2019-2020 End of Year Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

03 05

Head of School's Message

Financial Report

07

In Memorium: David Tyler

09

Professional Development

17

Merit and AP Scholars

TABLE OF CONTENTS

21

Tarantula Lab

26

Strategic Plan

27

Why Do I Give

31

Better Together

33

Galleries

HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE

Dear Antilles Community, This End of Year Report is certainly something special. Built in the middle of an ongoing global pandemic, we intentionally chose pieces that truly embodied the spirit of the year – resilience – and I am proud, on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, students, and families to share what we have been able to accomplish.

Poised at the beginning of the year to keep rebuilding from the storms of 2017, we celebrated our scholars, hands-on and unique learning programs and opportunities, and the continued development of a strategic plan that truly charted a course for our future. We looked at the School we wanted to be, and began to move full speed ahead toward that vision. When the pandemic struck in March 2020, we were forced, however, to pivot quickly into the unknown. Looking back, I am amazed at the creativity of our faculty and staff, who made every effort to deliver an educational experience that maintained the spirit of Antilles, and the relationships between student and teacher that we cherish. I cannot thank them enough for their dedication, positivity,and sheer willingness to keep our students learning despite the obstacles.

The commitment of our families and donors to keep our community together has also been critical. As businesses territorywide were forced to close, our economy plummeted, impacting so many of our families. Reaching out for help, our donors responded, and I am inspired by the generosity of alumni, friends, and neighbors. You are truly a testament to what is so special about our School, and we are excited to share your stories.

With gratitude,

Liz Morrison Head of School

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dear Friends, We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of Antilles’ families, faculty, and friends. Your financial support during the 2019-2020 school year allowed us to enhance our academic programs, mount theater productions and band concerts, host sporting events, compete in math and poetry contests, make films and art…

It also supported our financial aid program, and allowed us to quickly pivot to remote learning last March.

In truth, these last three years have been amongst the most difficult in our history, buffeted on one end by the hurricanes, and on the other with this pandemic – but ours is a resilient community, and Antilles continues to nurture life-long learners as it has for seven decades.

While monetary contributions during times like these are essential to our survival as a school, we are cognizant that in many cases more of a sacrifice has also been necessitated by those of you making them…so please know your gifts are nurturing a whole generation of children. And that last year’s seniors still danced at their socially distanced graduation ceremony, and our ELC students are still emitting joyful noise....

In unity,

Claire Starkey President, Antilles Board of Trustees

FINANCIAL REPORT

BY THE NUMBERS

IN MEMORIAM: DAVID TYLER "Teaching is a calling.

Mr. Tyler had that calling and that passion. He was kind, an animated and vibrant teacher who cared about his students."

It was with a heavy heart in May 2020 that we shared the news of the passing of longtime Antilles teacher David Tyler.

Mr. Tyler came to Antilles in 1989, bringing his trademark sense of humor and quick wit. As many of our alumni and students have noted, his brilliance and passion enabled him to quickly build an Advanced Placement Economics program that has been continuously recognized as one of the world's best. Always one to be helpful, he also filled in where he could: in addition to teaching history and being an Upper School advisor, he once taught Spanish and coached soccer and JV flag football.

Our School community came together to mourn his loss, speaking about the impact he made over the past 30 years. From the words of our faculty, staff, his current students, and past students, he was a presence – a force in the classroom, and a dedicated mentor who was funny, caring, supportive, and kind.

"Teaching is a calling," one alumnus wrote. "Mr. Tyler had that calling and that passion."

Last June, our Class of 2019 chose Mr. Tyler as the speaker for their end-of-year awards ceremony.

Great thought is always put into the selection of a faculty speaker – and, in turn, that speaker puts great care into crafting a perfect final message, one that they hope would resonate with each student as they prepare to take their next steps into the world.

"Acquire as many varied skills as you possibly can.

Take risks, step out of your comfort zone – try a couple of different classes and ideas that you may not have tried before. Who knows? It may be something you have a passion for," Mr. Tyler said in his 2019 address.

In more than three decades at Antilles, Mr. Tyler modeled those same ideals and, with his passion, left his mark on so many young minds.

Scan the QR Code above with the camera app on your smart phone or device to watch the tribute created by the Class of 2020.

"What a long, strange journey it has been."

David Tyler

DAVID TYLER MEMORIAL FUND The David Tyler Memorial Fund was created to honor the iegacy of David Tyler. He was an incomparable educator, much beloved by his students for his quick wit and humor. In his time at Antilles, he created and quickly built an Advanced Placement Economics program that has been recognized as one of the world’s best and served throughout the years as an advisor, coach and multi discipline teacher. His impact on his students and the school community through his work as a dedicated mentor, who was caring, funny, supportive, and kind is fondly remembered by his students and they carry his lessons throughout their lives. The David Tyler Memorial Fund will be used to fund a Humanities Chair in his honor.

