September 7th, 2023
Bonjour!
As we close in on another fruitful week at FASTB, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for helping this school year get off to such a great start! Students and staff alike have settled nicely into their routines and the school is brimming with activity. The only bump in the road to date was the unwelcome visit of Hurricane Idalia that forced the school to close for two days last week. I hope everyone has recovered from the storm and that fine weather continues to hold.
It has been a pleasure seeing all of you each morning and afternoon, as well as at our Back to School classroom presentations. Thank you for making the most of the Back to School meetings; they are an excellent opportunity to hear from your child’s teacher about what to expect throughout the year. Your thoughtful questions and participation were appreciated. Turnout was excellent, despite having to reschedule some meetings due to Hurricane Idalia. Merci beaucoup!
Within our bi-weekly newsletter you will find reminders about upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the school community. Classrooms will also offer a peek into what they've been up to, so please read through to stay up-to-date!
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Colin LeBihan
School Director
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Upcoming dates to keep in mind
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Tuesday, September 12: Café et Conversation at 8:30 am
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Thursday, September 14: School Council Meeting at 3:30 pm
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Friday, September 15: Early Release 11:45 am
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Wednesday, September 20: Picture Day
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Monday, September 25: IB Potluck Night from 6 pm to 7 pm
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Thursday, September 28: EC3 Showcase #1 at 8:30am
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Friday, September 29: EC4 Showcase #1 at 8:30am
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Monday, October 2: Kindergarten Showcase #1 at 8:30 am
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Tuesday, October 3: First Grade Showcase #1 at 8:30 am
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Wednesday, October 4: Grades 2-3 Showcase #1 at 8:30 am
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Friday, October 6: Grades 4-5-6 Showcase #1 at 8:30 am
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October 9 - 13: October Break
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October 16: Classes Resume
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Off to an Amazing Start!
School Year 2023-2024 Kicks Off with Enthusiasm!
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At the beginning of the year, FASTB’s youngest pupils set off to discover the world and its colors.
Taking inspiration from Ellen Stoll Walsh's book “Mouse Paint”, the PS class, like the mice in Walsh’s book, learned to leave marks on a white sheet of paper using three primary colors.
Beginning in the morning, students began by pouring Red, Blue, and Yellow ink mixed with water into three separate containers. These containers were placed in a circle, with an empty container between each primary color. Once this circle had been completed, they then formed a “tissue bridge”. This bridge worked to connect each container, empty and full, creating what would soon be a color wheel. All that was left to do was wait and observe the capillary action about to take place.
As the students looked on, they were able to see the tissue absorb the brightly colored ink and water, drawing it upwards and into the empty container to its side.
When they returned that afternoon, the children were amazed to see that not only were the empty containers filled but that they had each been filled with a new color.
"Yellow and blue make green, it's magic
miss Julie".
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IB Potluck (September 25th) |
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We are fast approaching our first IB Potluck event of the year, which means that we'll soon have been back in class for a whole month! Time flies when you’re learning French!
As an IB World School, we would love to welcome you on Monday, Sept.
25th at 6pm for a special IB night! Come under the Tiki Hut to
discover what it means to be an IB learner, talk about the Primary Years Program, school-wide projects and share a meal together. It is a potluck-style event, so do not hesitate to bring a dish/beverage you would like to share!
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Allowing mistakes in education is essential for student development. The Primary Years Programme (PYP), fosters a positive learning environment, promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, and encourages resilience and perseverance. Mistakes deepen understanding and conceptual learning, encourage reflection and metacognition, and cultivate a growth mindset. They also align with authentic, integrated assessment, where assessment is seen as a tool for growth. By embracing mistakes, students become active participants, develop resilience, and gain insights into their learning strategies. Ultimately, it prepares them for future challenges and empowers them as independent learners. |
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A students ability to act, express, and further their understanding of the world around them through physical activities is one of the 5 areas of learning developed in the early childhood program of the French curriculum.
