Before we/One City begin our TWELTH (12th), eight week FAST cycle starting Thursday, September 30th from 5:30 pm - 8 pm, I wanted to provide you a few, after-survey results / ACTUAL quotes from (10) One City families who went through our program in Spring 2021:
"Did the FAST program meet your expectations? (Please, explain.)"
1. Yes.
2. Yes it did.
3. Exceeded my expectations. I thought it was going to not be worth it that it was something we really wouldn't have time for. It was amazing and I would do it again and again if I could! It helped in a time where we really needed something to bring us closer and give us something to look forward to.
4. Overall yes. It definitely took a few weeks to get into the groove!
5. Yes even though the time was hard it forced me to dedicate that time to them.
6. Beyond expectations at first didn't even want to do it. I made new friends.
7. Yes.... however it went well above my expectations. In fact, prior to doing it I REALLY didn't want to make time to do it at all. But after the first few sessions my opinion completely changed and it became a weekly routine that my daughters and I looked forward to each week. By Tuesdays we were having discussions that FAST families was in "only two days, yeay!"
8. Yes. We were nervous since we are introverts and didn't know how we'd be able to make the timing work, but it was 100% worth it. I know the team put a lot of hard work into engaging all of us and it was amazing to get to know both the team and the other families better.
9. Yes, I wanted to get to know some of the other parents and I feel more connected to my cohort.
10. Yes we are very happy to see we participated.
"... I really thought that it was going to be boring and I thought that I was going to hate dedicating that time. We
loved it and it became apart of our routine weekly. Our son loved it and it made me realize that we need to
set aside this type of quality time for him weekly." (One City Family from Fall 2020 cycle)
" ... Yes, we are grateful to have been a part of the FAST program. It helped our family bond while providing comic relief and other coping strategies during one of the most stressful periods of our lives. We do not feel alone in this pandemic. We have community to rely on, come what may." (One City Family from Fall 2020 cycle)
So, what is FAST?
FAST® (Families and Schools Together) is an internationally-acclaimed parent engagement program that supports the family bonding necessary for children to thrive:
https://www.familiesandschools.org/Built on evidence-based practices and rigorously tested, FAST:
Empowers parents as leaders of their families.
Builds positive connections and social capital between families and schools.
Creates a supportive community engaged in fostering children’s well-being and education.
During FAST, families have an opportunity to:
Spend quality time together. (The WHOLE family is invited)
Eat a meal. (One City's CHEF NICK will provide a prepared dinner for each participating family each week!)
Play games.
Get to know other One City families.
Parent ADULT time with other ADULTS
Children get to play with other children
EVERY family wins a "lottery of gifts"
The FAST Team invites families to “just try it once.”
The result: 80% of families who attend one FAST Session will successfully complete the program (attend 6 out of 8 sessions) – one of the highest retention rates among parent empowerment programs
After a single FAST Cycle:
Children’s school behavior improves and emotional problems diminish at home and at school.
Parent-child bonding strengthens and family conflict declines.
Academic performance improves and children get along better with their parents and with their peers.
In short, FAST applies research and evidence-based family therapy practices to promote the full potential of every child.
Weekly connection with the FAST Team and other families will help:
Reduce parental isolation by providing social and emotional support to parents and families.
Increase connection between families and the school during (for most schools) virtual learning.
Facilitate referrals for families to needed community resources.
In light of the global coronavirus pandemic, FAST has also adapted to an at-home and/or virtual format. Because families are much more isolated than usual, and because families are staying home in order to keep one another safe, the biggest focus of the program is to provide tools families can use at home to:
Help support positive family interactions.
Reduce conflict.
Increase cohesion.
What makes FAST special?
Several characteristics make FAST a strong choice among prevention and early intervention programs and parenting skills courses, including:
Family-to-family interaction.
FAST brings multiple families together in dynamic groups to build connections. These connections support families at home, in the school, and within their larger community.
Learning by DOING, not lecture.
FAST is an experiential program, where families can learn and practice positive parenting and family behaviors, rooted in practices from child psychology, family therapy, and family stress theory, among others.
Parent empowerment.
Throughout the program, FAST Team Members respect and support parents as the leaders and decision-makers of their families. Team Members utilize a specific technique to facilitate the session, allowing parents to give direction and instruction to their own family.
Cultural adaptation.
FAST Teams reflect the local culture, ethnicity, language, gender balance, and socioeconomic status of the families served.
Pre- and post-survey assessment.
FAST Parents complete surveys before and after each FAST Cycle to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. These findings are also collected and tabulated at the national level to continually evaluate and evolve FAST.
Holistic and systemic impact.
By building social capital among families and within the existing social structures of schools and communities, FAST accrues benefits that extend beyond the effects of traditional categorical programs.
Because of these differentiating features, FAST supports systemic change in the family, school, and community to promote the full potential of every child. Learn more about the statistically-significant, positive outcomes:
https://www.familiesandschools.org/More than 70 One City Families have successfully went thru the program since it was offered at our school in 2016 and give it rave reviews!
So, what do you think? Why not give us a try? SIGN UP DEADLINE: Friday, September 24th, 2021
"Yes, my family and I are excited and FULLY COMMITTED on attending and completing One City's eight week FAST cycle on each Thursday evening from 5:30 - 8:00 pm from Thursday, September 30th, 2021 to Thursday, November 18, 2021"
(We will definitely follow-up with you, provide you more details and answer any questions you have before the cycle starts).
In the meantime, meet One City Schools' experienced 2020-2021 FAST TEAM:
6.5 minute zoom recording / recruitment video: (translated into Spanish also)
https://onecityschools.zoom.us/rec/share/WJSFFSKasT_ZznXB2M_yN2Lcm_dp1b7c8P6MJgHgUs1Ubhu1o4aQcfR43TCCbxYk.Z7CM4WsVHWQWZx8c PASSCODE: 9UW+8e%X
We look forward to you joining us!
Thanks,
~Marilyn Ruffin
One City VP, Family & Community Initiatives
Certified FAST Coordinator
mruffin@onecityschools.org