Wrapping Up A Fantastic Summer!
Camp FASTB has come to a close, and what a jam-packed summer it was! Our campers kept up with their French all summer long while participating in our many activities. The students virtually explored iconic places around France like the Louvre and Versailles! They were even able to try French foods represented from all areas of the country! In addition, they painted their own Mona Lisa self Portraits, planted gardens to look like a Claude Monet painting, became fashion experts making jewelry, did their own build-a-bear workshop, made their own kites to fly in the summer wind, participated in a ballet workshop, and painted amazing pottery keepsakes! So, as we say goodbye to summer and prepare for the school year ahead, I'm so pleased with all the summer memories made and the new friendships formed!
Au Revoir Summer...Bonjour 2021-2022 school year!
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FASTB ranked #2 Best Private School by St. Pete Life Magazine |
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And the winners are...
A huge honor and accomplishment for our 4-year-old school, and especially this during a pandemic! A big round of applause for our entire school community!
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Message from Olivier Guilhem, FASTB Curriculum Coordinator |
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click here for video message
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2021-22 School Forms required to start the school year |
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Would you please complete and return the attached forms at your earliest convenience?
To have everything in place before the first day of school,
we prefer to collect early necessary paperwork. Please find all the documents listed and attached below and whether they may be filled out for individual students or per family. Returning students must submit new paperwork for a new school year unless otherwise noted.
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2021-22 School Supply List |
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The following is a list of supplies your son or daughter will need for the upcoming school year. The supplies listed below are constantly used and need to be replenished throughout the year. Please deliver the supplies in a grocery bag to your child’s classroom teacher on the first day of school. On occasion, teachers and designated “Room Parents” will be asking you for additional supplies specific to special projects. Merci beaucoup!
General Supplies:
- 6 paper towel rolls
- 3 tissue boxes
- 3 containers of disinfecting wipes
- 2 containers of baby wipes (preschool)
- 1 packet dry erase markers
- 1 packet of glue sticks
“Go Kit” for your child
(In case of a school evacuation, to be kept in teacher’s “Go Kits” backpack)
In a Ziplock bag (Childs’ name printed on the outside)
- 2 non-perishable snacks
- 1 box drink
- A comforting note to your child with a family picture
Optional: - Always welcome and appreciated☺
- Hand sanitizer bottles
- Playground toys (balls, Ping Pong, Tonka Trucks, trikes, etc...)
Personal items your child will need (not to deliver to teacher)
- One pair of slippers
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A change of season-appropriate clothing (especially needed in preschool) to include: pants, shirt, underwear, socks- in Ziplock bag and labeled, please
- One backpack/bookbag
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Lunchbox and water bottle with lunch/snack- daily- with cooler pack
- Comforting naptime stuffed toy or another special item for preschoolers, if desired
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2021-22 Classroom School Supply List |
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Moyenne Section
1 fabric pencil case with washable color markers
1 fabric pencil case with Crayola colored pencils
Kindergarten:
1 fabric pencil case with colored pencils
1 fabric pencil case with colored markers
1 small whiteboard set: lapboard, marker, eraser
1 old tee-shirt for arts
Grades 1-2:
1 fabric pencil case with :
3 blue pencils - pilot friXion if possible
1 red retractable pencil
1 black retractable pencil
1 green retractable pencil
4 graphite pencils
2 pencil erasers
1 pencil sharpener
1 highlighter
1 pair of scissors
2 glue sticks (8g)
sheet protectors 100 sheets for 3-ring binders
1 pencil case with colored pencils and colored markers
1 small whiteboard set: small board, marker, eraser
1 old t-shirt for art
Grades 3-4-5:
1 fabric pencil case with :
3 blue pencils - pilot friXion if possible
1 red pencil
1 black pencil
1 green pencil
4 graphite pencils
2 pencil erasers
1 pencil sharpener
1 highlighter
1 pair of scissors
1 fabric pencil case with colored pencils
1 small whiteboard set: small board, marker, eraser
1 old t-shirt for art
Middle School:
1 pencil case with
2 blue pens (preferably erasable)
1 black pen
1 red pen
1 green pen
2 number 2 pencils
1 eraser
1 pencil sharpener
1 highlighter
1 ruler (with centimeters)
1 pair of scissors;
1 pencil case with colored pencils and colored markers
1 small whiteboard set: small board, marker, eraser
1 old t-shirt for art
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FASTB Is Still Enrolling: No Prior French Needed for Ages 3-8 |
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We are continuing to enroll our Preschool & pre-K students. Over the summer months, we have worked hard to enroll in the Florida VPK Program and are awaiting our contract to be signed. This is a great program that will allow ALL of our 4-year-old students to receive additional resources from the State of Florida! We would love your help to get the word out that we now have this program available, so we offer a Referral Credit of $250 for each student you refer who enrolls before October 15th.
