"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.

Bienvenidos to our Spanish Exchange Students

8 students from Casvi-Boadilla school in Madrid, Spain arrived on island Wednesday for their six week visit to St. Thomas and the PGIA. They were met on the basketball court by their host families and a myriad of welcome posters! Our six PGIA Spanish Exchange students are now hosting the Casvi student that housed them earlier this year. Lots of smiles and hugs all around. The students were sincerely happy to see each other and the Casvi students are very anxious to “Go to the Beach!” Any families that are part of an excursion related business and would like to volunteer to take these visitors out for some Caribbean adventure - please, let us know! We are actively looking for great (and inexpensive) things for them to do while not in school.

End Session: Mauritius Continued!

Helllloooo MRU Parents!

Your kids are troopers! They have already well adjusted to new sleeping patterns and are doing a wonderful job of being respectful members of this group. The kids seem very happy with their host families and have everything they need. Let me know if you have any concerns whatsoever!

Today we did biodiversity research in the Black River Gorges. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw several endemic species of birds and bats, and had a talk from "Nate", a bird biologist from the Mauritian department of Wildlife.

Tomorrow is a trip to the Colorful South coast of MRU and the sacred Hindu temple. It will be very memorable.

I am beyond humbled with how we have been welcomed here and the hospitality that the Mauritian families have given to us. We would like to set up an exchange to have these kids come stay in the VI. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a Le Bocage student!
 

:) Ms. Z

PGIA Students Visit Petra, Jordan

PGIA students on the Weizmann trip to Israel and Jordan spent their final day touring the ancient city of Petra.  All five students and their chaperones are now in route from Paris and are due back tomorrow.  We are so anxious to hear the student reflections and to see the presentation that they put together to document this amazing adventure.

Israel Trip - Jerusalem

The hostel where the group is staying

Jaffa gate to the old city of Jerusalem

Open market in Jerusalem

Open market in Jerusalem

Tunnel of the City of David

The Western Wall

At the western wall for Shabbat with the Temple Mount in the background

The students are now embarking on their tours through Israel and Jordan.  Today was spent in the City of Jerusalem.  Imagine the history!  What an experience.

Israel Trip: Days 1-3, Weizmann Institute of scientific research

Our students have just completed their three day science session at the Weizmann Institute.  As you can see from the photos below, they were immersed in a wide variety of scientific topics and cutting edge research.  From curing cancer to curing Alzheimer's - covering topics in chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy - our students will return from Israel having had an experience unique to only a very few high school students in the world.  We are so thankful for our relationship with the Weizmann Institute and the amazing benefits it yields for these curious student minds.

The remainder of the trip will take the group to Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea, and across the border to Petra in Jordan.  Watch for posts journaling the remainder of this great adventure!

First lab at Weizmann

This lab was about decomposing cells.

Long term memory research

Zebra fish lab

Here they are studying blood vessel traits

Cancer research lab

Garlic as a cure for colon cancer

Designing the next generation of solar panels

Developing a cure for Alzheimer's

Chemistry discussion

This is a microscope to measure atoms of materials

The students have seen the difference in an atom of copper and an atom of gold.

Bon Voyage to Our Students Heading to Israel

Weizmann Institute of Science has graciously invited our PGIA students back this year for another science camp at their amazing university.  World renowned scientists from Weizmann will have sessions with our students from Sunday through Wednesday, at which point the group will travel throughout Israel and Jordan.  Six students attended this trip last year with life altering results.  There are no words.  This year the students are Skyler, Silas, Aneesh, Megan and Ni'quay.

An excerpt from Vanshika's reflection of last year's trip:

This journey has thoroughly broadened my horizons, both scientifically and culturally. While being introduced to new customs and science, I found deeper meanings for both. Science isn’t simply knowledge, though knowledge is a poignant part of it; it is the ability to apply what knowledge you have and to solve questions that have never been asked before. Curiosity is the origin of all breakthroughs in science, because if scientists weren’t curious, they wouldn’t ask these excellent questions. 

Vanshika last year at the Dead Sea

End Session Options 2017

The End Session options for 2017 were presented last night to a very rapt audience of PGIA students and parents.  See the amazing options for this years' End Session below.

Great Wall of China - Tougher than 8 Tuff!

That's what the China End Session students are saying of their arduous trek up and around the Great Wall of China.  It's harder than 8 Tuff!  Honestly, can you believe our kids are hiking the Great Wall of China!

Jako and Richie at the top of their Great Wall hike.

Bon Voyage to our China End Session Travelers

Safe travels and well wishes as our PGIA "Journey to the Red Dragon" End Session trip to China gets underway.  Mr. and Mrs. Stocking, both teachers at VIMSIA, will be leading these 14 PGIA students on an adventure through China to experience the Eastern way of life through culture and history.  Their trip includes a service project along with visits to Beijing and Xi'an...as well as that trivial concept of a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!                   安全旅行

Montessori Students Speak in United Nations General Assembly

Two of our VIMSIA students were called upon to speak at Montessori Model United Nations last week.

PGIA Exchange Students Visit Spain's Ministry of Education

At the Ministry of education

The center of Villaviciosa de Odon

The Royal Palace

From our chaperone, Ms. Brigitte Bornn ~

Good afternoon, parents.  We had a great excursion today! We were invited to visit for awhile at Spain's Ministry of Education department.  We had a meeting in the legislature with the Ministress herself that was very delightful.  She spoke with our students in Spanish only and our students did very well, asking and answering articulately in Español.  I was so very proud of them! 

