The FAST Flyer

This week we had our first Parent University of the new year, and our leadership team chose to focus on giving families some insight into social emotional learning and support. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. Throughout our time together we talked about the benefits of this focus to school community and child development. Over my time in education I have seen a lot of changes in ideas of what is best for children but over the years I have learned that making SEL an everyday part of school is what is best for children, and my team and I do want the best for the students at FAST. As parents I am sure you already know this and realize that these “soft skills” are key to your child being successful now and in the future. SEL is the key for creating a positive learning community and helps our faculty to partner with families to continue developing these skills outside of school.

Below you will find the recording of our presentation in case you missed it. Parent University is an opportunity for our faculty to share our vision and initiatives with you to continue to build a strong partnership. If you have any idea on topics you would like to see addressed please feel free to reach out any time.

Yesterday marked our second annual Aerolympics. Students in 4th-7th grade competed in a variety of categories with drones and custom built airplanes. The students had a great time cheering on one another in this friendly competition. Congratulations to the winners:

Main Games 4-5th grade:

1st Place (tie): With forty points, Team "Constructors" and Team Revolting Children

2nd Place (tie): With thirty points, The NON Name Team and Warriors/Flamin'

Main Games 6-7th:

1st Place: With 90 points,Team Onion Rings

2nd Place: With 75 points, ECWR Aero

Specialty Events (4-7th Grade):

Best Looking Planes:

Winner for Creativity Category: Anika and Lorelei with the Ice Cream Dream Plane

Winner for Color Category:Lilo and Stitch Plane

Winner for Effort Category: The Bone Plane

Winner for Aesthetics Category: Ayan's Glider

Honorable Mention: Fox Plane

Largest Plane Category: Ashita's Team's Plane (6-7th Grade)

Team Revolting Children (4-5th Grade)

Smallest Plane Category: Team Revolting Children (4-5th Grade)

Just before winter break, we announced the 1st place winners in the Fulton County Tech Competition. Those students will go on to compete in the Georgia state competition. We have just found out which of our students placed in 2nd and 3rd place. We are so proud of all their hard work. Congratulations to all of our students who competed.

Shubhi Bangwal, 4th Grade, 2nd Place Mobile Apps

Aadil Rahuman, 5th Grade, 3rd Place Graphic Design

Jacqueline Perez, 6th Grade, 2nd Place, Digital Photo Production

Suhana Panwar, 6th Grade, 2nd Place Mobile Apps

Mary Okugbeni, 7th Grade, 3rd Place Animation

Bellamy and Lorelai Barr, 7th Grade, 3rd Place Graphic Design

Vihari Ayyalasomayajula, 8th Grade, 2nd Place Video Production

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.

We are happy to announce that Round 1 (6th -8th ) of the Astros Cheerleading Tryouts have concluded. It is with great pleasure that we inform you that Round 2 (4th -5th ) is quickly approaching. We would like to formally invite you to attend the upcoming Interest Meeting that will take place on Thursday January 26th , at 4:00pm. During this meeting will you all will be able to ask questions and learn all about what the organization has to offer.

If your Astro is interested to trying out, they may pick up an information packet from Ms. Batista in the front office. A Sports Physical is mandatory to be eligible to tryout; the dates are as follows:

January 31st 3:45-5:30

February 1st 3:45-5:30

February 2nd 3:45-5:30

If you are not able to attend the meeting, feel free to email:

Keyonna.beverly@fastk8.org

Krystina.batista@fastk8.org

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.

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.

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.

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 are open. Applications received by 12pm February 3 will be entered in the lottery on February 10.

Help us give our teachers a little extra time in the classroom to prepare for the day! Join fellow FAST Fathers on Tuesday, January 24th to help with morning carpool.

Sign up here: FBI Carpool TakeOver!

This spring, we will be combining our Arts & Music Festival with Heritage Week to make one great FAMILY FUN EVENT! We will have *brief* weekly meetings {Fridays at 10:30am on Zoom} 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.

Did you know the FAST Library is totally run by parent volunteers?

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!

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.

The following is a signup with a list of needs (donations already dropped off have been marked off) 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.

Jan. 27: Out of Uniform Day

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.