A school where the heart of your child matters.
NEW STUDENT
INFORMATION GUIDE
2016-2017
1390 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202
601-355-1731 office | 601-355-1739 fax
fpds.org | facebook.com/firstpds
twitter.com/firstpds
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FROM THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL
Dear Families,
Welcome to First Presbyterian Day School! We are delighted to
have your child enrolled with us, and we look forward to partnering
with you. If you have any questions about the information provided
in this guide, please feel free to contact our office.
We look forward to seeing you in August!
Gary J. Herring
Head of School
FPDS PARENTS:
You Are Invited to Our
Annual Crusader Party
Presented by First Presbyterian Day School Crusader Club
August 19, 2016, at 7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Grill
Tickets are $50 per couple or $150 to host and can be purchased at
holidaypotpourri.org.
Kick off the new school year with live music and a live auction!
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Calendar
August 4
Kindergarten Popsicle Social (Parents and Kindergartners) 5:30 p.m. Gym
August 11
Kindergarten Parent Orientation (Parents Only)
6:30 p.m. Miller Hall
August 15
First Grade Parent Orientation (Parents Only)
8:30 a.m. First Grade Classrooms
August 15
First Day of School Dismiss at 11:00 a.m.
(No Company)
The Company (after school care) Begins
August 16
August 18
Uniform Swap Shop Purchase
Crusader Party at Iron Horse Grill
August 19
Back-To-School Night (1st – 6th Parents Only)
August 25
Labor Day
September 5
October 10
Fall Break (Columbus Day)
October 21
Holiday Potpourri
Thanksgiving Holidays
November 21–25
Dismiss for Christmas Holidays at 11:00 a.m.
December 16
December 19–January 3 Christmas Holidays
(No Company)
January 4
Return from Christmas Holidays
Martin Luther King Holiday
January 16
Achievment Tests
January 23-27
March 9
Dismiss for Spring Break at 2:40
Spring Break
March 10–17
Return from Spring Break
March 20
Easter Break
April 14 & 17
Field Day (No Company)
May 12
A parent or guardian must attend with their child(ren).
May 23
End of School Dismiss at 11:00 a.m. (No Company)
May 23
Sixth Grade Graduation Begins @ 8:30 a.m.
GRADE PLAYS
Each student will participate in the play, either with a singing, dancing, or
speaking role. Parents are asked to refrain from eating lunch with students on
play days. The kindergarten play will be held April 27 and 28. Other grades’ play
dates will be available at fpds.org in August. Each play will begin at 8:15 a.m. on
both Thursday and Friday of your same week.
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Carpool & Safety
The safety of all students is one of the most important matters
pertaining to school each day.
1st – 6th GRADE AFTERNOON CARPOOL See Carpool Map
***Kindergarten students who have an older sibling at FPDS may be picked up at
the kindergarten door on the Pinehurst Street side at 2:45 carpool.
15
15
11
11
C
N. JEFFERSON ST
KINDERGARTEN CARPOOL (12:15 p.m.)
Parents should form a line along the curb of Pinehurst Street (westbound).
Teachers will accompany children to their cars.
BELHAVEN ST
NORTH STATE ST
K-6th GRADE MORNING CARPOOL (7 to 8 a.m.):
Parents should drop-off students on Pinehurst Street and Belhaven Street (fifth
and sixth grade only) next to the curb only, not into the streets. If you wish to
walk your child in, please park in the Pinehurst Street parking lot.
NORTH PARKING LOT
REF.
K
PINEHURST ST
SOUTH PARKING LOT
K - 6th STUDENT DROP OFF - 7:30-8:00 AM - NO PARKING
K
OVERALL SITE PLAN
RAINY DAY CARPOOL
On rare occasions when tornado warnings or severe thunderstorms are present at
2:45 p.m., students will not be dismissed to stand outside in dangerous weather
conditions. The school administration will send out a text message using
our REMIND messaging system indicating that parents must come into the
building to pick up their carpools. In addition, administration will place a red
flag outside the kindergarten entrance and on Belhaven Street.
