Middle School Updates

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Weekly Updates

Food Allergy Awareness Week
Porter-Gaud is proud to recognize Food Allergy Awareness Week! This initiative raises awareness about the 33 million Americans living with food allergies, including 1 in 13 children—roughly two students per classroom.

We want to make it clear that Porter-Gaud is an allergy-aware school. While we take proactive steps to reduce the risk of exposure for students with life-threatening allergies, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. We rely on the support of our entire PG community to help maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Highlights This Week:

• The dining staff served gluten-free Oreo cookies as a dessert option.
• The power bowl station has been free of the top 9 allergens all week.
• We’re sharing again our PSA from the spring — please take a moment to view it here.
• PG alum Tess Ferm (‘25) was recently crowned Miss America Teen, promoting her platform of Food Allergy Awareness. Congratulations, Tess—we’re so proud of you!

Key Reminders for Families:

• Please avoid sending snacks or lunches containing peanuts or tree nuts and choose items from our approved snack list.  We encourage all students to use this snack list when bringing in food or snacks for school.
• We encourage non-food-based celebrations whenever possible.
• Food sharing is not permitted among students.
• Faculty and staff are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, with emergency medications accessible and administered according to individual care plans.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep all students safe and supported during Food Allergy Awareness Week—and throughout the school year!

Life 101
This week, Lower School Chaplain, David Rowe, led a brief remembrance of the 9/11 attacks before speaking with students about the meaning of dignity. His message provided a thoughtful segue into Dr. Sepulveda’s review of our annual Bystander Training strategies. Each year, we revisit these strategies and reinforce them throughout the school year as part of our commitment to a safe and respectful community.

We encourage you to talk with your child about the “Five D’s” of bystander intervention—Distract, Delegate, Delay, Document, and Direct—tools students can use when they witness unkind or bullying behavior.

Middle School Spirit Week
Next week, the Middle School will participate in Spirit Week beginning on Wednesday. Below we share the themes for each day. While this is a fun activity we remind students that learning is still taking place and dress for each day should remain appropriate. 

• Wednesday, September 17: Superhero & Disney Characters
• Thursday, September 18: Decades Day 
  • 5th: 1950s 
  • 6th: 1960s 
  • 7th: 1970s 
  • 8th: 1980s
• Friday, September 19: Super Cyclone Spirit Day

Guidelines: 

• Skirts/shorts must be appropriate length
• No hats, face coverings, pajamas, onesies, crop tops, or spaghetti straps (shoulders must be covered)
• No open-toed shoes, slides, crocs, or flip-flops
• Costumes must be respectful and not disruptive
• Attire should reflect Porter-Gaud values

If unsure about a particular outfit, students should check with Dr. Wright, Mr. Weaver, or their Grade Dean.

Sixth-Grade Field Trip
This is a reminder that on Tuesday, September 16, the sixth-grade class will take its first field trip of the year to the Charleston Adventure Forest!

For this field trip, students will need to wear their P.E. uniform and closed-toed tennis shoes and bring a refillable water bottle. Skirts are not recommended for girls. Because the students will participate in challenge by choice activities and spend the day outside (rain or shine), we recommend that students plan appropriately for the forecasted weather. Additionally, we recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray, pulling back long hair, and leaving jewelry at home. Students will be provided lunch. 

• Departure: 8:15 a.m. (students must arrive on time to school to attend advisory at 8:00 a.m. before departure)
• Return: 3 p.m. 

A company waiver must be completed for your child to participate. If you have not yet submitted it, you can find the waiver here. This must be completed by Friday. 

Please note: For any student who does not participate in the field trip, it will be considered an absence from school, and the student should not report to school that day, as the sixth-grade team will be off-campus.

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. Opportunities are posted on the resource document, in the morning announcements, and in weekly parent updates. 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.

• September 21: Beach Sweep/River Sweep, Gadsden Creek, 2-4 p.m. Sign up to join Beach Sweep here! The deadline to register is Monday, September 15.
• October 4: Lowcountry Food Bank, 9-11:30 a.m. (Signup will be posted in late September).
• November 8: Charleston Miracle League - Buddy On the Field, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Signup will be posted in late October).

Update from the Nurse’s Office

• Save the Date – Flu Vaccination Clinics: Porter-Gaud will host two optional flu vaccination clinics this fall (see below). More details will be shared soon!
  • Parkwood Pediatrics – Thursday, October 2
  • Dottie’s Pharmacy – Week of October 15

Blood Drive
Please save the date for our first on-campus blood drive on Thursday, September 25, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment. 

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

Updates from the PGPA

• 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.