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Student Spotlight
Tenth grader Bannon Beaty attended GHS as a preschooler then returned to us in sixth grade and has been a Barracuda ever since. Bannon says he appreciates the personal attention each of our students receive from their teachers.
“The teachers and students have a lot of one-on-one interactions,” says Bannon. “Everyone here is nice.”
Bannon is an inspiration to his classmates, says tenth grade advisor Mr. D.
“He’s one of those kids who leads by quiet example,” says Mr. D. “He’s got a really friendly disposition, works very hard, and cares about doing well in his studies. All those qualities lead to his classmates looking to him as a role model.”
Bannon says sailing is his favorite class this year. He participated in Kids And The Sea when he was younger, then sailed with the St. Thomas Yacht Club until the pandemic hit.
“I really like being out of a classroom and doing something hands-on, so sailing every Friday is amazing,” says Bannon.
Sailing coach Mr. Sam says Bannon is patient and helpful to his fellow students.
“His growth has been immense over the last few months,” says Mr. Sam. “He can now sail without a rudder and has really excelled with roll tacks. I find Bannon to be a very engaging, active listener who’s aiming to understand more.”
Bannon was inducted into the National Honor Society this year and he plans to join our soccer team this spring. When he’s not at school, Bannon enjoys playing video games and learning about geopolitical issues.
Upcoming Events
LOWER CAMPUS NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY NOVEMBER 20
We'll celebrate November birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, November 20, 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 in person, as are parents of students with November birthdays.
CULTURE DAY AT UPPER CAMPUS NOVEMBER 26
Gifft Hill School's IDEA Club is proud to present Culture Day, November 26, when we invite our students to share their culture through food, music, dance, and art. Students are encouraged to dress up in traditional clothing, or colors representing their family culture, and are welcome to bring in a dish to share that's reflective of their family's culture. This can be a food that's tied to your heritage, or a beloved family recipe. Any students who would like to perform a dance, song, or poem characteristic of their family's culture should sign up using this Google Form no later than Wednesday, November 20.
SECOND TRIMESTER AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO BEGIN DECEMBER 2 AT BOTH CAMPUSES
Second trimester after-school clubs are set to begin at both campuses December 2.
Sign-ups for clubs at the Lower Campus are now closed.
Clubs at the Upper Campus have limited availability. Students should sign up in the office. Clubs will begin as close to 3:15 p.m. as possible and will end daily at 4:25 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. parent pickup. Here are the Upper Campus after-school club options:
Mondays
Math academic support with Ms. V.
English academic support with Ms. Emma
Archery with Mr. D.
Wednesdays
Math academic support with Ms. Leah
Social studies academic support with Dr. Brittany
Art club with Ms. Adrienne
Thursdays
Math/science academic support with Mr. Bill
English academic support with Ms. Janet
Cooking club with Chef Parris
GHS Highlights
UPPER CAMPUS SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
Mr. Bill's chemistry students tested vials of clear liquid to determine their contents this week. Factors like flammability, boiling point, pH, and reaction to other chemicals were used to determine each liquid's chemical and physical properties. Through their experimentation, they discovered that the liquids were water, ethanol, acetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, glycolic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrochloric acid.
KINDERGARTEN TASTE TEST
Kindergarteners did a taste test of local fruits this week, then voted via a picture graph to see which fruit is best liked in their class. The winner: mango!
HELP US WITH OUR BEE PROTECTION PROJECT!
Do you have any of the pictured objects and would you be willing to donate them to our school for a project? Our fifth graders are excited to partner with the St. John School of the Arts on a recycled art for conservation and bee protection project highlighting the importance of bees in our ecosystems. Please bring your donated items to our Lower Campus front office. Thank you!
UPPER CAMPUS PHONE POUCHES
This is a reminder that all students must turn off their phones and secure them in their Yondr pouches each morning at school. Students who repeatedly arrive at school without their pouch will be required to purchase a new one for $30.
