2024-2025
FPDS Family Guide
School Hours
K3, K4 & Half-Day K5: 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Full Day K5 - 6th : 8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
All School Half-Day : 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
By enrolling a child in First Presbyterian Day School, parents agree to abide by and comply with all policies, rules, and procedures as outlined in the annual school registration contract and all terms of the current student handbook. Parents further agree not to involve school personnel in any domestic disputes, including requesting a teacher or administrator to be subpoenaed to testify in court on the behalf of either parent in such a dispute. Parents will sign a form each year stating they have read the student handbook and will adhere to all policies.
Parental/guardian support is required with regard to all aspects of First Presbyterian Day School and is an integral component contributing to the school’s success. We request that parents refrain from utilizing any language and/or technology which would have a negative effect on:
School order and discipline;
The safety, welfare, or reputation of other students or staff; or
The reputation of First Presbyterian Day School and its students, faculty, and staff.
This would include, but is not limited to, emails, texts, group messaging apps, and social networking sites.
First Presbyterian Day School reserves the right to dismiss students when parents, through the stated means or any other, fail to support the administration, faculty, and the school’s policies.
Parental Commitment & Support
Emergency Notifications:
FPDS utilizes FACTS ParentAlert text-messaging system for emergency and/or important notifications, such as school closings or rainy weather carpool procedures. Therefore, parents are asked to maintain current contact information via FACTS Family Portal. School closings and/or early dismissals are also sent via text to anyone designated in FACTS as a “pick-up” contact; please ensure that email addresses and cell phone numbers are entered for any guardian who needs to also receive these messages.
General Communication:
If you have a timely message for your child, please call the school office as teachers are away from their computers and phones the majority of the day.
FPDS will not send emails out on behalf of parents for any non-school sponsored activity.
A student directory is available through the FACTS Family Portal and app. (School’s FACTS district code: FP-MS).
If you would like a list of specific contact information, such as an entire grade level, please call the school office to make the request.
All requests for report card copies and/or transcripts must be submitted to the school office (receptionist@fpds.org).
A weekly school-wide email will be sent each Friday. Information to include should be sent to chassell@fpds.org no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Communication Protocols:
The following communication protocols are in place to help promote direct, open, and respectful interaction so that concerns and problems can be worked out quickly and effectively. Communication should begin with the staff member closest to the situation, as that person will usually have the most information. At times, additional personnel are required to resolve specific situations. These steps will help guide the most effective course of action for resolution of any need. We encourage students in grades 5th and 6th to advocate for themselves by initiating communication with the appropriate teacher or staff member.
STEP 1: Teacher; if not resolved…
STEP 2: Area Principal; if not resolved…
STEP 3: Head of School; if not resolved…
STEP 4: Board Chairman (chairman@fpds.org)
Communication
The safety of our families, students, and staff is extremely important to us. Be assured that we are committed to making our facility as safe as possible. We are constantly reviewing our security measures and will continue to update our systems as we see opportunities for enhancements.
Security Team
First Presbyterian Church and FPDS have invested heavily in a superb team of security professionals. Our Head of Security, Chris Dill, leads a team of nine professional security officers who are equipped with the experience and resources they need to keep our students, members, and staff safe. These are well trained law enforcement professionals whose experience and skills in the field are of the highest caliber. This team is equipped with security lighting in their vehicles and a roving golf cart that can easily monitor parking lots. There are at least three armed guards monitoring the building at our most high-volume time and guards posted on both the Belhaven and Pinehurst Street sides of the building 24 hours a day.
Controlled Access System
All staff are equipped with keycards that enable access around the building. This secures the building by keeping the many doors to our facility locked throughout the day.
Security Camera System
Our camera system allows our security department the ability to monitor activities inside the building and outside the entire property. Additionally, we have joined with other organizations in Belhaven by contributing to the JPD Blue-light camera program, which allows two cameras on Belhaven and Pinehurst to be directly connected to the JPD Command Center.
Security
The safety of all students is one of the most important matters pertaining to school each day. Please review all carpool details below.
Each family will receive a carpool number & hangtag; these will be distributed at Meet the Teacher. Please ensure the hangtag is visible and hanging from your rear view mirror during carpool.
It is very important to display these numbers throughout the entire school year. **Please have your child memorize his or her carpool number prior to the first day of school.
