Dear All,
We had a great day in Mauritius, highlighted by a trip to the Albion Tide Pools and Lighthouse. The students did some biodiversity research and enjoyed the spectacular Indian Ocean scenery. While jet lag definitely was still in effect, their effort was admirable. Tomorrow sees us off to the Black River Gorge to see some of Mauritius' most endangered species up close. Enjoy the photos!
Mr. E and Ms Z.
What a blast we've been having...pun intended.
On our way out of the Space Coast, we visited the Space Coast Fab Lab. We saw many huge 3D printers and other amazing equipment that will be used in this maker space. We also learned about hydro phones. Hopefully our school will develop a further relationship with this group to conduct research in the VI.
We arrived in Orlando and hit the Mall of Americas for food and shopping. We then spent three hours at the Sky Zone for glow night. LOTS of laughter (and good exercise) had by all.
We rose yesterday bright and early to reach Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We started the day at Hogwarts playing quidditch, defeating dragons, and drinking butter beer. Some of us took risks and rode rides that were way outside of our comfort zones. We met transformers, Thing 1 & 2, and Cat in the Hat. One of the scariest rides was Mummy as you can tell from the picture. We rode the Hogwarts Express to Kings Cross Station Platform 9 3/4 and spent some time in London, San Francisco, and New York. We ended the evening with exploring Gringotts Bank and fighting Voldemort. As we were leaving the park, we were treated to a water show and fireworks. Lots and lots of walking but so worth it to hear the screams and laughter!
We started our today going to Volcano Bay which opens at 9:00. By 9:30, they had reached capacity so no one else was allowed in. This is probably a blessing in disguise as we were all pretty tired from yesterday! Today we are relaxing, playing putt-putt and beach volleyball, maybe swimming in the pool, shopping and perhaps seeing a movie. Tomorrow, we are leaving bright and early to make sure we will get into Volcano bay!
I am absolutely loving spending time with these kids. I am so blessed to have such an amazing group. Thank you again for sending your children on this adventure with me.
Major hugs,
Ms. E
Helllloooo MRU Parents!
Your kids are troopers! They have already well adjusted to new sleeping patterns and are doing a wonderful job of being respectful members of this group. The kids seem very happy with their host families and have everything they need. Let me know if you have any concerns whatsoever!
Today we did biodiversity research in the Black River Gorges. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw several endemic species of birds and bats, and had a talk from "Nate", a bird biologist from the Mauritian department of Wildlife.
Tomorrow is a trip to the Colorful South coast of MRU and the sacred Hindu temple. It will be very memorable.
I am beyond humbled with how we have been welcomed here and the hospitality that the Mauritian families have given to us. We would like to set up an exchange to have these kids come stay in the VI. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a Le Bocage student!
:) Ms. Z
Dear MRU Parents,
We took Dubai by storm! We stumbled upon an opportunity for complimentary hotel rooms and dinner from Emirates Airlines and then decided to purchase a city tour. So, after hot showers and the lights of Dubai, we are back at the airport and on our plane to MRU!
Everyone is safe and sound. The people here are warm and welcoming. What a fantastic start to our adventure!
We will check in again soon ;) Ms. Z
Our final day at NASA was pretty awesome. We saw the Atlantis and learned all about the history of the shuttle program. Pretty spectacular. We rode the shuttle simulation which definitely tested one's love of turbulence and sense of balance. We attended a college fair, talked with some robotic teams, and saw one team's robot have a very successful run in the competition.
Tomorrow, we'll visit the Space Coast FabLab and then settle into our villa in Orlando, probably followed by shopping and a movie.
I have laughed so much today at each of your children. They say the wittiest things...especially when they don't think you're listening. I've also learned a lot about music and Snapchat!
Hugs, Ms. E
The students are enjoying their time in the north! After a fun day at the amusement park, Valleyfair, we picked up some supplies and left Minneapolis. We made our way to Split Rock Lighthouse, north of Duluth, and visited the restored lighthouse and learned about its role in shipping on the Great Lakes. We then returned to Duluth for the night.
Today we will be heading further north to Grand Marais and stopping at North House Folk school for a workshop on baking homemade pies (Mmmmm). Afterwards, we will make our way to Thunder Bay, Ontario (Canada), with a stop at Grand Portage National Monument.
The Galapagos End Session spent two days exploring Quito and surrounding areas. Tuesday they visited historic areas in Quito, and sampled famous local dishes such as guinea pig. Some were open-minded enough to try an ice cream flavor called “caca de perro.” Wednesday they went to Cotopaxi, the world’s second highest active volcano. They observed llamas and condors; in fact they spent an hour watching the condors - their guide said he hadn’t seen so many condors together in 20 years! Thursday it’s off the the Galapagos Islands!
Today we met an ASTRONAUT! Dr. Sam Durrance spoke with us about his two missions to space and the telescope he helped to build. Very interesting stories. We then took a bus tour behind the gates. We saw all the launching pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building where they are currently building the SLS rocket to go to Mars, and the shuttle transport system. We also saw a retired Apollo shuttle and exhibit highlighting all the Apollo missions. We even got to touch a moon rock! Pretty amazing! We spent the afternoon in the historic Cocoa Beach Village, watching a major downpour from our hotel rooms, and ending the night at the movie theater.
