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Student Spotlight
Eighth grader Kenzey O’Donnell joined the GHS community as a second grader. She said she noticed the closeness of our school community and that “everybody helped each other.”
Eighth grade co-advisor Ms. McGuire says Kenzey always starts the day with a smile.
Upper Campus physics, math, and science teacher Mr. Bill says Kenzey works well with her classmates and maintains a positive attitude.
“She’s always encouraging others,” says Mr. Bill. “She balances work and school as well as being a student athlete. It’s impressive how she’s able to balance it all.”
Kenzey shines on the field and during performances with the Love City Pan Dragons, where she plays tenor bass and serves as her section lead.
“She cares about being a good teammate, about lifting up her teammates and supporting them in their growth,” says Ms. McGuire.
Kenzey says she appreciates the way her teachers encourage her to want to do better. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends.
Upcoming Events
FINAL SCHOOL PICTURE ORDERS DELIVERED TODAY
Students whose photos were taken on make-up day, November 3, will received their picture orders today. Please direct any questions or concerns to andreamilam@giffthillschool.org.
UPPER CAMPUS GINGERBREAD BUILD DECEMBER 19
Upper Campus students will spend the day on December 19 building graham cracker structures to demonstrate concepts they've learned in math, science, and social studies and they will practice English skills as they present their builds to parents and lower campus students. Students may show their school spirit on build day by wearing GHS-logo wear similar to what is permissible on Fridays, and they may accessorize with holiday socks, headbands, and hats. Parents are welcome to view completed structures between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the Upper Campus. Students will be cleaning up from 2:30 to 3 p.m. and will be dismissed at their normal time. Gingerbread houses are difficult to take on the bus, so if you are able to pick your child up after 3 p.m. on Dec. 19, we encourage you to do so.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY DECEMBER 20
We'll celebrate December birthdays at our monthly birthday assembly Wednesday morning, November 29, at 8:30 a.m. in 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 of students with December birthdays.
NO CLUBS DECEMBER 18-20 AT UC, DECEMBER 20 AT LC
There will be no clubs at the Lower Campus on Wednesday, December 20, and no clubs or academic support at the Upper Campus on Monday, December 18, through Wednesday, December 20.
NO BUS SERVICE DECEMBER 20, JANUARY 3-5
There will be no bus service on December 20 or on January 3, 4, and 5. Please plan accordingly and arrange alternate transportation for your child(ren).
BECKY WARD BENEFIT JANUARY 21
Friends of toddler teacher, Becky Ward, are hosting a benefit called "Wardstock" January 21 at Skinny Legs. This event is meant to uplift and support our dear colleague/teacher/fellow GHS parent/friend as she navigates her health journey. There are many ways the GHS community can show up for Ms. Becky:
Simply attend the event and enjoy
Volunteer for jobs like selling shirts, running games, or doing henna or face painting
Donate a raffle prize
High school students can volunteer at the event for community service hours
High school students can donate an evening of babysitting as a raffle prize
Please send questions or indicate your interest by contacting event organizer Jessica Daigneault at jessiedaig@gmail.com.
SAT PREP COURSE TO BEGIN JANUARY 22
GHS will offer an SAT course to help students prepare for the April 10 SAT test. The class will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from January 22 through March 14. There is no school February 19 so that class will instead take place February 23. The course will cost $100 which includes the latest version of the Kaplan SAT Prep study guide with practice tests. Please sign up early, as the course is open to all St. John high school students and space will be limited. To register for the course, email Mary Burks at maryburks@giffthillschool.org. Payments can be made through the GHS business office.
GHS Highlights
HOLIDAY SHOW
Our Lower Campus students brought the holiday cheer at our annual holiday show on Thursday. Special thanks to the Barracuda Boosters Parent Association, especially Val Tarr, Dana Neil, Paige Cope, Jennifer Gibbud, Vince Alterio, and to Melanie Williams and her team for the Great Room glow-up ahead of the show. Happy holidays to one and all!
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
Huge thanks to our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association for hosting such a special craft fair for our Lower Campus students today! Students made a variety of ornaments and other holiday crafts to celebrate the season. Thanks also to Ms. Rachael for all of your assistance with the craft fair.
Sports Central
NO PRACTICES OR GAMES DECEMBER 19 AND 20 OR OVER BREAK
There will be no sports practices or games on December 19 and 20 or over winter recess.
PARENTS OF ATHLETES, TAKE NOTE
Be sure you are signed up for updates on your child's sport on Class Dojo. Contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for assistance.
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
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL OFFERING WINTER PROGRAM TO 16 TO 19-YEAR-OLDS
World Ocean School, which runs the Roseway/Denis Sullivan program offered each year to our eighth graders, is hosting a five-day liveaboard Winter Ambassador Program Dec. 18-22. The program will begin and end in Christiansted with likely stops to include Culebra, Vieques, and St. John. The program cost is $2,500 not including travel expenses, and scholarships are available to qualifying students. Click here to apply. Contact maddy@worldoceanschool.org with any questions and visit www.worldoceanschool.org to learn more.
LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS HOLIDAY CONCERT & FUNDRAISER DEC. 23
Love City Pan Dragons will present a holiday concert and fundraiser for their summer 2024 trip to Antigua Saturday, December 23, at 5 p.m. at the St. John School of the Arts. The evening will feature complimentary passed apps, a cash bar, and an opening performance by Ronald Lee Jr. and friends. Tickets are $15 apiece and can be purchased in person from Andrea Milam or via Venmo (@Lovecitypandragons) or PayPal (www.paypal.me/lovecitypandragons). Please include each guest's name, phone number, and email address with online purchase.
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