Middle School Updates

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Weekly Updates

Many thanks to Ellis A. ’26 for sharing her passion for science with Middle School classes! Inspired by her semester in Patagonia, Ellis taught fifth and sixth graders about oysters and led them in an art project that will come together as a mural. Click here to see more photos. 

Picture Retakes
If your child was absent on picture day or would like a retake photo, we will have a picture retake day on Friday, October 3. 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 on Thursday, 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 – Canned Fruit
• Grade 6 – Canned Beans
• Grade 7 – Individual Snacks
• Grade 8 – Jelly/Jam         

Dress-Down Day for PG Service
Please save the date for a school-wide dress-down day in recognition of the food drive effort and World Food Day on Thursday, October 16. 

Fifth-Grade Pumpkin Carving Contest 
The Fifth Grade Pumpkin Carving Contest will take place on Thursday, October 30! Students may submit one pumpkin for judging. There will be six categories, with first place and runner-up prizes awarded in each. Pumpkins should be dropped off on the S&T steps between 7:30–7:55 a.m. More details can be found on the flyer here.

Middle School Pre-Football Game Social on the Green!
Join us on Friday, October 24, from 6–7:30 p.m. for a Middle School Social on the Green! All 5th–8th graders are welcome to come hang out with friends, enjoy food, music, and games before the big game. There will be a $5 entrance fee. This event is for Porter-Gaud middle school students only. More details to come in the next few weeks!

Class Trips
We look forward to our class trips scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 – Friday, May 8. Class trips are an integral part of our academic program, and students are expected to attend. Please note that dates may shift slightly depending on logistics. We will communicate any changes as soon as they are confirmed.

Below are the class trip activities and links to register for the 7th and 8th-grade trips through Orange Sky, the agency that helps to facilitate these trips. The student fee/family share of the payment is listed beside each trip. Porter-Gaud works hard to keep these costs affordable. When signing up, please choose the "quad" room option. 

• 8th Grade – Leadership and Teamwork the Disney Way (Student fee $100) - Building on the success of last year’s Winterim trip, this experience will now serve as the culminating class trip for 8th grade, ensuring every student can participate in this fun and educational leadership experience. You can register using this link: orangeskytravel.com/nextsteps and use the Trip Code: 200245. Please note, the cost of the trip listed on the website may not match the actual cost of the family share. Families will only pay $100 for this trip, and the school will cover the remaining cost. The deadline to register is Friday, October 24. 
   
• 7th Grade – Washington, D.C. (Student fee $100) - A classic educational experience, this trip includes visits to key D.C. landmarks, museums, and the U.S. Capitol, aligned with the 7th-grade history curriculum. You can register using this link: orangeskytravel.com/nextsteps and use the Trip Code: 200240. Please note, the cost of the trip listed on the website may not match the actual cost of the family share. Families will only pay $100 for this trip, and the school will cover the remaining cost. The deadline to register is Friday, October 24.
   
• 6th Grade – Local Field Trips throughout the year (Student fee $0) -Perhaps the most exciting change is the thoughtful planning of local field trips throughout the school year to build community and connection amongst the sixth graders. This year, sixth-grade students will start the year off with a team-building trip to Charleston Adventure Forest. This will be followed by a science-focused field trip before winter break. The spring semester will involve a field trip focusing on the arts, with an end-of-the-year field trip focused on community building. Each of these trips will focus not only on educational connections to the classroom, but also on connections among students to help them strengthen or build new bonds with their classmates. They occur at times throughout the year when students typically seek connections with their peers.
   
• 5th Grade – Camp Timberlake (Student fee $50) - A hallmark experience of the Middle School journey, the fifth-grade trip to Camp Timberlake offers unforgettable outdoor education and bonding that lays the foundation for meaningful relationships throughout Middle School. There is no need to register for this trip. All fifth-grade students are currently registered and billing will occur through the school.

Service Opportunities
The Middle School Service Program encompasses the Service Club, as well as off-campus opportunities open to all Middle School students. To see detailed information, please check the "MS Off Campus Service" tab under Resources when you log into MyPG. Below are opportunities that have been scheduled for the first semester.  Space is limited and registration is required, as we must ensure that all paperwork is completed by all participants.  An adult should complete the sign-up so that we can communicate with the person who is transporting the child to and from the service project.

• November 8: Charleston Miracle League (Buddy On the Field), 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Signup will be posted in late October.
• December 13: GrowFood Carolina box packing for people facing food insecurity. Signup will be posted in late November. 

School Pictures Are Ready
You can access yearbook images and place orders by signing in to the Jostens website using the event code listed on this flyer (FE240325) and the same email address you use for school communications.

From the Nurse’s Office

• Flu Vaccination Clinic: There will be an on-site flu vaccine clinic hosted by Dottie’s Pharmacy on Thursday, October 17, from 12 - 3:30 p.m. Consent forms and sign up information will be emailed the week of October 6. 
• 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.

Middle School Winter Athletics: Sign up by Friday, October 10
If your child is interested in playing a winter sport, please click here for additional information. 

Dining Update from Taher
This week, we continued our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with a special Cuban-inspired Power Bowl. Click here to see the menu for the upcoming week. You can also follow up on Instagram (@taherpgdining) or access menus online.
 

French Toast Fall Savings
One of our uniform vendors, French Toast, will be offering 30% off all merchandise and free shipping on orders above $49 from October 6-9. Click here to learn more.

Updates from the PGPA

• Save the Date for the Holiday Festival! The 2025 PGPA Holiday Festival is on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fun will include shopping with local vendors, food, musical performances by PG choirs, new PG merchandise, activities for young children, and "snow" much more! Click here for more information about the event and volunteer opportunities. 
• Father’s Night Out: Enjoy an evening with fellow PG dads on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Munkle Brewing Co. (1513 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405). Click here to learn more and RSVP.
• PG Prayer Circle: On October 17 at 8:45 a.m., join fellow parents at the pavilion near the stadium to meet the chaplains, enjoy coffee, and pray over the school. 
• You’re Invited to Fusion Fest! Celebrate the rich diversity and flavors of Asia on Wednesday, October 22 from 5-7 p.m. on the Green. Click here to learn more and to RSVP. Please be sure to RSVP before October 10. Please note that Upper School students can receive a PG Engage credit for attending. 
• 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!
• Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to learn more about PGPA volunteer opportunities.