During the physical fitness activities, children improve body awareness, spatial boundaries, coordination and control. “The motricité parcours“ or “growth motor skill obstacle course” encourages students to run, jump, and overcome physical challenges. While we often see obstacle courses as an individual challenge, these "parcours" also represent an important tool in nurturing the development of Language and Communication skills in our students through the cooperation needed to complete them.
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Students from the CM1 and CM2 classes dropped by this week to visit the CE1 and CE2 classes to share their experiences from last year. They shared valuable information to their younger peers to help them succeed this school year! Big thanks to our older students for using their experience to guide the way for the rest of the school community. |
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Please join us on Tuesday, September 12
Café et Conversation
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Under the Tiki Hut! - All are welcome!
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Join us for casual coffee gatherings that bring together teachers, parents, and school administrators in an informal setting. These meetings hold significant importance in nurturing communication, cultivating connections, tending to queries, and establishing a school atmosphere that is both encouraging and accommodating. Café et Conversation gatherings present an opportunity for cooperation and shared comprehension that proves advantageous to students, parents, and the entire school community. |
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Our Adult-ed students are getting ready to embark on their French language journey as classes begin next week!
à bientôt
Fall 2023 Adult Ed schedule for the Beginner 2 and the Intermediate 2 classes:
- Class 1: Sept. 12th
- Class 2: Sept. 19th
- Class 3: Sept. 26th
- Class 4: Oct. 3rd
- No class week of Oct. 9 - Fall Break FASTB closed
- Class 5: Oct. 17th
- Class 6: Oct. 24th
- Class 7: Oct. 31st
- Class 8: Nov. 7th
- Class 9: Nov. 14th
- No class week of Nov. 20 - Thanksgiving
- Class 10: Nov. 28th
- Class 11: Dec. 5th
- Class 12: Dec. 12th
- Class 13: Dec. 19th
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Welcome to the FASTB Parents’ Association! |
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Welcome to the FASTB Parents’ Association!
The FASTB Parents’ Association (PA) supports the students, teachers, staff of FASTB to build our school community and plan activities and events. All parents at the school are considered members of the PA. This year we are kindly asking for each family to contribute a PA annual membership donation of $25 to help kickstart our activities and you will receive a FASTB car magnet as a thank you. Below are some of the upcoming events for your calendar. We’re always happy to have new volunteers so please consider volunteering for one of the committees (fundraising events, yearbook, or social). With everyone's help we can make these events memorable for the kids and families.
Friday September 15th - Deadline to submit:
- Annual PA membership donation of $25 per family (via Venmo or check)
- FASTB School Shirt Orders (t-shirts are used for school field trips and field days)
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*All payments may be paid by check to FASTB Parents’ Association or through Venmo: Kristie Pilliod@FASTB_PA (phone number digits: 2751)
Thursday September 21st, 6:30-8pm: First Parents’ Association Meeting
- Panera Community Room, 2285 Ulmerton Rd. Clearwater, FL 33762
- All parents are welcome to join! Coffee and pastries will be provided.
- We are in need of a PA secretary and social committee chair this year.
Other PA activities planned for this school year:
- Halloween goodie (non-candy) bags for all students after the costume parade
- Holiday gifts for FASTB teachers and staff (donations will be collected in December and split among teachers/staff at the school).
- Teacher & Staff Appreciation Lunch in May
- FASTB 2023-2024 Yearbook (end of year gift copies are provided to all teachers)
- Parents’ Nights and Family Gatherings at local venues in St. Pete and Tampa
We look forward to a great school year with and building the school community!
FASTB Parents’ Association Officers, 2023-2024
President: Tara Deubel
Vice President: Niki Bjornvick
Treasurer: Kristie Pilliod
Fundraising Events Committee Chair: Christine Barillon
Yearbook Committee: Cassie Harris and Marissa Wolfson
There will be a collection box for all T-Shirt forms at the Drop-Off and Pick-Up circle, please feel free to drop them in, or pass them to a teacher.
