News de Nous 8/5/20 - French American School of Tampa Bay

August 5, 2020

Winning Team !

Bonjour – We are happy to introduce you to our classroom teaching staff for the 2020-21 school year, plus a new leader for our FASTB Childcare program. Classroom assignments are below as well – it is an outstanding team so please join us in welcoming them all ! Plus, we welcomed a very special guest to FASTB this past week – read on to find out who it was…

Classroom Assignments 2020-21

Curriculum Coordinator and Elementary Class Teacher Olivier Guilhem

Leading the way is our Curriculum Coordinator Olivier Guilhem, who will continue as our Elementary Class teacher in 2020-21. Among Olivier’s roles is to oversee the entire teaching staff and ensure that all of our classes meet or exceed curriculum standards in our newly-French accredited school. Olivier will also continue to develop the school’s radio studio, which began last year and expand our physical education offerings.

We are pleased to welcome Cécile Rocher (right) to our staff as our lead Preschool Teacher, teaming up with Teacher Assistant Pauline Delobelle (below), who returns for her third year at FASTB. Cécile is a certified French Ministry of Education teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience at multiple levels, including preschool, in France and in the US. Pauline is a versatile member of the team, who has also served on our Extended Care team.

Maternelle (PS/MS) Team: Lead Teacher Cécile Rocher (above) and Teacher Assistant Pauline Delobelle (left)

Our blended K-1 classroom will be led by Magali Guilhem, who returns for her second year in that role at FASTB. Magali, who is an accomplished artist, injected plenty of art into her class last year and we can expect more of the same, school-wide, in 2020-21! Our students make great strides in reading and writing in French during these years, laying the foundation for the elementary grades.

Magali Guilhem, K-1 (GS-CP) Classroom Teacher

Emmy Decker, Middle School, FLE & Adult Education Teacher

Also returning to our FASTB team is Emmy Decker, who will once again lead our Middle School class. Emmy made the most of her first year at FASTB, engaging her students in numerous fun and educational projects, while also serving as a certified FLE (Français langue étrangère or French as a Foreign Language) instructor for students who need an extra French boost. Emmy also launched our Adult Educationprogram and will continue to lead Adult Ed this year.

English, Art, Music and more

We are thrilled with the team we have assembled above and we will also be announcing our English Language Arts teacher and PYP IB Coordinator in the coming weeks. Additionally, we offer ESL and FLE instruction – these programs are all integral to our school as all of our students progress and develop the ability to read, write and speak equally well in both French and English.

Other key FASTB offerings that will be on temporary hold at the beginning of the year due to COVID-19 include:

Suzuki Music Lessons: Individual and group violin & piano lessons that initially focus on listening and mimicking, align very well with immersion language acquisition.

Music & Me: As soon as possible, we hope to be able to bring back Mr. Alex and Ms. Anne, our Music and Yoga instructors, respectively, with a modified, safe program for all students.

Physical Education: Olivier Guilhem, a decathlete, leads this aspect of our curriculum and will eventually utilize gym space through a partnership with St. Petersburg Christian School across the street.

Art: Once we have become acclimated to new routines at school this year, Magali Guilhem will lead our school-wide art program.

COVID-19 may impact the start date of these programs but, when safe, they will once again return to our daily school life, greatly enriching our students’ experience. FASTB prides itself on offering a complete educational experience that includes a rich curriculum in all subject areas, language acquisition in our authentic, immersive environment and the additional programs above, all focused on developing lifelong skills, a love of learning and an appreciation for the cultures of the world.

FASTB Childcare: Introducing Director Christina Cutrone

Christina Cutrone, FASTB Childcare Director

As previously announced, we are now licensed to provide full-day, year-round childcare services and it is with great pleasure that we announce that Christina Cutrone will serve as ourChildcare Director.

Christina brings over 8 years of teaching and administrative experience to this role, most recently as Director of Country Day School in Indian Rocks Beach, where she oversaw both the preschool program and the K-8 Victory Academy, for students with learning differences.

A graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Christina earned her

teaching and administrative credentials in Florida and has also taught in Ohio and California.

Christina is also an artist and certified lifeguard, and is very excited to join the FASTB team – welcome, Christina !

VIP Visit: Consul General Tours FASTB

From left: Consul General of France Laurent Gallissot, FASTB Teacher Olivier Guilhem, Honorary Consul of France Jean-Charles Faust and FASTB Teacher Assistant Pauline Delobelle

We were thrilled to welcome Consul General of France in Miami, Laurent Gallissot, to FASTB for the first time on July 31, in recognition for our recent French accreditation. FASTB teachers Olivier Guilhem and Pauline Delobelle welcomed Mr. Gallissot, who was joined by husband Camille Langlois and Honorary French Consul in West Florida, Jean-Charles Faust. The group enjoyed a tour of the school and discussed our accreditation, the school’s growth and the upcoming year. Thank you to Mr. Gallissot and Mr. Langlois and special thanks to Mr. Faust for making the arrangements for this special visit!

Enrollment 2020-21

Opening day is August 28 – if you have not enrolled for 2020-21 and wish to do so, please visit our Admissions page and contact us as soon as possible. With the protocols we will have in place requiring proper spacing, classes will be small, so now is the time to secure a spot for this year.

Remember also that Step Up for Students is still accepting scholarship applications for grades K & up, for both the Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment scholarships. The state of Florida recently expanded these offerings so it is definitely worth checking out!

Upcoming Communications

This weekend, we will be sending enrolled families the enrollment forms and Parent-Student Handbook for the upcoming year. We will also be addressing some of the questions that have come up since the release of the protocols we will be implementing this year – including testing guidance. Please email Dan Hannigan with any protocol questions you have by this Friday.

Enjoy the rest of your week!