End Session: Galápagos Trip Day 1

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The Galapagos End Session spent two days exploring Quito and surrounding areas.  Tuesday they visited historic areas in Quito, and sampled famous local dishes such as guinea pig. Some were open-minded enough to try an ice cream flavor called “caca de perro.” Wednesday they went to Cotopaxi, the world’s second highest active volcano. They observed llamas and condors; in fact they spent an hour watching the condors - their guide said he hadn’t seen so many condors together in 20 years!  Thursday it’s off the the Galapagos Islands!

End Session: NASA Day 2

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Today we met an ASTRONAUT! Dr. Sam Durrance spoke with us about his two missions to space and the telescope he helped to build. Very interesting stories. We then took a bus tour behind the gates. We saw all the launching pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building where they are currently building the SLS rocket to go to Mars, and the shuttle transport system. We also saw a retired Apollo shuttle and exhibit highlighting all the Apollo missions. We even got to touch a moon rock! Pretty amazing! We spent the afternoon in the historic Cocoa Beach Village, watching a major downpour from our hotel rooms, and ending the night at the movie theater. 

Tomorrow, we will see the Atlantis and experience a launch simulator. We'll also be going to a college fair. 

I love seeing your students in this environment. I am so proud of their openness to new experiences and their kind hearts. Thanks again for letting me "have" them for the week!

Hugs,

Ms. E

NASA End Session - Quick Note from Ms. Elger

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We got to see rockets today! Our first day at NASA was great. We watched an IMAX movie about Mars, sat in on the opening ceremony of the robotic mining competition where we heard from the NASA Director and former astronaut, walked through the space shuttle garden, and saw Atlantis. Tomorrow we will meet an astronaut, see inside Kennedy, and take part in a flight simulation. 

 

 

Thanks again for letting me take your kid to space-ish!

Congratulations Class of 2017!

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You made it! All your hard work, determination and persistence have finally paid off!  Congratulations!  As a class you have set some records.  

  • The number of scholarships and grants received as a class $8,105,292.
  • The number of institutions students were accepted is 68.
  • The number of institutions to which had never seen or never accepted an applicant from PGIA is 29. 
  • The amount of graduates who represent the first-generation in your family to attend a post-secondary institution is 50%.

Congratulations PGIA Class of 2017

Valedictorian: Alison Bartsch, GPA 4.56

Salutatorian: Claudia Walker, GPA 4.49

Kendall Benjamin

Christina Brett

Aneesh Chandiramani

Megan Godfrey

Eyad Hamed

Ni’Quay-Imanie Leonard

Kayla Rivers

Leah Trotman

Caelin Vannelli

Andrew Webb

Schools that graduates will be attending:

Agnes Scott College (GA), American University (DC), Clark University (MA), Duquesne University (PA), Marymount Manhattan College (NY), Seton Hall University (NJ), Stanford University (CA), Suffolk University (MA), University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Md., University of Tampa (FL), Valencia College (FL).

The list of schools students were accepted:

Adelphi University

Agnes Scott College

American University

Barry University

Brandeis University

Clark University

College of William and Mary

Drew University

Drexel University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Elon University

Emerson College

George Mason University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Goucher College

Harvey Mudd College

Haverford College

Hofstra University

Howard University

Iona College

Johns Hopkins University

Johnson & Wales University (North Miami)

Johnson & Wales University (Providence)

King University

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Lynn University

Manhattanville College

Marymount Manhattan College

Mercy College

Molloy College

Olin College of Engineering

Oxford College of Emory University

Pace University, New York City

Princeton University

Providence College

Queens University of Charlotte

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Roanoke College

Rowan University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall University

Smith College

Southern Methodist University

Spelman College

St. John's University - Queens Campus

St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn Campus

Stanford University

State University of New York at Albany

State University of New York at Albany

Stevens Institute of Technology

Suffolk University

Swarthmore College

The George Washington University

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of Tampa

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Miami

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of St. Andrews (Scotland)

University of the Virgin Islands-St. Thomas

Valencia College

Vassar College

Wake Forest University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Xavier University of Louisiana

 

Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir performs for VIMSIA!

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Today VIMSIA welcomed the world renowned, Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir - Københavns Drengekor as part of the U.S. Virgin Islands 100 year anniversary celebration of Transfer Day. They performed a private concert in the Music Room for students, staff and parents. The Royal Chapel Choir consists of 50 boys ranging from 12 to 17 year olds. The audience were enchanted by their amazing vocals and presence.

