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Student Spotlight
Olivia O’Connell is a lifelong GHS student who joined our school community at the age of 2. Her seventh grade class advisor and English teacher, Ms. Liz H., says Olivia comes to class early every day with a smile on her face, ready to get her work done. Olivia is organized, cheerful, and will happily partner up with any one of her classmates to work together and help her peers.
“She’s not afraid to express herself,” says Ms. Liz H. “She takes constructive criticism and she gives constructive criticism, which I really like.”
Olivia says she enjoys the active, hands-on learning opportunities that GHS provides. Art is her favorite subject.
“I like everything about it, just being creative and having fun,” says Olivia.
Olivia says she loved her Lower Campus teachers and has especially fond memories of Mr. Dennison’s music class. Olivia is a member of our cross country and soccer teams, and she takes piano and gymnastics lessons at the St. John School of the Arts. In her free time, she enjoys helping her mom run errands and spending time at home.
Upcoming Events
NHS INDUCTION THURSDAY
Our National Honor Society induction is set for Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus. This organization is open to students in grades 10 through 12 who have a GPA of 3.4 and above. NHS candidates must have met their community service hour requirements and show leadership, service, and community involvement.
PARENT CONFERENCES / NO SCHOOL OCTOBER 9
There will be no school on Monday, October 9, in honor of Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day, but our teachers will be on campus for parent conferences. Lower Campus parents are welcome to meet with their child's teacher during your scheduled time slot. Upper Campus parents may come anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to meet with each of their child's teachers. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher(s), learn how they're doing in school, and to receive MAP testing data for students in grades 3 through 12. We hope to see all of our parents on October 9!
GHS Highlights
FOURTH GRADE FIELD TRIPS
Fourth grade went on yet another field trip this week, this time to the Virgin Islands National Park visitors center and playground and the Caneel Spur Trail up to Margaret Hill. These every-other-week field trips, inspired in part by former President Barack Obama's Every Kid in a Park initiative, bring our fourth graders to places across St. John they might not otherwise experience. Partners including the Virgin Islands National Park, Friends of VINP, and Iowa State University are eager to share their knowledge and expertise with fourth graders through these field trips. As part of the regular field trip schedule, Ms. Laura brings her students to Catherineberg, where she conducts class, on the second Wednesday of each month.
"It's fun to have a change of scenery, and I find students are really productive and play together in different ways than when we're just at school," Ms. Laura says of the Catherineberg trips.
Way to think outside the box, Ms. Laura!
CONGRATS, STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS! Student council elections were held at the Upper Campus this week. Congratulations to our 2023-2024 student council! There are no 11th grade reps because no students in that grade ran for student council. President: Liandra Dagou V.P.: Kasia Cornelius Treasurer: Seamus O'Donnell Secretary: Cleo Kinsella 6th Grade Reps: Fox Fryman and Eloise Simmons 7th Grade Reps: Olivia O'Connell and Reagan Marshall 8th Grade Reps: Zoe Williamson and Azyliah Denis 9th Grade Reps: Kennya Estrado and Brooklyn Payne 10th Grade Reps: Najdah JnPhillip and Tyler Levons 12th Grade Reps: Deneicia Baxter and Charlie O'Conner
Sports Central
THIS WEEK'S SPORTS REPORT Congratulations this week goes to: - Our varsity flag football team who won against Charlotte Amalie High School 16 to 9. - Our middle school flag football team who won against JESS 6 to 0. - Our girls middle school volleyball team who won against Montessori. - Kallen Payne and Jayla Williams who took first in middle school boys and middle school girls cross country meet. Go, Barracudas!
PARENTS OF ATHLETES, TAKE NOTE
There will be no running club on Thursdays as our cross country runners travel to St. Thomas for their weekly meets.
Parents, be sure you are signed up for updates on your child's sport on Class Dojo. Contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for assistance.
SPORTS COMPETITION SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED
All fall sports are now closed with the exception of running club, which will remain open to new participants for the remainder of the school year.
Here's a schedule of games/meets coming up in the next week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
Middle school flag football
Friday, 9/29, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at IEKHS
Varsity flag football
Saturday, 9/30, 11:30 a.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at Lionel Roberts Stadium
Tuesday, 10/3, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at IEKHS
Girls middle school volleyball
Saturday, 9/30, 8 a.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Wednesday, 10/4, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Girls varsity volleyball
Friday, 9/29, GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS
Monday, 10/2, 3:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Montessori at Trayser Field
Thursday, 10/5, 3:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Trayser Field
Boys varsity volleyball
Monday, 10/2, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. Montessori at Trayser Field
Thursday, 10/5, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at Trayser Field
Cross country
Thursday, 10/5, 4 p.m. - elementary 1 mile and middle school/JV 2 mile at UVI golf course
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
BACK TO SCHOOL JAMBOREE TOMORROW
The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Council along with Gun Violence Prevention will host a back to school jamboree Saturday, September 30, beginning at 3 p.m. at Frank Powell Park. This family-friendly event will feature food, entertainment, bouncy houses, and surprises, with presenters from the VIPD, USAO, PSN, GVP, FRC, LEPC, and DVSAC. There will be storytelling by Kwabena, performances by the Dynamic Dancers and V.I. For Life Quadrille Group, and face painting.
CORAL WINGS AVIATION PROGRAM OFFERING DRONE, PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATES TO HIGH SCHOOLERS
UVI CELL's Coral Wings Aviation Program has changed its age eligibility requirement, making the programs for drone pilot and private pilot open to all high school students.
For the private pilot program, students who will not be 17 years old by August 1, 2024, can participate in pre-training and discovery flights but not in the final steps for certification. These students will be eligible to participate in phase 2 of the program and complete their training once they meet the age requirement to test.
Students in grades 9 and 10 can participate in the drone program, but must wait until they turn 16 to test for their license.
All students must submit a registration form including a video submission. Coral Wings program will start in late September/ early October. Instruction and activities will be after school and/or during the weekend. Program schedule will be available soon. Click here to register.
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