Parent Association
We are not simply a school - we are a community of families because of the dedication of our parent volunteers. Porter-Gaud values and encourages parent engagement. The relationships between parents, faculty, students, and administrators are strengthened by parent involvement in the volunteer opportunities offered by the Porter-Gaud Parent Association (PGPA).
The mission of the PGPA is to:
1. Build community among families through special events and volunteer opportunities.
2. Provide families with information and resources helpful to parenting.
3. Raise funds that support school programs.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Moms In Prayer meets every Monday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. All are invited to attend as often as possible. Feel free to contact Jill Settle with any questions, 843-697-0818.
We need VOLUNTEERS for BASKETBALL CONCESSIONS. Sign up HERE!
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR US TEACHER APPRECIATION
Please help support and show our gratitude for the PG Upper School faculty and staff. You can contribute any amount and our team will coordinate with a local restaurant to deliver breakfast each month. The breakfasts average about $800 and any sponsor over $200 will be recognized at the breakfast. Feel free to drop a check at the US office written out to PGPA with "US Appreciation" in the memo line. Thank you so much for considering. Any questions, please contact Caroline Clark 980-721-2800 or gozzi123@aol.com. Sign up below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050a4eabae283-upper
- Leadership and Committees
- Grade-Level Representatives
- DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
- Faith
- FAMILY WELLNESS
- I Want to Volunteer
- Contact Us
Leadership and Committees
PGPA Executive Committee 2021-2022
President - Jennifer Black
Secretary - Dottie Crymes
Treasurer - Manda Poletti
Cyclone Athletics - Jessica Cutler and Michael Handler
Community Building - Megan Durkee
Past President - Dee Fortson
PGPA Board 2021-2022
Athletics/Concessions - Tamarra Washington
Diversity & Inclusion Parent Alliance (DIPA) - Kim Brown and Bruce Johnson
Facilities/FLIK Appreciation - Ellen Brown
Faith / Moms in Prayer - Jill Settle
Family Wellness - Olivia Dalu, Dee Fortson, Jill Curb
Halloween - Jessica Van Der Mije, Roxanne Tedford, Nicole Barnes
Holiday Festival - Ashia Frasier, Courtney Buxton, Hope Gamble
International Families - Rosanna Guimaraes, Shanee Azimi
PG Merchandise - Avery Smith (US), Gretchen Naylor(MS), Amanda Doherty (LS)
Porterpalooza/Spring Event - Robin Poliakoff, Mary Pat Calvert, Nikeema Heyward-Smith
Santa's Stage - Hillary Bennett
Treasurer Elect / Treasurer Athletics - Tanya Darden
US Representative - Linda Porter
US Teacher Appreciation - Caroline Clark
MS Representative - Dean Foster
MS Teacher Appreciation - Blair Turner, Merritt Buck
LS Representative - Dorothy Thaxton
LS Teacher Appreciation - Lauren Lail, Kate Johnson
Grade-Level Representatives
LOWER SCHOOL
Lower School Lead: Dorothy Thaxton
Grade 1: Kristin Cochran, Becky Cheek, Kirsten Gregory
Grade 2: Susan Robinson, Charlotte Zacharkiw
Grade 3: Cindy Nistad, Craig Sedmak, Morgan Marshall
Grade 4: Kate Adams, Roxanne Tedford
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Lead - Dean Foster
Grade 5: Caroline West, Whitney Holzer
Grade 6: Ellen Brown, Nicole Barnes, Brian Champlin
Grade 7: Kristin Wisner, Michelle Barefoot
Grade 8: Manjula Mallawaaratchy, Hope Gamble
UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School Lead - Linda Porter
Grade 9: Mimi Sullivan, Holly Centurino, Nicole Ferraro, Jordan Teich
Grade 10: Ruth Drucker, Deb Brown, Gretchen Gwynette
Grade 11: Heather Galloway, Jill Curb
Grade 12: Jennifer Lorenz, Kathryn Sherrod
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The Diversity and Inclusion Parent Alliances's (DIPA) mission is to help students and families grow in their understanding of diversity and cultural sensitivity, develop awareness and empathy, and recognize and appreciate the unique nature of our school community. This parent partnership is in support of our school’s mission and in building a welcoming and inclusive community.
