Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter December 15, 2016

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

                        December 15th, 2016

Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students to change the world for God’s glory.

Over the holidays, please invite your friends and/or family to our Open House for all students, 3K-12th grade, on Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium. If you know anyone that you’d like us to contact, please call or email: admissions@fpdmacon.org

Something New: In January 2017, Mrs. Krejci will start an elementary “Orff Ensemble Performing Group.”  This will be open to 3rd and 4th graders who really love playing the Orff instruments, recorders, and drums.  It will meet in the elementary music room on late start Wednesday mornings from 8:10 am - 8:45 am. There will be two “come and see” sessions, where any student interested may come for a rehearsal before committing to join. This will be Wednesday, January 11th and Wednesday, January 18th.  Save the dates if you are interested. More info to come.   Contact Mrs. Krejci with any questions!

BACKPACK MINISTRIES: As we restock for January, we are asking all grade levels to participate and bring items. Typically, we always need fruit cups, Vienna sausages, and juice pouches. Thanks for helping as we minister to needy children in our community. 

Please label all jackets, coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, lunchboxes, etc. If you are missing something, please check Elementary “Lost & Found.” All unclaimed/unlabeled items will be removed during the Christmas holidays.

Welcome to the Elementary Staff, Mrs. Lyn Brumbelow! Mrs. Brumbelow will begin serving as the Elementary Technology teacher. She currently works at FPD with the AP Computer Science students. In the Lower School, all 3K-5th graders will have Mrs. Brumbelow for computer class. She will also teach some Middle School classes. Lyn and her husband, Joey, have 3 girls at FPD: Sydney – 2nd; Rory – 1st; and Parker – 3K.

Holiday Sale at The Viking Store ends December 20th!  Great sale prices on outerwear and t-shirts. We have all sorts of items for any-age Viking, including “Viking Bucks” gift cards available in any amount! Get ready for cooler weather with uniform-approved outerwear and scarves. Lots of new products including Viking room decorations, mirrored car tags, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and stuffed bears wearing a cheerleading uniform or letterman’s jacket. Stocking stuffers too!  Visit us at www.fpdmacon.org/tvs and “like us” on Facebook @ FPD-The Viking Store. Open M-F 7:45am- 3:30pm in the MAC.  We are open during most home Varsity basketball games.   We accept credit cards except American Express. Closing at noon on 12/20 until 2017!  

READ every chance you get! We encourage students to always have a book in their book-bag. Electronics are not allowed during school unless for instruction (as per our Elementary Handbook.) Have your children make a Christmas wish book list. 

DRESS CODE Reminders: Socks, tights, and leggings should be predominately solid red, white, black or gray. All accessories (hairbows, headbands, etc.) should also be school approved colors. Boys hair should not cover ears or eyes and should not touch collar.

*** COMING UP ***

• Christmas Sing-a-long, Tues, Dec. 20th, 10:15 am, Clark Fine Arts Auditorium

• Last Day of School half day – Tues, Dec. 20th- Early dismissal at 11:50. No lunch served. 

• Christmas Holidays – December 21st to January 4th, 2017, for students

• First Day of School in 2017 – Thursday, January 5th

• MLK Holiday – Monday, January 16th – No School  

Prayers and blessings to all as we celebrate at school and in our homes the Greatest Gift of All … JESUS.” Enjoy time together and making memories children will treasure in their hearts forever! You and your children are gifts to me each day.  Merry Christmas!    Love, Wade Putnal

Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter-December 1st, 2016

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

December 1^st, 2016

Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students to change the world for God’s glory.

DRESS DOWN: This Friday, Dec. 2^nd, to benefit Casa Hogar orphanage in Acapulco, Mexico. Please bring your donation and students may wear jeans and a Christmas sweater or spirit shirt if desired.

The Elementary Christmas program is Tuesday, Dec. 13^th at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The title of this year’s program is “Shepherds Tell Us of that Night.” All children in 1st – 4th grade, as well as 5th grade Chorus members, will be dressed as shepherds.

