Presbyterian Day School - Student Handbook

Why PDS
Why PDS?
Why a Boy's School

Building Boys Making Men Character Education

Signature Programs

Notable Alumni

Blog: Strategic Parenting

Blog: How Do You Build a Boy?
What does the future of K-12 education look like?

How can we prepare students for their future and not our past? At Presbyterian Day School, we're not just asking that question, we're working on answering it by leading the way with an innovative approach to elementary education.
About
About
About PDS: Our Mission & Vision

History

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Quick Overview

Leadership & Faculty

Board of Trustees

Contact Us

Working at PDS

Publications
About Presbyterian Day School
Our mission statement:

Presbyterian Day School strives to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man
(1 Corinthians 10:31 and Luke 2:52).
Admission
No one knows boys better.

At Presbyterian Day School, we know how to teach boys, reach them, and channel their energies in positive and productive ways.
Admission
Discover PDS

How to Apply

Visit PDS - Events and Tours

Financial Aid

Tuition and Affordability

Inquiry Form

FAQ
Academics
Boys Thrive at PDS
PDS is a school of tomorrow for the world of tomorrow. Our curriculum focuses on critical and creative thinking, connecting ideas and collaboration. It is both challenging and current...and engaging and exciting to boys.
Academics
Guiding Principles

Curriculum Guide

Service Learning
Programs
Beyond the Classroom
Whether they are learning to draw, play an instrument, or shoot a basketball, boys love the hands-on, active, creative approach that we offer at PDS.
Programs
After-School Programs

Athletics

Library / Media Center

Summer Camps

Band

Character Education

Choir

Cultural Expeditions

Flight Plan Book Series

Health and Safety

Private Music Lessons

Visual Arts

Student
Handbook

Philosophy and Mission

Mission Statement

Presbyterian Day School strives to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.
(1 Corinthians 10:31 and Luke 2:52)

Philosophy and Mission

Statement of Mission and Broad Vision

We define our education broadly as what happens to the heart, soul, mind, and body of each boy.

General Information

School Motto

Quaque Sunt Vera is Latin for, "Whatsoever Things are True" and is taken from Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, Chapter Four, beginning with Verse Eight:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.

General Information

PDS Alma Mater

O happy hours of work and play
The classmates that we join each day
Our flying colors, red and blue,
To thee we promise to be true
Oh, PDS, we pledge to thee
Our reverence and our loyalty.

Words by Joel "Jodie" Brown '55

General Information

PDS Closing Prayer

Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
-Psalm 19:14

General Information

School Colors and Logo

Presbyterian Day School's colors are red and blue. These colors are used in all school activities. The PDS shield is the schools’s official logo.

General Information

The Board of Trustees selects a Head of School to direct, manage, and operate all aspects of PDS. The Board also sets policies on broad, strategic issues; develops and adopts long-range plans, and secures the resources for their implementation.

General Information

Annual Fund

Each year, donations to the Annual Fund help the school sustain excellence in teaching, support the health of our boys via our full-time nurse, and secure our campus with our in-house security team.

General Information

Parents’ Association

By virtue of being a parent of a PDS student, all parents are members of the PDS Parents’ Association. There is no membership fee or charge for belonging to the Parents’ Association. A Parents’ Association Board exists to manage efforts and to coordinate its work with the Advancement office.

Arrival, Dismissal, & Schedule

Daily Schedule and Dismissal Times

Classes begin at 8:00 each day.

Arrival, Dismissal, & Schedule

Carpool, Parking, and Driveways

When picking up or dropping off your child, please abide by the following guidelines:

Arrival, Dismissal, & Schedule

Attendance and Tardies

Absences should be infrequent and only when illness or similar unexpected circumstances make it absolutely necessary for a boy to miss school

Arrival, Dismissal, & Schedule

Early Room

Early Room is available beginning at 7:20 a.m. Before this time, the door will be locked and there will be no supervision for your child. If you arrive prior to this time, please have your son wait with you in your car until 7:20 a.m.

Locations:

Grade	Location
YK	In their classroom
PK	Designated PK Classroom
JK-SK	EC Commons
1st Grade	D–100
2nd–3rd Grade	Library
4th - 6th Grade	Cafeteria

Discipline

PDS seeks to help boys grow in their character and values, so we intentionally hold high, age-appropriate standards for boys, individually and collectively, as they relate to behavior.

Discipline

Bullying

PDS recognizes that students should have a safe, positive learning environment and that any and all forms of bullying (including cyber bullying) will not be tolerated.

