Lower School Updates

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Weekly Updates

It’s been an incredible week in the Lower School! 

Reminder: Labor Day

There is no school on Monday, September 7.

Picture Day is Monday, September 14 

We request all students to be in uniform (no PE shorts or skorts). If students have PE, please make sure they wear gym shoes.

If you would be interested in volunteering on this day, please click here to learn more. 

Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook

We ask all parents and guardians to review the policies and procedures contained in the Lower School Student-Parent/Guardian Handbook and sign an acknowledgment form by Friday, September 4. Once all parents or guardians sign the form, it will automatically submit, and the yellow banner will disappear. Parents and guardians can access the form by logging into MyPG and clicking on the yellow banner at the top of the page. 

Supervision and Safety

We love being a school with students of all ages, and we want all of our Cyclones to come to athletic events. For the safety of our students and guests, we expect parents and caregivers to actively supervise their Lower School children when attending athletic events. Please do not drop off Lower School students at events and activities. For games at John Singleton Field, we also ask that parents ensure that their child(ren) stay off the tennis courts, the baseball diamond, and the opponent's side of the stadium. In addition, we ask that all fans use the front gate when entering and exiting games. 

Lunch

We are excited to welcome parents and caregivers to join their child for lunch beginning September 8!  

When visiting for lunch, please remember that a photo ID is required, and all visitors will need to sign in using the SchoolPass app.  Lunch is available for $5.00. After lunch, parents and caregivers should sign out and depart, as visitors are not able to accompany students to the playground.  We look forward to welcoming you to campus and having you join us for lunch!

Chapel 

Parents and caregivers are invited to join us for Chapel on Fridays beginning September 4 at 7:55 a.m. Please arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. to check in with Kim Doyle in the Lower School office. Bring your driver’s license to scan for a visitor badge, then meet in the Lower School breezeway to walk with your child’s class to Chapel.

• Parking: Please park in the designated Lower School visitor or overflow lots. Parking near the Chapel or Upper School is not available for Lower School guests.
• Late Arrivals: If arriving after 7:45 a.m., do not drop your child off at the Chapel or Upper School. Please check in at the Lower School office first so your child can be safely signed in.

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 unable to check or respond to emails during the school day and may miss important updates. 

Important Update From the Nurse’s Office

Head Lice
We have had confirmed cases of head lice. We ask that you check your child’s hair and scalp carefully, as well as any siblings in the household.

• Please click here for helpful information on the detection, treatment, and prevention of head lice. Lice and nits (eggs) can be very difficult to see, so we also recommend combing through the hair with a Terminator Lice Comb to help with identification.
• If you have recently treated your child for lice, or will be treating them, please notify the Nurse’s Office at nurse@portergaud.edu. All reports are kept confidential.
• If multiple cases are reported within a grade level, the Nurse’s Office may conduct additional screenings as appropriate.

Health Update: Impetigo
We have had several cases of impetigo reported on campus. Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that often appears as sores that do not heal properly or develop a yellow, crusted surface.

Please check your child’s skin for any concerning sores. Students diagnosed with impetigo should remain home until they have been on antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours and the sores are no longer oozing. Any sores should be kept covered while at school.

Illness / Sick Policy

As a reminder, students and staff should stay home if they are sick. They may return to school/work once they meet all of the following criteria:

• Overall symptoms have improved
   
• Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
   
• No vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
   
• Well enough to participate in a full day of classes

Handwashing Reminder
Handwashing remains the most effective defense against the spread of germs. Use antiseptic soap and water for at least 20 seconds whenever possible. Hand sanitizer may be used when soap and water are not available.

Dining Update from Taher

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

From the PGPA

• Teacher Appreciation – Help Us Say Thank You! We are committed to showing our faculty and staff how much we value all they do for our children and our school community. With your support, we provide gestures of appreciation throughout the year such as special meals, holiday celebrations, Teacher Appreciation Week and more. Click here to learn more and make a donation. 
• Fall Meeting: Please join us for our Fall PGPA Meeting on Thursday, September 10, at 8:15 a.m. in Washington Hall. We’ll share our goals for the school year, highlight upcoming events, and review volunteer opportunities. There is truly no shortage of ways to get involved!
• RSVP for Father’s Night Out: Enjoy an evening with fellow PG dads on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Munkle Brewing Co. (1513 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29405). Click here to RSVP. 
• Online Spirit Store: Stock up on your Cyclone gear!  Our online store is now open with fresh designs for the school year. 
• PGPA Concessions Sign Up: PGPA Fall Concessions are underway! Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our athletics teams. No experience necessary!

Important Dates - Semester 1

• September 7:  Labor Day - No School
• September 14:  Picture Day
• October 5:  Picture Retake Day
• October 9:  End of Quarter 1 - Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• October 12–13:  Fall Break - School Closed
• October 20:  Quarter 1 Report Cards Published
• October 28:  Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
• October 29: Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences for Fourth Grade - School is in Session
• October 30:  PGPA Halloween Carnival
• November 23–27:  Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• December 18:  Half Day - Lower School Dismissal at 11:45 a.m. 
• December 21–January 1:  Christmas Break - School Closed
• January 4:  Faculty Work Day - No School for Students
• January 5:  Classes Resume