Nurse DeGannes' Highlights from Governor's Press Conference March 19th 2020

Nurse DeGannes’ highlights from the Governor's conference on March 19, 2020.
Per D.O.H. Assistant Commissioner Dr. Nicole Simms regarding behavioral and mental health:

1. Do stay in the moment. Stay in the moment within your workplace and families.  Stay in the moment within your general health of mind, body, soul, and spirit. Try not to think 3-6 months out with negative thoughts and endings.  

2. Although children and teens are more resistant to COVID-19 physically, they are more at risk to be affected mentally and emotionally. Allow your Primary-Upper Elementary students share their work with you and have age appropriate discussions about COVID-19 with them. Identify any changes in behavior in your teens such as decrease in appetite, lashing out, secluding themselves or crying. 
   

3. REMEMBER THE 3 R'S

• Reassurance is everyone's safety in the home.  Children react to parents' emotions.
  If you panic, they panic.  If you cry, they will cry.  If you’re calm, educated and confident, the children will follow your lead.  

• Maintain a Routine in the home.  See VIMSIA's Distance Learning Handbook for references.  Introduction to new things will break the monotony of the news and social media.  

• Regulation for an individual that's under stress can come out physically or emotionally.  If you see red flags, provide support.

Lifeline hotline to assist persons struggling with behavioral or mental issues or concern 1-800-985-5990

Virtual VIMSIA Library is Open 24/7

In these unusual times we are showcasing the online resources of our library. A 21st century library has much more than books, and here you will find links to vetted materials of all kinds.  Check out our new collection of Fun Stuff to Explore and Do at Home, which will be continually updated. Ms. Schlesinger will be sending out new Open eBooks login codes for all students (old codes from previous years still work). Meanwhile, lots of free ebooks are available through other sites. If you lose track of these links you can always find your way to the library through the VIMSIA website.

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” – Mason Cooley

Adia Thomas Will Compete in Poetry Out Loud Competition

Adia Thomas, PGIA Class of 2021

VIMSIA’s own Adia Thomas is competing in the 2020 Territorial Poetry Out Loud Competition!  This is Adia's second year in a row representing VIMSIA at this event. She is one of twelve students from high schools across St. Thomas and St. Croix who will recite a variety of poetry. Adia will compete when the event is rescheduled.

Please send her your support and well wishes!

Ukraine and Russia - Anthropological Cuisine

This week PGIA students in the Anthroplogical Cuisine enrichment class explored foods from Ukraine and Russia.

This class introduces the discipline of anthropology, basic methods of ethnography and some practical cooking. We will investigate how the process of gathering, preparation and consumption of food related to certain environments and societies. In other words, how from a pure physiological-biological process, food preparation and consumption becomes a social process. Students will discover an important role food use to play and continues to play in key historical events, settings of national boundaries, and influence of power within a society, as well as, between different societies. Students take a look at the food of different nations to understand how humans evolved and cultures emerged.

Green Body & Home - The Importance of Building Immunity

The Importance of Building Immunity

The Coronavirus has been creating a lot of fear in people across the globe.  Obviously health practices such as washing hands and being mindful of being around others who are symptomatic are helpful, however we cannot forget about our biggest ally in keeping ourselves and our children well... our Immune System.  Each week this month we will share some supplements that we consider essential nutrition for our immune system to function well. 

Vitamin C:  This week's spotlight is on Vitamin C, which plays a critical role in our immune system.  Although you may have used this many times in the past, studies show that much higher doses of vitamin C than initially thought are where the positive changes happen for our immunity.  I personally recommend 500-1,000 mg every 1-3 days for prevention in children and adults (in children you can split the dose into two doses/day, so 500mg am, 500mg pm.  For active immune compromises you can does up to 6,000mg per day for adults, or 4,000mg per day for children.  The biggest side effect is loose stool, at which point you would want to cut back or split up the doses more. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409678/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543583

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23700397

Read more on the VIMSIA PTA Facebook group to learn more about Vitamin C.

The “Green Body & Home” blog posts are brought to you by the PTA. They provide general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

7th Grade Boats Float in Secret Harbor

The 7th grade had an absolute blast on Friday racing the boats they created in Design class at Secret Harbor.

