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Student Spotlight
Preschooler Livv Holford joined the GHS community last year as a member of our toddler class. Preschool teacher Ms. Kelley says Livv loves everything about school and is so excited to walk into the classroom each morning.
Livv says she loves playing with her friends, playing dress up — an Elsa dress is her favorite — and playing with trains after nap time.
“She’s always singing and dancing,” Ms. Kelley says of Livv. “She loves exploring and does so many art projects.”
Livv says she loves Ms. Kelley and Ms. Bibi, who leads PE class with ELC students.
“Livv is a star,” says Ms. Bibi. “During PE she wants to do her own dance and she does yoga, always doing her own movements. She’s so creative.”
“She’s a leader in imaginative play,” says Ms. Kelley. “She has her friends being so creative playing various games.”
When she’s not at school, Livv says she loves to “hang with my mama,” and she says she loves her daddy very much.
Upcoming Events
PROGRESS REPORTS WERE SENT HOME THURSDAY
Progress reports were distributed on Thursday. Lower Campus students will be sent home with their reports, while reports for Upper Campus students were mailed home. These progress reports feature insightful narratives about your child from each of their teachers, and they give you a window into areas where your child might need additional support before the second trimester closes on March 1. Upper Campus parents, if you have not received your child's progress report by the end of next week, please email maryburks@giffthillschool.org and we'll be happy to send you a digital copy.
HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING TOMORROW
The high school homecoming dance is set for Saturday, February 10, at 6 p.m. at the Bellevue Community Center. All St. John high school students are invited to the homecoming dance on February 10. Dress is formal and tickets are $30 apiece. Those who wish to attend must have a permission slip/liability form filled out by a parent or guardian. Parents are welcome to help with set up today from 3:30 to 6 p.m. or with break down on Sunday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact Ms. Francis at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information or to buy tickets.
BARRACUDA BOOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING MONDAY
The Barracuda Booster Parent Association will meet Monday morning, February 12, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus conference room. All GHS parents are welcome to attend. Those who cannot be here in person can join virtually using this Zoom link with meeting ID 871 915 8703 and password GHS.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE FEBRUARY 17
All St. John middle school students are invited to the Gifft Hill School middle school dance on February 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Upper Campus, hosted by our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association. The theme is Under the Stars. Tickets are $10 apiece and will be on sale during lunch periods next week. Middle school students who do not attend GHS are welcome to attend as guests of GHS students. Guest tickets may be purchased by GHS students with accompanying contact information for the guest's parents.
VALENTINE'S DAY PARENTS NIGHT OUT
The National Honor Society is hosting a Valentine's Day parents night out on February 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Campus. The evening will feature a movie, pizza, crafts, and more and is open to GHS students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The cost is $20 per child. Click here to sign your child up for a night of fun!
DOH TO OFFER FREE LEAD TESTING TO STUDENTS AGE 6 AND YOUNGER FEBRUARY 22
The Virgin Islands Department of Health will offer free blood lead testing to our students age 6 and younger on February 22. Lead testing is recommended for select populations at 1- and 2-year health visits, but many children have never received this test, according to the DOH. The Department of Health is interested in conducting widespread surveillance of lead in blood for children ages 6 and younger because this age group is particularly vulnerable to long-term health effects of lead poisoning.
If you are interested in this test for your child, please click here to learn more and to pre-register your child. The testing procedure will occur as follows:
1. A finger stick (capillary) text will be performed at school. Children will have their finger pricked with a small needle, or lancet, and the blood is collected into a 50mL capillary tube, or tiny straw. The blood is placed in a small vial which is later transported to the DOH laboratory for testing. Results are received by the parent/guardian’s registered phone number or email within two to three days. The testing procedure itself takes less than 10 minutes.
2. If a child screens negative (result <3.3 ug/dl), no further action is needed. If a child screens positive (result >3.3 ug/dl), DOH will refer the child for venous blood draw confirmatory testing with a local laboratory or provider. The cost of the test will be covered by the DOH and results are received within one to two weeks. DOH will also contact the family to schedule an environmental home assessment to investigate potential lead exposures.
