The FAST Flyer

I was asked recently for some school updates so I thought that this week I would share with you all some of the amazing things that have been happening here at FAST since our town hall meeting in November. I hope to have another one soon to share more news and some exciting new plans but in the meantime let me share some of the happenings, some may be old news to you, but I would like everyone in our community to share in the progress we have made over the last few months.

• We had a lot going on in December including our first annual holiday jubilee that was organized and put on by our amazing teacher Mr. Hendry and our stellar PTO. The event was a huge success and the students were so excited to share what they have been learning in music with their families and friends. We also had a lot of smiling faces in front of our mural created with Ms. Kenney and her students.

• In early December we had our winter MAP assessment with a 95% participation rate. Over the holidays I had an opportunity to review our overall school growth performance and overall our students made growth between the fall and winter testing windows with 8th grade exceeding their expected growth in reading.

• During the week of December 12th we had our class parties and our room representatives did an outstanding job planning, organizing, and directing activities, games, and food for a celebratory kindergarten through 8th grade. We also had a good number of parents who attended the parties with their children and everyone had a jolly good time.

• Also during the week of December 12th we held our first staff holiday party graciously hosted by one of our business partners. Of course our PTO did a great job helping me plan and set up so that our staff, PTO board members, subs, and governing board members could spend some time coming together in fellowship. We had an amazing turn out, only missing a few of our staff members and some people even left with something a little extra to enjoy during the break from our raffle.

• On January 3rd our staff returned for professional development and teambuilding. We took a deep dive into our MAP data and developed plans on how to best serve our kids using the new data. We also spent time developing our PBIS plan with Mr. Moore and our teachers were introduced to the Cognia Learning Community, an online professional development resource that allows teachers to have differentiated professional development that meets their needs.

• In the last few weeks our teachers have been excited to use the new Coginia Learning Community and 10 of our teachers have already completed at least one of the 2 hour learning labs to help improve their practice. I am excited to see how we progress with this amazing new tool.

• Starting in November we began our tours of FAST and I have been excited to share all that FAST has to offer with prospective new families. We will continue to have tours through the spring so if you know anyone interested in coming to FAST tell them to sign up!

This is just a few of the great things that have been going on at FAST. We have a very special school with the best students that Georgia has to offer. Thank you all for being the amazing families you are and for all you do to support the faculty and staff. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions you may have.

In Partnership,

Mary H Miller

We previously advised our families that Spanish teacher, Mr. Chang was out on an extended leave. Unfortunately, he will not be able to return to work. Mr. Patricio Cors had been acting as a long term sub and has been hired on full time to finish the year.

8th grade social studies teacher, Mr. Harris has left FAST due to personal and family reasons. Micah Rooke will be returning to cover his classes as of January 23. Many of you (and your students) may remember Ms. Rooke who was a FAST teacher from the first days of the school until just this year including having taught 7th and 8th grade social studies, and science.

In an effort to streamline communications and ensure attendance records are being updated timely, we have created a new email for all attendance related correspondence. Going forward, please use attendance@fastk8.org for attendance related emails. If your student is going to be absent, you may email their homeroom teacher as well.

Our teachers and administration have been reviewing MAP scores and using the data to plan how to best support our students' needs. Winter MAP assessment results will be sent home on January 19.

February brings to us both Friendship Day and Kindness Day. These are both opportunities for our students to celebrate the role that friendship and kindness play in promoting peace. Studies even show that acts of kindness are good for your physical and emotional health! Planning has already begun for these days. FAST embraces both of these celebrations in lieu of Valentine's Day which can be less inclusive for our diverse community. We ask that you please refrain from sending Valentine's for students.

Please remember to complete the Intent to Return survey. This is not a commitment, but it will help us better plan for next year knowing how many seats we can offer to incoming students during our February lottery.

ALL siblings who do not currently attend FAST this year but would like to attend FAST next year MUST apply for the lottery. Siblings are not guaranteed a spot at FAST and must enter the lottery in the event that we have more siblings than available seats. We will attempt to ensure that all families with a sibling who will enter FAST next year follow the process correctly, but it is up to the parents to enter their child in the lottery. Currently enrolled students DO NOT need to enter the lottery.

Details for second semester enrichment clubs are now posted on the FAST website. Clubs are scheduled to begin the week of February 6, 2023. There are a variety of clubs for nearly any interest.

Students who are interested in joining the FAST Cheer Team are invited to try outs with Ms. Beverly (aka Coach Key). Tryouts continue next week.

Yearbooks for the 2022-23 school year can be pre-ordered now! Go to www.balfour.com to order yours today. Yearbook ads are also available for purchase, see attached flyer for details.

Tours for prospective FAST families have begun! If you know of anyone considering applying or who might be interested, please let them know they can schedule a tour today from our website. Applications for the 2023-24 school year open on January 1.

January 19, 2023 at 9am marks our first Parent U of 2023. Join Ms. Miller and Mr. Moore in the Innovation Hall at FAST where they will be discussing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and how it impacts our SEL curriculum.

On Christmas Eve, one of our FAST families lost almost everything in an apartment fire, luckily no one was injured. The son is in second grade at FAST. They are in need of support. Please view this list that a fellow FAST parent helped them create. The family is in temporary housing until they can find another home. As you can see from the list below- they need any help you or people you know can provide including a belated Christmas for their children.

The following is a list of needs for the family to replace what was lost in the fire: LIST OF NEEDS

There is also a go fund me link to help get the family back on their feet: Click here to view .

Families are welcome to drop donations at 11025 Crabapple Lake Drive, Roswell (in Crabapple Lake subdivision, less then 4 minutes from the school). This family has offered to drive the donations to the family in need.

This spring, we will be combining our Arts & Music Festival with Heritage Week to make one great FAMILY FUN EVENT! We will begin having *brief* weekly meetings to plan and make this an event to remember. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase all of the talent we have at FAST and celebrate the diversity within our school and community.

We need YOUR ideas and creativity! Please email PTOSchoolSupport@fastk8.org or email PTO@fastk8.org if you have an interest in helping.

The FAST library is run by parent volunteers. It is a joy to help put books into the hands of the students. Their joy is contagious!

The library is open:
Tuesdays 12:00pm-3:00pm
Thursdays 11:00am-3:00pm
Fridays 10:00am-12:30pm

*Times subject to change.

If you are interested in volunteering please email library@fastk8.org for more information.

Volunteers are needed to shelve books, add side call numbers to new books, organize shelves as needed, and to help children find the perfect book when they are visiting the library!

Jan. 16: MLK Day (School Closed)

Jan. 19: Parent U

Jan. 19: Governing Board Meeting

Feb. 17: Teacher Work Day

Feb. 20: Presidents' Day (School Closed)

March 9: Teacher Work Day

March 10-13: School Closed

A printable version of the school calendar can be found HERE

To keep up to date with the most recent information available from our district offices, please click on the image below.

Email: info@fastk8.org
Website: www.fastk8.org
Location: 11365 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 678-321-1100
Facebook: facebook.com/FASTK8.School/
Twitter: @fastk8charter

The FAST Flyer is the electronic newsletter at FAST. Feedback is always welcome. If you have any questions, please call the school (678-321-1100) or email the FAST Communications Director at marie.emerson@fastk8.org.