Thursday, October 29, 2015


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 30th - 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. 3rd and 17th 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 23rd – 27th (Offices closed 25th- 27th)
·         December 10th – Elementary Christmas Program (grades 1-5), 1pm & 7pm, in the Clark Fine Arts Auditorium.
·         Christmas Sing-a-Long: December 18th, 10:15 am
·         Christmas Holidays: December 21st - January 4th, 2016

·         First Day of school in 2016: January 5th

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Counselor’s Corner – October 22, 2015
By Susan Causey, M.Ed. LPC
Learning, Memory, and Sleep
Sleep plays a vital role in our physical, emotional and spiritual states. When humans go without sleep for an extended period of time, our cognitive abilities and attention are greatly affected. Even reducing one’s sleep for only one night by 1 and ½ hours could lead to a reduction of daytime attentiveness by up to 32%.
          Sleep also plays an important role in learning and memory. Learning involves changes in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons. That means that when we learn something new, there is a stimulation in our brain or a firing of serotonin from a transmitter across a synaptic gap. The more times one focuses on or practices the new skill, the stronger the connection.
          The more modalities one uses, the more associations are formed, and the stronger the skill becomes. Auditory, visual and kinesthetic are three different modalities that form associations in the brain. So, if one hears, sees and uses the body, learning and memory are greatly strengthened. Learning and memory are closely related concepts. Learning is the acquisition of skill or knowledge, while memory is the expression of what you've acquired.
Memory is greatly enhanced through associations. This is why mnemonic devices and putting things to music helps one to remember things. (By the way, the book, Yo Sacramento! by Will Cleveland and Mark Alvarez, is a great tool to help your student learn the states and capitals. The student sees the picture and makes the auditory as well as visual connection for recall.)
Often what is practiced is then rehearsed and strengthened or consolidated during sleep. What someone is focusing on as they fall asleep is very often what is rehearsed. All of this is to make several points:
1.      It is important to take every opportunity to teach your child God’s Word. Remember rehearsal leads to learning and memory.
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.… And you shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:7-8
2.    Conversely, it is important that your child not “practice and rehearse” things which will encourage violence, anxiety, aggression, isolation, etc. (such as certain video games.)
3.    Routine bedtimes and what your child focuses on before bedtime are important. Prayers and bible reading are a great way to end the day and to prepare for the next day.
4.    Encourage your child to learn his academics through different modalities.

Happy Parenting! Counselor Causey

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/important-sleep-habits

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal
October 15th, 2015
Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students
to change the world for God’s glory.

v  FPD Homecoming Celebration starts tomorrow! It’s a weekend full of fun with your FPD family. On Saturday, don’t miss the “Day School Dash,” a 5K event that starts and ends on the Peake Cross Country Trail and a 1-mile “Fun Run.” Football game vs. Tattnall is at 7:30 pm. Pre-sale tickets available for $5 through noon tomorrow. Visit www.fpdmacon.org for more info.

v  “Red & Black Spirit” Dress Down Day TOMORROW – Elementary students may wear red and black spirit tops, pants, shorts, or jeans or uniform bottoms. Go Vikings! Homecoming 2015!

v  Our next Lower School Chapel is Tues, Oct. 20th from 12:05-12:30pm. All are welcome.

v  BOX TOPS CHALLENGE!! Only a few days left to reach our goal of 8,000 Box Tops by Oct. 20th! We’re so close! Collection boxes are in the Elementary and High School offices.

v  WHAT’S NEW IN THE LIBRARY: Parents, grandparents, and children, thank you a thousand times for the wonderful books donated to the library in your names. We are going to have SO MUCH fun reading our 130+ new Birthday Book Club books! I can hardly wait to read them all!  When you see Mrs. Hardy, please tell her thank you for providing such enjoyable party refreshments for us.  She put in lots of time and effort to throw a party for more than 120 kids!

v  Parent’s Corner: Suggested Good Reads: “How to Raise an Adult” by Julie Lythcott-Haims, http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Adult-Overparenting-Prepare/dp/1627791779/ and also “The Gift of Failure” by Jessica Lahey, www.amazon.com/The-Gift-Failure-Parents-Children/dp/0062299239/

v  TICKETS for FPD Fall Festival will be on sale during carpool times Friday, Oct. 23rd and Monday Oct. 26th as well as in the Elementary Office and Kindergarten office. Deadline to order a Boston Butt is Monday, Oct. 19th. Poinsettia sales end November 20th.

v  Dress Code reminder: As cool weather approaches, remember socks, tights, and leggings need to be FPD uniform colors. Please label all sweaters, jackets, water bottles, lunchboxes, backpacks, etc.
v  The Viking Store will be open during Fall Festival and a percentage of sales donated to the Junior Class!  The Viking Store is a great source for gifts including Viking Bucks cards.  Come visit us before or after your parent-teacher conference! Open school days 7:45am to 3:30pm.

v  Photos/Class Photographers: If you have photos of your child’s class field trips and other school-related activities to share, please send to your child’s teacher all throughout the year. Thanks so much!

v  FPD’s Center for Discovery: Don’t miss registering for these upcoming sessions! Viking Soccer League, Christmas Art Workshop, and Skills & Drills Tennis are beginning soon. Register at: www.fpdmacon.org/center-for-discovery.

v  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! J

v  TEACHER BLOGS: Be sure to check out your child’s grade level blog, as well as blogs from our music, computer, Spanish and art departments. Visit: www.fpdmacon.org; then click on “Community” tab; Then under “Students” click on “Teacher Blogs.” Enjoy!