UPCOMING EVENTS: FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 8:15AM
December 3rd: The Ins and Outs of DEI. Michael Moore, Porter-Gaud parent and the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud, will lead a conversation about DEI, what it is and why it is important.
Michael Boulware Moore is a high-impact business and community leader, board member, keynote speaker, and author. He is a thought leader on diversity and inclusion, social justice, African American history, and brand strategy. He earned a BA from Syracuse University and an MBA from Duke University.
Michael is currently the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud - the world’s leading software company powering the global social good community. There, he drives the company's effort to enhance the impact and productivity of their workforce through the strategic execution of a vibrant D&I effort.Previously, Michael was the Founding President/CEO of the International African American Museum.
Spring Event: Stay tuned for more information regarding our spring event: A Culinary History of the LowCountry.
RESOURCES
Civil Discourse Zoom: Nov. 12
Ashley Davis of the Charleston League of Women Voters joined the DIPA Coffee with tips and tools for civil discourse discussions and achieving meangful conversations. Ashley is the Director of Membership and the Chair of the Civil Discourse Committee for the Charleston League. She is also a member and trained civil discourse moderator for the Braver Angels organization.
CivilDiscoursewithAshleyDavis.mp4
Resources for Meaningful Conversations
DEI in Schools & Businesses Zoom: Dec. 3
The Ins and Outs of DEI. Michael Moore, Porter-Gaud parent and the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud, will lead a conversation about DEI, what it is and why it is important. Watch Zoom HERE.
Faith
Moms In Prayer is an international organization with a vision that every school in the world would be covered with prayer. Our group meets every Monday from 8:30-9:30 to intercede on behalf of our children and school through prayer. We invite all mothers to join us in the cafeteria anytime! Feel free to visit momsinprayer.org or contact Jill Settle with questions, jillasettle@gmail.com/843-697-
Resources for Upper School parents/student organizations
FCA-Fellowship of Christian Athletes is in the process of forming an all school sports huddle. If your child is interested in being a leader, please contact Jill Settle at jillasettle@gmail.com.
Young Life-You can follow the Porter Gaud Young Life group on Instagram @portergaudyounglife. They hold 2 weekly meetings, as follows:
CLUB - This is a wild and crazy night where we sing songs, play games, and at the end one of the leaders gives a short talk from a passage of scripture. Any kid (regardless of what it is they believe) would feel comfortable and would have fun at Club.
- Porter Gaud and Ashley Hall run Club together about every other Monday. I will list those dates below. But for the most part, Club is Monday at 7:47pm at The I'on Meeting House (352 N Shelmore Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464) located in the front of I'on Neighborhood in Mt Pleasant. It ends around 9:15pm. This will start back next week, Sept 20th!
- We will help kids coordinate rides to and from Club if they need them.
- Club Dates for this Semester: Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 15, Nov 29, and Dec 13.
CAMPAIGNERS - This is a bible study and small group discussion wrapped up into one! It is for kids who are ready to have a little bit more of a conversation surrounding their faith and the bible and grow in community with kids at their school who are chasing after the same thing. This will be separate meetings for each school.
- PORTER-GAUD campaigners is every Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Please contact Reagan Carter for more information. Office 843-564-3295/Cell 843-480-3263.
FAMILY WELLNESS
PARENT ZOOMS & RESOURCES
The Family Wellness team works with School administrators, deans and counselors to select wellness speakers, panel discussions, recommended blogs, articles, and books as resources for parents.
- NEW VIDEOS: Substance Abuse and the Teenage Brain
- NEW VIDEO: Explicit Content and Healthy Relationships with Parent Stephanie Boye
- JANUARY 28: PG TECH NIGHT RESOURCES
- NEW VIDEO: Emotional Regulation with Cheryl Donaldson | 11/5
- Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Teens with Dr. Liza Grueneberger | 11/19
NEW VIDEOS: Substance Abuse and the Teenage Brain
Dr. Kevin Gray of MUSC's Youth Collaborative shares research and science of cannibis use and teenage brain. This parent Zoom took place on April 16.
Dr. Lindsay Squeglia of MUSC's Youth Collaborative shares the science and teenage clinical trial data of alcohol use and the teenage brain. The parent Zoom took place April 29.