Parents/ guardians are not allowed to park and accompany children to and from their cars. Parents and children crossing the street during carpool is strictly prohibited. Due to students transitioning for dismissal, students may not be checked out after 2:15 p.m. We cannot call students down for dismissal before you are at the front office
All curbs of Belhaven and Pinehurst Streets (all the way to Jefferson Street) are for drop-off/pick-up only from 7:15-8 a.m. and from 2:15-3:15 p.m.
If you are parking and exiting your vehicle, park in the lots. No vehicle should be parked in any curbside lane during these times.
You MUST check in your child at the front desk if you arrive after 8:00am!
MORNING CARPOOL (7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.)
K3 and K4 parents only may pull through the porte-cochere on Belhaven Street for preschool teachers to get children from the cars and down to their classrooms safely in groups. (Older siblings of preschoolers may exit here as well.) K5 students are dropped off on Pinehurst Street; a kindergarten teacher will be on duty.
K3 and K4 are not permitted to open a car door to get out of the car.
Please have your child unbuckled and ready to exit the vehicle.
Children exit through the right side. Preschoolers are not permitted to exit the car onto the sidewalk.
Parents should remain inside the vehicle during carpool. You may pull up and over to the curb to safely buckle your child in.
12:15 CARPOOL
Our first dismissal of the day for K3 - K5 is from 12:15-12:25 through the porte-cochere on Belhaven Street.
Daily at 12:15, parents should form a line along the curb of Belhaven Street. Teachers will load children into their cars.
After 12:25, any child not picked up will be taken to after-school care and a hot lunch will be charged to their account if they do not have a lunchbox.
From 12:25-2:15, parents must walk in and sign students out at the Front Office for dismissal.
K5-6th Dropoff:
Parents should drop-off students on Pinehurst Street and Belhaven Street next to the curb only, not into the streets.
Access to Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms is easier for students from the Pinehurst Dropoff line. Students 2nd and above may use Pinehurst or Belhaven entrances.
The porte cochere on Belhaven Street is for families of K3 and K4 students only.
2:45 Pickup
Students in 2nd grade and below will be dismissed on Pinehurst Street.
Students in grades 3rd through 6th will be dismissed on Belhaven Street.
Cars will flow continuously along the curbs on each of these streets. Please use caution as traffic may back up from Belhaven Street onto North State Street; also take care not to block intersections or driveways along Pinehurst Street.
Once your child is safely in the car, you are free to exit the line.
Families with children in both carpool sessions may send older children to Pinehurst Street for pick-up. *Younger siblings may NOT be picked up with their siblings on Belhaven Street.
After 3:10, any child not picked up will be taken to after-school care.
Early Childhood
Drop off begins at 7:15am each day. All children shall be signed in and out of the facility each day by an authorized individual.
You may park in the parking lot on Pinehurst Street in the mornings and bring your child in through the entrance at the ramp.
Parents (NOT Siblings) must drop off and pick up their child from the prospective classroom. All children must be checked out by 6:00pm each day.
(Note: A $15 per quarter hour, or any part thereof, will be charged for children picked up after 6:00pm.)
Carpool
Crusader Circle is First Presbyterian Day School’s after-school care program available for any currently enrolled student who needs to stay after 12:15 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. carpool.
Crusader Circle Director: Hasina Brown, hbrown@fpds.org
Crusader Circle begins the first full day of school and is open only full days when school is in session. Crusader Circle is not available when school dismisses for a half-day.
Hours: 12:15 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (K3-K4), 2:45 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (K5 - 6th grade)
Cost: $5.00 per student per hour (Note: A $15 per quarter hour, or any part thereof, will be charged for students picked up after 6:00 p.m.)
Billing: At the end of each month, you will be billed via FACTS for the time your child spent on campus after regular school hours.
After 3:10, a member of our after-school care staff will be at a front desk inside the Belhaven Street Porte-cochere entrance with the sign-out clipboard. Please park and come in to sign your child out.
K3 & K4
Students who stay for Crusader Circle will have lunch at noon. Preschoolers can bring their own lunch or purchase a meal from the cafeteria, which will be delivered to the preschool area.
After lunch, students will have a short rest time followed by activities and free play outside or in the gym. Preschool students staying for Crusader Circle will bring a nap mat of their choice. Loveys are welcome, but not required.
K5 - 6th GRADE
Students attending Crusader Circle will begin their afternoon with designated study time at the conclusion of carpool. This is a time for students to read, study, or complete homework.
All students at Crusader Circle staying past 3:00 should bring a snack.
Crusader Circle
Under the Oaks
Information about Under the Oaks 2025 to come!
