Thursday, December 10, 2015

            Next Week’s Skills in Pre-K

                                      December 14-18, 2015                                               


Bible – Jesus’s Birth, Isaiah 9:3
Themes – Review letters A-L, Christmas Fun

Skills – Writing Names (Please practice writing with the first
letter capital and the rest lowercase)
             Rhyming Words, ABB patterns
                       
Show and Tell – Please bring a picture of your Christmas tree.  Students 1-7 will share on Monday and Students 8-14 will share on Tuesday.

Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, December 16th – John Wesley Villas Christmas visit (Children can wear a Christmas outfit)
Wednesday, December 16th – No Late Start
Friday, December 18th – Happy Birthday Jesus Party,
        Christmas Sing-a-long, and Early Dismissal (Children can wear
a Christmas outfit)

Thank you! 
To Andi for our L snack
To Reece’s Daddy for being our guest reader   
Joy to the World!
By Susan Causey, M.Ed., LPC

            When Nehemiah read the words of the law to the Israelites who had just completed rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, they began to weep and mourn. Presumably, they were grief-stricken for their sins, and fearful they wouldn’t be able to live up to the law of God. But Nehemiah comforted them by saying: "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)
            Sounds like Christmas! The joy of the Lord gives us courage, strength and a defense against evil. Remember how the joy of the “Whos” in “Whoville” broke the Grinch’s evil spell and intentions in Dr. Seuss’s Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
            The Israelites began to understand that God’s law was for their good, to guide them, direct them and restore them. They were to celebrate all that God had done for them during a seven-day feast, and then come together as an assembly. The Bible says “…their joy was very great.” (Nehemiah 8:17 NIV)
            No matter what their circumstances were, they realized they had a perfect heavenly Father who cared for them. This was the foundation for their joy.

            According to Nehemiah, chapter 9:
·         They were able to confess their sins and be forgiven. They were free of guilt.
·         They understood that God was sovereign “from everlasting to everlasting.”
·         They celebrated God’s faithfulness. He would keep His promises.
·         They celebrated because God made a way for them through the Red Sea. He listened to their cries and provided a path.
·         God led them with a pillar of a cloud by day and fire by night. He guided them.
·         He gave them commands that were just and right. He taught them right from wrong.
·         He fed them with bread from heaven and quenched their thirst from the rock. He was their Provider.
·         He instructed and admonished them with His Spirit.
·         He was merciful and patient. He forgave them when they were disobedient and stubborn.
·         He provided land and possessions in abundance.

            God demonstrates love for His children by setting boundaries for them, being faithful to them, guiding and directing them, providing for them, and forgiving them. He demonstrates perfect parental love. Even in the New Testament, His law is important. Jesus said:
            “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17 NIV) 
            “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:10-12 NASB)
            The ultimate commandment is to love God and love others. We have even more to celebrate than these early Israelites or the “Whos,” because God is still the same God, and because He loved us, He has sent Jesus to free us from our sins, to give us easier access to His throne, and to give us the desire and the power to live within his law.             Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King!

The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

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