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  PROJECT GIVING – Christmas Family Adoption Project – If you are looking for a way to exercise compassion during the holidays, go to: www.projectgiving.net to sign up to adopt a needy family from our Middle Georgia area or to make a tax-deductible donation to help those in need. You may also contact Natalie Woodward at: natalie@projectgiving.net or call her at 478-397-4135.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
·         FPD Fall Festival – Tues, Oct. 27th – 12 noon to 3 p.m. Food, games, prizes – Something for everyone! Early dismissal for 3K - 12th grade.
·         Oct. 28th – Early Dismissal – On this Wednesday we will NOT have the late start time. School will begin at 8:15 and end at noon for grades 3K-5th.

·         Dress Down Day – Jay’s Hope - “Hats for Hope” – Oct. 30th

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Congratulations Parents, Students, Faculty, and our entire FPD Family!!
Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal
October 1st, 2015
Our mission at First Presbyterian Day School is to educate and equip students to change the world for God’s glory.

v TOMORROW (Friday), our Elementary school will have a “BLUE OUT!” To celebrate our National Blue Ribbon Award, all Wee Vikings through 5th grade children may wear blue from head to toe. Students will receive a special ‘blue’ treat as well. We are so thankful for our FPD family!

v Birthday Book Club PARTY:  If you participated in the Birthday Book Club sale during Open House, our party is Wednesday, Oct. 7th at 3 pm. It should end around 4:00. (If your child is in kindergarten or Extended Day, someone will walk your child to the party and back to the building, if needed.) 1st-5thgraders will come straight to the library instead of carpool. If your child cannot attend, please call 477-6505, ext. 112 and leave a message so we can order refreshments. We look forward to seeing everyone at the party as we add nearly 200 books to our library!

v Football Friday Night AT Stratford  - WHITE OUT!  Wear white and join us AT Stratford for a big Friday night game. Go Vikings!

v BOX TOPS CHALLENGE !!  If we reach our goal of 8,000 box tops by OCTOBER 20th, all elementary children will receive a “No Homework Pass” and a special surprise! Collection boxes are located in the Elementary and High School offices.

v Fields of Faith, sponsored by Middle Georgia FCA, is 7:00 pm, October 14th, at FPD’s Austin Childers Field. FPD senior Will McCormick will share at this free, community-wide student event. Special guest speaker is Tim Lester of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bring your family for a night of encouraging music and messages.

v Congratulations to all the 3rd-5th graders who participated in Super Duck ! It was a marvelous production and you worked so hard! We are very proud of you!

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 Congratulations to Dr. R. Andrew Strickland, Fine Arts Director, for successful completion of his doctoral dissertation! We are proud of all your accomplishments!

v FPD Homecoming Celebration is Oct. 16th - 17th! 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” for the kids. Football Homecoming 2015 vs. Tattnall is Friday at 7 pm. Checkout all the info at www.fpdmacon.org.

v Visit The Viking Store for outerwear, scarves, long-sleeve spirit shirts and scarves to keep your Viking warm!  Our Lands’ End polos and sweaters are the same price as the Lands’ End website. Come see us, there is a huge clearance sale going!! Open daily 7:45a to 3:30p. We take all credit cards except American Express. Email renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or call 477-6300 x 177.

v PROJECT GIVING – Christmas Family Adoption Project – If you are looking for a way to exercise compassion during the holidays, go to: www.projectgiving.net to sign up to adopt a needy family from our Middle Georgia area or to make a tax-deductible donation to help those in need. You may also contact Natalie Woodward at: natalie@projectgiving.net or call her at 478-397-4135.

v Middle Georgia TENNIS offers youth lessons at the Tattnall Square Tennis Center. Visit www.macontennisconnect.org or contact Derek Lashley, dlashley@bellsouth.net or 404-784-0558.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
·         Lower School Chapel: Tuesday, Oct. 6th and 20th, 12:05-12:30. All are welcome!
·         Student Holidays – Friday Oct. 9th and Monday, Oct. 12th – Enjoy time with your family!
·         Columbus Day holiday – Offices Closed – Monday, Oct. 12th
·         FPD Fall Festival – Tues, Oct. 27th – 12 noon to 3 p.m. Food, games, prizes – Something for everyone! Early dismissal for 3K - 12th grade.
·         Oct. 28th – Early Dismissal – On this Wednesday we will NOT have the late start time. School will begin at 8:15 and end at noon for grades 3K-5th.

Parents, Thank you for your support, for believing with us in the FPD mission, and for making the effort to put your children here. Getting young children off to a start that is developmentally appropriate for their ages and stages is vital in building the foundation for life-long learners. A true blessing from above … and we give God the glory!

All is grace,
Wade