SECURITY
Security guards are posted on both the Belhaven and Pinehurst Street parking
lots 24 hours a day. Cameras are also posted inside and outside the building. ALL
doors remain locked. Parents will use a code or be buzzed in at one door at the
Pinehurst Entrance and one door at the Belhaven Entrance.
KINDERGARTEN PICK UP
START
END
KINDERGARTEN - CARPOOL LINE PICK UP 12:15 PM
*CARPOOL LINE MOVES - TEACHERS ESCORT CHILD TO CAR
5th -6th ONLY - CARPOOL DROP OFF & PICK UP
*STUDENTS WITH 1st - 4th SIBLINGS MUST DISMISS AT PINEHURST ST
C
THE COMPANY PICK UP - CLOSES 5:30PM
*FPDS TEACHERS ARE ON DUTY IN PARKING LOTS & ALONG PINEHURST & BELHAVEN
* ALL STUDENTS MAY BE DROPPED OFF ON PINEHURST ST. (5th & 6th GRADE
STUDENTS MAY BE DROPPED OFF ON EITHER PINEHURST OR BELHAVEN ST)
7:30-8:00 AM
* 1st - 6th DISMISSED AT 2:40 PM
* 1st - 4th STUDENTS DISMISS AT PINEHURST ST TO MEET PARENTS AT A DESIGNATED
LOCATION ALONG PINEHURST OR THE SOUTH PARKING LOT.
REF.
K
PINEHURST ST
SOUTH PARKING LOT
ENLARGED PLAN
SOUTH PARKING LOT
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Uniforms and Dress Code
NEW THIS YEAR! Approved as Additional Choices for K-6:
• White, feminine fit polo shirt for girls
• New style plaid skort with built-in shorts underneath for girls
• Navy short sleeve Dri Weave polo shirt for boys
•All approved uniforms may be purchased at Parker Uniforms in Flowood
(https://www.parkersu.com/) or at the FPDS Uniform Swap Shop in August.
•Only FPDS outerwear is allowed to be worn in the classrooms/ buildings and at PE/ recess during academic hours. (May be purchased through Crusader Store.)
•Boys are required to wear belts with pants and shorts, with all shirts tucked in.
•A plain, white undershirt, camisole, or long-sleeve t-shirt may be worn under shirts, but must be tucked in.
•Girls’ blouses and polos are not tucked in; turtlenecks must be tucked in.
•Jumpers and skirts must be no more than 4 inches above the floor in kneeling position. Skorts must have the original hemline from the store — no hemming. Girls must wear plain, navy blue modesty shorts or leggings.
•Shorts worn on class picnics, field trips, etc., must measure no more than 6 inches from the floor in a kneeling position.
•The Crusader Club will provide an FPDS t-shirt free of charge that will be worn on special activity days, field trips, etc.
•All shoes must be closed-toe, with heels no more than 2 inches.
•All socks must be visible and must be plain white or navy with no logos, trims, or designs — unless approved FPDS socks.
•All hair should be neat with no extreme styles or hair colors. Boys’ haircuts must be trimmed neatly above the eyebrows, not touching the back collar of the shirt, with sides no longer than the earlobes.
• New-style plaid skort • Plaid pants
•Each are worn with sailor blouse with tie, FPDS turtleneck, or new white feminine fit polo shirt
•Navy leggings may be worn with the skorts and jumpers
3-6 GIRLS
Required dress each Wednesday and other days as designated:
•Plaid skirt or new-style plaid skort• White blouse with FPDS monogram
Additional choices for days other than required dress days:
•Navy or plaid skort
• Plaid pants
•Skorts and pants are worn with white blouse with FPDS monogram, new white feminine fit polo shirt, or FPDS turtleneck
•FPDS monogrammed turtlenecks may be worn with plaid pants
K-6 BOYS
Required Dress:
•Parker khaki shorts or pants — relaxed or regular fit
•Short or long sleeve golf shirt with FPDS monogram (in hunter green, navy,
or white).
