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Student Spotlight
First grader Aksel Tarr has been at Gifft Hill School since he was in preschool, and he’s a second-generation GHS student. He says he enjoys going to Gifft Hill School and he likes his teacher, Ms. Melisa, because she “does a lot of math.”
“She’s good at explaining things and helping us learn,” says Aksel.
First grade teacher Ms. Melisa says Aksel is an incredibly hardworking and dedicated student who puts a lot of effort into everything he does.
“Aksel has a truly empathetic nature, always showing kindness and understanding to those around him,” says Ms. Melisa. “He readily accepts correction and uses it as an opportunity to grow, which speaks to his maturity and willingness to improve.”
Aksel is always ready to help his classmates, Ms. Melisa adds.
“He has a fun-loving, goofy side that brings joy to those around him, and he has an infectious laugh that brightens up any room,” she says. “One of Aksel’s favorite things is building with Legos, and he’s always eager to dive into a new project. His enthusiasm and positive attitude make him a joy to be around.”
In addition to his love for math, Aksel enjoys PE and running laps. He plays soccer with Castaways and football with his dad on Trayser Field. In his free time, Aksel says he likes to play with his younger sister, Renee.
Upcoming Events
PARENTS' NIGHT OUT TONIGHT
Join The National Honor Society for Parents’ Night Out, a fun and safe evening for the kids while you enjoy some time off! We’ll have pizza, water, and sugar cookies for them to enjoy. Drop-off is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Upper Campus Atrium, and the cost is $20 per child. Click here to sign up now. This event is open to all St. John children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
NO SCHOOL MONDAY
School will be closed on Monday, February 17, for the President's Day holiday. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 19
We'll celebrate February birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, February 19, 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 preschool students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend, as are parents of students with February birthdays.
STUDENT COUNCIL SELLING SNOW CONES FEBRUARY 21
Student council will be selling snow cones during lunch on Friday, February 21, at the Upper Campus. All funds raised will go to student council.
GHS GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION MARCH 1 - GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Our 39th annual Green & White Gala and Auction is officially set for March 1! Here's how you can get in on the fun:
Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to purchase tickets to the event and register to bid
Donate bottles of wine at either campus's front office for our much-loved Wall of Wine prize
Donate an auction prize or commit to volunteering at the event
Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to browse our silent auction, where new items are added daily
Contact auction@giffthillschool.org to donate an auction prize or volunteer at the event. You don't want to miss one of the best St. John parties of the year, all in the name of supporting equitable access to a GHS education!
GHS Highlights
SAT PREP CLASS WELL UNDERWAY
Students in our SAT prep class have been meeting twice weekly to ready themselves for this test, set for April 16.
FOURTH GRADE FIELD TRIP
Fourth graders ventured to Peace Hill and Denis Bay this week, where they read two chapters from My Name is Angelica by Scott O'Dell, a novel about the 1733 insurrection. Students sketched and enjoyed playing along the shore.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR SAILORS!
Our sailors gained more competition experience last weekend at the Crucian Open. They went up against challenging conditions with strong winds and choppy waters in 420s. Coach Sam won second place, while Anais Craig, '28, took fourth and Bannon Beaty, '27, took fifth. Big thanks to Roger and Colleen Brooker for sailing our competitors to St. Croix and back on their boat, Storyteller.
Next up, our sailors will compete in the St. John Yacht Club's La Tapa Plage race this weekend. Go, 'Cudas!
KUDOS TO OUR BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our boys varsity basketball team, which won against Antilles 63 to 57 this week! Special shout-outs to Kevin De Leon, '25, and Isaias Obando, '26, who were our lead scorers; to Angel Perez, '26, who scored a crucial rebound to bring home the win; and to Jayson Richards, '28, who had his first experience in the starting five and did a great job defending the opposing team's star player.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND
Best of luck to our varsity boys basketball team as they compete in the St. Croix Central High School Varsity Invitational Basketball Tournament this weekend! Their first game is tonight at 8:15 p.m. Subsequent games on Saturday and Sunday will be determined by the winners of today's games. Go, 'Cudas!
SOCCER PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES
There will be no soccer practice on Monday due to the President's Day holiday. A makeup practice will be held on Tuesday, February 18.
The middle school/varsity practice scheduled for Friday, February 21 has been moved to Thursday, February 20 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Elementary will practice on Friday as usual.
Players whose forms are not turned in or whose dues are not paid will not be able to practice or play in games.
RUNNING CLUB PRACTICES TO CONTINUE
Running club is ongoing and is open to any students in grades 1 through 12. Practices are on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Lind Point trail, with transportation provided from GHS, and dismissal at the Virgin Islands National Park pavilion; and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. at the Upper Campus.
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 LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS PERFORMANCE THIS EVENING
Love City Pan Dragons will host a free performance today from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Mongoose Junction. Prizes will be raffled off during the show, where the band will be raising funds for its May trip to Virginia Beach PANFest. Everyone is welcome to attend the performance.
BLAKE & KAREN RAPIER SPACE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 21
Virgin Islands high school students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher are invited to apply for the Blake & Karen Rapier Space Camp Scholarship. The scholarship covers all costs for space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. with program dates running from May through August 2025. Students will participate in simulated space missions, astronaut training, and hands-on activities including robotics and engineering challenges. Applications must include one letter of recommendation, a personal statement (500-750 words), and a resume. To apply, visit https://cfvi.co/SpaceCamp. For more information, contact 340-626-9396 or allena@rapiermed.com.
FOOTBALL IS FREEDOM CLINIC & COACHING SEMINAR FEBRUARY 22
In celebration of Bob Marley's 80th birthday, the Football is Freedom Clinic will be coming to the St. Thomas-St. John district on Saturday, February 22, at a location that's yet to be determined. This clinic is for girls ages 10-18. The cost is $20 and all participants will receive a clinic t-shirt. Division I college coaches and World Cup Player Sashana Campbell will be in attendance and players can look forward to technical and tactical development and female youth empowerment. Click here to sign up.
FEMA NOW ACCEPTING YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL APPLICATIONS
FEMA is looking for students in grades 8 through 11 who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness to join the Youth Preparedness Council. The YPC provides young people an opportunity to learn about emergency management, develop professional skills, and share their perspectives with FEMA staff. During their one-year term, YPC members can gain valuable leadership and emergency management experience and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. YPC members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
During their one-year term, council members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
The online application closes March 3. To learn more about the YPC and application requirements, visit the YPC website and visit the application page to apply.
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