Theater Elective Workshop with Lisa Aqui

Some of the students who welcomed Lisa Chamely-Aqui to theater class on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday morning, Lisa Aqui, parent and Board of Trustee member who has a background in theater performance, worked with theater students as a volunteer presenter. Theater Elective students in 2nd and 3rd periods were taught concepts about staging, articulation and projection, blocking scenes and having the right body language for their characters.

Thank you, Lisa!

12th Annual Poetry Out Loud Winner Adia Thomas

3rd place: Kira Mitchell, 2nd place: Caroline Gaskin, 1st place: Adia Thomas

Under the direction of Virgin Islands Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) Middle Years Program English Language and Literature teacher Melissa Bump, six 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 9, 2019 in St. Croix. Contestants included: Caroline Gaskin ‘20, Bianca Campbell ‘22, Kira Mitchell ‘21, Vidhika Khemani ‘22, Layla Richman ‘22 and Adia Thomas ’21. Each student was required to prepare, memorize and recite two poems from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology.

This year’s winners: 3rd place Kira Mitchell, 2nd place Caroline Gaskin, 1st place Adia Thomas. The VI Council on the Arts will provide an all expense paid trip to St. Croix for Thomas and Bump.

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. 

All 6 competitors - Caroline Gaskin ‘20, Bianca Campbell ‘22, Kira Mitchell ‘21, Vidhika Khemani ‘22, Layla Richman ‘22 and Adia Thomas ’21

College Seminar Guest Speaker

Students enjoyed a guest presenter in College Seminar this week. Tina Romano, Senior Training Consultant with Impact Factory (and VIMSIA parent) presented to our DP students on personal impact, first impressions, positive communication and building confidence. Students engaged in role playing, presenting and all around collaborative FUN! Thank you, Tina, for supporting our students' development!

Photography Field Trip

Photography teacher Mr. Jones, Coach Nurse and PGIA students!

Mr. Jones, photography teacher at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy arranged a unique opportunity for sixteen PGIA students to visit a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Havensight. Students were given an official tour of the ship (Silhouette of the Seas) and were then given time to take photographs of the Royal Caribbean ship! Students were treated to lunch at their amazing buffet!  

A huge thanks goes out to Mr. Jones and Coach Nurse profusely for making this happen! 

Checkmate

VIMSIA is proud of the students who competed in the National Scholastic Chess K-12 Grade Championships in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. Congratulations to Rohan Nagi who came in first place in his division (unrated 9th graders), Drake Walters who placed in the top ten (unrated 5th graders), Miles Tolud who placed third in his division (undrated 6th graders), and Tendaji Davis who placed first in his division (unrated 2nd graders).

Congratulations to VIMSIA Chess Coach Darryl Allen, who tied for first play in the coaches play division!

Romeo and Juliet

Congratulations to the hard-working cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet! Congratulations to Ms. Bump on an amazing play!

PTA Throws an Epic Staff Holiday Party

On behalf of the entire faculty and staff at VIMSIA, we’d like to sincerely thank the PTA and all the parents who donated so many delicious dishes for the Staff Holiday Party. A very special thank you goes out to Mr. Terris Bynum (DJ Tee) for providing us with great music and endless dancing and Jeanne Walters for spearheading the event! We are so grateful to have such an amazing group of supportive and caring parents. Thank you for throwing this amazing party!

DP Global Politics

On Friday, December 7, 2019, the grade 11 and 12 DP Global Politics class welcomed Mr. Michael Feshbach. Mr. Feshbach taught a lesson on parliamentary systems. He spoke in depth on the unicameral national legislature of Israel, the Knesset. He discussed how governmental parties have to work together in order to accomplish goals. He also spoke in broad terms on the role of how parties of any government should listen and respect different views and opinions and still be able to work together to come to agreements that benefit everyone.

Congrats Coach John!

VIMSIA would like to congratulate Lourdes and the Switch on the release of their debut album. We are proud of Varsity Soccer Coach, John Hairston and this amazing accomplishment!

NCCE Student In-Service

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, PGIA students in grades 7-10 had the unique opportunity to take part in Digital Citizenship workshops from the National Center on Computer Education (NCCE). These workshops took place at school on Thursday and Friday.

