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The Holiday Season at TASIS: December 2022
December 2022
This Month at TASIS
We take a photo-driven look at some of the many festive events that happened on or near campus throughout a wonderful holiday season at TASIS. Happy holidays to all!
Poetry Collaboration
Students in Ms. Danelle Kritzinger’s 5th-grade class had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Chris Love’s 10th-grade Honors World Literature class in the Palmer Cultural Center on the afternoon of December 2. The students and teachers started the class by each reciting a line from a chosen poem in their preferred language (have a look!), and students then broke into small groups and analyzed poems they admired or had written on their own before sharing takeaways with the full group. See more photos.
Alejandro Orozco ’23 Recognized for Commitment to Service
At a High School assembly on December 2, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations Michelle Arslanian presented Alejandro Orozco ’23 with the inaugural Lynch Global Service Program Extension Award. This new alumni-established award was initiated in the spring of 2022 by Ned Lynch PG’66 to honor the memory of his parents, who recognized the importance of the TASIS international educational experience. It comes with a $1000 scholarship and is accorded to a senior who wishes to continue working on an Opsahl Global Service Program (GSP) project or go on a second service trip abroad. Learn more.
Montagnola Tree Lighting Ceremony
Led by Ms. Rachelle Hugg and Ms. Angela Carota Dusing, the Elementary and Middle School Choirs spread holiday cheer in the local community by singing Christmas carols at the Montagnola Tree Lighting Ceremony, which was held in the courtyard of the Montagnola Elementary School on the evening of December 2. See more photos.
Middle School Christmas Celebration
Later on the evening of December 2, the Middle School held its annual Christmas Celebration. The Middle School Student Council and Event Planners Service Learning groups took an active part in the organization of the event, which included music, dancing, games, and delicious food and treats. See more photos.
Villa Principe Leopoldo Tree Lighting Ceremony
TASIS vocalists were also invited to sing at Villa Principe Leopoldo’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on the afternoon of December 4. See more photos.
Elementary School Drama Club Performance
Students in the Elementary School Drama Club shined at a performance in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of December 5. The workshop-style show featured original comedic scenes created by the young actors. See more photos.
Singing With Santa
Santa and his elf paid a visit to the Elementary School on the morning of December 7. Students in grades 2–5 joined them for a spirited sing-along in the Palmer Cultural Center while the youngest TASIS students enjoyed a visit in Al Focolare afterward. See more photos.
Spreading Cheer on Campus
As part of another annual TASIS tradition, High School proctors wore matching Christmas sweaters on December 8.
TASIS Christmas Service
The annual Christmas Service was held at the picturesque Sant’Abbondio Church during the school day on Friday, December 9, a special day at TASIS that also saw the first snowfall of the year. Under the direction of Performing Arts Department Chair Erika Cramp, the service included beautiful musical performances and readings from Middle and High School students and faculty members. Watch the full service, see more photos, and learn who was involved in this inspiring production.
TASIS Tree Lighting Ceremony
That afternoon, the TASIS community gathered outside the Campo Science Center to commemorate the lighting of the TASIS Christmas Tree with remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff and carols sung by the TPA Gospel Choir, Agnese Salvatico ’24, and the Elementary School Choir. See more photos.
The Winter Garden
Early in December, the TPA transformed the Kay Hamblin Terrace into a cozy Winter Garden that was used to host a number of student-led activities and pop-up events while also serving as a nice spot for students to hang out in between classes and after school in the weeks leading up to the winter holiday.
On the evening of December 9, while Santa’s Village was bustling in the Palmer Cultural Center, the Winter Garden served as the setting for a wonderful Holiday Market that featured exquisite food and drinks (Ghost Bagel and FULLY Burgers were on site) and a variety of crafts and other gift items for sale. Students from the Opsahl Global Service Program helped run a number of the food and gift stands, which raised thousands of francs for their Service Learning groups. See more photos.
Santa’s Village
Right after the Tree Lighting Ceremony, more than 100 children flocked to the Palmer Cultural Center to visit a spectacular Santa’s Village set up by the amazing TASIS Parent Association (TPA) under the leadership of TPA President Jennifer Zanarini. The packed event featured photos with Santa, a dance party with Santa’s elves, a magic show, holiday tattoos, holiday craft stations, and more. See more photos.
Singing for the Personale
On the morning of December 14, a group of faculty members sang Christmas carols in Villa De Nobili for the TASIS personale. This annual tradition is one small way in which faculty members show their gratitude for everything the hardworking personale do behind the scenes to keep TASIS running smoothly day in and day out.
Elementary School Christmas Concert
On the afternoon of December 16, the final day of school before the three-week winter holiday, the Elementary School put a bow on the holiday season by performing a magnificent concert in the Palestra. Guided by ES Music Director Rachelle Hugg, students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through five sang, danced, and played their way through 11 delightful holiday numbers. Watch the full concert, see more photos, and learn who took part in this uplifting annual production.