"I'll always remember Mr. Tyler as one of those great teachers who was able to grab your attention right from the start," said Delbert "Sandy" Reese '96, one of the inaugural donors to the fund. "HIs enthusiasm for teaching was infectous and inspired you to drive harder and dig deeper. His compassion for his students was immediately evident and a true testament to the ideals and values that make Antilles a great school. " In his honor, the Class of 1990, along with Paul deLyrot '07 and Vernon Araujo '02, donated a moringa tree and planted it on campus outside of Mr. Tyler's former classroom in his honor.

They felt the moringa tree, or otherwise known as the Tree of Life, was a fitting tribute to Mr. Tyler and his legacy. The Class of ’90 will be also placing a plaque on campus to memorialize Mr. Tyler's legacy.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH Department Chairs encountered the concepts of growth and building community around the student experience at professional development conferences and opportunities over the summer, funded by a generous gift from the Lana Vento Charitable Trust.

"It was refreshing to see that what we're trying to do here is something our colleagues from independent schools across the nation are also trying to build," Spanish Department Chair Andrew Gever said. "Everything is focused on student experience, and for us, that means putting everything back on the table and seeing how it impacts our curriculum and student learning. The bottom line is, if you can't come up for a reason for what you are doing, then you shouldn't be doing it."

Attendees at the Independent School Management Summer Institute in Philadelphia said the conference also offered the opportunity for participants to drill down to basics of each program, from crafting a mission statement to seeking out new opportunities to engage students and offer a more fluid curriculum that they can better connect with.

Meanwhile, a professional development opportunity in Maine gave other faculty members the chance to look at using meaningful conversation and feedback to develop relationships on and off campus.

It's easier for teachers to talk to students because they're working with them constantly, but in building the relationships between adults on campus, staff at the conference learned to be conversation focused and about the importance of helping others figure things out on their own, rather than telling them what to do. That way, they become more engaged, are more likely to follow through, and might not need help in the future if empowered to think about each situation on their own. Insights are better when they come from within, participants shared.

Many said those practices can also be helpful in the classroom.

Based on the book Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott, the workshop also offered time for them to reflect on his own strategies for communication.

"The first note I made in my Fierce Conversations journal is, 'the conversation is the relationship.' I was reminded that honest listening and reflection are the cornerstones of successful relationships. My second note is, 'context creates our results,' and because empathy has always been an important part of my teaching philosophy, that phrase really resonates. The Maine workshop gave me the opportunity to reevaluate how I communicate with my peers, students, their parents, and even personally," English Department Chair John Riggle said.

A veteran teacher with nearly two decades of experience, Sunny Murphy Brown was excited for the opportunity to "tweak" her routine with a few tips culled from a summer conference on building responsive classrooms, an approach to discipline that has been used in our Lower School for the past few years.

Engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness guide this philosophy, and Sunny said that in each area, even the smallest details matter.

Establishing a set of classroom rules, for example, was something that she usually did with help from her students, but using takeaways from the conference, she decided this year to take a step back.

"Instead, we talked about their goals for themselves, and from there, what kind of behavior was needed in the classroom to make that happen. In the end, I helped guide the discussion, but the rules, ultimately, were something the students came up with on their own. And, they were not any different from what we've had in past years, but this time it was more about the process and encouraging to think about who they want to be, and how they achieve that," Sunny said.

DONORS | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rodwell Arthur '00 Kim Ballowe Cathy and Dr. Jeffrey Chase P'11, P'28, P'28 Ann Kirkland P'28, P'31 Sarah and Elliot Loewenstein P'24, P'27 Lana Vento CharitableTrust Polly Watts P'82, P'86

If you're heading to the mall to have a bracelet engraved and the store you go to charges .10 per letter, how many can you purchase with $5?

The answer may seem clear cut, but there are many different ways to get there - and really, they are all correct, according to Math Solutions representative Felicia Bell. Because problem solving is more about discovery, Ms. Bell demonstrated that the best way to guide students is simply to let them do it on their own.

In 2019-2020, Antilles received federal Title V funds from the VI Department of Education for a series of experiential and hands-on math and science workshops, which were guided by visiting consultants who visited classrooms and helped both students and faculty gain a deeper understanding of and connection to our Math in Focus curriculum.

"Allowing students to bring their own experiences and thought process to an equation is the quickest way to getting them to connect to it," Ms. Bell said while teaching a lesson in inequalities to eighth gra ers last November. "And when they are engaged, they learn better, and when they learn better, it encourages true rigor."

