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Student Spotlight
Ninth grader Greyson Ramsey has been part of the GHS community since first grade. He says he appreciates the way our teachers know their students on a personal level.
“There’s a connection between students and teachers,” says Greyson. “They get to know the students and can understand what’s happening in their lives outside of school.”
Ninth grade co-advisors Ms. Emma and Ms. S. say Greyson has demonstrated a lot of growth over the past few years.
“He’s super responsible, and a real leader in class discussions,” says Ms. Emma. “He contributes really thoughtful points.”
Greyson is a calming presence among his peers and gets along well with all of his classmates. He is very business-minded.
“I taught him during the first trimester in business,” says Ms. S. “He was super passionate. We did a mini stock exchange and he thought about it so intensely.”
Greyson says science is his favorite subject. He plays soccer with Castaways and plans to join GHS’s flag football team. In his free time, he enjoys playing games, spending time on Trayser Field, and fishing. Greyson is currently working to launch a 3D printed offshore fishing lure business. Prototypes that he designed will soon be tested by local boat captains, whose feedback Greyson plans to use to improve his designs.
Upcoming Events
PROGRESS REPORTS TO BE DISTRIBUTED FEBRUARY 12
Second trimester progress reports will be sent home with students on Wednesday, February 12. These progress reports feature insightful narratives about your child from each of their teachers, and they give you a window into areas where your child might need additional support before the second trimester closes on March 7. Please contact your child's teacher(s) or your campus principal with any questions or concerns.
PARENTS' NIGHT OUT FEBRUARY 14
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.
GHS GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION MARCH 1 - SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NOW LIVE!
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
GHS GAVE BACK TODAY!
We celebrated the spirit of giving back to your community with our signature GHS Gives Back Day today. Collecting food donations for Catholic Charities Virgin Islands, raising money for the St. John Cancer Fund, removing invasive lionfish, and trash cleanups are just some of the ways our students displayed their care for their community today. Thank you to all the parent volunteers and community partners who helped make this day happen!
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM!
Our boys varsity basketball team won against VIMSIA on Monday. Shout-out to Taire Barnes, '26 on defense and steal, Justin Richards, '25 and Kevin De Leon, '25 as the lead scorers, and Li'Undray Dagou, '28 and Jayson Richards, '28, who made their freshman debut.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL GAME SCHEDULE
Our boys varsity basketball team has two games on the schedule for next week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our players. Good luck and go, Barracudas!
Monday, 2/10, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Wednesday, 2/12, 5:30 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at IEKHS
And best of luck to our Barracudas as they head to St. Croix February 14-16 for the Complex Tournament!
SOCCER SIGN-UPS CLOSE FEBRUARY 14
Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to join GHS's soccer teams. Practices began Monday, February 3, and occur on Mondays and Fridays at the following times:
Elementary team (fourth and fifth grade) - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Middle school and varsity teams (sixth through twelfth grade) - 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Lower Campus students will be transported to the Upper Campus for practices. Sign-up forms will be available at practices and registration closes February 14. Students who have not turned in their registration forms or paid spring athletics dues of $100 will not be able to practice or play in games. There will be no practice on President's Day, February 17. A makeup practice will be held on Tuesday, February 18. Please email francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
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. Dismissal will be at the Virgin Islands National Park pavilion. There will be no running club this Thursday.
Ms. Francis and Coach Emma are considering a special 8 Tuff Miles tune-up this weekend. Please communicate with them on Dojo or via email at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org or emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org to indicate your interest. Additionally, a second 8 Tuff Miles tune-up will be held Saturday, February 15, from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. More information to come.
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
VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTS AT PELICAN POST FEBRUARY 8
The Pelican Post will host a Valentine's Day crafting event tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to create memorable crafts and timeless pieces together.
ADULT ESL CLASSES TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 10
UVI CELL in partnership with UVI Modern Languages will offer ESL classes to those 18 and older beginning February 10 at The Marketplace. These free classes, offered twice weekly for 10 weeks, will include an elementary level and an intermediate level. For more information, contact cell@uvi.edu.
BEE BUILDING WORKSHOPS FEBRUARY 10 AND 11
St. John School of the Arts and artist Elena Smyrniotis are teaming up for a public, beehive-inspired community art installation. Everyone is welcome to attend two bee-making workshops. Attendees should bring items like aluminum cans, hard plastics, recycled plastic jugs or plastic canvas, googly eyes, black and yellow electrical tape, and any unique items to personalize your creation. SJSA will provide some materials. Click here to register for a workshop.
VIPA COMMUNITY MEETING FEBRUARY 11
The Virgin Islands Port Authority will host a community meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cruz Bay Legislature Annex's Cleone Creque Legislative Hall. The topic will be the design and construction of the Enighed Pond Community Park. The public is invited to email questions to info@viport.com or call the Public Relations office with any questions regarding the project or the community meeting at 340-714-6640. A recording of the meeting will be shared on VIPA's YouTube Channel.
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. FEMA will also host two webinars to learn more about the application process for potential applicants January 30 at 9:00 p.m. and February 11 at 6:00 p.m.
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