The Story of A Dream

Students Marched on Washington while singing "We Shall Overcome." 

Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) invited parents and community members to enjoy the Lower Elementary play "Martin Luther King, Jr.: Story of A Dream." Under the direction of Lower Elementary Teacher, Jess DiFrancesco, students not only studied the history and biography of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, but understood the significance of their actions and the ripple effect that it had throughout time. 

DiFrancesco explained how challenging it was for her students to understand the concept of segregation "especially the idea of separating everyone by skin color" she said. "Everyone in our class looks different, and if you divide them up by different colors, it's very hard. It was difficult for them to understand how to divide them up because of all the different shades. They understood what happened was wrong, and couldn't understand why people were treated that way, when they see that they are all great friends in class." Arielle Shackell, a seven year old student who played Rosa Parks, mentioned it was "fun and cool and amazing being her because of how she stuck up for herself."

Over fifty guests were present one of them being Dee Wilson, grandparent. Wilson mentioned "you sense that the children understood the importance of what they were reenacting and definitely got the significance across." With the help of Peter Gruber International Academy senior students behind the scenes, the play went off without a hitch! Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his speech, Rosa Parks was removed from the bus and a powerful reenaction of the March on Washington took place with xylophone accompaniment to the popular song "We Shall Overcome." 

Stepping Into The Limelight with Dancing Classrooms VI

On Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Peter Gruber International Academy (PGIA) 8th grade students stepped into the limelight during Dancing Classrooms VI culminating event! PGIA Director, Gloria Zakers opened the event by thanking "Dancing Classrooms for supporting our school and keeping the program here even after the hurricanes when we weren't able to fund the program."

Dancing Classrooms started in only two schools in 1994 with Piere Dulaine a professional ball room dancer who as a young person, had moved from Palestine over to Birmingham, England and really struggled with self confidence and self esteem. It was through dancing that allowed him to stand a little taller and gain confidence. When he was older and a young professional, Dulaine wanted to give that back to the young people. Today, Dancing Classrooms is in over 30 locations nationally and internationally. Dancing Classrooms VI has been in the Virgin Islands since 2009 and last year served 1,000 student - 5,000 students have participated in program overall.

Dancing Classrooms VI's culminating event was a demonstration of a lectured lesson. It was the students' 19th lectured lesson - keep in mind four of those were before the hurricanes- and conducted under the direction of Mary Capella,  teaching artist.

MYP Interdisciplinary Art and PGIA Visual Art & Art Coordinator, Jana Ferguson has participated with Dancing Classrooms for four years. Eighth grade students use their art period to participate in the Dancing Classrooms VI program. "Dance is a form of Art and as a Interdisciplinary Art educator, I try to engage students in as many Art forms as possible! Dance and Visual Art are fused together by incorporating Dance inspired Artwork.  This enhances student learning by encouraging research, creation and a deeper understanding of the dance, where it originates and what it represents" says Ferguson. 

"Capella has been a wonderful leader for the 8th graders this year" says Ferguson, adding "she has been flexible, understanding and determined through hurricanes, schedule changes, student trips, you name it!  Mr. Passerella started Dancing Classrooms VI at the beginning of the year, but after the hurricanes the program was put on hold.  The three of us together, along with our unstoppable students, were a strong team!"

Aside from teaching our students ballroom dancing, the program challenges them to get out of their comfort zone, respect one another and respect themselves.  The younger students are excited to enter the program and the older students love to watch and dance along, reminiscing on their own experiences.  It has become a tradition at the PGIA.

SOULR CEO and Founder Tyler Norris Visits VIMSIA

Tyler Norris, CEO and Founder of SOULR visited with Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) students yesterday to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and deliver four donated SOULR solar powered carts in partnership with Changing Tides Foundation.