MMUN Opening Day!

“Emotionally supercharged by a an ocean of kids, teachers, and chaperones working together for world peace at the opening and tenth anniversary of the Montessori Model United Nations, New York. Kids were told that their voice can make a difference, that their light can change the darkness of war, fear, discrimination, hunger, and the negative changes affecting our global climate . They were each given a light to shine in the darkness of the room as they were told with emblazoned passion they can make a difference ! Wow wow wow !!!”

— Lawrence Aqui, parent and chaperone

Bon Voyage to Our MMUN Delegates!

Bon voyage to our sixth graders from Ms. Batten and Ms. Morrison's classes that are attending the Montessori Model United Nations Conference in New York City this week.  This will be VIMSIA 7th (at least??) year attending the conference.

“On my way to the Montessori Model United Nations, New York, where my daughter Maia will be addressing the topic of Cyber Security in Viet Nam !!!”

— Lawrence Aqui, Parent and Chaperone

From the MMUN Website:

Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student “delegates” make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure – all in the interest of mobilizing “international cooperation” to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their committee will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way. The delegates’ in-depth knowledge of their countries guarantees a lively and memorable experience.

- Read more

Bon Voyage PGIA Students to Madrid!

Last week we bid farewell to the Spanish exchange students that were here at VIMSIA for six weeks, and this week we send off our own PGIA contingent to visit their school in Madrid for six weeks.  

Qué increíble oportunidad !  We are so proud of you all for being IB risk-takers and for paving the way for future PGIA language exchange students!  Felicitaciones - que son increíbles !

Spanish Exchange Students Guests of Historical Trust

While PGIA students took the Iowa Standards on Wednesday, our foreign exchange students from Eurocolegio Casvi Villaviciosa in Madrid were guests of the St. Thomas Historical Trust.   Muchas gracias to Vince "Doc" Palancia of the Historic Trust who met with these students on campus last week and then guided their tour around downtown Wednesday.  

Students at the Weizmann Institute in Israel Experiencing Science Firsthand: Day 1

Six PGIA students are at the Weizmann Institute this week further igniting their passions for science.  "Each student seems to be passionate about a different area of science.  This is amazing to watch and will be life-altering for these students.  We are seeing science right now that will change the world," from Head of School Michael Bornn, who is chaperoning the trip.

The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. It is located in Rehovot, Israel, just south of Tel Aviv.  The Institute has a long history of investigation and discovery rooted in a mission of advancing science for the benefit of humanity. 

Bon Voyage! PGIA Students Visit Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science!

Six PGIA students are traveling to Israel to visit the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science.  The PGIA has been collaborating with the Weizmann Institute online for the past several years as a part of our End Session STEM programs.  This year we were invited to send students to a specially created Science Camp just for us!  Mr. Bornn, Andy Palmer - Physics and Science Teacher, and Mr. Kevin Williams are chaperoning the group.  PGIA 12th grader Marcus, 11th grader Aneesh, 10th graders Darby, Hannah and Vanshika and 9th grader Karen head out today and will return next Sunday. 

The trip will begin with a three day science camp at the institute with some of the most accomplished scientific minds in the world!  The group will also visit the Masada Desert, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem.  What an amazing opportunity for these young minds!

This year alone, VIMSIA students will have traveled to Santa Domingo, Madrid, Israel, China, New York, Amsterdam and the Yucatan.  Incroyable!

Eagle scouts: chaperones Andy and Kevin with student marcus

So here's a tip.  If you are sending your child to the middle of the desert, send them with three Eagle Scouts!

“Life isn’t meant to be lived caged within walls and mindsets. The only way to break free from the shackles of monotony is to travel. Bon voyage.”

“I throw my glass, that others might throw their jade.”

— Peter Gruber

A huge thank you to all of the donors that made this trip possible!  

PGIA Welcomes Spanish Exchange Students!

Bienvenido to the eleven 7th and 8th grade Spanish exchange students that joined us from Madrid last week.  We are so excited that we have embarked on an exchange program with the Eurocolegio Casvi School just outside of Madrid, Spain.  These 7th and 8th graders will be here at the PGIA for six weeks.  In February, 13 of our PGIA 7th and 8th graders will travel to their school in Madrid for six weeks.   The Madrid students are being hosted by the VIMSIA families whose children will travel in February.   

What an amazing opportunity for these students to improve their foreign language development, immerse themselves in cultural interaction, and make international friends for a lifetime!  As our Head of School often states...

“We don’t live on simply an island, we don’t live in simply the United States - we live in the world, and our students must become conscientious global citizens. ”

— Michael Bornn, VIMSIA Head of School

The weekends for these students and their hosts are filled with great island and Caribbean excursions, we are so proud to show off our island to these friends from Spain.  Thanks to Mr. Williams for putting together this video of their trip to Coral World.  Spanish friends, share this with your friends at home so they can see what you're up to!!

PGIA Students Heading to Madrid for 6 Weeks

The final tally is in and 10 PGIA students will be spending six weeks in Madrid for our first international exchange program.  PGIA students Marissa Bornn and Caleb Potter are highlighted on the front page of the St. Thomas source this morning after being interviewed about this exciting opportunity.  Please see the article.  Thanks to the St. Thomas source for your recognition of this international and academic accomplishment!