.png)
Student Spotlight
Second grader Abu Abdulai has been part of the GHS community since he was in preschool. He says he loves that our teachers “try their best for all students to have a nice, happy time.”
Second grade teacher Ms. Kissa says Abu is a bright student who excels in math and reading.
“He’s very helpful to other classmates,” she says. “If they need help with a problem, he’ll help them.”
Abu is accountable, responsible, and friendly.
“He always makes other smile and laugh,” says Ms. Kissa. “He’s very caring and kind. He’s always concerned about his friends and cares for his peers’ feelings.”
Abu says his classmates all care about him and that makes him feel at home at GHS. He enjoys reading graphic novels, and he likes math “because I can learn new stuff.”
“Ms. Kissa is one of my best teachers I could have,” says Abu. “She treats everyone good and it’s just so nice.”
Abu says his favorite special is PE because he loves sports. In his free time, he plays soccer with Castaways and basketball and football with friends. He also enjoys playing Roblox and chatting with his friends.
“I want everyone to have a good life and for everyone to be healthy,” Abu says.
Upcoming Events
HELP US BUILD OUR WALL OF WINE!
Our annual Green & White Gala and Auction is coming up on Saturday, March 1. One of the fun features of this event is the Wall of Wine, an incredible prize that's won through a lively game of heads or tails. Each year, we reach out to our community to ask for donations of bottles of wine for this prize. If you're able, please drop your donated bottles to either campus front office along with the wine donation form that was sent home with your child today. Thanks so much for your support!
GHS GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION MARCH 1 - ONLY A FEW TICKETS REMAINING!
If you're hoping to get in on the fun at our 39th Annual Green & White Gala and Auction, the time is now! We are down to just a few remaining tickets. You can also support GHS from the comfort of your own home by browsing and bidding on our silent auction items. The silent auction closes March 1 at 7:00 p.m. Click here to buy your auction tickets or bid on silent auction items today. All funds raised support financial aid, ensuring an equitable access to a GHS education!
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
As part of our graduation requirements, high school students need to complete 25 hours of community service each year, totaling at least 100 hours. On February 12, a letter with details about the community service hours logged through January 30, along with student narratives, were sent home. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact veronicawoods@giffthillschool.org or lizkinsella@giffthillschool.org.
Students in need of community service hours should consider volunteering at the following events:
8 Tuff Miles Water Station, Saturday, February 22
Farm to Table STEAM Week dinner (Front or Back of House), Thursday, March 20
STJ Cancer Fund Light Up the Night Event, Saturday, March 29
Beach to Beach Power Swim, Sunday, May 25
ENROLLMENT OPENS MARCH 1
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens on March 1. We value your family and we are grateful for the trust you place in us to educate your children. If your child is already enrolled at Gifft Hill School, you will receive an email on March 1 with the link to complete your re-enrollment. If you are applying for financial aid, please complete that at the same time. We give current students one month to re-enroll before we begin filling open seats in each grade level, so be sure you complete re-enrollment and submit your financial aid application by April 4! To hold your spot, your tuition deposit must be paid and your agreement signed by April 11. Families that miss this deadline will be given consideration for remaining seats in the class alongside new applicants. Please keep in mind that current GHS families must be in good standing in order to re-enroll. Please contact businessoffice@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
GHS Highlights
FOURTH GRADE FUNDRAISER SUCCESS!
Incredible news from our fourth grade class! After collecting the remaining pledges from their GHS Gives Back Day fundraiser for the St. John Cancer Fund, the final amount raised comes in at $7,210! We are thrilled to show our support for this very important community organization.
NEW SIGN FOR NEKO
Thank you to Mr. John and Mr. Ray for installing a new sign for the Nekwan Sprauve Memorial Basketball Court at our Upper Campus! It's one of the most popular spots during lunch and snack time, and it's heartwarming to see students practice and have fun under Neko's name.
BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY
Kudos to our preschool class for sharing their sweet song about the colors of the rainbow during our February birthday assembly this week at the Lower Campus. Job well done, preschoolers!
