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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of February 6, 2026
- andreamilam
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
Student Spotlight
Tenth grader Cai Sutton-Charlemagne’s educational journey has included several meaningful chapters at Gifft Hill School. He returned in ninth grade and plans to remain at GHS through graduation. He says he was able to fit right in when he returned to GHS due to the welcoming nature of his classmates.
“I like the community and how tight-knit it is,” says Cai. “Everybody’s cool with each other.”
Tenth grade advisor Ms. S. says she loves that Cai is “unapologetically himself.”
“It’s been fun to see him come out of his shell and have fun with friends,” says Ms. S. “He’s always the helping hand when needed. He takes care of the small things like pushing in the chairs at the end of class.”
Cai is also known to take the initiative to pick up litter on Trayser Field while waiting for the start of running club, in which he participates as an Upper Campus mentor.
Cai says he loves GHS’s teachers, especially Mr. D., who’s teaching Cai’s class biology this year.
“Mr. D. makes the class really fun,” says Cai. “Our teachers are really good at helping me through stuff, and they’re willing to stop what they’re doing to help.”
Cai has developed an interest in video editing, which he’s growing through our communication arts after-school club. He’s also a member of NHS.
In his free time, Cai enjoys playing the melodica and gardening, with particular interest in growing sunflowers and vegetables.
Upcoming Events
PARENTS NIGHT OUT FEBRUARY 12
National Honor Society will host the next Parents Night Out on Thursday, February 12, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Parents of students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to register your child for a fun night of play, pizza, and a movie. Spots are limited so be sure to register soon: https://forms.gle/tnGj3AjJVKQ2MeZ49
RUN 8 TUFF MILES WITH GHS ON FEBRUARY 28
Our PE teacher and running club lead, Coach Emma, invites all GHS students to sign up for the 8 Tuff Miles road race on Saturday, February 28. Teachers are available to run with your child if needed. Parents whose children are signed up for the race, please let Coach Emma and Ms. Francis know at emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org and francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org.
GHS Highlights
FROM FOURTH GRADE TO BROADWAY STARS!
Over the course of just three weeks, our fourth graders put in a lot of hard work to become Broadway stars for the St. John School of the Arts Broadway Comes to St. John fundraiser. Our students performed an original show, Dreaming by the Sea, alongside fourth graders from the Julius E. Sprauve School and St. John Christian Academy at the arts school this weekend. Kudos to all the island's fourth graders for putting on a wonderful show!
KUDOS TO OUR ST. JOHN RESCUE RASH GUARD DESIGN WINNERS!
Congratulations to Nolan Thompson, Catalina Kinsella, Jahmal Clendinen, Tiahra Tyrell, and Abu Abdulai for winning the St. John Rescue rash guard design contest! Their designs will be printed on rash guards sold by the nonprofit rescue organization.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES MEAL PREP
Although GHS Gives Back Day was postponed due to weather concerns, our effort to make meals for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands was already underway. Our students made 60 meals this morning for the Catholic church to distribute to neighbors in need.
GHS GIVES BACK DAY POSTPONED
Gifft Hill School Gives Back Day, originally scheduled for today, Friday, February 6, has been postponed due to weather. The new date will be announced as soon as it's been selected.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our varsity basketball team, which won against VIMSPGIA 46 to 33 this week. Go, 'Cudas!
BASKETBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our elementary and varsity basketball teams have regular season games in the coming week. Home games are denoted with an asterisk. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Elementary Basketball
*Friday, February 6, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Pine Peace
*Monday, February 9, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Pine Peace
Varsity Basketball
Saturday, February 7, 1:15 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
*Monday, February 9, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS JV at Pine Peace
*Wednesday, February 11, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Pine Peace
WINTER/THIRD TRIMESTER SPORTS NOW ENROLLING; REGISTRATION AND FEE DUE TODAY!
