First General PTA Meeting

On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 the VIMSIA PTA held it’s first general meeting led by President, April Baynes. Special guest speaker Mara Brownell helped provide behavior tips and strategies to VIMSIA parents.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Pam Enlge, Director of Advancement and parent at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), visited the Lower Elementary classes to share a bit of her Peruvian culture. Children learned about typical Peruvian dances such as “la marinera” and “musica negra” and learned about the many ways Peru’s rich culture is found in textiles, food and in songs. Children listened to “El Condor Pasa” and learned about the “lost city of the inca”, Machu Picchu.

Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lydon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18 respectively.

VIMSIA Receives Substantial Gift from Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation

On Monday the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation along with local subsidiaries Bellows International, West Indies Company, Dorchester Insurance Company, TOPA Insurance Services, TOPA Properties and Leeward Islands Management Company announced a substantial donation to the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for Montessori and International Baccalaureate education.

The gift announcement was made Monday morning at the VIMSIA campus in the presence of students, members of the Board of Trustees and administration. Richard Berry, President of Bellows International, along with Theresa Fabela, President of Dorchester Insurance Company, and Michael Bornn, Head of School, facilitated the announcement.

Divina Kamra '24,  Vidhika Khemani '22, Zia Gibbs '25, Santiago Brunt '25, Richard Berry, Steve Morton, Tommy Brunt, Michael Bornn

“The generosity and kindness bestowed onto our school is the ultimate display of Meraki,” said Bornn. He explained that this year VIMSIA’s school theme is Meraki - a Greek word meaning to do something with love, soul and creativity, to leave a piece of yourself in your work, and to leave something behind. The donation made to VIMSIA’s endowment fund will provide faculty support, student financial aid, and operating funds not only now but for years to come.

“VIMSIA has played an incredible role in offering high level education to a highly diversified student body from across sections of St. Thomas and St. John. Many of these students attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the mainland as well as UVI” stated Fabela.

VIMSIA Director of Advancement, Pam Engle explained how these funds help make VIMSIA education accessible to all students and families who seek to participate in their globally acknowledged curriculum and international school community. “It’s been a difficult recovery for many amongst our community,” Engle said. “Our sincerest appreciation to the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation for their kindness and generosity.”

The Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation is a philanthropic organization through which the Anderson Family supports educational, healthcare, and other community-based organizations including UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and many other organizations.  The Anderson Grants in the USVI have supported teachers and their students for two decades.

Tommy Brunt, Richard Berry, Michael Bornn and Steve Morton

College Visitors: NYU, Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt University

Admissions representatives from Vanderbilt University, New York University and Johns Hopkins University presented to PGIA students today!  They shared information on each of their institutions, the college admission process and facilitated a great Q&A.  The opportunity to connect with colleges is very important for students here in the Caribbean.  This group will also provide a session open to the entire Virgin Islands community tonight at 6PM here at VIMSIA.  We are so pleased to be able to provide this type of programming to our students and community!  

Packed House At End Session

Last night’s event had an excellent turnout; a full house with standing room only. The highly anticipated comeback of End Session 2019, brought much excitement to the families of the PGIA. This program which focuses on promoting International-mindedness has already brought students to over 40 countries. This year’s plan will provide students with 8 exciting course options, 5 on campus and 3 traveling. Topics include: film-making, computer science, up-cycling, Spanish immersion, outdoor adventure and more! 

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Gardening in Enrichment

From Pierre-James, Gardening Enrichment: We first added some shade, to protect the plants from the hot noon sun. When cleaning up the old pots, we found one with a bunch of little papaya trees, we transplanted each one to separate pots, they are doing great. So far none of the seeds we got from Home depot have sprouted - a little disappointing. We sowed basil, cherry tomatoes and Spinach. Luckily Martin gave us some mystery seeds from Dominica, they have sprouted nicely and we transplanted them yesterday. Yesterday everyone also received a baby basil that they took home to watch grow and care for. We have also sowed some passion fruit seeds, lettuce, arugula, bell peppers and dill. Next week will try our luck with corn as well.

