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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 16, 2026
Student Spotlight
Toddler program student Lily Kemp is new to the GHS community this year. Toddler program teacher Ms. Beth says Lily has adjusted beautifully to attending school.
“She came in ready to play and learn,” says Ms. Beth. “She is always engaged. Lily is welcoming to her classmates and kind to everyone. She’s excited to be here and eager to try new things.”
Lily says she likes to sing songs with Ms. Beth and play with her friends and give them hugs. She enjoys the sensory bins and painting, and trying new foods during Farm to Table.
Lily has fun on the playground and climbs the jungle gym with ease.
“She’s not afraid to try new things,” says Ms. Beth.
Lily also likes Spanish immersion with Ms. Bibi, playing with Play-Doh, building towers, and solving puzzles. Lily is a curious and empathetic student.
“She’s got energy and pizazz, and she’s got a great sense of humor,” says Ms. Beth. “She’s chatty and very verbal.”
Lily is especially excited to see her brothers, Thomas and Flip, at school. When she’s not at school Lily says she “likes to play with mommy and daddy.”
Upcoming Events
STEAM WEEK OCTOBER 19-23
Our first of two STEAM Weeks for the 2026-2027 school year is coming up next week. At the Lower Campus, students dive into developmentally-appropriate projects that focus on the subjects of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. At the Upper Campus, students dedicate a week to immersive, hands-on learning in a topic of their choosing. Click here to see the options they chose from. STEAM Week offerings are led by a combination of GHS faculty and guest teachers from around the nation. There is no academic support or after-school clubs at the Upper Campus during STEAM Week. Clubs at the Lower Campus will continue as usual.
LOWER CAMPUS OCTOBER BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 21
We'll celebrate October birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, October 21, at 8:45 a.m. in the Lower Campus Great Room. 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 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 with October birthdays. This event will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER THEATER OCTOBER 23
Join us Friday, October 23 for a medieval-inspired evening of family-style dining and live theater. Enjoy a multi-course feast prepared and served by Gifft Hill School students, featuring fresh produce from our campus gardens and locally sourced ingredients, while GHS student performers bring the evening to life in collaboration with New England Youth Theater. A feast, a show, and a Farm to Table experience like no other! Click here to buy your ticket today.
TRICK OR TROT RACE OCTOBER 25
Children ages 3-13 are invited to participate in GHS's second annual Trick or Trot event on October 25 at 7:00 a.m. in Fish Bay. Click here to see more details and to register.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LOWER CAMPUS HALLOWEED CRAFT FAIR
Help the Barracuda Boosters Parent Association make Halloween Fun Day a spooktacular time for our Lower Campus students!
Friday, October 30
Approximately 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
Following the Lower Campus Halloween Parade
Barracuda Boosters is looking for parent volunteers to help decorate, host games and activities, and join in the Halloween fun!
Whether you can stay for the full day or help for an hour or two, we’d love to have you. The more helping hands, the more fun we can create for our kids!
Want to volunteer? Email barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org and let us know what time you’re available to help.
We can’t wait for a fun-filled Halloween with our Lower Campus Barracudas!
GHS EVENT IN BOSTON DECEMBER 4
Do you have friends or family in the Boston area? Please encourage them to consider attending our Sip, Support, and Celebrate event at Row 34 on Friday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. They'll enjoy beer, wine, and appetizers plus a cash bar for cocktails, as well as the company of other St. John enthusiasts. Here is the link with more information and to purchase tickets.
GHS Highlights
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH LUNCHEON
Our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club treated Upper Campus students and faculty to a festive luncheon Wednesday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. On the menu were arepas, churros, horchata, chips and salsa, tacos, and more. Thank you, IDEA Club!
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS SEEKING RECIPES FOR FUNDRAISING COOKBOOK
Our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association is seeking recipes for a community cookbook that will serve as a fundraiser for the organization, which hosts Lower Campus holiday craft fairs, leads Teacher Appreciation Week initiatives, and delivers breakfast goodies to staff on teacher workdays, among other projects. Cookbooks are slated to be available for sale in December. Please scan the QR code or click here to submit your recipe, email your recipe to ghsrecipes@gmail.com, or stop by either campus's front office to pick up a paper form to fill out. Recipes are due by October 23. Contact barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR ATHLETES!
Cross Country
Kudos to third graders Banks Batten, Harper Neil, and Aksel Tarr on running a sub-8 minute mile at the meet this week!
Middle School Girls Volleyball
Shout to Jazmyn Richards, '31, for being a phenomenal leader and captain for the team. Jazmyn has shown a tremendous amount of growth as an athlete, person, and leader.
CROSS COUNTRY MEET THIS WEEK
Our cross country team has a regular season meet in the coming week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Thursday, October 22, 3:30 p.m. - IEKHS track
FLAG FOOTBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our flag football team has a regular season game in the coming week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Monday, October 19, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
VOLLEYBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our middle school girls volleyball team has a regular season game in the coming week. It's a home game. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Tuesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at GHS
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
KATS TO BEGIN OCTOBER 17
KATS St. John, a nonprofit organization that teaches sailing, marine safety, and seamanship skills to St. John children between the ages of 8 to 18, will begin its first session of the 2026-2027 season on October 17. Those participating should meet to the right of the Coral Bay dinghy dock on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuition is $150 with sponsorships available. Click here to enroll. Contact info@katsvi.com for more information.
ST. JOHN CANCER FUND BLOCK PARTY OCTOBER 24
The St. John Cancer Fund will host its Save Second Base block party on Saturday, October 24, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight in Cruz Bay. There will be live music, games, and food and drinks.
TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 30
Trunk or Treat will take place at the Cruz Bay gravel lot on October 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their own treat bag. To add your car to the lineup, contact dana.neil@yahoo.com.
FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 31
The Family Readiness Group will present a fall festival on October 31 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Leonard B. Francis Armory on St. Thomas. There will be candy stations, treats, games, music, and more. There is a $5 entry fee.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL WINTER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMER 1
World Ocean School is now accepting applications for the Winter Ambassador Program, which will welcome 18 high schools aboard the Denis Sullivan from December 27 to January 2. Sailing out and back from Christiansted, students will become part of the crew. They will learn seamanship skills, make new friends, and sail into the new year.
In order to be considered, students must apply here and complete this reference form. The application deadline is November 1.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY WITH ACC
The Animal Care Center of St. John is looking for volunteers for its spay/neuter event November 7 and 8 at Our Place in Coral Bay. Tasks would include carrying trapped cats from the staging area to the surgery prep area and monitoring cats as they wake up from anesthesia. The ACC is seeking three volunteers for each day. To indicate your interest, contact 340-774-1625 or info@stjacc.org.
PATHWAY TO PURPOSE YOUTH FINANCE SUMMIT NOVEMBER 7
Students in grades 8-12 are invited to take part in the Aliyah Boston Foundation and Parach Resource Management's Pathway to Purpose Youth Finance Summit on November 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center on St. Thomas.
This free, one-day event is designed to help students build real-world money skills through games, activities, and hands-on simulations. Students will also enjoy an interactive lunch with Aliyah Boston, St. Thomas native and forward for the Indiana Fever. See flyer below for more details. Registration closes October 16.
FALL FEST NOVEMBER 14
The Pelican Post will host a fall fest on November 14 from noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Cruz Bay courtyard on St. John. For more information, contact 340-693-4535 or thepelicanpostvi@gmail.com.
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