KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Weekly Updates
Middle School students treated the Lower School to an interactive preview of The Little Mermaid, Jr. during lunch this week! Click here for more photos.
No School on Friday, March 13
Friday is a Faculty/Staff Work Day, so students will not have school.
Dress Down Day
We will have a dress-down day for Lower School students on Tuesday, March 17, in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day.
Scheduling Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences
Conference Day will take place on Wednesday, March 25. You can set up a conference time starting on Monday, March 16, at 9 a.m. We will share additional details and instructions for scheduling conferences on Friday. In the meantime, please reach out to your student's homeroom teacher with any other questions related to conferences. We look forward to meeting with you.
Conference Day - Wednesday, March 25
- Grades 1-3
- Parents and caregivers will meet with homeroom teachers to discuss general progress as well as writing and social studies. Because these areas will be discussed in person, homeroom comments will not be included on the report cards. In all content areas for which you do not conference, comments will be included on the report card. If, after you see your child’s report card, you have any questions, please reach out to the teacher in the specific content area for whom you have questions.
- Grade 4
- In grade four, the spring conferences are student-led. Parents and guardians will meet with the homeroom teacher and their child to hear about progress. Comments will only appear on the report card for special content areas.
Easter Egg Hunts - Thursday, April 2
We invite all Lower School families to join us for our Easter Egg Hunts on Thursday, April 2. Students are welcome to wear festive spring attire and should bring a basket or container to school. Here are the times and locations:
- 1st Grade - The Green at 10 a.m.
- 2nd Grade - Headmaster’s House (with yard games) at 8:30 a.m.
- 3rd Grade - Playground at 2 p.m.
- 4th Grade - Headmaster’s House at 12 p.m.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks by our amazing PGPA grade-level representatives.
Parenting Tip of the Week: Pick Your Battles
Kids can’t absorb too many rules without tuning out, so choose wisely. Let go of minor issues like mismatched outfits—these moments are part of growing up. Instead, focus on the non-negotiables: no hitting, no rude talk, and no lying. For example, if your child insists on wearing pajamas to the grocery store, ask yourself: “Does this really matter?” Probably not. But if they speak disrespectfully to a teacher or friend, that’s a teaching moment worth addressing. As parenting expert Janet Lansbury says, “Discipline is not about punishment; it’s about guiding our children toward appropriate behavior with respect and consistency.” By focusing on what truly matters, you help your child learn the right lessons—without unnecessary battles.
Save the Date: Meeting for Current Fourth-Grade Families
If you’re the parent of a rising fifth grader, please mark your calendars for Friday, March 20, at 8:15 a.m. for your first official Middle School event! We will discuss curriculum, student schedules, and extra-curricular offerings, and also provide an overview of our Advisory and Life 101 programming. Please park in the Lower School lot and proceed to the library through the Lower School gates. No RSVP is required.
Dismissal Changes in SchoolPass
Please be sure to update SchoolPass with all dismissal changes (even when you call the office for last-minute changes).
Unclaimed Bikes
Several bikes have been parked at various locations around campus for several weeks. If any of these are yours and you would like to claim them, please contact Mike Feinberg at mfeinberg@portergaud.edu. If the bikes are not claimed by Friday, March 13, they will be donated.
Dining Update from Taher
To view the menu for next week, click here or access menus online.
Grade Level Websites
Please check your child’s class webpage for important information
From the PGPA
- Virtual Pop-Up Sale: Stock up on your Cyclone gear at this Virtual Pop-Up Sale! Click here for details on how to shop.
- Tickets are Live! Denim & Diamonds Gala and Celebration - Join us for a night filled with live music, delicious food, curated cocktails, and incredible company as families, faculty, alumni, and friends come together to support the mission of Porter-Gaud School and the PGPA on March 20. Click here for additional details.
- Please mark these upcoming dates on your calendar:
- March 27: PG Community Shabbat Dinner
- May 21: Closing PGPA General Meeting
- 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 2
- March 13: No School: Faculty Work Day
- March 25: Conference Day - No Classes
- April 3-12: Spring Break
- April 26: Spring Arts Festival
- May 25: Memorial Day - School Closed
- May 29: Last Day of School
We would love to discuss your place at Porter-Gaud.