Library Open For Families!

I was so excited to welcome families back to the library at our Parent Night!   I invite you to park at pick-up time and bring your children to the Montessori Library.  You can read together and choose books to enjoy at home. This is especially a great opportunity for younger children (toddlers and half-day Primary) who do not have a scheduled library time with their classes. All are welcome.  The library is open until 4:00pm. 

Happy Reading,

Ms. Schlesinger (librarian@vimsia.org)

VIMSIA T-SHIRT STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST - DEADLINE 9/24/21

An example of a previous design. (For Inspiration)

VIMSIA is launching an online apparel store this fall, and we want YOU to help us and design the new school t-shirt. We are looking to capture the feel of our classic design (image) but revise it to represent our school today. Shirts will either be printed on blue cloth with white ink and/or on white cloth with blue ink. 

Specific Design Guidelines:

The Classic T-Shirt Design (For inspiration)

• Design must be able to be reproduced in one color. 

• Must include a sailboat.

• Must include the full name of the school, either VIMSIA or Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy. 

• Dimensions: Not to exceed 8.5” x 11” (Portrait) but can be smaller!

Submission Guidelines:

Digital Submissions: Please email a high-quality image or another digital file (PNG, PDF, JPEG, SVG) to volt@vimsia.org. The Subject line should include your (the student’s) name and that it is for the T-Shirt Design Contest. Example: Alayna Belshe - T-Shirt Design Contest Submission

Paper Submissions: If you choose to submit a paper copy please include your (the student’s name) on the back of the paper. 

The Contest

Submissions will no longer be accepted after  FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24th @ 4 PM.  But you can submit any time before then! This contest is open to all VIMSIA students. If parents are particularly inspired please reach out to Alayna Belshe - abelshe@vimsia.org while they cannot participate in the contest we would be happy to hear from them. 

After we have received the submissions a team will select the top three and we will send out a ballot to the students, families, and staff to select the winning design.

The Prize

The winning designer will receive a free t-shirt of their size and the gratitude of the school.

Celebrating the Montessori 6th Years

We had the opportunity last week to celebrate the 18 wonderful 6th year students with VIMSIA's first even Virtual Graduation.  Please click here to enjoy the video that is filled with teacher tributes, student presentations and a special musical tribute from the 4th and 5th year students.  

Prior to the Virtual ceremony we had the opportunity to see the graduates briefly when they came to campus to pick up the much treasured Montessori Medallions.  

Kwanzaa in the Classroom

On Friday, December 13th Leah & Lily Reffell's parents, Lamin & Shanell, visited Ms. Boyle’s classroom to give a Kwanzaa presentation. It's celebrated for 7 days, starting on December 26th and ending on January 1st.
They shared a little about the principles recognized throughout the celebration; each day has a different one. They are Umoja - Unity, Kujichagulia - Self-Determination, Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility, Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics, Nia - Purpose, Kuumba - Creativity, and Imani - Faith. Shanell, Leah and Lily sang the class a song, while Lamin played a drum. Then they learned a few dance moves that are also done during the week long celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about Kwanzaa.
Thank you to the Reffells for sharing this celebration with Ms. Boyle’s class.

Saturday Conference Survey Results

Thank you for taking the time to respond to our survey about Saturday conferences!

Here are the results.

Lower Elementary Educates about Pineapples

Scarlett Jones, Aaliyah Howard, and Amelia Commissiong are educating our school community about pineapples! These students in Ms. Di Francesco's class have been learning about research techniques and sharing their findings with both Montessori and PGIA students. They used encyclopedias, dictionaries, support from our library and personal knowledge to put together a visual aid and written report about the tropical fruit. When asked why they chose pineapples, they said they were inspired by their teacher's necklace!

PGIA Cyber Patriots Making their Mark!

This year PGIA is fielding two teams in the Air Force Association's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. Thousands of teams from all around the world compete online, securing virtual computer systems against hacking, malware, and all kinds of other vulnerabilities.

We know how important this is. Students are gaining real world, hard and soft skills.

In the first year, CyberPatriot teams rarely do well. There is a HUGE learning curve and it can be very frustrating for young people. The competition rounds are intense, last SIX hours, and require a lot of focus, teamwork, concentration and study. Our PGIA Middle School Team and High School Team have risen above all this.

