We got to see rockets today! Our first day at NASA was great. We watched an IMAX movie about Mars, sat in on the opening ceremony of the robotic mining competition where we heard from the NASA Director and former astronaut, walked through the space shuttle garden, and saw Atlantis. Tomorrow we will meet an astronaut, see inside Kennedy, and take part in a flight simulation.
Thanks again for letting me take your kid to space-ish!
The sixth grade students wrapped up their model U.N. experience March 11 with a final assembly at the United Nations Headquarters. Their delegate finery is hidden under their winter coats – it was 19 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside!
This message just in from Ms. Schlesinger and Ms. Morrison:
Wednesday was our day for sight seeing. We split into groups to explore different parts of New York City, including Top of the Rock, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York Public Library...The kids are loving popping into stores such as Lego, NBA, Forever 21, Barnes and Noble, Whole Foods. We’ve sampled world famous pizza and cheesecakes. Wednesday night as the kids were putting finishing touches on their poster displays, one said “I can’t believe we just got here last night!”
Today/ Thursday was the first day of conferences. Everyone was a little nervous in the morning, but by lunch feeling a lot more confident about the MMUN committee process.
Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow!!!!
Ms. Schlesinger took this group of MMUN students to the New York Public Library and the Museum of Modern Art yesterday.
Montessori Model United Nations trip is underway with 17 of our sixth year students. This is our 10th year attending this amazing conference in New York City. This year our students are representing the nations of Fiji, Finland, Portugal, Morocco, and Pakistan. The students research actual UN topics as if they were speaking from their represented country. They spend all year doing their research and writing the papers and referendums required as UN ambassadors. There will be thousands of Montessori students from around the country (and the world) at the conference. We have had several of our students over the years that have actually been chosen to speak on the floor of the UN General Assembly. So exciting for these young students!
Arrived safe and sound! Ready to start their adventure.
Saskia C., Kaia A., and Ava Jayne P
Our three 7th grade girls were warmly welcomed by their student buddies from Casvi IB School in Madrid, Spain. Our students are taking part in a 5-week Spanish Immersion Program. We can't wait to hear about their wonderful experiences! Go Spanish!
PGIA students on the Weizmann trip to Israel and Jordan spent their final day touring the ancient city of Petra. All five students and their chaperones are now in route from Paris and are due back tomorrow. We are so anxious to hear the student reflections and to see the presentation that they put together to document this amazing adventure.
The students are now embarking on their tours through Israel and Jordan. Today was spent in the City of Jerusalem. Imagine the history! What an experience.
Our students have just completed their three day science session at the Weizmann Institute. As you can see from the photos below, they were immersed in a wide variety of scientific topics and cutting edge research. From curing cancer to curing Alzheimer's - covering topics in chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy - our students will return from Israel having had an experience unique to only a very few high school students in the world. We are so thankful for our relationship with the Weizmann Institute and the amazing benefits it yields for these curious student minds.
The remainder of the trip will take the group to Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea, and across the border to Petra in Jordan. Watch for posts journaling the remainder of this great adventure!
This lab was about decomposing cells.
Here they are studying blood vessel traits
Garlic as a cure for colon cancer
The students have seen the difference in an atom of copper and an atom of gold.
Weizmann Institute of Science has graciously invited our PGIA students back this year for another science camp at their amazing university. World renowned scientists from Weizmann will have sessions with our students from Sunday through Wednesday, at which point the group will travel throughout Israel and Jordan. Six students attended this trip last year with life altering results. There are no words. This year the students are Skyler, Silas, Aneesh, Megan and Ni'quay.
This journey has thoroughly broadened my horizons, both scientifically and culturally. While being introduced to new customs and science, I found deeper meanings for both. Science isn’t simply knowledge, though knowledge is a poignant part of it; it is the ability to apply what knowledge you have and to solve questions that have never been asked before. Curiosity is the origin of all breakthroughs in science, because if scientists weren’t curious, they wouldn’t ask these excellent questions.
Vanshika last year at the Dead Sea
The End Session options for 2017 were presented last night to a very rapt audience of PGIA students and parents. See the amazing options for this years' End Session below.
Sean on his trek down (through this itty bitty space!) to an underground cenote
Dear parents:
We write tonight after a day filled with excitement and great memories. Students selected experiences that included a visit to three cenotes in Cuzama or a visit to the Great Mayan Museum of Merida followed by a local spa session.
The cenote group took a colectivo to get from our hotel to Cuzuma. Once there, they got in motor taxis to make their way to the three cenotes. There, they navigated the deep misteries and secrets of Mayan culture. The experience was one of a kind and they all had a great time.
