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Student Spotlight
Eighth grader Jayson Richards has been a part of the GHS community since second grade. He says he loves the way our teachers check in on their students, and the fact that his peers aren’t judgmental of one another.
“Jayson is hard-working, incredibly talented at athletics, and just an overall good friend to his friends,” says eighth grade co-advisor Ms. McGuire.
Jayson says math with Mr. Bill is his favorite class, and he appreciates Mr. Bill checking in with each student at the beginning of class to see how they’re doing.
“If I don’t understand something, Mr. Bill is always there to help,” says Jayson.
Culinary is Jayson’s favorite elective. He says he enjoys learning cooking skills and how to make different foods. Jayson is a member of our middle school football and basketball teams, and says he has plans to join the soccer team in the spring.
Eighth grade co-advisor Dr. Brittany says Jayson has emerged this year as a quiet leader among his peers.
“He’s got a lead-by-example type of demeanor,” says Ms. McGuire. “He just does the right thing. He’s super respectful and greets me every morning with a smile. It brightens up my day!”
When he’s not at school, Jayson says he enjoys playing basketball and video games.
Upcoming Events
RE-ENROLLMENT OPENED YESTERDAY
The TADS re-enrollment portal opened yesterday. You can now re-enroll your child and apply for financial aid. We are thrilled to share that tuition will remain the same next year. Your tuition payments for this school year must be up to date in order to re-enroll. The financial aid application must be completed by April 5, and you will have until April 12 to pay your deposit and sign your tuition agreement. Our first priority is to families who already have their children at GHS, so you have a full month to re-enroll and complete the financial aid application. After the April 12 deadline, applicants who are re-enrolling will be given consideration alongside new applicants. Please note that several classes are full or have waitlists, so meeting the April 12 deadline is critical to ensuring your child’s continued education at GHS. All current GHS families should have received an email from TADS today inviting you to re-enroll, or you can click here to log in to your account and begin the process today.
GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION IS TODAY!
Our 38th annual auction is today! There are just a few tickets left. Please click here to get yours today. Those who've already purchased their tickets should click here to register to bid for a seamless arrival Saturday evening. Can't join us in person? You can be part of the fun by participating in our silent auction, which closes at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening. Browse and bid here.
Guests can expect the signature activities that we’ve all come to know and love, from the dynamic blinky lights game with its Wall of Wine prize to our spirited live auction, featuring enticing prizes like villa stays, jewelry, and international vacations. We’ll close out the night with dancing under the stars to the sounds of Quelbe Resurrection.
Not only is our annual auction one of the most fun community events of the year, it also supports the scholarships and financial aid that are awarded to the majority of our students, giving the island’s children access to the rigorous, experiential education that we offer at GHS.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to supporting our financial aid program!
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT MEETING MARCH 4
The next Barracuda Boosters parent meeting will take place Monday, March 4, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus conference room. The main topic of discussion will be forming a GHS team and table for Light Up the Night. Those who can't be here in person are welcome to join via Zoom using this link, meeting ID 871 915 8703 and password GHS. All parents are welcome to attend!
LOWER CAMPUS ACADEMIC AWARDS CEREMONY MARCH 6
We'll award our Lower Campus students who met their February academic goals on Wednesday morning, March 6, at 8:30 a.m. at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of pre-K 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.
GHS Highlights
KINDERGARTENERS FIELD TRIP TO BORDEAUX
Our kindergarten class went on several field trips during the month of February to study the island's physical features. These trips wrapped up with a journey to Bordeaux on Thursday, where students learned about the moist forest and the flora found on St. John's tallest mountain.
Sports Central
BASKETBALL GAMES COMING UP
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
Middle school girls & boys basketball
Tuesday, 3/5, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Pine Peace
Tuesday, 3/5, seven minutes after conclusion of 4 p.m. game - GHS vs. JESS at Pine Peace
Varsity boys basketball
Saturday, 3/2, seven minutes after conclusion of 10 a.m. game - GHS vs. CAHS at Antilles
Monday, 3/4, seven minutes after conclusion of 4 p.m. game - GHS vs. VIMSIA at IEKHS
SOCCER TO START IN MARCH
Practices for our elementary, middle, and high school soccer teams will begin in March. Sign-up sheets will go home on Monday.
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
RAM HEAD PLAQUE UNVEILING SUNDAY MORNING
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has invited all GHS faculty, students, and families to attend a ceremony and unveiling of a plaque at Ram Head commemorating the 1733 St. John slave rebellion. The ceremony will take place Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Salt Pond with a hike to Ram Head to follow. Refreshments will be provided.
GREAT MANGROVE CLEANUP MARCH 9 - COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
The University of the Virgin Islands, V.I. Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Coral Bay Community Council, and other partners will be hosting another annual Great Mangrove Cleanup event on St. John Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to noon in Coral Bay. Since 2018, these events have removed more than 12 tons of marine debris from mangrove forests across the territory. Last year, 38 volunteers helped remove 2,344 lbs of garbage from this site. But there is still more work to do! Attendees should pre-register here, so adequate supplies are available. Community service hours are also being offered.
YOUTH SUMMIT FOR AGES 12-18 MARCH 9 AT JESS
UVI-CELL will host an EmpowerU Youth Summit on March 9 at the Julius E. Sprauve School. The interactive summit will feature real talk on mental health, leadership, tackling challenges, and unlocking your future's full potential. The summit is open to students age 12 to 18. Click here to register.
STARS COLLEGE NETWORK FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS NOW ENROLLING; DEADLINE MARCH 5
The STARS College Network, a consortium of 16 colleges and universities across the United States committed to improving access and affordability to higher education for rural and small-town students, presents free summer programs offering high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors a chance to explore the possibilities that await in college.
Applications are still open for the following summer programs at Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Chicago:
Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA): VSA provides an intensive academic environment and a community-driven residential experience at Vanderbilt University. Courses vary each session and are taught by Vanderbilt faculty, Ph.D. students, and content experts. STARS scholarships covering the full cost of tuition and travel are available for current high school sophomores or juniors (rising juniors or seniors) who live or attend school in a rural and small-town area in the United States, and present some level of financial need. While applications are currently being reviewed on a rolling basis, students are encouraged to apply soon, as courses fill quickly.
Emerging Rural Leaders at UChicago: The University of Chicago offers two free one-week summer enrichment programs for students from rural and small-town high schools. Emerging Rural Leaders I is for current high school freshmen (rising sophomores) and Emerging Rural Leaders II is for current high school juniors (rising seniors). Selected students will stay in a UChicago residence hall, participate in model classes, discuss what it means to be a leader in their communities, engage with UChicago professors and students, learn about the college application process, and participate in fun group activities around the city of Chicago. All expenses, including travel, are covered for students. In order to be considered, students must complete an application by March 5, 2024.