The FAST Flyer

The Innovation Program has hit the ground running with many exciting projects. For elementary students, they have encountered a friendly visitor named Awky, an alien needing a friend. For this project, students exercise design thinking skills like empathy. Once they defined the needs of their alien, they got to work providing Awky an alien-friendly habitat for it to stay.

Meanwhile, energy has been the theme in middle school. Students have been busy making solar ovens then testing them by baking cookies outdoors. They have also been exploring simple & poly-energy machines performing unique functions.

Check out the projects that will be on display during parent-teacher conferences and the book fair family night. Thanks parents for your support!

The annual FCS Technology Competition will be held on December 9. FAST will have our school competition on December 1 which will give the students a great opportunity to display and get feedback on their projects before the county competition.

The competition is open to students in grades 3-8. Registration will be open between October 16 and October 26. Students are required to register within this time frame in order to participate (no exceptions). Parents will be required to sign a form for their students to participate (again, no exceptions). These forms will be available when registration opens.

FAST is usually well represented at this contest with many medals earned. Last year, FAST had more students earn medals at the FCS competition than any other school in Fulton County! Many of our students who win the FCS contest have gone on to win or place at the state level as well. We can't wait to see what projects our students come up with this year. A full list of the categories for projects can be found at: https://www.gastc.org/category-information

If your student is interested in participating, they should speak with Ms. Sawhney.

8th grade parents are invited to join FAST Middle School Assistant Principal, Demetria Walker for an information session on October 24. The meeting will be held in person at FAST at 9am. The purpose of this meeting is to help keep parents informed about what to expect for their students through their last year of middle school. We encourage you to attend to ensure that your student's last year at FAST sets the stage for a smooth transition to high school .

Start planning now for the annual student costume parade! On Tuesday, October 31 students are invited to wear their favorite STEAM costume. In the past we have seen costumes range from famous scientists and artists to the solar system and rockets with just about everything in between. This tradition is always a hit among students especially those who love to show off their creativity or dress up.

Parents are invited to watch the costume parade which we will also live-stream for those who can't make it in person.

Red Ribbon Week will be observed the week of October 23-27. This week is intended to bring attention to anti-bullying initiatives. Students are invited to dress in the daily themes for the week; however, if they choose not to participate they are expected in uniform.

Monday: Rally in Orange
Dress in orange to send a message and make positive choices
Tuesday: College Spirit wear
Dress in a future career or college spirit wear
Wednesday: Super Hero Day
Dress like your favorite super hero to show your bravery against bullying
Thursday: Crazy Hat/Hair Day
Students can wear the craziest hat or hairstyle they have because bullying is crazy.
Friday: FAST T-shirts and Jeans

Most of us have fond memories of the Scholastic Book Fair from when we were kids. We are so happy that current students will grow up with the same memories. This year's book fair is scheduled for the week of October 30-November 3. During that week, students will have the opportunity to stop by the fair to shop. We encourage parents to set up an e-wallet for their student so they can shop without having to bring cash to school. Keep an eye out for more information on the book fair family night!

This week, students headed out on the first field trip of the year. On Thursday, middle school students enjoyed the Van Gogh Exhibit. They had a great time and learned a lot about the painter's life and works. Thank you to Mr. Edge for coordinating the trip and to our volunteer chaperones. In the coming weeks our elementary students will head out on a few trips of their own.

Do you love FAST? Tell your friends! Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open on January 1, 2024 and tours for prospective families are already scheduled. During these informational tours, parents will learn about our curriculum, find out what sets FAST apart from traditional schools, and tour our campus. Tour spots can be reserved at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BADAA2CA1F8C70-fast

It's time to congratulate our Apples of the Month for the month of September. Each month, teachers and staff have the opportunity to recognize their peers for demonstrating the characteristics that define a FAST teacher whether that is for being flexible, supportive, a life-long learner, or any of the other traits that we have come to recognize make for a great FAST teacher. Shout out to Ms. Robinson, Ms. Batista, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Zasio, Ms. Jones, Mr. Cors, and Ms. Tuppince!

FAST leverages various means of communications to keep our families up to date with what is happening at school. Since most people are on social media, we post to different platforms to keep you up to date. If you aren't already following us, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Oh what a feeling...we're painting tiles for the ceiling!

Join the PTO at the SILVER Level or higher and your student(s) can paint a ceiling tile to be placed in the hallways of FAST for everyone to enjoy for years to come!

A PAINTING PARTY will be held outdoors at FAST, weather permitting. Tiles, paint and brushes will be provided, but special brushes or stencils are welcome.

Pick the PAINTING PARTY day that fits your schedule!

October 16th; 4-6pm
October 21st; 11-1

Book Fair Volunteers!

We are looking for someone to lead Book Fair Family Night. Please email pto@fastk8.org.

Library Volunteers Needed!

Library Volunteers are also needed. Please email library@fastk8.org if you would like to be added to the library volunteer email list.

Trunk or Treat Volunteers Needed!

Trunk or Treat: October 27 (5:30pm-7:30pm) *rain date November 3

Trunk or Treat we are in need of volunteers to help run it. Please email pto@fastk8.org

All students are expected to be in proper uniform every day. Repeat violations of uniform code will result in a call from the front office with a request to bring the appropriate clothing for the student. FAST uniform includes FAST logo polo or spirit wear, khaki or navy bottoms (or black for middle school). Shirts without the FAST logo are not considered proper uniform.

All questions or concerns you have regarding your student should first be directed to their teacher. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response. If the teacher is unable to provide resolution, you should contact the Assistant Principal for your child's grade. On the off chance that you still have not been able to reach a resolution after contacting the teacher and the AP, you can contact Principal Mary Miller at mary.miller@fastk8.org. Our communication and escalation policy can be found on our website.

While under the auspices of Fulton County Schools, we are governed by our own governing board. Sending your issues directly to Fulton County rather than following the FAST communication chain will cause a delayed response as they will only defer to FAST and forward the issue back to us to address.

FAST is a smoke-free environment. Whether you are in the building, in your car, or anywhere else on campus please refrain from smoking or vaping at all times.

We cannot release students for early dismissal after 2:40pm Monday-Thursday and 1:40pm on Friday as this is too disruptive to our afternoon dismissal process and end of day activities. If you are picking up your child after those times, you must go through the carpool lane which begins at 3:15pm. As a matter of student safety, all students leaving before the end of the school day must be signed out in the front office by an authorized person. Please do not call or text your students for early dismissal. Students are not permitted to have their cell phones during school hours.

Please keep these times in mind when scheduling afternoon appointments and plan accordingly.

Please remember to send your child to school with lunch every day or order through Ordo at ordo.com. Ordo orders must be placed by midnight on Friday for the following week. Lunches must be nut free and ready-to-eat (we cannot microwave lunches).

As a reminder, all visitors - including parents - must check in at the front desk in Innovation Hall upon arrival. No one is permitted to enter Student Hall without having first checked in at the front desk. Parents are not permitted to walk their student to their classroom. We have staff available during morning drop-off to ensure students are attended to.

Oct. 6: School Closed

Oct. 9: Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day (School Closed)

Oct. 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Students Off)

Oct. 11: Professional Development Day (Students Asynchronous)

Oct. 17: Vision Screenings (1st, 3rd, 5th grades)

Oct. 18: Kindergarten field trip

Oct. 23-27: Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 24: 8th Grade Parent Meeting

Oct. 24: 2nd grade field trip

Oct. 27: Trunk or Treat

Oct. 30-Nov. 4: Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 31: Costume Parade

Nov. 3: Picture Day Make-ups

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.