Dauset Trails

The dreary day couldn't ruin our fun.

Doggie Day

We had fun pretending to be dogs and eating "dog food!"

The Importance of Church

by Susan Causey, M.Ed., LPC

September 24, 2015

My mom was an ardent evangelist. Literally, on her death bed, one of the last things she said was, “People do not realize, since they have always had churches in America, the Church Age will not always be with us. You must get ‘The Word’ out, because it will soon be gone.”  Her words have stuck with me, especially in these times when churches are being pressured to conform to the world instead of to The Word.

Why is church important?                                           

•  Church is a time to worship God

•  One of the Ten Commandments is “to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy”

•  Going to church is a time to right our compass, to confess our sins and to make sure we are living as the Lord would have us to

•  A Bible-believing church teaches us the truths of scripture

•  At church we can support one another and “bear one another’s burdens”

•  The Bible teaches us “not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together”

•  Attending church teaches your children that worshiping and serving God is a priority, and they are taught about God and His truths

•  We learn from older and wiser mentors at church

My husband has started collecting Coleman lanterns. One lantern gives a little light, but multiple lanterns magnifies the light. Coming together at church lets our lights shine for the world to see. I found in mother’s treasure chest of important documents and writings two documents on the importance of church. One is written by my mother and the other is from a newspaper article she saved. I would like to share them with you:

The Importance of Church by Joann Peterson Floyd

                There was never a question about whether we would attend all the services at Ailey Methodist Church. My father was the Superintendent of Sunday School for a small town, which shared its pastor with neighboring towns and only had services on 1st and 3rd Sundays. Weekly Sunday School was top priority. No matter where we went, we came back for Sundays to our Ailey Methodist Church. Many years later, I comprehended Biblical truths more fully—that Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are all one—The Triune God, that history is His Story and that He even planned me and everything about me before I was born. But from childhood, I never doubted that Jesus loved me. I learned this in Sunday School at The Ailey Methodist Church.

Why Sunday Mornings are Important by Father Fred Nijem, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warner Robins

                If I only had a dime for all the times I was visiting patients in the hospital and heard the line, “I used to be a Catholic” (or substitute your own denomination)...

I am almost tempted to ask in response, “What has taken its place?”  Usually I just smile and say, “Have a good day.”

                However, one time when I did ask this question, the answer was: “Well, nothing.”

                “Are you sure?” I asked. “Paul Tillich said there is no such thing as an atheist, that we always make something or someone into our god.”

                The person responded (too quickly), “I’m not an atheist. I’m just not religious.”

                Then he said it, the invariable American platitude that even Monica Lewinsky resorted to when Barbara Walters interviewed her: “I’m not religious. I’m more (like) spiritual.”

                Instead of letting it drop, I continued: “Oh, sure you are spiritual, but what takes the place of your religion? What do you do on Sunday mornings?”

                “I sleep in, take my dog out for a walk and sit and read The Telegraph.”

                For a moment I stopped to consider - wouldn’t that be nice? To have a cup of coffee and read The Telegraph instead of getting dressed and going out to hear myself give a less-than-brilliant sermon for the second or third time. But I thought again and realized that it is a joy for me to gather with people for worship on Sunday. It is a real inspiration to see the faith and hope that motivates real people to bring their entire family to a place of worship every week. What courage and dedication to give up what is, perhaps, their only leisurely morning of the week. And you can still get that cup of coffee and walk the dog.

                I admitted that his routine sounded nice, but I persisted, “Whom do you pray to? What do you use as a guide when you make moral choices? If you ever have children, how would you teach them right from wrong? Is good coffee, reading the paper, and walking the dog really enough to form the future generation of leaders? Is this enough if you get sick, or someone you love is suffering, or if you find out you are dying? What gives meaning and purpose in your life?”

                He said, “I’ve never thought about those questions before.”

                Isn’t that a good reason to be in a place of worship—to be challenged by the Word of God, to reflect on the great questions of our time in light of God’s truth? Drawing strength from fellowship is another good reason to be in the pew.

                We are all spiritual to one degree or another. We were created with a hunger and thirst that ultimately is only satisfied by an infinite being. Our ultimate orientation is to the spirit. However, being spiritual is one thing and explicitly directing that tendency toward God in religious faith is yet another.

                I know that religion and churches have many problems and downsides, but it beats basing my life on just walking the dog and a cup of coffee. As someone said, “The enduring power of religious faith is that it can offer direction, integrity, the realization of one’s innate worth and not least, the need to commit to loving service.”

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

    and from doing as you please on my holy day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

then you will find your joy in the Lord,

    and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land

    and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

(Isaiah 58:13-14  - NIV)

Mat Man

Ask your child to sing the mat man song.  It helps us remember all of the body parts when drawing a person.

