These generous students are all in the Exploring Music End Session, lead by Mr. Ott. They chose to use some of their own funds to purchase tickets to the Livingston Music Fest that they raffled off over a facebook live event this week! Kudos to these generous kiddos for sharing the joy of music and giving.
Rotary Sunrise sends a special thank you to PGIA Interactors N'Quay, Skyler, Kaia and Taber, Interactor Advisor Mrs. Elizabeth Elger, and future Interact members Niall and Grady. They joined Rotary Sunrise on Saturday at the Lucinda Millin Home. The group threw a holiday party for the residents.
Interactors helped organize the gift bags, trimmed the tree, passed out refreshments and sang carols. They helped Santa pass out gifts to all the seniors at the party and hand delivered gift bags throughout the home for less mobile residents confined to their rooms. Their smiling faces certainly brightened the day.
Many thanks.
Rotary Sunrise
In order to help the homeless of our St. Thomas community, I am holding a clothing and book drive for the Bethlehem House. I reached out to them and found out what items they are especially in need of. They need books and clothing, and I would love to be able to give them a generous donation from our school. I will be putting boxes for clothes and books in the gazebo, the science pod, PGIA library, and art room for donations. Search your closets and bookshelves for items in good condition that you are willing to part with. Remember, your donation could mean a lot more than you realize to someone in need!
Sincerely, Darby Williams (PGIA Grade 11)
Nurturing service-oriented, creative members of our society is an important goal of the PGIA. In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) students are required to complete personally meaningful projects as part of the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) program. In the Middles Years Program (MYP), students participate in the Service and Action (SA) program. Big congratulations to Xiara, (Grade 12) and Taber, (Grade 7) for being the first students to successfully complete the CAS (DP) and SA (MYP) programs this year!
Dean Vazquez shared, “I am so impressed by both students’ learning experiences and the fact that both exceeded the requirements of our school. I loved seeing them embrace the programs and achieve balance between their academic works and giving of themselves to the community they are a part of. During my meetings with these young people, I was inspired by both, and enjoyed getting to know the great human beings they are.”
The PGIA had an assembly on Friday, January 22nd where Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015, visited and spoke to students in grades 7-12. Kira spoke about healthy relationships and preventing domestic violence. This was her platform when she was running for Miss America and during her reign. It continues to be her passion now that she has passed the crown on to her 2016 successor.
In the Miss America assembly, Kira shared her personal experience with domestic violence in college. She discussed the mission, "Love Shouldn't Hurt: Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence." Kira educated students about signs of domestic violence and how to get help if someone is in an unsafe relationship.
Kira taught students about the 4 points of the crown: Style, Success, Service, and Scholarship. She discussed how these 4 points can apply to many areas of life, and how they can be used as a guide toward accomplishing tasks and reaching goals.
Many people may be familiar with Kira's movement, "Put a nail in it!" In this movement, celebrities, sports stars, and people all over the world, men and women alike, paint their relationship commitment finger (usually the left hand ring finger) the color PURPLE to signify their commitment to ending domestic violence and pursuing healthy relationships. Purple is a color that signifies domestic violence awareness.
VI Montessori School Primary student Lamyir Perez and her family received a blessed gift from Make A Wish U.S. Vigin Islands. Lamyir's dream was to go to Disneyland - and that she did! Lamyir was treated like a disney princess and her family like royalty on their trip to Disneyland in January. Fast Passes and head of the line to meet those famous Disney characters helped make the trip extra special - though Lamyir's favorite part was her spa day at the Bibbity Bobbity Boo Boutique. Leave it to Disney!
Lamyir was born with a hole in her heart. She has had numerous surgeries and is, in fact, traveling to Miami next week for another visit with her Doctors.
PGIA Senior Megan Godfrey organized a Valentine's fundraiser with the help of Ali Slimming of East End Flowers. The effort raised over $1,200 to help Lamyir's family fund their Miami trip next week. Way to go Megan - what a beautiful thing to do! The family also has a fundraising site setup for donations.
Each year, the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas honors Martin Luther King by recognizing local seniors with the Martin Luther King Service Award. PGIA Senior Khalese Potter was among the honorees this year and in true Khalese fashion - held the audience in rapt attention. After her speech at the synagogue, Khalese was asked to present her speech to the VI Legislature.
Khalese is invited to present her speech to the VI Legislature
“One of the proudest moments is to give these students a moment to speak their mind and feel empowered. We want them to know that their words really matter and they can make difference. More valuable than the monetary award is their moment to shine and be an advocate for what’s right in the world.”
Seeing Khalese at the podium, making her views heard is a sight that will certainly not end here. Khalese will most certainly go on to great things and make a difference in this world. Be the change, Khalese! We are so proud of you.
“Understanding our differences begins the journey to regarding each other as individuals and allows us to recognize differences as just that rather than viewing them as threats to the sanctity of another group’s ideals.
My ideas seem idealistic Dr. King, but as education and the celebration of diversity progress they become more realistic each day. So to paraphrase your words, I accept my finite disappointment today, but never loose my infinite hope for tomorrow.”
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
