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Student Spotlight
This is pre-K student Brody Barnes' second year at Gifft Hill School.
“He loves to play and make up different games with his friends,” says pre-K teacher Ms. Sammy.
Brody is always kind and a great friend, Ms. Sammy adds. Brody shares that he lives on a boat in Coral Bay, and he likes helping his dad steer when they go boating.
“Brody always has a smile on his face and he’s so positive and happy to come to school,” says Ms. Sammy.
Brody says he loves coming to school because he’s excited to learn. He enjoys spending time in the pre-K classroom and is having fun learning about words and numbers with his friends. Brody also shares that he loves to play running games on the school playground with his classmates.
Upcoming Events
45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION NOV. 18
We are excited to kick off our 45th anniversary with a celebration Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gifft Hill School Upper Campus. The evening will feature champagne and canapes created and served by our students, as well as a cash bar, Janet Cook-Rutnik art raffle to benefit the Ruby Rutnik Scholarship, surprise raffle items, and remarks and recollections by some of the school's founders. You can join us in celebrating this important milestone by clicking here to purchase tickets to the event. If you aren't able to join us but would still like to help us celebrate, click here to purchase raffle tickets.
GHS Highlights
KINDERGARTEN NATIVE PLANT EXPLORATION
Our kindergarteners had the opportunity to learn about native plant species Wednesday with a field trip to the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park nursery at Cinnamon Bay. Thanks to the Friends for facilitating this trip through their School Kids in the Park program, and to Mark Gestwicki and Clare Weaver for sharing their knowledge with our kindergarteners!
IDEA CLUB LAUNCH
Members of our IDEA club, a new version of a club that's existed for many years at GHS, introduced the club's new name, mission, and description to Upper Campus students Thursday morning. The IDEA club exists to create an open and safe space within the GHS community where awareness can be raised about topics related to identity, diversity, equity, and accountability through respectful and informational conversations with the goal of celebrating the diversity of our lived experiences, the V.I. community, and the world. The club meets every Wednesday at lunch in the conference room and all Upper Campus students are welcome to join.
SEWING MACHINES NEEDED!
Ms. Adrienne is in need of sewing machines for the fiber arts class she'll be teaching at the Upper Campus for the second trimester. If anyone has a sewing machine they can lend, please contact Ms. Adrienne at adriennegrafton@giffthillschool.org. Machines are needed before Nov. 20.
Sports Central
THIS WEEK'S SPORTS REPORT
Congratulations this week goes to:
- Our middle school flag football team who won against Antilles 12 to 0.
- Our varsity flag football team who won all three of their games in the varsity tournament last weekend. Kudos to Hunter Simpson, who earned an award for most receiving touchdowns.
Go, Barracudas!
PARENTS OF ATHLETES, TAKE NOTE
There will be no running club on Thursdays as our cross country runners travel to St. Thomas for their weekly meets.
Parents, be sure you are signed up for updates on your child's sport on Class Dojo. Contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for assistance.
WINTER SPORTS OFFERINGS
The fall sports season has concluded, and we're ready to look ahead to our winter sports offerings. Athletic Director Francine Francis will be at the Upper Campus at Showcase Night tonight with information sheets. Winter sports offerings are as follows:
Running Club is open to students in grades 3 through 12. Practices will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. and will continue through Dec. 9, when there will be a break with practices resuming in January. Updates will be shared in the running club group chat on WhatsApp.
Boys Basketball is open to students in grade 6 through 12. Practices will begin Nov. 28 and will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Peace basketball court.
Girls Basketball is open to students in grades 6 through 12. Practices will begin Nov. 28 and will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Lower Campus green top.
Cheerleading is open to students in grades 3 through 12. Grades 3 through 5 will practice Mondays 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the green top, and grades 6 through 12 will practice Wednesdays and Fridays 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. at the Upper Campus atrium and field. There is an informational meeting Nov. 13 at 3:15 p.m. in the Upper Campus atrium and practices begin Nov. 28.
Baseball is open to students in grades 8 through 12. Practices began yesterday and will take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Cruz Bay ball field. Practice will be held today, and there is no practice tomorrow due to Veterans Day.
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
HEAR EVERY VOICE WRITERS TO HOST BOOK SIGNING
Six young St. Johnian writers, including five Gifft Hill School students, will celebrate the release of their collaborative book this Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bajo El Sol Gallery. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book created by the participants of the Hear Every Voice creative writing program for teens and to meet the authors. The Hear Every Voice program was a collaboration between the St. John School of the Arts and Society 340.
PADDLE THE PARK THIS SUNDAY
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park's annual Paddle the Park race will take place this Sunday. The races will start and end at Maho Bay at 8:15 a.m., with registration opening at 7:45 a.m. There is a registration fee of $30 for those age 17 and under and $50 for ages 18 and up. A limited number of paddle boards will be available for rent, and the registration fee includes a race t-shirt and lunch. For more information, contact Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL OFFERING WINTER PROGRAM TO 16 TO 19-YEAR-OLDS
World Ocean School, which runs the Roseway/Denis Sullivan program offered each year to our eighth graders, is hosting a five-day liveaboard Winter Ambassador Program Dec. 18-22. The program will begin and end in Christiansted with likely stops to include Culebra, Vieques, and St. John. The program cost is $2,500 not including travel expenses, and scholarships are available to qualifying students. Click here to apply. Contact maddy@worldoceanschool.org with any questions and visit www.worldoceanschool.org to learn more.
LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS HOLIDAY CONCERT & FUNDRAISER DEC. 23
Love City Pan Dragons will present a holiday concert and fundraiser for their summer 2024 trip to Antigua Saturday, December 23, at 5 p.m. at the St. John School of the Arts. The evening will feature complimentary passed apps, a cash bar, and an opening performance by Ronald Lee Jr. and friends. Tickets are $15 apiece and can be purchased in person from Andrea Milam or via Venmo (@Lovecitypandragons) or PayPal (www.paypal.me/lovecitypandragons). Please include each guest's name, phone number, and email address with online purchase.