LOWER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER from Wade Putnal

September 17, 2015

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

        to change the world for God’s glory.

v  Viking FAN FARE is back! Join us tomorrow, beginning at 5:15 pm on the practice field, for bounce houses, games, face painting and more! Don’t miss the Viking Walk at 6:15 and the FPD Varsity football game vs. GMC Prep, with kickoff at 7:30. Go Vikings!

v  NEW FAMILY DINNER is TOMORROW at 6:00 pm. New FPD families are invited to enjoy a casual dinner at the Wilson-Anderson Family Pavilion prior to the football game. For more info, contact Tammy Jones, 478-477-6505, ext at 102.

v  BACKPACK MINISTRY: Immediate needs are: grits packets, pop tarts, PB crackers, fruit cups, juice boxes and juice pouches (preferably fruit juices.) Thank you for all the donations!

v  “Super Duck,” the beloved tale of the Ugly Duckling (retold with an action-packed twist!) will be performed Sept. 22^nd at 7pm; Sept. 23^rd at 1pm; and Sept. 24^th at 7pm in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium. Come enjoy this show brought to life on stage by more than 60 students in 3^rd – 5^th grade. Adult admission is $5; all students are free. Great fun! Invite your neighbors!

v  BIRTHDAY SNACKS: If you would like to send a snack on your child’s birthday, please FIRST contact your teacher several days in advance. You may then either send the snack in the morning with your child or drop it off at the elementary office. We love celebrating with our students!

v  Why is FPD a great place to be? We have many reasons which we will be exploring in an upcoming Facebook video series, but we really want to hear your reasons! You can tell us why you think FPD is great by going to www.fpdmacon.org/reasons. We'll collect all of the reasons and use them in an upcoming article in our magazine.

v  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. 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.

v  The FPD “Moms in Prayer” group meets monthly to pray for our students, families, faculty, and staff. Everyone is welcome! Email Courtney Cawley at ccc7800@cox.net for info and to share prayer needs. We are so grateful for this ministry to uplift and encourage all our FPD family.

v  What’s New in the Library: Please mark your calendar for Wed, Oct. 7^th, 3:00 pm in the Library. (If your child typically stays at Extended Day after 3:00, a worker will bring him/her to and from the party.) Thank you for participating and adding more than 120 books to our collection. We look forward to seeing your child at the party! If they attend, please call the library (477-6505, x 112) and leave a message so we can order refreshments accurately.

v  FPD Homecoming Celebration is Oct. 16^th-17^th! It’s a weekend full of fun with your FPD family. Don’t miss the third annual “Day School Dash,” a 5K event that will start and end on campus using the Peake Cross Country Trail, along with a 1-mile “Fun Run.” Football Homecoming 2015 vs. Tattnall is Friday at 7:30 pm. For more info: www.fpdmacon.org

v  Accelerated Reader: You can easily search for AR quizzes at www.fpdmacon.org Click “FPD Community” tab, “Parent Links” tab, then scroll down to “AR BookFinder” under Educational tools. Click link to search for a book. Questions? Email: laurie.colter@fpdmacon.org

v  Please take time and label all things that your child brings to school  - water bottles, jackets, lunchboxes, hats, bags – everything! Thanks so much!

v  DID YOU KNOW . . . FPD’s Class of 2015, made up of 90 seniors, had 46 honor grads, 51 National Honor Society members, 49 AP Scholars and 83% of the graduating students had a 3.0 or higher GPA, making them eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship. Way to go!

*** Mark Your Calendar ***

·         Dress Down Day – Friday, Sept. 25^th – Bring your $1 donation for the United     Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Students may also wear a green shirt to show support!

·         Lower School Chapel - Tuesday, Oct. 6^th, 12:05-12:30pm. Parents are always welcome!

·         Student Holidays – Friday, Oct. 9^th and Monday, Oct. 12^th – Enjoy time with your family!

·         FPD Fall Festival – Tues, Oct. 27^th – 12 noon to 3 p.m. Food, games, prizes – Something for everyone! Sponsored by the FPD Junior Class. Early dismissal for all 3K-12^th graders.

·         Early Dismissal/Half Day - Oct. 28^th – On this Wednesday we will NOT have the late start time. School will begin at 8:15 and end at noon for grades 3K-5^th.

Graphing Fun!

We have been working on making graphs  over the last few days.  We tasted apples and graphed our favorite.

We also graphed our shoes.

We Are the Clay, You Are Our Potter”

by Susan Causey, FPD School Counselor

September 10, 2015

When working on the potter’s wheel recently, it occurred to me that children are like wet clay. Their hearts are soft and malleable. Clay can be formed by the potter’s hand very easily at this stage. A little pressure in any direction will cause an impression. Children are the same way. Like clay, if our hearts are soft, we can be molded into the beautiful creation our Creator wants us to become. At any point during this stage, the shape of the vessel and of our hearts can be modified, if we are willing.

