Dear Parents:
After a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, we jumped right back into a great second week of school. It is exciting to see how across our school everyone – faculty in their teaching, and administrators in their support work of faculty – are operating at higher levels than ever before and engaged in collaborative conversations about enhancing student learning. We are well on track to make this the best school year ever!
To stay on track myself, I always like to begin the year by outlining my top goals. I then try to spend as much of time as possible tackling these strategic priorities that can help continue to move the institution forward and have a lasting impact on our students.
In short, my top four goals (in no particular order) for the school year are:
Goal #1: Re-Accreditation. Complete Middle States Association self-study and visit.
Goal #2: Infrastructure. Continue ensuring the Buildings & Grounds enhances vs. impedes faculty productivity and student learning.
Goal #3: Culture/Programs. Continue developing a culture of continuous improvement and academic excellence.
Goal #4: Advancement. Continue developing systems to bring transformative resources to GHCDS.
I invite you to read more about each of these goals GHCDS Head of School Goals 2018-19 . If you feel you are in a position to help us address any of these priorities – whether with your time, talent, or treasure – please let me know. We welcome your support!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kari
Middle States Re-Accreditation Self-Study Update
As you know, a five-member team from the Middle States Association will be visiting our campus November 13-16 to assess our self-study, which we will submit to them by October 12. In the meantime, we will be working feverishly to produce the 100+ page self-study document in which we evaluate all parts of our school and incorporate the constructive feedback we received from various constituencies, including parents, on our surveys in May.
Below are the key sections of the self-study document along with the chair of each sub-committee. Chairs will be involving others in the weeks ahead. We are enormously grateful for their leadership!
- Profile of Graduates – Nancy Thatcher
- Foundation Documents – Kari Loya
- School Profile: Community – Linda Stamper-Keularts
- School Profile: School Info: Alma Castro-Nieves
- School Profile: Student Performance – Dawn Grey/Denise Blanchette
- Standard I: Mission – Stewart Shelley
- Standard 2: Governance – John Harper
- Standard 3: School Improvement – Cesar Guerra
- Standard 4: Finance – Sue Gibbons
- Standard 5: Facilities – Felix Lima
- Standard 6: School Organization – Sue Gibbons/Annaly Guerra
- Standard 7: Health and Safety – Clarissa Cooper
- Standard 8: Educational Program – Dawn Grey/Denise Blanchette
- Standard 9: Assessment and Evidence – Dawn Grey/Denise Blanchette
- Standard 10: Student Services – Daisy Pelovitz/Olga Hutchins
- Standard 11: Student Life and Activities – Kathleen Graham/Nancy Thatcher
- Standard 12: Info Resources – Ryan Franks/Wanda Bishop
Quick Announcements
PE Snack Bar
The Athletic Department after school Snack Bar has reopened! From 3:00-3:15 students can purchase ice pops, Italian Ice, drinks and snacks. The PE Snack Bar is located at the end of the Administration Building, across from the Early Learning Center. Small bills are appreciated.
Preschool Color Days’ Schedule
Monday, September 10, 2018: Green Day
Tuesday, September 11, 2018: Red, White & Blue Day
Wednesday, September 12, 2018: Purple Day
Thursday September 13, 2018: Brown Day
Friday, September 14, 2018 : Rainbow Day
Bed, Breakfast & Broadway!
OPEN AUDITIONS
Monday, September 17th
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
GHCDS Pavilion
Grades 7-12
A wacky cast of actors is rehearsing for its big community theatre production of “You Only Die Twice.” Marge Cunningham, the author of this “spell-binding murder mystery,” runs the Enchanting Dreams Bed-and-Breakfast, which doubles as the community theatre. When she receives word that a top Broadway producer is coming to town to hopefully “discover” some fresh acting talent, she notifies the cast, and they go into high gear to perfect the show before opening night. They decide to stay in character and run their lines as much as possible before the performance. But it’s not easy. Fred Atkins plays the cat burglar who can never quite make it through the window without getting his panty hose caught. And then there’s Sally Hendrickson who can transform herself into a butler-chasing bimbo with lightning speed. In the meantime, a vacationing couple appears about a possible vacancy at the bed and breakfast. The local actors assume the visiting couple is the producer and his wife, but in reality the man is an overwrought air traffic controller who desperately needs a break before he has a breakdown! “Helping” the situation is the bed-and-breakfast handyman who can’t keep anything straight, including important phone messages. The cast may be small-time, but they have one big dream: to go to Broadway! Let the mayhem begin!
Click here to BRAG about your student!
¡Gracias! Merci! Thank You!
Thanks to Mrs. Mohammed for once again volunteering in the Early Learning Center. We are so appreciative of your help!
Around Campus
Real life science and collaboration at GHCDS!
Biology students work in groups to complete a STEM project. Students are designing, building, and testing a water still in preparation for the 2018 hurricane season. Real life science and collaboration at GHCDS!
Upper School Parent Information Afternoon
Open House: Physics students’ parents create models for supportive spaghetti.
New PE Attire!
New and school spirit styled PE shirts are available in the office. $15.00 each. Checks written to GHCDS or cash accepted.
The new PE Shirts are a hit in Lower, Intermediate and Middle schools! The youth small and medium sizes are on order and should be here by the second week of September. Doesn’t Joshua Rodgers look sporty and studious!
