VIMSIA to Acquire Electric Cars

With the updates to VIMSIA’s solar energy “plant”, VIMSIA will be in a position to overproduce energy for the school’s needs in the coming years. By purchasing electric vehicles, that we can lease back to our teachers, we can take advantage of that surplus by providing it to our staff for their leased electric vehicles. What a great way to provide economic enhancements to our staff and make living on St. Thomas more viable and sustainable. If you have an interest in an electric car please reach out to Mr. Bornn.

Happy Earth Day - VIMSIA Recycles!

Recycling ambassadors Lexi and Sofie from Ms. Satter's class show off the recycling that has been collected in Elementary classrooms over the last couple of weeks. All elementary classrooms are now recycling plastics that are dropped off at Plaza Extra on Saturdays! 

Soccer Season “Kicked-off” with a fury!

Soccer season “kicked-off” with Varsity’s stellar victory over Kean on Tuesday 5-0. Varsity Volts kept it up with a 7-1 victory over Antilles on Thursday. Ahhh, but we are not done yet - Elementary Volts “Montessori One” and “Montessori Too” teams both came back across Pillsbury Sound with victories of 6-0 against Gifft Hill’s two elementary teams. And….scroll down for where it all begins - Wednesday Soccer with Señor and the 5 and 6 year olds - in the blink of an eye these will be our Varsity Volts!

Daily News Photo Credit Bill Kiser

Daily News Excerpt 4/24/2019 photo credit Bill Kizer

Varsity Huddle during Antilles Game on Thursday - Final Score 7-1

Quinn Scores!

How does Solar Power Work?

Adios to the Spanish Exchange Students

The Spain kids said goodbye to our school after staying here for 6 weeks. They loved everything from our IB’s welcoming arms, to our rich virgin islands culture, to the beautiful beaches. This year’s exchange was a huge success and there were many friendships made between the two pairs of students. Thank you to our host families for making there stay enjoyable.

Spaniards go to Coral Wordl

Put up that VI sign! Here is a picture of our amazing addition to our VIMISIA family on their way to Coral World & Coki. Spaniards go to Coral Wordl

need to add picture

UVI Research Day

Last week, the 11th grade Diploma Programme students participated in UVI's Research Day, which provides the opportunity to learn about the exciting and informative research performed by undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors at UVI. The diversity of topics ranged from biology and physics to anthropology and psychology. Our DP students spent the morning reading about various research projects, talking with researchers, and taking part in hands-on activities, including virtual reality simulations. This outing helped students connect real world research to the content they are learning in biology and/or environmental systems and societies, while also providing inspiration for future research of their own.  

DP Art Show

Seniors, Ammiel Maynard and Richie Livacz held their DP Exhibition on Monday, April 8th. These two young men each created a body of work exhibiting their exploration and interest in varying mediums of Art. 

Back From the Big Apple

The 6th grade class have just come back from the annual MMUN trip, full of stories and news. MMUN stands for Model Montessori United Nations, and it is the experience of a lifetime in which our 6th graders go to New York to participate in this amazing event. According to the students, this year was a huge success and everybody had lots of fun. “ My favorite part was meeting new people at the UN and being able to help solve problems that need to be solved. I also really enjoyed doing some fun activities NYC has to offer; skating at Rockefeller, visiting museums; and walking around New York, because New York is an awesome city.” said one sixth grade student.

Social Media Changes

Arash Pahlavan, CEO of "Go Viral Social Media," has been hired to work with Pamela Engle, Director of Advancement, to see how we can improve our online social marketing. Arash comes with years of experience handling various big and reputable accounts not only on St. Thomas, but internationally. He brings new perspective and is a breath of fresh air to work with. 

Although we are one school, we really provide two unique products: Montessori and IB education. After taking a thorough look at our social media pages and analyzing some data, it was suggested that the business page be split in two to create segmented landing pages. Post on both business pages will be kep light and speak to the heart.

Peter Gruber International Academy 
Virgin Islands Montessori School

So where are we going to see all the regular stuff? In the Bulletin Board groups. People who WANT to be bombarded with information, highlights, blog posts, announcements, are welcome to join the group. This way, if you're a PGIA parent you can go to your page and know EVERYTHING you need to know without seeing Montessori stuff. Vice versa for Montessori. Yes, there are some parents with kids in both schools, but the beauty is that we're tending more to their specific needs of a wider audience.

Peter Gruber International Academy Bulletin Board
Virgin Islands Montessori School Bulletin Board

We plan to work with the PTA as well. Effective immediately we will be asking the PTA to only post regarding PTA related materials in the PTA page. NO sharing of community events, NO posting volt news - no SPAM. The only information in the PTA group should be PTA related.

VIMSIA PTA

Andy Yu Accepted US Naval Academy Summer STEM Program

Andy Yu, PGIA 8th grade student, has been accepted into the US Naval Academy Summer STEM Program in Annapolis, Maryland! This program allows students to explore, create, build and expand critical thinking and collaboration skills. Andy gets to experience the program with students from all over the world who are interested in STEM fields! Congratulations Andy! Please contact Ms. Ebe to learn more or share details of your upcoming summer experience!

