The FAST Flyer

This time of the year is incredibly busy for all of us. Just at school over the next two weeks we have MAP testing, the Music Holiday Jubilee, school tours, K-8 class parties, staff secret snowflake, staff holiday parties, genius hour training, December board meeting, and a whole slew of classroom based events and activities. All of this on top of the regular teaching and learning, carpool, meetings, and lunch/recess duty that happen every day. Outside of the school day everyone has a myriad of things happening with family and friends that keep us on the move during the month of December. It can be exhausting and overwhelming, for students, teachers, and parents. How do we ever keep up? Although many people look forward to this time of year, it’s important to recognize that it can also be a stressful time, and can sometimes lead to shorter fuses than we might normally have.

For me, I have to work hard this time of year to be in the moment as it happens and not be planning for the next thing to come. I want to be present for all the things happening at school this time of year. I enjoy sharing the excitement with the students and staff but there is just so much to do! When I start to feel overwhelmed I have to take a moment to reconnect with the present. To do this I use some of the mindfulness strategies that I have learned over my years of practicing yoga and meditation. Being mindful during this time of year is a great way to avoid getting caught up in the seasonal stress, allowing us to appreciate the subtle moments of calm, as well as, the gratitude and joy that is associated with this time of year.

The easiest way I find to reset is a strategy called box breathing. It only takes a minute or so and can help to clear your mind and bring back calm. To use this strategy, close your eyes, breathe in for four counts through your nose, hold the breath for 4 counts, breath out for 4 counts, and hold again for four counts. Do this a couple of times and you will notice your heart rate drop and your headache subside. Another strategy I like to use is moments of gratitude. When things seem to be overwhelming I like to close my eyes and list off three things I am grateful for. It works best if I say them out loud or write them down. There is a lot of research out there about the benefits of mindfulness. If you are interested in learning more, check out THIS article from Johns Hopkins University or THESE breathing exercises from Cornell University.

I continue to be grateful for all the support from our FAST students and families.

Wishing you all a mindful winter season!

As many of you know our data clerk, Brad Zuber, has left FAST. This was not unexpected and we have a replacement who was scheduled to work with him to train on systems and processes before his last day. Unfortunately, Mr. Zuber became very ill shortly before the transition was scheduled. We understand the importance of accuracy for student records including attendance. At this time, we ask for your patience as we navigate this staffing change and ensure all records are updated.

Please keep Mr. Zuber in your thoughts and prayers.

Fulton County has announced that December 6 will be a remote learning day due to the election. FAST will have a regular school day. Buses will run as usual. Please make every effort to have your students at school on time.

Mr. Hendry is planning a holiday music performance for students in grades K-5. Parents are invited to come see their students perform live in the Innovation Hall at FAST on Thursday, Dec. 8. Mr. Hendry sent out more details to all of our K-5 parents before Thanksgiving break. If you didn't see the email, you can find a copy HERE.

The 2022 FAST Tech Fair was one for the books! Students from 3rd-8th grade presented projects which covered all types of categories. There was app development, audio production, graphic design, digital photography, and video games just to name a few. Students in all grades visited the fair and judges provided feedback. All students who submitted projects are moving on to the Fulton County Tech Competition on December 10. We wish them all the best of luck!

Winter MAP assessments are scheduled for next week. There is no preparation needed for these other than to be on time, well rested and have a good breakfast. The schedule is as follows:

Mon. 12/5: Reading

Tue. 12/6: Math

Thur. 12/8: Language Usage

MicroSociety is canceled for Friday, December 16. After school care will be available for those who need it. Please be sure you plan accordingly if your student normally attends MicroSociety on Friday afternoons.

Registration for GaSTC Programming Challenge is now open for students in grades 7-12. The application deadline December 16, 2022.
This virtual challenge is on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 and runs on the ACTE competition platform.
Students will register themselves using this link. Teams of 1-3 people only.

