us @akronschoolstore on Instagram or click the button below! We post updates on promotions, sampling, and everything the school store has to offer.

Here is a link to set up/access your parent/student PowerSchool Account! https://ps.akronschools.org/public/

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on February 13th and 14th.

Times are as follows:

February 13th - 4:30 - 7:30PM

February 14th - 8:00 - 11:30AM

Want to make your life easier? Instead of calling in when your student is absent, needs to be signed out, or is coming in late, etc., email to your student's building attendance email as follows:

Elementary: esattendance@akronk12.org

Middle: msattendance@akronk12.org

High: hsattendance@akronk12.org

If your student is feeling sick remember they can touch base with our knowledgeable nurses to determine if a sign out is necessary!