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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of September 26, 2025
- andreamilam
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
Student Spotlight
Kindergartner Tripp Stone has been part of the GHS community since preschool. He says his favorite thing about kindergarten is “the whole day.” Ms. G. says Tripp is thriving in kindergarten.
“He quickly learned all our classroom routines and procedures and helps others learn them too,” says Ms. G. “Tripp is a great problem solver. I love to see his creativity when he builds Lego creations during center time.”
Tripp says he especially enjoys Fridays, when kindergartners can bring a special item from home to share with classmates. He likes reading books and going to STEAM, Farm to Table, Art and PE.
“Tripp is a great storyteller who likes to share his experiences,” says Ms. G. “He puts a smile on everyone’s face every day. He really enjoys hands-on science lessons.”
Outside of school, he enjoys watching movies, playing games, and digging for treasure at his house. Tripp also likes swimming, soccer, and reading about dinosaurs.
Upcoming Events
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, games, and pizza. The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. To sign your child up, email NHS President Nadjah Jn. Phillip at nadjahjnphillip@giffthillschool.org.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER OCTOBER 23
Join us for our first Farm to Table dinner of the 2025-2026 school year and see why guests call our dinners "the best restaurant on St. John!" This dinner will bring the flavors of New Orleans to St. John with wine pairings from Island Hope Wines. Our Farm to Table dinners are run by our students. Enjoy dishes from our culinary class which showcases fresh, seasonal produce grown in our gardens and ethically, sustainably sourced proteins on the menu. Experience exceptional service from our select group of students. Seats are limited! Click here to purchase your tickets today.
GHS Highlights
KUDOS, SECOND GRADE!
Thank you to our second grade for teaching us about composting, including the locations of compost bins at the Lower Campus, through an informative skit at our first assembly of the year.
THANK YOU, ROTARY
Thank you to the Rotary Club of St. John for the donation of planners to our Upper Campus students this week! These planners are a valuable tool in helping our students stay organized throughout the school year.
THANK YOU, BARRACUDA BOOSTERS!
Thank you to Paige Cope, Jennifer Gibbud, Ja'Leah Stephens, Mary Vargo, and Tessa York of our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association for the assistance on Lower Campus picture day this week! Your support was invaluable and made for a smooth picture day experience.
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 student athletes 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, VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our varsity boys volleyball team which won against CAHS this week in three sets! Special shout-out to Kadeem Thomas, '26, and Angel Perez, '26 for aggression on the net, and to Kallen Payne, '29, for strong defense.
ANTILLES VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND
Best of luck to our teams as they compete in the Antilles Varsity Volleyball Tournament at Antilles this weekend! Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas. Here's the schedule:
Friday, September 26
4:00 p.m., varsity girls vs. VIMSPGIA
6:00 p.m., varsity girls vs. GHCD
6:00 p.m., varsity boys vs. VIMSPGIA
Saturday, September 27
10:00 a.m., varsity boys vs. Elmore Stoutt
11:00 a.m., varsity girls vs. Sts. Peter & Paul
The tournament will continue into Saturday night and Sunday morning with the winners of previous games playing one another to determine the champion. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
SPORTS COMPETITIONS THIS WEEK
Our volleyball, flag football, and cross country teams all have competitions in the coming weeks. Home games are denoted with an asterisk. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Cross Country
Thursday, October 2, 3:30 pm. - UVI golf course
Middle School Girls Volleyball
*Monday, September 29, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Trayser Field *
Varsity Girls Volleyball
Friday, September 26, 6:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Antilles
*Monday, September 29, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at Trayser Field *
Wednesday, October 1, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at Antilles
*Thursday, October 2, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Trayser Field *
Varsity Boys Volleyball
Friday, September 26, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Antilles
Wednesday, October 1, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at IEKHS
Flag Football
Saturday, September 27, 11:30 a.m. - GHS vs. Antilles A at Antilles
Monday, September 29, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. BCB at IEKHS
Tuesday, September 30, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles B at Antilles
TRICK OR TROT RACE OCTOBER 26
Gifft Hill School's running club will host a Trick or Trot kids' race on Sunday, October 26, at 5:00 p.m. in Fish Bay. Runners will complete a two-mile course. Runners age 4 and under will participate in a "Mini Monster Dash." A $10 donation to GHS for participation in the race is appreciated! Please see flyer below for registration information. Contact emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
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
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.
TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 31
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. To sign up to include your trunk in this event, email dana.neil@yahoo.com. Donations of cash or candy for the event can be dropped off at the Dr. Cool or Cruz Bay Watersports office, both at Palm Plaza.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY NOVEMBER 9
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 9, 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.
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