Additional choice for days other than required dress days:
• Navy short sleeve Dri Weave polo shirt
APPROVED OUTERWEAR
•Hunter green FPDS sweatshirt or fleece
•Blue cardigan sweater or navy windbreaker, both with FPDS monogram
•FPDS sweatshirt with FPDS logo sold through Crusader Store
•Note that outerwear with the older 1st Pres logo is still acceptable to wear
K-2 GIRLS
Required dress each Wednesday and other days as designated:
•Plaid jumper • White short-sleeve blouse (piped in navy) or FPDS turtleneck
Additional choices for days other than required dress days:
•Plaid skirt
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The Company After-School Program
Before School
The Company is First Presbyterian Day School’s after-school care program available
for any currently enrolled student. Students enjoy the company of others and have
fun playing outside, creating art projects, and participating in enrichment activities.
Students arriving in the mornings between 7 and 7:30 are kept under administrative
supervision in the hall across from the school office. At 7:30, first through sixth
graders are dismissed to each grade’s “early room” until 7:45, and kindergartners go
straight to their own classrooms.
Extra-curricular activities are offered at an additional expense. You will not be
charged for Company while your child is participating. For more information on
these activities, see page 10.
The Company begins the first full day of school and is open only full days that school
is in session. (The Company is not available when school dismisses for a half-day.)
Parents will pick up at the Belhaven Street entrance. Kindergarten students who have
an older sibling at FPDS may be picked up at the kindergarten door on the Pinehurst
Street side at 2:45 carpool.
Parents must fill out a permission form each year that allows their child to attend
Company. The form is found at this link:
https://fpds.wufoo.com/forms/company-registration/.
Hours: 12:15 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Under The Oaks
Under the
AKS
SUMMER
PROGRA M
“We are oaks of r ighteousness, a planting of the
“”””
Lord for the display of His splendor.” -Isaiah 61:3
Under the Oaks is the summer program of FPDS, available
for students who have completed kindergarten through fifth
grades. This will be a fun-filled, interactive summer for your
child. Open 7:30 – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in June
and July. For more information and fees, visit fpds.org.
Cost: $4.50 per student per hour
(Note: A $15 per quarter hour, or any part thereof, will be charged for students picked up after 6 p.m.)
Billing: At the end of each month, you will be billed for the time your child spent
in The Company. A computerized time clock will be used to keep a record of each
child’s stay throughout the month.
Kindergartners go directly to The Company at 12:15 p.m. Lunch will be served
immediately. Your child may bring his lunch, purchase it in the cafeteria, or bring
lunch and purchase milk and/or a dessert in the cafeteria.
First and second graders go directly to The Company (escorted by teachers) when
school is dismissed at 2:45 p.m.
Third and fourth graders go to a designated “late room” until 3:30 p.m. At that time,
the teacher will escort them to The Company.
Fifth and sixth graders go to a designated “late room” until 4:00 p.m. At that time,
the teacher will escort them to The Company.
Please note that “late rooms” are considered part of The Company and also cost
$4.50 per hour. This is a time for students to read, study, or complete homework.
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Extracurricular Activities
Lunch
FPDS offers many after-school activities for kindergartners and several for upper
grades as well. These classes include Ballet, Bricks 4 Kidz, Drama Kids, Pure
Energy Dance, Science Explorers, Sew Fun, Soccer Shots, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
(Tae Kwon Do), and TOTS. For a complete list, along with a list of school sports
and music offerings, visit http://www.fpds.org/programs/after-school-activities.
Detailed registration information will be available in August. Kindergarten afterschool activities are scheduled one per day and end before 2:45. Your child may
clock out of Company and back in, so that you are not charged for time during
the special activity. Parents will have the opportunity to register their child for these
activities at Back to School Night.
Valley Foods provides food service for FPDS. Parents will have the opportunity
to set up accounts for new students at both Kindergarten and First — Sixth
Grade Back to School Nights. If you do not have the opportunity at these events,
instructions may be found at https://www.myschoolaccount.com/.
All parents should go to the Valley website and set “low balance alerts” to ensure you do
not go into negative balances without notification. This may also be handled when
registering at Back to School Night.
A variety of food choices is offered each day with a hot lunch available for $4.50.
Monthly lunch menus are posted to fpds.org under the For Parents section at the
bottom of each web page. Please note that outside food such as fast food or takeout from local restaurants cannot be brought to school.
