From engaging academics and adventurous travel to celebratory assemblies and festive gatherings, we take a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.
L’imperfetto
High School students in Ms. Stéphanie Roth’s IB Italian course reviewed the indicative imperfect tense during class on October 1.
Music Circle
On October 2, students in Ms. Angela Dusing’s 7th-grade music class enjoyed improvising as a group on xylophones and glockenspiels.
Stretched in the Lab
Mr. Jerry Bleckel’s IB Physics students observed Hooke’s law of elasticity while conducting lab experiments on springs on October 2.
There’s No Place Like Home
Grade 9 students in Ms. Jessica Cohen’s Honors Introduction to Literature class dug deep into the Odyssey on October 2.
Bravi Pianists
TASIS pianists from all three divisions received a profusion of recognition this fall for stellar performances in national and international piano competitions.
Bounce Test
On October 3, students in Mr. Athan Rodostianos’s High School Physics class determined a ball’s elasticity by measuring how high it bounced when released from varying heights.
Der Die Das
Middle School students in Ms. Simone Meister’s Beginner German class reviewed definite articles during class on October 3.
Preparing for the Future
TASIS hosted admissions representatives from 86 schools in 10 different nations for the third annual TASIS University Fair on October 3.
Out and About
On October 3, 5th-grade students hiked up the Blenio Valley to Campra Alpine Lodge, where they spent the night and bonded as a group. They then spent the next day exploring the region and trekking out while younger Elementary School students took field trips to the Bellinzona Castles (grade 4), Ideatorio di Cadro (grade 3), the Fattoria Scoglio in Mugena (grade 2), Monte Brè (grade 1), Parco San Grato (Kindergarten), and Lago d’Origlio (Pre-Kindergarten).
Stage Ready
The cast and crew of this year’s High School fall play, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, enjoyed a wonderful theater retreat in Torino on October 3–6. The group conducted team-building activities, visited cultural sites, participated in theater workshops, and rehearsed for the show, which they will perform in the Palmer Cultural Center on November 21–24.
Italian Poetry Discussion
High School students taking Mr. Davide Cannata’s Pre-IB Lingua Italiana course discussed the poetry of Franco Arminio during class on October 7.
Bilingual Education
Grade 5 students studied Italian verbs during class with Ms. Veronica Maffezzini on October 7.
Aura of Autumn
The amazing TASIS Parent Association (TPA) brightened campus with several fall-themed displays.
Big Cat Rivalry
The Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball teams took on the Panthers of the American School of Milan in the Palestra on October 8.
Macroeconomics
High School students taking Mr. John Schmid’s Advanced Placement Macroeconomics course discussed the factors that affect housing markets during class on October 8.
Building Vocabulary
On October 8, High School students in Mr. Tony Shelley’s EAL Modern History class worked together to define words important to understanding the European Reformation.
Celebrating an Incredible Life
Students in grades 2-5 gathered in the Palmer Cultural Center on October 9 for the Elementary School Founder’s Day Assembly. The students learned about TASIS’s founder, Mrs. M. Crist Fleming, and sang a song built from some of her most poignant remarks.
Parents in the Classroom
Middle School and High School parents were invited to attend classes with their children on October 10 as part of Family Weekend. The parents met teachers and advisors, participated in science labs and arts lessons, attended lunch and assembly, enjoyed an elegant reception in the Palmer Cultural Center, and more.
Founder’s Day Assembly
The first day of Family Weekend was highlighted by a moving Founder’s Day celebration that commemorated the incredible life of TASIS founder and international education pioneer M. Crist Fleming. The afternoon assembly included poignant speeches, a video, shared remembrances, and musical performances.
A TASIS Tradition
Members of the TASIS community concluded Founder’s Day celebrations by tossing yellow rose petals into the MCF Fountain.
Academic Travel at Sea
High School Academic Travel trips over the long weekend of October 10–14 included adventures to Sardinia to sail, Sicily to kiteboard, and Portugal to surf.
Supporting Their Claims
During literacy class on October 16, Ms. Laura Hand’s grade 4 students combed news articles for quotes to support their research papers on natural disasters.
Tackling Tough Questions
Grade 12 IB students tackled a number of tough questions (e.g. What is the connection between knowledge and culture? How can we know that current knowledge is an improvement upon past knowledge? Are some things unknowable?) and presented their findings at the third annual TASIS Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibition on the Kay Hamblin Terrace on the afternoon of October 18.
Coming Soon: New Dorm, Classrooms, and Music Center
In preparation for the construction of MacDermid Hall and the MacDermid Music Center, work has begun on campus to dismantle Ca’ Gioia and Alba.
Pledging to be Good Digital Citizens
For the week of October 21, Elementary School students spent morning meetings learning about digital citizenship. The students discussed how to be safe on the internet, shared examples of kindness online, and signed a TASIS Digital Citizenship Pledge.
Bird Bath
A bird bathed in the M. Crist Fleming Fountain on October 22.
Seasonal Art
Grade 8 students in Ms. Simona Bellini’s Arte Italiana class used leaves, paint, and gelli plates to create autumnal prints on October 23.
Shared Service
Last year’s Opsahl Global Service Program groups reconvened in the Villa de Nobili Salon on the evening of October 23 to reminisce and share memories from their service trips to Cambodia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and Zambia.
Fall Festival Delights
Middle School students dressed up and enjoyed delicious treats at their Fall Festival organized by the TASIS Parent Association (TPA) on October 24.
Writing Celebration
Students in Ms. Kenzie Kaper’s and Ms. Laura Pearsall’s grade 3 classes gathered for a publishing party on October 25 to share personal narratives they penned during writing class.
Tasty Treats
On October 25, High School students had their chance to enjoy festive snacks baked by the TPA.
Costume Parade
On October 29, the final day of classes this month, Elementary School students dressed up in costumes and paraded around the Focolare playground (Pre-Kindergarten to grade 1) and across the upper campus (grades 2–5) before snacking on delicious treats once again prepared by the TPA.