For more information, contact the Department of Health at 340-774-9000.
GHS Highlights
GHS GIVES BACK DAY
We had an incredible day today, with our students fanning out across the island to make a measurable impact on the community that supports us! While we're still tallying how much money was raised, how much trash was picked up, etc., here's a run down of the activities in which our students engaged today:
Kindergarteners greeted visitors at the Cruz Bay ferry dock with a song about recycling and signs encouraging kindness to wildlife and the use of reef safe sunscreen
First graders collected canned goods and dry foods to donate to Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands
Second graders picked up litter along the Lind Point Trail and at Salomon and Honeymoon beaches
Third graders volunteered at St. John Rescue, tackling tasks like cleaning CPR mannequins
Fourth graders raised money for the St. John Cancer Fund via a walkathon at the National Park ball field
Fifth graders raised money for the Coral Bay Community Council via a bake sale at Skinny Legs
UC students painted and cleaned kennels at the Animal Care Center and picked up trash around Cruz Bay with Get Trashed St. John
UC students distributed Friends of Virgin Islands National Park pamphlets and educated visitors at the ferry dock about caring for our environment
UC students hosted a plant sale at the ferry dock benefiting the Community Garden Corp., a nonprofit started by GHS alum Motali Sofer-Greer
UC students hosted a bake sale at the Frank Powell Park benefiting the Love City Pan Dragons
UC students prepared meals for the unhoused and those experiencing economic hardship to be distributed by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
UC students painted V.I. Waste Management Authority trash bins to be used at community events
UC students did landscaping at the St. John Rescue headquarters
UC students joined the Friends of VINP trail crew to conduct trail maintenance and ruin conservation at Leinster Bay
UC students picked up litter and debris at Brown Bay
UC students picked up litter and debris at Hurricane Hole and Haulover by land and by sea aboard kayaks
We are so honored to show love to the community that's always so supportive of GHS, and to instill in our students a spirit of giving back.
AUCTION COMING UP MARCH 2; TICKETS AVAILABLE, DONATIONS WELCOME
Our 38th annual auction is coming up on March 2, and we are now soliciting donations for the event. From a bottle of wine for our highly coveted Wall of Wine prize to villa stays, boat trips, and Jeep rentals, there are many ways you can support our most important fundraiser of the year. Bottles of wine can be dropped off at the Upper Campus front office. To donate goods or services, please click here to fill out the donation form or return the paper form sent home with your child. Click here to purchase tickets to the event. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to supporting our financial aid program!
JOIN US IN OUR REACCREDITATION PROCESS!
This year, Gifft Hill School will participate in a reaccreditation process certified by the Middle States Association. There will be many opportunities for you to participate and share input as we collect data on how we are doing, set goals, and prepare for an inspection by the MSA visiting team in December 2024. Click here to learn more! One important way you can contribute feedback is by completing the digital survey found here. This is a great way for your voice to be heard. This is your school, and your feedback is valuable!
Sports Central
MIDDLE SCHOOL, VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES COMING UP
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
Middle school girls basketball
Thursday, 2/15, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. Arawaks at Antilles
Middle school boys basketball
Saturday, 2/10, 10 a.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at BCB
Varsity boys basketball
Wednesday, 2/14, seven minutes after conclusion of 4 p.m. game - GHS vs. VIMSIA at Pine Peace
RUNNING CLUB HOSTING SATURDAY PRACTICE FOR 8 TUFF PREP
Members of running club who will be competing in the 8 Tuff Miles race are welcome to join the final special Saturday practice February 10. Check the group chat for updates on meeting times and locations.
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
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUMMER JOURNALISM ACADEMY
Boston University's Summer Journalism Academy gives high school students the opportunity to expand their skills and prepare for college, either through a residential experience on campus or through remote instruction from home. This program is for those who are thinking about a career in communications, enjoy writing, or are a visual storyteller. The on-campus program is open to rising juniors, rising seniors, and current seniors, and the learn from home program is open to students age 14-18. There is an early bird discount for those who register by March 8. Click here for more information.