Sixth Graders Visit PGIA in Preparation for Next Fall

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Today marks the completion of yet another successful transition program for our sixth grade students - both anxious and nervous to enter the seventh grade next Fall. Over the course of the last several days, sixth grade students were matched with a "host" seventh grader to show them the ropes - an opportunity they have been dying to experience! Today we had a chance to interview Gavin, Leah and Selena and hear their thoughts about this right of passage.

Peter Gruber International Academy (PGIA) Director of twelve years, Ms. Gloria Zakers claims this six year tradition is "extremely beneficial and proven to have a high success rate." There are a series of different components that combined provide both parents and students better insight as to what to expect in seventh grade and better understand that this transition is not to be taken for granted. Following a full day visitation with the seventh graders, sixth grade students are visited by PGIA teachers and assigned a spring project to get them accustomed to homework, good work ethic and responsibility. Lastly, prior to entering seventh grade students are required to take a math placement test.

PGIA is known for it's strict rules, high expectations and most of all, quality education; however, we are confident that with the values and norms instilled through our Montessori program these students will triumph and achieve their goals. Congratulations class of 2024!

Day 107 - Power Finally!

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Drum roll please!  Yes - we got WAPA power to most of campus yesterday!  We are still on generator for the PGIA House and Hibiscus, but the rest of campus is running on WAPA.

Thanks to everyone for all of your support as we have made this journey.  Day one of post hurricanes school, we had only one small generator running in lower campus that provided running water to a limited number of areas.  Lots of exercise for everyone to get to a bathroom that worked!  Over the next few weeks, when the supply of generators on island was nil and in the country was not much better - Mr. Bornn and a handful of private funders managed to find and transport a shipment of high power generators to island for the school.  September and October were definitely challenge filled.  These efforts were critical to keeping school open. 

We now have five major generators around campus and have been running the whole school pretty smoothly on generator power.  And now, though we are VERY happy to have WAPA available to us, we are also well on our way to our off-grid power goal.  

So thanks to all of our families, students and staff for hanging in there when a fan belt broke, diesel didn't show up, our loads were not balanced and oh so many other issues.  And special thank you to Mark Hume, Shane DeGannes and Matt Enright for becoming fast on-staff generator experts.   So many of our parents with electric, diesel and generator knowledge stepped up, our donors,  and Mr. Bornn for taking charge immediately and pulling it all together - we couldn't have done this without all hands on deck.  

BLAST FROM THE PAST

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As a new staff member, I am lucky to discover and learn about VIMSIA's rich history! Check out these wonderful photos from years past...

Ms. Shournagh McWeeney teaching a Primary class, circa 1970. Over 45 years later, her legacy as a key educator, leader, and friend of the VIMSIA family is stronger than ever.  

Ms. Shournagh McWeeney teaching a Primary class, circa 1970. Over 45 years later, her legacy as a key educator, leader, and friend of the VIMSIA family is stronger than ever.  

All School Group Photo, 2010. Taken at what is now our solar awning space, this shot includes VIMSIA's first high school graduate. Since then we have sent graduating classes of up to 17 students off to take on the world!Time flies when you're having…

All School Group Photo, 2010. Taken at what is now our solar awning space, this shot includes VIMSIA's first high school graduate. Since then we have sent graduating classes of up to 17 students off to take on the world!

Time flies when you're having fun!  

First Day "Eclipses" All Expectations!

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There was a buzz of energy surrounding campus on our first day of school - and not just from the excitement of being back!  Our PGIA students were all hyped up for their field trip to UVI, and those of us still on campus spent the afternoon gawking upward with our jaws dropped.  Experiencing the solar eclipse at VIMSIA and UVI was simply awesome!  We had so much help and support from UVI and Dr. David Morris.  We thank them so much for being instrumental in the great science that abounded yesterday surrounding the solar eclipse.

Photo of the eclipse taken at UVI field by PGIA 8th grade student Vidhika .

Photo of the eclipse taken at UVI field by PGIA 8th grade student Vidhika .