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR SAILORS!
Big congratulations to Anais Craig, '28, and homeschool student Zach Wilson for being a part of the winning team at last weekend's La Tapa Plage Race! Bannon Beaty, '27, Lillian Richardson, '26, and homeschooler Elena Magnie were on the second place team. Coach Sam reports that conditions were beautiful with winds at 16 to 20 knots and about 1.5 knots of current, making for "an interesting tactical racecourse."
KUDOS TO OUR BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our boys varsity basketball team, which played in the St. Croix Central High School Varsity Invitational Basketball Tournament last weekend. Although they lost both games, the team lost to Central by the narrowest margin of the tournament and they were neck and neck with Complex through the first half. Shout-out to Taire Barnes, '26, for his solid defense against Central; Kadeem Thomas, '26, for his rebounds; Justin Richards, '25, for making his layups; and Jayson Richards, '28, for great defense and handling of the ball. Go, Barracudas!
UPCOMING BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES
Our boys varsity basketball team has two games on the schedule for next week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Monday, 2/24, 5:30 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSIA at IEKHS
Tuesday, 2/25, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Pine Peace - This is our only home game for the season, please come out and show our boys some love!
UPCOMING GIRLS BASKETBALL GAMES
Nissi Obando, '29, Kenzey O'Donnell, '28, and Nhtalya Jacobs, '28, will compete in the Antilles tournament this weekend as part of a joint junior varsity team with GHS, Antilles, and VIMSIA. The game schedule is below. If the team wins these games, they will advance in the tournament.
Friday, 2/21, 6:00 p.m. - GHS/VIMSIA/Antilles vs. VIMSIA
Saturday, 2/22, 2:00 p.m. - GHS/VIMSIA/Antilles vs. Good Hope Country Day
Nissi, Kenzey, and Nhtalya will also compete on this joint team at the varsity level. Here's their upcoming varsity schedule:
Wednesday, 2/26, 4:00 p.m. - GHS/VIMSIA/Antilles vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Friday, 2/28, 4:00 p.m. - GHS/VIMISIA/Antilles vs. CAHS at Antilles
Saturday, March 1, 10:00 a.m. - GHS/VIMSIA/Antilles vs. CAHS at 10:00 a.m. at IEKHS
Go, 'Cudas!
SOCCER PARENT MEETINGS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Soccer sign-ups are now closed. Athletes who have not turned in their paperwork or athletic dues will not be able to practice or compete in games. There will be quick parent meetings on Monday, February 24, at the conclusion of practice at Trayser Field to discuss team expectations. The elementary team meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. and the middle school/varsity team meeting will be at 6:00 p.m.
RUNNING CLUB PRACTICES TO CONTINUE, NOW OPEN TO KINDERGARTENERS
Running club is ongoing and is open to any students in grades kindergarten through 12. Practices are on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Lind Point trail, with transportation provided from GHS, and dismissal at the Virgin Islands National Park pavilion. Any new students interested in running club need to fill out the athletic forms. Please contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
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
BLAKE & KAREN RAPIER SPACE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE TODAY
Virgin Islands high school students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher are invited to apply for the Blake & Karen Rapier Space Camp Scholarship. The scholarship covers all costs for space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. with program dates running from May through August 2025. Students will participate in simulated space missions, astronaut training, and hands-on activities including robotics and engineering challenges. Applications must include one letter of recommendation, a personal statement (500-750 words), and a resume. To apply, visit https://cfvi.co/SpaceCamp. For more information, contact 340-626-9396 or allena@rapiermed.com.
FEMA NOW ACCEPTING YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL APPLICATIONS
FEMA is looking for students in grades 8 through 11 who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness to join the Youth Preparedness Council. The YPC provides young people an opportunity to learn about emergency management, develop professional skills, and share their perspectives with FEMA staff. During their one-year term, YPC members can gain valuable leadership and emergency management experience and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. YPC members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
During their one-year term, council members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
The online application closes March 3. To learn more about the YPC and application requirements, visit the YPC website and visit the application page to apply.
תגובות