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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of November 7, 2025
- andreamilam
- Nov 10
- 8 min read
Student Spotlight
Fifth grader Wiley Batten has been part of the GHS community since preschool. He says he likes that our teachers offer a fair and safe learning environment.
“Ms. Christina is nice and very good at teaching us,” Wiley says of his fifth grade teacher.
Ms. Christina says Wiley has grown so much during his time at GHS.
“He’s a really hard worker and a very inquisitive kid,” she says. “He asks a lot of questions.”
Wiley’s favorite subjects are math and science, and he’s now able to label all 50 states on a map in under two minutes with 100% accuracy. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with his classmates.
“I like to teach them what I know,” he says.
Wiley is very motivated by his growth and seeing how much he’s progressed, says Ms. Christina.
“His dynamic with his peers is great,” she says. “They go to him with questions.”
Wiley is an avid reader who’s read all the Harry Potter books. His favorite special is art, where he especially enjoys drawing animals and mythological creatures.
Wiley plays soccer with Castaways and in his free time, he likes to swim, catch and release iguanas, and play with his kittens.
Upcoming Events
MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE TONIGHT!
All GHS middle school students are invited to the middle school dance on Friday, November 7, at 6:00 p.m. The theme is Hawaiian and finger foods and drinks will be provided at the event. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from student council reps or at the door.
NHS CHARITY DRIVE CONTEST
The GHS chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting a charity drive through the month of November. Whichever class brings the most items to donate (see flyer for suggestions) by December 1 will win a pizza party.
LOWER CAMPUS SHOWCASE NIGHT NOVEMBER 10
We’re excited to welcome Lower Campus families for Showcase Night! Families are invited to bring a potluck dish to share, visit their child’s classroom to see all the incredible learning and projects from this trimester, and connect with the teachers and families that make the GHS community so special. Classrooms will be open for visits from 5:30–6:45 p.m., followed by a community potluck in the Great Room from 6:45–7:30 p.m. There will be no clubs that day to allow teachers time to prepare for the event, and no school the following day, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day.
GHS CLOSED NOVEMBER 11 FOR VETERANS DAY
School will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. We'd like to send a special shout-out to our own veteran, Facilities Manager John McBarron, who served four years in the U.S. Army. Thank you, Mr. John, for your service!
UPPER CAMPUS CULTURE DAY NOVEMBER 14
Next week we’re celebrating Culture Day, a vibrant showcase of the many traditions, flavors, and stories that make Gifft Hill School such a special community! Students, faculty, and community members are invited to share a dish, performance, or demonstration that reflects their culture, heritage, or family tradition at this event hosted by our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Club. Cultures from around the world are welcome. We're excited to come together to celebrate the diversity that connects us all!
UPPER CAMPUS OPEN CAMPUS DAY NOVEMBER 14
We’re excited to invite Upper Campus parents to experience a day in your child's life at Gifft Hill School at our Open Campus Day on Friday, November 14!The day will begin with our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Club’s Culture Day, where students, faculty, and community members will share dishes, performances, and demonstrations that celebrate the mix of cultures and heritages that enrich the GHS community. Parents are invited to participate by sharing something from your own culture or family tradition, or simply come and enjoy this lively celebration of our diverse community.After Culture Day concludes at 10:30 a.m., classes will resume on our regular bell schedule, and parents are welcome to drop in and out throughout the day. Stay for a single class, a short visit between errands, or spend the whole day with us — whatever fits your schedule. You’re welcome to visit any class, whether or not your child is in that session, to see our engaging, hands-on approach to learning in action.If you’d like to plan your visit around your child’s specific classes, please contact heathermcguire@giffthillschool.org, and she’ll be happy to share their schedule with you.Here's what the day's schedule will look like on Open Campus Day:
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Culture Day festivities
10:30 - 11:23 a.m. - Period 3
11:24 a.m. - 12:17 p.m. - Period 4
12:17 - 12:57 p.m. - Lunch
12:57 - 1:50 p.m. - Period 5
1:51 - 2:44 p.m. - Period 6
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. - Advisory
We look forward to welcoming you to the Upper Campus and giving you a window into the incredible work our students and teachers do every day!
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING NOVEMBER 18
All GHS parents and guardians are invited to the next Barracuda Boosters Parent Association meeting on Tuesday, November 18, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus. Please contact barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org with questions.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER NOVEMBER 18
Everyone is invited to come out for 10-minute mini photo sessions with Nancy Borowick of Love City Photo on Tuesday, November 18, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Cinnamon Bay Beach. Sessions are offered for a suggested donation of $25 to $50. All funds raised will support our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association.
