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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of January 31

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Student Spotlight

 

Sixth grader Leanna O’Neal has been a member of the GHS community since preschool. She says she appreciates that our teachers are nice and respectful. 

 

“They give us everything we need for studying and success,” she says. “You can ask questions whenever you need help.” 

 

Sixth grade advisor Ms. McGuire says Leanna adjusted to life at the Upper Campus very quickly. 

 

“She’s shown incredible growth,” says Ms. McGuire. “She’s done a really good job of connecting with her peers, always with a huge smile.” 

 

Sixth grade ancient civilizations teacher Dr. Brittany says Leanna is a positive influence in class. 

 

“She’s always asking really good questions,” says Dr. Brittany. “She helps her peers stay focused and she’s so encouraging and engaging.” 

 

Leanna says she loves the GHS community and “how we always help each other when we need it.” Art is Leanna’s favorite subject, and she says she’s connected the most with English teacher Ms. Banen. 

 

Outside of school, Leanna attends theater and cheer at the St. John School of the Arts. In her free time, Leanna enjoys spending time with her friend Amia, drawing, reading, and being with her little brother. 

 

“One thing I want everyone to know about me is that I love being myself,” Leanna says. “It doesn’t matter who you are, just be yourself because that’s the best you.”

 

Upcoming Events

 

BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING TUESDAY

 

All interested Gifft Hill School parents are invited to attend the next Barracuda Booster Parent Association meeting, Tuesday, February 4, at 8:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus conference room.

 

LOWER CAMPUS ACADEMIC AWARDS WEDNESDAY

 

The next Lower Campus academic awards assembly of the year is set for Wednesday, February 5, at 8:45 a.m., when we'll award our Lower Campus students who met their January academic goals at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of fourth grade students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents and guardians of students who will be receiving reading and math awards. Please note that those attending the assembly may not park until after 8:30 a.m. Please do not park across the street by the yellow house and along that stretch of road, as it is private property.

 

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT FEBRUARY 14

 

Join The National Honor Society for Parents’ Night Out, a fun and safe evening for the kids while you enjoy some time off! We’ll have pizza, water, and sugar cookies for them to enjoy. Drop-off is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Upper Campus Atrium, and the cost is $20 per child. Click here to sign up now. This event is open to all St. John children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

 

GHS GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION MARCH 1 - SAVE THE DATE!

 

Our 39th annual Green & White Gala and Auction is officially set for March 1! Here's how you can get in on the fun:

 

Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to purchase tickets to the event and register to bid

Donate bottles of wine at either campus's front office for our much-loved Wall of Wine prize

Donate an auction prize or commit to volunteering at the event

Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to browse our silent auction, where new items are added daily. Bidding opens February 1.

 

Contact auction@giffthillschool.org to donate an auction prize or volunteer at the event. You don't want to miss one of the best St. John parties of the year, all in the name of supporting equitable access to a GHS education!

 

GHS Highlights

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOURTH GRADE CLASS RE: GHS GIVES BACK DAY

 

Gifft Hill’s fourth grade Gives Back project is a walk-a-thon to benefit St. John Cancer Fund. St. John Cancer Fund is a grass-roots, nonprofit organization that was formed in 2012 to raise money for “cancer patients and their families on St. John, USVI. The funds are unrestricted for residents to utilize for financial strain related to treatment.”

 

The fourth graders will be at the National Park ballfield between 9:00 a.m. and noon on Friday, February 7, walking to raise awareness and money for St. John Cancer Fund. If you would like to support their efforts, please find a GHS fourth grader to pledge, come to the ballfield to cheer us on, or contact Ms. Laura lauradunlap@giffthillschool.org.

 

SEEKING BAKED GOODS FOR GHS GIVES BACK DAY

 

GHS Gives Back Day is coming up, and as is our tradition, our ELC students will host the island's senior citizens at the Lower Campus. We are reaching out to families to ask for donations of baked goods for the students and seniors to share during their time together. We will need enough for 34 kids and 25 seniors. Baked goods can be delivered the morning of Thursday, February 6. Please reach out to Ms. Rachael at rachaelfox@giffthillschool.org if you're interested in supporting this effort.

 

FIRST GRADE COLLECTING NON-PERISHABLE FOODS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

Our first grade class will be stationed at three locations on GHS Gives Back Day, February 7, collecting non-perishable foods for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands: The Marketplace, Midway Supermarket, and St. John Market. You can help them get a head start on collecting donations by bringing non-perishable, non-expired food items to either campus office. Thank you for your support!

 

LOWER CAMPUS DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURE REMINDER


This is a gentle reminder to our Lower Campus parents that you can help us have a smooth drop-off and pick-up by following our procedures as outlined:


- Drop-off is from 8:00 to 8:20 a.m. An adult will be there to welcome your child during this timeframe. If you arrive after 8:20 a.m., please walk your child to the front office to sign them in. Our school day begins at 8:15 a.m. and students arriving after this time are considered tardy.


