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Student Spotlight
This is first grader E’liel Roberts’ second year at Gifft Hill School. He says the teachers are very nice and he likes all the classrooms.
“Daily, E’liel comes into the first grade classroom with a huge smile on his face,” says first grade teacher Ms. Melisa. “He has so many animated stories to share. He is a kind and caring soul, which is reflected in the way he interacts with his classmates and the concern that he shows for them.”
E’liel says Ms. Melisa does a great job helping him and his classmates learn “some hard stuff.” He enjoys math and learning to read sight words.
“E’liel works assiduously on all tasks that are assigned to him,” says Ms. Melisa. “He has a knack for numbers and mathematical thinking. As a result, he excels in the math classroom. E’liel has a love too for all things science.”
E’liel’s favorite special is PE. He says his classmates are “nice, very kind, and helpful.”
In his free time, E’liel says he likes to go outside, look at books, go to the beach, and spend time with his family.
“Overall, E'liel is a wonderful, caring, and thoughtful first grader,” says Ms. Melisa.
Upcoming Events
ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW DECEMBER 14
Parents, guardians, and families of Lower Campus students are invited to attend our annual holiday show, when students will perform a short skit or song based on holidays around the world, on December 14. The show will be split into two viewings to allow plenty of room for parking and families to enjoy the show. Toddlers, preschool, pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade families are invited to the 8:45 a.m. show, and second, third, fourth, and fifth grade families are invited to the 10:45 a.m. show. Those with a child in both time slots should come to the 10:45 a.m. show.
FINAL SCHOOL PICTURE ORDERS TO BE DELIVERED DECEMBER 15
Students whose photos were taken on make-up day, November 3, will receive their picture orders on Friday, December 15. Please direct any questions or concerns to andreamilam@giffthillschool.org.
NO CLUBS DECEMBER 20
There will be no clubs at the Lower or Upper Campus on 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).
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
KUDOS TO OUR HONOR ROLL/HIGH HONOR ROLL/GHS PRIDE AWARD RECEIPIENTS!
Even after raising the bar and implementing stricter criteria to earn a place on honor roll and high honor roll, we still had more than 50 Upper Campus students achieve this outstanding accomplishment! Additionally, 17 students earned GHS Pride awards at Thursday morning's assembly. Keep up the good work, Barracudas!
KUDOS TO OUR MATH AND READING AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Big congratulations to our Lower Campus students who met their November reading and math goals! These students were recognized at our academic awards assembly Wednesday morning. Pictured below are first and fourth graders who met their November academic goals.
Sports Central
SPORTS COMPETITION SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED
Here's a schedule of games/meets coming up in the next week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
Varsity baseball
Tuesday, 12/12, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. private schools at Lionel Roberts Stadium
PARENTS OF ATHLETES, TAKE NOTE
All fall athletes should please return their sports uniforms to Ms. Francis as soon as possible.
Winter athletes who have not returned their form will be unable to practice or participate in games until the form has been submitted.
Be sure you are signed up for updates on your child's sport on Class Dojo. Contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for assistance.
There will be no sports practices or games on Tuesday, December 19, due to the Upper Campus gingerbread house project.
SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT
Kudos to Hunter Simpson, Jaden Pascal, and Justin Richards for earning spots on the St. Thomas-St. John Interscholastic Athletic Association All-Association Varsity Flag Football Team, and an extra shout-out to Justin Richards for earning the team's MVP award!
JOLLY JOG DECEMBER 9
Everyone is welcome to come out and join the first annual Cruz Bay Jolly Jog December 9 at 7:30 a.m. This one-mile fun run will begin and end at the Virgin Islands National Park ball field. The event is a partnership between Society 340, Gifft Hill School, and the Julius E. Sprauve School. Holiday costumes are welcome. Pre-registration is required and will continue through 7 a.m. the morning of the run. Click here to register or scan the QR code on the flyer below. High school students are welcome to volunteer at the event to earn community service hours.
WINTER SPORTS OFFERINGS
Winter sports offerings are detailed below. Registration for all sports closes today, with the exception of running club, which is open enrollment throughout the school year.
Running Club is open to students in grades 3 through 12. Practice is currently scheduled for December 7 from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., then there will be a break with practices resuming in January. Updates will be shared on Class Dojo.
Boys Basketball is open to students in grade 6 through 12. Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Peace basketball court.
Girls Basketball is open to students in grades 6 through 12. Practices take place Tuesdays at the Lower Campus green top and Wednesdays at the Upper Campus court from 3:30 to 5 p.m. There is also an optional practice on Thursdays at the Upper Campus basketball court from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Cheerleading is open to students in grades 3 through 12. Grades 3 through 5 will practice Mondays 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Upper Campus atrium, and grades 6 through 12 will practice Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. at the Upper Campus atrium and field. Lower Campus students will be shuttled to the Upper Campus for practice. There is an additional cost for cheerleading uniforms.
Baseball is open to students in grades 8 through 12. Practices take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Cruz Bay ball field.
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
CRUZ BAY CHRISTMAS TOWN HAPPENING TOMORROW
Everyone is welcome to enjoy a family night out featuring fun and entertainment tomorrow starting at 4 p.m. in the Frank Powell Park. There will be local vendors, activities for children of all ages, as well as a surprise visit by Santa Claus himself. Attendees are encouraged to wear Christmas pajamas. High school students can earn community service hours by volunteering at this event.
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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