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Student Spotlight
Ninth grader Kennya Estrado attended GHS in third grade, then returned for her seventh grade year and she’s been a Barracuda ever since. She says our teachers are friendly toward their students and the school’s community is tight-knit.
Ninth grade class advisor Mr. D. says Kennya is kind and caring to those around her.
“She’s got a great sense of humor,” says Mr. D. “Kennya is quick to smile, quick to laugh, and helps keep our classroom really positive and bright.”
Kennya serves as the “class mom,” says Mr. D., and she helps ensure her peers are up to date on their schoolwork. "She’s responsible and a voice of maturity.”
Kennya says science is her favorite subject because she likes learning about the world, and she appreciates Mr. D’s teaching style. Art is her favorite elective, during which Kennya enjoys painting. She’s a member of our varsity girls volleyball team, which she says she enjoys for the experience of working as a team, and she frequently volunteers at the Animal Care Center of St. John.
“Kennya is an active participant in classroom discussions, moves things forward by asking insightful questions, and asks for clarification in ways that benefit those around her,” says Mr. D. “She’s a ray of sunshine.”
Upcoming Events
HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 10
Homecoming dance organizer Ms. Francis has sadly experienced multiple deaths in her family recently, necessitating the rescheduling of this weekend's homecoming dance. The dance will now take place Saturday, February 10, at 6 p.m. at the Bellevue Community Center. All St. John high school students are invited to the homecoming dance on February 10. Dress is formal and tickets are $30 apiece. Those who wish to attend must have a permission slip/liability form filled out by a parent or guardian. Parents are welcome to help with set up on Friday, February 9, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. or with break down on Sunday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact Ms. Francis at francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information or to buy tickets.
BECKY WARD BENEFIT JANUARY 21
Friends of toddler teacher, Becky Ward, are hosting a benefit called "Wardstock" January 21 at Skinny Legs. This event is meant to uplift and support our dear colleague/teacher/fellow GHS parent/friend as she navigates her health journey. There are many ways the GHS community can show up for Ms. Becky:
Simply attend the event and enjoy
Volunteer for jobs like selling shirts, running games, or doing henna or face painting
Donate a raffle prize
High school students can volunteer at the event for community service hours
High school students can donate an evening of babysitting as a raffle prize
Please send questions or indicate your interest by contacting event organizer Jessica Daigneault at jessiedaig@gmail.com.
SAT PREP COURSE TO BEGIN JANUARY 22
GHS will offer an SAT course to help students prepare for the April 10 SAT test. The class will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from January 22 through March 14. There is no school February 19 so that class will instead take place February 23. The course will cost $100 which includes the latest version of the Kaplan SAT Prep study guide with practice tests. Please sign up early, as the course is open to all St. John high school students and space will be limited. To register for the course, email Mary Burks at maryburks@giffthillschool.org. Payments can be made through the GHS business office.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY JANUARY 24
We'll celebrate January birthdays at our monthly birthday assembly Wednesday morning, January 24, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Campus Great Room. Parents and guardians of third grade students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents of students with January birthdays.
FREE ROBOTICS AND CODING AFTER-SCHOOL CLASS TO BEGIN JANUARY 29
GHS senior Roshan Kalantarian will provide a free after-school class on robotics and coding on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. beginning January 29. The class is for Upper Campus students only and will continue through March 4. There will be no class February 19 due to the Presidents Day holiday; it will instead be held February 22 that week. Those interested should sign up before January 29 by seeing Ms. Mary in the front office.
NO BUS FEBRUARY 5
There will be no bus service on Monday, February 5. Please be sure to arrange alternate transportation for your child.
GHS Highlights
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.
FIRST GRADERS LAUNCHING CAN DRIVE FOR GHS GIVES BACK DAY
GHS Gives Back Day is right around the corner and first grade is getting a head start on their day of service by collecting non-perishable foods for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands. Donation boxes will be in place at both campus front offices starting today through February 8. Thanks for helping to support this initiative!
JOIN US IN OUR REACCREDITATION PROCESS!
This year, Gifft Hill School will participate in a reaccreditation process certified by the Middle States Association. There will be many opportunities for you to participate and share input as we collect data on how we are doing, set goals, and prepare for an inspection by the MSA visiting team in December 2024. Click here to learn more! One important way you can contribute feedback is by completing the digital survey found here. This is a great way for your voice to be heard. This is your school, and your feedback is valuable!
INTERESTED IN GHS SUMMER CAMP?
Today is the last day to submit your input regarding GHS summer camp for rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders. Please click here to fill out the form today, so we can best serve the needs of our community.
Sports Central
MLK BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Kudos to our varsity boys basketball team, which won against Montessori at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball Tournament last weekend. Though our team lost their games to Central and Antilles, they played well all around! Go, Barracudas!
RUNNING CLUB HOSTING SATURDAY PRACTICE FOR 8 TUFF PREP
Members of running club who will be competing in the 8 Tuff Miles race are welcome to join special Saturday practices on January 27, February 3, and February 10. Check the group chat for updates on meeting times and locations.
PEP RALLY FUN!
Kudos to our cheerleading team for hosting a quick and fun pep rally this morning, where we recognized our winter sports teams. Go, Barracudas!
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
BROADWAY COMES TO ST. JOHN JANUARY 26
The St. John School of the Arts will host its annual Broadway Comes to St. John event for friends and family of the performers — the island's fourth graders, including GHS's own fourth grade class — on January 26. This year's show is dubbed "The Missing Map: A Journey Around the World," created by Andrew J. Hanley and Suzanna Dupree. The Angel show will take place on January 27. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or calling 340-779-4322.
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