Sports Central
MIDDLE SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
Best of luck to our middle school flag football team, which will compete in the rescheduled Dana Richardson Tournament this weekend! The team will play BCB at 9:00 a.m. at Antilles, and if they win, they'll face another matchup at noon.
FALL ATHLETE UNIFORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED
As the fall sports season wraps up, all athletes should return their washed uniforms to Ms. Francis.
WINTER SPORTS NOW ENROLLING
Some of our winter sports teams are still enrolling. Keep an eye out for info on basketball and cheerleading clinics for third to fifth graders. Please contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org for more information.
Boys basketball, middle school and varsity
Open to grades 6-12
Practice is underway and takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Peace basketball court
Athletic dues were due last week. Students who have not paid the athletic fee will be unable to participate in practice or games until the balance is paid.
Girls basketball, middle school and junior varsity
Open to grades 6-12
Practice is underway and takes place Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm at the Lower Campus green top and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Upper Campus basketball court
Athletic dues were due this week. Students who have not paid the athletic fee will be unable to participate in practice or games until the balance is paid.
Coed cheerleading
Open to grades 6-12
Practice begins November 18 and will take place Mondays from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. at the Upper Campus
Athletic dues must be turned in by November 22. Students who have not paid the athletic fee will be unable to participate in practice or games until the balance is paid.
Running club/track and field
Open to grades 3-12
Running club will continue on an open enrollment basis. Practices will take place on Thursdays going forward, with no practice during the Thanksgiving break.
November practice locations will include Susannaberg, Hawksnest, and possibly Trunk or Cinnamon Bay. Athletes should bring a towel and swimsuit for a chance to cool off in the water with supervision on beach days.
Track and field meets will begin in January.
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
VINP PROGRAM TO HIGHLIGHT CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION BETWEEN WEST AFRICA AND VIRGIN ISLANDS
Everyone is invited to learn about the cross-cultural connection and shared history of West Africa and the Caribbean with a Virgin Islands National Park presentation on Saturday morning, November 16, at 5:45 p.m. Samuel Acquaah, who has worked for the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board for 13 years and managed Christiansborg Castle in Osu for eight years, will present as part of his stay as an international volunteer at the VINP. Samuel will present on the visual iconography of the Akan ethnic groups in West Africa. The presentation will explore the unique meanings of Adinkra symbols used in communicating ideas such as leadership, harmony, and spirituality.
This event will take place at the Lind Point Resource Management and Science Building Conference Room. Limited parking is available at Lind Point and the Cruz Bay Visitor Center. One taxi will pick up at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center parking lot at 5:30 p.m. and will leave Lind Point after the meeting at 6:45 p.m. to drop off near the visitor center and the ferry dock.
TEEN TIME AT VIRGIN ISLANDS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DECEMBER 6
Youth ages 13 and up are invited to teen time at the Virgin Islands Children's Museum on Friday, December 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Teens can play games and win prizes and there will be free entry and free snacks. Scan the flyer's QR code to register or learn more.
LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS HOLIDAY CONCERT DECEMBER 14
Love City Pan Dragons will host a holiday concert and fundraiser with a theme of Caribbean Christmas on December 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the St. John School of the Arts. Ronald Lee Jr. and friends will open the performance and there will be complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, merchandise for sale, and a 50/50 raffle. This performance is a fundraiser for the band's May 2025 trip to PANFest in Virginia Beach, Va. Seats are limited and tickets will sell out. Reserve your seat by sending $20 per person and each guest's name, phone number, and email address via Venmo @Lovecitypandragons or via PayPal to lovecitypandragons@gmail.com. Call or text 340-690-2420 for more information.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL ENROLLING FOR WINTER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
World Ocean School is enrolling for its Winter Ambassador Program, set for December 27, 2024 to January 3, 2025. Students age 16 to 19 are welcome to set sail aboard the Denis Sullivan in a program that begins and ends in St. Croix. No knowledge of sailing is required. Scholarships are available. See flyer below for more information.
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