PUTTING IT IN FOCUS mastery of a concept, instead of just solving a problem once and forgetting how to do it later."

Adding to that thought process is Ms. Bell's technique of fostering "academic conversation" in the classroom, which she displayed while quickly rearranging the classroom desks so that students could sit together in pairs and discuss how they arrived at the answer to a range of problems she handed out.

"Nurturing the growth of that 'academic conversation' eventually increases rigor," she said. "Because, then it becomes not about solving the problem, but how they solved the problem, and how they can teach one another.�

This thoughtful learning experience, which engaged faculty and students campus-wide, also incorporated science experiments, rocket building, and geology.

Annual Fund 1950's Society | $10,000 and Up

Finch Society | $2,500 - $4,999

Michael Allietta Alpine Securities USVI, LLC Anonymous Tina and Shane Brunt P'23, P'25 Black Diamond Advisors Black Diamond Holdings Caledonian Charitable Remainder Trust EE Ford Foundation First Bank Patricia Gruber Sarah and Don Hancock P'05, P'07, P'10 Haugland Virgin Islands Prior Family Foundation Claire Starkey and Tom Klotzbach P'09, P'21 Lana Vento Charitable Trust

St. Thomas Properties Daniel and Neisha Yannone P'21 Emily and Howard Zimmerman P'27, P'29

Founders Society | $5,000 - $9,999 Blue Procurement Services Dynasty Dazzlers Teresa and Steve Ethen P'26 Marianne and Tim Goodell Katherine and Omar Haneef P'33, P'36 Leslie and Tim Hartzell International Private Bank Amy and Steve James P'16, P'18, P'21 Sarah and Elliot Loewenstein P'24, P'27 Gene and Mary Lou Mallette MSI Carol Baker-Robinson and Donovan Robinson P'18, P'22 St. Thomas Radiology Associates, LLC Switlik Foundation Theodore Tunick & Company Juanita Young and John Phillips P'02

Finch Society | $2,500 - $4,999 Anonymous Rodwell Arthur '00 Baker Magras and Associates, Inc. Judy and Robert Brady P'20 Discover Fund Management, LLLP Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP Fintrac Global Drilling Energy Explorations Gerda Gottlieb Guardian Insurance Corporation Harborside Corporation Erole M. Hobdy P'24 Greg and Billie Hodges P'05, P'05 Kerstin '83 and Bill McConnell P'14, P'17, P'21 Liz and Tom Morrison Dr. Cecilia Penn and Averad Penn P'22, P'24 Beverly and Allie Petrus P'11, P'27 Seven Seas Water Corporation

Head of School Club | $1,500 - $2,499 Banco Popular Trey Goldsmith P'22 Vicki Jones and Mike Williams P'08, P'10 Carrie and Morgan Locke P'35 Frannie and Bill Newbold P'02, P'05 Emily '02 and Tony Pearsall '02, P'30, P'32 Marjorie Rawls Roberts, PC, P'09, P'11 Royal Caribbean Springline Architects Mitchell Todman Julia and Celso Vargas P'24 Virgin Islands Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Polly Watts Webbe Construction, LLC

Hurricane Club | $500 - $1,499 Jean and Shep Barrows P'06, P'13 Bolongo Bay Beach Resort Shawna Carroll Mark Daniel Katerina and Richard Doumeng '74, P'09 Meg Erskine Michelle Fracasso '77 Robyn-Holstein Glass '72 and Jonathon Clyde Glass '71 Alexandra and Leigh Goldman Amy Gurlea Paul Hoffman '69 Ava and Kelly Kendall P'15, P'18 Margaret and Pretlow Majette P'23, P'23 Carol and Stephen Malo '70, P'89, P'96, P'97, P'98 Matseliso Monamane and David Christensen, P'26, P'28 Ann and Dan Nicolosi P'16, P'17, P'19 Ananta Pancham '01 and James Gardner '00 P'29, P'31 Francia Rodriguez Tramway Properties, DBA Paradise Point David Tyler P'02, P'03 Virgin Islands Sports Trust Keely and Brad Wojtylak P'19, P'25

Friends | Up to $499 Buzing Alemu and Andrew Gever P'21, P'25 Elisabeth Anderson '96 and Robert Upson P'30 Verna Araujo P'98, P'02 Jamie Aubain P'25, P'28, P'28 Margaret and Morgan Avery P'24

