The FAST Flyer
The View from Above, Vol. 4 Issue 13
Nov. 6, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE
Dear Parents,
When I was growing up, one of the worst labels that could be thrown at a kid was that of being called gay, fag, queer, or homo. The very thought of being tagged with that persona was something that every pre-teen and teenager feared. More so, the terror of being outed weighed heavy on those who actually knew or thought that they were in fact gay or bi-sexual.
Much has changed with the mainstreaming of sympathetic portrayals of characters in popular books, movies, and television shows. There are now prominent lawmakers and entertainers who do not shy away from sharing who they are. And many people have experienced a relative or friend coming out as being gay. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage is legal. 70% of the nation now supports same sex marriage including 55% of those who identify as Republicans.
But, that does not necessarily translate into middle schools and high schools today. Much of those same labels used to embarrass or hurt fellow classmates continues unabated. Students still fear being called names or being outed for good reason. In our recent staff training on suicide prevention, we learned that four times as many gay teenagers are likely to attempt to end their lives due to depression and fear.
The challenge that schools face has not changed either. Our families come from many different backgrounds and for reasons ranging from religious to cultural and political do not consider homosexuality to be an acceptable option. What may be acceptable in some states is not going to be acceptable in other regions of our nation. When these lines are crossed, board of education meetings become a battleground of contention in which different community values collide.
As educators, we risk crossing a line by contradicting the differing values and beliefs of parents who are entrusting their children's education to us. It is a line that continues to move but it still exists and will continue to do so.
A few years ago, we had an incident at FAST in which a student had begun the process of transitioning from a female to a male. The child entered the girl's restroom where a confrontation took place. Middle school girls surrounded the student and began to taunt her/him because of the child's appearance and chased this person from the bathroom. Upon being made aware of this, alternative arrangements were made for this student to use the faculty restroom. The staff also met with the entire grade to share that while we are composed of students from many backgrounds with differing values, it was unacceptable to attack someone for who they were and that every child deserves to feel safe coming to school. The message was received but for that child who was already struggling, only the onset of COVID and remote learning allowed for the completion of his studies at FAST.
What is happening now at FAST is what prompts me to write this blog. The labels continue to be used when staff is not in earshot to embarrass other children. Whether it is in jest or out of a middle schooler's attempt to just be hurtful, it continues to take place and the targets of this name calling shudder when it happens. But a subtle change is also taking place. Other students are coming forth to say it bothers them. And we know there are children at school right now that are coming to grips with their sexual identity. They are deathly afraid to talk about it out of fear of peer repercussions or out of concern for the conflicts it possesses with the values they are being raised with and wish to continue respecting. I do not wish these children to become the next suicide statistics.
So what do we do to protect all of our children while not overstepping the boundaries we must respect in terms of religious and cultural values? We begin with keeping this fine line in mind as we work on a fundamental principle of any school: No child should ever be afraid to come to school out of the fear of being labeled or taunted for who they are. Using terms of "gay" or "bi" as a slur has to be treated the same way as using racial vulgarities. It is unacceptable. We have to teach our children that while they may not agree with a lifestyle, they cannot be disrespectful of it, for the sake of human decency. We must train our staff to be more aware of the dangers of such labeling and to be cognizant of our responsibility to create a safe place in which to learn. And we must help students identify trusted adults at school in which they can confide. In other words, we must provide lifelines for each of our students regardless of what they might be struggling with including family problems, illness of loved ones, conflicts with friends, self-identification, and financial challenges.
Discussions about such matters as LGBTQ Awareness month and support clubs are not on the table at this time. To do so in a community where there is such a diversity of values would be overstepping our role. But when it comes to the physical and psychological well being of our children, there is no line we will not cross to keep them safe and free of fear. I recognize that this blog will not make anyone happy because I either have not gone far enough or I have gone too far. My own personal/religious values have to be kept in check if I am to run a school with respect for all of our families.
Two decades ago, Matthew Shephard was tied to a prairie fence in Wyoming, tortured and then left to die because of the baseless hate for a young man whose only crime was to be gay. We cannot and will not raise a generation of children capable of such hatred. This is where we draw the line and this is why we must be engaged in work of the acceptance of those who may be different. I hope you will partner with us in the messaging we must stress. It begins with the words we use and with standing up for those who are being targeted.
