Nighthawk News

Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year!

Herbert Akins Road Middle School

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.

Communication Protocol

Week of July 21, 2025

Nighthawk Families,

This Thursday is Meet the Teacher for our Track 4 students and families from 6:00-7:00 PM. Students will be able to pick up their schedules, tour the building and meet their teachers.

Is your student interested in participating in the 2025-26 Spring Musical? If so, please complete the form here!

DEPs (Differentiated Education Plans) for Tracks 1, 2, and 3 AIG Students will be sent home with students on Friday, July 25, 2025. Please note that in middle school students do not receive weekly direct instruction from an AIG teacher. The AIG teachers collaborate with core teachers in reading and math to provide extension activities and differentiated lessons for students.

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.

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.

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.

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 on or prior to the student’s first day of school.

Review and update your student’s personal data 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.

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.

As a reminder, in MTYR schools, not all online/digital platforms are up and running the first two weeks of the school year due to the state of NC operating the platforms and doing their yearly maintenance. Staff access will be limited and your understanding as well as patience is appreciated.

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 continue to #buildournest in Year 4,

Anne Marie Adkins

Principal

Apply for School Meals - Each School Year!

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

AIG Parent Meeting

Help support our Nighthawk Students during Lunch!

Say Something

Dear Families,

We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students. In line with this commitment, we want to share a new initiative that the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has adopted, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. This system complies with North Carolina General Statute § 115C-105.51, which requires schools to offer a safe and anonymous reporting tool for students. Please know that the Say Something system is an additional option to our existing WCPSS tip line at (919) 856-1911 for anonymously reporting threats and concerns.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows students to confidentially report safety concerns through a mobile website or telephone hotline. It is designed to address issues such as bullying, threats, mental health concerns, and more, ensuring that students have an additional outlet to voice concerns and help keep our school community safe. As part of this initiative, all students will receive training on how to use the reporting system during the month of November. This training will include a brief instructional video, reflection questions, and a guided walkthrough of the tool’s features. This training will take place during the school day, in a structured environment with staff available to provide support and answer questions.

We also encourage families to visit the program’s website. https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/say-something-tips/ On the website, parents can find more information about how the system works and its role in promoting school safety. Please note that the name of the website may spark questions from your child about the Sandy Hook tragedy. As your child’s first teacher, we encourage you to take this opportunity to talk with your child about the importance of sharing concerns with trusted adults and ensuring open lines of communication at home and school.

While the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System will serve as a valuable resource, it is not a replacement for the relationships and open communication we encourage students to have with staff, trusted adults, and their families. We remain dedicated to building positive connections within our school community and ensuring that all students feel supported.

Counselors will begin co-teaching these lessons during Nighthawk Time in classrooms this week and will continue over the next few weeks. If you have any questions or concerns about this program or the training your child will receive, please do not hesitate to contact your grade level counselor.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our school safe and supportive for all students. A brief FAQ is provided below.

Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System?

It is an age-appropriate, research-informed program that trains youth and adults to recognize warning signs and threats of potential violence and to tell a trusted adult or use the anonymous reporting system via app, website, or telephone hotline. This empowers students, parents, staff, and community members to securely share safety concerns, helping school administrators and law enforcement members to prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm, and other dangerous behaviors.

Say Something Brochure

Say Something One Pager

Say Something Website

How does the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System work?

Students and staff can submit a tip about concerning or threatening behaviors through the app, website, or a telephone hotline, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Every submission goes directly to a trained Crisis Counselor who vets the tip, gathers details, then shares the information and next steps with our school team and law enforcement (as needed). The team steps in to address the threat and provide solutions. WCPSS has a trained Say Something response staff that includes social workers, counselors, and administrators.

How does the system work?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System can be used to report threatening or harmful behavior, harassment, and more. For example, imagine that a student, Thomas, is worried about a friend, Mary, who has been harming herself. Thomas isn’t sure who he should tell and is afraid of being labeled a "snitch" or, worse, losing his friend. Thomas can anonymously report the concern through the Say Something Anonymous Reporting app, website or through a phone call. He can even share screenshots of social media posts that he may have seen about this. Highly trained crisis counselors immediately take action to ensure Mary is safe and getting the help and support she needs.

What happens to the tip if the individual reporting is threatening to hurt themselves?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System’s National Crisis Center and local Say Something team members are specifically trained to recognize mental and emotional disturbances and effectively manage crises. Depending on district protocols, psychiatric emergencies may be referred to the appropriate community mental health services. Law enforcement may conduct a welfare check.

Do I have to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System? Does my student?

Using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is completely voluntary.

Who is running this program?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is offered at no cost to schools and districts by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit that was founded and is led by family members whose loved ones were killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012. SHP has trained more than 18 million educators, parents, and students nationwide to recognize the warning signs of potential violence and tell a trusted adult.

What about privacy?

WCPSS has been working with our school board’s legal team to ensure that all key privacy standards are maintained. All data from our school community within the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is owned by the district.

Family Attendance Letter 2025-26 (Click here.)

Positivity Project at Herbert Akins Rd MS

Love of Learning

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Love of Learning. Love of learning means enjoying the process of learning new things, whether in school or on your own.

People with a love of learning are motivated because they find joy in learning itself, not just for rewards like grades or prizes. They are driven by the excitement of discovering and mastering new skills.

Developing a love of learning is important for students because it helps them stay motivated and engaged. It can also improve their mental and physical well-being as they take pride in overcoming challenges and growing.

To practice and encourage the character strength of Love of Learning 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.

Grades 6–8

Have a wonderful week!

Families of 7th Graders

Infinite Campus - Parent Portal

If the link sent to you by WCPSS does NOT work, PLEASE use the following steps to complete the setup of your account:
1. Click on this Parent Portal Link: https://920.ncsis.gov/campus/portal/parents/psu920wakeco.jsp

2. Click on the New User? at the bottom of the login area.
3. Enter this Activation Key [you will receive a unique key based on their PersonID in IC]
4. Create your username and password.

You will be asked to create a username and password (please remember these credentials). The next screen will ask you to enter your email address two (2) times and the password that you selected. You will have to check your email messages to verify the email address. If you have multiple students in the district, you may receive this message more than one time. However, you only need to complete this process once.

Please create your account as soon as possible, as critical information about the start of the school year will be communicated through your Portal Account.

Please be sure to bookmark the Campus Portal Address (https://920.ncsis.gov/campus/portal/parents/psu920wakeco.jsp) so that you can return to it later. Otherwise, you can download the Campus Parent App in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Nighthawks PTA Information and Updates

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