Middle School Updates

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Today we marked our third annual Garnet & Grey kickoff assembly during Life 101. Garnet and Grey assignments were revealed to the new students and fifth graders after which we had a faculty competition for house points, Garnet & Grey Captains competition, and a performance by our Middle School Cheer Team. We will continue to have various events and competitions throughout the rest of the year which will culminate with the awarding of the Garnet & Grey Cup trophy to the eventual winners.

Picture Day

A reminder that Monday is Picture Day. Students should wear their regular uniform shirt even if they have P.E. If you would be interested in volunteering on picture days, please click here to learn more. 

Winterim Update 

Last Friday was the deadline for Winterim registration. If you have not yet registered your student for Winterim, please do so by completing the Winterim Selection Form by Friday, September 11. 

Class Trips and Registration Links

We are excited to share registration details for our grade-level class trips, scheduled for Tuesday, May 4 – Friday, May 7. Families with students in grades 6–8 must register using the Orange Sky links below. Families of fifth graders do not need to take any action, as fifth-grade registration is handled automatically. Please note that class trips are counted as official school days and attendance is expected for each child. While the school works to minimize costs, a small registration fee applies to each student.

• 8th Grade – Leadership and Teamwork the Disney Way - 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.
  • Registration Link Here - https://orangeskytravel.com/200725/
• 7th Grade – Washington, D.C. - 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.
  • Registration Link Here - https://orangeskytravel.com/200723/
• 6th Grade – Savannah, Georgia, and St. Augustine, Florida  - The Savannah and St. Augustine trip offers students a unique blend of history, science, and coastal exploration across Georgia and Florida. Students experience the region through a dolphin cruise at Tybee Island, a guided tour of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and visits to Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth and historic River Street. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Kennedy Space Center, a hands-on experience at the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory where students build their own custom kazoo, and a walking tour of historic Beaufort.
  • Registration Link Here - https://orangeskytravel.com/200733/
• 5th Grade – Camp Timberlake - A hallmark experience of the Middle School journey, the Camp Timberlake trip offers unforgettable outdoor education, challenge by choice activities, hiking excursions, and bonding that lays the foundation for meaningful relationships throughout the rest of Middle School. Please note, the location may change to Camp Merri Mac depending on venue availability.
  • No need to register. We will have other paper work to complete as we draw closer to the trip.

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.

Service Opportunities

Join us for the annual SC Beach Sweep/River Sweep on Saturday, September 19, at Demetre Park on James Island!  We will sweep the beach from 9-10 a.m.. A school permission form will be loaded into MyPG and must be signed for each participant. The deadline to sign up is Monday, September 14. Reserve your child's spot here!

Looking ahead:

• October 17: Katie's Krops flagship garden in Summerville
• November 21: Miracle League Buddies in North Charleston

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. 
• Picture Day Volunteer Opportunity: If you would be interested in volunteering on picture days, please click here to learn more. 
• 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. 
• Holiday Decorating Committee: This committee will be making the school festive and fun for the holidays! If you’d like to get involved, please join them for the first meeting on Wednesday, September 16, at 9 a.m. on The Green. 
• 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

• September 14: Picture Day
• September 16: HBCU Breakfast
• October 5: Picture Retakes
• 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