Mangrove Matter! - Petition by Ana Pia, Chantel and Marissa

Submitted by Ana Pia, Chantel and Marissa:

What are Mangroves?

        Mangroves are home to hundreds of marine and terrestrial species. Birds call their branches their home and fish live within their long roots in the brackish water. Aside from small fish, birds, and other species, mangroves play an important ecological role in providing a shark nursery. 

       Mangroves are key to protecting our shores from rising waters and storm surge. When we experience a hurricane, storm surges can be very damaging. If you walked down to a marina right before a hurricane, you would see more boats than usual. Why? Because mangroves act as a “hurricane hole” that protects boats from strong winds and seas. They also act as a buffer to rising water. They also help protect our shores from the effects of climate change. Our waters are rising. Without mangroves, water could flood our coastlines and damage our infrastructure. Finally, they efficiently capture carbon from our atmosphere. More mangroves can decrease the number of greenhouse gases that are driving climate change.   

        So why are we talking about mangroves? After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, many local mangrove populations were unable to survive due to damage within their habitat. Development and pollution have not helped either. The government has policies in place that are meant to conserve our mangroves. The policies dictate that all new development in mangrove populated areas must go through a commissioner and that any tree that is taken out, must be replaced. However, there is no enforcement of these policies. Some mangroves are never replaced and if they are, there is no system to ensure they continue to grow. This petition is meant to show our local government that this is a cause worth noting.

        Please help us raise awareness about the need for the enforcement of mangrove conservation by signing this petition.   

Petition Link

Nurse's Notes: Mask Compliance and Safety!

Good Day Parents!  We at VIMSIA are very proud of the efforts by all to keep our campus safe and COVID-free.  However, it is of utmost importance that we do NOT let down our guard!  We have seen some students on campus recently with ill-fitting and/or vented masks, even Buffs.  We are following CDC guidelines for our mask policy that can be found at this link.  We ask for your cooperation to help us maintain a safe environment for our students and staff by following these guidelines:

• Be sure the mask fits!  If the mask cannot stay above the nose or cover the chin, or the ear loops get loose, please replace it with a better fitting mask!  

• Carry a Spare!  Kids get sweaty running around - please send a spare mask just in case it is needed.

• NO Vented Masks and NO Buffs - this is our policy per CDC guidelines

Students arriving on campus without a compliant mask will be given a disposable, approved mask to wear - however, we expect and appreciate your cooperation to provide adequate facial coverings for your child(ren).  For those of you with little ones, disposable child size masks can be purchased at Medicine Shoppe in Havensight.  Thank you for doing your part for a safe and healthy VIMSIA campus.  

And don't forget - get your flu shots too!  'Tis the Season!

Yours in Health, 

Nurse Sally

Rhea James publishes award-winning children's book!

Rhea James, 4th Grade, was recognized this week in the Virgin Islands Daily News for publishing her children's book that was illustrated by Deja-Marie Simon, 12th Grade. Congratulations to these two young ladies for their hard work in achieving this project!

From the VI Daily News Article:

The attention, while gratifying for Rhea, is only the beginning for the Montessori student, who said she has no intention of stopping now.

“I like writing because you get to express your feelings,” she said. “I’ve been sketching stories and would like to write about treating people the way they are supposed to be treated, being nice instead of bullying each other.”

Trisha James said she was proud of her daughter and her newfound passion.

“I’m happy that she’s utilizing her time reading and writing,” she said. “Two things children should learn and be excellent at are reading and math.”

A book signing was originally scheduled in May but was postponed due to COVID-19. In the meantime, anyone interested in purchasing “The Runaway Watermelon” can go online or call 340-244-0446.

Nurse's Notes: Great Shake Out

Hello VIMSIA Families and Staff!  The entire school will have education and drills for our Safety and Emergency Preparedness Week scheduled for the week of October 26.  In addition to fire safety and drills, we are participating in the Earthquake Country Alliances annual "Great Shake Out" program for earthquake preparedness.  We encourage families and staff to visit www.ShakeOut.org for more information and be ready to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" to support our school's response and recovery efforts in the event of a major earthquake! 