Costumes: All students should wear a white shirt, and khaki or white bottoms. (Shirts may be short or long-sleeved, and do not need to be FPD uniforms. Bottoms may be skirts, shorts, or pants, as long as they are white or khaki.) FPD will provide shepherd robe, shepherd hat, and belt for all. OPTIONAL: Students may also wear a solid colored scarf of any type material if they choose to.

Shoes: Students may wear regular school shoes or sandals with a back strap if it’s warm enough. 

5th Grade Band: Boys: Long-sleeved shirt (any color), tie, dress pants/slacks, dark shoes, socks (NO SNEAKERS). Girls: Full-length dress, ankle-length skirt, or slacks with top (no open back or sleeveless tops; no short skirts), dress shoes. Christmas colors are fine.

Upcoming Lower School Chapels: Dec. 6^th - 4^th grade leads; Dec. 13^th – Elementary Christmas Program, 1:00 pm; Dec. 20^th – Elementary Sing-a-Long, 10:15 am. Parents are always welcome to join us from 12:05-12:25pm in the Clark Fine Arts Center.

BACKPACK MINISTRIES: The local food bank is low, so please send Vienna sausages, applesauce, and juice boxes. Thanks for helping as we minister to needy children in our community.

Please label all jackets, coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, lunchboxes, etc. All unclaimed/unlabeled items will be removed during the Christmas holidays. Please check the Lost & Found rack for missing items.

Christmas is coming and The Viking Store has all sorts of items for any-age Viking, including “Viking Bucks” gift cards available in any amount! Get ready for cooler weather with uniform-approved outerwear and scarves. We have so many new products including Viking room decorations, mirrored car tags, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and stuffed bears wearing a cheerleading uniform or letterman’s jacket. We have lots of stocking stuffers too!  Visit us at www.fpdmacon.org/tvs and “like us” on Facebook @ FPD-The Viking Store. Open school days 7:45am- 3:30pm. Located in the MAC near the cafeteria. We are open during most home Varsity basketball games. We accept credit cards except American Express.

The Viking Store will be open until 3:30pm on Tuesday, Dec. 13^th, during the Elementary Christmas music program. This is a great time for parents and grandparents to shop!

READ every chance you get! We encourage students to always have a book in their book-bag. Electronics are not allowed during school unless for instruction (as per our Elementary Handbook.) A great time for AR reading is before or after school.

DRESS CODE Reminders: Socks, tights, and leggings should be predominately solid red, white, black or gray. All accessories (hairbows, headbands, etc) should also be school approved colors. Boys hair should not cover ears or eyes and should not touch collar.

Class Photographers: If you have photos of your child’s field trips and other school-related activities to share, please send to your child’s teacher throughout the year. Thanks so much!

LUNCH PLAN: If your child is not on a 3-day or 5-day dining plan, and they eat in the lunchroom at any time, please email Carrie.Rogers@fpdmacon.org or send a note to the Elementary Office to let us know so that we may add this charge to your billing statement.

The new baseball batting cages near the elementary playground are “OFF LIMITS” before and after school (7:30 am-4:00 pm) unless students are accompanied by a coach. Thanks for helping us take good care of our new equipment.

“Sneak a Peek” at all the fun things our classes are doing! You can enjoy visiting the FPD classrooms and campus online, via our Teacher Blog pages. Just go to: www.fpdmacon.org; Click on the “Community” tab and then the “Teacher Blog” tab.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

·       Christmas Sing-a-Long, Tues, Dec. 20^th, 10:15 am, Clark Fine Arts Auditorium

·       Last Day of School – Tues, Dec. 20^th – ½ day - Early dismissal. No lunch served.

