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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of September 5, 2025
- andreamilam
- Sep 9
- 5 min read
Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!
Dear Gifft Hill School Families, Students, and Faculty,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year!
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I welcome each of you, new and returning, to what promises to be a year of growth, discovery, and connection at Gifft Hill School. Our campuses have already begun to buzz with energy, and I can’t wait to see how our students will shine in the months ahead.
Adding to the excitement is the recent notification that our innovative programming has been recognized by the prestigious E.E. Ford Foundation through a $100,000 matching grant to support programs in science, technology, arts, and environmental education and provide real-world learning experiences rooted in our island’s unique culture and ecology — a powerful endorsement of the work we do at Gifft Hill School.
Innovation is also shaping our classrooms themselves. This week, students have enthusiastically embraced our new flexible furniture, including desks that adjust from sitting to standing, movable group tables, and wobble stools, giving students more choice in how they learn and helping them stay engaged and focused.
As we begin this new chapter together, I encourage all of us to embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Whether you’re stepping into a new grade level, exploring a new subject, or continuing your journey with familiar faces, know that you are part of a supportive and caring school community.
Here’s to a joyful and inspiring year ahead!
Warmly,
Liz Kinsella
Head of School
Gifft Hill School
Upcoming Events
MAP TESTING SEPTEMBER 8-12
Students in grades 3-12 will take the Measures of Academic Progress test with about four hours of testing spread out across the five-day window of September 8-12, and students in grades kindergarten-2 will receive one-to-one testing in math using a primary grades version of the MAP test and in reading using the Fountas and Pinnell benchmark assessment with their classroom teacher or Lower Campus Learning Strategist Ms. Lenny. We make every effort to administer the assessment in developmentally appropriate chunks that fit into students’ regular academic schedules. Individual student scores are used to set instructional goals for gains throughout the year and to help students in high school with course placement determinations for those hoping to take honors classes. Please refer to the email sent Friday morning by Ms. Liz for more information.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING SEPTEMBER 16
All GHS parents are invited to the first Barracuda Boosters Parent Association meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 16, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus. The association will be selecting room parents for each classroom and beginning to plan some of their favorite upcoming events like Halloween and the holiday craft fair. Please contact barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org with questions.
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY SEPTEMBER 25, 26
School picture day is coming up, and picture order forms will be distributed next 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.
Please reach out to andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions about picture day.
GHS Highlights
THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN!
It's been such a pleasure to welcome familiar faces and new students alike to our campuses this week. The year is off to a great start!
GHS IN THE NEWS
Gifft Hill School was featured in both the Virgin Islands Daily News and the Virgin Islands Source this week. Click here to see the Source article.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF REMINDERS
This is a friendly reminder that adhering to our drop-off and pick-up procedures will make for a smoother process for us all.Drop off: Our morning arrival window is from 8:00-8:15 a.m. Parents/guardians should follow the prescribed traffic flow (uphill for Lower Campus and staying left around the circle for Upper Campus) and pull into the “kiss and ride” lane. Due to limited parking, we ask that no one park in the school lot during the drop-off window unless they have an appointment. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A U-TURN IN FRONT OF THE LOWER CAMPUS.Pick-up: The afternoon pick-up window is 3:00-3:15 p.m. for K-12 and 3:15-3:30 p.m. for ELC. Please continue to follow the prescribed traffic flow (uphill for Lower Campus and staying left around the circle for Upper Campus) and pull over into the “kiss and ride” lane to collect your child. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A U-TURN IN FRONT OF THE LOWER CAMPUS.Thank you for helping us facilitate an efficient drop-off and pick-up experience for all our families!
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OPPORTUNITY
High schoolers are required to complete 25 hours of community service per school year, and 100 hours total to graduate. Students have the opportunity to earn some hours by volunteering with Sing St. John on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for Recovery Choir rehearsals at Our Place in Coral Bay or on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay. Volunteers will be asked to record video footage of practices using their cell phone. Students who are interested should contact Sing St. John Executive Director Kristen Carmichael-Bowers at kristen@singstjohn.org or 802-380-0761.
Sports Central
FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 12
Various sports are offered at Gifft Hill School at the junior varsity and varsity levels. Registration and dues of $100 per season must be turned in by Friday, September 12. We do not want any motivated student to miss out on sports because of financial concerns. Please contact Ms. Francis at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information about scholarships or for general questions regarding athletics. The IAA fall season begins September 8 and ends on October 31, with the exception of flag football, which ends November 2.
Fall Sports
Volleyball is open to students in grades 6-12 with girls and boys teams. Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for varsity and 3:30-5:00 p.m. for middle school at Trayser Field. Players should come with a water bottle, knee pads, and any length of black spandex bottoms for girls.
Flag football is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Mondays and Fridays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Trayser Field. Players should come with a water bottle, mouth guard, and plastic cleats or sneakers.
Cross country is open to students in grades 3-12. Practices take place Thursdays and Fridays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. at Trayser Field and various locations across the island. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Year-Round Sports
Running club is open to students in grades 1-12. Practices take place Fridays from 3:15-4:30 at Trayser Field and various locations across the island. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Junior varsity sailing starts September 17 and is open to students in grades 6-12. Practices take place Wednesdays from 3:30-6:00 p.m. at KATS in Coral Bay. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
Varsity sailing starts September 8 and is open to students in grades 9-12. Practices take place on Mondays from 3:00-5:30 p.m. at GHS and Thursdays from 3:00-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at KATS in Coral Bay. Participants should come with a water bottle and sneakers.
CHEERLEADING MEETING SEPTEMBER 10
There will be a meeting for those interested in participating in cheerleading on Wednesday, September 10, at lunch in Ms. Banen's classroom. Cheerleading is open to students in grades 6-12.
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
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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