Our PGIA students all took a field trip to UVI to participate in the solar eclipse educational outreach presented by UVI.  The Upper Elementary students hit the soccer field with eclipse glasses provided by UVI and pinhole cameras that they made in class.  Lower Elementary student groups took turns poking out from under the solar awning to experience the image through their solar glasses.

This from Upper Elementary Teacher, Ms. Morrison to UVI's Dr. Morris:

WOW ! Wow! Wow!   Thank you, Dr. Morris,  that was just amazing!  We had the opportunity to have all of our 9 to 12 yr olds, most of the 6 to 9 yrs olds view with teacher's assistance and most of the school administration each took a gander skyward.  We also had many parents, as they arrived to pick up their children, take a look and even a few little ones under their parent's supervision.  I had to laugh at the number of folks who, when initially offered the glasses, said "ah no, its no big deal"  yet when encouraged, exclaimed how incredible it was.  For a point of reference our pick-up time is between 3:25 and roughly 3:45 so prime shock and awe window.   

Sooo.... saying thanks really doesn't seem to express how grateful we are to you for the glasses. Really!

Sincerely, Ms. Morrison

Look closely at the images of light on the sidewalk.  The trees over the sidewalk have created a "pinhole" camera to reflect the eclipsed sun on the path.  These were taken at about 3:35, so very near the maximum coverage that we experienced here in St. Thomas.

Celebrate Summer: Nature IS Nurture

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Happy Summer!

Montessori philosophy inspires care of the environment and careful stewardship of our earth. Dr. Montessori wrote, “Children have an anxious concern for living beings, and the satisfaction of this instinct fills them with delight. It is therefore easy to interest them in taking care of plants….”

Ms. Upp’s primary class took time out of their busy last day of school to search for VIMSIA’s new administrative hire, Ms. Julie. Their beloved classroom plant needed a plant-sitter for the summer, and Ms. Julie needed some company for her new office. The children gathered around Ms. Julie and presented her with her new charge. Ms. Upp assured Ms. Julie that the plant was hardy enough to thrive in any conditions. Even though Ms. Julie lacks a single green thumb, the prognosis is good.

As we say our temporary farewells to your children, we are wishing them the most fulfilling of summer breaks until we meet again. May summer be a wonderful opportunity for your families to reconnect with the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds us on St. Thomas. True, summer is a little different for us in the Caribbean, resembling so closely the rest of the year. However, summer break worldwide remains a cherished time to celebrate family, nature, and a break from schooling.

“We don’t have de four season dem,
Summer, Winter, Autumn an’ Spring,
but de dry season wid the noisy bees
an’ de shrill call o’ de cling-cling,
an’ de sun turnin’ de sea into a hot bath,
an’ de grass bake so dat it crackle like parchment
under yuh foot; when de beach dem crowded
wid folk cooling off; de season when mango is king.”
— Valerie Bloom, Two Seasons

Go Teon!

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Congratulations Teon Persaud for having the highest GPA (4.15) on the VIMSIA varsity basketball team.  This past Tuesday, he was recognized by the USVI Department of Education for his outstanding academic success.  Teon is executing the task of representing VIMSIA in a positive way in our island community.  Continue your success Teon, your VIMSIA family is proud of you. Let's show our love for Teon and the VIMSIA varsity basketball team by cheering them on during the MLK Basketball tournament this weekend. Their first game is against St. Croix Central High School Friday night at 9 pm at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.  Click here to read in the VI Consortium. 

Click here for more information on the VI Consortium. 

 

 

 

INTERACT Visits Lucinda Millen Home

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Rotary Sunrise sends a special thank you to PGIA Interactors N'Quay, Skyler, Kaia and Taber, Interactor Advisor Mrs. Elizabeth Elger, and future Interact members Niall and Grady.  They joined Rotary Sunrise on Saturday at the Lucinda Millin Home.  The group threw a holiday party for the residents.

Interactors helped organize the gift bags, trimmed the tree, passed out refreshments and sang carols.  They helped Santa pass out gifts to all the seniors at the party and hand delivered gift bags throughout the home for less mobile residents confined to their rooms.  Their smiling faces certainly brightened the day. 

