The Class of 2019 Represents the PGIA's 10th Graduating Class!

Sunday, May 26, was an incredible day at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy. The Class of 2019 represents the PGIA’s 10th graduating class and these thirteen graduates shined during their last event as high school students! This group has a very notable bond and there was an overwhelming sense of ‘readiness’ to start the next chapter of their lives.

Valedictorian Talia Feshbach

Salutatorian Axel Bartsch

Gregory Christian, 2019 Student Selected Commencement Speaker, receives the Masjid Nur International-Mindedness Scholarship

 Talia Feshbach led the class as Valedictorian and Axel Bartsch was Salutatorian. Gregory Christian was chosen by his peers as the student speaker. He was also awarded the Masjid Nur Organization's International-Mindedness Scholarship at the ceremony. Gregory shared wonderful anecdotes and perspective, having been a part of the VIMSIA school community since Primary. Ms. Alexandra Silva was selected as the teacher speaker and encouraged students to take on each of their classmate’s best and most signature qualities as they venture off into the world. The crowd enjoyed a keynote address from Shane Feldman, founder and CEO of Count Me In, one of the world’s largest millennial movements for volunteerism, community and mentorship.  

 Twelve students are planning to attend university in the fall.  They were accepted to 53 different universities and received over $5 million in scholarships and grants.

Our students will be attending:

• Allegheny College (PA)

• Bryn Mawr College (PA)

• Drexel University (PA)

• Florida Atlantic University (FL)

• Georgia State University (GA)

• Grove City College (PA)

• High Point University (NC)

• Howard University (DC)

• Jacksonville University (FL)

• Occidental College (CA)

• Rider University (NJ)

• University of Miami (FL)

FBI Visits VIMSIA Students for Community Outreach

The FBI's Evidence Response Team (ERT) visited VIMSIA this week!  The ERT was on island doing a variety of community outreach and training sessions.  PGIA students learned about countless opportunities to learn and grow as a part of the FBI as well as participated in simulated activities involving forensic science and crime scene investigation. Our on campus end session groups found ways to apply this presentation to computer science, up-cycling, sports science and more!     

Wizard of Oz - Bravo!

Huge kudos to Ms. Bump and her Theater Elective group, Ms. Engle with her Montessori “munchkins”., Mr. Enright and his tech crew, Ms. Ferguson and her art students - The Wizard of Oz was a hit! A picture is worth a thousand words…..

MYP Personal Project Exhibition

Personal project is a capstone project that grade 10 students complete in their fifth year of the MYP program. The project is designed to help students prepare for the kind of work they will complete in the DP program. Students chose the project based on personal interest and exhibit skills such as time management, research, writing, critical thinking, and reflection. The students create a product and write a lengthy report. At the end of the year, they present their projects in the personal project exhibition. This year, 7th, 8th, 9th grade, teachers, parents, and staff came to see the hard work the grade 10 students spent all year completing. It was an excellent experience for all involved. 

Ms. Truax

How does Solar Power Work?

DP Art Show

Seniors, Ammiel Maynard and Richie Livacz held their DP Exhibition on Monday, April 8th. These two young men each created a body of work exhibiting their exploration and interest in varying mediums of Art. 

Back From the Big Apple

The 6th grade class have just come back from the annual MMUN trip, full of stories and news. MMUN stands for Model Montessori United Nations, and it is the experience of a lifetime in which our 6th graders go to New York to participate in this amazing event. According to the students, this year was a huge success and everybody had lots of fun. “ My favorite part was meeting new people at the UN and being able to help solve problems that need to be solved. I also really enjoyed doing some fun activities NYC has to offer; skating at Rockefeller, visiting museums; and walking around New York, because New York is an awesome city.” said one sixth grade student.

"Taste the Nations" from a Student’s Perspective

“Taste the Nations” preparation begins months before the event. The grades choose a country to represent in a dance- these almost always tie in with end session or some other event that has inspired us during the year. For example, the seventh grade represented Iceland, which is a travel option during end session this year. They then go to work practicing and perfectecting the dance. “For two months, we rehearsed every Tuesday for two hours. As ‘Taste the Nations’ drew closer, we rehearsed a few Thursdays as well.” said a grade seven student. “Not only is there the dance practice, but the writing and rehearsing of the introduction speech.”

It’s a lot of work, but we, the students, recognize the importance of it. Firstly, it is for a grade. Secondly, we care about our school, and so we do our best to represent it. Not only do we care about our school, but the opportunities of the people in it. The money raised from “ Taste the Nations” goes toward end session scholarships- because the end session traveling options cost a lot, the school makes an effort to have all the students travel once throughout their period at school. It is an amazing experience- one every student deserves to try.

Dr. Xuri Maurice Allen visits DP Program

Dr. Xuri Maurice Allen visited our Diploma Program students during College Seminar this week.  Dr. Allen (current VIMSIA parent) has over 20 years of experience in higher education and has served as the Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the University of the Virgin Islands.  He spoke to our students about the transition to college and preparing for the college application process.  Thank you for supporting our students, Dr. Allen!  For more information or ways to get involved please contact Kara Ebe at kebe@vimsia.org

DP Art Class Visits Tony Romano's Studio

Thank you Tony!

Talia Feshbach Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist

Talia Feshbach, a senior at VI Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy, has been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Last fall, Talia's PSAT score qualified her as a semi-finalist out of 1,600,000 test takers.  She was recently named as one of 15,000 finalists and hopes to be one of 7,500 students nationwide to receive a scholarship. Finalists will be notified in March if they are scholarship winners.  Congratulations Talia!  