Annual Fund Friends | Up to $499 Adrianne Baird Butler and Colin Butler P'33 Kim and Steve Ballowe P'36 Isabel BorrĂĄs-MarĂ­n Crystal Dawn Buckley '03 Emily Campbell Cathy and Dr. Jeffrey Chase P'11, P'28, P'28 Keya Chongasing-Garner and Curtis Garner P'20, P'25 Edye Ciaccia Karen and Tony Coffelt, P'24 Linda and Charles Consolvo P'02, P'09 Ben Cornish '86 Katina Coulianos '73, P'03, P'06 Jacqueline Davis Theresa and Ryan Diehl P'26, P'28 Luba Dolgoposky P'22, P'27, P'30, Colleen and Paul Doumeng P'08, P'11, P'15 Alan Eberhart Megan E. Elliot Nikki and Cobia Fagan P'34, P'28 Kenneth Floyd Ena Foy Monet Francis and Steve Gardner II P'28 P'32 Andrea Gilbert Robert Golub Charlotte Hancock '07 Shawn and Nils Hahnfeld, P'25, P'20 Michelle and Andrew Hayden P'25, P'29, P'31 Marion Hewith Zenzile Hodge P'25 Maxwell Hoffman '05 Zachary Hoffman '08 Diane Holmberg P'07, P'17 Janique L. D. Hosier '11 Mary and Will Howe P'04 Michelle Humphries Kathy Joseph P'14, P'17 Melanie Kaneef Pramila and Amit Khemani P'23, P'28 Ann Kirkland P'28, P'31 John Kirkland P'28, P'31 Nancy Kleinberg Catherine and Joel Kling P'28 Charlie Knape Benjamin Knoeck Beatriz Latimer P'31

Peggy Lazarchuck P'20 Joanne Luciano Margo Lynch and Brian Walden P'16 Odette Magras Leah Mandichak Eileen and Jeffrey McNally P'28 Kathi and Glen Melbourne P'28, P'32 Joanna Meyers-Rhymer Sunny Murphy Brown and Jason Brown P'25 Leslie and Udo Penther P'06, P'11 Anabela and Chris Pescatore P'28, P'27 J'Verne Pickering '09 Rachel and Paul Prewitt P'21,P'20 Ellie and Kevin Qualls P'16, P'17 Brandon Reburn Sandy Reese '95 Lorraine A. Richardson P'27 Michelle and John Riggle P'19 Jolene and Nicholas Robichaux P'28, P'30 Becca and Carlos Rodriguez P'22 Genevieve Ryan-Pedram and Hooman Pedram P'32 Lane and Kristopher Sammy P'30, P'32 Jessica '02 and Michael Schnell '01, P'29 Heather and Greer Scholes P'32, P'36 John and Wanda Schramm Lucy Serge Punky Sharp '67, P'90, P'97, P'10 Thames and Randy Shaw P'10 Brittanie Sibilly Kelli and Ryan Smolarz P'33 Sonya Swan P'19, P'21 Sara Szymanski '13 William Thayer Verian Tuttle P'99, P'00 Karen Valentine Khiani and Rohit Khiani P'33 VI Kids Opti Fund Vince Watchorn Carol and Richard Wax P'04 Elodia Weekly Taima Williams Toni and Kevin Williams Wendy Williams P'34 Beth and Justin Workman P'34, P'31 Your Cause, LLC

This report acknowledges gifts received during the fiscal term of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and is produced by the Advancement Office. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this report is accurate and complete, however errors do occasionally occur. If your name has been mistakenly omitted, misspelled or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apologies and contact Adrianne Baird Butler in the Advancement Office at abairdbutler@antilles.vi or (340) 776-1600, ext. 1802

Gala 2019 Illuminating the Future and Lighting the Way

STAND UP FOR KIDS Support from our donors helps us maintain a more than $1 million financial aid budget, which makes an Antilles education accessible to families across the island. Our commitment to building a socioeconomically diverse student body is integral to our core values and to our mission. Thanks to all those who stood up this year and helped us reach our $60,000 goal, giving us the chance to transform and enrich our school.

Gala Sponsors A.H Riise Alpine Securities, USVI LLC Amalie Car Rental Baker Magras & Associates, Inc Banco Popular VI Beep Business Services Blue Procurement Services Blue Water Construction Discover Fund Management, LLLP Dudley Newman Feuerzeig, DNF Dynasty - Dazzlers Fintrac FirstBank VI International Private Bank and ICMC Marjorie Rawls Roberts, PC Partners 4 Kids & Children's Dental Care ProSolar USVI Royal Caribbean Seaglass Properties Seven Seas Water Corporation Signature Flight

Sonic Charters Springline Architects St. Thomas Properties, LLC St. Thomas Radiology Associates, LLC Theodore Tunick & Company TOPA Properties Virgin Islands Oncology & Hematology Virgin Islands Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Webbe Construction, LLC

