Lower School Updates

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Weekly Updates

Congratulations to McKenna M. and Balthazar P. on their first time participating in the Third and Fourth-Grade SCISA State Spelling Bee! They represented Porter-Gaud well, and we are proud of their effort, perseverance, and hard work!

Chapel on December 5
Please join us as we introduce the virtues of patience and perseverance.  Students are encouraged to wear their virtues shirt.  

Extended Day Holiday Takeover on December 11
We invite all interested Lower School students to join Extended Day on Thursday, December 11, for the Extended Day Holiday Takeover hosted by the Upper School Student Council! This annual event is always a hit, and all Lower School children are invited. Student Council members will lead our students through a variety of activities, including cookie decorating, ornament making, bingo, and more! Students can also enjoy a party on the playground with our Extended Day Staff and DJ Zac's killer TSwift playlist. We do not want any students to miss out on the fun! If your child does not attend Extended Day on a regular basis, you would need to pay the drop-in rate for the day, and all proceeds will go to the Upper School Student Council. To sign up, all you have to do is mark your student as "Extended Day" on SchoolPass. We all hope to see your children there!

Students May Wear Festive Attire on Friday, December 12
All students are encouraged to wear festive attire on Friday, December 12, to celebrate the season (no uniform required). 

Annual Toy Drive
From December 8-12, we will host our Annual PG Christmas Toy Drive to collect toys for local non-profit organizations serving families and children in the Charleston area. All students are asked to bring a new, unwrapped gift or toy to school and deposit it into their homeroom toy box. Click here for more information, including gift suggestions. Thank you for your generosity!

Fourth Grade Families: Save the Date for MS Coffee and Technology Talk
All fourth grade and Middle School families are invited to an informative session on technology use in Middle School on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 8:15 - 9 a.m. in Washington Hall. Topics will include: 

• The "Why" and "How" of technology use in Middle School 
• The transition to using technology in fifth grade from fourth grade 
• An overview of the different apps students use

Parenting Tip: Savor Moments Together 
Take a moment to appreciate the little things. Yes, being a parent can feel overwhelming at times. The school projects, the homework, the endless routines—it's a lot! But in the middle of all that, your child just had a big laugh or shared something special with you. These moments are the ones to cherish. They remind us why we keep going, even when everything else feels hectic. 

Upcoming Lower School Choir Performances 

• Holiday Festival: The Lower School Choir will perform at this year's PGPA Holiday Festival on December 6, at 12 p.m. 
• Lessons and Carols: The Lower School Choir will sing a selection for this year's Lessons and Carols Service, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, at Church of the Holy Communion (218 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403). 

Lost and Found: Please Check for Missing Items
With the cooler temperatures, our lost and found in the Lower School Office has grown quite full! Please stop by or have your child check to see if any missing items belong to you. 

Dismissal Changes in SchoolPass
Please be sure to update SchoolPass with all dismissal changes (even when you call the office for last minute changes).

Save the Date: Parent Webinar on January 13
Please save the date for the upcoming webinar, “Elevating Discipline with the Brain in Mind” on January 12, 2026, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. This event is being offered as part of The Parent Series, a year-long program offering six one-hour webinars designed for independent school parents and caregivers in all stages of their child’s growth. Click here for additional details on how to register, and keep an eye out for more information about an Parent Coffee event to follow on campus the week after the webinar.  

Dining Update from Taher
Please click here to see the menu for the upcoming week. You can also follow Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining) or access menus online.

Bus Schedule for Week of December 15-19

• December 15: Regular schedule 
• December 16: Regular schedule (Full Day for Lower School)
• December 17: Regular schedule (9 a.m. start on Wednesday; Full Day for Lower School)
• December 18: Regular schedule (Full Day for Lower School)
• December 19: Regular Friday morning schedule, noon return home (Lower School is dismissed at 11:45 a.m.)

From the PGPA

• Holiday Festival: Bring your family and friends and enjoy some holiday cheer this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wendell Center. The event promises gifts and excitement for everyone on your holiday list. Don’t miss Santa and his elves and snow much more! Click here to learn more. 

• PGPA Concessions Sign Up: Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our athletics teams. No experience necessary!
• Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to learn more about PGPA volunteer opportunities. 

Important Dates - Semester 1

• Friday, December 19: Half Day - Lower School Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
• December 22-January 4: Christmas Break - School Closed
• Monday, January 5: Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• Tuesday, January 6: Classes Resume