Stan Beiner
Fulton Academy of Science and Technology
Principal
Covid Count as of Nov. 5, 2021
HAPPENINGS
School Tours
If you are aware of any families who are interested in attending FAST next year, please let them know that tours are scheduled! The lottery will open for applications for the 2022-23 school year on January 1, 2022, but tours start as soon as November 10. For our current families who have siblings that are not yet FAST students, we will have more information for you in the coming weeks regarding sibling applications. Word of mouth referrals are the most common way people find out about FAST so please spread the word! The link to reserve a spot for a tour can be found on our website.
Heritage Week
At FAST, we embrace the diversity of our student community. There is no time this is more evident than during heritage week. Students will learn about cultures from around the world through activities in many classes including specials (art, music, and PE). We invite parents to speak to students about their homelands or tell a native folktale, and we look forward to the culmination of the week with a presentation that we will be putting together with input from YOU, our FAST families.
Family Participation on Heritage Night
As part of Heritage Week, we will be presenting a community wide Zoom International Night program on Thursday, November 18 at 7:00pm. The program will include a holiday song performance and a staff gratitude video. In addition, we wish to celebrate our family heritages by creating a video montage of you at home. We are asking families to prepare one of the following:
A Google slide with
Information (a few facts and pictures of your homeland)
Family photo celebrating one of your holidays (including Thanksgiving)
Family photo visiting where you came from (country of origin, US state of origin)
Video of your family singing a song or performing a dance (20 seconds max)
Send your input to marie.emerson@fastk8.org by no later than November 16, 2021. We will be putting together a presentation that we plan to share with all of our FAST Families on November 18 during the live virtual event.
Veterans Day
If you have a member of your family that served in the armed forces of the US please send us the names so we can add them to our FAST Veterans Day Hall of fame for Thursday
Fulton County Technology Fair
REMINDERS
Picture Retake Day
Masks
FAST requires everyone to wear a mask while indoors. In the meantime, we strongly encourage our FAST families to get vaccinated to help keep our kids and staff healthy.
*Flu season is upon us and it is highly recommended to have your children vaccinated.
*The COVID-19 vaccination is now available for children 5 years of age and above. We strongly recommend vaccination. It will be much easier to relax mask restrictions once a core number of students have been vaccinated.
Daylight Savings Time
Student Committees
Some days it feels like the news is full of stories about students misbehaving. Whether they are vandalizing schools because of a social media challenge or otherwise engaging in illegal or inappropriate behavior that is disrespectful to other students and school staff. We can’t say that FAST students are perfectly behaved all day every day. But we can say that our students, on the whole, strive to rise above the noise.
This is very apparent when students in the No Place For Hate committee meet weekly. Led by Innovation Director, Jake Franklin, students gather to discuss bias and bullying, what prompts it and how to prevent it. By identifying what drives the behaviors, students hope to mitigate it creating an environment of inclusivity and allyship. The goal is for all students to feel safe at school. Students who feel safe are more likely to learn and less likely to suffer from anxiety.
Students are currently working on four programs that address respect and appreciation for one another’s differences and commonalities.
Meanwhile, the Student Council has looked outside of FAST to help the community. Ms. Abramson and Ms. Rooke meet with this group weekly to guide them in their mission. Currently, they are collecting donations for two organizations: YIMBY (Yes, In My Backyard) and North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). These organizations assist the homeless and less fortunate in our community by providing food and hygiene products. Student Council members are on hand through November 18 during morning carpool when you can drop off donations. See HERE for more information about the specific items they are currently accepting.
We are so proud of the work these FAST students are doing, and look forward to more great things from them.
Atlanta Lunch Co. Menu
Spirit Wear Store - SHOP NOW!
With the weather getting cooler, the PTO Spirit Wear Store is now open. Orders are due by midnight on SUNDAY, November 7.
Due to nationwide supply chain delays, we are hoping to be able to deliver the new orders in early December. We will keep you posted on the timing as we learn more!
Kids Growing too FAST?
Used Uniform SALE
Sign up now for your chance to shop the
Used Uniform inventory on
Wednesday, November 10.
Got Boxes?
The Innovation teachers have some fun projects planned. They are in need of cardboard boxes. If you have any size cardboard boxes, please flatten and bring into Mr. Franklin.
Thank You!
Our teachers need a break!
FAST is looking for 5 parent volunteers per month to help with morning carpool. You can drop off your child(ren) at 7:00a.m and then help get students out of cars from 7:05 - 7:50am.
These volunteers will allow our teachers & staff a bit of much needed extra time to prepare for the school day.
If interested, please contact PTO@fastk8.org and let us know your availability.
2 Thumbs UP!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Nov. 9: Picture Retake Day
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Nov. 11: FAST Governing Board Meeting
- Nov. 18: International Night
- Nov. 19-28: Thanksgiving Break
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.