KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Weekly Updates
During Chapel last week, we were introduced to the virtue of empathy. Jennifer Middleton, Executive Director of Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, joined us with a special guest to show how animals communicate through behavior and body language. We are very grateful to our special guests for helping us learn about empathy in such an engaging way! Click here to see more photos.
Chapel
You are invited to attend Chapel this Friday, January 30. Please meet your child inside the lobby of Gwynette.
Book Fair
It is that time of year again! The Lower School Library will host the Literati Book Fair from February 5-13. This is a fantastic opportunity for your Cyclone to refresh their TBR shelf, and practice real-world math and decision-making skills when given a budget!
Get a head start and shop the online fair! Teachers are currently creating wishlists for their classroom libraries. If you purchase something online or send them a gift card to shop in the book fair, we will add a book plate with your child’s name as a keepsake for that classroom. A percentage of profits goes towards purchasing new books for classroom libraries, PG libraries, and students.
- Parents who volunteer are allowed to shop before or after their volunteer time.
- Parents who come to lunch or chapel can shop at the book fair before or after if the fair is not hosting a class. However, parents cannot take their child out of class/lunch/recess to shop with them.
Our school wants each student to be able to participate in the Book Fair and take home books they’re excited about. If cost is a concern for your family at this time, we can help. Please feel free to reach out to our Lower School Librarian, Mrs. Benson, at jbenson@portergaud.edu or the Head of Community Engagement and Wellness, Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda, at ysepulveda@portergaud.edu.
100th Day of School
First graders celebrated our 100th day of school today. We moved the celebration indoors due to the cold temperatures. Click here to view more photos.
Carpool Reminder: Please Display Your Number
As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and an efficient dismissal process, we ask that all families picking up clearly display their carpool number each afternoon during carpool. This helps our faculty and staff ensure that students are released to the correct vehicles and allows us to quickly and accurately check students out, keeping the line moving smoothly for everyone. If you need an additional carpool number display, please contact the Lower School Office. Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we work together to keep dismissal safe and efficient.
Re-enrollment for the 2026-27 School Year
Re-enrollment contracts will be sent to all eligible families on the afternoon of Monday, February 2, along with information about the contract timeline and schedule, withdrawal procedures, re-enrollment eligibility, and tuition refund and payment plan options. The re-enrollment window will be open from February 2-13. If your student plans to attend a new school in the fall or if you are considering other school options, please email Ken Hyde at khyde@portergaud.edu.
Uniform Reminders: Outerwear Guidelines
As the weather gets colder, we want to clarify our uniform guidelines for outerwear:
- Outerwear While In the Classroom: Jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, and hoodies worn indoors must be either official Porter-Gaud gear or solid-colored (gray, white, or black). Logos should be no larger than the size of your fist.
- Outerwear for Outdoors: Students are welcome to wear non-Porter-Gaud jackets or coats to school for recess, traveling between buildings, and other outdoor activities, but these must be removed once inside buildings. We understand that students may be transitioning between classrooms and buildings during the day. We will be flexible and extend grace where necessary.
- P.E. Uniform: P.E. uniforms should only be worn on days that students have P.E.
- Leggings: Leggings and tights may be worn under skirts, shorts, and dresses if desired. They must be solid black, white, or gray in color.
- Footwear: Students must wear shoes that are both closed-toe and closed-heel (i.e., with a back). Shoes must provide full coverage of the toes and heel for safety and support. Sandals, flip-flops, slides, clogs without backs, crocs or any footwear exposing the toes or heel are not permitted.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Lower School Futures Night at Friday Basketball Games
All Lower School families are invited to come join the action on Friday, January 30, and support the Cyclones. There will be halftime activities for Lower School students during the varsity games.
- JV Girls - 4 p.m.
- JV Boys - 5 p.m.
- Varsity Girls - 6 p.m.
- Varsity Boys - 7:30 p.m.
Parenting Tip
Take charge. Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.
Dismissal Changes in SchoolPass
Please be sure to update SchoolPass with all dismissal changes (even when you call the office for last-minute changes).
Middle School Technology Coffee Rescheduled
We would like to share an update regarding the upcoming Middle School Technology Coffee Talk originally scheduled for Thursday, January 22. This event will now take place on Thursday, February 12, at 8:15 a.m. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. This session will provide an opportunity for conversation around technology in the Middle School years, and participation is encouraged from parents and caregivers with students in grades 4-8. Additional details and reminders will be shared closer to the new date.
Dining Update from Taher
We are pleased to welcome Taher Chef Council member, Chef Benny, to campus this week. He is serving up delicious Italian dishes! Today, he showed us how traditional Cacio e Pepe is made. Be sure to visit Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining) to see some of the fantastic dishes we enjoyed in Washington Hall. Click here to view the menu for next week or access menus online.
Grade Level Websites
Please check your child’s class webpage for important information
From the PGPA
- Virtual Pop-Up Sale: Stock up on your Cyclone gear at this Virtual Pop-Up Sale! Click here for details on how to shop.
- Tickets are Live! Denim & Diamonds Gala and Celebration - Join us for a night filled with live music, delicious food, curated cocktails, and incredible company as families, faculty, alumni, and friends come together to support the mission of Porter-Gaud School and the PGPA on March 20. Click here for additional details.
- Please mark these upcoming dates on your calendar:
- March 27: PG Community Shabbat Dinner
- May 21: Closing PGPA General Meeting
- PGPA Concessions Sign Up: 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.
Important Dates - Semester 2
- February 5: Black History Month Assembly at 8 a.m.
- February 16 & 17: Winter Break - School Closed
- March 13: No School: Faculty Work Day
- March 25: Conference Day - No Classes
- April 3-12: Spring Break
- April 26: Spring Arts Festival
- May 25: Memorial Day - School Closed
- May 29: Last Day of School
We would love to discuss your place at Porter-Gaud.