Spanish Class Skypes With Valle Verde School, Guatemala

Yesterday students in Upper Elementary Level 3 Spanish received a unique opportunity to hold a Skype session with Colegio Valle Verde in Guatemala. Each school presented about their country for approximately ten minutes in their second language. Students showcased native foods, plants, songs and native costumes! The connection to Valle Verde was made through Ms. Engle, Director of Advancement, whose Goddaughter Fabiana Garay, attends the school in Guatemala. With the help of new Spanish teacher Ms. Stephanie Miles, students prepared presentations and were able to ask children of their own age different questions and answers. The highlight of Valle Verde’s presentation was a performance by first and second year students who played two songs on the Marimba, Guatemala’s national instrument declared in 1978. Our sincerest appreciation to Valle Verde coordinators Sra. Ruth Nuñez and Sra. Torene Genovese. VIMSIA looks forward to continuing this new partnerships in years to come.

Library Ice-Cream Social

The sun came out Saturday for our celebration of summer reading at Scoops & Brew in Crown Bay.  Students who read at least five books this summer and completed their forms were invited to an Ice Cream Social where they enjoyed ice cream along with some reading-themed party favors.  Participants who did not attend the party are receiving gift cards to enjoy their ice cream at another time.  Ms. Schlesinger would like to thank Scoops and Brew for their continued support of literacy, seventh grader Divina Kamra who assisted at the event, and all families who took time out of their busy Saturday schedules to join in the fun.

Jeff Bezos $2 Billion Charitable Initiative

PRESS RELEASE: AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY NY

We are thrilled to see the news of Jeff Bezos’s $2 billion charitable initiatives—the Day One Families Fund and Day One Academies—to fund existing non-profits that help homeless families and to launch high-quality, full-scholarship, Montessori-inspired preschools in historically under-resourced communities.

As a Montessori alum, Mr. Bezos—see preschool photo, at right—knows the value of this distinctive form of education, which nurtures the development of resourceful, independent, and respectful children who embrace a lifelong love of learning.

His vision to bring Montessori education to underserved communities, which is where it all began, more than 100 years ago, reflects the spirit of Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy, in which children are seen as the eventual purveyors of worldwide peace and social justice.

Dr. Montessori said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

Through his actions, Mr. Bezos is carrying on her legacy by helping to realize that hope and promise for potentially thousands of children.

We at the American Montessori Society look forward to sharing knowledge, experience, and resources that will support his ambitious and transformative project.

An Act of Kindness

Over the summer Ms. Ludick went shopping at a consignment store in the next town over from where she lives - Chesterland, Ohio. Gayle Tuttle is the consignment store owner and her husband Peter is President of the Rotary Club in Chesterland. Peter happened to be working with the St. Thomas Rotary Club to help to rebuild the Eudora Kean Library. 

There had been a rumor around town that one of the Alumni from West Geauga High School (Ms. Ludick) was a teacher in the USVI and help was needed.

Gayle ended up contacting Ms. Ludick and donated the entire summer stock of consignment clothes for VIMSIA staff members. They are ladies clothes--some professional, some for going out. Dresses, skirts, pants, shirts. The Micro-Economy Manager of the Class, Devin DeGannes, Assistant Manager, Zia Zucker, and the rest of the crew set up a pop up shop for VIMSIA teachers to "shop". Each teacher was given a $50 allowance and a personal shopper.

Our sincerest appreciation to Gayle and Peter Tuttle for their generous contribution and such a touching act of kindness.

Kalyn Fahie Speaks On Domestic Violence

This week at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy, Mr. Stocking’s Grade 11 and 12 Diploma Programme Global Politics classes welcomed Mrs. Kalyn Risker Fahie to speak on the topic of domestic violence. The students are studying the topic in relation to a unit on Peace and Conflict. Mrs. Risker Fahie has many years of experience working in this field, even starting her own domestic violence non-profit organization in Detroit, Michigan called Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE). She currently works for the VI Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council (VIDVSAC) as their Program Liaison. Mrs. Risker Fahie explained the evolution of this conflict within our society as well as the Duluth Model, which covers various power imbalances that can occur in relationships. The students were also able to gain a deeper understanding of how groups work in coordination with government agencies to help address serious problems within communities.