Mimi Boumedine Accepted Stanford University's Artificial Intelligence 4 All Program

Mimi Boumedine, PGIA 9th grade student, has been accepted into Stanford University's Artificial Intelligence 4 All Program this summer! This three week program allows students to study artificial intelligence with Stanford faculty and graduate students as well as take field trips to local companies involved in Artificial Intelligence. Students also complete a research project to round out the program. Congratulations Mimi!  Stay tuned for more updates on where our students are heading this summer!  Please contact Ms. Ebe with any questions or to share details on your upcoming summer experience. 

Alick Letang Guest Speaker College Seminar

Alick Letang, Admissions Director of Randolph College, spoke to our DP1 students during college seminar this week! Originally from the Virgin Islands, Mr. Letang has over 20 years of admissions and enrollment management experience. He shared many insights with students including keeping an open mind during the college search, the importance of academic success and always looking for ways to create options for the future. Thank you for supporting our students Mr. Letang!

Positive Lifestyles Promgram

The PGIA would like to thank all community presenters that donated their time to talk to our students yesterday during the Positive Lifestyle Program Health Fair; Dr. Jessica Wilson, Meg Sheahan, Bianca McClammy, Michael Fogle, Justin Kurtz, Ashley Smith, and our staff members Shane DeGannes, Mara Brownell, and Kelly Butler. 

Kira Mitchell Accepted to Oxford Scholastica Academy, England

Kira Mitchell, PGIA 10th grade student, will participate in the Oxford Scholastica Academy in England this summer! She will participate in the Medicine Preparation Academy and experience many types of university teaching and learning styles. Students will learn more about how the body works, interact with patients, conduct clinical examinations and develop medical knowledge and research skills. Student also have the opportunity to publish an article in a scholastic medical journal. Congratulations Kira! Stay tuned for more updates on where our students are heading this summer! Please contact Ms. Ebe with any questions or to share details on your upcoming summer experience.

Marissa Bornn Accepted John Hopkins University Summer Program

Marissa Bornn, PGIA 10th grade student, has been accepted to a summer program at Johns Hopkins University! The Discover Hopkins Medical School Intensive program allows students to focus on techniques related to surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and biomedical science. Students participate in lectures, labs and hands on medical training at John Hopkins Medical Simulation Center, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Congratulations Marissa! Stay tuned for more updates on where our students are heading this summer! Please contact Ms. Ebe with any questions or to share details on your upcoming summer experience.

VIMSIA Players on USVI U-17 Boys

The members of the U.S. Virgin Islands under-17 boys national team playing in the CONCACAF U-17 Championships in Bradenton, Fla.: front row from left, Connor Querrard, Kareem Sealey, Hasani Edgar, Selah Mathurin, Jimson St. Louis, Devonte Duncan, Thomiah Williams, Orion Mills and Mahari Cortijo; back row from left, Elton Richards Jr., Axel Bartsch, Destin Thompson Jr., Kyle Willis, Dalton Parr, Isaiah Jarvis, Nyon Maynard, Whelan Joseph and Gidal Williams.

The U.S. Virgin Islands under-17 boys national team was shut out in its first two matches at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, being played at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

The USVI National Team, playing in Group A in the 19-team qualifying stage, lost to St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1-0 on March 16, then fell 3-0 to the Cayman Islands on Sunday.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are now 0-2-0 in group play, with two matches remaining against Nicaragua, and Sunday, March 24, against Grenada.

Congratulations to the four VIMSIA students who made it onto the team: Devonte Duncan, Jimson St. Louis, Isaish Jarvis and Axel Bartsch.

Elementary Girls Soccer Champs

St. Thomas Elementary Girls Soccer Champs

Virgin Islands Montessori School’s elementary girls soccer team won the St. Thomas-St. John Interscholastic Athletic Association league title this season. The Lady Volts finished the season with a 5-0-1 record. Team members are, front row from left, Ellis Wisehart, Arielle Shackell, Natasha Webster, Zia Gibbs, Tanya Khemlani and Arimei Miller; back row from left, coach Adalio Araujo, Cadence Canes, Aurora Rodriguez, Devin DeGannes, Aysia Frett, Abella Maynard, Sofia Kappel and Mariana Brunt. DeGannes was the league’s leading scorer with six goals.

VIMSIA Recognized as Daily News Best After School Activities Program

Congratulations VI Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy for winning the Daily News best After School Activities Program award voted by readers! #best #ThanksDailyNews #qualityprograms #afterschoolfun

Ricky James Winner of 2019 Youth Role Model University Bound Program at UVI

Well don't we just need some good news today? As you all knew from earlier in the year, Mr. Axel Bartsch, was the winner from our school as the 2019 Youth Role Model for the University Bound Program at UVI.  We are so proud of him!

The University Bound Program selected their own winner for the 2019 Youth Role Model Award and that young man is also a PGIA student.  Mr. Ricky James will also receive this award this spring!

VIMSIA creates great young people, and these students are fully deserving of this accolade.  Sharp, strong, reflective young men who have led by example in staying committed to academics and strong character.

Today is a proud day for VIMSIA.  Congrats Axel and Ricky!