It’s common to see students and sports team sell water on street intersections but it doesn’t necessary out pay the cost of time, labor and ice – a problem Norris is quite familiar with. While studying Business Administration at the University of San Diego, Norris had a deep desire to quit his job at the Apple Store and start his own off-the-gird food cart business. After purchasing his first cart he wanted to start selling the very popular Acai bowls but had to find a way to keep them cold. Purchasing ice would deplete his profits so he thought of a solution and came up with the solar powered cooler design. Three years later, he has pushed the concept and is now working with various schools nationwide encouraging entrepreneurship and fundraising opportunities while also supporting hurricane affected areas such as health clinics in Dominica.  Norris explained how part of his inspiration came from his family: “growing up in a close knit island community in Washington State had a huge influence on my life. I realized the importance of community values when I attended college, and sought out to create products/ideas that generate impact for those around me.”

Norris led a small group of seven students through a demonstration on the build, engineering and maintenance of the solar powered carts while emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurships and how “we need to retool the tools we have to create better communities.” Norris added “don't let anything/anyone hold you back from chasing your passion. Fear often hinders our internal desire to explore just beyond the edge of our comfort zone. Don't settle for surviving, aim to thrive!” Students spent an entire class period taking pieces apart, learning about the wiring and different solar components of the cart.

VIMSIA is a proud partner of SOULR carts and wishes Norris all the best as he continues to build out concepts and systems that will change the world.  SOULR is currently working on with the Global Resilience Alliance, and a number of global non-profit/health organizations to build out Resilience Hubs everywhere. These hubs will exist to educate, equip, and inspire communities globally.
 

International Women's Day Gender Role Exercise

In eighth grade design class at Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, students celebrated International Women's Day by completing an exercise that explored gender roles. Prior to starting the exercise, Ms. Jamie Truax, Middle Years Program Math and Design teacher, made sure not to explain the purpose of the activity beforehand. “I told each student to get out a sheet of paper and divide it into 8 sections” Truax said, adding that students were told they would have 1 minute to draw a picture in each section. Truax then instructed her class to draw a nurse, doctor, firefighter, scientist, astronaut, politician, gardener, and artist.

Afterwards, Truax explained that the purpose of the exercise was to explore gender roles in recognition of International Women's Day - a day intended to celebrate female achievements throughout history and across nations. At the conclusion of the exercise, data was tallied on the board. “We counted how many women, men, and gender neutral pictures were drawn for each occupation. We were surprised by some of our results!” said Truax.

Truax explained the results noting that she wasn’t surprised that most students drew a woman nurse and artist. They were however surprised and excited that most students drew women scientists, and were not so surprised to see that most students drew male politicians. The eighth grade class concluded that most people drew gender neutral firefighters and astronauts because they wear so much gear it's hard to tell if they're a woman or a man.

Truax added that “it's important to explore gender equality in schools and make it known that anyone has the potential to grow up and have any occupation. Doing this exercise was a fun way to explore how we stereotype without even knowing it.” One student said, "This was a fun activity to do on International Women's Day. I learned a lot about how we perceive different jobs".  

Happy International Women's Day!

Upper Elementary Egyptian Museum

On Friday, March 2 Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) students, faculty and parents were invited to tour the Upper Elementary Egyptian Museum! Brought to life by students of Ms. Kate Ludick, Upper Elementary Directress, the museum featured the Nile, pyramids, a market, an art and architecture display and of course various signature people such as pharaoh, Cleopatra and King Tutankhuman. 

The Egyptian Museum was the culminating event in a Montessori three period lesson. “After various small group lessons children determine what their interests are and begin doing research” says Ludick. The third and final part is the assessment or a test –in this case the Egyptian Museum- to prove the child’s full understanding on the topic and ensure they have a firm grasp. Students were required to put together the museum and build up one section based on their likes and interest including various skills such as mathematics, writing and reading. Once students have integrated their skills with their interest, they prepare a presentation for their peer groups, parents and other adults.

11th Annual Poetry Out Loud

Under the direction of Virgin Islands Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) Middle Years Program English Language and Literature teacher Melissa Bump, five high school students participated in the annual Poetry Out Loud competition with hopes of winning and moving on to the territory wide competition scheduled for March 10, 2018. Contestants included: Karen Gaurlioff (1st place), Caroline Gaskin (2nd place), Adia Thomas (3rd place), Tiffany Connor and Trevelle Connor.

Judged by attorney Carl Williams, also parent of a CASA student, Monife Stout, Public Relations Director for East End Medical Clinic and Barbara Young, a retired English teacher and professional photographer, students had to recite two poems for not only the judges, but their teachers, parents and peers. 

