Lower School Newsletter from Wade Putnal

                              August 16^th, 2018       

     Welcome Back!  The elementary art room has fresh paint, lots of new books for the library, STEAM carts ready to roll for each grade level, new friends and families, and teachers excited to get to know their classes. We have so much to be grateful for and appreciate the opportunity to partner with you. Know that my door is always open and please let us know how we can help you. A big welcome to all our brand-new VIKINGS! Looking forward to a great year. Thank you for your prayers and support!

 ELEMENTARY THEATER>>>> Announcing the Elementary play for this year!!!                 

When are the auditions? 

Auditions will be held Tuesday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 22, from 3:15-5:15 PM.  Auditionees should only come on ONE of those days and plan to be there for the entire time.  Occasionally the auditions finish a bit early, but most years we barely finish in time. See flyers in today’s folder.

Lower School Open House for classes 1st-5^th grade is Monday, August 27^th - 6:30pm. Please go directly to your child’s classroom. If you have more than one child in the lower school, it may be best if parents split and go to different classrooms. If you need to meet other teachers, please do so at the end. 1^st-5^th teachers will be sharing important information, expectations, and this is a great time to get your questions answered.

5^th Grade Parents: An info meeting for the Washington, D.C. trip for those families who are NOT yet SIGNED UP is 5:45 pm Monday, Aug. 27^h in the HS Lecture Hall, right before Open House. This is a repeat meeting of the “early-bird” meeting held last spring for those who didn’t attend or haven’t yet signed up for the trip

BOX TOPS!! Don’t forget to send in your Box Tops which earn money for our school! Collection boxes are located in the Elementary Office and the High School office.

Fall Classes: Check out all the great offerings for children and adults through our FPD Center for Discovery! VIKING Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Carpentry, EV3robotics, music, LEGO Jr. Builders, Jr Robotics with WeDo 2.0, Ballet, Acting lessons, Chess, – and many more! View brochure and register online, at www.fpdmacon.org/center-for-discovery. Classes are open to the community. Invite a friend to sign up with you!

NEW this Fall : Make and Take It Tuesdays and Stay and Play Thursdays with Viking Clubhouse and Viking Crew in September and October.3:15- 4:30pm~ $10.

Morning Carpool Reminders - Please have your children sit in the BACK SEAT on the RIGHT (passenger side) for easy assistance in getting out. Attach carpool card on the right visor to flip down so it can be seen. (**Please request a carpool card from the elementary office should you need one.) Class begins at 8:15am. Thank you for having your children to school on time. Remember, you’re always welcome to park in the upper soccer parking lot and walk to the carpool area to pick up your child, but we encourage you to use the easy drop-off and pick-up in the elementary and kindergarten carpool areas. We’re off to a great start!

Late Start Wednesdays – (3K-12^th) – School day begins at 8:50 am every Wednesday unless noted on the red FPD calendar. Please use carpool areas to drop off your children on these days. If students arrive early, they will go to designated classrooms. Students should bring a book in their book-bag to read each Wednesday. Electronics are not allowed during this time, except for book readers.

 What’s going on in the library?  It’s almost BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB time!  A blue flyer will be coming home next week that explains how you may participate.  Mrs. Darnell has more than 300 new books to choose from and hopes you will stop by the Media Center during Open House on August 27^th.  What a treat for the children.

Technology Tidbit: It’s a new school year, so it’s a great time to review your family’s plan for safe technology usage. As always, we encourage you to monitor your child’s screen time, limit and balance it with lots of outside time and quiet reading times. Remembering reading aloud to your child and with your child is one of the very best things you can do to help your child academically.

Our first Lower School Chapel is Tuesday, Sept. 11^th from 12:05-12:25pm. Parents are always welcome to come join us in the Clark Fine Arts Center as we worship together and hear a wonderful message.

Did you know??? Friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia donated aluminum can “pull tabs” (over 16 million tabs!!) raising nearly $10,000 for local families in need last year. Our FPD students helped, and we want to continue this year. Please send pull tabs in a Ziploc bag to the office or to Mrs.Bryant in the Science Lab. Thanks so much!

The Viking Store is glad you’re back! We’re open M-F, 7:45 am-3:30 pm, located near the cafeteria in the MAC lobby. We have school supplies, uniform-approved outerwear, gifts, Viking Bucks cards, snacks, FPD room decorations and Spirit Day t-shirts, and Lands’ End short-sleeve polo shirts in stock. We carry used uniforms for $10 or less until August 24. Please see order form in today’s signed papers to order t-shirts or football jersey by August 24^th. Other t-shirt designs can be viewed on our Facebook page at FPD –The Viking Store. Questions? Contact Renita at renita.eversole@fpdmacon.org or 477-6300 x 177.

                         DON’T FORGET:

·         Read aloud to your child daily J

·         Please complete your green VPA (Viking Parent Ambassadors) Form. Copies available in the Elementary or High School offices. Thank you for volunteering!

·         Labor Day Holiday – Monday, Sept. 3rd– no school/offices closed

·         New Family Dinner at football game, Friday, Sept. 7^th

·         Elementary School pictures, Thursday, Sept. 13^th

·         Elementary Play, “Rumpelstiltskin Private Eye” features 3^rd-5^th grade,

Sept. 25^th-27th

THANK You for reading our very first bi-monthly newsletter. The next one you will receive will be online. Classroom teachers will post newsletters on their blog. Every other week you will receive some great tips to read from Counselor Susan Causey. Know that the Elementary Newsletter is always posted on the FPD website should you need to refer to itJ