The FAST Flyer
The View from Above, Vol. 4 Issue 24
Feb. 26, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE by Leslie Mason
We have invited a few of our administrators to share their thoughts in our weekly column. Ms. Leslie Mason, our Special Services Director, is our columnist this week.
In March 2020, schools and central offices across the country were placed on remote status due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I was working in Virginia at that time, and thought everyone would be at home for a few weeks at most. Three months later, my family decided to relocate to Georgia and I spent my last few days in Virginia, closing out files alone with no fanfare or farewell lunch from my colleagues. It was a strange exit from a place I had devoted so much time to.
While reflecting on this today, I realize it has been a long time since our children have had what we consider to be a “normal” school year. As the Director of Special Services at FAST, one of my responsibilities is to supervise and facilitate our Multi-Tiered System of Support, otherwise known as MTSS. MTSS is a research based framework of data driven preventions for teaching and learning for all students in grades K-8. (https://www.gadoe.org/wholechild/Documents/MTSS/SnapshotMythsFacts.pdf)
When students are performing below grade level, we use a multidisciplinary approach to determine what the barriers to achievement are. For some students, there may be academic gaps in learning that need to be addressed and strengthened. For some, it may be outside factors at home or in the community that are impacting a student’s ability to focus on their studies. For others, there could be socio-emotional needs that must be addressed first.
Pre-pandemic, it may have been easy for most of us to read the preceding paragraph and say, “This does not apply to my child”. It may have been easy to automatically assume that below grade level performance was a possible indicator of a learning disability. We know now in 2022 that the conditions listed above apply to most, if not all children, for all children have experienced a gap in traditional learning, all children are dealing with outside factors from the community and all children have socio-emotional needs to some degree, due to the impact of the pandemic and changes to their normal routine.
I receive a lot of calls from parents who are worried about their child’s academic performance. I say to each of them, and I say to those of you reading this Flyer to please remember that our children are receiving their education in the midst of a pandemic, which is something none of the adults in their lives have had to do. While their teachers are following the curriculum standards, they are also taking time to reteach those essential skills that students may have missed due to a modified learning environment. The enclosed chart serves as a reminder that we are all still recuperating from the pandemic and we are all doing this important work together to help our children succeed.
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.
HAPPENINGS
Women's History Month
Yearbooks - Purchase an Ad Today!
Read Across America: Costume Contest
Read Across America: Poetry Contest
POETRY SHOWCASE- We are inviting students to participate in a poetry showcase. Students may either choose a favorite poem to read (1 minute limit) OR prepare a poem of their own.
The school will select a representative group of entries and tape their readings to share at an assembly. Click here for the entry form. Entries should be received by Wednesday, March 2.
Basketball
Congratulations to our boys for their amazing improvement. They lost to Webb Bridge 33-30 but it was so close. Go Astros!
Innovation Showcase
Chess Tournament
REMINDERS
Hoodies and Sweatshirts- Please help us
Food Deliveries for Students
Lunches may not be ordered from local eateries and sent to our school for students. We will not accept the food and want to discourage additional visitors to our campus. Again, we will turn the driver away and not accept the order.
Covid Testing for Students This Tuesday
Please be sure to send the documents listed below if you want to have your child tested.
Consent to Test (required for each student each time they test)
Information Release (only needs to be completed once)
Copy of Driver’s License & Insurance Card (only needs to be completed once)
Our FAST families are also invited to test during this window. To help us plan for the day, please let us know if you plan to get tested by using the form below.
Let us know to call your student down to test by completing this form (You must also send your student with the signed document(s) listed above.)
If you would like to be tested yourself, complete this form.
If you or your student is symptomatic or you think you have Covid, we ask that you go directly to the test site rather than test at FAST.
Milestones & EOC
Atlanta Lunch Co. Menu
Tuesday is March 1 - Don't forget to order lunch!
FOOD = LOVE
Big thanks to our PTO Hospitality Committee members Calla Rose Brewster, Rickelle Davenport-Bratton, Lindsey Ann Burnett, and PTO Board Member Tammy Coleman for coordinating a fantastic luncheon for the FAST Staff!
Last week while FAST students and families enjoyed a day off, our amazing FAST Staff was hard at work and the least we could do was feed them!
History Comes to Life
The PTO is teaming up with FAST admin to create an interactive experience to celebrate Women's History Month. We are looking for volunteers to help the vision come to life. Please email PTO@fastk8.org if you'd like to help.
Parent Social - this Sunday
Need an excuse to have a conversation with other adults? Want to get to know other FAST parents?
Join us for a casual gathering this Sunday afternoon (1-3pm) at Gate City Brewing Co. (43 Magnolia St. Roswell)...look for us in the Artillery Room if it’s raining!
We promise this is NOT a MEETING!
SWAG Alert!
Spirit Wear SALE!
We have a limited number of Spirit Wear shirts available in select sizes, sleeve lengths and materials. PTO Members can select from the available options on the form link below and the PTO will send you an invoice via Square and deliver the shirts to your student at school after payment is completed.
PTO Member - SALE PRICES!!!
$10 - Long Sleeve shirts (reg. $20)
$7 - Short Sleeve shirts (reg. $15)
Orders will be fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis so don't delay - submit your order today!
FAST Kindness Challenge
UPCOMING EVENTS
- March 2: Read Across America
- March 10: Teacher Work Day (Students Off)
- March 11-14: School Closed
- Apr. 1: Innovation Showcase
- Apr. 25-May 13: Milestones
- May 6: FAST Art Festival
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.