Only one registration per team is needed. There is a section on the registration form to add a teacher's contact information so teachers can receive all the communication. Regional Programming Challenge Competition Link

Basketball season has arrived! All 7th and 8th grade boys and girls who are interested in joining the team are welcome to tryout. All participants will need to complete the linked documents, and players that make the team will pay dues of $150. For any additional information, please reach out to Mr. Moore directly.

The tryouts continues through next week on 12/5-12/7. A full schedule will be released at a later date.

Roswell High School will be holding a meeting for all rising 9th grade prospective families on Wednesday, December 7 from 6-8pm. Representatives from administration, counseling, and staff will be on hand to provide information to help ensure a successful transition to high school for your student. This event is in lieu of the event that is typically held in January. For more information, please contact RHS directly.

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.

The next Parent University with Ms. Miller will be held on January 19, 2023. Mark your calendar now. Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? Let us know, it could be the topic of a future meeting.

After winter break, our middle school students will no longer be permitted to bring their laptops home from school. Students will be required to return their devices to the charging cart in their classroom at the end of each day beginning in January. Until that time, please be sure that they are charging their devices overnight and bringing them to school each day.

As a reminder, students are not permitted to use cell phones at all during the day. This is a policy change from last year and applies to all students (including all middle schoolers). If a student has a cell phone with them at school, it should be in their backpack or locker. Additionally, they should not have bluetooth headphones in during the school day.

All students are expected to be in uniform every day with the exception of approved out of uniform days. Please note that the only hoodies permitted are FAST hoodies for middle schoolers only. We appreciate our parents supporting this by ensuring your students are dressed appropriately when you drop them off for school.

The City of Roswell will host its annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 6 to 9:00 PM. The celebration will include activities and holiday performances for the whole family! The Lighting of the Christmas Tree is free to attend and is the perfect celebration to kick off the winter holiday season.

In addition all of the fun at Heart of Roswell Park, the Historic Town Square will be concurrently activated with Deck the Square, 37 community-decorated Christmas Trees - inlcuding our very own, FAST Tree! The public was invited to rent a tree to decorate in the Square, and the lights will be lit in sync with the tree at Heart of Roswell Park. Deck the Square is available to view anytime throughout the holiday season until January 2, 2023.

Northbrook Church has graciously offered to lend us three choir risers (they are about 6x2 feet, on wheels) for our Holiday Jubilee event! We need a few parents with pickup trucks to help transport the rises from Northbrook to FAST on Wednesday, 12/7 between noon-4pm. Please contact PTOevents@fastk8.org for details.

SIGNUP to help at the Jubilee: Holiday Jubilee Volunteers

And if you would like to help out with snack and drink donations, please SIGNUP here: Snack/Drink Donations - Holiday Jubilee

We need parent volunteers on the weekends to volunteer to put the garden to the bed for the winter by cleaning out the beds and spreading the mulch. We can get this done quickly if a few people volunteer. Please contact Jennifer Farnham, PTO Academic Enrichment Chair farnham.jenn@gmail.com for more details.

The Parent Classroom Volunteer Program is ready to move forward! We will be starting the program with lunch/recess coverage on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but may expand depending on your volunuteer availability.

Parent volunteers will be required to complete a BeenVerified background check, attend a brief training session, as well as review a set of classroom guidelines and expectations. Please be aware you may not be placed in your own student’s classroom.

Time slots are approx. 30 mins long between 10:30am - 12:30pm. Perfect for a quick break from your regular work day!

SIGN UP HERE!

Dec. 5-8: MAP Testing

Dec. 8: Holiday Jubilee

Dec. 8: Vision Screening (1st, 3rd, 5th grades)

Dec. 14-15: Winter Parties

Dec. 16: Last Day of Semester

Dec. 19-Jan. 2: Winter Break

Jan. 3: Teacher Work Day

Jan. 4: First Day of Semester

Jan. 19: Parent U

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.