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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 31, 2025
- andreamilam
- Nov 4
- 6 min read
Student Spotlight
Preschooler Jayce Marrero is new to the GHS community this year. Preschool teacher Ms. Maya says Jayce is a sweet and kind student who comes in every morning with a big smile on his face and a hug for his classmates.
“He’s one to persist,” says Ms. Maya. “If something doesn’t work, he’ll try a new way. He doesn’t give up.”
Jayce is highly attentive and engaged during preschool’s academic lessons.
“He really wants to learn,” says Ms. Maya. “He’s a very bright student who loves school.”
Jayce’s favorite toys in the classroom are the trucks. He also loves running around and playing with his classmates on the playground. Ms. Maya says Jayce is inclusive to everyone and his peers see him as a friend.
Jayce says he likes to play and learn about animals at school. Ms. Maya is a good teacher, he says, “because she helps us learn.” He enjoys drawing on the whiteboard desks with Ms. Kayleigh.
When he’s not at school, Jayce says he likes going to St. Thomas to buy toys and going to the beach to play.
Upcoming Events
LOWER CAMPUS OCTOBER ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY WEDNESDAY
The next Lower Campus academic awards assembly is set for Wednesday, November 5, at 8:45 a.m., when we'll award our Lower Campus students who met their October academic goals at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of kindergarten 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. 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.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE NOVEMBER 7
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 tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Students can purchase tickets from student council members. Finger foods and drinks will be provided at the event.
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.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING POSTPONED TO NOV. 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.
GHS Highlights
LOWER CAMPUS HALLOWEEN FUN
Thanks to all parents and family members who came out for our beloved Halloween parade at the Lower Campus this morning! And extra special thanks to our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association for hosting a day of Halloween-themed fun and games for our Lower Campus students.
UPPER CAMPUS HALLOWEEN SPOOKINESS!
Our Upper Campus students celebrated Halloween today with a Halloween costume contest, a game of Halloween-themed trivia, a Halloween poster contest, and a spooky haunted house, all put together by our student council. Kudos to our costume contest winners: Ollie Stone the weatherman in first place, A'maya Abraham and Zoe Williamson as Vector and Gru from Despicable Me in second place, and Bret Strain as Captain Jack Sparrow in third place. Thanks to our student council for putting together a fun afternoon for our students!
Sports Central
VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Best of luck to our number two-ranked varsity boys volleyball team as they enter the best two out of three series at Antilles School next week!
The team's coaches, David Obando and Aseah Thomas, report that they've had a great season. The coaches shouted out Angel Perez, '26, who's made sacrifices and worked tirelessly to be better for his team; Kadeem Thomas, '26, the team's dominant middle blocker who's a force to be reckoned with; Jacori Laurencin, '27, who excelled at serving in Wednesday's semifinals game; Seamus O'Donnell, '26, who's always positive and gives his best effort; Jayson Richards, '28, Isaias Obando, '26, and Taire Barnes, '26, the team's pin hitters who kept the team in every nail-biting game this season; and Kallen Payne, '29, and Nathaniel Peters, '28, who've worked diligently on their passing and scrappy defense. The coaches also called out Li'Undray Dagou, '28, Jeremy De Leon Valdez, '29, Jensly Jimenez, '29, and Kaleb Meyers, '29, for contributing in a major way as the team's underclassmen members, and Tyler Levons, '26, the team's third coach, stat keeper, and team comedian.
"Three years ago, when I started coaching at GHS, we didn't place at all," says Coach Aseah. "Last year, we placed third overall and this year, we get to play for the championship. The goal is to bring it home."
Let's go, 'Cudas!
Championship Playoffs (Best 2 out of 3)
Tuesday, November 4, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Trayser Field
Wednesday, November 5, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Thursday, November 6 - Tie-breaker - TBD vs. Antilles at Antilles
BULL AND BREAD TOURNAMENT NOVEMBER 1
Best of luck to our flag football players as they take part in the Bull and Bread Flag Football Tournament tomorrow! We'll have five all-stars joining the select all-star team, and a girls team that will be competing.
Flag Football All-Star Team:
Fox Fryman, '30
Armani Pickering, '30
Rollie Simmons, 32
Colt Smith, '30
Nathan Wheatley, '30
Girls Flag Football Team:
Jahslynn Clendinen, '32
Elizabeth Ferrell, '28
Shaneya Hill, '29
Nyimah Jacobs, '26
Tianna Jn. Baptiste, '32
Kenzey O'Donnell, '28
Jazmyn Richards, '31
TRICK OR TROT RACE SUCCESS!
Kudos to all our Trick or Trot race participants and shout-out to our winners:
Mini Monster Dash
First place: Renee Tarr
Second place: Livv Holford-Kauffman
Trick or Trot
First place boy: Atherton Baranowski
First place girl: Harper Neil
Best Costume
Kailani Moore
Silliest & Sparkliest Costume
Calliope Woods
Mini-est Monster
Connor Crafts
Extra special thanks to Sarah Swan for letting racers use her house and yard, and to all the volunteers who came out!
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
TRUNK OR TREAT TODAY
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.
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.
KATS NEW SEASON TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 1
The Kids and the Sea program in Coral Bay Harbor kicks off Saturday, November 1, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The program is open to children ages 8 and up. For more information, see flyer below. Contact info@katsvi.com for a registration form.
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.
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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