Ms. Bolinger and our Montessori classrooms would like to extend a huge thank you and expression of gratitude for a very generous act of kindness to one of our VIMSIA families for donating classroom carpets. Look at this wonderful classroom carpet in Ms.Bolinger's class. Most of our class carpets were soaked and ruined from Hurricane's Maria and Irma. Gracias to our donor who prefers to remain anonymous!
On Monday the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation along with local subsidiaries Bellows International, West Indies Company, Dorchester Insurance Company, TOPA Insurance Services, TOPA Properties and Leeward Islands Management Company announced a substantial donation to the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for Montessori and International Baccalaureate education.
The gift announcement was made Monday morning at the VIMSIA campus in the presence of students, members of the Board of Trustees and administration. Richard Berry, President of Bellows International, along with Theresa Fabela, President of Dorchester Insurance Company, and Michael Bornn, Head of School, facilitated the announcement.
Divina Kamra '24, Vidhika Khemani '22, Zia Gibbs '25, Santiago Brunt '25, Richard Berry, Steve Morton, Tommy Brunt, Michael Bornn
“The generosity and kindness bestowed onto our school is the ultimate display of Meraki,” said Bornn. He explained that this year VIMSIA’s school theme is Meraki - a Greek word meaning to do something with love, soul and creativity, to leave a piece of yourself in your work, and to leave something behind. The donation made to VIMSIA’s endowment fund will provide faculty support, student financial aid, and operating funds not only now but for years to come.
“VIMSIA has played an incredible role in offering high level education to a highly diversified student body from across sections of St. Thomas and St. John. Many of these students attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the mainland as well as UVI” stated Fabela.
VIMSIA Director of Advancement, Pam Engle explained how these funds help make VIMSIA education accessible to all students and families who seek to participate in their globally acknowledged curriculum and international school community. “It’s been a difficult recovery for many amongst our community,” Engle said. “Our sincerest appreciation to the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation for their kindness and generosity.”
The Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation is a philanthropic organization through which the Anderson Family supports educational, healthcare, and other community-based organizations including UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and many other organizations. The Anderson Grants in the USVI have supported teachers and their students for two decades.
Tommy Brunt, Richard Berry, Michael Bornn and Steve Morton
Over the summer Ms. Ludick went shopping at a consignment store in the next town over from where she lives - Chesterland, Ohio. Gayle Tuttle is the consignment store owner and her husband Peter is President of the Rotary Club in Chesterland. Peter happened to be working with the St. Thomas Rotary Club to help to rebuild the Eudora Kean Library.
There had been a rumor around town that one of the Alumni from West Geauga High School (Ms. Ludick) was a teacher in the USVI and help was needed.
Gayle ended up contacting Ms. Ludick and donated the entire summer stock of consignment clothes for VIMSIA staff members. They are ladies clothes--some professional, some for going out. Dresses, skirts, pants, shirts. The Micro-Economy Manager of the Class, Devin DeGannes, Assistant Manager, Zia Zucker, and the rest of the crew set up a pop up shop for VIMSIA teachers to "shop". Each teacher was given a $50 allowance and a personal shopper.
Our sincerest appreciation to Gayle and Peter Tuttle for their generous contribution and such a touching act of kindness.
New Couch in PGIA Library!
Just in time for our seniors to relax between their IB exams, we have a new gorgeous couch in the PGIA Library. Many thanks to Jennifer Cannon, mother of Patricia and Sean as well as alum Zane Birnie '14, who generously donated her time, materials, and expertise to outfit our couch which was done in by Irma and Maria.
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
