Nighthawk News

Student/Parent Dashboard 2025-2026

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

Week of August 4, 2025

Nighthawk Families,

HARMS Science Olympiad 2025-2026 Team application window is now open!
Click HERE to complete the application form with your parent/guardian.
The application deadline for all tracks is August 8. Visit the NCSO website as well as SCIOLY to study the Division B events to prepare for a paper placement test given after school!

First Quarter Interims for all tracks will be sent at the end of the 6th week of the school year. Therefore, Tracks 1 and 2 will have interims sent home either Thursday, August 14th or Friday, August 15th.

First PTA General Meeting
Thursday, August 14 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rtd-nzrb-ifq

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 and bus routes can be found at https://www.wcpss.net/transportation. 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.

If a student brings a personal device and/or mobile phone with them to school it must remain in their backpack at all times. These are to remain in backpacks turned off at all times from the time they enter the school building until the time they exit the school building. School staff have access to phones throughout the school to contact parents if needed. If a parent needs to give their student a message, they should call the front office and the message will be given to the teacher/student. We ask that you explain this law and board policy to your student to support the work of our school staff and to eliminate the need for behavioral consequences. As part of their job, teachers and school staff are expected to uphold the policy. We are looking forward to being able to provide intentional instruction to enhance student learning this year without the distraction of personal devices.

Please review the WCPSS Student Code of Conduct, which can be found here, with your student and as a family. Student/Parent Handbooks will be sent home with students the first day of the school year.

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 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 is the 2025-26 school calendar for your planning purposes.

With appreciation for your support and partnership as we are #RootedtoRISE in Year 4,

Anne Marie Adkins

Principal

OPM- Being Present for Track 4: Self-Control for Tracks 1 & 2

Dear Families,

This week, as Track 4 will focus on the Other People Mindset of Being present and giving others my attention. This means when we are with other people, we are present and give them our full attention.

In today's world, it's easy to get distracted by phone calls, messages, and social media. These distractions can pull us away from what's most important — our relationships with other people.

Just as plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. If we don’t give our full attention when we are with our family, friends, and even colleagues, we can't build strong relationships. It’s crucial to put down our phones and tablets and really listen when others are talking. Positive relationships are the foundation of a positive culture, and we can’t build positive relationships without attention.

To practice and encourage the Other People Mindset of being present and giving others our attention, 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.

This week, Tracks 1 and 2 are focusing on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means having the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

Having self-control helps people stay calm during tough times and avoid impulsive actions. It doesn’t mean you don’t have thoughts or feelings; it means you can manage them.

When working or gathering in groups, self-control is shown through “self-monitoring.” This means being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Group members adjust their roles to help the group succeed.

To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control 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 are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons.

Grades 6–8(Being Present)

Grades 6–8 (Self-Control)

Have a wonderful week!

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.

Deadlines for each track are below.

Year-round track 1: August 18, 2025
Year-round track 2: September 5, 2025
Year-round track 3: September 8, 2025
Year-round track 4: September 9, 2025

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

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 2025-2026 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)
On the PTA you will also be able to:

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

Thank you so much,

Alex Jamieson, PTA President