·       Christmas Holidays – December 21^st to January 4^th, 2017, for students

^·               First Day of School in 2017 – Thursday, January 5^th

·       MLK Holiday – Monday, January 16^th, 2017 – No School 

·       Please invite your friends to our upcoming Open House for Prospective Families:

FPD Open House, 3K-12th grade, Sunday, January 22^nd, 2017, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the Clark Fine Arts Center lobby. If you know anyone that you’d like us to contact, email: admissions@fpdmacon.org

Cookie Excavation

2nd Graders searched for "fossils" in the science lab this week and learned about the work of archaeologists and paleontologists.  Students learned about the meticulous process used to uncover clues about our past, and have also read numerous books about dinosaurs.  Chocolate chip cookies were the perfect site to search with a sweet, successful ending.  We all agree that dinosaurs ROCK!

Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

November 10, 2016

Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students

to change the world for God’s glory.

Upcoming Elementary Chapel dates are Nov. 15th and Dec. 6th (4th grade leads) at 12:05 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Please join us!

The Elementary Christmas program is just a few weeks away!  The title of this year’s program is “Shepherds Tell Us of that Night.” All children in 1st – 4th grade, as well as 5th grade Chorus members, will be dressed as shepherds.

Costumes: All students should wear a white shirt, and khaki or white bottoms. (Shirts may be short or long-sleeved, and do not need to be FPD uniforms. Bottoms may be skirts, shorts, or pants, as long as they are white or khaki.)  FPD will provide a shepherd robe, a shepherd hat, and belt for all students.

Shoes: Students may wear regular school shoes or sandals with a back strap if it’s warm enough.  

5th Grade Band: Boys: Long-sleeved shirt (any color), tie, dress pants/slacks, dark shoes, socks (NO SNEAKERS). Girls: Full-length dress, ankle-length skirt, or slacks with top (no open back or sleeveless tops; no short skirts), dress shoes. Christmas colors are fine.

BACKPACK MINISTRY needs Vienna sausages, applesauce, and fruit snacks. Thank you!

DRESS DOWN DAY: Friday, November 18th, to support Karazim Ministries in the Bahamas. This nation was severely damaged by hurricanes in recent weeks, and FPD has partnered with this ministry for many years through our Project LEAD group in the upper school. Your donations will be a blessing to them. Students may wear jeans and spirit tops or favorite college T-shirts.

Class Photographers: If you have photos of your child’s field trips and other school-related activities to share, please send to your child’s teacher throughout the year. Thanks so much!

LUNCH PLAN: If your child is not on a 3-day or 5-day dining plan, and they eat in the lunchroom at any time, please email Carrie.Rogers@fpdmacon.org or send a note to the Elementary Office to let us know so that we may add this charge to your billing statement.

Thank you for avoiding the areas marked off on the elementary playground where new baseball batting cages are now under construction.

LATE ARRIVALS reminder: If your child arrives to school after 8:15 am (8:50 am on late-start Wednesdays) they should enter school at the front Elementary office, and they need to sign in as well. Thank you.

Christmas is coming! The Viking Store has tons of gift ideas and stocking stuffers - including “Viking Bucks” $$ cards! Don’t fight the crowds on Black Friday when you can get it all done here!  You won’t believe our gift wall: Room decorations, car plates, key chains, scarves and much more. We have many uniform-approved outerwear options and always carry short-sleeved Lands’ End polo shirts. Always a great selection of spirit t-shirts and men’s polo shirts.  We even carry Tall sizes for men. Check out our page on Facebook: FPD-The Viking Store or www.fpdmacon.org/TheVikingStore. Open 7:30a -3:30p in the MAC.

TEACHER BLOGS: Be sure to check out your child’s grade level blog, as well as blogs from our music, computer, Spanish and art departments. Visit: www.fpdmacon.org; then click on “Community” tab; Then under “Students” click on “Teacher Blogs.” Enjoy!

With cooler weather, please label all things that your child brings to school - water bottles, coats, jackets, sweaters lunchboxes, hats, bookbags, and all! Please check the Lost and Found rack in the elementary hallway if you are missing items.

