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 3–5th 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. 5th 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 30th 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 5th Grade Band) will perform a CONCERT, October 4th, 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. 5th 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 1st 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 4th, 12:05-12:30pm. Parents are always welcome!
• Monday, October 10th – Columbus Day holiday – No school and offices closed
• FPD Elementary Open House (3K – 5th) is November 1st - 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! 


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