The FAST Flyer

Each September FAST takes part in a tradition that has become very special to our school community – the International Day of Peace. This annual celebration, observed on September 21, has been a part of our school culture since I first joined the school, and it provides us with a powerful opportunity to pause, reflect, and work together to build a more peaceful world.

This year’s theme, "Cultivating a Culture of Peace," feels especially meaningful. The idea of cultivating peace is about more than just avoiding conflict—it’s about nurturing kindness, understanding, and respect in everything we do. In our classrooms, on the playground, and throughout the school, we aim to help our students grow into individuals who make their communities better places by practicing empathy and compassion.

Throughout the week, students participated in a series of activities that encouraged mindfulness and reflection. Our goal is to help our students recognize the importance of inner peace as the foundation for peace in our world.

Just as we have every year, yesterday we observed a moment of silence, where we joined with schools and communities across the globe in a shared wish for peace. This act of collective reflection, however small, reminds us that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of harmony and understanding.

We are proud to celebrate the International Day of Peace with your children each year, and we hope that the lessons and activities we share with them leave a lasting impact. By working together to cultivate a culture of peace, we are helping to shape a brighter future for them and for our world.

Thank you for your continued support in this important effort. If you’d like to engage with your child further on these themes, I encourage you to ask them about what peace means to them and how they can practice it in their everyday lives.

In peace,

Mary H. Miller
Principal

We invite you to enjoy a look at some of the things our students did this week leading up to International Day of Peace. Mr. Hendry's music classes performed and recorded the audio for this video. A shout out goes to our specials and innovation teachers Mr. Edge, Ms. Bakka, Ms. Sawhney, Ms. Carroll, and Ms. Puller for facilitating the other activities this week including the artwork and images in the video. Special thanks to Little Yogis yoga studio who came by to facilitate the mindfulness exercises.

Mark your calendars! School Picture Day is coming up on October 10th. All students are required to wear their cobalt blue polo shirts with the FAST logo for their pictures.

We are partnering with Jostens for our school pictures this year. Jostens will reach out to you directly with information on how to order prints, so keep an eye on your inbox for more details!

This is a friendly reminder that all volunteers on campus are required to complete the Mandated Reporter Training before participating in any school activities. This training must be completed at least every two years. Please keep in mind that if you completed this previously at another FCS school, we ask that you do it again as we do not have access to that information. You can find the training on our school website, and we encourage you to complete it as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in making our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

ABSENCES: Please report student absences to both attendance@fastk8.org and your student's homeroom teacher. You may send doctors' notes for absences directly to attendance@fastk8.org

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES: If your child’s transportation arrangements need to change for the day, please notify both your child's homeroom teacher and Ms. Cadogan at gail.cadogan@fastk8.org by no later than 11:30am.

CURRICULUM/CLASSROOM CONCERNS: If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's class, your first point of contact should be your child’s classroom teacher. If further clarification or assistance is needed, you can contact the respective assistant principal (anesha.james@fastk8.org or elementary or demetria.walker@fastk8.org for middle school.)

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES: If your student will have a change to their afternoon transportation (whether it is for a day or long-term), 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).

If your child is not feeling well, we encourage you to keep them home to avoid spreading illness at school. Please keep in mind that if a student is running a fever they are expected to remain out of school until they have been fever free without the use of medication for a full 24 hours.

Please remember that FAST is a nut free school. Students should not bring any foods for lunch or snack that contain any nut products including, but not limited to, peanut butter or almond butter.

This is a serious risk to those students with severe allergies. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

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.

Students must be in homeroom by 7:40am each day. 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.

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/

Students who are not in full uniform will have their parents contacted.

Bingo night is just one week away! This event always sells out so get your tickets now.

Hey FAST Dads!

Looking for a fun way to get involved at school? Join us one Friday morning to help out with carpool duties! Connect with other FAST fathers and positively impact our kids' school experience!

Curious to learn more or ready to jump in? Send us an email at ptoacademicenrich@fastk8.org or click here to volunteer. We’d love to have you on board!

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 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.

Sept. 27: Bingo Night

Oct. 10: School Picture Day (all students required to wear cobalt blue FAST polo)

Oct. 11: Middle School Talent Show

Oct. 14:-15: Fall Break (STUDENTS OFF)

Oct. 16: Parent/teacher conferences (STUDENTS OFF)

Oct. 25: Trunk or Treat

Oct. 28- Nov. 1: Book Fair

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.