"This is the eleventh year for Poetry Out Loud in the territory" says Bump. "The competition began in 2006. I fell in love with the competition when teaching at Kean, and was very happy to take over the coordination at VIMSIA after starting to teach here."

Poetry Out Loud provides a great opportunity for students to truly connect with poetry through memorization and internalization of the poet’s message. It is also a fabulous opportunity for students to gain public speaking experience. 

The winner of the territory competition will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC in April to compete in the national competition. There are numerous award levels in DC, the most impressive being the $20,000 awarded to the national champion. In addition to the financial benefit, Poetry Out Loud opens fantastic doors for that person. Some national champions have even performed at the White House. 

Build A Tower, Build A Team!

Under the direction of Virgin Islands Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy middle school math teacher, Jamie Truax, the eighth grade class participated in a mini design project this week called the Marshmallow Challenge- a challenge that has been done all over the world in schools, conferences, and business meetings. "This challenge teaches the students teamwork, as well as STEM" Truax says. 

Students are given an envelope with 20 sticks of spaghetti, 1 marshmallow, 1 roll of tape, and 1 ball of string. Students were put in random groups and whoever creates the tallest structure wins. 

"I was so impressed by how the 8th graders collaborated to build a spaghetti structure." Truax says adding that students shared materials, and how wonderful it was to see each student work collaboratively towards achieving a common goal. 

The winners of the challenge were Audrianna, N'Jheri, and Sakari! Their structure stood 16.5 inches tall. 

Learn more about the marshmallow challenge by watching this TED Talk!

Visualization and motivation Talk by James Mapes

“We may not be able to control what happens to us, BUT we can control how we respond to it.” -James Mapes

On Wednesday, Feb 21, James Mapes a popular international public speaker who specializes in teaching skills to individuals and organizations that stimulate innovation, visited the PGIA to do a 45 min presentation on "Visualization and Motivation" for the 7th - 12th graders.  James passed out props to each student to demonstrate the power of thought.  He spoke to the kids about using positive thinking to create motivation in your life and how to avoid self-limiting beliefs that will hold you back from you want.  He did several demonstrations for the kids that left them gasping and staring in disbelief.  The room was a flutter with excitement and laughter.

Take a ways: set goals, write goals down, do not let negative beliefs hold you back, do let positivie beliefs motivate you, visualize what you want. 

James performs this Saturday night, 2/24, at the Forum at Antilles School.  This intriguing performance is $25/adults, $10/teachers and FREE for students.

EPA Helps VIMSIA Monitor Air Quality

On Wednesday, the 12th grade Environmental Systems & Societies class welcomed two members of the EPA's Environmental Response Team to their classroom. Michael Hoppe and Joe Bundens spoke on a variety of topics ranging from air quality and environmental disasters, to fracking and water pollution. Having recently covered atmospheric systems, the students were well prepared to discuss sources of particulate matter, the reduction of ozone-depleting substances, and the impact of air pollutants on human health. Mr. Hoppe and Mr. Bundens spent time explaining how air quality monitors can be used to assess real-time pollution levels, particularly concentrations of particulate matter. Using a network of instruments on the East End, the EPA can monitor and address any increases in pollution that might be a result of the ongoing destruction of boats and other hurricane debris in the area. After examining a sensor placed on school grounds, the students returned to class in preparation for the next unit: Energy Usage & Climate Change.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Household hazardous waste is still being collected at the Bovoni Landfill facility through Saturday, February 24th. According to the EPA:  "Household hazardous waste includes aerosol cans, household cleaners and chemicals, paint, and electronic items such as computers and televisions. Household hazardous materials also include car and marine batteries, which have become a major concern due to the large volume of batteries being used by residents who are without power. Household hazardous waste should not be thrown out with regular trash as it can contaminate the land, waterways, and groundwater. "

Leading The Way With Environmental Sustainability

This week Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) welcomed Changing Tides Foundation volunteer Sarah Brady, who was led on a campus tour by seniors Candice LaPlace, T'Leah Serieux, VerNele Callwood and Nalani Figueroa to better understand VIMSIA’s environmentally sustainable initiatives. Brady was shown why our school is considered a leader in renewable energy and shown the usage of solar panels, pit drains to catch water, retention ponds, gardening efforts, recycling systems and much more!

