Nighthawk News
Herbert Akins Rd MS Community Newsletter
Week of July 5, 2022
We are excited for tomorrow's Meet and Greets! New information has been added throughout this newsletter but also includes information shared last week.
- Bus transportation information
- Cafeteria accounts, payments, and meal information
- PTA Membership and PTA Information www.nighthawkspta.org
- Spiritwear Orders will be distributed.
- PowerSchool Access
- Carpool Numbers and Walker Passes
- Medication or Health Plan collaboration with the School Nurse
Student's schedules should be picked up in their grade level hallway. Because we are a new school and PowerSchool has been taken down for yearly maintenance by the state, teachers' names will not yet be on the schedules. There will be master lists/keys available to learn teachers' names. However, students should visit their grade and track core classes, and there will be able to meet their teachers during the scheduled times.
2022-2023 Beginning of the Year Letter from Principal Adkins
Dear Inaugural Nighthawk Families:
A GREAT BIG welcome to our first students and families at Herbert Akins Rd MS, the newest middle school in WCPSS! As we move physically, socially, and emotionally into our new school environment, the changes that all stakeholders have endured over the past two school years will be at the forefront of our work as we “take flight” as Nighthawks for the 2022-2023 school year. While we continue to practice flexibility and grace for one another, we will prioritize creating a safe environment (physically, socially, and emotionally) for every student so each one can learn and achieve to the best of their ability.
Our focus areas during this first 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 team this year will include myself, three assistant principals, and two administrative interns.
Rendell Farrar, AP
Kyle Hamstra, AP
Sarah Stephens, AP
Emily Petersohn, AP Intern
Joey Risso, AP Intern
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
Supply List
Student/Parent Dashboard
Teacher Websites/Staff Directory
Twitter (@HerbertAkinsMS)
Athletic and Club Information
Important Beginning of the Year Dates for your Calendar:
Meet and Greet Teachers
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 10:30-12:00 PM for Track 1
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 1:00-2:30 PM for Track 3
Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 4:00-5:30 PM for Track 4
All students on Tracks 1 and 3 will attend school for their first day on Thursday, July 7th. 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 Friday, July 29, 2022.
It is important students attend school on their first day to be considered enrolled and in attendance for the 2022-23 school year. If your student is unable to attend the first day of school, please email kmcginty@wcpss.net or nhackett2@wcpss.net, 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.
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.
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 $3.25 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 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 and walkers. 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.
Students may walk home from our school if they obtain a walker’s pass. A form will need to be completed in order to receive a walker’s pass. 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 may ride a bike to and from school if they are in the “walker zone”. Once a student arrives on campus, they will need to walk their bike to the bike racks located in the bus arrival/dismissal area.
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 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.
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 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.
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 #buildournest for #takingflight2022. Together, our entire school community will ensure a successful inaugural school year at Herbert Akins Rd MS!
Respectfully,
Anne Marie Adkins
Principal
Transportation Information
If you have not yet requested bus transportation for 2022-2023, 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.
How to Read Your Schedule
2022-23 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
New Volunteers for 2022-23
All new volunteer applicants must register and have an approved criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work.
- New volunteer applicants may go to any WCPSS work site and register through wcpss.net by selecting the Community tab, and then selecting Volunteer.
- Applicants will be notified by email once their application has been approved.
- Applicants who are not approved will receive notice from Employee Relations.
Registration Process for WCPSS Employees Who Want to Volunteer
- Although WCPSS employees do not have to go through a criminal record check to volunteer, they need to register.
Athletic Spirit Wear
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