The FAST Flyer

Neurodevelopment, meaning how the brain matures over time is an important area of consideration for teachers and scientists. Studies show that this growth is not at all linear and the rate of growth, in fact, changes throughout a person’s life. With that being said, it is not realistic to think that a student’s cognitive development would be a straight line. That’s just not how the brain works.

There is a common misconception that brain development - specifically with regards to how children learn - occurs only in the years prior to when a child’s formal education begins. It’s true that the infant and toddler years can have a great impact on a student’s future education. What we shouldn’t do is discount the importance of a quality education and the impact it can have on children. If we assume that their brains are fully developed prior to starting school, then we are essentially working under the assumption that they have no chance to catch up with students who had more opportunities before they started school. That is neither true, nor fair to those students.

Of course it is easier for a child to learn certain things when they are very young; however, it is still possible for a child to learn the same skills later on. Their brains are still developing long after they set foot in a classroom for the first time. Recognizing how development differs for each student and employing strategies to continue their growth allows us to support our students without writing their story for them.

Giving students ownership over their learning as well as a voice in what and how they learn helps build brain capacity. FAST students are fortunate to have these opportunities every day particularly in programs like genius hour and innovation, and it is what we are striving to do in all subject areas.

In partnership,

Mary H. Miller

Principal, Fulton Academy of Science & Technology

On Thursday, Ms. Miller hosted a town hall meeting. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording here: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/jRbezIAuJ3xIeZIIRTSfpZ336ZiEhw_fihXt_MJzGL4r4tcyKOlJOMLp0AR_a8LV.URn806BXW2pT72jL

Passcode: rHIPh7=*

On Tuesday, February 28 at 8am, Ms. Walker will be hosting a parent meeting for 8th grade parents at FAST. We will be recording the meeting for anyone unable to attend. Topics include capstone projects, field trip, and planning for high school.

The FAST governing board will be having a public meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 6pm on Zoom. You may join the meeting HERE.

As we approach the end of the school year, I want to provide you with some important information regarding the Microsociety Program. First, I want to thank you for letting your child(ren) participate in the program. They had a wonderful experience in Microsociety. The students made great progress physically, mentally, and emotionally since the start of the year. We have all had fun on Friday afternoons hearing the students talk about running their own businesses. I would also like to give a big thank you to the staff that helped with this program. I am very proud of their dedication to providing your children with the best education possible.

The Microsociety Program will end on Apr 21, 2023. The students will have a celebration that day from 1:30pm-2:45pm as a reward for working so hard all year. If you have any questions or like to donate anything for the celebration party, please let me know by email at tatiane.smith@fastk8.org.

Prior to this year, FAST had a one hour early on Thursdays for staff professional development. During the 2022-23 school year, we have dismissed class at 12:30pm on Fridays. As we plan for next year, we are asking our parents for feedback on early release days. The survey can be found HERE

Last Thursday, FAST recognized Kindness Day. PTO started the day by sprinkling kindness around with a donut delivery for everyone. Students were encouraged to perform random acts of kindness and spent time in class discussing what that meant. Ms. Holcombe's second grade students were challenged to think of how they could be kind to others. Some of the ideas they had were to hold the door for everyone, help their mom after school, or to play with other students who they don't usually play with.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hensley's fourth grade students made kindness hands which were decorated various acts of kindness they could perform. The parent volunteers and the PTO stopped by FAST to sprinkle around the kindness with donuts for every student and staff member as well as some local first responders.

On behalf of everyone at FAST, we want to give a shoutout to 6th grade ELA teacher, Ms. Riddle for coordinating activities for Black History Month. Students had fun with spirit week, door decorating contest and a living was museum presented by 4th grade. Students from every grade were able to visit the museum and learn from them. You can find more pictures on our Facebook page.

On Tuesday morning our 6th grade will have a mini-career fair hearing from black professionals in various careers including a licensed counselor, a chiropractor, a real estate agent, and a crime scene investigator.

On Monday morning, Fulton County nurses will be on site to conduct scoliosis screening for all 6th and 8th graders. A copy of the letter previously sent to parents can be found HERE. Please be sure to send the required documentation if you are opting your child out of screening.

Policies are in place for student and staff safety. Whether you are here for a meeting or to volunteer, the same rules apply. Please be respectful of our staff as they attempt to enforce these rules which apply to everyone on campus. With that said, it is time to remind everyone of the rules around being on campus.

• 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

We are so excited to have such a large number of parents willing to volunteer on campus to support our school. We must all do our part to ensure that student safety is the top priority.

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.

Is your student a Star Wars loving guitar player who lost their house key? Have them stop by the front desk to identify the one we found.

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.

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.

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.

Take our 5-minute survey and help create a vision for our school's future.

FAST Parents & Families Survey

Parent Classroom Volunteers

Teacher & Staff Appreciation

Stock the Staff Lounge - February

International Women's Day

Stock the Staff Lounge- March

FBI Carpool TakeOver

Library Helpers - email library@fastk8.org

Fulton County Schools & FAST - Volunteer Registration

Remember - you must watch the video and successfully pass the quiz to be eligible for volunteering on campus.

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

Feb. 27: Public Meeting with Governing Board, 6pm

Feb. 28: 8th Grade Parent Meeting; 8am

March 9: Teacher Work Day

March 10-13: School Closed

April 3-7: Spring Break

April 21: Innovation Showcase

April 24: Milestones begin

May 5: Cultural Arts Festival

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.