JOY to the World!

Second graders sang several Christmas songs and put smiles on the faces of these precious residents of a local assisted living facility.  Hand made cards were distributed and we all received a blessing. Merry Christmas!

Counselor's Corner

Susan Causey's newsletter "Joy to the World" has been posted. Please click on the link for December 10, 2015 under "Counselor's Corner."

Elementary News

Lower School Newsletter

from Wade Putnal - December 3rd, 2015

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, “Christmas in Central Park” is one week away! Performances are Thursday, December 10th at 1 and 7pm. All students in 1st – 5th grade will be involved. Also, check out the FPD Music Room blog at www.fpdmusic.com where all song lyrics are in the “Special Programs and Events” tab. Costume Information:

• 1st-4th grade Boys & Girls and 5th Grade Chorus and 5th Grade Band members: Students should wear blue jeans or black pants, a long-sleeve top in red, green, or white (small print is fine; no logos, please), and a winter scarf (any color is fine.) They are going to be dressed as neighborhood kids at an outdoor Christmas party. Please wear to school on Thurs., Dec. 10th.
• Shoes: Everyday school shoes (tennis shoes) are fine.
• Questions? Email Mindy Krejci at mindy.krejci@fpdmacon.org

  BACKPACK MINISTRIES: Please send: fruit cups, Vienna sausages, tuna packets, applesauce, juice pouches 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.

  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 room decorations, car tags and stuffed bears wearing a cheerleading uniform or letterman’s jacket. SPECIAL: $5 (or less) Christmas Grab Bags are a great gift idea for a friend or as a stocking stuffer. 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. 

  The Viking Store will be open until 3:30 on Thursday, Dec. 10, during the Elementary Christmas music program. This is a great time for parents and grandparents to shop!

  “Sneak a Peek” at all the fun things our elementary classes are doing by regularly visiting our Teacher Blog pages online! In addition to grade level blogs, you can visit our art, music, science lab, computer, and Spanish blog pages. Just go to: www.fpdmacon.org; Click “Community;” then “Teacher Blog.”

  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 be signed in as well. Thank you.

  NEW: Our water bottle refill station is now installed in the MAC near The Viking Store. It calculates how many plastic water bottles we are keeping out of the landfill, and it saves money and helps our environment.

  FPD CARES! Did you know there is a group of FPD parents and friends who count it a privilege to regularly pray for you? You are welcome to send in any request which will confidentially be passed along to our prayer partners. Email: fpdprayer@gmail.com

  DRESS CODE Reminder: Socks, tights, and leggings should be predominately solid red, white, black or gray. All accessories (hairbows, headbands, etc) should also be school approved colors.

  MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

• DRESS DOWN DAY - Friday, December 11th - Donations will support Raoul and Karen Armbrister with Karazim Ministries in the Bahamas
• NO LATE START on Wednesday, December 16th. School begins at 8:10am.
• Christmas Sing-a-long, Fri, Dec. 18th, 10:15 am, Clark Fine Arts Auditorium
• Last Day of School – Fri, Dec. 18th – ½ day - Early dismissal. No lunch served.
• Christmas Holidays – December 21st to January 4th, 2016, for students
• First Day of School in 2016 – Tuesday, January 5th
• MLK Holiday – Monday, January 18th, 2016 – No School  
• Please invite your friends to our upcoming Open House for Prospective Families:

FPD Open House, 3K-12th grade, Sunday, January 24, 2016, 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

    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!

Wade Putnal

The Big Snow

Although it is 70 degrees in Macon, it was "snowing" in the science lab on Monday. The students had an opportunity to play in the "snow" and build snowmen. Our class has enjoyed reading The Big Snow and learning about animals in the winter. Here are a few pictures from this lab.

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving celebration provided the opportunity for students to combine their favorite snack, resulting in our "Thankful Mix".  Each child shared at least one thing for which they were thankful, and then enjoyed the combined treat while making a craft.  

Packing bags for the Backpack Ministry

Second graders had the opportunity to serve and pack bags for the backpack ministry. We packed enough bags to provide food for about 50 needy students for a weekend. Thank you Mrs. Scott for allowing us to work with you on this project!

Counselor's Corner

Susan Causey's newsletter "Self-Esteem or Confidence" has been posted. Please click on the link for November 19, 2015 under "Counselor's Corner".

Elementary News

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

November 12^th, 2015

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

to change the world for God’s glory.

   Our “Sip and See” Open House (3K-5^th Grade) is Tuesday, November 17^th and also Thursday, November 19^th. Friends may Drop In from 9am-11am for coffee and tours, to see our students and teachers engaged in learning. Please invite your families, friends, and neighbors to come discover why FPD is a “Great Place to Be!”

   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 be signed in as well. Thank you.

   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 front Elementary Office and sign in.