Teacher Ticket Sponsors Richard '83 and Lyn Berry P'12 Barbara Birt P'10, P'13, P'17 Discovery Capital Management, LLC Maureen Lally P'33 Sarah and Elliot Loewenstein P'24, P'27 Carol and Stephen Malo '70, P'89, P'96, P'97, P'98 Beverly and Allie Petrus P'11, P'27 Deborah Schnell P'95, P'96, P'01 Claire Starkey and Tom Klotzbach P '09, P'21 TOPA Properties Cory Watkins P'24, P'28, P'29

In-Kind Sponsors

Restaurant Sponsors

Michael Allietta Artistic Jewelers Azul Cafe Blue11 Breeze Air Charters Carambola Cruz Bay Watersports Diamonds International Dynasty Dazzlers East End Flower Shop Easterly French Quarter Bistro Elin Hildebrand Hook Line and Sinker Kekoa Little Switzerland Marriott Frenchman's Cove Midnight Sun Charters Mim's Offshore Adventures, LLC Old Stone Farmhouse Outriggers Over the Line Charters Pangea Prime at Paradise Point Pro Solar USVI Reebok Cross Fit St. Thomas Reuse Emporium Rev It Up Nutrition Shelly's Cakes Sonic Charters Southwind Villa St. Thomas Restaurant Group St. Thomas Yacht Club Sudi's Tammi Pearl Spa The Buccaneer - St Croix The Buzz 104.3 The Ritz-Carlton The Westin - St. John Twisted Cork Up Full Life, LLC Veuve Cliquot VI Day Sailing Virgilio's Wala Ice Heidi Windel XO Bistro

Cafe Amici Caribbean Fish Market Navy Beach Sabroso Speedy Redemption Za Rock Pizza/ Azul Café

Annual Fund In-Kind Sponsors Elisabeth Anderson'96 and Robert Upson P'30 Adrianne Baird Butler P'33 Bellows International Bolongo Bay Beach Resort Fruit Bowl Frannie and Bill Newbold/ Island Business Graphics P'02, P'05 Pizza Amore Sloan Smith Bared P'23, P'25 Tap & Still Tom Morrison Webbe Construction, LLC West Indies Corporation

Stand Up for Financial Assistance Buzing Alemu and Andrew Gever P'25, P'21 Isabel Borrás-Marín Alexandra and Leigh Goldman Trey Goldsmith P'23 Marianne and Tim Goodell Sarah and Don Hancock P'05, P'07, P'10 Leslie and Tim Hartzell Haugland Virgin Islands Billie and Greg Hodges P'05, P'07 Amy and Steve James, P'16, P'18, P'21 Sarah and Elliot Loewenstein P'24, P'27 Kerstin '83 and Bill McConnell P'14, P'17, P'21 Liz and Tom Morrison Meaghan '98 and Cyril Richardson P'32, P'29 Claire Starkey and Tom Klotzbach P09 P'21 Julie Steiner Verian Tuttle P'99, P'00 Karen Valentine Khiani and Rohit Khiani P'34

EXCELLENCE Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way."

-Booker T. Washington

As a junior, Divyesh joined 16,000 other seniors across the nation who were named National Merit semifinalists and given the chance to advance in the overall scholarship competition. (Photo taken January 2019) National Merit winners - who rank within the top 99th percent of graduates within their state or region - are announced in mid-May and selected based on a variety of criteria, including academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, and community activities, among others.

"Being consistent in working hard, not just in spurts, is something my mom always preaches, and it is really what guides me," Divyesh Gurnani ’20, whose scores got him recognized by the organization, said.

"My teachers also made sure I stuck to that, and I'm really grateful to them for all that they have done I'm excited we were all together on this journey."

As a junior, Divyesh joined 16,000 other seniors across the nation who were named National Merit semifinalists and given the chance to advance in the overall scholarship competition.

National Merit Scholar

In April the following year, Divyesh was chosen as a finalist and earned the distinction of National Merit Scholar in May of 2019, and credits Antilles for his ability to successfully transition to Boston College, where he’s studying business.

"While the personal connection with the teachers isn't the same as it was at Antilles, I felt fully prepared for the workload and have been able to succed in my classes at the Business School," he said. "Coming from the Virgin Islands and being a part of our diverse student community, I also looked for something in college that reminded me of home, and one of the things I've loved most is joining the Students of Caribbean Ancestry Club and making those new connections."

Advanced Placement Scholars "I hope to one day be a player on the international stage, helping struggling communities develop.

Being able to do that means looking at a problem from every possible angle and perspective, and I feel like I've had the best foundation for that."

Jacques Liegeard '19 "I think, more than anything, the Advanced Placement program at Antilles helped me understand the importance of working hard. You have to be able to write a good essay, solve the more difficult math problems, and, overall, just be able to function on a higher level in order to make it through. At the end of the day, what that all does is prepare you for college and I'm grateful to have had that experience," shared Jacques Liegeard '19 .

