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Teacher Spotlight
Preschool assistant teacher Ms. Kayleigh is a 2024 graduate of SUNY New Paltz, where she earned a degree in psychology. She’s been drawn to working with young children since the age of 15.
“I just fell in love with their little faces and imaginations,” she says. “It’s one of the most rewarding age groups to work with. They’re so much fun.”
After her college graduation, Ms. Kayleigh weighed her options: stay in Connecticut with family, move to St. Croix where her grandmother lives, or move to St. John, where she spent some time as a child and attended GHS as a fourth, fifth, and sixth grader. Ultimately, Ms. Kayleigh chose Gifft Hill School.
“This is what education should be,” she says of GHS. “I’m excited to be back. It’s very cool to see my students in the same uniform I used to wear.”
Ms. Kayleigh’s Lower Campus colleagues note how she’s jumped right into her role with energy and enthusiasm.
“She’s made a lovely addition,” says Lower Campus Principal Ms. Rachael. “She and preschool teacher Ms. Maya are very loving and caring toward the kids.”
“Working with Kayleigh has been a delight,” says Ms. Maya. “She is always ready to step in and is a natural in the classroom when working with our students. Kayleigh’s kind and caring nature makes her a tremendous asset to the preschool classroom.”
Fourth grade teacher Ms. Laura, who was Ms. Kayleigh’s teacher and is now her colleague, says what a good addition Ms. Kayleigh has made to the team.
“I’m proud to be part of a community in which someone as capable, confident, and enthusiastic as Kayleigh chooses to come back and join us,” says Ms. Laura. “I look forward to watching Kayleigh draw on her foundational strengths of creativity, resilience, and kindness to help the next generation of GHS students develop these same attributes.”
Upcoming Events
UC MAP TESTING CONCLUDES THIS WEEK; LC MAP TESTING NEXT WEEK
Three times a year, all students in grades 3 through 12 undergo Measures of Academic Progress testing. The MAP test is an adaptive, web-based assessment tool that provides both diagnostic and prescriptive data on student achievement. It contains four sub-tests — Reading, Language, Mathematics, and Science. Individual student scores are used to set instructional goals for gains throughout the year.
Upper Campus students concluded the first round of MAP testing this week, while MAP testing will be conducted at the Lower Campus next week. Scores from this round of testing will be shared with your child's first trimester progress report.
LOWER CAMPUS CLUBS TO BEGIN SEPT. 16
Lower Campus clubs are set to begin on Monday. Club fees are $15 a day and clubs run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Here are the clubs with spots still remaining:
Mondays
Mixed Sports with Ms. Kissa for K-2 graders: Students will experience play through various sporting activities.
Academic support and Brain Games with Ms. Christina for 3-5 graders: This club will offer academic support for students needing extra help in reading and math.
Art with Ms. Adrienne for K-2 graders: Students will explore art through watercolor, clay, and acrylic paint.
Wednesdays
Academic support and Brain Games with Ms. Melisa for K-2 graders: This club will offer academic support for students needing extra help in reading and math.
Academic support and Brain Games with Ms. Laura for 3-5 graders: This club will offer academic support for students needing extra help in reading and math.
Thursdays
Author/Illustrators Workshop with Ms. Lenny for K-2 grades: This club will offer the chance for students to be authors and illustrators.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS MEETINGS SEPTEMBER 17, 18
All parents are invited to come out to meet the members of our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association, the group behind many fun events like our beach parties and holiday crafting fairs. Find out how you can help with their initiatives, whether by joining the association or by helping to raise funds.
The first meeting is set for Tuesday, September 17, at 8:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus conference room. Coffee will be available courtesy of a donation by Pelican Post.
The second meeting is set for Wednesday, September 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Lower Campus great room. Supervision will be provided at the Lower Campus playground for children of parents who attend.
Both meetings will be no more than one hour. All GHS parents and guardians are welcome to attend!
SCHOOL PICTURE ORDER FORMS DUE SEPTEMBER 25
School picture day is coming up, and picture order forms are due September 25. Picture day will take place on Thursday, September 26, at the Lower Campus and Friday, September 27, 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.