Originally from California, Sarah –a junior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Cognitive Science- decided to take a quarter off to assist with relief efforts by volunteering with Changing Tides Foundation. Being that a mutual interest in renewable energy and building sustainable infrastructure existed, a partnership between Changing Tides Foundation and VIMSIA was a no-brainer.

Having learned that PGIA students often sell water bottles from coolers as a way to fundraise, the foundation generously donated four SoulR Cart solar powered coolers. In celebration of this donation, head of school Michael Bornn organized an ice-cream party for the entire school to educate students on solar energy. Students enjoyed a tasty treat chilled by the sun!

#spreadthelove

Virgin Islands Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy students were seen throughout campus today spreading love! In celebration of Valentine's Day, students and staff members were encouraged to wear red, pink or white and #spreadthelove. Students from toddler to grade twelve were seen participating in this celebration of love and friendship by preparing crafts, singing songs, reading stories, making decorations and exchanging sweet valentine treats. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sixth Graders Visit PGIA in Preparation for Next Fall

Today marks the completion of yet another successful transition program for our sixth grade students - both anxious and nervous to enter the seventh grade next Fall. Over the course of the last several days, sixth grade students were matched with a "host" seventh grader to show them the ropes - an opportunity they have been dying to experience! Today we had a chance to interview Gavin, Leah and Selena and hear their thoughts about this right of passage.

Peter Gruber International Academy (PGIA) Director of twelve years, Ms. Gloria Zakers claims this six year tradition is "extremely beneficial and proven to have a high success rate." There are a series of different components that combined provide both parents and students better insight as to what to expect in seventh grade and better understand that this transition is not to be taken for granted. Following a full day visitation with the seventh graders, sixth grade students are visited by PGIA teachers and assigned a spring project to get them accustomed to homework, good work ethic and responsibility. Lastly, prior to entering seventh grade students are required to take a math placement test.

PGIA is known for it's strict rules, high expectations and most of all, quality education; however, we are confident that with the values and norms instilled through our Montessori program these students will triumph and achieve their goals. Congratulations class of 2024!

After School Program Registration Open

After School Program Registration for the second semester is now open.  Classes begin our first week back and run through the end of the year (January 8 through June 8).

Day 107 - Power Finally!

Drum roll please!  Yes - we got WAPA power to most of campus yesterday!  We are still on generator for the PGIA House and Hibiscus, but the rest of campus is running on WAPA.

Thanks to everyone for all of your support as we have made this journey.  Day one of post hurricanes school, we had only one small generator running in lower campus that provided running water to a limited number of areas.  Lots of exercise for everyone to get to a bathroom that worked!  Over the next few weeks, when the supply of generators on island was nil and in the country was not much better - Mr. Bornn and a handful of private funders managed to find and transport a shipment of high power generators to island for the school.  September and October were definitely challenge filled.  These efforts were critical to keeping school open. 

We now have five major generators around campus and have been running the whole school pretty smoothly on generator power.  And now, though we are VERY happy to have WAPA available to us, we are also well on our way to our off-grid power goal.  

So thanks to all of our families, students and staff for hanging in there when a fan belt broke, diesel didn't show up, our loads were not balanced and oh so many other issues.  And special thank you to Mark Hume, Shane DeGannes and Matt Enright for becoming fast on-staff generator experts.   So many of our parents with electric, diesel and generator knowledge stepped up, our donors,  and Mr. Bornn for taking charge immediately and pulling it all together - we couldn't have done this without all hands on deck.  

BLAST FROM THE PAST

As a new staff member, I am lucky to discover and learn about VIMSIA's rich history! Check out these wonderful photos from years past...

Ms. Shournagh McWeeney teaching a Primary class, circa 1970. Over 45 years later, her legacy as a key educator, leader, and friend of the VIMSIA family is stronger than ever.  

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All School Group Photo, 2010. Taken at what is now our solar awning space, this shot includes VIMSIA's first high school graduate. Since then we have sent graduating classes of up to 17 students off to take on the world!