Thank you for helping us not disturb student instruction and learning time by refraining from knocking on hallway doors that are locked. These doors are locked for the safety of all teachers and students. If you need to enter the building, please come to the Elementary Office and sign in.

BOX TOPS are still coming in! Also check out http://www.boxtops4education.com/bonusapp to download an app to scan your grocery bill for items purchased.

PROJECT GIVING – Christmas Family Adoption Project – If you are looking for a way to exercise compassion during the holidays, go to: www.projectgiving.net to sign up to adopt a needy family from Middle Georgia or to make a tax-deductible donation to help those in need.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

• Thanksgiving Holidays: November 21st– 25th (Offices closed 23rd- 25th)
• December 13th – Elementary Christmas Program (grades 1-5), 1pm & 7pm, in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium. 5th Grade Chorus and Band will also perform.
• Christmas Sing-a-Long: December 20th, 10:15 am; Early Dismissal for 3K-12
• Christmas Holidays: December 21st - January 4th, 2016
• First Day of school in 2017: January 5th

We are so thankful for the families, students, and staff at our school.

Treasure the moments as you make memories with family and friends over the coming holidays!  May God continue to bless you and your family. May FPD continue to be a place where we all have an opportunity to show God’s love each and every day.

With a grateful heart,

Wade Putnal

Nature Trail

Our little hikers went on a scavenger hunt this week to observe and enjoy God's creation.  A few of the items we spotted were ants, birds, lichen, spider webs, pine cones, and flowers.

Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter-October 27th, 2016

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

October 27, 2016

Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students

to change the world for God’s glory.

Upcoming Elementary Chapel dates are Nov.1^st and 15^th at 12:05 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Please join us! Project LEAD will share on Nov.15^th.

Center for Discovery = “Beyond the Classroom Learning.” Many classes are beginning in November (next week!) Sign up now at www.fpdmacon.org/center-for-discovery for a complete class detail list. You may also sign up with paper registration forms available in the Elementary office.

Thank you for avoiding the areas marked off on the elementary playground. New baseball batting cages are under construction.

With cooler weather, please label all things that your child brings to school - water bottles, coats, jackets, sweaters lunchboxes, hats, bookbags, and all! Please check the Lost and Found rack in the elementary hallway if you are missing items.

BOX TOPS: Please continue to send in BOX TOPS to reach our goal by Nov.1. You can also go to www. http://www.boxtops4education.com/bonusapp to download an app to scan your grocery bill for items purchased.

For birthdays and Christmas… The Viking Store has items for all ages, including our own “Viking Bucks” gift card available in any amount!  We have a great selection of short and long t-shirts, uniform-approved outerwear, caps, Tervis Tumblers, and much more. Visit our page at www.fpdmacon.org/TheVikingStore. Open school days 7:45am to 3:30pm and located in the MAC near the cafeteria. Contact Renita at renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or call 478-477-6505.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

·       Thanksgiving Holidays: November 21^st– 25th (Offices closed 23^rd- 25^th)

·       December 13^th – Elementary Christmas Program (grades 1-5), 1pm & 7pm, in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium.

·       Christmas Sing-a-Long: December 20^th, 10:15 am; Early Dismissal for 3K-12

·       Christmas Holidays: December 21^st - January 4^th, 2016

·       First Day of school in 2017: January 5^th

Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

October 13^th, 2016

Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students

to change the world for God’s glory.

Football Friday Night – FPD vs Stratford & FAN FARE from 5:15-6:30 with inflatables and fun for all. Game time is 7:30pm. Go Vikings! Beat Stratford!

Congratulations to all the 3^rd-5^th graders who participated in The Pied Piper of Hamelin! It was a marvelous production and you worked so hard! We are very proud of you!

Lower School Chapel is Tues, Oct. 18^th from 12:05-12:30pm. All are welcome.