   The Elementary Christmas program, “Christmas in Central Park” is only a few weeks away! Performances are Thursday, December 10^th at 1 and 7pm. All students in 1^st – 5^th grade will be involved. Also, check out the FPD Music Room blog at www.fpdmusic.com where all song lyrics are under the “Special Programs and Events” tab. Costume Information:

§  1^st-4^th grade Boys & Girls and 5^th Grade Chorus and 5^th Grade Band members: Students should wear blue jeans or black pants, a long-sleeve top in red, green, or white (small print is fine, but no logos, please), and a winter scarf (any color is fine.) They are going to be dressed as neighborhood kids at an outdoor Christmas party. Please wear this to school on Thursday, December 10^th.

§  Shoes: Everyday school shoes (tennis shoes) are fine.

§  Questions? Email Mindy Krejci at mindy.krejci@fpdmacon.org

   Moms in Prayer meets Monday, Nov. 16^th at 12:30 in the elementary multi-purpose room. Come join other FPD parents to lift up our students, families, faculty, administrators, and staff to the Lord in prayer.

   

   Christmas is coming! The Viking Store has tons of gift ideas - including “Viking Bucks” $$ cards! We have uniform-approved outerwear and short-sleeved Lands’ End polo shirts. Order your personalized Christmas ornaments and football jerseys now to ensure Christmas delivery. Check out our FPD spirit wall hangings to decorate your Vikings’ room, plus a great selection of automobile plates. *Be sure to look for the “Christmas Gift Guide” flyer in this week’s signed papers.* Facebook: FPD-The Viking Store or www.fpdmacon.org/TheVikingStore. Open 7:30a -3:30p in the MAC.    

   FPD CARES! Did you know that there is a group of FPD parents and friends who count it a privilege to regularly pray for you? This group is committed to pray for our school and the needs of our FPD family. You are welcome to send in any request which will confidentially be passed along to our prayer partners. Email: fpdprayer@gmail.com

   With cooler weather, please label all things that your child brings to school - water bottles, coats, jackets, lunchboxes, hats, bookbags, and all!

   The FPD Middle School Robotics Team is collecting used household batteries of any size for a recycling project. You may bring batteries to the Elementary Office through December 4. Thanks for your help in this environmental awareness project!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

·         Lower School Chapel: November 17^th and December 1^st - 12:05 pm. Join us!

·         Dress Down Day for Casa Hogar Orphanage in Acapulco, Mexico: Fri., Nov. 20^th

·         Thanksgiving Holidays: November 23^rd–27^th (Offices closed 25^th- 27^th)

May God continue to bless you and your family. May FPD continue to be a place where we all can show God’s love each and every day.

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

Enjoy making memories with family and friends over the coming holidays!

With a grateful heart,

Wade Putnal

Working in the gardens

Second graders planted their winter plants in the garden plots. They had a great time learning about how to plant bulbs and how long it will be before they sprout.

Science Lab

We are excavating in the science lab! Who knows what artifacts will be found? 

Ocmulgee National Monument

2nd Grade Field Trip

Counselor's Corner

Susan Causey's newsletter for Nov. 5th has been posted. Please click on the link under "Counselor's Corner".

Look what we found on our nature walk today!

Elementary News

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

October 29, 2015

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

to change the world for God’s glory.

v  Dress Down Day TOMORROW – Friday, October 30^th - Students may bring a $1 donation to support “Hats for Hope.” They may wear a hat, jeans or shorts (non-athletic) and an FPD spirit top. All funds will benefit Jay’s Hope, a local organization which supports children with cancer in our community.

v  Upcoming Elementary Chapel dates are Nov. 3^rd and 17^th at 12:05 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Please join us! Our theme for Nov. 3 is “Prayer,” and Dr. Barry Shealy, Assistant Headmaster, will share. On November 17, our theme will be “Helping Parents and Family.”

v  Center for Discovery = “Beyond the Classroom Learning.” Many new 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.

v  Congratulations to FPD Elementary for being recognized as the 2015 “Top Participant Average, Jump Rope for Heart Elementary School.” Our school received a check for $250 and a plaque. Thank you so much to Coach Kosater for all your hard work with this project!

v  With cooler weather, please label all things that your child brings to school - water bottles, coats, jackets, lunchboxes, hats, bookbags, and all!

v  Wow! FPD students have turned in more than 8,000 Box Tops! Students will receive a Homework Pass and a surprise visit from Mrs. Putnal! Box Tops earns money for our school to purchase enrichment resources. Way to go!

v  Christmas is coming and 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 23^rd – 27^th (Offices closed 25^th- 27^th)

·         December 10^th – Elementary Christmas Program (grades 1-5), 1pm & 7pm, in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium.

·         Christmas Sing-a-Long: December 18^th, 10:15 am

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

·         First Day of school in 2016: January 5^th