August 17th, 2023
Dear Families,
I hope you enjoyed a relaxing and fun summer break. It has been wonderful these past few days to see the students back at school, eager to learn, full of promise, reuniting with old friends, and making new ones. Even after 23 years as Head of School, I am still amazed by how much the kids grow over the summer months. There is always such anticipation for the coming year, and the school is filled with positive energy.
As Michel de Montaigne (Les Essais,1588) wisely said, "The great and glorious masterpiece of humanity is to know how to live with a purpose." This sentiment truly resonates as we embark on this new academic journey together. The canvas of the school year awaits, and with enthusiasm and purpose, we will paint it with vibrant colors of learning, growth, and joy.
I would like to warmly welcome all of our new families, whether you are joining us from another school in the area or have relocated from another city, state, or country, Bienvenue! We are excited to share with you all that FASTB has to offer and believe you will soon feel, as we do, that FASTB is a special place for children to learn and grow.
Back by popular demand after a short hiatus, it gives me great pleasure to present this year's first edition of our bi-weekly newsletter: "News de Nous"! News de Nous provides glimpses from the classrooms, important information, and reminders you won't want to miss.
Our big headline news in this edition is the official approval of FASTB as an IB World School offering the PYP- Primary Years Programme. This is an incredible milestone for our school and no small achievement. With a special hat-tip to Emmy, our tireless IB Coordinator, I congratulate our entire faculty on this success. It took a lot of love and devotion to get us to this point, and the journey has just begun! Bravo à tous!
Our teachers and staff have been thrilled to meet their new students and begin this year’s journey with them. During our in-service days, our dedicated staff worked tirelessly to finalize classes and schedules, and update our instructional models, class routines, and expectations, all with the goal of fostering academic success and a true sense of belonging for our students. This year, our teaching team will be focused on harmonizing the French curriculum (AEFE) within the IB PYP framework and fully implementing the POI (Program of Inquiry) we worked so hard to develop through our IB accreditation process. Through the PYP approach, the students will be full partners and active participants in their own learning. It is an exciting time for our school.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Citadelle, 1948) once said, "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." This year, we aim to ignite that yearning for knowledge, exploration, and growth in each of our students.
I look forward to continuing our collaboration of providing your children with an effective and engaging educational experience in a bilingual environment. As always, we will look to our families to be positive partners in their children’s educational journey. Families and the FASTB staff come together to create a nurturing and empathetic educational community. Our approach to our responsibilities embodies professionalism, collaboration, action, and expertise. Our ultimate focus is unwaveringly centered on prioritizing the well-being of our students.
As always, my door is open, and our team welcomes your input. Staff and students alike have had a wonderful first few days of school so far, and we are all looking forward to a great year ahead.
Sincerely,
Willy LeBihan
Founder and Head of School
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Upcoming dates to keep in mind
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Tuesday, August 22: Café et Conversation at 8:30 am
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Wednesday, August 23: Back to School Meeting for EC4;5 pm to 6 pm
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Thursday, August 24: Back to School Meeting for EC3;5 pm to 6 pm
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Tuesday, August 29: Back to School Meetings for K and Grade 1; 5-6 pm
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Wednesday, August 30: Back to School Meetings Grade 2-3 from 5 to 6 pm
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Wednesday, August 30: Grade 4-5-6 from 5 to 6 pm
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Friday, September 1: Afterschool Clubs start
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Monday, September 4: Labor Day- No School
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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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Off to an Amazing Start!
School Year 2023-2024 Kicks Off with Enthusiasm!
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What an exhilarating start it has been at FASTB this week! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every one of you for contributing to seamless and successful first days back in school. The sight of radiant smiles of both familiar and new friends warms our hearts.
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IB World School Accreditation
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From right to left: Emilie Duprat (EC4), Maeve Mulvie (ELA), Julie Morel (EC3), Françoise Thuriere (K), Marion Bazerque (Grade 1), Emmy Decker (IB PYP Curriculum Coordinator), Benjamin Monto (Grades 4-5-6) and Colin LeBihan (School Director)
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We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our educational journey – we have officially become an IB World School! We share this news with you with immense joy and pride.
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a beacon of educational excellence, embracing an inquiry-based transdisciplinary curriculum framework that embodies the finest pedagogical research and leadership from IB World Schools. We are elated to join the ranks of over 6,000 IB schools worldwide as part of this remarkable global learning community while maintaining our partnership with 1000 AEFE and MLF Schools approved by the French Ministry of Education.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our exceptional educators, dedicated students, and supportive families, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and determination over the past three years. We extend a special acknowledgment to Emmy Decker, our remarkable IB PYP Curriculum Coordinator, whose guidance and leadership have been instrumental in navigating us through this accreditation journey.
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Ready for the New Year School !
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FASTB's School supplies traveled 5000 miles from Abbeville in Northern France to Miami, then Dallas, and finally St Petersburg!