BOX TOPS CHALLENGE!!  Only a few days left to reach our goal of 8,000 Box Tops by Oct. 21^st! We’re so close! Collection boxes are in the Elementary and High School offices.

LIBRARY NOTES: Parents, grandparents, and children, thank you a thousand times for the wonderful books donated to the library in your names. We are going to have SO MUCH fun reading our 188 new Birthday Book Club books! I can hardly wait to read them all!  When you see Mr. Lance Merritt, Lizzie Sue and Henry’s dad, please tell him thank you for providing such enjoyable party refreshments for us. He put in lots of time and effort to throw a party for more than 160 kids! Thank you so much!

TICKETS for FPD Fall Festival will be on sale during carpool times Friday, Oct. 21^st and Monday Oct. 24^th as well as in the Elementary Office and Kindergarten office. See flyers in today’s signed papers.

Dress Code reminder: As cool weather approaches, remember socks, tights, and leggings need to be FPD uniform colors. PLEASE label all sweaters, jackets, water bottles, lunchboxes, backpacks, etc. Use this link to read uniform requirements for students: http://bit.ly/ElementaryHandbook2016

The Viking Store is “OUTERWEAR Central” for your Viking! We have 20+ different styles of to choose from - all are uniform approved to be worn in the classroom. Our Lands’ End polos, sweaters and outerwear are the same price as the Lands’ End website. We have a great selection of short and long sleeve t-shirts too. We are open school days 7:45a to 3:30p and take all credit cards except American Express. Email renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or call 477-6300 x 177.

Plan on visiting The Viking Store during the week of Fall Festival and parent-teacher conferences. TVS is a great source for gifts such as wall decorations, decals, auto tags, stuffed animals, jewelry and much more. Visit us on the football field Friday night and check out our new look. “Viking Bucks” gift cards are always perfect for any occasion – birthday, Christmas, good grades, etc.! 

Photos/Class Photographers: If you have photos of your child’s class field trips and other school-related activities to share, please send to your child’s teacher all throughout the year. Thanks so much!

All carpool drivers: Thank you for helping keep ALL safe at carpool by remembering our carpool areas are "NO PHONE ZONES." Please pull over and park to get your child if you must be on a phone call. Thanks! J

TEACHER BLOGS: Be sure to check out your child’s grade level blog, as well as blogs from our music, computer, Spanish and art departments. Follow this link: http://bit.ly/FPDTeacherBlogs

BACKPACK MINISTRY: Immediate needs are: Vienna sausages, tuna cans, applesauce and juice boxes. Thank you for all the donations!

PROJECT GIVING – Christmas Family Adoption Project – If you are looking for a way to exercise compassion during the holidays, go to: www.projectgiving.net to sign up to adopt a needy family from our Middle Georgia area or to make a tax-deductible donation to help those in need. You may also contact Natalie Woodward at: natalie@projectgiving.net or call her at 478-397-4135.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

·       Dress Down Day for “United in Pink” – Oct. 21^st – “PINK OUT” in Elementary! Students may bring a $1 donation and wear jeans and a spirit top or a pink top or pink “head to toe!” This Middle Georgia area outreach supports families of those fighting breast cancer.

·       FPD Fall Festival – Tues, Oct. 25^th – 12 noon to 3 p.m. Food, games, prizes – Something for everyone! Early dismissal for 3K - 12^th grade.

·       Oct. 26^th – Early Dismissal for 3K – 12^th grade – NO LATE START - On this Wednesday school will begin at 8:15 and end at noon for grades 3K-5^th. Upper grades will dismiss at 12:15.

Counselor's Corner

Adrenaline Addiction

Children love excitement. From as early as a few months old, they are thrilled with the “peek-a-boo game.” Most love playing “hide-and-seek,” riding on fast rides, and swinging on high swings. 

