Middle School Updates

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Thank you to the Middle School students who participated in the Beach Sweep at Sunrise Park last Saturday. The event was part of International Coastal CleanUp Day, which happens each year in September, and helps to raise awareness about preserving and protecting our oceans and waterways.

Spirit Week

We are excited to celebrate Middle School Spirit Week at the end of the month from Wednesday, September 30, through Friday, October 2. Students will have the opportunity to participate in themed dress days planned for each day:

• Wednesday, September 30 – Decades Day: Students may dress up in the style of their grade level's assigned decade:
  • 5th Grade: 1950s
  • 6th Grade: 1960s
  • 7th Grade: 1970s
  • 8th Grade: 1980s
• Thursday, October 1 – Superhero Day: Students may dress up as their favorite superhero.
• Friday, October 2 – Super Cyclone Spirit Day: Show your school pride by wearing your favorite Cyclone Spirit wear!

Please ensure all outfits follow dress-down guidelines. Skirts and shorts must be an appropriate length, shoulders must be covered (no spaghetti straps or crop tops), and athletic shoes are required (no open-toed shoes, Crocs, or slides). Additionally, no hats or face coverings are permitted. Students not participating in the daily themes should wear their regular school uniform.

Upcoming Service Opportunities

• October 17: Katie's Krops
• November 21: Miracle League
• December 4: Holiday Market

Please use this link to learn more about the Middle School service program and to reserve your child's spot for a project: MS Service Events

School Pictures Are Ready for Viewing and Ordering

You can access yearbook images and place orders by signing in to the Jostens website using the event code FE11426 and the same email address you use for school communications. 

Picture Retake Day

If your child was absent on picture day or would like a retake photo, we will have a picture retake day on Monday, October 5. Students should wear uniform polo shirts and uniform bottoms to school. If students have PE, they should not wear PE uniforms but are encouraged to wear gym shoes. Students should go to Gwynette during recess, community time, study hall, or after school. 

World Food Day Collection

The annual celebration of World Food Day is Friday, October 16. The purpose of this day is to increase awareness and understanding of the complex issue of food security for all and the importance of sharing with those who are hungry. Our entire school observes this event by participating in a food collection for Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Center. We ask each grade to bring in a specific food item from October 6-16. Items can be dropped off in homerooms or at home athletic events. 

• Grade 5 – Rice 32 oz. (2 lb.) bags or smaller, no bulk bags
• Grade 6 – Canned vegetables, especially corn, green beans, and peas
• Grade 7 – Canned fruit, especially pineapple, mixed fruit, and peaches
• Grade 8 – Soup        

Student Flu Vaccination Clinics

Porter-Gaud will host two optional flu vaccination clinics this fall:

• Parkwood Pediatrics - Friday, October 2, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
• Dottie’s Pharmacy - Friday, October 16, 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For additional information, including consent forms and sign-up links, please click here.

Food Allergy Awareness Week and Nut-Aware Reminder

As Food Allergy Awareness Week comes to a close tomorrow, thank you to our entire community for making it so meaningful and educational! Signs posted across campus shared key tips on supporting classmates with allergies, and a special thank you goes to our Taher dining team for keeping the Power Bowl station free of the top 9 allergens all week long.

Please remember that Porter-Gaud is a nut-aware campus, not a nut-free campus. To help protect students with life-threatening allergies, we ask families to choose items from our Approved Nut-Free Snack List whenever sending snacks or treats to school. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our learning environment safe for everyone!

Dining Update from Taher

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

From the PGPA

• Halloween Volunteer Opportunities: Help the PGPA transform Porter-Gaud's campus into a festive and spooky place for the month of October! There are several ways to get involved. Learn more and sign up here. 
• You're Invited: Coffee and Conversation: PGPA's Families for Cultural Engagement invites parents and caregivers in all divisions to Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, September 22, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. in Washington Hall. The Dean of Wellness and our Lower, Middle, and Upper School Counselors will share strategies for tackling tough topics with our children—focusing on expectations, engagement, and resilience—followed by division-specific breakout sessions. 
• 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!
• Online Spirit Store: Stock up on your Cyclone gear!  Our online store is now open with fresh designs for the school year. 

Important Calendar Dates for Planning Purposes

• October 5: Picture Retake Day
• October 9: End of Quarter - No School for Students - Teacher Workday
• October 12-13: Fall Break - School Closed
• October 19: Founders Day
• October 28: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
• November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• December 12: Lessons and Carols (Church of the Holy Communion)
• December 19-January 3: Christmas Break
• January 4: Faculty Workday
• January 5: Classes Resume for Second Semester