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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of April 25
- andreamilam
- Apr 28
- 6 min read
Student Spotlight
Kindergartener Seren Penn has been part of the GHS community since she was in our toddler class. Kindergarten teacher Ms. G. says Seren comes in each day with a smile and a hug.
“I like learning a lot,” says Seren. “Ms. G. is very kind and she teaches me math. I like everything we learn.”
Seren’s reading has “skyrocketed” this year, says Ms. G.
“Seren is full of energy and her face lights up when she makes a connection to what we’re learning,” says Ms. G. “She’s a natural leader and the best classroom helper.”
Seren treats her peers with kindness and enjoys introducing new games to her friends. She says art is her favorite special.
“My classmates are really kind and they love playing with me,” says Seren. “I like when everyone at school says ‘good morning.’”
Outside of school, Seren takes piano and moko jumbie lessons. In her free time, she loves drawing pictures and painting.
Upcoming Events
SCHOOL CLOSED APRIL 30-MAY 2
School will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week for St. Thomas Carnival break. We hope everyone has a safe and joyous Carnival season!
APRIL ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY MAY 7
The next Lower Campus academic awards assembly of the year is set for Wednesday, May 7, at 8:45 a.m., when we'll award our Lower Campus students who met their April academic goals at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of pre-K students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents and guardians of students who will be receiving reading and math awards. Please note that those attending the assembly may not park until after 8:30 a.m. Please do not park across the street by the yellow house and along that stretch of road, as it is private property.
GHS Highlights
MERIT AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS
We recognized exceptional members of our student body who shine in academics, the arts, and athletics, and who exhibit the traits that make the GHS community so special at our merit scholarships awards ceremony Thursday morning. Kudos to these students for sharing their gifts with Gifft Hill School!
EARTH DAY FAIR
Learning to understand and advocate for the environment is an important part of our curriculum at GHS, and Wednesday's Earth Day festivities, hosted by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, were a wonderful extension of that work, offering our students a chance to celebrate, explore, and deepen their connection to the natural world.
SJSA DANCE OUTREACH
Our middle schoolers had a great time this week learning some dance moves with Manwe Sauls Addison thanks to the St. John School of the Arts!
COMMUNITY MOSAIC ART PROJECT
We're so glad our students were able to be a part of a community art project led by Crystal and Sean D'Abbraccio of Tiny Tile Mosaics Studio. These illustrations of the Virgin Islands March will be on rotating display at various community venues.
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS/TUITION AGREEMENTS NOW PAST DUE
We have reached the original deadline for submitting financial aid applications for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have not yet submitted your application, you can still apply for consideration in the second round of funding. We have switched platforms for financial aid and tuition management as of April 5. Please use this link to submit any new financial applications moving forward. This change will NOT affect those who have already enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have already enrolled, your information will be automatically migrated to the new system.
Tuition agreements have been emailed through the FACTS tuition management system. If you have not yet finalized your tuition contract, please do so as soon as possible. Call 340-776-1730 or email businessoffice@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR SOCCER PLAYERS!
Kudos to our varsity soccer team for their win against Kean this week! Two goals were scored by Tommy Nicholas, '25, and Elijah Miner moved up to varsity and had a strong game as goalie. Although our elementary team lost to VIMSIA, kudos go out to Jahmal Clendinen, '33, for scoring a goal. Go, Barracudas!
ELEMENTARY SOCCER HOME GAMES NEXT WEEK!
Our elementary soccer team has three home games on the schedule for the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome to come out and join our cheerleaders to cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Friday, 4/25, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at GHS
Tuesday, 5/6, 4:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles Blue at GHS
Wednesday, 5/7, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Ulla Muller at Castaways
Thursday, 5/8, 4:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles Grey at GHS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER HOME GAME NEXT WEEK!
Our middle school soccer team has one home game on the schedule in the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome to come out and join our cheerleaders to cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Friday, 4/25, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints/VIMSIA at GHS
Monday, 5/5, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints/VIMSIA at Montessori
Thursday, 5/8, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints/VIMSIA at Castaways
VARSITY SOCCER GAME NEXT WEEK
Our varsity soccer team has one game on the schedule in the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Friday, 5/9, 6:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at IEKHS
CHEERLEADERS TO CHEER ON SOCCER PLAYERS AT HOME GAMES
Our cheerleaders will show off their skills and cheer on our soccer players at their home games in the coming week. Families are welcome to come out and join in on the fun! Cheerleading clinics are ongoing through April and May from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. for students in grades 6 through 12. Contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information.
RUNNING CLUB STILL OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
Running club is still open to students in grades kindergarten through 12. Practices take place on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Lind Point Trail. GHS will transport students to the trail. Pickup is at the VINP visitors center pavilion. Those who haven't signed up should see Ms. Francis to do so.
RUNNING CLUB TRAILBLAZERS RACE MAY 17
Running club will host a trailblazers race on Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 a.m. Registration is at 6:45 a.m. with a post-race party from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The route will follow the Lind Point loop starting and finishing at the VINP visitors center, with runners going around the hill rather than up the stairs. Runners will sign waivers and St. John Rescue will be on call.
Dates to Remember
See below for important dates to remember over the next two months. View the full school year calendar by clicking here.
Community Corner: News You Can Use
CASTAWAYS SOCCER SUMMER CAMP
Castaways will host three weeks of soccer summer camps, one for ages 7 to 11 and two for ages 8 to 17. Please see flyer below for more details.
SUMMIT STEM FELLOWSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Summit STEM Fellowship is a virtual summer fellowship empowering the next generation of leaders in STEM. Open to rising 9th-12th grade students, the fellowship aims to identify top students around the world and connect them with mentors from Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and other top institutions, to explore different opportunities and career pathways in STEM. The fellowship is a flexible 10-15 hours/week commitment, allowing students to participate alongside other summer activities. Two sessions are offered: June 23-July 11 and July 14-August 1. The fee is $875 and financial aid is available. Admissions are rolling, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For more information and the program application, please visit www.summitstemfellowship.org. For questions, please email info@summitstemfellowship.org.
UVI ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS INSTITUTE TAKING APPLICATIONS UNTIL MAY 30
The University of the Virgin Islands' Entrepreneur Business Institute is a free summer program for rising tenth graders through 12th graders that will take place July 6-19. Students will live on campus for two weeks and will be provided with the opportunity to enjoy a pre-college experience and learn about the challenges and advantages of entrepreneurship. Students will engage in team exercises to improve their team-building and project management skills, and will experience mentorship from successful business leaders. Participants will receive a $250 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Scan the flyer's QR code for more information or to apply.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL OFFERING SUMMER PROGRAMS
World Ocean School, which runs the Denis Sullivan program that all GHS eighth graders are fortunate to take part in, offers summer programs for students ages 12-19.
Program at a Glance:
Summer Ambassador Program (Ages 12-15) August 1-8, 2025
Advanced Summer Ambassador Program (Ages 16-19) August 17-26, 2025
No sailing experience required – just curiosity and a willingness to grow!
See flyer below for more details.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR FRIENDS SUMMER TRAIL CREW
The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park summer trail crew work opportunity, which runs from June 9 to August 1, is now open for applications. This paid opportunity is open to those ages 15 to 18. Work consists of maintaining hiking trails and historic sites, working in the Friends nursery, and learning about kayaking, boating, traditional uses of plants, marine ecosystems, and more. Click here to apply online or see Ms. Burks at the Upper Campus front office for an application.