- Pick-up is from 3:00 to 3:15 p.m. for students in K-5, and 3:15-3:30 p.m. for ELC students. Please do not arrive before 3:00 p.m. to pick up your child.


At both drop-off and pick-up, please be sure to approach the school heading south on Gifft Hill Road, and please do not make a u-turn in front of the Lower Campus.


Your cooperation in following these procedures will help all our families have a smooth pick-up and drop-off each day. Thank you!

 

Sports Central

 

DUKES TROPHY RACE SUCCESS!

 

Kudos to our sailors who participated in the St. John Yacht Club Dukes Trophy Race on Sunday! Bannon and Coach Sam were aboard the first-place finishing boat, while Anais was on the boat that took third. Go, 'Cudas! 

 

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAME SCHEDULE

 

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, 2/3, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSIA at Antilles

Wednesday, 2/5, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS

 

SOCCER SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN

 

Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to join GHS's soccer teams. Practices begin Monday, February 3, and will occur on Mondays and Fridays at the following times: 

 

Elementary team (fourth and fifth grade)3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Middle school and varsity teams (sixth through twelfth grade) - 4:30-6:30 p.m.

 

Lower Campus students will be transported to the Upper Campus for practices. Sign-up forms will be available at practices and registration closes February 14. Please email francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org with any questions.

 

RUNNING CLUB PRACTICES TO CONTINUE

 

Running club is ongoing and is open to any students in grades 1 through 12. Practices are on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Lind Point trail, with transportation provided from GHS. Dismissal will be at the Virgin Islands National Park pavilion. There will also be practices on Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Upper Campus field. Those who are participating in 8 Tuff Miles, as well as any students interested in running, are encouraged to attend these practices. Volunteers are needed. Please contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org to volunteer. 

 

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

 

STYC OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 2

 

St. Thomas Yacht Club will host an open house on Sunday, February 2, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to learn about sailing courses, youth sailing, court sports, membership, and club activities. There will be free sailing and a sunset cruise raffle.

 

VIRTUAL COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT FEBRUARY 6

 

V.I. Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy is hosting a virtual college planning night on Thursday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. Admissions representatives from the University of Vermont and Southern Methodist University will present on the topics of general college search, application process, transitioning from high school to college, and financial aid. This event is open to everyone. All high school students and their parents/guardians are welcome. Click here to attend: https://vimsia-org.zoom.us/j/9646853003

 

ADULT ESL CLASSES TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 10

 

UVI CELL in partnership with UVI Modern Languages will offer ESL classes to those 18 and older beginning February 10 at The Marketplace. These free classes, offered twice weekly for 10 weeks, will include an elementary level and an intermediate level. For more information, contact cell@uvi.edu.

 

BEE BUILDING WORKSHOPS FEBRUARY 10 AND 11

 

St. John School of the Arts and artist Elena Smyrniotis are teaming up for a public, beehive-inspired community art installation. Everyone is welcome to attend two bee-making workshops. Attendees should bring items like aluminum cans, hard plastics, recycled plastic jugs or plastic canvas, googly eyes, black and yellow electrical tape, and any unique items to personalize your creation. SJSA will provide some materials. Click here to register for a workshop. 

 

VIPA COMMUNITY MEETING FEBRUARY 11

 

The Virgin Islands Port Authority will host a community meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cruz Bay Legislature Annex's Cleone Creque Legislative Hall. The topic will be the design and construction of the Enighed Pond Community Park. The public is invited to email questions to info@viport.com or call the Public Relations office with any questions regarding the project or the community meeting at 340-714-6640. A recording of the meeting will be shared on VIPA's YouTube Channel. 

 

BLAKE & KAREN RAPIER SPACE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 21

 

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

 

FOOTBALL IS FREEDOM CLINIC & COACHING SEMINAR FEBRUARY 22

 

In celebration of Bob Marley's 80th birthday, the Football is Freedom Clinic will be coming to the St. Thomas-St. John district on Saturday, February 22, at a location that's yet to be determined. This clinic is for girls ages 10-18. The cost is $20 and all participants will receive a clinic t-shirt. Division I college coaches and World Cup Player Sashana Campbell will be in attendance and players can look forward to technical and tactical development and female youth empowerment. Click here to sign up. 

 

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. FEMA will also host two webinars to learn more about the application process for potential applicants January 30 at 9:00 p.m. and February 11 at 6:00 p.m.








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5000 Estate Enighed

PMB 356

St. John, US Virgin Islands 00830

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businessoffice@giffthillschool.org 

340-776-1730 (Upper Campus)

340-776-6595 (Lower Campus)

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Gifft Hill School, Inc. (EIN 66-0567902) is a tax exempt organization under the section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The school prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

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