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Student Spotlight
Ninth grader Li’Undray Dagou joined the GHS community as a fourth grader. He said he likes the way everyone treats one another respectfully.
“I like the students,” he says. “They’re kind.”
Li’Undray says math is his favorite subject, because “Mr. D. makes it fun.”
Ninth grade co-advisor Ms. Emma says Li’Undray is a silent leader with a good sense of humor.
“He’s a very conscientious student and he models good behavior for his classmates,” she says.
Li’Undray has an easy relationship with his classmates in which he’s able to balance joking around and encouraging his peers to focus and get back on track when needed. Ms. Emma notes that Li’Undray has been putting good effort into his writing.
“He’s always behind the scenes doing exactly what he needs to be doing, without any desire to be acknowledged for it,” says Ms. Emma. “He’s a good classmate and friend to those around him.”
Li’Undray is a member of our basketball and flag football teams. He’s an active member of his church, where he participates in the steel pan band and youth group. In his spare time, Li’Undray likes to catch up on sleep and play video games.
Upcoming Events
NO SCHOOL MONDAY / PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
There will be no school on Monday in honor of Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Friendship Day. Parent teacher conferences will take place this day at the Upper Campus, and at the Lower Campus for those who made appointments with their child's teacher for Monday. At the Upper Campus, parents are welcome to drop in any time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to meet with each of their child's teachers. Upper Campus students are encouraged to attend these conferences with their parent(s). Our goal is for every parent to meet with their child's teacher(s). These meetings help parents and teachers gain helpful insights into each student's learning and helps set our students up for success.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 16
We'll celebrate October birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, October 16, 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 pre-K students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents of students with October birthdays.
AUTOPISTA COLLEGE FAIR OCTOBER 17
The Autopista Americas college fair tour will visit our Upper Campus on Thursday, October 17, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. High school students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from select colleges and universities, and parents are welcome to come meet with these representatives as well.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER
We are excited to present our first Farm to Table dinner of the 2024-2025 school year! This student-driven, student-prepared, and student-served dinner is the culmination of the farm to table back of house and front of house STEAM Week offerings. The evening will bring the flavors of Mexico to St. John with pairings by Island Hope Wines. Join us and see why guests call our dinners "the best restaurant on St. John!" Click here to get your tickets today.
SCHOOL PICTURE MAKEUP DAY
Picture makeup day has been scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, October 29. Those who were absent on picture day will have their school photo taken. Please send in your picture orders by Friday, October 25. Contact andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
NO BUS SERVICE OCTOBER 21
There will be no bus service on October 21. Please be sure to arrange alternate transportation for your child.
GHS Highlights
THANK YOU, ROTARY!
Thank you to Rotary Club of St. John for the donation of school supplies, planners, dictionaries, and coloring books to our students at both campuses!
SEEKING DONATIONS FOR RECYCLED ART 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!
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS AND VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS!
Congratulations to our middle school girls volleyball team, which won all their games this week, coming out on top against Antilles White, Antilles Blue, Sts Peter and Paul, and BCB this week, and to our varsity boys volleyball team, which won against IEKHS. Go, 'Cudas!
THIS WEEK'S GAME SCHEDULE
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas. Those who wish to travel with the team for games on St. Thomas should contact francinefrancis@giffthillschool.org to take advantage of the school's discounted taxi rate. Here is the schedule for the coming week:
Girls middle school volleyball
Tuesday, 10/15, 5:15 p.m. - GHS vs. Calvary at Montessori
Girls varsity volleyball
Saturday, 10/12, 11:00 a.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at IEKHS
Tuesday, 10/15, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Antilles
Wednesday, 10/16, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS
Boys varsity volleyball
Friday, 10/11, 3:45 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at GHS
Saturday, 10/12, 1:30 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS
Thursday, 10/17, 4:30 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at IEKHS
Middle school flag football
Tuesday, 10/15, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at GHS
Thursday, 10/17, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at GHS
Cross country
Thursday, 10/17, 3:30 p.m. - UVI golf course
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
OCAMA YOUTH CHOIR NOW ENROLLING
Sing St. John's Ocama youth choir is open to singers in grades 3-8 who love to sing and learn. Rehearsals began October 8 and take place on Tuesdays at the GHS Upper Campus from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information or to sign up, contact Ms. Kristen at kristen@singstjohn.org or 802-380-0761.
LOVE CITY PAN DRAGONS NOW ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS
Love City Pan Dragons is now enrolling new members in the band through October 31. No musical experience is required and ages 10 and up are welcome, including adults. Learn a new skill, make new friends, enjoy travel opportunities, and help keep your island's culture alive when you're part of the Pan Dragons family. To join, message the band's Facebook page, call or text 340-690-2420, email lovecitypandragons@gmail.com, or simply stop by during practice (Fridays from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the band's Cruz Bay pan yard - the green door next to the Sports, Parks & Rec center).
UVI SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE INFORMATIONAL SESSION OCTOBER 15
The University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture will host an informational session on Tuesday, October 15, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Attendees will meet the school's faculty and learn about opportunities available to UVI School of Agriculture students. Click here to attend.
V.I. EMANCIPATION COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE POETRY & ARTS COMPETITION
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Commemoration Committee is hosting a V.I. Cultural Laureate Poetry & Arts competition. This event is designed to inspire young artists and poets alike, providing them with a platform to express themselves and gain recognition for their work. All students are encouraged to participate, regardless of experience level.
We encourage all students to participate, regardless of their experience level and welcome all ART FORMS in celebration of the arts and our traditions of literacy. Entries are due October 25, and the winners will be announced on/during the Liberty Day Celebration in November.
Click here to submit your entry.
CASTAWAYS TRUNK OR TREAT SET FOR OCTOBER 26, 27
Castaways soccer club will host a trunk-or-treat-style event at their St. Thomas soccer field on October 26 and 27 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include prizes for the scariest, most creative, funniest, and best overall costume; creepiest food/drink item; and for the best booth set up by a Castaways team. For more information, see flyers below.
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