We have Panther SWAG! In addition to our spirit filled PE shirts, students and parents may order these fabulous items:
● Collared shirts, male or female cut,in black or white $22
● Giant Panther polar cups with lids $30
● Caps in black or white $15
● Bags $12 (modeled fabulously by Kennedy James)
● Panther luggage/backpack tags $8.00
Orders may be placed by emailing acarter@ghcds.org with the subject line SWAG. Coach Amy is happy to answer any questions you may have by email, also.(Pom poms not for sale…yet!). First order will be placed on September 7th. Go Panthers!
Parents’ Association
Hey there Panther Parents!
We have an ambitious agenda this year, full of activities and events. As a parent of an enrolled student, you are already a member of the Parents’ Association. We would love to have you at our events and involved in any way you would like.
These weekly newsletters will serve as our main source of communication to parents. Occasionally, you will also see special emails and postings on the bulletin boards around school. Make sure to like us on Facebook as well.
We have two important dates coming up to remember:
Senior Paint Day is Sunday, September 9th. Our upper school parking lot has been re-striped and is ready for our Seniors of 2019! Seniors will have an opportunity to paint individual parking spots for the year on September 9th. Guidelines and applications are being distributed through the senior advisors this week. Applications are due back to Mr. Shelley in the front office by Wednesday, September 6th.
Our first Parents’ Association Meeting and Room Parent Meeting is Thursday, September 13 at 8am in the Pavillion. Please come hear about our goals and plans for the year and voice your suggestions! All room parents should plan to attend.
The Panther Power Up is Tuesday, November 13th. This year the PA will be a hosting a school-wide, character-based, run-a-thon that is sure to be a blast! This will be one of the highlights of the year and the kids are going to love it. The program begins will a Pep Rally at Friday gathering on Friday, November 2 and ends with the Fun Run on Tuesday, November 13th. Parents, please plan to attend!
For student guidelines and forms CLICK HERE.
Thank you for all of your support!
Robyn Falconer
Hi Panther Families!
All our fall sport athletes are up and moving, and training is going really well! Thank you parents, athletes and coaches for such a smooth start to 2018-2019 athletics!
Next week the schedule is a touch different. Flag Football will have two practices. Volleyball has a slightly different schedule, as Coach Dunton is off island. Coach Floyd and Coach Akkido Linquist will be running volleyball next week. Also, Cross Country has two practice days and the optional Friday morning run.
If your athlete is participating in two sports, and the days and times conflict, your athlete should split times or days with each, and communicate your schedule with your coaches. When we have a more clear idea of competition days for each sport and level, we’ll be able to plan practices accordingly.
In addition to the strong sports programs we offer, I wanted to take a moment to mention two other programs that have served our students well:
- The St. Croix Dolphins-Located at our pool. The Dolphins offer a wide variety of swimming activities for all different levels, lessons for all ages, adult swim time at specific hours and a fair price, as well as a fantastic and competitive swim team. Family Fun Day and team tryouts will be on September 22nd from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. You can reach them at 340-719-SWIM (7946) for more information.
- Sailing is another wonderful option for Good Hope Country Day School students, located at the St. Croix Yacht Club.
Registration is open for first 6-week session, September 18 – October 28. Options:
Sea Squirts
The Sea Squirt program is designed to introduce young sailors ages 5-7 to fun and safety in, around and on the water. Thursday 3:45pm – 6:15pm and Saturday 10am-12:30pm
Beginner Opti
This class offers an opportunity for young beginner sailors to learn basic boat handling. Thursdays 3:45pm – 6:15pm and Saturdays 10am – 12:30pm Ages 7-13
Adventure Fun Sail
This fun program explores the waters of the East End of St Croix from a variety of watercraft, including, Optis, Sunfish and 420s. Sailors enjoy sailing games, sailing excursions. Wednesdays 3:45-6:15pm and Saturday 1pm – 3:30pm.
Transportation to SCYC on School Days:
Van or bus service will be available Wednesday – Friday, picking up at Good Hope Country Day School.
Please see St Croix Yacht Club website for more information. https://www.stcroixyc.com/2018-School-Year-Sailing
Next Week’s Panther Sports Schedule:
Monday
- All boys volleyball 3:15-4:30 gym
- All girls volleyball 4:00-5:15
- Cross Country 3:15-4:30
- Tuesday
- Flag Football, all levels, 3:15-4:30
Wednesday
- Cross Country: 3:15-4:30 on the lower field.
- All girls volleyball 3:15-4:30
- All boys volleyball 4:00-5:15 gym
Thursday:
- Flag Football, all levels, 3:15-4:30 on the lower field
Friday
- Cross Country: Optional run, before school, 6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m.
*REMINDER TO ALL ATHLETES: Athletic attire and footwear are required for all practices and games. Water bottles are also important if your sport is on the field. Athletes may refill water bottles at any of our filling stations around campus.
If you have any questions about any of our sports offerings or the schedule, please email me at acarter@ghcds.org. I typically check my email on weekdays, first thing in the morning, during student snack and lunch breaks, and once more before 5:00 p.m. I’ll reply as promptly as possible. On weekends I will reply before 7:00 a.m. on Monday.
Wishing all of our Panther families a wonderful weekend, and a great week in sports!
Go Panthers!
Coach Amy
Amy Carter
Athletic Director
