The FAST Flyer

The month of October can be very busy with activities and events - there's Red Ribbon Week, the Scholastic Book Fair, and Trunk or Treat to name a few. Innovation class is no exception. Kindergarten through 2nd grade was busy finishing their Awkys' alien habitats as well as working on trunk or treat designs. Some classes also helped build and decorate candy chutes for their class's trunk theme. Hopefully you were able to check them out last night.

3rd-5th graders kicked off a unit on Structures in Our World. They have begun observing, exploring and linking structures around the world to their functions.

6th-7th graders are closing out their Simple Machine: Poly energy projects. Look out for the display of their work during Book Fair Family Night on Monday. You will also be able see their recorded videos. Some of them are really funny!

Throughout this week, FAST students were on a mission to solve the mystery of the book left on Principal Miller's desk. Each day, additional clues were provided and students were set to task. They searched for clues around campus, solved puzzles, and performed acts of kindness for one another. Everyone was involved in solving the mystery including teachers, staff and students in all grades. It was so much fun to see the kids engaged. Ask your kids to tell you about it.

The book fair is next week! We encourage parents to set up an e-wallet for their student so they can shop without having to bring cash to school. Classes each have a scheduled day and time to shop.

Set up your e-wallet here:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5415761

Parents are invited to shop with their children at Family Night which is scheduled for Monday, October 30 from 4:30-7pm. You can also shop our book fair online between October 27-November 9 and FAST will get credit for the sales.

Shop our fair here:

https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/parent-store-2.html?fairId=5415761

On Tuesday, October 31 students are invited to wear their favorite STEAM costume. K-5 students will participate in the costume parade at 10am. Parents are invited to attend the costume parade which we will also live-stream for those who can't make it in person.

Thank you to the FAST Family PTO and all of the families, teachers, staff, and community members who came out to for the Third Annual Trunk or Treat and Candy Chute Contest. It was a fantastic event which showcased many of the things that make FAST special. This is such a fun way for students to get innovative creating designs with their class, family or friends. You can check out more pictures on our Facebook page. The winning trunks will be announced next week.

FAST Dean of Students, Jonathan Moore, has decided to pursue new projects and has submitted his resignation, effective immediately. We wish him all the best as he moves forward in his career journey. Moving forward, Ms. Gail Cadogan will assume the responsibilities of Dean of Students in addition to the two classes she teaches. Ms. Cadogan came to FAST with more than 15 years experience in education. She already knows many of the students and is excited to continue fostering relationships with them all.

If you have any questions about this transition, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Library Volunteers Needed!

Library Volunteers are also needed. Please email library@fastk8.org if you would like to be added to the library volunteer email list.

Our yearly Scholastic Book Fair is coming up! The Fair will be at school from Oct 30th to Nov 3rd. The kids love to shop at the fair with their friends. You can also choose to shop with your kids during Family Night on Oct 30th from 4.30pm to 7pm!! As like every event, we need your help to make this happen. Please sign up in the link below to volunteer:

Book Fair Volunteers

School pictures taken earlier this month are ready for viewing. You should have received an email with a link for you to preview your child(ren)'s picture. You can also log in to Jostens at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login and reference your student's id number and the information below. Pictures will be shipped directly to your home. For students who were out on picture day, re-takes will be held on November 3.

Jostens reference information:

• FULTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECH
• Event Code: FE103523

The school day begins at 7:40am Monday-Friday. All students are expected to be in their classroom ready to start the day by 7:40am. Please allow for enough time to navigate carpool for your student to get to class on time. All students arriving after 7:40 are considered tardy. If you arrive any time after 8am, you are required to sign your child in at the front office.

All students are expected to be in proper uniform every day. Repeat violations of uniform code will result in a call from the front office with a request to bring the appropriate clothing for the student. FAST uniform includes FAST logo polo or spirit wear, khaki or navy bottoms (or black for middle school). Shirts without the FAST logo are not considered proper uniform.

Do you love FAST? Tell your friends! Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open on January 1, 2024 and tours for prospective families are already scheduled. During these informational tours, parents will learn about our curriculum, find out what sets FAST apart from traditional schools, and tour our campus. Tour spots can be reserved at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BADAA2CA1F8C70-fast

All questions or concerns you have regarding your student should first be directed to their teacher. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response. If the teacher is unable to provide resolution, you should contact the Assistant Principal for your child's grade. On the off chance that you still have not been able to reach a resolution after contacting the teacher and the AP, you can contact Principal Mary Miller at mary.miller@fastk8.org. Our communication and escalation policy can be found on our website.

While under the auspices of Fulton County Schools, we are governed by our own governing board. Sending your issues directly to Fulton County rather than following the FAST communication chain will cause a delayed response as they will only defer to FAST and forward the issue back to us to address.

FAST is a smoke-free environment. Whether you are in the building, in your car, or anywhere else on campus please refrain from smoking or vaping at all times.

We cannot release students for early dismissal after 2:40pm Monday-Thursday and 1:40pm on Friday as this is too disruptive to our afternoon dismissal process and end of day activities. If you are picking up your child after those times, you must go through the carpool lane which begins at 3:15pm. As a matter of student safety, all students leaving before the end of the school day must be signed out in the front office by an authorized person. Please do not call or text your students for early dismissal. Students are not permitted to have their cell phones during school hours.

Please keep these times in mind when scheduling afternoon appointments and plan accordingly.

Please remember to send your child to school with lunch every day or order through Ordo at ordo.com. Ordo orders must be placed by midnight on Friday for the following week. Lunches must be nut free and ready-to-eat (we cannot microwave lunches).

As a reminder, all visitors - including parents - must check in at the front desk in Innovation Hall upon arrival. No one is permitted to enter Student Hall without having first checked in at the front desk. Parents are not permitted to walk their student to their classroom. We have staff available during morning drop-off to ensure students are attended to.

FAST leverages various means of communications to keep our families up to date with what is happening at school. Since most people are on social media, we post to different platforms to keep you up to date. If you aren't already following us, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Oct. 30-Nov. 4: Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 31: Costume Parade

Nov. 6-10: Student Council Canned Food Drive

Nov. 10: Picture Day Make-ups

Nov. 17-24: Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 1: FAST Tech Fair

A printable version of the 2023-24 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.