These pictures show some grade 7 students working with the professional presenters (from the Pacific Northwest). They built circuit boards using bananas! And also learned many other topics of digital citizenship, including some neat tools for school and being safe online.

Dancing Classrooms

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Peter Gruber International Academy (PGIA) 8th grade students stepped into the limelight during Dancing Classrooms VI culminating event!

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.  

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.

College Visitors: NYU, Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt University

Admissions representatives from Vanderbilt University, New York University and Johns Hopkins University presented to PGIA students today!  They shared information on each of their institutions, the college admission process and facilitated a great Q&A.  The opportunity to connect with colleges is very important for students here in the Caribbean.  This group will also provide a session open to the entire Virgin Islands community tonight at 6PM here at VIMSIA.  We are so pleased to be able to provide this type of programming to our students and community!  

An Act of Kindness

Over the summer Ms. Ludick went shopping at a consignment store in the next town over from where she lives - Chesterland, Ohio. Gayle Tuttle is the consignment store owner and her husband Peter is President of the Rotary Club in Chesterland. Peter happened to be working with the St. Thomas Rotary Club to help to rebuild the Eudora Kean Library. 

There had been a rumor around town that one of the Alumni from West Geauga High School (Ms. Ludick) was a teacher in the USVI and help was needed.

Gayle ended up contacting Ms. Ludick and donated the entire summer stock of consignment clothes for VIMSIA staff members. They are ladies clothes--some professional, some for going out. Dresses, skirts, pants, shirts. The Micro-Economy Manager of the Class, Devin DeGannes, Assistant Manager, Zia Zucker, and the rest of the crew set up a pop up shop for VIMSIA teachers to "shop". Each teacher was given a $50 allowance and a personal shopper.

Our sincerest appreciation to Gayle and Peter Tuttle for their generous contribution and such a touching act of kindness.

Happy Birthday Dr. Maria Montessori

Students celebrated Dr. Maria Montessori's 148th birthday yesterday, by presenting human-sized timelines and acting out skits depicting Dr. Montessori’s life achievements. The celebration concluded by singing “Happy Birthday” in both English and Spanish and lighting Dr. Montessori’s birthday candle. Dr. Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870.

Who would have guessed that in 1964 Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) would open its doors and start the school year off with only one Primary classroom and twelve students. Today, VIMSIA Montessori students held a birthday celebration to honor Dr. Montessori’s workings and celebrate how far her teaching and our school have progressed, all thanks to her vision. To date, VIMSIA has 158 Montessori students and nine classrooms – two Toddler, three Primary, tow Lower Elementary and two Upper Elementary. www.vimsia.org

PTA Hits the Floor Running at Back To School Social

PTA President April Jackson-Baynes and team, recruiting parents for this year's line-up of events!

There was a huge line and bottle neck at last night's Back to School Social, and it wasn't for food or drinks! Dedicated and invested VIMSIA parents crowded the PTA sign-up table last night showing support, excitement and positive energy for the year to come. 

Message from PTA: Thank you everyone who stopped by the PTA table at the Welcome Back Night event! For those that missed it, there are several committees we are seeking volunteers for:

- Welcoming Committee: A group of people who will help new families and new staff members get to know the school and the island. 

- PTA Holiday Party: A group of people who will help plan and organize the annual holiday party we throw for our hard working teachers and staff. 

- Fall Fest Planning Committee: A group who will plan and organize the PTA’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Fall Fest will be Oct. 27. 

- Classroom Parents: Classroom Parents are volunteers who can help to organize the other parents in their child’s class on behalf of the PTA and who are also available to help out the teacher when needed. 

- General Help: If you want to simply let the PTA know that you can be called on to pitch in on projects and events throughout the year.

If you want to sign up for any of these committees, email ptavimsia@gmail.com!

