The FAST Flyer

This week has been rough, but the bright spot this week was seeing the smiling faces of our amazing parent volunteers while they set up the dessert bar on Wednesday and the coffee cart on Friday. We couldn’t do what we do here at FAST without our amazing PTO volunteers who dedicate their time and money to making students, teachers, and our school community happy. They support our teachers in so many ways each and every day through the work of the room parents, feeding our staff fancy cakes and lunches, providing curriculum resources, teaching library classes, covering teacher lunches, and so much more. We have a core group of PTO parents that are always here pitching in to help wherever and whenever they can - they really exemplify the heart of the FAST community. On behalf of the faculty and staff here at FAST I want to shout out a loud and proud THANK YOU to every one of them.

February is Black History Month. Our teachers have activities and educational opportunities scheduled for the entire month. Next week is spirit week. Our students are invited to dress each day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of black Americans. Students who chose not to wear themed attire for spirit week should be in uniform.

As a reminder, students are not permitted to have cell phones or Bluetooth devices at school. This includes smart watches. Please be sure that your students are aware that they are not to be using their smart watches while at school. If your child is not feeling well, they must report to the nurse who will contact you. They should not be contacting you from their personal device during the school day for any reason.

Mark your calendar for Feb.28 at 8am for Ms. Miller's next Town Hall meeting. In this meeting, she will be reviewing winter MAP assessments, the comparison to the fall assessments and the plan to use that information to ensure our students academic growth continues on the planned trajectory. This event will be held on Zoom.

The FAST cheer team has been officially announced. Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 5:30pm. The team will also be at Sandy Springs MS on March 1 for Spirit Night and Ridgeview MS on March 3 for Spirit Night. The full schedule for March can be found HERE.

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.

We have observed that Valentine's Day can be a day that is less inclusive than what we strive for at FAST. We are planning to recognize Kindness Day and Friendship Day in February so students will have plenty of opportunities to share their big hearts with teachers and classmates. Students should not bring Valentine's to school.

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.

To support the school's efforts to celebrate Kindness Day and Friendship Day and as an extra special treat - the PTO will be providing a sprinkle donut from Sarah Donuts for ALL FAST students & staff on Thursday, February, 16.

*Sarah Donuts processes gluten, peanut, dairy, egg, and soy products in their facility.

If your child has an allergy to any of the items listed above and you would like to assist PTO volunteers in providing an allergy safe dessert alternative for your child, please email PTO@fastk8.org OR send your student to school with their own allergy-safe treat on 2/16.

Help us give our teachers a little extra time in the classroom to prepare for the day! Join fellow FAST Fathers on Tuesday, February 21st to help with morning carpool.

Sign up here: FBI Carpool TakeOver

Want to go Around The World in one night? Bring your family and explore The Culture & Arts Festival on May 5, 2023 from 5:30-8:00pm at FAST!

Our goal is to represent 20 countries and we need YOU to make this a success!

Whether you’re a recent arrival, your family has been in the US for generations, or you’ve lived abroad and would like to share your insight, please consider representing a country.

This display can include a tri-fold presentation board (provided by the PTO) or digital slideshow, music, art, clothing, food from that country and more! *A list of suggested items for your display will be provided.

Represent your Country or Culture!

Volunteer Interest Form: https://forms.gle/EiEWfUZgH4vwRu6p6

The Parent Classroom Volunteer Program is ready to be put into motion again! We are looking for volunteers to help with lunch/recess coverage on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to give teachers a little break during the day.

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

SIGNUP HERE

We need YOUR help in preparing for next year’s PTO programs, events, and activities. Your answers will provide valuable feedback on funding and program choices for FAST Family PTO.

Please take a few moments to complete this survey, tell us what is important to YOU and YOUR FAMILY.

Feb. 13: Friendship Day

Feb. 16: Kindness Day

Feb. 17: Teacher Work Day

Feb. 23: Town Hall with Ms. Miller

Feb. 27: Scoliosis Screening (6th & 8th Grades only)

Feb. 28: 8th Grade Parent Meeting

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.