Guest Speaker Fahie on Domestic Violence with Diploma Programme Students

The Grade 11 and 12 DP Global Politics classes virtually welcomed Mrs. Kalyn Risker Fahie to speak on the topic of domestic violence. The students are studying the topic in relation to our unit on Peace and Conflict.

Mrs. Risker Fahie has many years of experience working in this field, even starting her domestic violence non-profit organization in Detroit, Michigan, called Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE). She currently works for the VI Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council (VIDVSAC) as their Program Liaison.

Mrs. Risker Fahie explained the evolution of this conflict within our society and the Duluth Model, which covers various power imbalances that can occur in relationships. The students were also able to understand how groups work in coordination with government agencies to help address severe problems within communities.

For more information, please visit: https://www.vidvsac.org

A Week in Photos - Upper Elementary

Deja-Marie Making Headlines

Deja-Marie is now making headlines for her art and hit online store - https://www.artbydejaboo.com

Homepage of artbydejaboo.com

Design that drove the demand for Deja-Marie’s successful T-Shirt line.

Deja-Marie not only designed all the products in the store - she also is responsible for her website.

Rhea James - 1st Place Winner of United Way Summer Book Club Contest

Congratulations to Rhea James for winning first place in the United Way Summer Book Club, “In It To Win It” contest.

Nurses Now: Staying Safe in the Rain

We’ve had a lot of rain this week, making our ramps and pavements slippery.  Whether you are on or off-campus, be sure to take care when walking to prevent injuries from slipping and falling!

You can reduce the risk of slipping on wet ramps and pavement by:

• taking your time and paying attention to where you are going

• adjusting your stride to a pace that is suitable for the walking surface and the tasks you are doing

• avoid running - especially on upward or downward hills/pathways

• walking with the toes pointed slightly outward

• making wide turns at corners

• bending slightly forward to center your gravity and keeping your hands free from pockets or holding objects

Nurses Notes: Mask Storage

Who hasn't had trouble finding where they left their mask in the house when running out the door? Can't tell whose is whose? Found its way to the bottom of a purse, or hanging from the rearview mirror?  This is a common scenario for us as we adjust to the new normal in a COVID-19 world.  Here are some tips for keeping your family's masks clean, handy, and ready to go with you!

• Mark a quart-size Ziploc bag with your name, and one for each household member, and keep the mask in the bag when not in use.

• Create a designated space in the house for masks to be stored - ideally a small table or shelf near the entrance

• If you're creative, a "DIY" project can make coat hooks into "mask hooks" with a hook for each family member, so the masks don't get mixed up

Missed College Planning Night? Here is the Recap.

College Planning Night was a success!  Thank you to our guest presenters from The University of Chicago and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  

Slideshow Presentation

Zoom Recording - Financial Aid 101 

As always, families are welcome to visit our Online Collection of Resources to learn more about the College Search, Application Process, Financial Aid and more! 

Welcome Back VIMSIA

9/11

A score ago, minus one year, Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist organization brought the Muslim Intifada to the United States. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania. A total of 2977 people died that day.

The attack prompted the United States to escalate its efforts against Muslim terrorist groups around the world. Indeed the Bush administration implemented a new policy of Preventive War. President George Bush said, “I will not wait on events while dangers gather. I will not stand by as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world’s most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world’s most destructive weapons.”

Today we are still at war. Approximately 7,000 Americans have died in the Middle East conflicts since 2001. (Approximately 200,000 people have died in the US from COVID-19  in the last 7-months).

One should know and study history to learn from past actions so that, hopefully, one does not repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

On November 19th, 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated at the Gettysburg battlefield:

"Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure.”

Please engage and make a difference; it all starts with quality education.

Yours in education,
Michael Bornn

Alumni Spotlight: Kayla Rivers - 2017

Kayla Rivers VIMSIA class of 2017 performs her spoken word “The Virus” on Virgin Islands culture page - VI Crawl.

"Smile Masks"

VIMSIA has procured a collection of "smile masks" as an additional way to support learning in the classrooms. Optimally, language development requires the use of multiple senses and it is best when the ears and eyes can work in partnership. We are excited that our students will be able to hear AND see their teachers using these masks.