Lunch
Lexington Independents provides food service for FPDS. New students will be assigned an identification number that will be the same each year. These numbers, along with instructions on how to activate, will be sent via email prior to the first day of school. Instructions may also be found at www.myschoolaccount.com. At the time of activation, parents should be sure to set “low balance alerts” to ensure you do not go into negative balances without notification.
A variety of food choices are offered each day. Prices will be determined prior to August, and parents will be notified. Monthly lunch menus are posted to fpds.org in the Parent Resources section.
K3 through 6th grade students should bring their own snack and water bottle daily, which may be refilled at our filtered water stations throughout campus.
Parents should contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you wish to send a birthday snack for the class or join your child for lunch in the cafeteria. Please note that outside food such as fast food or take-out from local restaurants should not be purchased from outside vendors and brought to school. If this occurs, your child will be asked to keep the lunch in the school office until the end of the day and purchase a lunch from the cafeteria.
For questions about lunch accounts and balances, contact Food Service Manager/ Lexington Independents Joseph Bonner (joseph.bonner@lexingtonindependents.com).
Class Parties, Plays, & Field Trips
Five parties are held throughout the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and the last day of school. Crusader Club Room Moms are responsible for planning parties and will coordinate with class parents for simple refreshments. (No favors are given at the parties.) Parties are usually held at the end of the school day. Passing out invitations at school to parties at home, such as birthday parties, will be permitted only when all students in the room are invited.
Parents are invited to attend the Christmas and last day of school parties. K3 and K4 parents are also invited to the Thanksgiving and Easter parties.
Grade levels will take one field trip in the fall and one in the spring. All children are required to wear seat belts while being transported to and from field trips. No child is allowed to ride on the front passenger side of an automobile where an airbag is present (except the child of the owner of the vehicle). Siblings may not attend field trips. Parents must bring students directly to the Field Trip and back to school without making any stops. Refunds cannot be given within seven days of the Field Trip.
Grades K3 through 5th each participate in a grade-level program. Parents and family members are invited to attend these plays. Siblings will be dismissed from their classrooms and should sit with their parents.
Parents may also be invited to attend grade-level activities that are traditions in the life of FPDS, such as the dress-up parades, Second Grade Mystery Reader, Walk Like an Egyptian Day, etc.
FPDS believes that regular attendance in class is essential to the success of a student’s school experience. Regular attendance is required by both FPDS and the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and is necessary for good scholarship. Students are allowed 20 absences per school year (which includes medical, excused, unexcused, and pre-arranged). A student who accumulates more than 20 absences in a year due to prolonged illness or similar long-term reasons will need to have medical documentation to support these absences. These absences will then be reviewed by the principal and the head of school for determining approval.
Punctuality is a matter of utmost importance in the education process. Students are expected to be in the classroom at the start of the school day. Activities to start the day are an important part of the academic day; tardiness disrupts this educational process and hinders a student’s academic success. In the event of excessive tardies, the grade-level principal will notify the parents. You MUST check in your child at the front desk if you arrive after 8:00am!
Requests for dismissal between 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. will not be accepted. If a child has an appointment at the end of the day, the child should be picked up by 2:15 p.m. Students will NOT be called down for dismissal until the parent is present at the office. Do not text or email your teacher for dismissals or check outs.
Attendance and Tardies
Make-Up Work
School work will not be provided in advance to non-illness absences. Children excused for family trips or vacations during the year must have all assigned make-up work completed within the allotted time of 24 hours per each school day missed. (some accommodations may be made for students participating in the dyslexia immersion program). Make-up work for illness may be picked up in the school office after 2:00 P.M for grades K-4th and must be posted to google classroom by 4:00 P.M. for grades 5 and 6. All make-up work must be completed within the allotted time of 24 hours per each school day missed.
Your student must stay home if they are experiencing:
A fever of 100.4 or higher
Vomiting
Diarhea
An eye infection and/or pink eye
A cold or cold-like symptoms
Lice
Your student may come back to school when:
No symptoms above have appeared in the last 24 hours (WITHOUT medication)
*Treated with appropriate lice treatment at home & head checked by school office upon return
Lice:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment by managing head lice (Pediculosis) in a timely manner. Head lice, while a common nuisance, do not spread disease but can cause discomfort and distraction. This policy outlines steps for the identification, treatment, and prevention of lice in the school.
Identification and Notification
Identification of Lice
If a student is suspected of having lice (e.g., excessive itching, visible nits, or lice), a designated staff member will examine the student.
