Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

February 9, 2017

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

DRESS DOWN TOMORROW for the Daybreak Center for the homeless in downtown Macon. Students bringing a $1 donation may wear jeans, shorts (non-athletic) and a spirit top.

SAFETY FIRST!! Parents, please be aware that there will be some big machinery on the elementary playground and construction underway to put in needed drainage. There may even be some big holes at times. Students are not allowed anywhere near the machinery or construction areas. Thank you for taking the time to be aware of these changes and making sure all students are safe. Please remind your children that these rules are for before, during and after school.

A BIG THANK YOU to all Viking Parent Ambassadors (VPA) who helped with the “Teacher Appreciation” luncheon. Those who planned, cooked, donated, and kept classes made it a great success. FPD is a great place to be!

The FPD Bands will be performing a CONCERT on February 16th at 7:00pm in the Clark Fine Arts Center. Call time is 6:30pm in the band room. Parents, as you know, the most important audience in the world is a child’s family. This is an opportunity for all our talented students to musically express their appreciation for your continued support and encouragement. DRESS: 5th Grade – BOYS: Buttoned-down shirt (any color), long tie and pants (Sunshine/Lands’ End pants are fine); GIRLS: Dress or blouse with pants. No jeans or athletic pants. Seasonal colors are fine.  

DID YOU KNOW??? … Our campus has been a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat since 2005. We’re so thankful our FPD teachers are able to integrate the nature trail and walking areas in our curriculum.

TECHNOLOGY TIDBIT: As parents and teachers, our biggest challenge with technology and children is to keep them safe, and to stay current in researching how to use technology with respect to a child’s developmental stages. Here is a link to a great book and wonderful resource if you want to direct your child’s technology experiences to be good and appropriate as they develop. “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place” https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801018668/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_K8iLyb79A154W

Registration now open for the 18th Annual FPD Golf Tournament, Monday, April 17th. This tournament is a four-person scramble and proceeds benefit FPD's athletic programs. Registration fee is $150 per person, $600 per team, and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, golf shirt, and golf balls. Teams have option of 2 flights – one in the morning and afternoon. Prizes awarded for the top 4 gross scores and net scores. Registration: www.fpdmacon.org/golf-tournament

News from THE VIKING STORE:  All long sleeve shirts are 20% off! “Viking Bucks” spending cards make great gifts for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. Remember we have everything a Viking needs for cold weather: headwear, scarves, long sleeve spirit shirts, sweatshirts and jackets (all uniform-approved) as well as blankets. We carry Land’s End uniform shirts and girl’s sweaters also. Open school days 7:45am - 3:30pm in the MAC near the cafeteria. For info, email renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or call 478-477-6505 x 177.

FPD Center for Discovery spring class registration is underway! Open to the community, classes are available for 3K through adults. Pick up a program guide and registration form in the Elementary Office or online at: www.fpdmacon.org/center-for-discovery

LADIES: Don’t miss a wonderful Women’s Conference featuring author, speaker, and counselor Barbara Duguid at First Presbyterian Church, Friday, March 3rd (6-9 pm) and Saturday, March 4th (9am-12 noon.) Cost is $20 which includes Friday dinner. For more information, visit: http://www.fpcmacon.org/event/womens-conference/

Please label all jackets, coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, lunchboxes, etc. If you are missing something, please check Elementary “Lost & Found.”

BACKPACK NEEDS: Immediate needs: fruit cups, Vienna sausages, Capri Sun, and Jello cups.

*** COMING UP ***

• Red Cross Blood Drive –TOMORROW – Fri., Feb. 10th, 8am-1pm, Clark Fine Arts Building
• Band Concert – February 16th – 5th Grade Band will perform with MS/HS bands
• President’s Day Holiday – No School – Monday & Tuesday, February 20th and 21st  
• Chapel, Tuesday, February 28th, 12:05-12:25; 3rd grade leads. Join us!
• Cleaning Out?? Save items for April 2nd – 9th  for our Goodwill Donation Drive competition! FPD Elementary will compete with other area schools to see who brings in the most donations.
• Class Pictures are Thursday, March 9th  
• “The Little Mermaid” – Performed by FPD theatre students in grades 6-12 – is March 9-11, at 7:00 pm. Prices are $10 for reserved seating, $15 for premium seating, and free for FPD students, faculty, and staff.
• Grandparent’s Day is Friday, March 24th – invitations to come home soon!