Parents are invited to have lunch with their child/children. Teachers will provide
you with their class’s lunch time for the year. However, parents of first graders
asked to wait until October 1. Younger students and their teachers need a few
weeks of transition without parents at school.
School Parties and Field Trips
Four parties are held throughout the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s
Day and the last day of school. Room mothers are responsible for planning
parties and will coordinate with class parents for simple refreshments and
an activity. (No favors are given at the parties.) Parties begin at 2:15 p.m. and
end by 2:45 p.m. Parties on half-days begin at 10:30 a.m. and end by 11 a.m.
Kindergarten parties begin at 11:45 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m. Each grade
will attend one or two Field Trips each year, as well as an end-of-the-year class
picnic. Parents are not required to attend each event.
School Supply List
A link to the FPDS school supply list may be found at www.fpds.org under Parent
Resources on the bottom of each page.
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For Kindergarten Parents
Communications
Kindergarten is a special year at FPDS. Students participate in fun activities that foster
friendships and enhance their classroom curriculum. Also, many weeks kindergartners
will dress in simple costume for themed “Dress-Up Days” related to the letter of the
alphabet they are studying.
Parents are asked to maintain current email addresses with their child’s teacher
and via ParentsWeb: https://fp-ms.client.renweb.com/pw/. This link and other
important links can be found under the For Parents section located at the bottom
of the home page of www.fpds.org.
You will receive more information about these morning-time activities throughout the
year from your classroom teacher, but a general list includes the following events. Parents
are not required to attend but are certainly invited to come and celebrate with their
children.
Also, it is very important to opt-in for FPDS’s Remind text messaging system. To
receive messages via text, text @firstpds to 81010. You can opt-out of messages at
anytime by replying ‘unsubscribe @firstpds’. Trouble using 81010? Try texting @
firstpds to 769-307-4638 instead. This system is the primary way that the school
notifies parents of emergency closings or rainy weather carpool procedures.
Kindergarten Fall Festival — October 28, 2016: A fun morning of face-painting, snacks,
and games, this festival is an exciting way to “welcome fall.” Put on by parents, this event is
held in the FPDS gym, Company Room, and playground.
If you have a timely message for your child, please call the school office as teachers
are away from their computers and phone the majority of the day.
Mother Goose Parade — March 9, 2017: This annual long-time tradition is planned by
teachers, with parents and friends as our guests. Students choose a Mother Goose character to
dress as in a parade on the Pinehurst Street sidewalk and around the block.
School-wide announcements will be included in newsletters emailed from
classroom teachers. Information to include should be sent to Meredith Johnson,
Director of Communications ([email protected]), by noon on Thursdays.
Easter Egg Hunt — April 13, 2017: Each class is invited to the home of a classmate during
a school morning for a spring Easter Egg hunt. Students wear play clothes and bring their
Easter baskets, and parents are asked to provide 12 candy-filled eggs.
FPDS will not send emails out on behalf of parents for any non-school sponsored
activity. Parents are responsible for distributing these emails to their child’s classes
or grade levels.
In the event it becomes necessary to close school, you will receive a text message
and email. Closings may also be viewed at fpds.org or via social media.
Our web site www.fpds.org is a valuable resource for all FPDS information for
your family. Also, please make sure to like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.
com/FirstPDS and follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/FirstPDS.
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Crusader Club
Crusader Club is FPDS’ parent organization made up of multiple committees
of parent volunteers who assist the administration and faculty with school-life.
Crusader Club is an excellent way to get involved and a great way to meet other
FPDS parents. This truly is the heart of our school family. For a list of officers
please visit http://www.fpds.org/support/crusader-club.
The two largest school events that Crusader Club organizes are Holiday Potpourri
and Field Day.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Box Tops for Education is a program that offers easy ways to earn cash for our
school through everyday activities like buying groceries and shopping online —
all at no additional cost to you. Clip Box Tops worth 10¢ each from hundreds of
participating products. You can turn them in year-round in a basket across from the
school office.