GHS Highlights
KUDOS, KINDERGARTENERS, AND KINDNESS!
Kudos to our kindergarteners for sharing a lesson on this month's attribute, kindness, at our Lower Campus academic awards assembly this week! Students who are caught in the act of kindness this month will be given a kindness "brag tag" to add to their necklaces, where attribute and academic award brag tags will accumulate throughout the school year.
COLD AND FLU SEASON IS HERE
Cold and flu season has arrived at GHS! There are two confirmed cases at the Lower Campus: one in grade 3 and one in grade 5. We'd like to remind our families of our illness policy as outlined in our handbook. People with symptoms of infectious diseases, including the common cold, influenza, gastrointestinal infections, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 should stay home until symptoms improve. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people.
Individuals who are experiencing either fever or diarrhea/vomiting must stay home from school for at least 24 hours from symptom onset, and may only return to school if symptom free without medication. Please help our school community stay healthy by adhering to this policy!
HELP US FIND THE MISSING SNACK CONTAINERS!
Upper Campus students and parents, can you please assist us in locating snack containers that may have accidentally been brought home? Please check in your home for the round white containers and lids and the square green snap-top containers. With our currently diminished supply, we don't have enough containers for snack every Wednesday. Thank you for your cooperation!
Sports Central
GIRLS JV FLAG FOOTBALL GAME NOVEMBER 8
There will be a girls JV flag football game on Saturday, November 8, at 3:30 p.m. at Trayser Field vs. Antilles. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
TURKEY TROT RACE NOVEMBER 13
The last cross country meet is set for Thursday, November 13, and the end of the season will be celebrated with a Turkey Trot race at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School open to students in grades 1 and up, even if this is their first race! We would love to see some of our runners from running club sign up! There are 13 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who would like to participate should email emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org to reserve your spot. Runners will be dismissed at 2:10 p.m. on race day to take the 3:00 ferry to the event. Students will be shuttled to town in the school van. Parents are welcome to join. Please note that parents' transportation costs are self-covered. Pickup after the event will be from Cruz Bay.
KUDOS, VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL!
Congratulations to our varsity boys volleyball team on finishing the season ranked second in the league! Their dedication, teamwork, and strong play throughout the season truly paid off. Well done, Barracudas!
LOWER CAMPUS WINTER SPORTS OFFERINGS
Below you'll find information on the sports we're offering our Lower Campus students for the winter season. Registration and dues are $100 per season and are due November 17. We do not want any motivated student to miss out on sports because of financial concerns. Please contact Ms. Francis at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information about scholarships or for general questions regarding athletics.
Basketball is open to students in grades 3-5. Practices begin November 13 and take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Lower Campus green top. Players should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Track & field is open to students in grades 3-5. Practices begin November 13 and take place Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Trayser Field and various locations. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Running club is free of charge and open to students in grades 1-5. Practices take place Fridays from 3:15-4:30 at Trayser Field and various locations across the island. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
UPPER CAMPUS WINTER SPORTS OFFERINGS
Below you'll find information on the sports we're offering our Lower Campus students for the winter season. Registration and dues are $100 per season and are due November 17. We do not want any motivated student to miss out on sports because of financial concerns. Please contact Ms. Francis at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information about scholarships or for general questions regarding athletics.
Basketball is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:45-6:45 p.m. at the Pine Peace court for varsity and 4:45-5:45 p.m. for middle school. Players should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Track & field is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Thursdays and Fridays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. at Trayser Field and various locations. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Running club is free of charge and open to students in grades 1-5. Practices take place Fridays from 3:30-4:30 at Trayser Field and various locations across the island. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Junior varsity sailing is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Tuesdays from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at KATS and the Upper Campus, with an optional practice on Mondays. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Varsity sailing is open to students in grades 9-12. Practices take place Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at KATS and the Upper Campus. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
CHEERLEADING MEETING DECEMBER 3
Students in grades 6-12 who are interested in cheerleading will have an informational meeting with Coach Banen on Wednesday, November 3, in her classroom at lunch.
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
FALL FEST NOVEMBER 8
The annual Fall Fest is set for Saturday, November 8, from noon to 7:00 p.m. in Cruz Bay outside the Pelican Post. The event will feature food vendors, plant vendors, arts and crafts, and live entertainment by DJ Adonis.
WATER WARS FAMILY FUN DAY NOVEMBER 16
A water wars family fun day is set for Sunday, November 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon Beach to raise money for Cruz Bay Christmas Town. The event will feature games, food, and prizes. There will be a shuttle to the beach every 15 minutes. To donate, contact Carissa at 340-344-6984.
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