December News

Today we will not post a separate newsletter, but we wanted you to be aware of the following information:

*Tomorrow the the last day for elementary (dismissal is at 12:00) following our Sing-A-Long at 10:30.  This is different than middle and high school due to their exams which will take place today, tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday. No lunch will be served tomorrow.

*Students do not need to bring book bags tomorrow to school.  Students may wear Christmas shirts and jeans if they wish.  

*LIBRARY NEWS:  It’s almost visiting author time!  Author Diane Z. Shore will visit us on Wednesday, Feb. 7, during our Mixon-Fincher Young Author and Illustrator week.  See January 4^th’s signed papers for an orange flyer telling you about her visit and the opportunity to pre-order an autographed book.  **Forms and money are due by Friday, January 12 for pre-ordered books.**

We have thoroughly enjoyed your children and thank you for all the ways you support them and show us your love and appreciation. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Field trip to Macon’s Indian Mounds

Our second graders and many of their parents enjoyed a beautiful fall day at our city’s very own historical Ocmulgee Indian Mounds. The day started with a tour of the museum and an informative video inside. Then we went on a self guided walking tour of the Mounds. Last we came back to the school for a time of working with clay to make pinch pots, just as the Indians had made long ago. It was a great day! 

Newsletter from Mrs. Putnal- *please note the livestreaming of the Christmas Program*

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

November 30, 2017

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

to change the world for God’s glory.

The Elementary Christmas program is Thursday, Dec.7th at 1:00 and 7:00 pm. The title of this year’s program is “ The Wonder of Christmas.” All children in 1st - 4th grade, as well as 5th grade Chorus members, will dress in dressy Christmas wear. No jeans.

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.

**The 1:00 pm performance will be live streamed for grandparents and friends to

view from afar J. https://livestream.com/fpdmacon/events/7959970

DRESS DOWN- Friday, December 8th- $1 Donations for local Mentor’s Project

Elementary students may wear a Christmas sweater/shirt or Viking spirit shirt and jeans for $1 donations.

Upcoming Lower School Chapels:

Special Chapel on Thursday, December 14th  @12:05- 4th grade will present.

December 15th – Elementary Christmas Sing-a-Long @ 10:30 am.

Parents are always welcome to join us 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. 13th, during the Elementary Christmas music program. This is a great time for parents and grandparents to shop!

LOOKING for a great gift…. Books! Children that are read to and read with on a daily basis have a marked increase in their literacy, writing, and comprehension skills.

READING to and with your child every chance you get is one of the greatest gifts you can give them! 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 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.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

·       Thursday, December 14th is a full day for 3K- 5th grade.

·       Christmas Sing-a-Long for Lower School (3K- 5th grade)- Friday, December 15th @ 10:30 am

·       Last Day of School for 3K- 5th grade – Friday, December 15th -12 noon dismissal.

No lunch served. Extended Day is available Friday, December 15th until 6pm. Please contact Lauren Wrabel if your child will attend.

·       Christmas Holidays for Lower School (3K- 5th grade)- December 18- January 3rd

·       First Day of School in 2018 – Thursday, January 4, 2018

·       MLK Holiday – Monday, January 15th, 2018– No School

·       Please invite your friends to our upcoming FPD PREVIEW DAY for Prospective Families:

FPD Open House, 3K-12th grade, Sunday, January 28th, 2018, 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

1st Annual Dick Frame 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run to Benefit ALS

Saturday, January 6th, 2018

Dick Frame Track and Field Complex

For more information, visit our website at www.framefunrun.com

Dino Days!

The last few weeks have been full of excitement as our second graders have been learning about archeology, dinosaurs and fossils. We’ve read lots of great books, discussed God’s detailed work in His creation of dinosaurs, and even become real Archeologist and excavated our very own fossils! Take a look at our learning! 

Important Dates

Here are some dates to help you plan:

Turkeys due Wednesday, 11/8
Dinosaur facts (info coming home today in blue folders) due Wednesday, 11/8
Science test (study guide coming home today) Friday, 11/10
NE state test Tuesday, 11/14

North East States

Today we sent home the study guide today for the NE states.  The test for this region has not been scheduled, but we will post the test date in the newsletter once our planning is complete.  We thought some children would benefit from extra time to review. 

Bears Love Books!

A few Bears stopped by and read with some 2nd graders today.  These guys did a great job helping our students.  Thank you, Mercer Bears!

FPD Homecoming 2017

Fun with Frog and Toad

Our second graders have been busy reading and learning from the Frog and Toad book series. 

In one of the short stories we have read, Toad is trying to make seeds grow by yelling, singing, and reading to the seeds. His patient friend Frog advises Toad to simply leave the seeds alone and give them time, water, sunshine and air to grow. 

So, we decided to have an experiment among our second grade classes. We posed the question, "What would make seeds grow the fastest: yelling at them, singing to them, or leaving them alone?" 

Each class graphed their predictions.

Then, we set our experiment into motion. One class sang to the seeds.

One class yelled at the seeds.

And the third class simply left the seeds alone. 

So, what's your prediction? We will let you know our findings after a few days! Happy planting!