At FBC’s & 123’s Christian School, it is our privilege to partner with parents in laying the foundation for faith development. It is our goal to help children develop a positive, loving, and caring image of God by modeling those qualities. The early childhood years are crucial for the sound spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development of every child. Our goal at FBC’s & 123’s is to address these needs and provide all of our students with a top quality, Christ-centered education filled with love, affirmation, learning, and fun.
FBC’s & 123’s CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2023-2024 CLASSES
Three and Four Year Old Class – There is a Monday/Wednesday Class and a Tuesday/Thursday Class for this age group. Both classes are from 8:30 – 11:15. Tuition is $70/mo. from September—May. There is also a $30/year supply fee, due in September.
Four and Five Year Old Class—meets Monday—Thursday from 8:15—11:15. Tuition is $135/mo. from September—May. There is also a $30/year supply fee, due in September.
Kindergarten Class—meets Monday—Thursday from 8:00—12:00. Tuition is $225/mo. from September—May. There is also a $30/year supply fee, due in September. Click on the Kindergarten button for more information.
*NEW CLASS – Hybrid 1st & 2nd Grade Class—This new class offers a classroom experience combined with homeschool. The class will meet Monday—Thursday from 8:00—12:00. The teacher will work with parents to provide at-home learning activities, guidance and support for the homeschool component of the class. Tuition is $225/mo. from September—May. There is also a $30/year supply fee, due in September. Call for more information.
Early Drop-Off/Late Pick-up Options
We offer early drop-off, as early as 7:45 AM and late pick-up, as late as 12:15 PM. This needs to be arranged in advance, by calling the church office.
We offer early drop-off, as early as 7:45 AM and late pick-up, as late as 12:15 PM. This needs to be arranged in advance, by calling the church office.
ENROLLMENT FORMS & PROCEDURE
Enrollment is open now! Click on the Enrollment button below to fill out the digital enrollment form. Then mail the $60 enrollment fee to:
First Baptist Church
PO Box 426
1301 East 6th Street
Lamar, MO 64759
ABOUT US
OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Exposure to Christian values, scripture and stories of God’s people, along with daily emphasis
on Christian character. - Themed units with play-based, age-appropriate, hands-on activities
- Experiences in cognitive development, art, music, movement, literacy, science and math.
- Social interaction with adults and other young children in a caring and nurturing environment.
- Student assessment and yearly developmental screenings.
2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR
August 24 ● Open House
August 29 ● First Day of School
September 5 ● Labor Day – No School
November 23 & 24 ● Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – December 29 ● Christmas Break
January 4 ● 1st Day of 2nd Semester
January 16 ● MLK Day – No School (possible make-up day)
February 20 ● Presidents Day – No School
March 13-16 ● Spring Break
November 23 & 24 ● Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – December 29 ● Christmas Break
January 4 ● 1st Day of 2nd Semester
January 16 ● MLK Day – No School (possible make-up day)
February 20 ● Presidents Day – No School
March 13-16 ● Spring Break
April 10 ● Easter Monday – No School
May 18 ● Last Day of School
**Snow days will be the same as Lamar R1
May 18 ● Last Day of School
**Snow days will be the same as Lamar R1
MEET OUR STAFF
Director & 3’s&4’s Teacher: Valerie Waggoner
Ms. Val has been developing educational programs for children for over 30 years. She began her career when she founded, operated, and taught at Ready, Set, Grow Preschool in Joplin. When she and her husband Bernie moved back to Lamar, she started a preschool for 3 year olds in her home, which continued until she became the Director of Christian Education at LUMC. She served there for 20 years, where she was also the director for Love & Learn Christian Preschool for 4 years. She has a BS in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood. She feels honored and blessed to be a part of FBC’s & 123’s.
Lead 4’s&5’s Teacher: Joyce Phipps
Ms. Joyce began her career teaching first grade in the Independence Public School District, when she married her husband Scott, she moved to Lamar and continued teaching first grade at East Primary. After teaching in public schools for 25 years, she teamed up with Ms. Val in 2015 to teach at Love & Learn Christian Preschool. She has a BS in Education, a Masters of Ed. in Multi-Disciplinary Education, and 30 additional hours in Elementary Education. Joyce is passionate about bringing out the best in her students, and loves teaching, challenging and nurturing children at FBC’s & 123’s.
Kindergarten Teacher: Wendy McCulloch
Ms. Wendy began her career teaching K and Pre-K at Sheldon for one year. She spent the next six years in Nevada, teaching K, K-1 looping classroom and Title 1 Reading. In 2008, she returned to her alma mater and taught Kindergarten for two years at Lamar East Primary, after which, she was blessed to be able to stay home with her 3 children while continuing to substitute in the district. She has a BS in Education with emphasis in Early Childhood and Masters of Ed. in Reading, along with training in Reading Recovery. Wendy has been part of our preschool team for 5 years. We are so thankful that she brings her passion for teaching and love for children to FBC’s & 123’s!
4’s&5’s Teacher: Suzanne Cloyed
Ms. Suzanne taught preschool at Lamar Preschool for 13 years. Since her “retirement,” she has been teaching Sunday School, coordinating the Backpack Snack Program, and making a name for herself in the “MeMe” Business. She has a BS in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and a Masters of Ed. in Elementary Education. She has been a consulting part of our preschool team since 2015 and teaching in the classroom for the past 3 years. She loves her time with the children, and they love their time with her!
4’s&5’s Teacher: JoJo Compton
Ms. JoJo taught for 7 years in public schools before having children and becoming a stay-at-home mom. She is very active in ministry at Oakton United Methodist Church, where she hosts several weekly Bible studies, is coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, is a youth counselor and teaches abstinence/sexual purity classes. JoJo has been part of our preschool team for 3 years. She has a BS in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood. We love and appreciate the joy and energy she brings to her classroom!
4’s&5’s Teacher: Caitlin Morgan-Pierce
Ms. Caitlin began her career at Golden City where she taught Kindergarten through 6th grade special education for two years. She also taught 5th and 6th grade reading, language arts, and social studies for one year. For the past 5 years, she has also been a youth leader at Hannon Free Will Church. She studied early childhood education and special education at Pittsburg State University where she earned her Early Childhood Unified Degree, gaining many hours in the Little Gorillas Preschool on campus. We are thrilled to have her on our team and appreciate all that she brings to FBC’s & 123’s!
3’s&4’s Teacher Assistant: Destiny Clark
Ms. Destiny joined our team as a teacher assistant in the 3’s&4’s class in 2021. She immediately fit in and is excellent at her job. She easily forms bonds with the children and quickly notices when and where she is needed by the children and Ms. Val. We are so blessed to have her back for both 3’s&4’s classes.