If the clay becomes a mess on the wheel, it is no problem. The clay can be recycled and remolded into something wonderful. Even if it cracks during the drying and maturing stage, it can be transformed. When it is fired and hardened, the form is pretty much set. As we go through trials, if our hearts are trusting and looking to the Lord, we too will continue to shine. We will come through the fiery trial a more useful, strong and attractive person. However, if we are hardened by fire into a misshapen piece which has not been carefully handled or crafted, we may then have difficulty being the purposeful creature the Lord has intended. We can still be of use, but the use may not reach its full potential. Timing is very important in potting and in rearing children.

Let’s make the most of the time we have with our precious “clay pots,” training them in godliness and discipline while they are young and teachable. As we love them, they learn to understand the love of their heavenly Father. Soon they will be grown and the heat will come. We want them to be strong and ready.

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

September 3^rd, 2015

NEW FORMAT FOR COMMUNICATION: Starting today, you will begin receiving this Lower School Newsletter and the Counselor’s Corner Newsletter Electronically through your grade level blogs, class emails, social media posts, and/or accessing the FPD website, www.fpdmacon.org. If you prefer a printed paper copy, those will be available in the Elementary Office.

Why is FPD a great place to be? We have many reasons which we will be exploring in an upcoming Facebook video series, but we really want to hear your reasons! You can tell us why you think FPD is great by going to www.fpdmacon.org/reasons. We'll collect all of the reasons and use them in an upcoming article in our magazine.

Check it out: Last week our 5^th graders worked in the Science Lab to make doughnuts as part of their novel study of Homer Price. This is just one of the many reasons that FPD is a great place to be! Visit: www.fpdmacon.org/reasons.

Mrs. Krejci has posted some wonderful new pictures and video of FPD students on her blog, The Viking Music Room. Visit: www.fpdmusic.com to see and hear!

Library News: Thank you for participating in the Birthday Book Club sale at Open House! The children LOVE being the first ones to check out “their” books and read them with their names on the nameplate inside. Did you put the party date on your calendar? Wednesday, Oct. 7^th at 3:00 pm. It’s NOT too late to participate. We still have plenty of books to choose from in the library and will have them available for another week. Many thanks!

Fall Classes: Check out all the great offerings for children and adults through our FPD Center for Discovery! Soccer, chess, lacrosse, Bricks4Kidz, gymnastics, music, baking, dance, crafts, yoga – and many more! To view brochure and register online, go to www.fpdmacon.org/center-for-discovery. Invite a friend to sign up with you!

3K, Pre-K, K Carpool and Parking: If you need to come inside the Kindergarten building during school hours please PARK in the Fine Arts parking lot or in a parking space. DO NOT leave your car unattended on the curb near the building. This blocks the walkway for classes during school and the flow of traffic during carpool. Thanks!

The Viking Store has Lands’ End short sleeve polo shirts in stock! We also have a great selection of spirit T-shirts for Fridays (must be worm with uniform bottoms.) You can see these designs and more on Facebook at FPD-The Viking Store. We have a huge selection of new novelty items such as VIKINGNATION street signs, wall decorations, automobile vanity plates, and key chains. Open M-F, 7:45 am - 3:30 pm next to the cafeteria in the MAC. Also, visit us at home football games at our remote location. 

NOT ON THE LUNCH PLAN?  Your child can still eat in the lunchroom any day:

Cost? $7, billed to your FPD account   How? Parents/students should send a note to the Elementary office or email: carrie.rogers@fpdmacon.org  (Visitors are still welcome and may pay with cash or check if needed)

BAND CONCERT: On Tues., Oct. 6^th, our FPD bands will perform in our Fine Arts Center at 7:30pm. The program features our 3 concert bands and the Mercer University Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Douglas Hill. Concert is free! Come enjoy a night of beautiful music by our talented FPD and Mercer student musicians. 

*** Mark Your Calendar ***

·         Labor Day Holiday – Monday, Sept. 7^th – no school/offices closed

·         Boy Scout Information meeting for parents – Sept. 10, 6:30 pm, Media Center

·         Friday, Sept. 11^th – Red Cross Blood Drive, Fine Arts lobby, 8am-1pm

·         Monday, Sept. 14^th – “Moms In Prayer” first meeting, 12:30pm, Elementary Multi-Purpose Room. All are welcome!

·         September 14^th, 6:00 pm: 5^th grade parent’s WASHINGTON, DC MEETING – in the Media Center

·         Elementary School pictures, Thursday, Sept. 17^th

·         New Family Dinner at football game, Friday, Sept. 18^th

·         Elementary Play, “Super Duck,” performed by 3^rd-5^th graders, Sept. 22-24

Sailor Day Fun

What a fun day we had dressing like sailors and searching for treasure!  In math we have been learning about position words, following directions, and reading maps. We practiced those skills as we read and followed the treasure map to find the treasure.