The FAST Flyer

FAST Families,

We’ve just wrapped up an incredible first week of school, and I am thrilled to share some highlights with you. Our students have started the year with enthusiasm, diving into their classes with both creativity and curiosity.

From the very first day, it’s been wonderful to see our teachers fostering an environment where innovation is encouraged. Whether it's through hands-on projects, collaborative group work, or engaging discussions, our classrooms are buzzing with energy. We are committed to nurturing the whole child, and this week has been a testament to that. Beyond academics, our students have also been focusing on building friendships, understanding empathy, and developing social skills that are just as crucial as their studies.

We wrapped up the week with PBIS celebrations for our elementary students which included a movie and popcorn for 3rd-5th grade and a bubble party and icees for kindergarten-2nd grade. We look forward to our middle school students doing some team building activities on Monday.

As we move forward, I am confident that this strong start will continue to shape a year filled with growth and discovery. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education. We look forward to an amazing year ahead!

In partnership,

Mary H Miller, MA.Ed.

Principal

Fulton Academy of Science & Technology

Please be sure that you are communicating any changes to your student's afternoon dismissal to both their homeroom teacher and Ms. Cadogan (gail.cadogan@fastk8.org). It is imperative that we know about changes to ensure students are where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there.

You may have received an email from PikMyKid referencing a QR code. You do not need this code. It was system generated when we updated/added students for this school year. You do not need to announce your arrival on campus through the app as we do that once you are in the carpool queue, just be sure your carpool tag is visible,

If you have not received your carpool tag, please email marie.emerson@fastk8.org with your student's name and grade.

Our carpool has been off to a great start this year. It will continue to get quicker and smoother over the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience as we all (re)familiarize ourselves with the process. Please be sure that you are following the rules for carpool to ensure student and staff safety. If you will have a babysitter, grandparent, or someone else picking up your child, please share this information with them as well.

Please also remind your students that they have a very important role in our dismissal process -- they should make their way promptly to the carpool area when their name appears on the board for dismissal or is paged to carpool. Most of the delays we experience during carpool are due to students remaining in their classroom when they should be outside - whether it is because they aren't paying attention to the board or they are just enjoying time with their classmates.

Rules for Carpool:

• Follow all staff directions. Please be courteous with our staff and adhere to all of their directions. They will be out in the sweltering heat, freezing cold, and torrential downpours working to keep your students safe.
• Dismissal begins at 3:15. This does not mean you must be here by 3:15. You may arrive as late as 3:45 without issue (and likely less of a wait).
• Please do not arrive prior to 3:10pm (2:10pm on Fridays) for pick up. Parents who arrive on campus earlier than this contribute to back-ups on Crabapple Rd. We cannot move cars until students are dismissed. If the lot is full prior to dismissal, our overflow causes gridlock in the surrounding area. Help us be a good neighbor.
• Right turns only out of the lot. We usually have a police officer directing traffic, but even if he isn't there left turns are not permitted. (After you turn right, please do not use the turn lane at Chaffin Rd. for a U-turn as you may cause an accident.)
• Please keep your carpool tag visible in your window until your student is in your car.
• If your student goes by a name other than what is on their carpool tag, please let us know.
• All students should enter and exit vehicle on the passenger side. Please plan for this when getting your children in the car. (This is a safety issue.)
• Students should not retrieve items from the trunk during drop off. (This is a safety issue.)
• Please do not get out of your car during carpool. If you need to buckle in your child, you may pull over after you move through the loading area.
• If your child has NOT arrived at your car, you may be directed to drive to the ‘holding area.” Please do so immediately for your safety and the safety of our staff/students.
• Pro-tip: help your younger student recognize your car in the carpool line by adding a unique magnet on the passenger side of your car!

We are very excited to be able to accommodate so many more students on the bus this year. At the same time, we recognize there have been some challenges. Please understand that FAST does NOT manage the bus schedule, routes, or timing directly; these are overseen by the Fulton County School district (FCS). We have been in communication with them every day, several times a day to work through the issues we have experienced. We appreciate your patience and hope to have smooth sailing going forward.

As a reminder students are not permitted to use their cell phones or bluetooth devices throughout the day. Students who have a cell phone out after school begins at 7:40am through 3pm will have their phone confiscated for the day. Please remind your students of this policy so that you will not have to come to the office to retrieve their phone.