Discipline

Dress Code

At PDS we believe that we represent the school in all that we do, especially in the way we appear for school every day.

Communications and Procedures

Privacy Policy

Presbyterian Day School does not rent, sell, or share personally identifiable information about users with other people or non-affiliated entities, except to provide our services, or under the following circumstances:

Communications and Procedures

Communicating with Teachers and Administrators

PDS teachers and staff members are expected at all times to communicate with parents in a professional manner. Parents are asked to reciprocate by treating teachers and staff with courtesy at all times. In order to establish direct lines of communication, we request that parents wishing to contact teachers or administrators follow this process.

Communications and Procedures

Social Media

Facebook

PDS maintains a presence on Facebook with photos and information about the school.

PDS on Facebook

Instagram

Presbyterian Day School shares photos several times a week on Instagram.

PDS on Instagram

Communications and Procedures

Invitations to Parties and Social Gatherings

Students hosting personal parties may distribute invitations at school if every member of the student’s class is invited; otherwise, invitations should be sent directly to the homes of those invited.

Communications and Procedures

School Closings and Emergency Communications

PDS does not automatically follow the same decision that the local school systems make. In case of inclement weather, PDS may close or start late. We will make an announcement on our website, via email, social media, and send a text message.

Policies

Parent Partnership

PDS needs and expects the positive and sustained cooperation and support of its parents and guardians if we are to be successful in serving our boys and achieving our mission.

Policies

Personal Property Responsibility

A lost and found closet is located in the main lobby. Check with the receptionist for more information.

Policies

Security and Visitation

The Director of Operations oversees and updates a comprehensive security policy, assuring the security of the school.

All visitors, including parents, must enter through the main or Early Childhood entrance, sign in, and wear a special visitor badge.

Policies

Telephone and Student Cell Phones

The school telephone is for school business and should be restricted to urgent or important calls.

Students using the telephone during the school day must have permission from their teacher.

Teachers or students are not called to the phone during class time.

Emergency messages should be given directly to the Receptionist.

Boys may not bring cell phones or related devices to school.

Technology

PowerSchool Grades (5th and 6th)

All grades are entered into PowerSchool

Technology

Technology Responsible Use Policy for 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade

4th - 6th Student Generated Technology Responsible Use Policy

Expectations While in the Classroom:

I understand that

Technology

PowerSchool Learning for 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade

PowerSchool Learning is a learning management system used in 4th, 5th and 6th grade.

Technology

Technology Responsible Use Policy for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade

Presbyterian Day School

Technology Responsible Use Policy

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades

1. I will use the laptop or mobile

Health

Student Health - Medications, Illnesses, Allergies, & More

The school maintains a sick room staffed by a nurse each day from 8:00 - 3:10. Sick or injured students should be referred to the school nurse.

Admission

Re-Enrollment

Re-enrollment contracts are available online in early winter.

Admission

Tuition and Fees for the 2023-2024 School Year

Admission

Variable Tuition

PDS does not want to lose any student for financial reasons, so the school can and does provide significant tuition assistance resources to those families who qualify.

Extracurricular & Special Areas

After-School Programs

A vibrant after-school program can be an important part of a child’s school experience and development. It can, among other things, give him an opportunity to explore and nurture new talents, experience success, and/or build upon classroom experiences during the day.

Extracurricular & Special Areas

Intramural Athletics

All fourth, fifth, and sixth graders are eligible to participate in the year-round, after-school intramural program. Tackle football is offered in the fall, basketball in the winter, and soccer in the spring.

Extracurricular & Special Areas

AfterCare & Sibling Stay

PDS offers an after-school care program from your son’s class dismissal time until 6:00pm for grades YK–6.

Extracurricular & Special Areas

Chapel

Regular and purposeful gatherings form the core of any healthy community; imbuing these sorts of gatherings with a spiritual component is one of the most vital aspects of a boy’s experience at PDS.

Presbyterian Day School (PDS) is a private, Christian preschool and elementary school serving boys from 2-years-old through 6th grade for almost 75 years.

With our mission of striving to glorify God by developing boys in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man, we take a holistic approach to education, nurturing the heart, soul, mind, and body of each boy.

4025 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111

901-842-4600

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All visitors, including parents, must enter through the main or Early Childhood entrance, sign in, and wear a special visitor badge.

4th - 6th Student Generated Technology Responsible Use Policy

Expectations While in the Classroom:

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Student
Handbook