A diagnosis of head lice is confirmed if live lice are found on the scalp or hair.
Immediate Dismissal (Grades K5–6th)
If live lice are found on a student in grades K5–6th, the student will be sent home immediately to prevent potential spread.
Parents/guardians will be notified and provided with educational materials on lice treatment and prevention.
The student can return to school after treatment and an evaluation by a staff member to confirm the absence of live lice.
Classroom Lice Check (Grades K3 & K4)
In grades K3 and K4, when a student is found with live lice, all students in the affected homeroom will undergo a quick lice check conducted by school staff.
Any additional students found with live lice will be sent home immediately, and their parents/guardians will be notified.
Confidentiality -The identity of students with lice will be kept confidential to protect privacy.
Treatment Recommendations
Consultation with a Pediatrician
We recommend parents consult with a pediatrician for the most effective lice treatment options, especially if they are unsure of how to proceed or if over-the-counter (OTC) treatments have been ineffective in the past.
A pediatrician may prescribe stronger medications or offer guidance on best treatment practices tailored to the child’s needs.
Over-the-Counter Treatment Options
If seeing a pediatrician is not a viable option, there are several over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available at most pharmacies. These treatments typically include shampoos, lotions, or creams that are specifically designed to kill lice and nits.
Parents should follow all instructions carefully, and it is often recommended to repeat treatment after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice.
Attendance and Return to School
Immediate Dismissal for Live Lice
Students with live lice in all grades (K3–6th) will be sent home as soon as live lice are detected.
Re-entry After Treatment
A student may return to school after the first treatment and once live lice are no longer present.
Upon returning, the student will be rechecked by a staff member to confirm that live lice are no longer present.
Students will not be readmitted until cleared by a staff member.
No "No-Nit" Policy
Students will not be excluded from school solely because of nits (lice eggs). Nits may persist after treatment, but only live lice indicate an active infestation.
If nits are found without live lice, the student may stay in school, but parents will be notified to continue monitoring and treatment as needed.
Prevention and Classroom Protocols
Classroom Lice Check for K3 & K4
In the event of a lice case in a K3 or K4 homeroom, all students in the homeroom will be checked for lice. This helps ensure early detection and treatment.
General Classroom Precautions
Teachers will discourage sharing of personal items like hats, brushes, or headphones to reduce the risk of lice transmission.
Students will be reminded to avoid head-to-head contact.
Classroom Notifications
If multiple cases of lice occur in a class or grade level, a general notice will be sent to all parents in the affected class to encourage home head checks.
The identity of affected students will remain confidential in all communications.
Illness & Lice
Lands' End is the school’s uniform provider. Visit fpds.org for information on ordering. Be sure to sign up to receive Lands’ End emails so that you can be notified of sales. Please be aware of possible shipping delays.
It is our belief that God created us male or female. We will adhere to this belief in our dress of uniforms and special events (dress up days, character book reports, etc).
All approved uniforms must be purchased through Lands' End or at the FPDS Uniform Swap Shop.
Only FPDS outerwear is allowed to be worn in the classrooms/buildings and at PE/ recess during academic hours. (Outerwear must be purchased through Lands' End or The Crusader Clothing Co.)
1st - 6th grade boys are required to wear belts with pants and shorts, with all shirts tucked in. (Exceptions are made on spirit days.)
A plain, white undershirt, camisole, or long-sleeve t-shirt may be worn under shirts, but must be tucked in.
Girls’ shirts do not have to be tucked in.
Jumpers and skirts must be no more than 6 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, leggings, or bloomers.
Skirts, shorts, and jumpers must show at the bottom underneath sweatshirts.
All shoes must be closed-toe, rubber soled, with heels no higher than 2 inches and top no taller than ankles. Students attend either PE or recess every day; therefore, for the safety of the student, please adhere to this guideline.
All socks must be visible and white, navy blue, or gray-colored. Small branding logos are allowed as long as the socks meet the prescribed guidelines. Students may also wear FPDS socks sold at The Crusader Clothing Co.
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.
Uniforms, outerwear, and shoes should be in good condition (not ripped, faded, ragged, or with holes) and should be appropriately fitted to each child.
Be sure to label all jackets and clothes with your child’s name.
Required Dress:
K3 - K4 (Preschool)
For chapel and school picture days, K3-K4 girls are required to wear the light blue preschool dress. Boys are required to wear a short-sleeve or long-sleeve navy or light blue shirt (mesh or cotton) with khaki shorts or pants.
K5 - 2nd Grade
For chapel and school picture days, kindergarten through second grade girls are required to wear the plaid jumper with the peter pan (rounded) collared white shirt. Boys are required to wear a navy or green shirt with khaki shorts or pants.
3rd Through 6th Grade
For chapel and school picture days, third through sixth grade girls are required to wear the plaid skirt with white shirt. Boys are required to wear a navy or green shirt with khaki shorts or pants.
Spirit Days & Field Trips
On Fridays, Field Trips, and special reward days, etc., students may wear ONLY FPDS t-shirts sold through The Crusader Clothing Co. along with jeans with no rips or holes; and/or uniform shorts or skirts. Leggings must be worn with shorts or uniform skirts over them. Sweatshirts must have no rips, tears, or holes, and fit properly. Sock and shoe guidelines must be adhered to on Fridays and special days.
School spirit days are an opportunity to show your FPDS pride! We ask that all students refrain from wearing spirit wear from other institutions unless specified (for example, a college spirit day, or favorite pro-team).
Uniform & Required Dress
Uniform Swap Shop
The FPDS Crusader Club Swap Shop provides FPDS families the opportunity to buy school uniforms and Lands’ End outerwear. Items from the Crusader Clothing Co. are not accepted. Proceeds from Swap Shop benefit the Crusader Club and its projects to support FPDS and its students, families, and programming. The Crusader Club provides three sales each school year in August, December, and May. Clean uniforms are turned in, and a voucher is given for accepted garments. Parents may then use the voucher to shop for items. Cash and checks are also accepted for those who wish to shop without swapping items. We are always in need of parent volunteers as well!
Report cards are emailed to parents four times a year at intervals of nine weeks.
Report cards for students in 1st and 2nd grades will be presented in the form of grades and a checklist. K3, K4 and K5 receive progress reports only (no grades).
Special subject grades are primarily based on effort and cooperation since the abilities of students in these areas are so varied. Grades for special subjects are assigned in 6th grade only. Bible grades are given beginning in 3rd grade.
Behavior and study habits are rated with E (exceptional), S (satisfactory), N (needs improvement), and U (unacceptable).
If a child fails math or reading, he or she will be retained. The Head of School and the parents should be kept informed if there seems to be a possibility of retention.
Homework will be given nightly (except on Wednesday) that fits into the general timescale below.
K5 & 1st 15 to 30 minutes
2nd & 3rd 30 to 45 minutes
4th & 5th 45 minutes to 1 hour
6th 1 to 1.5 hours
*FPDS recognizes that some students may require more time than listed in order to master the skills and concepts being taught in class.
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
F 69 and below
Grades & Homework
FPDS students are expected to conduct themselves properly at all times. Good behavior ensures a proper atmosphere for academic learning and the development of personal character traits for a Christian life. We believe that the home and the school must work cooperatively to train children to learn respect and self-control.
Each grade level has a set discipline system. These discipline systems will be explained to students and shared with families at the beginning of the school year. If a situation arises that calls for school administration to become involved, the classroom teacher will notify the appropriate principal for assistance.
Behavior & Discipline
Room moms are only allowed to collect money for gifts for teachers at Christmas and the end of the year. Parents should not solicit other parents to collect gifts/money unless approved by the administration. Collections of money at school will not be permitted without prior approval from the administration. This also includes any type of sales.
Gifts & Sales
Cell Phones, Watches & Wearable Devices Policy
K3 through 3rd grade students should not bring devices of any kind to school, including, but not limited to, cell phones, watches, or other wearable devices. Wearable devices include any smartwatch, Fitbit, etc. Digital and analog watches only are allowed for use during school hours.
4th through 6th grade students may bring phones or other devices as long as they adhere to the following policy: cell phones, watches, or other wearable devices must be TURNED OFF and kept in students’ backpacks from the time the student enters school in the morning to the time he or she enters their car in the afternoon. This also includes Crusader Circle, school-sponsored after-school activities, and carpool.
The school will not be responsible for lost, stolen, broken, or misplaced devices brought to school. This is the sole responsibility of the student.
First offense of above policies: device confiscated and kept in the school office until the end of the following school day.
Second offense: device confiscated and kept in the school office for one full week.
Third or more offenses: disciplinary action at the discretion of school administration.
Lost or Damaged Textbooks
If a textbook or school issued book is lost or damaged, the list price of the book must be paid for replacement. This will be charged through your FACTS account.