Time flies when you're having fun!  

First Day "Eclipses" All Expectations!

There was a buzz of energy surrounding campus on our first day of school - and not just from the excitement of being back!  Our PGIA students were all hyped up for their field trip to UVI, and those of us still on campus spent the afternoon gawking upward with our jaws dropped.  Experiencing the solar eclipse at VIMSIA and UVI was simply awesome!  We had so much help and support from UVI and Dr. David Morris.  We thank them so much for being instrumental in the great science that abounded yesterday surrounding the solar eclipse.

Photo of the eclipse taken at UVI field by PGIA 8th grade student Vidhika .

Our PGIA students all took a field trip to UVI to participate in the solar eclipse educational outreach presented by UVI.  The Upper Elementary students hit the soccer field with eclipse glasses provided by UVI and pinhole cameras that they made in class.  Lower Elementary student groups took turns poking out from under the solar awning to experience the image through their solar glasses.

This from Upper Elementary Teacher, Ms. Morrison to UVI's Dr. Morris:

WOW ! Wow! Wow!   Thank you, Dr. Morris,  that was just amazing!  We had the opportunity to have all of our 9 to 12 yr olds, most of the 6 to 9 yrs olds view with teacher's assistance and most of the school administration each took a gander skyward.  We also had many parents, as they arrived to pick up their children, take a look and even a few little ones under their parent's supervision.  I had to laugh at the number of folks who, when initially offered the glasses, said "ah no, its no big deal"  yet when encouraged, exclaimed how incredible it was.  For a point of reference our pick-up time is between 3:25 and roughly 3:45 so prime shock and awe window.   

Sooo.... saying thanks really doesn't seem to express how grateful we are to you for the glasses. Really!

Sincerely, Ms. Morrison

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Look closely at the images of light on the sidewalk.  The trees over the sidewalk have created a "pinhole" camera to reflect the eclipsed sun on the path.  These were taken at about 3:35, so very near the maximum coverage that we experienced here in St. Thomas.

Celebrate Summer: Nature IS Nurture

Happy Summer!

Montessori philosophy inspires care of the environment and careful stewardship of our earth. Dr. Montessori wrote, “Children have an anxious concern for living beings, and the satisfaction of this instinct fills them with delight. It is therefore easy to interest them in taking care of plants….”

Ms. Upp’s primary class took time out of their busy last day of school to search for VIMSIA’s new administrative hire, Ms. Julie. Their beloved classroom plant needed a plant-sitter for the summer, and Ms. Julie needed some company for her new office. The children gathered around Ms. Julie and presented her with her new charge. Ms. Upp assured Ms. Julie that the plant was hardy enough to thrive in any conditions. Even though Ms. Julie lacks a single green thumb, the prognosis is good.

As we say our temporary farewells to your children, we are wishing them the most fulfilling of summer breaks until we meet again. May summer be a wonderful opportunity for your families to reconnect with the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds us on St. Thomas. True, summer is a little different for us in the Caribbean, resembling so closely the rest of the year. However, summer break worldwide remains a cherished time to celebrate family, nature, and a break from schooling.

“We don’t have de four season dem,
Summer, Winter, Autumn an’ Spring,
but de dry season wid the noisy bees
an’ de shrill call o’ de cling-cling,
an’ de sun turnin’ de sea into a hot bath,
an’ de grass bake so dat it crackle like parchment
under yuh foot; when de beach dem crowded
wid folk cooling off; de season when mango is king.”

— Valerie Bloom, Two Seasons

Ms. Hess's Students Cleanup!

Zia, Macy, Alexis and Mary went around the whole campus this week and picked up trash!  They were very proud of their efforts.  We followed with a lengthy discussion about rotary dial phones - they had no clue what they were, imagine that.  Just think of the changes that happen in the world over the course of a few generations!

Taste the Nations Performances

Kudos to the PGIA students on their performances Saturday at Taste the Nations.  And a very special shoutout and thank-you to their Arts teachers, Ms. Helen Sidiropolous and Ms. Jana Ferguson for their support and guidance along the way.    Great job everyone!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

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.