Many thanks.

Rotary Sunrise

Giving Tuesday - Mrs. Patricia Gruber Issues A Challenge

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Mrs. Patricia Gruber has donated $50,000 for Giving Tuesday! She is now challenging our VIMSIA community to come together and match her donation! Mrs. Gruber wants to provide an avenue for any child of the VI to be a part of the experiential educational opportunities VIMSIA provides. Can our VIMSIA community match her donation? We're in the Giving Tuesday mood...

Haven't made your donation yet?  We'll make it easy for you - click here!  Remember to post your giving activity on your Facebook page and Twitter accounts - #givingtuesday. 

We thank you, Mrs. Gruber, for your generous donation!

Giving Tuesday - Invest in the Future from Lisa Aqui

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As we kick off the giving season, we asked Lisa Chamely-Aqui to tell us why it is important to invest in VIMSIA today and every day. Have a listen to what she says!

Haven't made your donation yet?  We'll make it easy for you - click here!  Remember to post your giving activity on your Facebook page and Twitter accounts - #givingtuesday.  Thank you! 

Giving Tuesday - So it Begins!

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Giving Tuesday at VIMSIA started out this morning with a buzz (a coffee buzz, that is). Thank you Cathy and Ramsey Smith of Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters and Lattes in Paradise for providing coffee and cups. Our cool coffee sleeves were designed by our very own talented Montessori students.   Enjoy your morning - more to come!

Haven't made your donation yet?  We'll make it easy for you - click here!  Remember to post your giving activity on your Facebook page and Twitter accounts - #givingtuesday.  Thank you! 

Design Class Cardboard Boat Races!

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Dr. Staples' 10th grade design class has been working on designing and building cardboard boats this year.  Each group was tasked with designing and building a boat out of 4 cardboard Home Depot boxes and tape.  

Today was race day at Secret Harbor.  Our PGIA students kept the tourists well-entertained this afternoon.   Big thanks to John Phillips at West Indies Wind Surfing for lending us the kayak paddles.  

We will let the videos tell the story.  Suffice it to say - learning can be fun!

The PGIA's 10th grade design class was given an assignment to build a boat out of cardboard and a few other specific items. The project culminated in this boat race held at Secret Harbor. Great project! Kudos Dr. Staples.

DP Dancers - Workshop on the Royal Caribbean with Cast of Mama Mia!

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Ms. Helen Sidiropoulos and he DP Dancers partook in an educational tour & dance workshop with the cast of Mama Mia on the Royal Caribbean Allure Cruise Ship. Our students learned part of the original choreography of the finale piece of Mama Mia and performed it on the Amber Stage on the Allure Ship this past Wednesday. This was all made possible by Harbour Pilot Captain John Amaro & the production staff of the Allure Cruise Ship. It was truly an unforgettable experience and our students were very inspired and grateful to have the opportunity to perform with professional dancers!

Clothing and Book Drive

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In order to help the homeless of our St. Thomas community, I am holding a clothing and book drive for the Bethlehem House.  I reached out to them and found out what items they are especially in need of.  They need books and clothing, and I would love to be able to give them a generous donation from our school.  I will be putting boxes for clothes and books in the gazebo, the science pod, PGIA library, and art room for donations.  Search your closets and bookshelves for items in good condition that you are willing to part with.  Remember, your donation could mean a lot more than you realize to someone in need!

Sincerely, Darby Williams (PGIA Grade 11)

The Summit's Eastern Caribbean Global Education Tour Visits VIMSIA

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We were so pleased to welcome The Summit's Global Education Tour to VIMSIA on Wednesday.  The Summit is a coalition of impact-seeking organizations in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The tour offered global educational workshops and included excursions to various Caribbean host schools.  It was a pleasure to talk to them about our innovative programs and to tour campus.  I learned that our philosophies of education were very well aligned.  They were very interested in our alternative educational methods here at VIMSIA...and big "Growth Mindset" proponents.  

Good time had by all.  Safe trip home to our traveling educators!  Come back anytime!