More about the choir: Among some of the oldest European musical traditions are the cathedral choirs and their choir schools. The COPENHAGEN ROYAL CHAPEL CHOIR is the only representative of this tradition in Scandinavia. Founded in 1924 by Mogens Wöldike, the choir quickly developed into a full-time institution with the boys receiving their general education alongside a full musical and vocal training in SANKT ANNÆ GYMNASIUM, the Copenhagen Municipal Choir School.

With a comprehensive repertoire ranging from commissioned works by the leading composers of our time to the earliest polyphony, the choir has gained a reputation for being one of the finest of its type and has received several high distinctions.

The choir tours extensively and has given concerts in all parts of the world. It has taken part in many radio and television productions both in Denmark and abroad. Le Figaro has placed the choir alongside the Vienna Boys Choir and that of Kings College, Cambridge as one of the finest in Europe. They work regularly with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and have made numerous CD recordings.

Sponsored by the USVI Bicentennial Committee, VI Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, Moe’s Fresh Market, and Flamboyant On the Bay Resort and Villas.

Go Volts: School Participation Winners - Rotary Triathlon

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Volts bring home the school participation award...again!  Pretty sure we are undefeated in this.  Way to go  VIMSIA athletes!

Special shout-out to our medalists

12 - 15 year olds:  Taber - 1st place; Kaia - 1st place; Relay Anapia, Aviela, Nicholas - 1st place; Relay Skyler and Axel - 2nd place; Relay (mixed school) Gabriella, Christian and Thomas - 3rd place

9-11 year olds:  Maia T - 1st place; Relay Mariana, Aurora and Sofie - 2nd place

5-8 year olds:  Lyle - 3rd place; Relay (mixed school) Charlie, Willie and Connor - 1st place

Full List of Medalists

 

The Danish West-Indies – Sources of History - #100FOR100USVI

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The Danish National Archives’ digitization project “The Danish West Indies – Sources of History” is a fabulous collection of resources about Virgin Islands History.  The site includes five million pages of digitized records from the colonial era which are now searchable.

#100for100USVI – Thank you for reading post number 2.

Resources to recognize USVI Centennial - #100for100USVI

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Happy Transfer Day!  This lovely book, written by Anecia Sewer and illustrated by Karen Samuel, is a perfect introduction to Transfer Day for all students.  It is a fitting opening entry for “100 for 100 USVI,” a collection of one hundred information resources about USVI history and culture that I am gathering in recognition of the Centennial.

#100for100USVI – Thank you for reading post number 1.

MMUN Day 2!

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This message just in from Ms. Schlesinger and Ms. Morrison:

Wednesday was our day for sight seeing. We split into groups to explore different parts of New York City, including Top of the Rock, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York Public Library...The kids are loving popping into stores such as Lego, NBA, Forever 21, Barnes and Noble, Whole Foods. We’ve sampled world famous pizza and cheesecakes. Wednesday night as the kids were putting finishing touches on their poster displays, one said “I can’t believe we just got here last night!”

Today/ Thursday was the first day of conferences. Everyone was a little nervous in the morning, but by lunch feeling a lot more confident about the MMUN committee process.

Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow!!!!

Bon Voyage! MMUN Students on their Way!

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Montessori Model United Nations trip is underway with 17 of our sixth year students.  This is our 10th year attending this amazing conference in New York City.  This year our students are representing the nations of Fiji, Finland, Portugal, Morocco, and Pakistan. The students research actual UN topics as if they were speaking from their represented country.  They spend all year doing their research and writing the papers and referendums required as UN ambassadors.  There will be thousands of Montessori students from around the country (and the world) at the conference. We have had several of our students over the years that have actually been chosen to speak on the floor of the UN General Assembly.  So exciting for these young students!  

Arrived safe and sound!  Ready to start their adventure.

Arrived safe and sound!  Ready to start their adventure.

Alumni Update: Alex Emerich

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Alex started in Montessori at the age of 2 and graduated from our IB program in our second graduating class - 2012.  He went on to The Pennsylvania State University and has recently graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Engineering.  He is now working as a test engineer at The Savannah River Nuclear Site Salt Waste Processing Facility.  Alex was among the first five students to have spent their whole student lives through high school at VIMSIA.  

Alex's fondest memories are chess team with Coach Allen and Soccer with Señor Araujo.  When he started out in the High School, Ms. Zakers and Ms. Heersink taught every class!

 Congratulations, Alex, on your college graduation and best of luck in your new career!  Thanks for stopping by to visit.