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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 17, 2025
- andreamilam
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Student Spotlight
Eighth grader D’Andre Cornelius, who goes by Dre, is new to Gifft Hill School this year. He says he likes how the GHS community welcomed him.
“I like the environment,” he says of his new school. “I like the way teachers explain the subject to me.”
Dre says science is his favorite subject because he loves experimenting.
Eighth grade advisor Mr. Bill says Dre joined the large eighth grade class with ease.
“He has a positive attitude,” says Mr. Bill. “He’s putting forth a lot of effort in his classes. When he faces a challenge, he’s able to bounce back quickly. He has that resilience.”
Mr. Bill says Dre has great comedic timing when it comes to breaking the ice.
“He finds good opportunities to click into the positive and make you smile,” says Mr. Bill. “He’s a cheerleader for his classmates. Dre tries to make people feel good.”
Dre is part of our flag football team and plans to join our basketball team in the winter. He also plays baseball with Parks & Rec. In his free time, Dre enjoys playing games with his friends and fishing.
Upcoming Events
STEAM WEEK
Our first of two STEAM Weeks for the 2025-2026 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. STEAM Week offerings are led by a combination of GHS faculty and guest teachers from around the nation.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER TICKET SALES CLOSE MONDAY
Join us for our first Farm to Table dinner of the 2025-2026 school year and see why guests call our dinners "the best restaurant on St. John!" This dinner will bring the flavors of New Orleans to St. John with wine pairings from Island Hope Wines. Our Farm to Table dinners are run by our students. Enjoy dishes from our culinary class which showcases fresh, seasonal produce grown in our gardens and ethically, sustainably sourced proteins on the menu. Experience exceptional service from our select group of students. Seats are limited! Click here to purchase your tickets today.
SCHOOL PICTURE MAKEUP DAY IS NOW OCTOBER 28
Students who did not get their individual photo taken on picture day last month will have the opportunity to sit for a photo on the morning of Tuesday, October 28, at the Upper Campus. Lower Campus students who need to have their picture taken will be transported to the Upper Campus for photos in the GHS van. As a reminder, students may wear an outfit of their choosing for their individual photos. Please contact andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
GHS Highlights
MONEY RAISED FOR ST. JOHN CANCER FUND
Thanks to two student council-led fundraisers this week, our Upper Campus students were able to raise a total of $617 for the St. John Cancer Fund. Money was raised at a "wear pink" breast cancer awareness fundraiser on Tuesday, and at a bake sale on Friday. Congratulations to our student council on these effective give-back initiatives!
NEW ENGLAND YOUTH THEATER AT LOWER AND UPPER CAMPUSES
Teachers from the New England Youth Theater in Brattleboro, Vermont, visited our Lower and Upper Campuses this week to expand students’ ongoing exploration of the arts. Through engaging, developmentally appropriate workshops, they helped students further develop their creativity and performance skills. Next week, they'll return to lead a theater-focused STEAM Week, during which Upper Campus students can act, perform with the pit band, run tech, or design sets and costumes for a play to be performed for the public on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening.
Sports Central
ST. CROIX VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
Best of luck to our varsity boys and girls volleyball teams as they compete in the Central High School Varsity Volleyball Tournament on St. Croix this weekend. The schedule of games is below. Go, 'Cudas!
Friday, October 17, 9:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Central High School
Saturday, October 18, 1:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Good Hope/Country Day
Saturday, October 18, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS
SPORTS COMPETITIONS THIS WEEK
Our volleyball, flag football, and cross country teams all have competitions in the coming weeks. Home games are denoted with an asterisk. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Cross Country
Thursday, October 23, 3:30 pm. - UVI golf course
Middle School Girls Volleyball
Friday, October 17, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Trayser Field
Saturday, October 18, 11:00 a.m. - GHS vs. BCB at IEKHS
Middle School Flag Football
Saturday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. - GHS vs. BCB at IEKHS
Varsity Girls Volleyball
Friday, October 17, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Trayser Field
Saturday, October 18, 1:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Sts. Peter & Paul at BCB
TEAM PHOTOS COMING UP!
Fall sports team photos will be taken the week after STEAM Week. Varsity teams will have their photo taken on Tuesday, October 28, during lunch and our middle school teams will have their photo taken on Wednesday, October 29. Student athletes should come to school in your regular uniform and change into your team uniform for the photos, which will be taken at lunch.
TRICK OR TROT RACE OCTOBER 26
Gifft Hill School's running club will host a Trick or Trot kids' race on Sunday, October 26, at 5:00 p.m. in Fish Bay. Runners will complete a two-mile course. Runners age 4 and under will participate in a "Mini Monster Dash." A $10 donation to GHS for participation in the race is appreciated! Please see flyer below for registration information. High schoolers are invited to earn community service hours by volunteering at this event. Contact emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
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
FLU SHOTS HAVE ARRIVED AT ISLAND HEALTH & WELLNESS
Island Health & Wellness has received its shipment of flu vaccines, which can be administered to everyone age 6 months and up. The cost is $50 for those who are able to pay. The vaccines are free for those facing financial hardship. To make an appointment to get your flu shot, call 340-714-4270.
OCEAN WEEK BEACH CLEANUP
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park will host a beach clean-up in honor of Ocean Week on Saturday, October 18, at 9:00 a.m. at Drunk Bay. Volunteer should meet in the Salt Pond parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and the cleanup is expected to be completed by noon. It's recommended that volunteers wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection and water. Friends will provide bags and gloves. High schoolers who volunteer will receive five hours of community service.
TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 31
Trunk or Treat will take place on Friday, October 31, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the gravel lot in Cruz Bay. Kids of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up to include your trunk in this event, email dana.neil@yahoo.com. Donations of cash or candy for the event can be dropped off at the Dr. Cool or Cruz Bay Watersports office, both at Palm Plaza.
JOHNNY LIME HAUNTED HOUSE NOVEMBER 1 TO BENEFIT KATS
Johnny Lime will host a haunted house and Halloween party on Saturday, November 1, at 5:30 p.m. The evening will include live music and a kids' costume contest. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit KATS.
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.
YOUTH FINANCE SUMMIT NOVEMBER 8
Eighth and ninth graders are invited to register for the Pathway to Purpose Youth Finance Summit set for Saturday, November 8, at the University of the Virgin Islands. This free one-day summit will focus on learning about money skills through games, activities, and real-life simulations. There will also be a financial focused Q&A session with St. Thomas native Aliyah Boston, a forward for the Indiana Fever. Register by using the QR code in the flyer below. Registration closes October 18.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY NOVEMBER 8
High school students have the opportunity to earn community service hours by volunteering with the Animal Care Center of St. John's spay/neuter event on Saturday, November 8, at Our Place in Coral Bay. There are six openings for students to volunteer from around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. cleaning and disinfecting the surgery space, as well as breaking down tables and chairs and resetting the area. Two adults will be supervising. Those interested should contact Robyn Payne at 340-774-1625 or info@stjacc.org.
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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