WEBSITES:
https://muschealth.org/
NEW VIDEO: Explicit Content and Healthy Relationships with Parent Stephanie Boye
Parent Stephanie Boye's workshop for parents on talking to your kids about explicit/adult content and building healthy relationships. This parent Zoom took place on April 13.
JANUARY 28: PG TECH NIGHT RESOURCES
Managing Your Technology at Home slide deck from PG Tech Director Phil Zaubi
Mental health and technology contract resources from our PG counseling team
-
Common Sense Media Family Resources
-
Wait until Eighth parent movement/pledge for cell phone purchases
-
Technology contract templates
Monitoring and discussing explicit content with your teens with parent Stephanie Boye
-
Watch Parent Stephanie Boye's 2019 TedX Charleston Talk
Lastly, please take a moment to complete the PARENT SURVEY. Your input and feedback will be helpful for building future parent programming. Please complete the survey by Friday, February 5.
NEW VIDEO: Emotional Regulation with Cheryl Donaldson | 11/5
November 5 at 6:30 p.m. | Join us for Cheryl Donaldson, psychologist, and parent of PG graduate will focus on emotional regulation. As an accomplished mental health clinician with over 20-years of experience, Cheryl has worked in inpatient, day hospital, outpatient, community private practice, testing, evaluations, and school social work settings. With her depth and breadth of experience, Cheryl’s primary focus is on family, and adolescent coaching and counseling. Her aim is to help families flourish.
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Teens with Dr. Liza Grueneberger | 11/19
NEW DATE: November 19 at 6:30 p.m. | Join us for Dr. Liza Grueneberger, child psychiatrist and PG parent for an interactive Zoom about stress/anxiety and depression. Liza is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Neurology and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Neurology. Lisa has a private practice in Mount Pleasant for children and adult patients. Her predominant focus is on anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and ADHD.
Netflix Documentary: The Social Dilemma
WELLNESS RESOURCES
- Positive Peer Relationships & Bullying
- Building Empathy
- Talking to Your Kids about Social Justice and Racism
Positive Peer Relationships & Bullying
ARTICLES
Is it Rude, is it Mean or is it Bullying? By Signe Whitson, LSW
BOOKS
Best Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael Thompson and Cathe O’Neil-Grace
Odd Girls Out by Rachel Simmons
Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom by Richard L. Curwin , Allen N. Mendler , Brian D. Mendler
ORGANIZATIONS / SUPPORT
PACER
Building Empathy
Talking to Your Kids about Social Justice and Racism
FEATURED RESOURCES
MANAGING STRESS & ANXIETY
Reading suggestions from Cheryl Donaldson
- The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression One Small Change at a Time. Alex Korb PhD
- The Collapse of Parenting: How we Hurt our Kids when we Treat them like Grown-Ups. Leonard Sax MD. PhD
- Why Do They Act That Way: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and your Teen. David Walsh PhD
Mental Health & Wellness
Suggestions from adolescent clinical psychiatrist Liza Grueneberger:
The Preston Foundation (also on Facebook)
Psychiatrist on call for guidance at MUSC Psychiatry. 843.792.2123
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800.273.8255
Podcasts:
- Happier
- The Hilarious World of Depression
- The Struggle Bus
- Calmer You
Apps:
- Breethe (free)
- Headspace ($12.99/month)
- Calm ($12.99/month; $59.99/year)
Instagram:
@namicommunicate
@life_without_anxiety
@thelatestkate
I Want to Volunteer
SIGN UP BELOW:
Our PG Parent Association has several volunteer opportunities over the next few weeks. We'd love your help. Sign up today!
Complete the PGPA Volunteer Form
We need VOLUNTEERS for BASKETBALL CONCESSIONS. Sign up HERE!
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR US TEACHER APPRECIATION: Please help support and show our gratitude for the PG Upper School faculty and staff. You can contribute any amount and our team will coordinate with a local restaurant to deliver breakfast each month. The breakfasts average about $800 and any sponsor over $200 will be recognized at the breakfast. Feel free to drop a check at the US office written out to PGPA with "US Appreciation" in the memo line. Thank you so much for considering. Any questions, please contact Caroline Clark 980-721-2800 or gozzi123@aol.com. Sign up below: