First Presbyterian Day School has been wholly devoted to elementary education since 1965. As the world has changed, and needs have changed, the FPDS Board of Trustees and administration saw the need to add childcare for infants through preschool. “The FPDS Preschool opened in 2017, and we have been amazed by the community support and the growth of children in our program,” said Brian T. Smith, head of school.
This past November, FPDS announced its Early Childhood Program (serving infants and toddlers). FPDS Early Childhood filled in less than two weeks and has been building a steady waitlist since. However, this is not new to FPDS! “For nearly 18 years, the school has provided a nurturing and loving childcare center for staff members, and we are excited to share that with a larger community,” said Smith. “This is a wonderful opportunity to expand the mission of FPDS to include the youngest of God’s children.”
Dea Bowling was recently named FPDS Early Childhood Director. “With more than 20 years of teaching experience, and as a Day School parent, Dea embodies the mission of FPDS,” said Smith. She and her husband, Michael, have two children, Lily and Liam.
“FPDS has impacted my life in a number of ways,” said Bowling. “I actually look forward to going to work each day. The faculty and staff are some of the kindest, most loving, and most fun people I’ve come to know. They have taught me how to glorify God in all that I do and how to cling to him when trials come.”
Dea has spent the past several years in the classroom as a Third-Grade Teacher. “I’m looking forward to working with a new group of people while continuing to love, support, and implement the mission of FPDS,” said Bowling. “I’ve felt God calling me to this change for quite some time, but the opportunity had not presented itself until now. With my children a bit older, I feel like I can finally take that leap of faith.”
FPDS also announced that Kim Duhs will serve as Dean of Kindergarten beginning this summer. After teaching special education and preschool locally for several years, Duhs joined FPDS in 1998 and has served as a Kindergarten Teacher for more than 20 years.
“We put the Lord first in every aspect of our school,” said Duhs. “A job at FPDS is a calling for each of us. The Lord has placed me here to make sure I share the gospel with each child I teach and make sure they know how to live their faith and convey Christ’s love to others by example. These children are entrusted to us not only by their parents, but by God.”
“Mrs. Duhs’ obvious love for children and early childhood is exemplified in the many children she has taught and nurtured over the past 30+ years, and we are overjoyed that she has accepted the position beginning summer of 2023 as Dean of Kindergarten for our K3 through K5 students,” said Smith. “When tasked with finding a new Dean of Kindergarten, we knew Mrs. Duhs would serve with excitement and deep love for our school and students. She has already made a huge impact on our school, and we cannot wait to see her thrive in this new role.”
Kim and her husband, Lindsey, have two children, Seth (married to Roberta) and Carlee, and three grandchildren.
“Working with teachers and parents in making sure our students are receiving the best education in all aspects - spiritually and academically - is what I am looking most forward to in this position,” said Duhs. “I want to help provide a nurturing environment, a safe-haven for these little ones. I am looking forward to getting to know new families and can’t wait to meet and serve siblings of the children I have already taught. I accepted this position because of my experiences at FPDS. I wholeheartedly believe in the changes and enhancements our school has made (and continues to make) to improve the education we provide, while never straying from our mission. I look forward to continuing to serve in that mission!”
To learn more about First Presbyterian Day School or to apply for K3-6th grade, visit fpds.org/visit. To join the waitlist for the Early Childhood Program or to learn more, visit fpds.org/early-childhood.