Picture order forms were sent home with students this week. Please note that if you select the calendar option, you will receive an 8x10 class photo. There is no calendar offering. All students will be photographed against a physical background; custom backgrounds are not available. Those who wish to pay by check should make the check out to Sehvions Photography or Ernesto Cintron.
Please reach out to andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions about picture day.
GHS Highlights
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS!
Thanks to all families who came out for our first birthday assembly of the year. It was a lovely morning celebrating our August and September birthdays, and fourth grade did a wonderful job of illustrating the attributes of a Gifft Hill student — curiosity, kindness, accountability, and resilience — with their presentation.
SNACK IS SERVED!
Chef Parris served her first weekly snack in her new role at GHS. On Wednesday, all students and faculty were treated to a fresh, nutritious, and delicious rice bowl with cabbage, carrots, and choice of fish or chickpeas. Snacks made in-house will be distributed to all students and faculty every Wednesday. Thank you, Chef Parris!
ILLNESS POLICY REMINDER
You can help us have a healthy school year by following our illness policy, which is spelled out in our student and parent handbook. People with symptoms of infectious diseases, including the common cold, influenza, gastrointestinal infections, RSV, and COVID-19 should stay home until symptoms improve. Individuals who are experiencing fever or diarrhea 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 us keep our school community healthy!
PHYSICAL FORMS, IMMUNIZATION CARDS NOW DUE
Physical forms and immunization cards are due! If you have not turned in these forms, please do so at your earliest convenience. These records are required for enrollment at GHS. Give us a call or stop by the front office at either campus with any questions.
Sports Central
FALL SPORTS HAVE BEGUN!
Practices for fall sports kicked off last week. Our volleyball teams are closed, but middle school flag football and running club/cross country are still open to new members. The practice schedules are as follow:
Cross Country (3rd-12th): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Running Club (3rd-12th): Tuesdays only, 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Middle School Flag Football: Mondays and Fridays, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL GAME SCHEDULE
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas. Those who wish to travel with the team for games on St. Thomas should contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org to take advantage of the school's discounted taxi rate. Here is the schedule for the coming week:
Middle school volleyball
Friday, 9/20-Saturday, 9/21, times TBD - Antilles JV tournament at Antilles
Girls varsity volleyball
Wednesday, 9/18, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Boys varsity volleyball
Saturday, 9/14, 12:30 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Wednesday, 9/18, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Friday, 9/20, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at IEKHS
MIDDLE SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas. Those who wish to travel with the team for games on St. Thomas should contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org to take advantage of the school's discounted taxi rate. Here is the schedule for the coming week:
Tuesday, 9/17, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS 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
LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS NOW ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS
Love City Pan Dragons is now enrolling new members in the band through October 31. No musical experience is required and ages 10 and up are welcome, including adults. Learn a new skill, make new friends, enjoy travel opportunities, and help keep your island's culture alive when you're part of the Pan Dragons family. To join, message the band's Facebook page, call or text 340-690-2420, email lovecitypandragons@gmail.com, or simply stop by during practice (Fridays from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the band's Cruz Bay pan yard - the green door next to the Sports, Parks & Rec center).
ISLAND GREEN LIVING ASSOCIATION TO HOST HYBRID PANEL DISCUSSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Nonprofits Island Green Living Association and Planet Green Force will host a hybrid panel discussion on the critical issue of “Resources & Collaboration to Combat Climate Change Impacts” in the USVI on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gifft Hill School Upper Campus. During this panel discussion, millions in federal and other funding sources will be addressed, as will the importance of greening/agricultural education and combining resources to bring transformative change on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, enhanced food security, and reduction of pollution.
The featured speaker will be Representative Stacey E. Plaskett, joined by panelists Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Commissioner of Agriculture; Dr. Renee Charleswell, Deputy Commissioner of Education; Dr. Safiya George, UVI President; and Harith Wickrema, Island Green Living President and Founder of Planet Green Force.
Those who can't attend in person are welcome to attend via Zoom by clicking here.
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