That commitment to "working hard," earned Jacques and classmate Sharan Chawla '19 an AP International Diploma, which recognizes academic achievement across multiple content areas.

As an international economics major at Georgetown University's Welsh School of Foreign Service, Jacques said the diverse course load in Upper School gave him a better understanding of what he can look forward to over the next four years as he continues to work within a program that pulls together a wide range of critical thinking, communications, problem solving, and analytical skills.

"I hope to one day be a player on the international stage, helping struggling communities develop," Jacques said.

"Being able to do that means looking at a problem from every possible angle and perspective, and I feel like I've had the best foundation for that."

Our 2019-2020 AP Scholars were: AP Scholars (score of 3 or better on three or more AP exams) Brooke Hecht '19, Natasha Lalwani '19, Serena Mohanani '19, Vikram Mohanani '19, and Isabel Villegas '19 AP Scholars with Honor (score of 3 or better on four or more AP exams) Jaeden Boschulte '19 and Amisha Mirchandani '20 AP Scholars with Distinction (score of three or higher on five or more AP exams) Sharan Chawla '19, Nicholas George '19, Divyesh Gurnani '20, Maggie Huang '19, Jacques Liegeard '19, Teddy Nicolosi '19, Grace Randall '19, and Chris Sharpless '19 National AP Scholars Sharan Chawla '19, Maggie Huang '19, and Grace Randall '19 AP International Diploma Sharan Chawla '19 and Jacques Liegeard '19

STEAM EDUCATION "If you can't make a mistake, you can't make anything."

-Jeannine Wilson, Antilles STEAM Teacher

ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT

COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY It all started with an egg.

Well – an egg, and some videos on how packages of supplies can be safely air-dropped into disaster areas without any damage. Seizing the opportunity offered by teacher Jeannine Wilson to experiment and learn more, our Middle School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) students set about to recreate the scenario through a series of trials. In the first go-around, very few of them broke – thanks, Mrs. Wilson said, to a combination of bubble wrap, garbage bags, tape, and string. In circumstances where there are unlimited materials, it is easier to find the optimal solution to get the egg down in one piece and, when you factor in wind speed and velocity, it's even easier to ensure that the egg will land where it needs to if its container isn't too heavy.

But if you narrow the field, those results are harder to achieve. When students were given limited materials – in this case, only three panels of bubble wrap, two feet of tape, four feet plus any recycled string salvaged from the first set of trials, one paper towel roll, and one toilet paper tube – only one egg survived.

"Overall, the second set of packages were lighter because we were given less, but that's where things like parachutes – which we also made and included in the design – are an important counter-balance. If the chute doesn't come out or there's a strong wind, we miss our target, and if there's less packing around the egg, then it breaks. In a real-life situation, like airdropping supplies, that's not what you want – so really, it's more important to make sure you've tested and re-tested so you get it right," Fisher Brown '25 said.

Parachutes were also used to help guide the landings of the Mars Exploration Rovers, which the class also studied. Had those missions gone wrong, millions of dollars would have been lost, Fisher added. But Mrs. Wilson said she was still impressed. Despite the results on the second set of trials, it was more important that the students were able to work collaboratively, talk about what worked and what didn't, and in the end, were not afraid to fail.

How to "MacGyver" solutions to problems while still learning the basic concepts is just part of the everyday for the STEAM students, who are engaged at any one time in a range of projects like the egg-drop that allow them to create, collaborate, and most of all, understand better what they learn – both theoretically, and in connection to the world around them.

Even better, the way the classroom is structured – larger work spaces led by teams – is becoming more common professionally. Tapping into that mindset, Mrs. Wilson has also given her students time to complete a "20 percent project" – a productivity hack employed by companies like Google to motivate young inventors and innovators. In a scenario where Google's employees were given 20 percent of their time to explore or research a eas of interest to them, initiatives and programs like Gmail, Twitter, and Google News were born.

"When you give them those unlimited opportunities at hands-on learning, that's when the amazing things happen, and when you offer a curriculum that in this case is also very fluid, they all get the chance tolearn the skills they want to learn, but in their own way," Mrs. Wilson said. "Part of it is trial and error, it's failure, it's taking constructive criticism and starting over. But that's okay – they're growing from it and one day, will be making things better for the generations to come."

TARANTULA LAB

STEAM QUICK PICS Our Environmental Science students get into the field for a study on tarantula populations that look at density, behavior, and burrowing.

Cordoning off 5x5 portions of the Banana Patch with string, classes explored the characteristics of the spiders in each area and observed how they were greatly impacted by different environmental elements, such as the presence of an ants nest, or a pole in the ground.

