The FAST Flyer
The View from Above, Vol. 4 Issue 25
March 5, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE
Warning: There will come a time when your child encounters a problem at school: Somebody is picking on me. The teacher is being unfair. These kids are talking about me. And if you don’t catch yourself you can easily find your mama/papa bear mode moving into high gear. In doing so,you carefully consider your options: 1) storm up to the school and demand to speak to the teacher-nope the AP- better yet the principal. 2) write a long detailed email that is a minimum of one page in length and includes at least three comments in capital letters and send it right after school on Friday for maximum impact, 3) call your partner and state that you’ve had enough and s/he has to take care of it immediately or 4) skip all attempts at dialogue and post your conclusions on social media and any parent groups at your disposal. While these are all options to consider, in reality we have to begin with the realization that you have just heard a detailed report of wrongdoing through the lens of a seven year old and there might…just maybe be another perspective to consider. As my own kid’s kindergarten teacher shared with parents at Open House: Let’s agree that I won’t believe everything I hear about you if you don’t believe everything you hear about me.
To be honest, there are those times when there very well may be truth to your kid’s story but you have to start from a point of controlled objectivity and gather more information before reacting. There are plenty of tips and whole books that are really helpful but sometimes harder to act upon than you wish. Being cool and collected when your child is hurting can be very challenging. So, click on your Calm app, do some breathing routines and then consider some other options: 1) Contact the teacher and ask for more info on what you heard from your child 2) Ask clarifying questions about what happened and what solutions there might be, 3) Actively listen, listen, listen 4) If possible, come up with a game plan that includes strategies and next steps in communication 5) Assume that the teacher is doing his/her best until proven otherwise.
There are times where there is no question where the fault lies but more often than not, it’s a bit more complicated. Usually, it will take some time to resolve an issue which goes against every parent’s desire to get things patched up in the next day or so. And, kids are very savvy. They can sense your anxiety and concern and that can sometimes mean EXTRA ATTENTION. Every day in America, there are real live children that hop into the car and wait for mom or dad to ask something like: Was today any better than yesterday? Did Shreyas bother you at recess? Did Mr. Smith teach any math today? To which, children gleefully have stories prepared to feed their parents’ anxiety and bask in the reaction. Rather than fish for bad news (which may be happening) begin with: What was the funnest part of the day? Tell me ONE thing you learned in class . What was your favorite part of the day? Getting children in the right state of mind will help create the proper atmosphere in which to talk out an issue. That might also include waiting until you are out of the car and that your child has been fed.
I could go on with more parenting observations but then who would buy my book. The point is that parenting can be hard and you are not always ready for what is being thrown at you. But one thing is certain-getting to the bottom of a problem requires you to have a cool head and that means getting into the right mindset before shifting into parent drive.
Sincerely,
Stan Beiner
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.
HAPPENINGS
Read Across America
Basketball
We want to congratulate the boys and girls basketball teams on a great season. While their record may not have been the best in the league, we are nevertheless proud of their determination, sportsmanship and how far they have come.
Thank you all for representing FAST so well!
Harvard Diversity Project
Harvard College, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, is offering the opportunity for students to participate in a 10 month, accelerated course in which students are taught by Harvard’s assistant debate coach as part of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project. This affords students the opportunity to be exposed to higher-level academic disciplines (e.g. philosophy, humanities, political science, etc.) Classes are Saturdays from August through May after which students will have an opportunity to attend a two-week residence at Harvard in the summer of 2023. Students may apply HERE
Lost and Found
Women's History Month - March
Yearbooks - Order Yours Today!
If you would like to order a yearbook, the store is open at Balfour.com, search for Fulton Academy of Science and Technology. The deadline to purchase an ad has been pushed to March 11. Information on placing an ad can be found HERE. Order details can be found HERE. Yearbooks can be ordered through April 15, 2022.
Spotlight on….Vayda Jane DiCaprio & Ethan Fowlkes
We see the great things our students achieve while at school every day. Sometimes we hear stories of their accomplishments outside of FAST. This week, we want to spotlight two of our 5th grade students who excelled in their extracurricular activities.
Ethan Fowlkes competed in Access Broadway with his studio, RISPA. Late night and after school practices paid off for Ethan as he was recognized for a few of his performances. In addition to winning platinum for his hip hop duet, he and his dance partner won best duet overall. His musical theater group won high gold and the studio won best studio as a triple threat. Way to go Ethan, good luck at Nationals!
Vayda Jane DiCaprio headed to Florida for the National Performing Arts Festival where her troupe placed second and was chosen to do a ten minute cut of their show Madagascar on the city park stage at Universal Studios - how exciting! Vayda Jane also won an award in excellence for a duet performance singing Secondary Characters. Great job Vayda Jane!
REMINDERS
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.
Milestones & EOC
Atlanta Lunch Co. Menu
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 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.