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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of September 12, 2025
- andreamilam
- Sep 15
- 6 min read
Teacher Spotlight
Fourth grade teacher Ms. Laura just began her 20th year of teaching and her 15th year at GHS. Head of School Ms. Liz says Ms. Laura excels at helping students learn about themselves and their relationships with others in fourth grade.
“There is so much intentionality behind how she promotes independence, interpersonal communication, and personal responsibility while also fostering the spirit of inclusion and acceptance,” says Ms. Liz.
From starting the day with open circle, where the class is encouraged to hash out any issues or arguments that have arisen, to reflecting on the ways in which her students display the attributes of a GHS student, fourth graders learn to embrace every aspect of who they are as individuals, and to approach conflict with honest communication.
“I think it creates a place where we are all comfortable being imperfectly perfect humans,” says Ms. Laura. “We all have things we’re working on, and hiding from those things doesn’t make them get better. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and that’s okay.”
Ms. Liz also credits Ms. Laura with helping expand the vision for the EARTH program at the Lower Campus. After the 2017 hurricanes, when our middle and high school students attended classes at the Lower Campus while the Upper Campus was being restored, Upper Campus teacher (and Ms. Laura’s husband) Mr. D. helped them restore the garden outside the fourth grade classroom. When the Upper Campus reopened to students, Ms. Laura and her class took over care of the garden.
“I created individual garden beds, which motivated the students to take responsibility for their plants, and I found ways to tie math, reading, and history lessons to the garden,” says Ms. Laura. “It’s been an inspiring space for other kids. Ms. Bibi brings her ELC students to the garden and younger classes come at lunchtime to help in the garden. It’s been successful in helping the momentum take hold.”
Ms. Rachael applauds Ms. Laura for the role she plays as a colleague.
“I love her willingness to advocate for what’s right for the teachers and for the kids,” says Ms. Rachael. “She’s always willing to lend her expertise and to go above and beyond.”
Ms. Laura is also a parent to third grader Maddie Dunlap.
“I’m so glad I get to watch her grow in a school where I know that she’s seen and cared about,” says Ms. Laura. “To watch her grow right alongside me is awesome.”
Upcoming Events
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING SEPTEMBER 16
All GHS parents are invited to the first Barracuda Boosters Parent Association meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 16, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus. The association will be selecting room parents for each classroom and beginning to plan some of their favorite upcoming events like Halloween and the holiday craft fair. Please contact barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org with questions.
LOWER CAMPUS BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 24
We'll celebrate August & September birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, September 24, 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 second grade students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend, as are parents of students with August & September birthdays.
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY SEPTEMBER 25, 26
School picture day is coming up, and picture order forms were distributed this week. Picture day will take place on Thursday, September 25, at the Lower Campus and Friday, September 26, at the Upper Campus. Students may wear a school-appropriate outfit of their choosing for their individual picture, and should wear the GHS uniform for their class picture.
Please reach out to andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions about picture day.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT OCTOBER 3
Our National Honor Society will host a Parents Night Out on Friday, October 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Parents of students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to drop their children off at the Upper Campus for an evening of fun. The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. To sign your child up, email NHS President Nadjah Jn. Phillip at nadjahjnphillip@giffthillschool.org.
GHS Highlights
KITCHEN SHAKE-UP
This week’s Farm to Table project had our Lower Campus students shaking things up. With containers of cream in hand, they shook, rattled, and rolled until the magic happened: homemade butter. The best part: spreading their freshly churned creation onto crackers for a delicious taste test.
SUMMER READING CELEBRATION
Our Lower Campus students who took on our summer reading challenge celebrated their love of stories and learning with a sweet reward: ice cream! Through their dedication to reading they strengthened their skills, expanded their imaginations, found joy in a good book, and celebrated with a sweet treat as the cherry on top!
SCHOOL PHYSICALS DUE!
Student physicals must be turned in by September 30. Students who have not submitted their physicals by this date will not be able to return to school until their physical form is turned in. Student athletes who have not submitted their physical forms by September 22 will not be able to practice, and students without student physicals may not play in games. Families of students in K-12 can click here to obtain our school physical form. ELC families should visit the Lower Campus front office to pick up a hard copy of the physical form.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OPPORTUNITY
High schoolers are required to complete 25 hours of community service per school year, and 100 hours total to graduate. Students have the opportunity to earn some hours by volunteering with Sing St. John on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for Recovery Choir rehearsals at Our Place in Coral Bay or on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay. Volunteers will be asked to record video footage of practices using their cell phone. Students who are interested should contact Sing St. John Executive Director Kristen Carmichael-Bowers at kristen@singstjohn.org or 802-380-0761.
Sports Central
FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TODAY!
Various sports are offered at Gifft Hill School at the junior varsity and varsity levels. Registration and dues of $100 per season must be turned in by Friday, September 12. 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. The IAA fall season begins September 8 and ends on October 31, with the exception of flag football, which ends November 2.
Fall Sports
Volleyball is open to students in grades 6-12 with girls and boys teams. Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for varsity and 3:30-5:00 p.m. for middle school at Trayser Field. Players should come with a water bottle, knee pads, and any length of black spandex bottoms for girls.
Flag football is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Mondays and Fridays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at Trayser Field. Players should come with a water bottle, mouth guard, and plastic cleats or sneakers.
Cross country is open to students in grades 3-12. Practices take place Thursdays and Fridays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. at Trayser Field and various locations across the island. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Year-Round Sports
Running club is open to students in grades 1-12. 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.
Junior varsity sailing starts September 17 and is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Tuesdays from 3:30-6:00 p.m. at KATS in Coral Bay. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Varsity sailing is open to students in grades 9-12. Practices take place on Mondays from 3:00-5:30 p.m. at GHS and Thursdays from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at KATS in Coral Bay. Saturday practices from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at KATS in Coral Bay will begin November 1. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
VOLLEYBALL GAMES NEXT WEEK!
The volleyball game schedule for the coming week is below. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Middle School Girls
Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at VIMSPGIA
Thursday, September 18, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. the Canes at Antilles
Varsity Boys
Tuesday, September 16, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at VIMSPGIA
Thursday, September 18, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Varsity Girls
Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at VIMSPGIA
STUDENT ATHLETE PHYSICALS ARE DUE
Student athletes who have not submitted their physicals will not be able to participate in games or competitions, and after September 22, will be unable to attend sports practices. Please submit your physical form and vaccination card to either campus's front office as soon as possible!
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
OCAMA YOUTH CHOIR NOW ENROLLING
Sing St. John's Ocama Youth Choir, open to students ages 8-14, is now enrolling. Rehearsals for this free program are on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay. Registration forms can be picked up at either Gifft Hill School office. Forms should be photographed and sent to Sing St. John Executive Director Kristen Carmichael-Bowers at 802-380-0761 or kristen@singstjohn.org.
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