Caribbean and Black History Month

/

In celebration of African and Caribbean Black History Month, on Wednesday, February 28th Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy students, faculty and staff welcomed back the cultural experience that has taken place at the school for over 12 years - The Echo People.  The African drumming celebration was held under the solar awning and featured a traditional dance class,  a lesson on the history of traditional musical instruments and various songs. 

Autopista College Fair

/
20180223_140635.jpg

On Friday, Febryary 23rd grades ten and eleven eagerly awaited the opportunity to explore the Autopista College Fair held at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA). Admissions representatives from various renowned schools were present ready to give out brochures and spirit gear while enlightening students about their school and available majors! Throughout the college fair, students were seen visiting schools that matched or were close to their search criteria, taking notes and collecting business cards. Participating colleges included: University of Connecticut, Embry Riddle University, University of Charleston, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Life University, Iowa State University, Keiser University, Emerson College, Johnson & Wales University, Savannah Art & Design College, Aquinas College and King University.

Thanks to our highly trained college counselors, college fair opportunities are widely available to Peter Gruber International Academy (PGIA) students - some hosted right on campus.

Here's what the Admissions Representatives had to say about PGIA students:

"This was the most prepared group of students I spoke to on the trip!"

"I got some amazing and insightful questions, I could tell the students did research!"

"Your students are very respectful and energetic!"

"We will definitely come back to this school next year!"

"We felt so welcomed!"

Well done tenth and eleventh grade!

Flu Vaccines Administered at VIMSIA

/
part0.jpg

The Department of Health Immunization Division in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) led a community-wide flu vaccination clinic at VIMSIA.

With the assistance of Shane Degannes, school nurse at VIMSIA, the Department of Health (DOH) was able to set up shop at VIMISA’s car deck and successfully administer flu vaccinations to over twenty-two men, women and children. Degannes explained how this idea was sparked one afternoon by staff member Ms. Diana Woods.

Ms. Woods, a Casa teacher for over 20 years, was casually conversing with parent and DOH Medical Director Dr. Tai Camille Hunte-Ceasar. Ms. Woods expressed her desire to get the flu vaccine and the difficulties scheduling an appointment with work and everyday life commitments. When Dr. Hunte-Ceasar heard Ms. Woods' story she immediately reached out to the Department of Health’s Immunization Division and sparked a community outreach initiative.

On behalf of all the VIMSIA parents, staff and community members we would like to thank the Department of Health Immunization Division, Mr. Shane Degannes, Dr. Hunte-Ceasar and Ms. Woods for reminding us how important and essential it is to prioritize our health and well-being.

 

 

Giving Tuesday - Invest in the Future from Lisa Aqui

/

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! 

PGIA Graduates Largest Class Ever!

/
Peter Gruber International Academy Class of 2016

Peter Gruber International Academy Class of 2016

Sunday, May 22, was a glorious day at VI Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy.  Seventeen bright and beautiful graduates of the PGIA took their final walk as high school students.   These 17 promising young people are ready, nervous, anxious, excited, scared - you name it - to start the next chapter of their lives.

All 17 students will be attending university in the fall.  They were accepted to over 50 universities and received scholarships of over $4 million.

Marcus Norkaitis leads the class as Valedictorian.  Naren Advani is Salutatorian.  Nicholas Figueroa was chosen by his class as the class speaker.  Jessie Wyatt was awarded the Masjid Nur Organization's International-Mindedness Scholarship.  Mrs. Elger had the honor of addressing the students as their choice for teacher speaker - not a dry eye in the house!  Mr. David Edward Garcia, a "pent-lingual" teen motivational speaker and comedian was the keynote speaker...and he was a hit!

Imani Sidiropolous-Kearney returned to the PGIA from her first year at Johnson and Wales to graduate with her classmates. Imani attended Johnson and Wales during 2015/2016 to complete her senior year of high school and begin her undergraduate studies.  

Our graduates will be attending:

  • Naren Advani, Elon University (Elon, NC)
  • Kiyalyn Bump, Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada)
  • Shakima Esprit, The University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, USVI)
  • Ca-Jani Fahie, Indiana Institute of Technology (Fort Wayne, IN)
  • Nicholas Figueroa, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, FL)
  • Abraham Hamed, Valencia College (Orlando, FL)
  • Christian Kean, American University (Washington DC)
  • Naomi Laing, University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
  • Germaine LaRonde, King University (Bristol, TN)
  • Xiara Lima, Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL)
  • Christopher Murphy, The University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, USVI)
  • Marcus Norkaitis, Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
  • Dakarai Potter, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Khalese Potter, American University (Washington DC)
  • Isabel Setorie, Drew University (Madison, NJ)
  • Imani Sidiropolous-Kearney, Johnson and Wales (continuing)
  • Jesse Wyatt, St. John's University (Queens, NY), or Lincoln Christian University (Lincoln, IL), or Ball State University (Muncie, IN)

Spring Magic Recital - Brava, Bravo, Bravi!

/

The Spring Magic Production: a Celebration of Music and Dance was a true success. Ballerinas, tap dancers and jazz dancers dazzled the crowd.  Piano players also performed melodiously and were a wonderful addition to this year's celebration. 

Our programs begin in September and continue through May.  The students meet once a week to learn a specific dance genre and work towards creating a showcase at the end of the year to share their newfound skills.  

We have an amazing group of talented performing artists sharing their gifts with our VIMSIA youth.  A special thank you to our instructors: Jessica Alvarado, Mary Capellas, Katie Zaytoun, Luba Dolgopolsky and Artistic Director Helen Sidiropoulos for putting this magical production together. The instructors would also like to thank all administrative staff for supporting the programs, teachers and students throughout the school year.  It takes a village!

