Having a great time in Amsterdam!

Good night everyone,

What an incredible day we've had!  We started off at the I AMSTERDAM sign...such a cool landmark. We then visited the Van Gogh Museum...breathtaking. We ventured across the street to a modern art museum that provoked varied reactions among the group and prompted some interesting discussions. We headed to a market for lunch but ended up eating at a cafe to avoid a light shower. We then took in the market and walked to one of the biggest squares in Amsterdam. We explored the red light district which is also the medieval center and discussed many math related landmarks. Again, very cool discussions ensued. We shopped and bought various treats on our walk back to the hotel. We rested for a bit and then headed to dinner at an Indian restaurant. Delicious! Tomorrow we visit a local museum, the Anne Frank House, go to Donovan's house for dinner and shop, shop, shop! It was a long day of walking and seeing lots of sights.  It was also a little cold. The girls were all amazing troopers and are really soaking up the experience in very unique ways. I'm really enjoying seeing this experience through their eyes.  I'll send more pictures tomorrow but enjoy these for now!

Hugs from Amsterdam

Amsterdam End Session Arrives

Good night everyone,

We are here safe and sound. We were greeted by Donovan. We took a train in to the city and then a tram to our hotel...which is so cool and artsy. We all love it. We showered, which felt amazing!  Donovan then walked us to the Food Hall which used to be a tram repair shop.  Gorgeous architecture. The hall had every kind of food you can imagine and live music. It was awesome people watching and AMAZING food. We soaked it all up. On our way back to the hotel we stopped at the grocery market to get a few things for breakfast. Cool choices and delicious looking fruit.  I then tucked everyone in with goodnight hugs and off to dreamland we are heading.Tomorrow we are visiting the Van Gogh Museum first. I'm not sure what all Donovan has planned after that but I know it'll be amazing. All six of us are in love with the city...a bit colder than we thought but still really awesome!

I'll write more tomorrow. 

Hugs

Mrs. Elger

Greetings from Our Students in China!

Beijing, China
From Mrs. Stocking!

Our second day was full of flavorful cuisine and lots of history. We went to Tian'an men Square, saw theMausoleum of Mao Zedong had a Yunnan cuisine for lunch and visited the National Museum of China. We packed up our day after making our own dumplings for dinner. Enjoy the photos!

Bon Voyage - Amsterdam End Session on their way!

Bon Voyage to our "Math in Amsterdam" End Session group.  They are off for a week in Amsterdam with former PGIA Math Teacher (and self-proclaimed Math Geek) Mr. Donovan Carroll.  Mr. Carroll has developed a program called, you guessed it, Math in Amsterdam!  Five of our PGIA students are traveling with Ms. Elger to meet up with Mr. Carroll in Amsterdam and get their own personal course, direct from the Master!  They return to PGIA campus with Mr. Carroll in tow, to bring his math skills back to St. Thomas for another week of Math in St. Thomas?!  

Mr. Carroll will also be presenting a Mathemagics presentation on campus June 6 or 7 - watch for details.

Safe Voyage, to our PGIA international travelers!

Volts Culinary Team wins VI Ultimate Flavors Culinary Competition

On Saturday May 21st, three of our students competed in the VI Ultimate Flavors Culinary Competition:  Eyad Hamed, Aneesh Chandiramani and Anna Lola Williams.  They were given a list of ingredients and expected to prepare a hot appetizer that would impress the judges.  Just before cooking time a secret ingredient was announced and the students were expected to incorporate this secret ingredient into their already decided appetizer. The secret ingredient was bok choy.  

       Our team prepared fried shrimp with a curry-cilantro sauce accompanied by a bok choy salad topped with toasted peanuts.  Not only did they wow the judges, but the judges commented that their dish was very "grown-up" for their age level and they were impressed at how well they communicated with each other and worked together.  

        As the results rolled in we did not hear our name called for 3rd place, we did not hear our name called for 2nd place but we did hear our name called for 1st place!  Out of six schools that have actual culinary arts programs at their institutions we came out on top! Congrats to these three students! It was an honor to coach and mentor them. Go Volts! 

Submitted by Ms. Weichman - way to go Coach Weichman!

Spring Magic Recital - Brava, Bravo, Bravi!

The Spring Magic Production: a Celebration of Music and Dance was a true success. Ballerinas, tap dancers and jazz dancers dazzled the crowd.  Piano players also performed melodiously and were a wonderful addition to this year's celebration. 

Our programs begin in September and continue through May.  The students meet once a week to learn a specific dance genre and work towards creating a showcase at the end of the year to share their newfound skills.  

We have an amazing group of talented performing artists sharing their gifts with our VIMSIA youth.  A special thank you to our instructors: Jessica Alvarado, Mary Capellas, Katie Zaytoun, Luba Dolgopolsky and Artistic Director Helen Sidiropoulos for putting this magical production together. The instructors would also like to thank all administrative staff for supporting the programs, teachers and students throughout the school year.  It takes a village!

NASA Visits VIMSIA - Join us Tonight at 5:00

NASA's Community Outreach event is tonight under the awning at VIMSIA.  The event starts at 5:00 and should wrap up by 8:00.  What a great opportunity to have a photo op with an astronaut and chat with NASA engineers.  All are welcome to attend - no admission fee.