As a reminder: Rising Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade students can enter our immersion environment with no previous instruction in French. These years are foundational for language development, and students at this age are particularly suited to thrive in this environment.
At FASTB, Kindergarten students are not only at a great age to learn a second language, but they also have the bonus of being eligible for Florida scholarships (must be 5 on September 1), which are available to students K & up. Please see the latest on Florida scholarships and Step Up for Students in the article above to learn how you could benefit from this great offering in Florida.
Private Virtual Tours
You hear things about language immersion, but what does it actually look like? Well, the best way to see what we do first-hand is to schedule a private virtual tour, which will take you inside our dynamic and safe classrooms to see where it all happens.
We also conduct after-hours in-person tours and will continue to do so through the fall months.
You can also feel free to visit our Admissions page and website to explore further what we offer and learn about our admissions process.
We look forward to hearing from you soon - merci!
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Covid Protocols, Recommendations and Waivers |
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In preparation for the start of the school year, we have been carefully considering how we can implement the CDC recommendations to the fullest extent possible. We are pleased to report that all the staff at school is fully vaccinated! First, however, we ask that you assist us by encouraging your child to wear a mask as recommended by the medical professionals to prevent the spread of the virus. Children need to interact with their peers, play, follow a daily routine, and improve their social and communication skills away from electronic devices. Our school can offer just that; therefore, masks are a small sacrifice for these huge benefits.
Would you please read carefully and become familiar with the drop-off/pick-up procedures and other guidelines?
Here is a summary of our 2021-2022 protocols and recommendations:
- We encourage all parents/caretakers/older siblings to get vaccinated.
- Masks are strongly encouraged for all members of our school community inside the school during operating hours (teachers and staff, students, and parents, as well as vendors, volunteers, and visitors) and are recommended outside on the school grounds.
- Masks will be encouraged inside regardless of vaccination status.
- Access to the school building is limited to essential workers and students.
- COVID 19 PCR will not be required before school starts.
- Domestic travel doesn't require testing either before or afterward.
- International travel requires testing 3-5 days after return.
Procedures if Someone Becomes Ill or Exposed to COVID-19
- If a child becomes ill during the day, they will be isolated in the room near the main office, and the school will notify parents to pick them up immediately.
- If a staff member becomes ill during the day, they must go home.
- If a child or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, the school will notify the entire school community. Possible outcomes include staying open, closing a classroom temporarily, or closing the school temporarily. Regardless, rigorous cleaning and sanitizing of the school, inside and out, will precede any return of students and staff.
Guidelines for quarantine after exposure to a person with COVID-19:
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Exposure to COVID is defined as having close (within 6 feet) contact with a COVID-positive person for a period of at least 15 minutes in a 24 hour period during which they would be considered contagious. Persons are considered contagious beginning 48 hours after exposure. The use of masks decreases but does not fully remove the risk of transmission and therefore is not taken into consideration when defining an exposure.
