The VIMSIA Library will be open this summer! Ms. Schlesinger will continue offering the Library Concierge Check-Out.
If you have not already used this service here are instructions on how to get started.
Check out the Summer Reading collection. It has the VIMSIA suggested reading lists, cool online reading challenges, and more!
Stay tuned for more fun updates from the Library this summer.
Hot off the press and into the VIMSIA library, Suzanne Collins newest book in the Hunger Games series has just arrived! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the Hunger Games series we all know and love. Reserve it today at the VIMSIA library online.
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
Jacob and Jet
Parent Liza Margolis has written a children’s book based on her son Jacob’s experiences with their hurricane rescue dog Jet. The book, titled Jacob and Jet , has been selected for this year’s Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge.
We are all so proud of Liza! The book will be sent home for the summer reading challenge and available in our library approximately the last week of school. After release this summer it will also be available from Amazon.
Liza says, “Jacob’s adorable relationship with this precious rescue dog inspired me to write this story. It has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my adult life.”
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.
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.
Lexi Harris representing both VIMSIA and Green Acres School
Like many of our students, fourth grader Lexi Harris temporarily moved stateside after Irma and Maria hit the Virgin Islands. She joined one of her cousins at Green Acres School in North Bethesda, MD. Every year Green Acres School organizes a book drive for a cause, and after hearing from Lexi about damages to our school and island they chose our library as this year’s recipient! Lexi’s teacher Allison Stearn led the efforts. They packed up four large boxes of specially chosen books, and the Harris’ company Impact Construction took care of the shipping. Each book contains a unique student-made bookmark, many with the phrase “with love from Green Acres School” on one side, artwork on the other. We are so grateful to the students, staff, and families of Green Acres School!
![IMG_4846[1].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/522b4f35e4b0d5218db120dd/1523022527989-SJWQTZABKKHG399FE30B/IMG_4846%5B1%5D.JPG)
Ms. Schlesinger had her 3rd years reading and rating their favorite Dr. Seuss books today in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday and "Read Across America".
Gotta' love Dr. Seuss.
Four students in Ms. Morrison’s Upper Elementary class did not want delayed library funding to deprive them of their favorite authors' latest books, so they took matters into their own hands. Alexander, Adam, Audrianna, and Kaeo are organizing a bake sale for Monday and Tuesday May 23-24. Their class will decide which titles to purchase with the proceeds.
Read More
Screenshot of open ebooks app
Open eBooks is a new nationwide program with the goal of putting popular and award winning digital books into the hands of in-need children for free. Because the USVI is considered a rural territory under federal guidelines, our students qualify for this program.
Every student will receive a note with instructions and access codes. This program is currently accessible only through android or apple apps used on tablets and phones.
Ms. Schlesinger has gone to elementary and PGIA classrooms to introduce the program to the students. Younger students will also have access to encourage family reading.
For more information, go to openeBooks.net.
Please email kschlesinger@vimsia.org with any questions.
Happy Reading!
To celebrate Read Across America Day, elementary students were invited to participate in a webinar with Jeff Kinney, author of the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Viewings were held in Ms. Batten's and Ms. Huber's classrooms. Kinney spoke about his beginnings as a cartoonist, how he became an author, and showed his virtual visitors around his studio. Participants were able to submit questions, and although none of our students’ questions were chosen, students had a great time thinking up good ones to ask! All twenty copies of Kinney's books are currently checked out of our library.
Read Across America Day annually takes place on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March 2. Many classes also read his books aloud to remember and honor his important contribution to children’s literature.
The St. Thomas and St. John Rotary Clubs recently brought in thousands of gently used books to put into the hands of Virgin Islands children. These were distributed through the schools. Here at VIMSIA, toddlers through Upper Elementary students selected their own books to take home and keep forever. Ms. Schlesinger’s PGIA Library Mania Enrichment students assisted the younger students. Coming soon: Distribution of free books to the Middle Schoolers!
Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy - a Montessori and International Baccalaureate Toddler through grade twelve private school in the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands. Ask for Admissions 340-775-6360.
VIMSIA 6936 Vessup Lane, St. Thomas USVI 00802 info@vimsia.org Phone: 340.775.6360 Maps and Directions Staff Portal