Parents love to surprise their child to see the looks of glee and wonder on their faces. It is fun. And, to be honest, grown-ups love excitement, too. The feeling of excitement comes from a hormone called adrenaline.  Adrenalin gives a sensation of euphoria and energy. It provides a feeling of competence and strength as well as pleasure. 

However, for every emotional high, there is an equal and equivalent low. The problem comes when the “rush” is gone and the emotions take a dive. You know this if you have ever given your child a birthday party complete with overstimulation and sugar. By the end of the party often there are tears and temper tantrums. Just as with a drug, the “let-down” can lead to a form of the blues called “post adrenaline depression.”

Parties are fun and worth the aftereffects, but it is important to understand the connection of adrenaline to stress. Adrenaline is closely related to another hormone called cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” Adrenaline arouses the cardiovascular system and cortisol regulates many of the body’s systems during stress. Excessive cortisol is responsible for severe anxiety, including panic attacks and depression. Too much adrenaline stored in the body can cause health issues such as insomnia, lowered immunity toward illness, premature aging, and hyperactivity often diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder. Classroom learning and social relationships are frequently affected. Adults may respond to an adrenaline addiction through perfectionism and workaholic tendencies.

Children can easily become addicted to the adrenalin rush. Developers of screen games test the biological responses to the product to make sure the games cause the elevation of the hormones. This is why some children become so consumed with gaming. Addiction expert Dr. Nicholas Kardaras says that after treating hundreds of heroin and crystal meth addicts, he has found these addictions are easier to treat than treating a true screen addict.

Children addicted to screens, games, and social media suffer in other ways. Their creative abilities are not developed when they are not allowed the down time to use their imaginations. Technology can stunt the normal growth of the frontal cortex which is the center for judgement, impulse control, and making good social decisions. Their “reality check mechanism” is distorted when much of their lives are spent in an unreal world. It can affect their brains so that the normal stimulation is no longer effective causing boredom and boring children. In Dr. Kardaras’s 10-year longitudinal study he observed “kids raised from an early age on a high-tech/high screen diet suffered from digital malaise. Bored and boring, they lacked a natural curiosity and a sense of wonder and imagination that non-screen kids seemed to have. They didn’t know – or care to know – about what was happening around them in the world. All that seemed to drive them was a need to be stimulated and entertained by digital devices.”*

God knows our bodies need to relax. He instructed us to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

And in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Psychologist, Dr. Archibald Hart, recommends three ways to help your children break the adrenaline addiction:

·      Parents can model a ‘balanced life.’

·      Build in some down time where your child can relax and avoid stimulating activities.

·      Most importantly help your child develop the habit of regular quiet time in the Scripture and prayer.

Mrs. Putnal's Newsletter September 29, 2016

LOWER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER from Wade Putnal

September 29, 2016

            Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students to change the world for God’s glory.

“Pied Piper of Hamelin” final performance is THURSDAY night, 9/29, at 7pm in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium. Come enjoy this show brought to life by more than 60 students in 3–5^th grade. Adult admission is $5; all children under 17 are free. Great fun! TICKETS: We have a new ticketing system in which everyone is required to have a ticket – even those who get in for free.  You can get your free tickets at the box office in the fine arts lobby before the show or you can try our new online ticketing!  Go to https://fpd.booktix.com/ to make an account. You will be able to print out a voucher at home that we will scan at the door.

Backpack Ministry: Immediate needs are grits packets, applesauce, Vienna sausages and fruit snacks. Thank you for all the donations!

The Viking Store has what your Viking needs: school supplies, spirit t-shirts, outerwear, gifts and much more! “Viking Bucks” gift cards are perfect for any occasion. New classroom approved outerwear options are here and more on the way. We have a good selection of Lands’ End short sleeve polo shirts. Check out our Facebook page or school website to see our newest items! Located in the MAC building next to the cafeteria and open school days 7:45am-3:30pm. Contact Renita at renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or 477-6300 x 177.