Our six NASA guests arrived on island Saturday and have been busy preparing for the week ahead.  They spent the day with us here at VIMSIA today.  MIddle and High School students from around the island joined our PGIA students for a full day of NASA Science.  In addition to these NASA engineers, Dr. David Morris and Andy Watts brought solar telescopes so that the students could see the transit of Mercury across the sun.

While the older students were busy going through their NASA rotations throughout the day, a NASA astronaut made his way to visit the elementary students.

Visit the school website for information on the week's schedule for NASA.

Ms. Hess's Class gets a visitor!

VIMSIA Joins Open eBooks Inititative!

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!

Bon Voyage as Ms. Keating heads back to Ireland

Ms. Keating displays the gift her students made for her as part of their going away party on Tuesday.

It has been so lovely having Ms. Keating, who retired a few years back after 35 years in the Lower Elementary classroom, back on campus for the past several months.  We are so grateful that she was able to help us out by heading up Ms. Serje's classroom during her leave.  We love you Ms. Keating.  You are forever woven into the fabric of VIMSIA.  

Art is a Verb! This Friday evening - Join us!!

Are YOU ready for Art is a Verb?!  Any guess what this student is cutting out of wood?  Come to Art is a Verb THIS FRIDAY @ 6pm to see if your guess is correct!  

Ms. Ferguson and her PGIA Art students cordially invite you all to our 3rd Annual "Art is a Verb" interdisciplinary art show.  

All proceeds go to the PGIA Arts Department for productions, costumes and art projects.  Feel free to share this poster with friends, family & our community.

Concession stand will be open for light refreshments.  

A "Going out" with Ms. Keating, Ms. Hess and Ms. Santiago

On Friday, April 15, our lower elementary students from Ms. Keating and Ms. Hess’ class had a “Going Out” trip to Vessup Beach. After hiking down to their final location, they enjoyed lunch under the shade of the National Park trees, spying objects in the water from the dock, and participating in individual and team-building activities. From the joy on the student’s faces when they returned and from the photos below, it was a fun afternoon for all!

NASA Visits VIMSIA May 9

VIMSIA is proud to host a group of six NASA scientists and engineers for a Student Science Day during our regular school hours.  Students will see and experience great science and tech throughout the day courtesy of our NASA guests.  Topics to be covered include: Environmental Engineering, Applied Physics, Medical Science, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Development and Computer Science.

Register for events and/or read more about NASA's visit and how they will be reaching out to USVI students and educators during the first week of May.

VIMSIA's Chess Team takes 9th Place at National Tournament

VIMSIA students Amir, Aidan, Kinze and Chris competed at the U.S. Chess Federation National Championships over the weekend.  As a team, these two 4th years and two 6th years were competing against Middle and High School teams from around the country.  There were 1,460 players at the event. The VIMSIA team competed against about 30 teams that were in their section.  They came in with a solid 9th place - with trophies awarded up to the top ten finishers.  Looks like we are going to need that big  trophy case!  Way to go Volts.  Interesting factoid - these four students are also USVI Territorial Soccer Champs.  IB Learning trait = "Well Balanced", and so many more!  

 Kudos to our Chess-letes and thanks to Mr. Allen, Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Gever for being there for them.

Shout out to 5th year Annabelle , who was also to attend but was unable to make the event due to travel difficulties - you'll get 'em next time Annabelle!

Chess Tournament Update

The St. Thomas/St. John Chess Club members are in the midst of their first day of competition at the U.S. Chess Federation Scholastic Nationals in Atlanta.  

Mr. Gever is sending us updates as they come in.  Looks like a good first round for Chris.

There are 38 states with close to 1500 students participating!  

One more round today, 3 rounds tomorrow and 2 on Sunday.  We will try to keep you posted!  

Bon Voyage - Chess Athletes Off to Atlanta

Bon voyage and bon chance to our St. Thomas - St. John Youth Scholastic Chess Club members that are off to Atlanta Georgia this morning for the U.S. Chess Federation National Championships.  

17 V.I. students, five of whom are VIMSIA students, will be participating in the event.  VIMSIA will also be representing the V.I. in the team competition.  Kinze, Amir, Aiden, Chris and Annabelle - Upper Elementary students, will be testing their skills against other chess players from around the country.  Huge kudos to Sinclair Wilkinson and VIMSIA Coach Darryl Allen for mentoring these students and providing this great opportunity.  We will keep you posted on results! 

Daily News Post

"It Takes a Village" - Thank You Enrichment Volunteers

PGIA Enrichment happens every Wednesday afternoon.  Ms. Helen is able to coordinate talented volunteers from our community to work with our students' doing something they can all feel passionate about.  

"It takes a village to raise a child"    and we are so blessed here at VIMSIA with our amazing village!  Thank you so much to our volunteers.

Mr. Richard Berry who runs the PGIA Organic Garden

Ms. Pamela New from UVI - Reader's Theater / Shakespeare

Mr. Clay Jones of sevenminusseven -Photography

Master Edward Scott - Martial Arts

Mr. Fong and Ms. Schlesinger - Coding Plus Plus

Ms. Tess - Yearbook

Ms. Francis - VI Culture

Thank you and we love you all!

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.

Some Spanish Exchange Students See Snow for the First Time!

Lots of great new experiences for our PGIA students abroad at the Casvi School in Madrid.  One of which, at least for Kira and Aviella, was seeing snow for the first time!

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!