The FAST Flyer

The cold temperatures this week made it feel like the middle of winter, but we are busy planning for end of year activities and looking forward to August already. If you hadn’t heard, the calendar for next year was approved by the governing board during their meeting last week. Our calendar will closely align with the rest of FCS so our families with students in more than one school can manage days off more easily. For those of you who have been at FAST for a while, you know that the 12:30pm release on Fridays was new this year. I know that many parents appreciated having the half-day for appointments and getting a jump on weekend plans, but the short day just didn’t work for FAST. We have a later dismissal than most schools because we need the extra time to schedule innovation, genius hour, coding, etc.– all of the things that other schools just don’t offer. Losing two hours of the week left our teachers scrambling to cover material in order to meet standards.

In August, we will be going back to 2:20pm dismissal for our shorter day so that our teachers will have more time in the classroom to get through their curriculum. We will keep the earlier release day on Friday instead of Thursday as it had been in past years since parents had a very strong preference. Our teachers will still have opportunities for professional development as we have followed FCS and built in full days for this purpose.

Coming up in the next couple of months, we will have a lot of things going on at FAST including the Cultural Arts Festival, MAP testing, Milestones, Innovation Showcase, field trips, graduation ceremonies and more. Spring break is just around the corner and before you know it, summer break will be here. I hope you all plan to return to FAST next year. I am really excited about the things to come for this school. If you have not already completed the “Intent to Return” survey, I would ask that you please do so. This is very helpful for us to know how many new students we can offer seats to. If you are unsure about returning, I would be happy to discuss your concerns.

Congratulations to our teachers and professional of the year! We are so fortunate to have these dedicated professionals here at FAST and are thankful for all they do for our students and school community every day.

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Ms. Patricia MacNintch

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Mr. Andrew Hendry

Professional of the Year: Nurse Victoria Murray

Last weekend, students from all over the state who won first place in their own school district tech competitions came together to compete against one another. FAST had seven students who placed first in the FCS Technology Competition who were there to compete at the state level. Competition at this level is stiff with some impressive projects presented by all. We are so proud of all the students who represented FAST in this competition. Congratulations to our students who placed in the state competition:

Sarayu Chatakondu and Ridhi Mirchandani: 1st place Audio Production

Nirwaan Kayastha: 2nd place Device Modification

Between 3/13 and 3/26, you can take 20% off your lunch order with Yay lunch by using code YAYPIDAY — all you have to do is order 3 or more times for each of your lunchers in one week. It’s easy as pie!

Please encourage your students to check the lost and found for any items they are missing. Our racks are full of jackets, hoodies, and sweaters. Items not claimed will be donated.

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.

Please remember these policies which apply all the time:

• Parents must check in at the front office before going to Student Hall for any reason

• All volunteers on campus must have completed the Volunteer Registration

• Student Hall opens at 7:05am. Neither students nor parents are permitted in the building prior to that time

• Students should only be dropped off at designated carpool areas beginning at 7:05 am (i.e. in front of Student Hall or in the FAST Pass area)

• Students arriving after 8am must be signed in by a parent or guardian at the kiosk in the front office (students may not sign themselves in)

• Classroom visits for any reason should be cleared with the teacher in advance

• Students who do not attend FAST are not permitted to be on campus during school hours unless they are here for an event and are accompanied by their parent
• Early dismissal ends at 2:40pm. This is the latest time you may sign students out early.

We must all do our part to ensure that student safety is the top priority.

Nominations for the 2023-2024 PTO positions are now open.
If you are interested in one of the positions listed below, please email PTOMembership@fastk8.org by March 20.

PTO Board Positions
2 Co-Presidents, 2 Co-Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer;
and Vice Chairs for Events, Marketing, Membership & Fundraising, School Support, Community Outreach, and Academic Enrichment.

Volunteer Opportunities

Staff Appreciation - PTO Membership Drive - FBI - Spirit Nights
Summer Events - Used Uniform Sales - Spirit Wear - Silent Auction
Trunk or Treat - Bingo Night - Spring FestivalStaff Appreciation - PTO Membership Drive - FBI - Spirit Nights
Summer Events - Used Uniform Sales - Spirit Wear - Silent Auction
Trunk or Treat - Bingo Night - Spring Festival

If you are interested in representing your Country or Culture at the event please complete this form:

https://forms.gle/EiEWfUZgH4vwRu6p6

The Innovation Team is asking families to collect empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls to be used in the upcoming Innovation Showcase.

Donations can be placed in the gray PTO Collection Bin located outside the front office.

March 23: STEAM field trip 7th & 8th grades

March 24: Student Council Work Day

March 27-29: MAP assessments

March 30: Kids Heart Challenge (Jump Rope for Heart)

April 3-7: Spring Break

April 13: April Governing Board meeting

April 17-21: Student Council Drive

April 20: 7th & 8th grade dance

April 21: Innovation Showcase

April 24: Milestones begin

May 5: Cultural Arts Festival

May 8-11: Capstone presentations

May 16-18: 8th grade overnight trip

May 23: Kindergarten graduation

May 23: 5th Grade moving up

May 24: 8th Grade graduation

May 25: Last day of school

A printable version of the 2022-23 school calendar can be found HERE

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.