A Reflection on Planting Papaya Trees

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by Ms. Rebecca, Lower Elementary

Oh my goodness, I just have to tell you this story, it makes me laugh and makes me proud at the same time. So, Irie's mom gave us baby Papaya trees at the start of the year (4) and we have nursed them in different pots. And we discovered that the smallest pot grew the largest tree and its root is currently growing out of the pot. So, I looked at my bare landscape around my room and thought, Let's plant this baby! And I planted a tire palm once and it was NOT EASY digging in this soil, so I asked Wyatt, Matthew and Tameem if they were interested. And lo and behold, I have 3 enthusiastic boys, digging in this tough soil. We're pulling out worms, wiggling rocks free like a wiggly tooth and trying different techniques and they say, "Can we dig tomorrow too?" So now Liam is also asking, Can I dig? So yesterday they get to school and now all 4 boys are "CAN WE DIG?!" haha and I kid you not, they SKIPPED FREE CHOICE FRIDAY AND EXTRA PLAYTIME so they could dig! Isn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever heard?

My takeaway is their energy toward it. I love their drive and I observe that it's fulfilling a need. So, we're going to keep DIGGING that hole! And working to plant those papaya trees next week. I thought I'd reach out and ask you to watch a video on how to dig a hole in rocky terrain but all the vids I watched used heavy duty equipment like jackhammers and augers and I do NOT want to take away their enthusiasm for hardwork, teamwork and problem solving because a machine can do it better. If you would like to do some research with them, or give them tips, please do. Our maintenance guy is letting us borrow a digging bar and spade. And if you have a shovel or any (kid-friendly) tools that we could borrow next week, I would be so grateful. WE HAVE 4 TREES and a LOT of enthusiasm for digging right now.

** Side note: If you are not convinced this is important work, these boys are learning teamwork, problem solving, service work and they are exposed to soil science, microbiology, geology and geography as well as biology (planting the papaya and if it will grow). :)**

Meet the Senior: Alivia Arroyo

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Alivia Arroyo

“I think that the IB was the defining factor in me receiving this scholarship, because I’ve done well in it and universities know how difficult it is.”

In this new addition to the Volt, the Student Media Team will be contributing articles chosen, researched, and written by the students. This week, we sat down with Alivia Arroyo, one of our excelling seniors, to share her story.

by Natasha Webster and the VIMSIA Student Media Team

Although it’s only December, VIMSIA senior Alivia Arroyo has already been accepted and signed with Nova South Eastern University in Florida. Alivia received the Dean Scholarship, granting her a full ride to the college.

“I think that the IB was the defining factor in me receiving this scholarship, because I’ve done well in it and universities know how difficult it is,” she says.

In college, Alivia plans to major in Public Health to eventually become an ultra-sound tech. She mentioned how her IB Biology class has furthered her interest in this.

In addition to college applications, Alivia is somehow ahead in the intense workload of the IB classes. Whereas recent graduates and current students alike agree that their senior year was/is the most challenging year time-management-wise of their lives thus far, Alivia is ahead on all of her deadlines. “She is one of the most self-motivated, productive people I have ever met. She gets everything done and somehow still has time for other things,” says a fellow classmate.

Not only is managing college and the IB successfully an outstanding accomplishment, but Alivia balances the intense workload with a committed sport and job. She plays on the 18 Under Elite Volleyball traveling team for Island Mixx, and when school volleyball was in session, she led the team to claim first place in the inter-island championship team. Lastly, she also works at Ocean Surfari as a sales associate on the weekends.

So how does she do it all?

“At the beginning of the year, I was stressed, because I didn’t have a plan and I knew that things were just going to get more difficult. I know I get stressed easily and I have a lot going on, so I forced myself to make a plan and stick to it,” Alivia explains.

When asked what she recommends to be able to balance everything during senior year, Alivia shared her advice of creating lists, calendars, and reminders, but most importantly, “know yourself, because everybody handles stress differently. Once you balance your school work, life will be much less stressful”.

Upper El Celebration of Learning

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After the Montessori Musicale, families of Grades 4 and 5 were treated to an up-close view of their student’s classroom and examples of the work they’ve been doing all year, a great chance to celebrate growth and the things students are most proud of.