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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of September 19, 2025
- andreamilam
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Student Spotlight
Sixth grader Kamille Meyers is new to St. John and to Gifft Hill School. Her family recently relocated from Florida to be closer to family in the USVI and BVI. Kamille says she’s enjoyed her experience at GHS so far and that her classmates have been very welcoming.
“It’s been really nice,” says Kamille. “I like the teachers, especially Ms. Rashida who’s very nice and funny, and Ms. McGuire who’s very welcoming.”
Sixth grade advisor Ms. McGuire says Kamille’s enthusiasm for school is evident and that she’s settling in well and making friends.
“Kamille is soft-spoken but she’s not afraid to speak up and share her opinion,” says classmate Catalina Kinsella. “She’s a good listener and she’s really funny. She’s always willing to help people out. We play ping pong at lunch and she’s the first one to get the ball if it goes over the side.”
Science and health teacher Ms. Rashida says Kamille is polite and is willing to come to her to ask for help when needed.
Kamille is a member of our middle school girls volleyball team. She says she’s enjoying living on St. John. She likes going to the beach, and Maho Bay is her favorite.
Upcoming Events
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. Below is the background that will be used for individual pictures.
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
FACULTY BOOK CHAT
As part of our Upper Campus summer reading assignments, each student selects a book recommended by one of our faculty. They joined the teacher whose book they selected for a book club-style discussion this week.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALIST
Congratulations to Dax Chouiniere, '26, who has earned a spot as a semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Dax now has the opportunity to continue in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
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.
Sports Central
KUDOS, MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our middle school girls volleyball team which won against VIMSPGIA this week in two sets! Special shout-out to Jahda Polius, '30, for her great serves.
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. Home games are denoted with an * asterisk *. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Middle School Girls
Best of luck to our middle school girls as they compete in the Antilles Middle School Volleyball Tournament this weekend!
Friday, September 19, 6:00 pm. - GHS vs. Canes at Antilles
Saturday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Antilles
Saturday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Antilles
Saturday, September 20, 3:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Hurricanes at Antilles
*Monday, September 22, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Hurricanes at Trayser Field *
Tuesday, September 23, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. BCB at BCB
*Thursday, September 25, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Trayser Field *
Varsity Boys
Monday, September 22, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Antilles
Wednesday, September 24, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at TBD
Varsity Girls
*Monday, September 22, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Trayser Field *
*Thursday, September 25, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Sts. Peter & Paul at Trayser Field *
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
FREE CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK TOMORROW
The Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety will host a free car seat safety check and will be selling new car seats for $20 on Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station on St. Thomas. See flyer below for more details.
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.
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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