The FAST Flyer
The View from Above, Vol. 4 Issue 21
Feb. 5, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE
Dear Parents,
At the end of the musical Hamilton, his widow worries about whether her husband’s legacy is going to be remembered as Alexander Hamilton’s enemies attempt to write him out of history. She acknowledges the harsh reality that it comes down to “who lives, who dies, who tells your story.” Sometimes, it is less about one’s accomplishments than it is about whether historians deem it worthy to record.
Across the country, debates are stirring up emotions as Americans struggle with what books can be used in schools and how to address the issue of race. People are afraid that ideas they do not agree with will infringe on their rights to choose what is appropriate for their children. The outcome of these debates will determine how facts and viewpoints are framed for years to come. It comes down to who will get to write the definitive story of what is happening during this tumultuous time.
Schools are finding themselves in the midst of a minefield of conflicting views that represent diverse communities of thoughts. Amidst the often angry exchange of ideas between parents, school board members, politicians, and religious leaders, educators must navigate a course that allows students to access the resources they need to come to their own conclusions. The challenge is to provide an education that is equitable, objective, and free from bias which is not a simple task for mere mortals.
Having said that, there are times when schools must take the lead in ensuring that the values of freedom, equality, and justice are ever present if our nation is to become all that it aspires to be- a light unto the world and a lamp beside the golden door. In John McCain’s famous concession speech, his supporters voiced their displeasure at the acknowledgement of his loss. McCain, silenced them pronouncing:
Tonight … more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president…. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history…
McCain’s bold statement that “we make history” resounds now more than ever. This is the reason why the celebration of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Asian/Pacific History Month are important events in the calendar of our school. We pride ourselves on being a nation of immigrants but our history books have not always been inclusive of the contributions of people of color and of women. These months are opportunities to write back into history the narratives which have been left out. It does not diminish what has traditionally been taught; it fills in the gaps of what has been missing thereby enriching the story of our country.
And so we begin Black History Month. We celebrate the contributions of African Americans in the building of our country by bringing their stories and struggles into the classrooms.
Through this process and that of other history months, we are writing the remarkable contributions of blacks, Latinos, Asians, and women back into history so that moving forward, our nation’s legacy will consist of the stories of many peoples that have contributed to its greatness. Who lives, who dies, who tells our stories…we do.
Sincerely,
Stan Beiner
Fulton Academy of Science and Technology
Principal
COVID UPDATES
COVID REPORTING
If your child falls sick, please contact the nurse at victoria.murray@fastk8.org and the principal at stan.beiner@fastk8.org so they can help you with a plan for return.
Also, contact the school if your child is coming off of quarantine to verify the return date.
Weekly Testing for FAST Families
As most people are now aware, it is possible to be asymptomatic when contracting Covid. That does not mean you can’t still spread the virus to others who could become symptomatic. Being able to identify the virus is a critical part of mitigating the spread. To that end, we have partnered with PriorityMed Express to offer optional free weekly Covid testing for our students and families. We will begin with students and part time staff this Tuesday. Once we have a sense of how many people would like to be tested, we will expand the offer to our families.
There is no obligation for students to be tested. Parents must send the authorization for students to be tested. PriorityMed Express can also provide formal documentation with your test results that can be used for activities, school, work, or travel should you need it.
Please complete this form if you would like to have your student tested on Tuesday.
HAPPENINGS
No Name Calling Week
The students in the No Place for Hate committee put together a wonderful week of activities for No Name Calling Week. Age appropriate activities were presented for all grade levels. Staff shouted out students who were seen exemplifying the message. From kindergarten to 8th grade, students were living what they learned. When you hear a kindergarten student comfort their friend by saying “our hearts are all the same,” you know the message resonating.
Special shout outs for students who exemplified the spirit of the week included: Ryan Williams, Ridhi Mirchandani, Isabella Katreeb, Sarayu Chatakondu, Navya Kamuju, Zayden Orenstein, Brian Marks, Mary Okugbeni, Caleb Balsamo, Prashantika Chand, Fatima Ahmad, Ayaan Harris, Siddhant Kodancha, Aven Sharp, Anjore Akinsola, Aneesh Modi, Dylan Zasio, Bilal Mourad, Branden Burnett, Garrett Wright, Lexi Pittman and Ms. Moshefi’s entire kindergarten class. We are so proud of ALL of our students who show the meaning of acceptance, support, and community every day.
