Most would assume the name H.A.W.K.S. Nest correlates with our school mascot, but surprisingly, it’s an acronym for Helping All With Knowledge & Success.
Corey Coates, founder of the H.A.W.K.S. Nest, said that when he created it, he wanted to ensure that kids knew it was not a punishment but a place after school to take a deep breath and get some work done.
“As a coach and teacher, I know Wednesdays are kind of a dead time when teachers are busy,” Coates said. “So I thought it would be a good time for kids to grab an after-school snack and stick around to get work done.”
Teacher Ryan King has sent multiple kids to the H.A.W.K.S Nest to make up tests or work on homework. He says it’s a good place for him to send his kids because Coates is a social studies teacher.
“With me having a busy schedule and being a coach, it’s hard to work with my students and find time after school to make up tests, so having the H.A.W.K.S. Nest is nice,” King said.
Addison Neilson started going to take tests and study for upcoming tests, but she ended up coming back each week because she loved the environment and all the help she received.
“My favorite part of the H.A.W.K.S. Nest is Coates just being his normal self and making you not so stressed out about your test or your classwork that you’re behind in,” Neilson said.
Coates wants to spread the word about the H.A.W.K.S. Nest and get more students excited about going.
H.A.W.K.S. Nest meets two Wednesdays each month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the library.
“My ultimate goal is to be able to have the H.A.W.K.S Nest every Wednesday,” Coates said.
“Then maybe over time with volunteers, it could be a normal after-school Monday through Thursday thing.”