All of the 7th graders worked very hard on this project, the group worked together and provided encouragement to one another, and lots of smiles.

Students were commended by the wait staff at Sunset Grille as well as other beach goers on how well they behaved!

A Taste of Australia - Anthropological Cuisine Enrichment Class

Anthropological Cuisine is a PGIA Enrichment Class taught by parent, Tetyana Hayes.

Students explored tastes from the most remote and isolated continent with unique flora and fauna. They cooked Aussie Meat Pie, crab cakes, salad, and Lamington cake.

Last Chance to Join VIMSIA's "Bright, Bold and Sustainable" Carnival Troupe

Calling all Performers!!

Last chance to sign up for the Children's Carnival Parade! Our theme is Bright, Bold and Sustainable. Miss Maia Aqui will be choreographing.  Rehearsals will be March 11 from 2:30-3:10 then every Wednesday in April. Also Saturday April 25. There may be added rehearsals the week of the event. The Children’s Parade is Friday, May 1. Please fill out the form below, which has information including rehearsal schedule. There is a fee to participate, please contact us if you need assistance. 

Carnival Sign-up Form

We'd love to have a great turn out and have fun! Please email VIMSIACarnival@gmail.com with any questions. 

VIMSIA's MMUN Delegates Tour UN and Hit Broadway

On Tuesday our MMUN Delegates were treated to sunny skies with highs of 56 °F and lows of 50°F in the Big Apple. Our students toured the UN from top to bottom and visited the UN General Assembly Hall.

They ended the evening looking snazzy on Broadway and watching The Lion King.

VIMSIA Solar Charged Fleet

Our solar panels not only provide power to our whole campus, they also power our fleet of solar (electric) cars. VIMSIA currently leases out 5 cars out to staff members. They charge the cars on campus at no additional cost using the energy generated by our 212 KW solar system, making these cars not only electric but solar powered!

BON VOYAGE! VIMSIA MMUN Group head to New York

The 6th year students of the Upper Elementary headed off to New York City today to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN). This year our students represent, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, and Italy. Stay tuned for more updates from NYC!

MSA - Information Resources

The MSA Self-Study process outlines twelve standards that a school uses to self-evaluate and plan for improvement. All the faculty as well as some board members have divided into Standards Committees, groups that meet to gather data on each standard and discuss ways we can improve. This week, the Information Resources Standards Committee reached out to students in the PGIA and Upper Elementary for their input. Topics included concerns with print resources, how students are currently using digital resources, and what they would like to see for digital resources in future. Students were given the opportunity to describe their dream library, and even asked to draw a picture of what it might look like. Stay tuned for these pictures as well as what the PGIA students had to say. Please contact Gloria Arpasi or Jess Di Francesco if you want to become involved in the process.

Ashe Ashe! Echo People Return to VIMSIA.

Drumming and chants of “Ashe, Ashe” filled the solar awning Wednesday afternoon as the Echo People returned to VIMSIA in a long standing tradition of sharing VI Culture with our students during Black History Month. It was a feast for the senses. Students answered questions about our national flora and fauna, smelled bay leaves and learned to dance Bamboula.

VIMSIA Mathletes take 2nd place in Team Round - MATHCOUNTS

Congratulations to the VIMSIA Mathletes, Amelie Zucker, Jackson Auchincloss, Miles Tolud, Stanley Trotman, Krishiv Amarnani, and Divina Kamra who participated in the MATHCOUNTS chapter Competition today at UVI.

Our students placed both as a team and individually.

VIMSIA took 2nd place in the Team Round
Jackson Auchincloss (Captain)
Miles Tolud
Stanley Trotman
Amelie Zucker

Jackson Auchincloss placed 3rd individually and then 2nd in the Countdown Round. Amelie Zucker placed 6th individually. Miles Tolud placed 9th individually.

We are very proud of all of our Mathletes for all their hard work with their coach Ms. Melissa Petrich

VIMSIA Carnival 2020 - I Love You So (Copy)

Final deadline is Monday, March 2nd for students interested in participating in the VIMSIA Carnival children’s parade entry.