Here's the good stuff. Our Middle School team has a real chance to qualify for the semifinals. Our High School team has placed at the GOLD TIER level (I still can't believe it, but it's true) and will try to get to semifinals as well - at this very tough level of competition. These are incredible accomplishments. I've never heard of first year teams reaching these levels.

Both teams competed against literally thousands of other teams. We have competed in two rounds of competition so far and have been holding regular practices. Our next round is this Saturday, December 7, and it is a MAKE or BREAK round which will determine our final placement in the competition. It will be tough going.

I am the proudest CyberPatriot coach ever!

High School Team

• Mimi Boumedine

• Ny'Kel Emanuel

• Orin Hayes

• Timothy Hayes

• Alexander Pahlavan

Middle School Team

• Krishiv Amarnani

• Alessa Carty

• Stanley Trotman\

• Khalid Warrell

• Amelie Zucker

Huge thanks to school admin for their constant support and instant response to any need! Huge thanks to Mr. Enright for getting us the best tech set-up possible! Huge thanks to Dr. Boumedine for serving as our technical mentor - he puts in a lot hours making sure we are ready for each round. Huge thanks to the families of the team members for their support - especially Mrs. Hayes for providing the amazing buffet for the teams!

Go Volts Go!

Mrs. Hoffart, Cyber Patriots Coach

Ms. Boyle Reflects on World Children's Day - November 20th

November 20th was a typically busy morning in the classroom. A morning of self-directed choices. Children displaying kindness, creativity, concentration, helpfulness, independence and joy. It’s as if I’m not even needed.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

Basil Sale - Environmental AND Entrepeneurial AND Educational - Yay!

Great job Max and Ms. Hess’s class. They grew these basil plants in recycled water bottles and sold them to make money for their class garden. They made $113! Good job young people!

Autopista College Fair a Huge Success!

PGIA students met with 10 colleges and universities this week at the Autopista College Fair! Admissions representatives were on hand to answer our students' questions and talk about high school success strategies. Our visitors were very complimentary of both our campus and students...great job PGIA! Contact Kara Ebe Cook for more information or ways to get involved.

Get a Slice of This - Upper Elementary Pizza Fundraiser

Upper Elementary Pizza Wednesday was a huge success! The new small business model was a wonderful addition to the Montessori Upper Elementary curriculum. Everyone was excited for the big launch and it went even more smoothly as imagined! Well done Upper El, we look forward to next Wednesday already!

Full Day Primary Students had a Splash

Ms. Boyle’s Full Day Primary students began their swimming lessons at the VI pool on October 3rd. All six were totally thrilled and one even swam for the first time! Everyone is enjoying this new addition to the Primary program.

VIMSIA After-School Sailing Program

Peter Holmberg, Virgin Islands own Olympic silver medalist, America's Cup Skipper, and Match-Race World Champion, will be joining the after-school sailing program as a coach!

Sailing at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) is an after-school program available to Lower and Upper Elementary students on Wednesday afternoons.

Hungry Crowd Gathers at Devonte and Drake's Concession Stand

Devonte and Drake, PGIA Students, began operating a concession stand under the awning this week! Their stand will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:45pm to 1:20pm until Holiday Break.

The funds that Devonte and Drake will raise are to be donated to the Annual Fund and Bahamas Relief Fund (via St Thomas Reformed Church).

Look out for more new activity at the Concession stand this semester!

Students Begin the Journey to the Montessori Model United Nations

Each 6th year student spent a week researching 3 different counties, in the MMUN meeting they shared what they learned with each other.

D’Anthropologie Je Mange with Ms. Hayes

This enrichment class combines the discipline of anthropology, basic methods of ethnography and some practical cooking. During the semester students will investigate how the process of gathering, preparation and consumption of food related to certain environments and societies.

Primary Swimming Program Starts with a Splash

Upper Elementary Community Building

The Upper Elementary students in both classes came together in the afternoon on Friday, August 30th for community building. They completed team building activities and getting to know you games to foster a feeling of unity between the two classes.

Hurricane Dorian Clean-Up

Staff was hard at work today preparing campus for students tomorrow. We are so thankful for everyone’s sweat and effort to ensure a safe and clean campus.

First Day of School

At the car deck Montessori students greeted their returning friends and helped their new classmates get settled.

Students in the PGIA started their day off with an assembly followed by meeting and activities that prepared new and returning students alike for a successful year in the PGIA.