The FAST Flyer

This week, we received a report that a threat was made against the school. The leadership team thoroughly investigated the threat report. The FCS Threat Assessment Protocol was closely followed, and it was determined that there was no viable threat to our school community. We are continuing to monitor this situation and will keep you posted should any additional information or incidents occur.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please reach out to me via email or phone call.

The FAST Interview Team has been reviewing teaching applications from multiple sources, and we have interviews scheduled for next week. We are looking to hire teachers for coding, math and special education. Recruiting and hiring 37 staff members was a challenge this year, and we’ve met that challenge with zeal and tenacity. Now, we only have 3 vacancies left. In the beginning of September, we were looking to hire a 5th grade teacher. However, we were able to combine classes and eliminate the 5th grade vacancy. The new class size is still well below FCS and the state’s recommended class size. Thank you for your flexibility and patience!

The FAST staff are in a continuous process of getting to you, our students, each other and their perspective positions. We greatly appreciate your support as we work collaboratively to do what is best for our students. Together, much can be accomplished and achieved!

How are the children? As we all move about our days trying to accomplish a plethora of things and tasks; whether those things are for our children or for ourselves, we all can say we are extremely busy. But, a question that comes to my mind quite often is, “How are the children?” As I walk through each area of our campus; observing classes both inside and outside, I feel enthusiastic and excited about what I see. The children are doing well! They are fine! They are adjusting to transitions, making new friends and establishing connections with their new teachers and reconnections with their former. They are learning ways to impact a global society and discovering new knowledge.They have many opportunities to ideate, create and build things.

In the Microsociety on Fridays with Ms. Fischer and her team, the children are generating innovative ideas about how to manage systems and businesses. They have already created names for their businesses and completed the groundwork to launch them. During the week day, the students who want to participate in our Student Council program, with the help of Ms. Abramson and her team, are campaigning for Council positions. I see colorful and creative campaign posters throughout the building. Today, they created campaign videos to share the student-body! In classrooms, the students are having intentional conversations about innovation and Capstone's projects with Dr. Robertson and her Innovation Team as they work collaboratively with classroom teachers. Some students have shared their ideas with me, and believe me when I tell you, our children are true innovators. Ms. Sharpe and her PTO Team are working diligently with FAST families and staff to increase membership. They have some exciting ideas, and the students are eagerly awaiting all the treats we have planned for them when their grade level reaches their 50% and 100% goals.

The classroom teachers and paras are working hard to assure all of their students are getting the best education possible. The school leaders and office staff are working closely with the staff to listen to their needs and provide support and assurance! Our parents are encouraging and providing staff with treats and classroom supplies. Our Governance Board is working to establish an Advisory Council so FAST stakeholders can provide input and share ideas to make our school a great place to learn!

How are the children? The children are fine! And so are we…

We’re the FAST Astros! Together, we will achieve great things!

Our vision: To be recognized as a premier STEM school that creates and nurtures the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders.

Our Fall MAP assessments are scheduled for the coming week. There is no preparation needed for students other than to get a good night’s sleep, have a healthy breakfast, and remember to bring their device if they brought it home. The testing schedule is as follows:

Monday - Language Usage, Grades 3-8

Tuesday - Reading, Grades K-8

Wednesday - Math, Grades K-8

Dr. Kay’s next Parent Cafe is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2002 from 12pm-1pm in person at FAST. Questions can be presubmitted HERE.

We have arranged for a doctor to perform sports physicals on site at FAST on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 4pm-5:30pm for just $25. Any 7th or 8th grader who is planning to participate in soccer, volleyball, or basketball may take advantage of this opportunity to complete the physical required to compete. Payment may be made to Dr. Courseault at the time of the physical by cash (exact change), Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp (no checks accepted). Please also have the physical form (completed to the extent you can) available for the doctor to complete and sign.

The FAST Astros soccer season officially started this week. Students who want to play soccer must have all paperwork submitted before they can participate. Physicals must be completed with the signed physical form turned in by Tuesday, September 13 in order to play in the first game. Specific questions can be routed to jonathan.moore@fastk8.org.

We encourage everyone to come out to the games and cheer on the Astros. The full schedule is posted on the FAST website.

Middle school students are permitted to bring their Chromebooks home on a daily basis. We encourage everyone to obtain a cover to prevent any damage to their device as students will be held financially responsible for damages incurred. Students should charge their device each night and bring it to school every day. We do not have extra Chromebooks available to loan students who forget theirs at home.

Lifetouch will be here for school pictures on Monday, September 26. All students are required to wear their cobalt blue FAST logo polo shirt. Orders can be placed online through Lifetouch using Picture Day Code: EVTQMF29D.

Parent teacher conferences will take place on September 22-23. There is no school for students on those days. Teachers will be sending out links to sign up for conferences. If you were not able to make it to Curriculum Day, this is a great opportunity to meet your student’s teacher and ask questions specific to your child.

We are excited to introduce our new lunch service, Yay Lunch, which provides freshly made, balanced meals for students, faculty, and staff through a simple online ordering process. All meals are prepared daily by local Restaurant Partners and delivered to schools by the Yay Lunch team. Register today to be the first to know when menu and ordering are live!

YAY Lunch will begin service at FAST on September 12. Menus are posted on their website for advance ordering. Remember, all orders are due by Sunday at noon for the following week.

And good news: Yay Lunch is offering 20% off your order when you use the code SAYYAY20 at checkout. This offer ends October 2nd and applies to one week of orders.

This event has SOLD OUT in the past - RSVP now to reserve your seat!

https://fastk8pto.membershiptoolkit.com/

New volunteer and donation opportunities have been added to the PTO Website - check them out!

1. The teachers are treated to a snack cart every Friday to fuel them for their professional development sessions. Please use the link above to sign up to drop off snacks and beverages (detail in the sign up).

2. Can you volunteer your time at Bingo Night? If you volunteer by September 20th, you will get a VIP parking pass ensuring you get a primo spot in the parking lot.

And fill out the Volunteer Survey so we know how you would like to share your time & talents.

Thanks for your patience! We had to adjust the original timeline for backpack delivery of Round 3 orders due to a delay at the printers. We are expecting the shirts to be ready for a volunteer to pickup at the printers today (fingers crossed!) and if we have enough volunteer help, we hope to sort orders and deliver to student backpacks tomorrow, Friday 9/9 and/or Monday 9/12.

If you have questions about your order please contact our Spirit Wear parent volunteer: Alexandra Gorfinkel at Fastspiritwear@outlook.com.

If you would like to help sort and deliver shirts to student backpacks on Friday and/or Monday morning - after carpool please contact Lynda Sharp SharpFamilyGA@gmail.com.

Sept. 12-14: MAP Testing

Sept. 21: International Day of Peace

Sept. 22: Parent Cafe

Sept. 22-23: Parent-teacher conferences (students off)

Sept. 26: Picture Day

Sept. 30: Out of Uniform Day

Sept. 30: Bingo Night

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.