April Jackson-Baynes, President

ptavimsia.pres@gmail.com (340) 227-1433

Sarah Smith Williams, Vice President

ptavimsia.vp@gmail.com (214) 707-8085

Aldeth Lewin, Public Relations Officer
ptavimsia.pr@gmail.com (240)642-3984

Mone Taylor, Secretary

ptavimsia.sec@gmail.com (340) 344-3209

Darian Hairston Treasurer

ptavimsia.tr@gmail.com (540) 840-9858

Enrique Rodriguez, Liaison to Board of Trustees

ptavimsia.lo@gmail.com (787) 403-5375

General Members ptavimsia@gmail.com

Kichael Miller (830) 333-9675

Jeanne Walters (312) 282-3807 

Andrew Brown (973) 943-9432

Jennifer Lazuka (440) 487-8118

Marcela Ferreyra (340) 344-3753

FREE Ticket to VIMSIA's Las Vegas Night!

Black Jack, Bingo, Poker and Roulette are just some of the many attractions at Las Vegas Night, Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy's (VIMSIA) signature fundraising event and the island's most glamorous event luring crowds from all three Virgin Islands. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 7PM-2AM. Community members interested in free admission can sign-up to volunteer online. As a small token of appreciation, a FREE ticket will be given to volunteers who work either four hours before the event or two hours during the event. For more information, please email pengle@vimsia.org.

Student Council Organizes Color War

After the last exam, the PGIA students enjoyed and afternoon of fun activities organized by the Student Council. Some went to the beach at Secret Harbor, some played Console-type games, some chilled and watched their choice of entertainment while others participated in a Color War. All activities ended up with a sweet ice cream treat. The Student Council hopes that everyone enjoyed their afternoon and wishes everyone a wonderful summer!

41st Annual Montessori Graduation

“Montessori is an education for independence, preparing not just for school but for life” - Maria Montessori  

Riddhi N. Atmaramani, Kinze Simuel Brown, Cassidy Alexis Caines, Gavin P. Johnson, Brianna Joan Jordan, Joniah J. Julien, Divina M. Kamra, Matthew Harold, Dietrich Meyer, Leah Mitzi Parker, Selena Grace Webster, Amelie Kiera Zucker

Twelve sixth year Montessori students walked the stage and graduated from Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy’s (VIMSIA) accredited Montessori Program. Graduating from one of only two available Montessori schools in the US Virgin Islands is a game-changer for these students and a life decision supported by their friends and family. VIMSIA’s graduation included remarks from keynote speaker, Brad Wilson, CEO of Brad’s Deals LLC, current parent and member of the VIMSIA board of trustees.

Montessori Director, Norma Bollinger opened the 41st annual graduation ceremony by welcoming twelve eager graduates ready to take on life and move up to VIMSIA’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program next fall. There have been over six-hundred Montessori graduates in St. Thomas since the school was established in 1964. Bollinger explained that a noted difference between a Montessori graduate and one that graduates from traditional school is their “love for learning, our children from the minute they begin in a Montessori program are motivated through intrinsic motivation.”

The ceremony included speeches from both Upper Elementary Montessori Directresses Caroline Morrison and Kate Ludick. Morrison highlighted how important the role of the teacher is stating “Dr. Maria Montessori believed that it is the role of the teacher to walk alongside you, challenging your imagination whenever possible to help you see through the obstacles in the way.” Ludick was thrilled to see such a beautiful ceremony to mark the end of another successful school year. “The children now are going into the third plane of development and becoming adolescents. It was a very positive way to end the year for them and do something special, because they gave us –the teachers- hope” said Ludick.

Successful entrepreneur Brad Wilson –also a Montessori graduate- took the opportunity to share with the graduates three things he wished he knew as a teenager, during his keynote address. “First, be aware of your life and if it’s one of inertia or activity” commented Wilson, commending the Montessori graduates for already living a life of activity by choosing a Montessori education. “Second have a practical framework for success and lastly be open to your instincts and the wisdom of your unconscious mind” stated Wilson. He stressed how “the importance of independence, curiosity and discovery will only grow in the future.”

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics there are 132,656 schools in the US (2008 numbers), 4,000 of them are Montessori Accredited schools with only two located in the US Virgin Islands.  

Mud, Dirt and Worms it's a Primary Party!

Primary students celebrated the end of a wonderful school year with a super fun party featuring delicious treats and mud cups - chocolate pudding, gummy worms and crushed Oreos! Thanks to all the parents who sent in treats!

End of Year ParTAY!

Lower Elementary students celebrated the end of another fun-filled and successful school year with a class potluck! Thanks to all the parents who contributed!