News de Nous (09/16/24)

Tuttomondo by Keith Haring (Pisa, Italy)

Hello friends,

I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful weekend, and a pleasant Monday.

As we begin another wonderful 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.

In this edition of the News De Nous, take a look into the launch of the CP's first IB unit on "How the World Works", join EC4 as they take on their weekly "Parcours de Motricité", as well as the exciting art projects around the ongoing Paralympic games, inspired by renowned artist Keith Haring.

There are also other exciting announcements and reminders, including our upcoming school picture day this Thursday, as well as the opening of the FASTB library to our parents this Wednesday at 8:15am.

Be on the lookout for another Newsletter filled with the adventures of our Elementary Students as they embark on their first field trip of the year to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Have a fantastic evening, and à demain!

Warm Regards,

Colin LeBihan

School Director

Upcoming dates to keep in mind

September

Sep 17: Café & Conversation with Laure-Anne (8:30am - 9:00am)
Sep 19: Picture Day
Sep 20: Elementary Grades 1-5 Field Trip (10:10am - 1:45pm)
Sep 23: IB Potluck Night (6:00pm - 7:00pm)

October

Oct 1: EC3 Showcase (8:30am - 9:00am)
Oct 2: EC4 Showcase (8:30am - 9:00am)
Oct 3: Kindergarten Showcase (8:30am - 9:00am)
Oct 4: Grade 1 Showcase (8:30am - 9:00am)
Oct 8: Grade 2/3 Showcase (8:30am - 9:00am)

2024-2025 School calendar

Library is now Open!

We are very excited to announce that the FASTB library is now open to all parents who would like to come join us and sign out books to read at home!

Please join Lucile, FASTB's resident librarian, on Wednesdays starting from 8:15am to 9:00am.

To accommodate all of our potential parents visiting the library, please follow the posted schedule below:

Library Schedule

8:15 to 8:35

Elementary Grades

8:40 to 9:00

Maternelle Classes

We invite families who are looking to join us to park in the available spots in the front and side of the building, avoiding the car circle, or to park at the Suncoast Cathedral and walk to school with their children.

Access to the Library will be through the side door, pictured above. Just give a knock, and Lucile will let you in!

Bonne Lecture! Happy Reading!

CP Update

The CP class has officially started their first IB unit, and they have done a wonderful job of recalling everything they know, as well as what they are interested in learning about over the course of this unit.

As you can see in their IB brainstorming, the students put forward many interesting ideas, in doing so, embodying what it means to be “knowledgeable” and a “thinker” from the IB’s learner profile!

Picture Day Reminder

Art at FASTB

Keith Haring

"From his chalk drawings in city-wide subway stations, to his collaborations with the superstars of his day, Haring's life was founded on a belief in the power of people to change the world."

Keith Haring Foundation

"We the Youth" by Keith Haring (restored 2013)

In a project based around the simplicity of form: students worked by transferring silhouettes onto colorful backgrounds, working as Keith Haring did, by focusing on form and movement rather than detail.

In line with the class project around the Paralympic Games, students worked to depict athletes with prostheses engaging in sports. In doing so, conveying a message of equality and inclusion, showing that everyone can participate and have fun doing what they love. Like Keith Haring, the students art works as a means to raise awareness, and address important issues, all while imparting an important lesson around disability and the acceptance of difference.

A special thank you to Nicolas for leading this amazing art activity.

2024-2025 Zero Waste Challenge

We are excited to bring back Zero Waste Tuesdays at FASTB! Starting next week, every Tuesday we encourage students to bring lunch in reusable containers without any single-use wrappers.

The goal is for the children to learn about pollution and develop habits that help protect our planet. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on the environment, one lunch at a time!

Thank you for your support in this important initiative.

Café and Conversation with Laure-Anne

Please join us on Tuesday, September 17th

Café et Conversation

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Under the Tiki Hut! - All are welcome!

Join us for casual coffee gatherings that bring teachers, parents, and school administrators together 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.

Laure-Anne grew up surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Alps. She began her academic journey at La Sorbonne University in Paris, earning a degree in English and Italian. Driven by her love for languages, she spent a year working as an au pair in London and Dublin, gaining rich cultural experiences and improving her language skills.

Upon returning to France, Laure-Anne started her teaching career in Versailles, where the historic Château de Versailles and its beautiful gardens became integral to her teaching methods. She later pursued a Master’s in Elementary and Early Childhood Education in Paris. After six rewarding years, she moved to Lyon, drawn by its closeness to her Alpine roots.

Laure-Anne is dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs. She is a certified elementary teacher by the French Ministry of Education (AEFE / CRPE) and holds additional certifications (CAPPEI), making her an expert in specialized education and personalized teaching methods. She advocates for active learning, encouraging discovery, experience, and personal engagement in her classroom. She strongly supports transdisciplinary projects that offer students meaningful and contextual learning opportunities. Her classroom fosters a supportive and respectful environment where every student feels valued and empowered.

Beyond her professional life, Laure-Anne has a deep passion for gastronomy. She enjoys exploring French and international cuisines and has showcased her culinary talents in various competitions across France, where she has won awards.

FASTB Club Descriptions

Tuesdays

Arts & Crafts in French with Nicolas EC3/EC4/K

With an emphasis on imagination, creativity, and manual activities, students will work on a myriad of arts and crafts projects with Nicolas!

Arts & Crafts in French with Emmy Grades 1-5

Focusing on imagination, creativity, and manual activities, students will work on a myriad of arts and crafts projects adapted for the Elementary grades with Emmy!

Wednesday

Magic Club in French with Nicolas EC3/EC4/K

Over the course of the semester, students will create the props of a magician, learn simple tricks as well as how to perform them.

Yoga in French with Florence Grades 1-5

Sometimes after a long day of learning, all we need is a chance to relax and take some deep breaths. Join Florence as she guides her students through an adapted yoga routine for the Elementary grades.

Thursday

Magic Club in French with Nicolas Grades 1-5

Over the course of the semester, students will learn between one and two tricks a week. They will learn how the trick works in class, how to practice them at home, and finally to perform them in front of their classmates. All of the magical elements needed to perform the week's trick will be made during club hours.

Yoga in French with Florence EC3/EC4/K

Sometimes after a long day of learning, all we need is a chance to relax and take some deep breaths. Join Florence as she guides her students through an adapted yoga routine for the EC3 / EC4 / and Kindergarten class.

FASTB Suzuki Guitar Club

FASTB’s Suzuki guitar students meet Thursdays and Fridays after school to play games, perform ensemble pieces with their friends, and hone their skills with fellow guitarists. Treasure hunts, trivia, Simon says, and a whole slew of other activities help us build our repertoire through play! As per the Suzuki method, group lesson enrollment is contingent upon already having signed up for individual lessons. Group guitar is the best way to encourage playing the instrument with friends and learning how to synchronize tempo and rhythm with other players!

Thursdays:

Grades 2-5 from 3:10 pm - 3:40 pm

Fridays:

EC4/ K / 1 from 3:10 pm - 3:40 pm

Suzuki Guitar Group Lessons require direct enrollment with Alex

Registration for these lessons is not processed through FACTS.

Parcours de Motricité

Students' ability to act, express, and further their understanding of the world around them through physical activities is one of the five 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.