Homecoming Weekend is October 7-8! All alumni are invited to join their fellow Vikings for a Friday evening Alumni Family Fanfare, dinner, campus tours, and football game. Class reunions on Saturday. Viking Football plays Wilkinson County High School at Austin Childers Field at 7:00 pm. Check out our website for more info: www.fpdmacon.org

Science Lab -   Thank you for saving your small jars for us!  We would also like to collect cardboard tubes of all sizes: toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, wrapping paper rolls, etc., for some fun activities.  Thanks for your help!

If you participated in the Birthday Book Club sale during Open House, don’t forget our celebration party is in the library on Wednesday, Oct. 5^th at 3:00 p.m. It should end around 4:00 or shortly after. If your child is in the Kindergarten Extended Day program, someone will walk your child to the party and back to that building, if needed. Elementary students will come straight to the library instead of carpool. If your child will not attend, please send REGRETS ONLY by calling 477-6505, ext. 112, and leave a message. We look forward to seeing the participants at the party as we add nearly 200 books to our library! Thanks so much!

RECYCLE Your GEAR! FPD’s Project LEAD asks all students to donate used sports equipment they may not need or want any longer. Items should be in good, clean, working condition, and will be shared with those in our community, such as the Special Olympics and others. Please bring items in a bag this Friday, September 30^th to your classroom.

BOX TOPS CHALLENGE!!  If we reach our goal of 8,000 box tops by OCTOBER 21st, all elementary children will receive a “No Homework Pass” and a special surprise! Collection boxes are located in the Elementary and High School offices. Bring in those Tops!!!

Don’t forget! Our cafeteria serves a delicious BREAKFAST every late start Wednesday morning from 7 am to 8:45 in the MAC Lobby. Come taste their fabulous biscuits, scones, muffins and much more. For only $4, you can try their wonderful made-to-order omelet bar. Skip the lines at the fast food places – join your student for a hearty breakfast at FPD!

All FPD Bands (including 5^th Grade Band) will perform a CONCERT, October 4^th, 7:30 pm in the Clark Fine Arts Center. Our students will be joined by special guests from Mercer University’s Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Douglas Hill. As you know, the most important audience in the world is a child’s family, so please be with us for this event. It’s a great opportunity for all our talented band students to musically express their appreciation for your support. 5^th Grade Concert Dress:

Boys: long sleeved button down shirt of any color, khaki or dark slacks, long tie and dress shoes for the boys.

Girls: may wear either a dress or slacks and a blouse. Seasonal colors are always a good idea

Our Viking Parent Association (VPA) is producing FPD’s Red & Black Pages, a collection of FPD parent-owned and/or operated local businesses. The list will be published online later this year for FPD families to browse when looking for a particular service – doctors, real estate agents, insurance, etc. Parents are welcome to submit their business information online by October 1^st at www.fpdmacon.org/redblackpages.

All carpool drivers: Thank you for helping keep ALL safe at carpool by remembering our carpool areas are NO PHONE ZONES. Please pull over and park to get your child if you must be on a phone call. Thank you!

*** Mark Your Calendar ***

·       Lower School Chapel - Tuesday, October 4^th, 12:05-12:30pm. Parents are always welcome!

·       Monday, October 10^th – Columbus Day holiday – No school and offices closed

·       FPD Elementary Open House (3K – 5^th) is November 1^st - Please encourage your neighbors and friends to put this on their calendar! Invite them to come and take a look at our wonderful school. Please share with them why you are “ALL IN” at FPD! J

Parent’s Corner

Snuggle Up and Read!

Thank you for making reading a priority in your homes. Reading aloud - with and to your child, as well as listening to your child read - are some of the most important and supportive ways you can help them academically. Reading skills touch every area of the curriculum. Letting them know you believe this is important and taking a few minutes each day for “reading time” will strengthen their foundation of skills to last a lifetime!        Wade Putnal