CRUSADER STORE
The Crusader Store sells sweatshirts, t-shirts, and other products with the school
logo for students and parents. Profits made support the Crusader Club. The store
is online at www.fpds.org/store, or click on the link on the school website in the
upper right hand corner or at the bottom under “For Parents.” Items are also sold
at Kindergarten Back to School Night and at 1st — 6th Grade Back to School
Night in August. After these two events, you can only order items online. For
important details about making payments, purchasing, returning, etc., please visit
www.fpds.org/store. New items will be available at the Crusader Store in midAugust.
and Tasting Tea, incomparable Silent Auction, musical performances by our own
talented students, and much more. Save the date of Friday, October 21, for Holiday
Potpourri 2016. For ways to be involved, visit www.holidaypotpourri.org. We
encourage each family to participate in some way.
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM
When you shop at Kroger, you can earn rewards for FPDS. There is no cost to
enroll, and enrollment will not affect your fuel points or coupon discounts. To
sign up:
1. Visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com.
2. Sign in to your online account, or create an account.
3. Find and select First Presbyterian Day School (or enter our NPO number
85846), and click “Save.
MOMS IN PRAYER
Moms in Prayer is a group of mothers who comes together twice a month to
pray. Moms have the opportunity throughout the year to pray for each child
and family that attend FPDS. They also lift up the prayer requests of the teachers
and pray for each teacher and staff member. We invite you to join us and pray
for God’s provision and protection over FPDS. *No “skills” needed – you don’t
even have to pray aloud if you are not comfortable. Specific meeting times will be
distributed in August.
“God heard them, for their prayers reached heaven.” 2 Chronicles 30:27
FIELD DAY
Field Day is a fun morning for FPDS students and their families celebrating the
kick-off to summer. The event is held in May outside at Belhaven University
on Peachtree Street. Children enjoy many activities, including inflatables, face
painting, a dunking booth and relay races. All students who attend are required
to have a parent or guardian in attendance, and there are many volunteer
opportunities. Please be sure to review all information sent prior to the event for
instructions and details about the morning.
HOLIDAY POTPOURRI
FPDS’s only fundraiser, Holiday Potpourri generates more than $200,000
annually for educational and extra-curricular improvements to our school
without raising tuition. Generous sponsors, parents, and volunteers come together
for this half-day event consisting of a Home Tour, sumptuous Bountiful Bakery
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FPDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Cal Wells, Chair
Max Bowman
Jay Brown
Reid Cotten
Stu Harmon
Paul Hurst
Rob Love
George May
Hu Meena
Phillip Parker
Richard Russ
Jeff Skelton
Bill Sneed
Tim Threadgill
Will Vise
ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICE
601-355-1731
Gary J. Herring, Head of School
Paula Clark, Director of Instruction & Curriculum / Grades Kindergarten – Second
Emily Oswalt, Director of Instruction & Curriculum / Grades Third – Sixth
Mindy Boyd, Student Services Director
Cheryl Gibbs, Accounting
Jennifer Gordy with Valley Foods, Food Service Manager
Susan Graves, Front Desk Manager
Jeannie Vickers, Administrative Staff Support
Carolyn Wilkinson, Admissions Director & Office Manager
For complete list of faculty and their bios please visit www.fpds.org.
FPDS CRUSADER CONNECT COMMITTEE
The Crusader Connect committee, made up of FPDS parents, is here to
welcome you and your child and be a resource to you throughout the
year. You should receive a phone call or email from one of our committee
members before starting school. If you do not hear from your contact, or
have any questions throughout the year, please contact Amy-Allison Russ,
Crusader Connect committee chair and FPDS admissions and outreach
coordinator at 601-940-9012 or [email protected].
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MISSION STATEMENT
Believing that children are a heritage of the Lord, the mission of
First Presbyterian Day School is:
• Planting seeds of Christlikeness in the hearts of children;
• Pursuing excellence in academics;
• Preparing students for future service in God’s kingdom in
their homes, churches, and professions.
A school where the heart of your child matters.
1390 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202
601-355-1731 office | 601-355-1739 fax
fpds.org | facebook.com/firstpds
twitter.com/firstpds
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