As a reminder, FAST does not have a kitchen for school lunch. All students are expected to bring their lunch (and snack as needed) or you may order lunch through Ordo at ordo.com. Lunch orders must be placed by no later than Friday night for the following week.

• FAST is a nut-free school. Please do not send any foods that contain nut products with your student.
• Please adhere to any additional food restrictions you may hear from your child's teacher due to allergies.

• All food sent to school should be ready-to-eat. Staff will not be able to heat food for students.
• Students should not be receiving food deliveries at school from anywhere other than Ordo. Please do not order UberEats, DoorDash, etc. to be delivered to your child.

Morning carpool begins at 7:05am. Please do not drop students off before carpool as begun. This is for student safety.

Students must be in homeroom by 7:40am each day. After 7:40, they are considered tardy. Please be sure that you are allowing time to navigate carpool and your student to get to class on time. If you arrive after 8am, you will need to come into Innovation Hall to sign in your student.

If students are late because the bus is in running late, they will not be marked tardy.

Early dismissals are not permitted after 2:40pm (M-Th, 1:40pm Fridays). If you need to pick up your child for any reason, please plan accordingly.

All students are expected to be in full uniform every day. The full uniform code can be found on our website at: https://www.fastk8.org/fast-apparel-and-supplies/

Per our charter, all students who attend FAST must reside within the Fulton County School district (FCS). Residency is verified at various points of enrollment. If your student will be in 6th grade in the 2024-25 school year, we will require verification that you still reside within the FCS district. You may find a list of acceptable documents on the FCS website: https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/660

Documents should be emailed to alexandra.hernandez@fastk8.org. If you are not able to provide the necessary documents, please contact Ms. Hernandez as soon as possible.

Georgia Certificate of Immunization Form 3231 is required for all students registered for school. In order to ensure that these are up to date, parents/guardians of 7th grade students must provide a current 3231 form for their student. We will require this information by no later than September 30. Please email completed forms to: alexandra.hernandez@fastk8.org.

Hello FAST families!

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. Please remember that if you’re child needs daily medications or has a medication for me to store in the office I will need the SHS1 form signed by parent and doctor. The doctor does NOT have to sign for over the counter medications. If your child needs a prescription medication, the MD signature is REQUIRED by law. No exceptions can be made. Please read and follow the directions on the form. You can access the form at the Fultoncountyschools.org website under the student health services tab under forms.

As always, I am happy to serve your children and will continue to make sure everyone is happy, safe and healthy. If ever you have questions or concerns please reach out to me. Victoria.murray@fastk8.org. You may also call the office and dial extension 120.

In order to help prevent spread of illness to other students and staff, we ask that you keep your child home if they are sick or could be contagious. Please use the chart below for reference if your child is not feeling well. If your child becomes ill while at school, we may ask that you come pick them up. If that is the case, we ask that you arrive as soon as possible (preferably within the hour).

Absence excuses including from doctor visits can be emailed to attendance@fastk8.org.

Our PTO Membership Drive has started for the 2024-2025 school year! Please join us in making a difference in our FAST school community. By becoming a member of the PTO, you can become an important part of supporting our school. PTO memberships raise funds that support FAST students and staff. This includes programs like field day, our learning garden, school assemblies, teacher grants, staff appreciation events, and more! This annual membership drive is our main fundraiser for the school year.

The FAST Family PTO is a non-profit organization, composed of volunteers, focused on supporting the educational experience of all FAST students.

The second round of Spirit Wear is now on sale! The sale ends on August 31st. Spirit Wear will be distributed two weeks AFTER the sale ends in the student's homeroom classroom!

The new school year is quickly approaching and we need a few great volunteers! Please reach out by contacting pto@fastk8.org to find out more.

What's a PTO volunteer? ANYONE who can help out within their capacity. We are looking for parents who can lead projects to parents that can volunteer an hour here or there. There is something for everyone!

Why volunteer? You are providing valuable support and building the FAST community! Be a positive impact to our school by clicking below to learn more.

August 19-22: MAP assessments

August 22: Governing Board Meeting

August 28: Curriculum Night

Sept. 2: Labor Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)

Sept. 3-4: Professional Development (STUDENTS OFF)

FAST leverages various means of communications to keep our families up to date with what is happening at school. Since most people are on social media, we post to different platforms to keep you up to date. If you aren't already following us, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

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.