Chinese New Year- Year of the Tiger
Rising Middle School Information Session
Basketball
They may not be winning (yet) but they are playing their hearts out and having a blast! Both the boys and girls are currently 0-2, but they have only just begun. The schedule has been posted on our website for the parents of our athletes. Due to Covid, only the parents of players are currently permitted to attend the games, but we will be sending them good vibes for all their games. Go Astros!
Kindness Day: February 15
On February 15, FAST will celebrate Kindness Day. There will be classroom activities that will celebrate our appreciation for one another with acts of kindness. It is also a time to talk about friendship and what it means to be a good friend. We encourage families to celebrate Valentine's Day with friends outside school hours. Avoiding the sugar and hurt feelings sometimes caused by the giving of cards are among the reasons many schools have opted out. There are also families whose religious practices do not allow their children to participate in Valentine's Day activities. This turns the underlying messages of Valentine's Day into a day that all can participate and share the love.
The program began last year with a great deal of input from staff and parents seeking to focus on the underlying messages of Valentine's Day by celebrating in a way that all can participate. We are pleased to be partnering with our PTO room parents to create a meaningful day.
National Career Week
Calling FAST parents in the STEM field! National Career Week is March 7-12 and we would love to have our students hear from you. If you or someone you know would be interested in speaking to our students during that week, please reach out to Ashlie Fleming at ashlie.fleming@fastk8.org.
REMINDERS
Student Lunch
We appreciate the parents who have complied with our request that student lunches not be dropped off during the day. Please be aware that if a delivery arrives for a student through UberEats, DoorDash, or any other food delivery service they will be turned away. Students should be sent to school with their lunch or have their lunch ordered through Atlanta Lunch Co. It is important that we limit visitors on campus for safety reasons.
After School Clubs
After school enrichment clubs are scheduled to start the week of February 7. You can find the club information on the FAST website at: http://www.fastk8.org/after-school-vendor-clubs/
Yearbooks
Atlanta Lunch Co. Menu
Support the FAST Cardboard Carnival
Our creative Innovation Team is seeking donations for a Cardboard Carnival! Please have your student drop off items on the collection table - outside during morning carpool Feb. 7 - 11.
Needed:
-egg cartons
-packing peanuts
-cardboard/boxes
-empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls
Can you help?
Lots of volunteer opportunities are available to help us finish this school year strong! Please let us know what you are interested in helping with.
FAST Kindness Challenge
You've been invited to participate in the FAST Kindness Challenge 2022 GooseChase scavenger hunt. You are challenged to complete random acts of kindness throughout the month of February! Complete missions and earn points! How many can you earn? More Details HERE.
In Remembrance
Ben Rohrer, father of a FAST 6th grader, passed away last week after a battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life for Ben was held at The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305 at 3:00 pm, Friday, February 4, 2022.
A bonfire Wake to celebrate Ben will be held at the home on Saturday evening February 5, 2022 6-10pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta, The Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, or the Rohrer Accounting Scholarship at Spring Arbor University.
This is the meal train info for the Rohrer family:
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/26r3w8
If you'd prefer to contribute funds toward a meal gift card sent on behalf of the PTO, you can Venmo Lynda Sharp/PTO Co-President.
Venmo @Lynda-Sharp
Please put “Rohrer Family GC” in the notes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Feb. 10: Governing Board Meeting
- Feb. 11: Lottery draw
- Feb. 15: Kindness Day Celebration
- Feb. 17: Middle School Info Session for 5th Grade Parents
- Feb. 18: Teacher Work Day
- Feb. 21: Presidents' Day (No School)
- March 7-12: National Career Week
THE LATEST FROM FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
FAST
Fulton County Schools
GA Charter Schools Association
FULTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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.