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2023-2024 Essential Information |
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2023-2024 School Organization
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EC3/Petite Section Julie Morel & Lucille Herault
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EC4-VPK/Moyenne Section Emilie Duprat & Kettly Zephir
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Kindergarten/Grande Section Françoise Thurière
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Grade 1/CP Marion Bazerque
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Grades 2 & 3/CE1-CE2 Jennifer Lemaire
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Grades 4,5 & 6/CM1-CM2-6ième Benjamin Monto
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K-6 English Language Arts Co-Teachers: Maeve Mulvie & Emmy Decker
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ESL-FLE-Support Emmy Decker
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Art Teacher Maeve Mulvie
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Library Marion Bazerque
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Phys Ed Coordination Benjamin Monto
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Music Together Teachers EC3 - Grade1 Melanie Baez
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Music Appreciation Teacher Grades 2-6 Dr. Ross DeBardelaben
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Suzuki Guitar Alex Gammon
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Suzuki Violin Dr. Ross DeBardelaben
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Afterschool Program Kettly Zephir & Samantha Andrews
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Office Manager & Childcare Director Mindy Robertson
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Curriculum Coordinator Emmy Decker
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School Director Colin LeBihan
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Head of School Willy LeBihan
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Pick-Up and Drop off Procedures |
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Drop-Off: 8:15 am to 8:30 am
Drop-Off at FASTB begins at 8:15 am and goes until 8:30 am. Upon entering the parking lot, parents should follow the drop-off route marked with cones. Parents are advised to pull up to the marked point before parking to expedite the drop-off process for all. Once parked, a staff member will greet and escort students to the gate adjacent to the car circle. Parents can then proceed out of the parking lot. Once inside the gate, students are divided into two groups according to age, with older students going onto the playground and the younger students remaining in the lunch area. At 8:30 am, students walk to class. To remind you, the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited in the parking lot unless you are safely parked. Thank you!
Late Drop-Off: 8:30 am onward:
Parents who arrive after 8:30 am are advised to park and escort their child to the marked door in the car circle area. Once at the door, please ring the bell, and the student will be let in.
Pick Up: 3:00 pm to 3:15 pm.
Dismissal at FASTB begins at 3:00 pm when the students are walked by their teachers to the lunch area adjacent to the car circle. The gate which leads to the car circle remains closed at all times. Using walkie-talkies, teachers standing outside the gate communicate with their counterparts inside to call students when their parents arrive in the car circle. Parents are advised to pull up to the marked point before parking to expedite the pick-up process. Once parked, a teacher will walk the student to their respective car, open the door, and ensure the child gets in. However, the parent is responsible for securing their child’s seat belt or car seat before driving away.
Late Pick-Up: 3:15/3:20 onward
We highly recommend that parents notify the school in advance of delays or changes in pick-up times for students. Without prior notification, students still waiting to be picked up by 3:15/20 will be escorted to the office. The school office will then contact parents to remind them to collect their child, and the student will be placed into aftercare until the parent arrives.
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Best Wishes from MLF for the New School year |
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Dear parents
A new page is turning for your children, our students. We want to send you our warmest wishes for the new school year, a time of promise and success.
The start of the new school year is important for every child. It's the beginning of an educational journey that will guide them toward discovering knowledge and developing skills that will accompany them throughout their lives.
You have chosen to entrust our schools, focused on educational excellence, with the task of accompanying your children on their educational journey. This decision testifies to your commitment to their future and reflects your confidence in our ability to help them grow and flourish.
We share your concern for your children's well-being. Beyond the school benches, their entire learning environment contributes to their development. We are determined to create a space where they can flourish safely, finding the balance between ambition and academic achievement.
We firmly believe in the value of caring within our educational community. By encouraging our students to be considerate of their peers, we help forge strong, lasting bonds..........
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What to do if someone has COVID-19?
Below are our recommendations
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We want to hear from you!
Please use the email address office@fastb.org for general school correspondence. Questions and requests sent to this address are forwarded as needed. We do our best to respond to emails quickly; thank you for your patience. Alternatively, please know that you can call us anytime for an immediate response! School Office Phone: (727) 800-2159
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The French American School of Tampa Bay
2100 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Telephone: (727) 800-2159
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