Lower School Updates

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Weekly Updates

Class Photos
On Picture Day, we also took photos of each Lower School homeroom. Click here to view the photos. 

Book Collection
Our book collection for Lowcountry Orphan Relief has been extended through September 19.  Please encourage your child to bring a new book for another child in our community to enjoy.

Celebrating Birthdays at PG
Students get a dress down day on the day of their birthday (or their half birthday for summer birthdays). We ask that no food or other treats be sent in by parents and caregivers as all students are celebrated in class on their special day. Please also remember that if invitations are being brought to school, we ask that all students in the class are invited.  

Food Allergy Awareness Week

Porter-Gaud is proud to recognize Food Allergy Awareness Week! This initiative raises awareness about the 33 million Americans living with food allergies, including 1 in 13 children—roughly two students per classroom.

We want to make it clear that Porter-Gaud is an allergy-aware school. While we take proactive steps to reduce the risk of exposure for students with life-threatening allergies, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. We rely on the support of our entire PG community to help maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Highlights This Week:

• The dining staff served gluten-free Oreo cookies as a dessert option.
• The power bowl station has been free of the top 9 allergens all week.
• We’re sharing again our PSA from the spring — please take a moment to view it here.
• PG alum Tess Ferm (‘25) was recently crowned Miss America Teen, promoting her platform of Food Allergy Awareness. Congratulations, Tess—we’re so proud of you!

Key Reminders for Families:

• Please avoid sending snacks or lunches containing peanuts or tree nuts and choose items from our approved snack list.  We encourage all students to use this snack list when bringing in food or snacks for school.
• We encourage non-food-based celebrations whenever possible.
• Food sharing is not permitted among students.
• Faculty and staff are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, with emergency medications accessible and administered according to individual care plans.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep all students safe and supported during Food Allergy Awareness Week—and throughout the school year!

Parenting Tip:  Set Smart Limits/Take Charge 
Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.

Update from the Nurse’s Office

• Save the Date – Flu Vaccination Clinics: Porter-Gaud will host two optional flu vaccination clinics this fall (see below). More details will be shared soon!
  • Parkwood Pediatrics – Thursday, October 2
  • Dottie’s Pharmacy – Week of October 15

Parent/Guardian Travel Notification
If parents/guardians will be out of town and their child will be under the care of another adult, it is very important that families notify the school in advance.

• Please email the Front Office (Kim kdoyle@portergaud.edu and Anna amccubrey@portergaud.edu), the School Nurse nurse@portergaud.edu, and the student’s Homeroom Teacher with the following information:
   
  • Caretaker’s full name(s)
  • Phone number(s) and best contact method
  • Dates during which the parents/guardians will be unavailable
     
• This ensures that, in the event of illness, injury, or emergency, the school can communicate directly with the designated caretaker and provide appropriate support for the student.

Updating Dismissal Plans in SchoolPass
It is crucial that you update your child’s dismissal plan in SchoolPass so that your child is dismissed appropriately. If you need assistance doing this, please reach out to Anna McCubrey at amccubrey@portergaud.edu or Kim Doyle at kdoyle@portergaud.edu ASAP.

Communicating Time-Sensitive Information
Contact the Lower School office at 843-556-3376 if you have time-sensitive information to share during the school day, including dismissal changes that occur after 2 p.m. Our teachers are not able to check their email during the school day, and they may miss important and/or time-sensitive information. In addition, our teachers are not able to respond to emails during the school day.

Items Left at Home
We thank you for partnering with us to help our students grow into responsible, independent learners. One way we can work together to do this is by encouraging them to bring everything they need each day—homework, snacks, water bottles, etc. A helpful routine is for children to pack their backpacks the night before so they’re ready for the morning. If something is left at home, we ask that families not bring forgotten items during the school day. We will treat it as a learning moment– and we’ll make sure your child has what they need to get through the day. Please talk with your child so they understand this is a school-wide practice, and not something to be upset about. Thank you for partnering with us in helping them build these important habits!

Chapel  
Parents and caregivers are invited to Chapel this Friday. Because our Chapel begins at 7:55 a.m., we ask parents who plan to attend to come to the office during carpool (between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m.) to sign in. Kim Doyle will scan your license and then print your visitor’s pass. After signing in, you will go to the auditorium lobby to wait for your child and then enter with your child and the homeroom class.

Lunch
We welcome all parents and caregivers to have lunch with their child beginning September 15. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we build relationships and teach our children the routines and expectations.  

Late-In Wednesdays  
Please remember that on Wednesday mornings, students are to arrive between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. School begins at 8:50 a.m. We have limited supervision for children of families for whom Wednesday late-ins are a burden. If this is the case for your family, please contact Anna McCubrey (amccubrey@portergaud.edu). Your child must be on the early drop-off list in order to attend, and must arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. Because all teachers and faculty will be in meetings, we cannot accommodate students who arrive after 7:45 a.m. 

Blood Drive
Please save the date for our first on-campus blood drive on Thursday, September 25, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment. 

Dining Update from Taher
Please click here to access menus. You can also follow us on Instagram (@taherpgdining).  

Updates from the PGPA

• PGPA Concessions Sign Up: Volunteering for concessions is a great way to get involved and get to know people across the entire PG Community. We have parents and caregivers from Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School who participate in this very important part of PGPA. Please click here for the signup.  
• Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to learn more about PGPA Volunteer Opportunities. 

Important Dates - Semester 1

• Friday, October 10: End of Quarter 1 - Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• Monday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 14: Fall Break - School Closed
• Friday, October 31: Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
• November 3-7: A second day of Parent/Teacher Conferences is scheduled for each grade level - students will attend school on all of these days. Teachers will communicate specific meeting dates for their grade levels. They will remind you of these dates and send sign up information in October. 
• November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• 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