Art is a Verb! This Friday evening - Join us!!

/

Are YOU ready for Art is a Verb?!  Any guess what this student is cutting out of wood?  Come to Art is a Verb THIS FRIDAY @ 6pm to see if your guess is correct!  

Ms. Ferguson and her PGIA Art students cordially invite you all to our 3rd Annual "Art is a Verb" interdisciplinary art show.  

All proceeds go to the PGIA Arts Department for productions, costumes and art projects.  Feel free to share this poster with friends, family & our community.

Concession stand will be open for light refreshments.  

 

Shakespeare is Alive at VIMSIA

/

On Friday, April 15, VIMSIA was the location to be at for the annual Vento Shakespeare Workshops and Festival. This event, presented by Pistarkle Theatre, strives to educate, engage and entertain students on the literary works of Shakespeare. With over 130 students from schools around the islands the VIMSIA campus was filled with love, laughter, and dramatic deaths as each group brought their own spin to the Bard’s words.

VIMSIA entered three different acts for the festival – “Taming of the Shrew” performed by the 8th grade; another group consisted of our drama enrichment students under the direction of Ms. Pamela New presenting “King Lear”; and our third was an independent monologue by 10th grader Darby, “Edmund" in King Lear.

Our 8th graders won an award for best supporting ensemble and Darby won an award for her monologue. All our students worked for months to create their presentations and we are so proud of them all!

NASA Visits VIMSIA May 9

/

VIMSIA is proud to host a group of six NASA scientists and engineers for a Student Science Day during our regular school hours.  Students will see and experience great science and tech throughout the day courtesy of our NASA guests.  Topics to be covered include: Environmental Engineering, Applied Physics, Medical Science, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Development and Computer Science.

Register for events and/or read more about NASA's visit and how they will be reaching out to USVI students and educators during the first week of May.

Preview of "The Gruffalo" for Montessori Students

/

Montessori students were treated to a preview of "The Gruffalo, wit' a Lil' Virgin Islands Seasoning....Me Son!"  The play will be presented by the UVI Theater Class at UVI's Little Theater over Thanksgiving.  The UVI students discussed theater and set design with VIMISA students and read the book, which is written by Julia Donaldson.

UVI professor and PGIA parent, Pamela New directs the production, which takes the original play and adds some great Caribbean flavor.  

Ms. Paul has tickets available for sale.  $5 children, $10 adults.  The play will be performed at UVI's Little Theater.

Veterans Day Remembrance

/

Students at VIMSIA observed a moment of silence at 11:11 yesterday to honor our U.S. Military veterans.  Staff members Barbara LaRonde and Kandeah Brooks, who are veterans of the Army and Air Force respectively, shared their thoughts with Montessori students and answered student questions about what being a veteran means and why it is so important for us to take time to honor those who have served.

Ms. Boyle's classroom made thank you cards for Ms. Brooks, and for Zian and Azaera's dad, Staff Sgt. Lazarus Toussaint.

PGIA students honored veterans by sending letters, poems and artwork to Private 2nd Class David Ortega and his unit, now stationed in Qatar.  Ms. Weichman corresponds with Private Ortega through the Adopt a U.S. Soldier organization.

Librarian Kathy Schlesinger found a great video about Veteran's Day from PBS Learning which many of the teachers shared with their students.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
— John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Astronomy Night - Lunar Eclipse

/

8th grader Diego Zakers took this amazing photo on his iphone through the lens of one of the telescopes that was set up on the soccer field Sunday.  Dr. David Morris of the Etelman Observatory and our own "bow-tie physicist" Mr. Andy Palmer were on hand all evening to share their knowledge and help us get a great view of the Super Blood Moon Eclipse .  With Mr. Palmer giving mini-lectures in the planetarium and Dr. Morris on the field with the telescopes, our first Astronomy Night was a huge success.  Many thanks, Dr. Morris for sharing your vast knowledge with us - it is always a pleasure.  Kudos and thanks to Mr. Palmer for making it all happen.  Looking forward to the next one!

Montessori Graduation

/

Twenty two very grown up looking pre-teens took center stage on Friday, June 12 for the Montessori Graduation Ceremony.  This marks the completion of these students' Montessori years and signals the "Move up the Hill" to the IB program next year.

Speakers Soren Gibbs and Haley Rogers spoke eloquently and articulately, citing special memories of their Montessori years and giving special thanks to all of their Montessori teachers.

Special recognition to Ms. Jeanette Feracho in honor of her 46 years of passion and dedication to the students of VI Montessori School.  A "Ms. Boyle and Ms. Feracho Child" from each grade level plus her youngest son Malik, representing the Alums,  presented Ms. Feracho with a red rose, ultimately creating a lovely full bouquet - and hopefully a nice start to her retirement. 

Drama End Session Presents "Peter Pan"

/ VIMSIA - Under the Awning/
Click to view photo slideshow of peter pan, created by karen gauriloff

Click to view photo slideshow of peter pan, created by karen gauriloff

The Drama End Session put on their performance of Peter Pan on Friday.  This was the first play to be done on our Solar Awning Stage.  It was a great venue!  We had over 200 people attend - there was plenty of space, the concession stand was open and worked well.   I sat in the first row of chairs behind all of the younger children, who decided to sit cross legged front and center.  While up and running about during set changes, they were quick to pop back in their seats when the curtain went up - and seemed mesmerized throughout.

Kudos to Ms. Bump and the cast and crew!