If you or your child would would like to get involved, please email the PTA at PTA@VIMSIA.ORG using “Carnival 2020” in the subject line.

We are accepting volunteers for the planning, grounds and costumes/design committee. The Carnival Committee Chairperson position is also available.

Green Body & Home - Functional Movement vs Exercise Machines

Our final post for this month is about functional movement versus exercise machines.  Functional movement is movement that are natural movements for our body.  When done repeatedly, this strengthens and conditions our bodies to function better in our lives, whether it is lifting something, pushing something, or squatting, among other things. 
Children are amazing at functional movements, if you'd like a teacher just watch them!  Nowadays most gyms offer areas where you can do functional style movements that allow your body more range of motion and ability to stabilize itself, rather than a machine doing the stabilizing for you.  And then there are specialty workouts such as cross fit or TRX classes that offer functional training only.  Happy Moving!

https://www.rdellatraining.com/the-5-major-problems-with-exercise-machines

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/functional-fitness-adults#1

The “Green Body & Home” blog posts are brought to you by the PTA. They provide general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

"Aerobic Machines" by sirwiseowl is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

VIMSIA students represent USVI in U20 Soccer Tournament in Nicaragua

Last weekend four VIMSIA students, Devonte Duncan, Aidan Griffith, Isaiah Jarvis, and Jimson St. Louis, traveled to Nicaragua to participate in the CONCACAF U20 qualifying matches as members of the US Virgin Islands national team. They played in 5 games against other U20 National Teams.

Vidhika Khemani recognized by NCWIT

Making VIMSIA proud!  Vidhika Khemani '22, has been recognized by the U.S.V.I./Puerto Rico affiliate of the National Center for Women in Information and Technology (NCWIT).  Each year, NCWIT honors young women as part of their Aspirations in Technology program.  Among Vidhika's many accomplishments in technology creation is her Personal Project -- she has created an app which offers health information for first aid and emergency situations.  Vidhika will be honored along with other local awardees at a banquet and ceremony later this year.

MSA - Mission Statement

What is a mission statement?  Many definitions exist, and many examples - some better than others.  A school’s mission statement defines who they are, why they exist, and who they are serving...all this in a short, catchy statement that can be easily remembered and fit on the back of a business card.  Sound impossible? Not for Planning Team A! This subset of the Planning Committee met this week to review VIMSIA’s current mission statement, core values, and profile of a graduate. The team reflected on these founding documents and if they needed to be updated to reflect our evolving community.  Stay tuned to see the results!

VIMSIA mission statement as of August 2018

Green Body & Home - Exercise Guidelines

Last week we spoke about how movement is essential to not only fitness but brain development, learning and focus.  So how much should we be exercising anyhow?  Here are some great guidelines for kids:

Children aged 1-5 years should be physically active for at least three hours each day, with activity spread across the day. This includes energetic play like running, jumping or twirling. If your child is over three years, energetic play should add up to at least one hour a day.

Children aged 5-18 years should do at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. And at least three days a week, this should include activities that strengthen muscles and bones.

Moderate physical activity gets your child gently huffing and puffing. Moderate activities are about as intense as a quick walk.

Vigorous physical activity gets your child huffing and puffing a lot, and sweating. This could be running games or riding a bike fast.

Activities that strengthen muscles and bones make muscles work more than normal and put extra force on bones – for example, jumping, running, climbing and lifting. Moderate and vigorous physical activities often help to build muscles and bones.

Physical activity doesn’t have to be done all at once, or even in big blocks. Your child can do it in small blocks of time throughout the day.

Source: https://raisingchildren.net.au/

For adults, Dr Kristi Funk, MD, a celebrity surgeon who spends a lot of her time coaching women about how to prevent illness and disease, recommends exercising 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week at an intensity where you cannot carry on a conversation, or 1 hour per day (over 5 days per week) if you are able to carry on a conversation during the exercise.  

As we get older we should remember to focus on weight bearing exercises to build strong bones and muscles for long term strength and health. https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/weight-training

The “Green Body & Home” blog posts are brought to you by the PTA. They provide general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The “Green Body & Home” blog posts are brought to you by the PTA. They provide general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.