Tomorrow, we will see the Atlantis and experience a launch simulator. We'll also be going to a college fair.
I love seeing your students in this environment. I am so proud of their openness to new experiences and their kind hearts. Thanks again for letting me "have" them for the week!
Hugs,
Ms. E
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!
You made it! All your hard work, determination and persistence have finally paid off! Congratulations! As a class you have set some records.
Valedictorian: Alison Bartsch, GPA 4.56
Salutatorian: Claudia Walker, GPA 4.49
Kendall Benjamin
Christina Brett
Aneesh Chandiramani
Megan Godfrey
Eyad Hamed
Ni’Quay-Imanie Leonard
Kayla Rivers
Leah Trotman
Caelin Vannelli
Andrew Webb
Schools that graduates will be attending:
Agnes Scott College (GA), American University (DC), Clark University (MA), Duquesne University (PA), Marymount Manhattan College (NY), Seton Hall University (NJ), Stanford University (CA), Suffolk University (MA), University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Md., University of Tampa (FL), Valencia College (FL).
The list of schools students were accepted:
Adelphi University
Agnes Scott College
American University
Barry University
Brandeis University
Clark University
College of William and Mary
Drew University
Drexel University
Duke University
Duquesne University
Elon University
Emerson College
George Mason University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Goucher College
Harvey Mudd College
Haverford College
Hofstra University
Howard University
Iona College
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University (North Miami)
Johnson & Wales University (Providence)
King University
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Lynn University
Manhattanville College
Marymount Manhattan College
Mercy College
Molloy College
Olin College of Engineering
Oxford College of Emory University
Pace University, New York City
Princeton University
Providence College
Queens University of Charlotte
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College
Rowan University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Seton Hall University
Smith College
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
St. John's University - Queens Campus
St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn Campus
Stanford University
State University of New York at Albany
State University of New York at Albany
Stevens Institute of Technology
Suffolk University
Swarthmore College
The George Washington University
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of Tampa
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Miami
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
University of the Virgin Islands-St. Thomas
Valencia College
Vassar College
Wake Forest University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University of Louisiana
Today VIMSIA welcomed the world renowned, Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir - Københavns Drengekor as part of the U.S. Virgin Islands 100 year anniversary celebration of Transfer Day. They performed a private concert in the Music Room for students, staff and parents. The Royal Chapel Choir consists of 50 boys ranging from 12 to 17 year olds. The audience were enchanted by their amazing vocals and presence.
More about the choir: Among some of the oldest European musical traditions are the cathedral choirs and their choir schools. The COPENHAGEN ROYAL CHAPEL CHOIR is the only representative of this tradition in Scandinavia. Founded in 1924 by Mogens Wöldike, the choir quickly developed into a full-time institution with the boys receiving their general education alongside a full musical and vocal training in SANKT ANNÆ GYMNASIUM, the Copenhagen Municipal Choir School.
With a comprehensive repertoire ranging from commissioned works by the leading composers of our time to the earliest polyphony, the choir has gained a reputation for being one of the finest of its type and has received several high distinctions.
The choir tours extensively and has given concerts in all parts of the world. It has taken part in many radio and television productions both in Denmark and abroad. Le Figaro has placed the choir alongside the Vienna Boys Choir and that of Kings College, Cambridge as one of the finest in Europe. They work regularly with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and have made numerous CD recordings.
Sponsored by the USVI Bicentennial Committee, VI Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, Moe’s Fresh Market, and Flamboyant On the Bay Resort and Villas.
Volts get some well-deserved ink from VI Daily News for their 3-1 victory over Kean last night.
Volts bring home the school participation award...again! Pretty sure we are undefeated in this. Way to go VIMSIA athletes!
12 - 15 year olds: Taber - 1st place; Kaia - 1st place; Relay Anapia, Aviela, Nicholas - 1st place; Relay Skyler and Axel - 2nd place; Relay (mixed school) Gabriella, Christian and Thomas - 3rd place
9-11 year olds: Maia T - 1st place; Relay Mariana, Aurora and Sofie - 2nd place
5-8 year olds: Lyle - 3rd place; Relay (mixed school) Charlie, Willie and Connor - 1st place
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!
The Danish National Archives’ digitization project “The Danish West Indies – Sources of History” is a fabulous collection of resources about Virgin Islands History. The site includes five million pages of digitized records from the colonial era which are now searchable.
#100for100USVI – Thank you for reading post number 2.
Happy Transfer Day! This lovely book, written by Anecia Sewer and illustrated by Karen Samuel, is a perfect introduction to Transfer Day for all students. It is a fitting opening entry for “100 for 100 USVI,” a collection of one hundred information resources about USVI history and culture that I am gathering in recognition of the Centennial.
#100for100USVI – Thank you for reading post number 1.
Coach Nurse and his Elementary Track Volts got a much deserved treat last week at SnoMoon! Kudos on a great season, Volts!
#GoVolts
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!
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!
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