- If an unvaccinated parent is exposed to a person with COVID-19, the parent must quarantine for 10 days, consistent with state and federal CDC guidance. A PCR COVID test 7 days into the quarantine is recommended to help assure that an exposed person is not an asymptomatic carrier. The negative test does not shorten the quarantine period of 10 days per CDC recommendations. Children of exposed parents do not need to quarantine UNLESS the parent develops symptoms or tests positive for COVID. These children would still be permitted to attend school provided they can be safely picked up and dropped off by someone who is not under quarantine.
- If a vaccinated parent is exposed to a person with COVID-19, the parent is NOT required to quarantine but must monitor their symptoms and get tested if any symptoms develop. It is also strongly recommended that vaccinated persons exposed to COVID-19 wear a mask whenever around others for a period of 10 days.
- Students at FASTB who are exposed directly to someone with COVID-19 must follow the guidelines for unvaccinated parents above. As vaccinations for children are available, the school will issue updated guidance on quarantine for vaccinated students.
Our number one priority is always to do our best to protect our community. We need to create a safe environment for all our students who do not have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Parents interested in visiting the school building may do so in small groups, outside of school hours, per appointment. Please get in touch with Tamye if you would like to arrange a time.
Extra cleaning routines are established, and hand washing is frequent. School water fountains are off-limits, and we will eat outdoors as much as possible. We ask that you please send food that the children can manage easily and as independently as possible.
The school is extremely grateful to the following parents, who are medical professionals, for sharing their time, expertise and for helping us write clear protocols.
At the French American School of Tampa Bay:
Dr. Gaetane Michaud, MD, Pulmonary Critical Care, Tampa General Hospital and USF Tampa
At l'Ecole Française du Maine:
Dr. James Gallea, MD, Emergency Medicine Specialist
Dr. Lisa Lucas, DO, Primary Care Physician
WAIVER: Parents wishing that their child does not wear a mask inside and /or outside may request an exemption from School Director Tamye Crutchfield: tamye.crutchfield@fastb.org
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Suzuki Guitar with Alex Gammon - Registration is open! |
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Our returning families already know Alex through his role (and popularity) as the Music Together Teacher for the past three years at FASTB. So, you probably already know how much the kids adore him, have heard about his amazing baritone voice and his excellent guitar playing! We are delighted to inform you that Alex will be returning to FASTB but in a new role in 2021-2022. Alex is going to be starting a Suzuki Guitar Program, with his studio located at FASTB!!! Of course, FASTB students will be first in line to sign up for lessons!
It was a treat to meet Alex this summer, in Maine, where he visited L’Ecole Française du Maine and met with the Suzuki Guitar Teacher, Gary Wittner. Gary gave Alex many helpful tips and ideas on how to bring this opportunity of a Suzuki Guitar Program to life in St Pete. It’s very exciting!
Alex got his first guitar at age 13, just for show. Still, when his family thrust him into private lessons with Sarasota guitarist Jami Gee, he centered his life around the instrument, learning jazz, rock, and classical pieces. As a teen, Alex played guitar in the Fogt’s Junior All-Star Band, which performed at Sarasota retirement homes and blues festivals, covering old swing hits and dancey jazz tunes.
After studying Childhood Anthropology at Florida State, Alex was intrigued by Early Childhood Development, which led him to the Music Together program. Blending his passion for Music and Early Childhood Development, Alex passed the Music Together and Canta y Baila Teacher Training in the fall of 2018 and winter of 2019, respectively. He began working with FASTB students in December 2018, teaching the Music Together in School, Rhythm Kids, and Music History/Ukulele curriculums.
He took the role of the FASTB Suzuki guitar teacher in the Fall of 2021, hoping to bring music to the students' lives via his favorite instrument. We are thrilled to have Alex on board, offering this exciting opportunity to our school families. If you are interested in having your child take guitar (or ukulele) from this devoted teacher, you can contact him directly at:
(941) 321-7962
Rest assured- Music Together with Music & Me will also return, and we will introduce you to the new teacher soon :-)
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2100 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Telephone: (727) 800-2159
Elizabeth LeBihan: Founder and CFO
Willy LeBihan: Founder and Head of School
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