Observations, along with each element found on site, are carefully drawn and mapped out by each student team, giving them the data they needed to support their conclusions. The lab lays the stage for more discussion in the classroom about the symbiotic relationships that exist within whole ecosystems, and how the behaviors of one component affect another.

SCIENCE OF FALL

Along with painting fall pictures, learning about maple syrup, and organizing their own fall festival, a science experiment used by Pre-K teacher Ellie Qualls also gave students the chance to explore why leaves change color, how plants function, and why our tropical landscape is more similar to those up north than one may think. Scan the QR Code above with the camera app on your mobile phone or smart device to give it a try at home.

THE WATER CYCLE

Over a period of time, the water in the bag begins to display the stages of the water cycle: first, it turns to gas (evaporation,) then turns back into a liquid (condensation,) and finally, the condensed water filters back down into the pool below (precipitation.) Scan the QR Code above with the camera app on your mobile phone or smart device to give it a try at home.

DIVERSITY "Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness."

- Ola Joseph

How can we make all students feel valued, heard, and seen?

It's a simple question - but sometimes looking at things through a simple lens can help build bigger skills, such as being able to listen to others and value their perspectives, according to Dr. Liza Talusan, who - as part the focus in our Strategic Plan to diversity, equity, and inclusion - led discussions with students and faculty throughout the year on how we can create and be a more welcoming community.

"In a big group, not everyone may get the chance to share, for example, so giving students time to think about what it means to have time to talk and have someone actively pay attention to what they have to say is actually one small thing we can all do to be more inclusive," Dr. Liza said.

Trying this out, Middle and Upper Schoolers partnered up in two workshops and took turns answering questions about things that are meaningful to them, and listening to their partners. How would you describe your island, or your school, or place that is special to you, students were asked - and, of course, every answer was different.

"They are listening to each other, making someone else feel special for the one or two minutes they are talking - but they are also embracing a new perspective," Dr. Liza said. "One student's special place would not be the same as another's, but both have value - and in just that one conversation, you're now building another skill, and that is being able to see what someone else sees and being mindful that there is always

LOOKING THROUGH A WIDER LENS

going to be another point of view."

Discussions with Upper School students were more pointed, giving partners the chance to additionally talk about identity, and what it means to feel included or excluded by a different group.

Students are already having these conversations on their own, Dr. Liza said, but giving them a forum in which they are able to share individual experiences helps others connect to what they are going through - and space to find solutions that can benefit everyone.

"Inclusion means action," Dr. Liza said to faculty in an afternoon professional development session, where she shared pieces of the students' discussions. "We can't just hope inclusion will show up - you have to actively think about how you want to talk about inclusion, how you can facilitate those discussions, and frame them in a way that can actually inspire change."

STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 The Plan defines four Strategic Priorities and the various initiatives that are necessary to accomplish each. Together, these priorities create a solid foundation on which Antilles can grow and prosper in the years ahead.

This is very much a foundational plan designed to create a solid platform on which we can build."

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

-Head of School Liz Morrison In January, our School community came together to learn more about Strategic Plan 2022, which Head of School Liz Morrison described as our "roadmap for the future."

Centered on four "buckets," or priority areas, the plan is designed to put in place a threeyear strategy for building inclusivity, refining our program, supporting faculty, and putting in place those systems necessary to ensure the School's financial stability for years to come.

Inclusivity, added Assistant Head of School Shannon Harris, is the lens through which all the buckets should be seen, as the School continues to gather the data, create policy, and put in place systems that make the

campus a welcoming and safe place for all.

Liz also shared share more about the process moving forward, including the rollout of climate surveys to parents, families, staff, and alumni about what we do well, and what can be improved. An initial survey in 2017 informed the foundation of the plan, while new data collected over throughout the 2020-2021 school year will support its initiatives, making the process more fluid and focused on growth.

To read a condensed version of the plan, scan the QR Code with the camera app on your smart phone or device.

THOUGHTS FROM OUR DONORS

Sarah and I support Antilles because we know the school makes a difference. We have seen it in the lives of our daughters, their friends, and many of the students who have attended before them - and after them.

The school, with all of its academic, performing arts, athletic, and service programs. prepares kids not only for college, but for life. It was very difficult for us, and we know that for many parents the annual tuition is a stretch - but, we also know that tuition alone, unfortunately, does not provide the full financial support the school requires.

That's why we support Antilles School: to help provide that advantage to all of our families.

-Don and Sarah Hancock P'05, P'07, P'10

I am a serial “giver,” particularly to those institutions which have given so much to me. I contribute to my alma maters not only because I am a proud alumna but because I know that who I am is a result of what I received while in attendance and that my attendance was based on someone else’s giving to the institution.

