Middle School Updates

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Weekly Updates

This week, fifth-grade Latin students made "wax tablets," just like Roman students used for writing. It was a fun, hands-on way to learn about ancient history!

Life 101
Today in Life 101, students participated in a litter pick-up around campus and wrote gratitude notes and thank you cards to members in the community. Next week, we look forward to participating in our annual door decorating contest.

Exam Week and Make-Up Exam Schedule
With exam week fast approaching, we wanted to share more details regarding our schedule. Our fifth graders will follow the same schedule as grades 6-8, with exam days running from Tuesday, December 17, through Thursday, December 19. Please note that these will be full school days starting at 9 a.m. Instead of traditional exams, our fifth-grade students will focus on project-based learning and assessments designed to engage them in creative and meaningful ways. 

For students in grades 6-8, we would like to remind families of the importance of students being present and in school to take exams. The schedule is pasted below. We understand sometimes students get ill and have scheduled a make-up day for exams on Friday, December 20. 

Students who miss exams due to family travel will have to make-up exams upon returning to school after break according to our schedule of make-up days. If you know your family will be traveling and your child will miss part of their exams, please reach out to Dr. Wright and Mr. Weaver so we can plan accordingly. The make up dates are as follows:

• Friday, December 20 – 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Monday, January 6 – 8 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 7 – 8 a.m.  - 3:10 p.m. (students will miss classes to complete any exams)

Bus Schedule for Exam Week
Please note the bus schedule for the final week of classes before Christmas Break:

• Monday, December 16: Regular schedule
• Tuesday, December 17: Regular schedule
• Wednesday, December 18: Regular schedule
• Thursday, December 19: Regular schedule
• Friday, December 20: Regular morning bus schedule, 11:45 a.m. return time as final bus run for the semester

Annual Toy Drive
From December 9-13, we will host our Annual PG Christmas Toy Drive to collect toys for local non-profit organizations serving families and children in the Charleston area. All students are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to school and deposit it into their homeroom toy box. Click here for more information, including gift suggestions. Thank you for your generosity! 

Holiday Assembly on Friday, December 13
All students are encouraged to wear festive attire on December 13 to celebrate the season (no uniform required). 

Personal Technology Policy Information Sessions
We invite parents and caregivers in all divisions to learn more about our new personal technology policy in the Upper School on the following dates in the Upper School Library: 

• Monday, December 16, from 8:15 - 9 a.m.
• Tuesday, December 17 at 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Service Opportunities

• Tuesday, December 10, Community Time: Seeds To Shoreline seed collection. In this project, we collect Spartina seeds from the marsh, sprout them indoors, and plant the seedlings in the marsh in late spring. Students are invited to join Mrs. Clair to collect seeds from the boardwalk!
• Wednesday, December 11, 3:30-5 p.m. - Gardening with The Green Heart Project. Join us in Shady Acres to plant winter crops in the middle school garden. Crops will be used in the cafeteria. Sign up here.
• Saturday, January 11, 9-11:30 a.m. - Lowcountry Food Bank. Minimum age of 12. We will help package food to be distributed throughout the Lowcountry! Sign up here. (Sign-up is required. Due to the LCB's policies, we must stay within our assigned group size and are unable to accommodate drop-ins.)

Dining Update from Taher

• Order Your Christmas Cookies and Cakes: Taher Catering is offering Porter-Gaud families the opportunity to order cookies and cakes for their holiday gatherings. You can also express your gratitude to a teacher or staff member by giving them an item. Please click here to learn more and place your order. 
• Dining Instagram: Follow Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining) to see the latest offerings in Washington Hall. You are also welcome to email dining@portergaud.edu with any questions or feedback. To access daily menus, please click here. 

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

From the PGPA

• PGPA Holiday Festival: Join us on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Wendell Center for some holiday cheer! The fun will include shopping with over 30 local vendors, food, musical performances by the Porter-Gaud choirs, new Porter-Gaud merchandise, play and activities for young children, visits with Santa, and "snow" much more!
• Father’s Night Out: Enjoy an evening of food and drink with fellow PG dads on Wednesday, December 11, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Stems & Skins in Park Circle (1070 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405). Everyone is encouraged to wear festive attire and there will be an Ugly Sweater Contest for those inclined! Click here to RSVP. We hope you can join us! 
• Concessions: Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our Cyclone sports teams.

Important Calendar Dates 

• December 7: PGPA Holiday Festival
• December 11: Father's Night Out
• December 14: Lessons and Carols (Church of the Holy Communion)
• December 17-20: Middle School Fall Semester Exams
• December 23 - January 3: Christmas Break - No School for Students
• January 6: Faculty Workday - No School for Students
• January 7: Classes resume for the Second Semester