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Student Spotlight
First grader Beckham Rose came to GHS in pre-K. He says our teachers are “really kind and helpful” and his peers are “kind and welcoming.”
“Beckham has a personality that brightens the classroom,” says first grade teacher Ms. Melisa. “He always walks into first grade with a huge smile and a witty story to share.”
Beckham says Ms. Melisa is “really smart,” especially when it comes to math, which is his favorite subject. His favorite special is PE because “I can’t resist doing sports,” Beckham says.
Beckham is an enthusiastic learner, says Ms. Melisa, who adds that he shows “strong leadership, is confident in sharing his thinking, and influences others in constructive, positive ways.”
Beckham says he and his classmates are “really good friends.”
“Beckham is an empathetic friend who always strives to include everyone,” says Ms. Melisa.
When he’s not at school, Beckham loves to play football, basketball, and soccer with Castaways Soccer Club and with his dad.
Upcoming Events
MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE TOMORROW
All St. John middle school students are invited to the Gifft Hill School middle school dance on February 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Upper Campus, hosted by our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association. The theme is Under the Stars and tickets are $10 apiece. Middle school students who do not attend GHS are welcome to attend as guests of GHS students. Guest tickets may be purchased by GHS students with accompanying contact information for the guest's parents.
NO SCHOOL MONDAY
School will be closed on Monday in honor of Presidents Day. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 21
We'll celebrate February birthdays at our monthly birthday assembly Wednesday morning, February 21, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Campus Great Room. Parents and guardians of preschool students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents of students with February birthdays.
DOH TO OFFER FREE LEAD TESTING TO STUDENTS AGE 6 AND YOUNGER FEBRUARY 22
The Virgin Islands Department of Health will offer free blood lead testing to our students age 6 and younger on February 22. Lead testing is recommended for select populations at 1- and 2-year health visits, but many children have never received this test, according to the DOH. The Department of Health is interested in conducting widespread surveillance of lead in blood for children ages 6 and younger because this age group is particularly vulnerable to long-term health effects of lead poisoning.
If you are interested in this test for your child, please click here to learn more and to pre-register your child. The testing procedure will occur as follows:
1. A finger stick (capillary) text will be performed at school. Children will have their finger pricked with a small needle, or lancet, and the blood is collected into a 50mL capillary tube, or tiny straw. The blood is placed in a small vial which is later transported to the DOH laboratory for testing. Results are received by the parent/guardian’s registered phone number or email within two to three days. The testing procedure itself takes less than 10 minutes.
2. If a child screens negative (result <3.3 ug/dl), no further action is needed. If a child screens positive (result >3.3 ug/dl), DOH will refer the child for venous blood draw confirmatory testing with a local laboratory or provider. The cost of the test will be covered by the DOH and results are received within one to two weeks. DOH will also contact the family to schedule an environmental home assessment to investigate potential lead exposures.
For more information, contact the Department of Health at 340-774-9000.
GHS Highlights
TENTH GRADE FIELD TRIP
Tenth graders were treated to a field trip yesterday to St. Thomas, where they visited the Synagogue, the oldest in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere, to learn about the Jewish faith and the history of the building and its congregation. They then toured Fort Christian with the St. Thomas Historic Trust. This trip was the culmination of units in both their English and history classes.
AUCTION COMING UP MARCH 2; TICKETS AVAILABLE, DONATIONS WELCOME
Our 38th annual auction is coming up on March 2, and we are now soliciting donations for the event. From a bottle of wine for our highly coveted Wall of Wine prize to villa stays, boat trips, and Jeep rentals, there are many ways you can support our most important fundraiser of the year. Bottles of wine can be dropped off at the Upper Campus front office. To donate goods or services, please click here to fill out the donation form or return the paper form sent home with your child. Click here to purchase tickets to the event. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to supporting our financial aid program!
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR BASKETBALL TEAMS!
Congratulations to our middle school girls basketball team for their wins against Arawaks on February 8 with a score of 9 to 5 and against Arawaks on February 15 with a score of 17 to 9; to our middle school boys for their win against Antilles on February 10 with a score of 24 to 22; and to our varsity boys for their win against VIMSIA with a score of 40 to 27. Go, Barracudas!
MIDDLE SCHOOL, VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES COMING UP
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas!
Middle school girls basketball
Thursday, 2/22, 4 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Pine Peace
Thursday, 2/22, seven minutes after conclusion of 4 p.m. game - GHS vs. JESS at Pine Peace
Varsity boys basketball
Wednesday, 2/21, seven minutes after conclusion of 4 p.m. game - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Friday, 2/23-Sunday, 2/25 - IEKHS varsity tournament (schedule will be announced once it's been released)
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 FUNDRAISER CONCERT THIS AFTERNOON
Love City Pan Dragons will host a free concert this afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mongoose Junction. Pan Dragons merchandise will be on sale and the band will be accepting donations for its summer trip to Antigua to compete in that island's Panorama.
YOUTH SUMMIT FOR AGES 12-18 MARCH 9 AT JESS
UVI-CELL will host an EmpowerU Youth Summit on March 9 at the Julius E. Sprauve School. The interactive summit will feature real talk on mental health, leadership, tackling challenges, and unlocking your future's full potential. The summit is open to students age 12 to 18. Click here to register.
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