Lower School Updates

_{KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS}

Weekly Updates

It was a fun and productive week in the Lower School! Please review the updates and information below. 

Summer Reading Celebration
We are so excited to welcome back authors, Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May, on September 18. They will meet with each grade level and share their process as writers! If you would like to purchase a signed copy from The Islanders series, you may do so through this link. Books purchased before September 16 will be delivered the day of their visit!  

Book Collection
Our book collection for Lowcountry Orphan Relief has been extended through September 20.  Please encourage your child to bring a new book for another child in our community to enjoy.

Dining Update
All parents and caregivers are welcome to come and have lunch with their child beginning this Monday. Thank you all for your patience as we worked through the routines at the  beginning of the year.  

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 be invited.  

Picture Day, October 7 and October 8
Lower School students will have yearbook pictures taken on Monday, October 7, and Tuesday, October 8. First and fourth-grade students will have their pictures taken on Monday, October 7, and second and third-grade students will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, October 8. On picture day, we request that all students wear a polo with uniform bottoms (no PE shorts or skorts). If students have PE, make sure they wear gym shoes. 

From the Nurse's Office
We have seen respiratory viruses, strep, and cases of walking pneumonia circulating around campus. As a reminder, please review the following: 

• Illness/Sick Policy: We follow the Department of Public Health’s school exclusion criteria to prevent the spread of illness. 
  • Stay home if you are feeling unwell. 
  • Any students who are ill must stay home until symptoms have improved, are fever-free (temperature < 100)  for at least 24 hours without fever-suppressing medication, have no diarrhea or vomiting in the last 24 hours, and are well enough to participate in a full day of classes. 
  • The most effective defense against the spread of germs is hand washing. Using antiseptic soap for at least 20 seconds is best; however, hand sanitizer can be used when there is a time constraint.
• Upcoming Flu Vaccine Clinics:  Save the date for these upcoming on-campus clinics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine prior to Halloween to be protected for the upcoming flu season.  
  • October 7: Parkwood Pediatrics (All Parkwood patients of Parkwood are able to bill medical insurance directly). 
  • October 17: Dottie’s Pharmacy. More details to follow. 
  • October 26: The Department of Public Health will offer flu shots and the flu nasal mist.  Consent forms will be emailed out by the end of next week. All consent forms must be completed by October 7 to participate.

Reminder for Visiting Campus
Please remember to sign in at the Lower School main office with Kim Doyle after being buzzed in. This important process is in place to ensure safety on our campus. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Name Pronunciation Tool
One of the specific ways we strive to show that we respect and appreciate our students is by pronouncing their names correctly. To help assist our faculty and staff in building positive relationships with their students, we use a software tool that enables students to voice record their names. Faculty and staff can then playback the recordings throughout the year to help prepare for award ceremonies, graduation, and other school events. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Shannon Page at spage@portergaud.edu.

Parenting Tip:  Set Smart Limits
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.

Grandparent Mailings
If your child has a grandparent who would like to receive invitations, mailings, and updates from Porter-Gaud, please click here to add them to our mailing list. 

From Our Chaplains
Click here to read reflections from our chaplains, access recommended resources, and request prayer. 

From the PGPA

• Save the Date for our Fall Festival on October 25! 
  • Sign-up to decorate the campus on Sunday, October 6.
  • Click here to purchase/contribute to the Fall Festival Amazon wish list.
• Please also mark your calendars for the Holiday Festival on December 7. More details to come. 
• New PG spiritwear is available at our online store. Please review the uniform guidelines for your division here for details on when and how these items can be worn to school. 
• Fall concessions are underway! Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our athletics teams.

Important Dates - Semester 1

• Wednesday, September 18: Author Visit: Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May
• Monday, October 7, and Tuesday, October 8:  Picture Day
• Friday, October 11: End of Quarter 1 - Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15: Fall Break - School Closed
• Wednesday, November 1: Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
• November 4-12: A second day of Parent-Guardian/Teacher Conferences is scheduled for each grade level – students will attend school on 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 25-29: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• Friday, December 20: Half Day - Lower School Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
• December 23-January 3: Christmas Break - School Closed
• Monday, January 6: Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• Tuesday, January 7: Classes Resume