Tiger Tracks February 2026

Dear Families,

As social media continues to play a significant role in the lives of young adolescents, we want to emphasize the importance of parental awareness and monitoring of your child’s online activity.

Middle school students are still developing judgment, impulse control, and social awareness. Without appropriate guidance and supervision, social media can expose them to content or interactions that may negatively impact their emotional well-being, peer relationships, and school experience. Issues such as cyberbullying, inappropriate language or images, and online conflicts often extend into the school day and affect students’ ability to learn and feel safe.

We strongly encourage families to:

• Be aware of which social media platforms and apps your child is using

• Set clear expectations and boundaries for online behavior

• Regularly monitor posts, messages, and interactions

• Have open conversations with your child about digital citizenship, kindness, and responsibility

When parents and schools work together, students are far more likely to make positive choices online and seek help when concerns arise. Your involvement plays a critical role in helping your child navigate social media safely and respectfully.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the well-being and success of our students.

Sincerely,

Mr. Caprio

January

During the month of January, students and staff focused on our character counts pillars of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness and Citizenship. Students were selected that consistently demonstrated these pillars. The following students were selected and enjoyed a Character Counts Ice Cream Celebration!

Sixth Grade - Nolan Sanville, CaLee Chamberlain, Lucas Forrestel, Jenna Kowalski, Onalee Young, Gwen Jelson, Amelia Delvaney, and Buck Cummings

Seventh Grade - Laura Waddell, Kate Cerrat, Jackson Piatt, Gavin Fout, Amelia Groff, and Freya Berkland

Eighth Grade - Kathleen Ferrell, Isabella MacRae, Reese Addesa, and Samiah O'Connor

1 - Ski Club

2 - Report Cards Available Online

8 - Ski Club

11 - Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 (HS Cafe)

12 - Parent Teacher Conference (4:30-7:30)

13 - Parent Teacher Conferences - NO STUDENTS DAY (8-11:30)

13-20 - Mid Winter Recess

15 - Ski Club

16 - Presidents Day

23-27 - MS Book Fair (LMC)

The Book Fair is coming to the Middle School!!

Students will have the opportunity to shop the book fair during their ELA classes on February 24th- 26th. Families may shop the book fair, enjoy an ice cream sundae, and watch a family movie together on Thursday, February 26th! We hope to see you there!!

Recently, a number of our talented Middle School musicians attended a solo competition! For solo competition, students were required to prepare a solo on their instrument, where they then played it in front of a judge and received a score. Once the competition was completed, those with the top scores on their instrument were selected for ECMEA All-County ensembles- which are ensembles made up of the best of the best musicians in Erie County! We would like to congratulate the following students on being selected for ECMEA All-County ensembles:

All-County Band:

June-Marie Capan, clarinet

Allison Clark, percussion

Megan Drier, mallets

Megan McCullor, horn

Sicily Pingitore, flute

Laura Waddell, clarinet

Emmy Williams, oboe

Lucas Forrestel, trombone (alternate)

Nolan Sanville, horn (alternate)

All-County Orchestra:

Charlotte Andolina, viola

Levi Long, double bass

McKinley Sanville, double bass

Aurora VanDusen, viola (alternate)

All-County Chorus:

Reese Bluman

JuneMarie Capan

David Drier

Lucas Forrestel

Lincoln Genovese

Isabella MacRae

Gabriella Mangione

Natasha Pafk

Elizabeth Rizzo

NYSBDA Band (an ensemble with students from multiple counties across the state):

Kacie Murray, bassoon

Laura Waddell, clarinet

The week of February 9th is Children’s Mental Health Week! The theme this year is “This is My Place” which perfectly encapsulates our #OneAkron spirit. Here at Akron we want every student to have a place where they feel safe, heard, and valued. Ask your children what they learned this month from Dr. Toni Torchia from the Alberti Center. Dr. Torchia spoke about mental health as it relates to Anti-Bullying and Coping Skills. We want every Tiger to know this is your place!

February is here, the 2nd marking period is over, you have come so far! There are some simple, but important safety measures that need to be revisited.

• Make sure that if anyone is in the crosswalk, wait until the crosswalk is completely clear before proceeding.
• The elementary entrance is at the athletic field entrance, the parking lot is exit only. The high school parking lot also has specific directions. Enter on the right side and stay to the right. When exiting, exit on the right side, which is closest to the school. (There are arrows, but the snow covers them during the winter)
• The front entrance is the only point of entry during school hours. Remember not to drive behind the buses when they are in the front loop in the morning and afternoon .
• Please ensure that your kiddo has proper clothing and footwear for the weather, crocs and sneakers are not the best options on snowy or icy days. (Put them in their backpacks to change into)

Stay safe and Go Tigers! 🐯

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

Want to make your life easier? Instead of calling in when your student is absent, needs to be signed out, coming in late, etc., email your students' 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!