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Student Spotlight
Second grader Kelsie Williams is new to Gifft Hill School this year. She says her teacher, Ms. Kissa, is “very nice,” and the green top, where she likes to play and jump rope, is her favorite place at the Lower Campus.
“It’s been a joy to have her,” Ms. Kissa says of Kelsie. “She’s getting more comfortable with our class and she’s making friends.”
Kelsie said her classmates are kind to her, especially Maddie Dunlap, who showed her around the classroom and quickly stepped into a friendship role.
“She is friendly and she’s a friend to everyone,” Ms. Kissa says of Kelsie. “She’s making herself a part of the group and she fits in well.”
Ms. Kissa says Kelsie is a strong reader who loves to volunteer in class and is always ready to raise her hand to read aloud or answer questions. Kelsie says Marc Brown’s “Arthur” books are her favorite. She says she likes to be nice to her classmates.
“She’s very mindful of others,” says Ms. Kissa. “She’s thoughtful.”
In her free time, Kelsie says she likes to study and watch TV. She enjoys going to the beach with her family, and says Cinnamon Bay is her favorite.
Upcoming Events
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 have been sent home with students. 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.
SAT PREP CLASS FOR GRADES 10-12 SET FOR OCTOBER 5
Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders are invited to take an SAT tune-up on Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Upper Campus. This workshop is designed for sophomores through seniors planning to take the SAT or PSAT this year. At this class, students will become more familiar with the digital test format and have the opportunity to take a practice test with feedback and coaching. The cost is $20 per student and can be paid by cash or check made out to Gifft Hill School delivered to the Upper Campus front office. Pay ahead of time to secure your spot! Click here to sign up.
There will also be a 7-week full SAT prep course focusing on math and critical reading beginning in January, exact dates and times TBD. The full course will meet twice a week after school. If there is interest from St. John residents attending St. Thomas schools, the meeting times can be adjusted to accommodate their participation.
GHS Highlights
INTRODUCING YOUR STUDENT COUNCIL
Upper Campus students voted for their student council class reps and the council's executive positions this week. Congratulations to student council president Tyler Levons, vice president Seamus O'Donnell, secretary Kennya Estrado, treasurer Cleo Kinsella, and all class reps!
THANKS FOR THE SHADE
A very big thank you to GHS parent Preston Cope of Great Horizons for the donation and installation of these cheery umbrellas at our Lower Campus. Our students are all smiles as they enjoy a cooler, shadier lunch outdoors.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PICTURE DAY!
We are looking for parents to assist with getting our ELC and kindergarten students to and from their classrooms on picture day at the Lower Campus, Thursday, September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m., though there's a possibility for an earlier end time. We anticipate needing two volunteers at a time and the volunteer effort could be broken down into two different blocks, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you can help, please email andreamilam@giffthillschool.org. Thank you!
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 DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30
Physical forms and immunization cards are due by September 30 in order for us to comply with V.I. Department of Health regulations. 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 FEES TO BE CHARGED OCTOBER 4
The $100 athletic fee for fall athletes will be charged via TADS on Friday, October 4. Families who prefer to pay by cash or check should plan to deliver payment to the business office no later than Thursday, October 3.
FALL SPORTS HAVE BEGUN!
Practices for fall sports are underway. 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.
KUDOS, BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our boys varsity volleyball team which came out ahead against Antilles last week 3-0! Kudos to Justin Richards, '25, Kadeem Thomas, '26, and Isaias Obando, '26, for some great strikes.
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, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. Sts Peter & Paul at Antilles
Saturday, 9/21, 11:00 a.m. - GHS vs. Antilles Blue at Antilles
Saturday, 9/21, 2:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Woodson at Antilles
Thursday, 9/26, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Montessori at Montessori
Girls varsity volleyball
Monday, 9/23, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Montessori at GHS
Wednesday, 9/25, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Sts Peter & Paul at BCB
Boys varsity volleyball
Friday, 9/20, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at IEKHS
Tuesday, 9/24, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Montessori at GHS
CROSS COUNTRY 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:
Thursday, 9/26, 3:30 p.m. - UVI Golf Course
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:
Wednesday, 9/25, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
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).
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE MEET AND GREET TOMORROW
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Sigma Theta Omega and Rho Omicron chapters invite students ages 10 to 14 to a Youth Leadership Institute meet and greet on Saturday, September 21, at 3:00 p.m. at the St. John School of the Arts. Scan the QR code in the flyer below to apply and email the completed application and any questions about the event to stoyliprogram@gmail.com.
VIPD SHARES CAR SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK
In honor of Child Passenger Safety Week this week, the Virgin Islands Police Department is shining a bright spotlight on child passenger safety in our community.
The VIPD shared the graphic below with the aim of increasing awareness, inspiring safe choices, and improving crash outcomes for children.
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