And it is in that spirit that I give to Antilles. As a parent, I give to Antilles School because my ultimate confidence in the institution is my son’s very enrollment. Giving as a parent allows me to contribute directly to the product my son receives today. I can see where our contributions support the school and he has the opportunity to experience it.

-Zenzile Hodge, P'25

Zen zile Hodge

We donate to Antilles School because we understand the value of education.

Unlike many private schools in the States, Antilles is not sitting on a giant endowment. Therefore, it is important for all stakeholders to work together to support the school that nurtures our children’s growth.

While our donation was small, if all parents made the same donation, it would amount to something significant.

-Buzing Alemu and Andy Gever P'21, '25

We chose to support the Antilles School's Better Together campaign because we understand that during times of uncertainty, many in our community are faced with impossible choices and forced to make sacrifices. At Merchant's Commercial Bank, we believe that access to a quality education is not something that should be sacrificed.

-Rohit Khiani, General Manager

Antilles has been one of the few constants, through the storms and the pandemic, that many families could rely on for certainty and normality.

The Antilles family rose to the occasion in each instance, swiftly and with planned precision, to open its doors for students, families, and employees alike.

Antilles has been present when needed and so must its families and stakeholders.

We are pleased to do what we can, sometimes more and sometime less- but always something- when asked.

-Trey Goldsmith P'23

COMMUNITY “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.�

- Coretta Scott King

"The challenges of COVID-19 have proven that the school is so much more than just an individual academic experience of buildings, books, and computers. It is ultimately the inclusion of all of the Antilles faculty, staff, and students that makes us better together."

Last March, Antilles students headed into Spring Break at the onset of the global pandemic. Without knowing what was going to happen next, our faculty and administrative team prepared to quickly shift to remote learning for two weeks - a move that turned into the remainder of the year as pandemic response efforts territory-wide made inperson learning impossible.

Working together, a faculty task force worked to reimagine learning over digital platforms such as Zoom and Seesaw, infuse even more creativity into their lesson plans, and, in a world of social distancing, keep our School community connected.

As the territory began to shelter in place, businesses shut down and families stayed at home in an effort to flatten the curve. While the number of COVID cases began to decrease becauese of the efforts, our community swas hard-hit economically. Galvanized by the needs of families torn between keeping their students at Antilles and keeping their households afloat, an anonymous donor stepped in to offer a $50,000 match that would help jumpstart an emergency COVID-relief fund deisgned to

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

offer one-time tuition assistance grants - separate from the school's operating budget and financial-aid program - to families in need.

"We were proud to be a part of the broad financial support helping to reduce the cost of tuition for Antilles families facing the pandemic," our generous donor said.

"Each and every student, from toddler through twelfth grader, enriches our school community. The challenges of COVID-19 have proven that the school is so much more than just an individual academic experience of buildings, books, and computers. It is ultimately the inclusion of all of the Antilles faculty, staff, and students that makes us better together."

With the support of parents, faculty, and alumni, we were able to meet the match and offer $100,000 in additional financial assistance. Our gratitude to all who shared our donor's determintion - and the need for us all to join together - to keep our school community whole.

Going Virtual MARCH

Spirit Week APRIL

On March 25, 2019, Antilles went completely virtual. Using the hashtag #AntillesVirtualFirstDay, we documented photos, videos, and messages from our faculty and students, and celebrated our community being able to stay together while physically apart. We also launched our first online parent portal to keep families updated on on our distance learning plan, counseling resources, and tips for learning from home.

In an effort to bring our School community together, our Antilles School Parent Association organized a virtual Spirit Week, giving students the chance to show their Hurricane and VI pride, dress fancy, rep their class colors, and more! According to PA President Sue DeGraff, "We wanted to provide our families with a chance to 'see' one another and to support our students in a different way by offering the chance for them to laugh and come together, even during a challenging time."

Art on the Hill MAY

Graduation JUNE

Four of our students entered the 2020 Congressional Art Competition, and we were proud to celebrate Haley Jennings '20 as the territorial winner! Her piece, "So Is This What the World Has Come To?" was shipped off in May to Washington D.C., where it was on display at the U.S. Capitol Building. Haley's second piece, "Pride," also won the People's Choice Award

Held at the Mark C. Marin Center on June 6, school leaders at the 2020 graduation ceremony spoke of the class' resilience and the courage displayed by its members in overcoming the challenges of the past three years, from hurricanes to the current global health pandemic. In compliance with social distancing requirements, our graduates sat masked and six-feet apart, while families watched a livestream of the ceremony outside from their cars.

While learning remotely, our students and faculty connected daily over Zoom, and continued to share snapshots of projects, artwork, science experiments, pets, and lots of smiling faces.

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7280 Frenchman Bay Road St. Thomas, USVI 00802 www.antilles.vi