The Mayan Museum group was taken by the amazing exhibit and the interactive presentations throughout the building. Our students got a chance to share time with a local school group who was also there for a visit. Students were in awe of the beauty of each item they saw and spoke with the curators as much as they were able to. After this, a visit to a local spa gave them a chance to experience the manners and charm of a yucateca host.
As you can see, this was a day to be remembered. Tomorrow we head to Chichen Itza, we will tell you all about it in a few days.
Feeling grateful for the opportunity,
Dean Vazquez and the crew
Dear parents:
A quick note today to keep you posted. We had a great day yesterday. It started early with our visit to the temples and city of Chichen Itza.
We had an educational tour of the ancient city, followed by lunch, local shopping, and pool time at the Mayaland Hotel. The day ended with the light and sound show in the Chichen Itza grounds.
We got back around 11:30 pm and it was another amazing day.
Happy Sunday!
Dean Vazquez
That's what the China End Session students are saying of their arduous trek up and around the Great Wall of China. It's harder than 8 Tuff! Honestly, can you believe our kids are hiking the Great Wall of China!
Jako and Richie at the top of their Great Wall hike.
Cancun Underwater Museum
Maya with one of the statues they will see on their underwater museum tour
We have now had two full days of great fun and adventure. We have gotten to know Cancun, traveling by public bus and really experiencing how the everyday folk here moves about and interacts with the city.
Yesterday we saw the MUSA underwater sculptures and park, a sight to be remembered. Following that, we visited a local mall, ending the day with a bouncing indoor park experience called "Sky Zone".
It was great to see students throughout the days speak Spanish to the locals, read signs and look for directions, make accounts about their money considering the exchange rate and such. Many were looking for items to bring back that would be just the right fit for their loved ones. Indeed a cultural immersion they will remember for life.
Today, the Yucatecos head to Merida and the adventure shall continue. We will remain in touch and will share pictures soon.
With excitement,
Dean Vazquez
Viajes seguros, safe travels, to Mr. Elger, Señora Vazquez, Ms. Ferguson and their 17 PGIA student travelers as they are on their way to Mexico for a week of Spanish language immersion, arts and local culture. Exploring Chichen Itza, snorkeling in the Cancun Underwater Museum MUSA and in the cenotes of Mexico's Yucatàn Peninsula, swimming with whale sharks....and, of course, que estarán hablando en español! Jealous anyone? I am!
Good night everyone,
Today was a day that began for me when I was in second grade and discovered the artist/crazy mathematician MC Escher. We took a day trip to The Hague to visit the Escher Museum and saw many of his original works. There were also many interactive exhibits that were simply fascinating. So so so so cool! We saw the church where Farenheit is buried, the grave of Spinoza, the congress buildings for the Netherlands, a beautiful park, cool sculptures around the city, and an antiques market. We ate a leisurely lunch in a huge square and enjoyed people watching. We travelled back to Amsterdam and had dinner at De Food Hallen, the same place we ate on our first night because it was that good. We all tried different things tonight and everything was oh so yummy. We are all going to miss the food! Tomorrow, Vanshika will be with her aunt, Donovan will take the girls shopping, and I will visit with a Dutch family we were close with during our time in the Republic of Georgia. We will all meet at the Pancake Boat for a canal cruise and all you can eat pancakes! Until then...hugs and misses from Amsterdam.
Lots of love,
The Amsterdam Girls
Good night everyone,
We began the day with emotions of children...bliss, glee, and terror! We spent three hours biking in the park, one of the largest in the city. Two of us were fairly novice riders, hence terror. Three of us were gleeful. And one of us was experiencing pure bliss! This was the reason she came to Amsterdam. It was also great people and dog watching. We returned the bikes and grabbed lunch. We walked the long way to the Anne Frank House shopping, seeing tulips, and taking in mathie sights along the way. We waited in line and then experienced sadness, grief, and empathy as we toured the home. "It was definitely a learning experience," said one student. "It made it real," said another. It impacted me greatly...there really are no words. We then went to Donovan and Klaus' house for a typical Dutch home cooked meal. Their neighbor, Ms. Kitty, came over for dinner as well. She began telling her story of being in an internment camp in Indonesia when she was a child and coming to the Netherlands as a refugee. Amazing conversations ensued over delicious food. We left the apartment and went shopping because the stores were open late. Tomorrow we have a busy busy day ahead. We are definitely making the most of our experiences here. Misses to each of you and hugs from the Amsterdam girls.
Take care,
Elizabeth
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
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