Happy Birthday Maria Montessori - August 31st

On Monday, August 31st, we will celebrate Dr. Maria Montessori’s 150th birthday. Dr. Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy and became Italy’s first female physician. Social Justice and World Peace were her goals. She was first a scientist and medical doctor, not an educator. Dr. Montessori developed her method and pedagogy through her observation of children and her deep understanding of Human Development.  

Her work took her worldwide. These travels confirmed her observations that all people hold Universal Human Tendencies and that all humans develop and grow in the same way, regardless of where they are born. Ultimately encouraging and promoting the idea that, at our core, we are all the same. This supported her vision of World Peace. She felt very strongly that the place we need to begin to achieve this peace is the child. Children are capable of so much and are born without prejudice and hate. If we can support their development and encourage the inner peace that they arrive on the planet with, we have the possibility of changing the direction of the current world status. 

She opened her first Casa dei Bambini in 1907 in San Lorenzo, Italy. It is still an operational classroom today. Her work over 100 years ago is still very relevant and essential today. Words from her from long ago still ring true.  

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war. Within the child lies the fate of the future.” MM Education and Peace

We are grateful for the contribution she has made to the Universe and that we can celebrate her life on Sunday with other Montessorians around the world.  

There is a global initiative called montessorieverywhere.org. Everyone is welcome to join in the day-long celebration with happenings from all over the world. We are proud that VIMSIA and all of our staff and families are part of this important work, not simply educating our young people and developing the potential each of our children have to make a great change in the world. Thank you, Dr. Montessori and Happy Birthday.

PGIA InteGIRLS team wants YOU!

Calling all Female and Non-Binary PGIA students!

Do you like the feeling when you finally get the solution to a tricky puzzle? Do you sometimes struggle in Math and would love to find a fun way to build your skills? Are you just looking for something new to do with a great group of PGIA students?

You are officially invited to join the PGIA InteGIRLS team. No experience necessary!

InteGIRLS, an award-winning global non-profit founded to empower girls in Math, has announced an online puzzle-solving competition for female and non-binary students.  PGIA is planning to field a middle school and a high school team for the competition season expected to start in November, 2020.

InteGIRLS is a creative, challenging, and fun online competition that's a great college resume-booster.

There is an introductory puzzle-solving session THIS SUNDAY, August 30.

Learn more at:  www.integirls.org   

If you think you might be interested, please e-mail Mrs. Hoffart a.s.a.p.:  rhoffart@vimsia.org

Ms. Mattingley's Class - Spooning Work

"Today was our 3rd day of zoom lessons and the children's engagement and enthusiasm is blowing us away. We are so grateful to our parents for their support in setting up their children's environments at home and then allowing their children to do it for themselves. This is how the child begins to build their independence by doing it for themselves (even when it isn't perfect). Thank you Montessori parents, you are amazing!" - Ms. Mattingley

Welcome Back to the Library!

Ms. Sampson choosing books for her students

Print books are available for check-out to go home.  Enjoy some learning time off screen!  Reserve books at our library.  Books will be processed on Tuesdays and Friday afternoons, after which you can pick them up anytime on the car deck.  Elementary children have had an introduction to using the catalog this week, and instructions are posted on the website.

Please return your books in a timely manner!  Many students still have books checked out from last year - these should be brought back to campus now!  There is a plastic return bin by the front office door for your returned library books.

Email library@vimsia.org with any questions.

Mimi and Team is "Best Overall" in Junior Achievement's Fresh Food Innovation Camp

In July, Mimi Boumedine was one of 25 high school students selected to participate in Junior Achievement’s two-week Food Fresh Innovation Camp. Participants learned how artificial intelligence techniques could be applied to improving fresh food options in the USVI, as well as how to research and pitch a business plan idea.

The 25 students were assigned to groups - Mimi worked with two other students, one from St. Croix’s Educational Complex and one from Ivanna Eudora Kean. Love of Broccoli and New York City brought the team together.  Mimi's group was awarded the highest accolade "Best Overall" and she and her teammates will each receive a $75.00 prize award. The team was accoladed for going the extra mile and for their creativity.

Read more about the Food Fresh Innovation Camp, here.

Read more about Junior Achievement USVI, here.