African Drumming

In honor of black history month Ms. Bolinger's primary class learned about African drums! Check out this impromptu moment with Jacob Mills and Ali Baynes singing and drumming to "I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas.”

Indirect Measurement Exploration

The 9th grade MYP math class, under the direction of Mr. Gribble, went out to explore campus on Thursday to investigate indirect measurement. Education for Life!

Axel Bartsch 2019 Youth Model Award Winner

Congratulations to senior Axel Bartsch for winning the 2019 Youth Role Model Award presented by the University Bound Program. The award is given to a Diploma Programme senior who has maintained a minimum 3.5 GPA, has displayed leadership qualities, excelled in music or athletics, is active in their church or community and plans to attend a post-secondary institution after graduation. Congratulations!

PGIA Honor Students Announced

Congratulations to all of the students who ended semester 1 on Academic Honors!  

These are students who have earned an IB 6-7 average in their core IB classes. The list of students is attached, and will be hung around campus. Your hard work and diligence has paid off.  Nice work!

Honor students were awarded Honors Certificates.

DP Global Politics

On Friday, December 7, 2019, the grade 11 and 12 DP Global Politics class welcomed Mr. Michael Feshbach. Mr. Feshbach taught a lesson on parliamentary systems. He spoke in depth on the unicameral national legislature of Israel, the Knesset. He discussed how governmental parties have to work together in order to accomplish goals. He also spoke in broad terms on the role of how parties of any government should listen and respect different views and opinions and still be able to work together to come to agreements that benefit everyone.

The Gift of Reading

During the morning one of our little friends was looking through our "readers" (books not in our library corner). I suggested she find an available older friend to read to her. Two great things happened:

1. the younger child got her hands on work she is not ready for yet.

2. the older child gets to solidify her reading knowledge by reading to a friend.

VIMSIA Participated in Mathematical Association of America

This week four 8th grade students participated in the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) American Mathematics Competition (AMC). Students sat for a 40 minute very challenging test. Tests will be sent off to be scored by the MAA. Congratulations for participating to Zack Edwards, Joaquin Hawkes, Lennon Richman, and Andy Yu. We hope to receive score reports by mid-December. If this is, feel free to change the wording as needed.

ANAPIA BRUNT INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE LEARNER PROFILE AWARD WINNER

AnaPia Brunt

International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Award Winner

Every other month, Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) gives out the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Award to a high school  student who best embodies the traits of the IB Learner Profile: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. Nominations are led by students and staff, and finalized with an Peter Gruber International Academy teacher vote. This month's winner is AnaPia Brunt!

“AnaPia is a motivated, fun-loving, kind and creative young lady. She embodies all of the learner profile traits in her actions and words. It is inspiring to see her challenge herself in her artwork and find success in meeting her goals. Simply put, it's a joy to see her each day with her bubbly attitude and contagious smile. Keep on smiling AnaPia, you make our campus abetter place!” -Ms. Ferguson, PGIA Arts Coordinator

“Over the past year AnaPia has shown tremendous growth. She meticulously uses a variety of successful strategies to improve herself in many different areas. She has a kind heart and is always willing to help out. Congratulations AnaPia, you deserve this award!” –Mr. Stocking

“AnaPia is a terrific balance of many great qualities.  She is can easily go between supporting her own needs and the needs of others.  She is determined, yet knows when to take a break.  She knows when to push herself and also when to cut herself some slack.  She advocated for her needs and seeks additional advice when needed.  She has high goals for herself and is motivated to reach them with effort and persistence.  Keep shining!” –Ms. Butler

“AnaPia has shown proficiency in her studies and communication skills. She is a leader in class and has taken noticeable strides to help others at all times. Congratulations!” –Ms. Kessler

“AnaPia is a joy to teach. She is a role model for her peers, always going above and beyond class expectations to achieve her goals. She is kind and considerate to everyone around her. She is more than deserving of this award!” –Ms. Truax

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with AnaPia as her coach/nurse throughout the years. She is a perfect example of all the Learner Profile traits.  Her caring, thinking and open-minded ways are always welcomed when I’m around her.  Congratulations AnaPia, you deserve this!” –Coach Nurse

“AnaPia is an inspiration to other students to be warm-hearted, zealous, analytical and reflective. I am very proud to be her teacher.” –Ms. Ventura

“AnaPia is always kind and there for everyone. She is funny and supportive, and she finds time in her scholarly life to do sports successfully, and spend time with other people. She’s very successful in school and she’s curious about life. AnaPia is one of the most amazing people I know.” –Fellow PGIA Classmate

Libary Catalog "Collections" Feature - Great Resources

VIMSIA Library Catalog - “Collections” page

Ms. Schlesinger has been working with a great new tool provided within our School Library Cataloging system (Destiny). Please click on the image above to check out this “collections” feature. It allows us to pull just about any kind of information (books, weblinks, articles, ebooks, pdf’s, etc) into one very easily accessible area.

Visit the College Resources Collection for all things college for VIMSIA. Great reference books for researching colleges, access to our own online tools like Naviance and Method Test Prep, tips and articles for SAT and ACT prep and more. Thanks Ms. Schlesinger and Ms. Ebe for their hard work on this.

All things Montessori Parent Education - Yep, we’ve pulled together great information to help you research what Montessori is all about.

Children’s books for your island child - visit the Virgin Islands Books for Children collection. With her many years of experience here and at Dockside, Ms. Schlesinger has a great grasp on books for our children that reflect their island roots.

…and so many more!!!

Destiny - VIMSIA Library Catalog

The VIMSIA Library Catalog got a facelift as well - please visit it! If you want to find VIMSIA Library catalog on your phone, download the app - Destiny Discover.