We are seeking student athletes for our winter season and third trimester coed teams. The season will run from February 23-May 8. Registration and dues of $100 per trimester must be turned in no later than February 6. Running club fee is $15 per session. Please contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for the necessary forms or with any questions or concerns.
Soccer
Our coed elementary (grades 3-5), middle, and varsity soccer teams will practice on Mondays and Fridays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. (elementary) and 5:00-6:15 p.m. (middle and varsity) at Trayser Field beginning January 26. Water bottle and sneakers are needed. *Note that elementary soccer's practice schedule will differ next week only, with practices set for Thursday and Friday from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Running Club
Running club is open to all students in grades 1-12. Third trimester practices begin March 13 and practices are on Fridays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. at Trayser Field and various locations. A water bottle and sneakers are needed.
Junior Varsity Sailing
Our junior varsity sailing team is open to all students in grades 6-12. Third trimester practices begin March 10 and take place on Tuesdays from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at KATS, with an optional practice on Mondays from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at Upper Campus classroom 9B. A water bottle and sneakers are needed.
Varsity Sailing
Varsity sailing is open to all students in grades 9-12. Third trimester practices begin March 10 and take place Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Upper Campus classroom 9B and Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at KATS. A water bottle and sneakers are needed.
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
PELICAN POST RAISING FUNDS FOR FAMILY OF WATER TRUCK ACCIDENT
Those who would like to support the family of the water truck accident last weekend, which sadly claimed the life of a young girl, can drop off checks or money orders made out to Levi Calvin or cash sealed in an envelope at Pelican Post.
VALENTINE'S DAY SIP & PAINT FEBRUARY 15
Island Time Studio and the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts will present a Valentine's Day sip & paint for children ages 5 to 13 on February 15 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at VICA on St. Thomas. Advanced registration is required. Sign up here: https://vicouncilonarts.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5bbaad5dd264d5af8c931d0a7&id=48122a5f14&e=0fa9c7ed48
BLAKE AND KAREN RAPIER SPACE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 20
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands announced the availability of the Blake and Karen Rapier Space Camp Scholarship at the Foundation, with funding provided by local global investment firm, RapierMed.
The scholarship, which covers the cost to attend Space Camp in 2026, will be awarded to deserving U.S. Virgin Islands high school students passionate about space and STEM with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Located at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the Space Camp experience immerses trainees in a setting rich with space, aviation, and defense exhibits that ignite creativity. Participants develop teamwork, leadership, and decision-making abilities through mission simulations, gaining personal and professional skills that shape their futures.
Advanced Space Academy explores college and career preparation through an immersive experience in science, engineering, technology and math.
Aviation Challenge Mach III missions challenge trainees with freedom of control, requiring them to think about maneuvers in all three rotational-axes of flight as they take on the most advanced flight simulations, engineering principles and leadership responsibilities. Field training is focused on discipline and attention to detail in survival situations. A night Field Training Exercise requires teams to work together to recover intelligence or rescue a downed pilot. Communication is paramount as everything is taken to the next level in Mach III.
GHS students Seamus O'Donnell, '26, and Anais Craig, '28, took part in this program in 2025. Seamus highly recommends the experience to any interested students.
"It was a fun experience," he says. "You can experience zero gravity and the moon's gravity, which is 1/6 of Earth's gravity. There are 1:1 models of real space shuttles with all the same buttons and controls, and you have to fly and land the shuttle. I highly recommend it."
The scholarship application process is open through February 20, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be announced in March/April. To apply, visit https://cfvi.co/SpaceCamp.
For more information about this scholarship opportunity, please contact Demi Trimm at demit@cfvi.net or visit https://cfvi.net/Scholarships.
FREE SWIM CLASSES EVERY SATURDAY AT CINNAMON
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park provides free swim lessons to children and adults of all ages every Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Cinnamon Bay to the left of the ruins. Free transportation is available from Cruz Bay departing at 9:00 a.m. and leaving Cinnamon at 11:40 a.m.
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