For more information please visit: https://www.vidvsac.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 www.TheHotLine.org

Family Resource Center, Inc. (FRC) St. Thomas (340) 776-3966 http://frcusvi.org

National Teen Domestic Violence Hotline, Text and Online Chat www.loveisrespect.org 1.866.331.9474

VI Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council (DVSAC)  www.vidvsac.org 340.719.0144

VIMSIA Enrichment Students Humane Society Volunteers

“Pampering a lost dog-- this guy escaped his collar and was dropped off at the Humane Society of St. Thomas. Since his fur had such a thick undercoat, I asked our enrichment team to give him a good brushing before the owners picked him up. This big guy may try escaping more often --he relished the attention of our four compassionate students!” - Donna Nemeth

Remembering September 11

This piece was originated by three students when they realized it was 9/11 (when filling out their work journals).  These three students; Jacob Kaloo, Shane Berry and San Cannon decided to create this early in the morning on 9/11. They placed flowers on the towers themselves! Ms. LeAnne Mattingley’s class observed one minute of silence in group time this morning out of respect for all those who died and those who lost someone in 9-11.

Happy Birthday Dr. Maria Montessori

Students celebrated Dr. Maria Montessori's 148th birthday yesterday, by presenting human-sized timelines and acting out skits depicting Dr. Montessori’s life achievements. The celebration concluded by singing “Happy Birthday” in both English and Spanish and lighting Dr. Montessori’s birthday candle. Dr. Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870.

Who would have guessed that in 1964 Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) would open its doors and start the school year off with only one Primary classroom and twelve students. Today, VIMSIA Montessori students held a birthday celebration to honor Dr. Montessori’s workings and celebrate how far her teaching and our school have progressed, all thanks to her vision. To date, VIMSIA has 158 Montessori students and nine classrooms – two Toddler, three Primary, tow Lower Elementary and two Upper Elementary. www.vimsia.org

Talia Feshbach Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

Talia Feshbach, a senior at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), has been named as a Semifinalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program!  This is a result of her performance on the 2017 PSAT. Talia is one of 16,000 semifinalists who qualified out of approximately 1.6 million test takers nationwide. There is an extensive application process that she will go through this fall.  Students are notified until February if they are a finalist. Our 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT October 24, 2018. Good luck Talia and PGIA students!

Cement Art Relections

A feel good story!

9/10th grade finished their cement project this week. Students painted each sculpture and planted flower seeds in them today! It was a great way to reflect and be grateful for the progress we've made in the last year. 

Student quotes: AnaPia Brunt "I feel like the pots we made will make the campus a brighter place. Sometimes a little color can go a long way in lifting ones spirits".

Tyler Weiss "The pots make me feel really happy and I hope they can help others feel the same".

Parenting With Grace, Presented by Patricia Ludick

Elementary parent night guest speaker, Patricia Ludick.

Montessori Directress, Norma Bolinger and Patricia Ludick.

Even in torrential downpour, Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy parents pushed through and made their way to the "Parenting with Grace" seminar presented by Montessorian and guest speaker, Patricia Ludick. Parents were thankful and re-energized with feelings of optimism for the school after hearing various tips and tricks on parenting with Montessori values. Watch Ludick's presentation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VIMSIA/videos/249649962421712/

Patricia Ludick with daughter Kate Ludick.

VIMSIA staff with Patricia ludick.

Functional Art

The 9th and 10th grade in Ms. Ferguson's Art Elective class had their first guest artist, Mrs. Anderson, join them on Thursday.  Mrs. Anderson is a local artist, specializing in functional Art. Students learned the difference between concrete and cement, used power tools and got messy creating a cement sculpture!  

Introducing the 2018-2019 VIMSIA PTA

Introducing your 2018-2019 PTA Board! We want the PTA to work for you, so please contact us with any ideas, questions, concerns, suggestions for projects, volunteer opportunities, or anything else you think the PTA should know about. We look forward to a great year!

President - April Baynes ptavimsia.pres@gmail.com

Vice President - Sarah Smith Williams ptavimsia.vp@gmail.com

Secretary - Mone Taylor ptavimsia.sec@gmail.com

Treasurer - Darian Hairston ptavimsia.tr@gmail.com

Public Relations Officer - Aldeth Lewin ptavimsia.pr@gmail.com

PTA Liaison to the Board of Trustees - Enrique Rodriguez ptavimsia.lo@gmail.com

General Board Members - ptavimsia@gmail.com

  Jennifer Lazuka, Kichael Miller, Jeanne Walters, Andrew Brown, Marcela Ferreyra

Elementary Students Build Working Model Sailboat

Upper Elementary students Ayden Macomsen and Max Tulk engineered a working model sailboat from scratch.  Starting with just a hull from an old remote controlled boat, they created all the other parts from found materials. The mast is a ruler, and they cut plastic bags for the sails.  Everything went well during their trial run in our pond.  Other students have been inspired to build their own boats so we may have a regatta in the near future!