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We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mindy Robertson, our dedicated Office Manager and VPK & Childcare Director. Throughout the summer, Mindy's efforts led to the successful renewal of FASTB's Childcare licensing, VPK, and Step Up Scholarship programs.
Bravo, Mindy - you are truly our "Office Lady Extraordinaire!"
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Summer Camp 2023 Memories
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We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Kettly, Sami, Mindy, and Colin for creating a joyful and enriching summer camp experience. Their commitment to fostering creativity, learning, and friendship has left an indelible mark on our campers' hearts. Camp FASTB 2023 was so much fun! The kids enjoyed gardening, water play outside, and some cool time inside, playing games, making music, and doing arts and crafts. Many campers are already FASTB students who come to spend the summer with us. Camp FASTB is also a great way for incoming students to prepare for the upcoming school year, and we were happy to have several incoming new students attend.
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Spotlight on Jenny: Educator and Theatre Enthusiast
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Today, we shine a light on Jennifer Lemaire "Jenny," a remarkable educator at our school (grades 2-3/ Ce1-Ce2) who brings her passion for teaching and theatrical background into our learning community.
Rooted in the Arts: Jenny began at the prestigious Conservatoire d'Arts Dramatiques in France. She honed her acting and directing skills, performing in contemporary theatre productions like "Littoral" by W. Mouawad. She toured in France and Belgium.
Bridging Education and Theatre
Jennifer's impact extends to the classroom, where her experience as an actress enriches her teaching approach. With a diploma in Education and expertise in sign language, she's a certified French Professeur des Ecoles from the French Ministry of Education. In Angers, France, her dynamic approach and innovative teaching methods stood out, and she became Curriculum Coordinator, using her leadership skills to foster positive relationships with families. Also, she served as School Director in Angers, Maine et Loire in western France.
The Theatre Magic Continues
Beyond teaching, Jennifer's passion lies in theatre. She's trained in various styles, infusing theatrical magic into her lessons. She directed student performances, nurturing creativity and growth through drama.
Let's applaud her contributions as a star in both the classroom and on stage!
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Please join us on Tuesday, August 22
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 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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Music Appreciation in Elementary grades
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Dr. Ross A. DeBardelaben "Dr Ross"
American Folk Music and Music Appreciation
Suzuki Violin
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Renowned violist Dr. Ross DeBardelaben is a dynamic performer and educator celebrated for his captivating renditions and vibrant teaching style. Dr. Ross's remarkable journey has been enriched by participating in popular music festivals and interacting with esteemed musicians like Joey Corpus, Burton Kaplan, Lawrence Dutton, Heidi Castleman, and more. Notable highlights of his career include performing with music legends such as Ray Charles, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant and captivating audiences on international stages.
With a deep-rooted passion for American Folk Music, Dr. DeBardelaben guides students on an enchanting journey through the rich musical heritage from Appalachia to bluegrass.
For private lessons in Suzuki Violin, piano, and viola:
Lessons can be arranged at FASTB during the school day or after school at his nearby studio location at Music and Me. For more information, please contact Dr. Ross:
Dr. Ross A. DeBardelaben
Phone: 305-771-3254
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Adult Education - DELF and DALF
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Exciting News about Upcoming Adult Education Classes!
Hello, wonderful learners and enthusiasts of lifelong education!
We are thrilled to share some fantastic updates about our upcoming adult education classes at FASTB. Get ready to embark on a journey of knowledge, growth, and exploration!
Mark your calendars, folks!
The Adult Ed Fall Semester 2023 is all set to kick off with Emmy Decker during the week of September 4th and we're set to journey together through knowledge and discovery until December 18th.
That's a whole season of learning, growing, and connecting with fellow enthusiasts like you.
Don't wait any longer to be part of this incredible experience. If you're as enthusiastic as we are (and we know you are!), drop us an email at adulted@fastb.org to express your interest.
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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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The French American School of Tampa Bay offers the following schedule and costs for After School Clubs. Full descriptions of the activities and information about the instructors are available on our website: www.fastb.org
Judo in French, led by Emilie Duprat
Arts & Crafts in English, led by Samantha Andrews
Guitar Club, led by Alex Gammon
Homework Club leb by Emmy Decker
Zumba, led by Emmy Decker
Theater, led by Julie Morel
Please complete the registration form by Friday, August 31st, 2023, to enroll your child in any activities offered. The 10-week session will begin the week of Sept 1st and run through December 1st.
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Back-to-school meetings foster parent-teacher collaboration, understanding roles, student support, and consistent expectations. They engage parents, create a supportive environment, build trust, and share resources. Childcare is unavailable during these sessions, so parents are asked to make alternative arrangements for their children's care during the meetings.
Back to School Meetings EC4
Wednesday, August 23, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Back to School Meetings EC3
Thursday, August 24, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Back to School Meetings for K and Grade 1
Tuesday, August 29, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Back to School Meetings Grade 2-3 and Grade 4-5-6
Wednesday, August 30, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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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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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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