TPA Survival Guide

Transcription

TPA Survival Guide

TASIS
A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR NEW PARENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
3
6
6
8
8
9
10
11
Welcome
Finding your way around TASIS
TASIS Parent Association
Communication between parents
and the School
Elementary School
Middle and High Schools
Uniforms
Just arrived in Lugano?
Babysitters
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
20
20
Sumer camps
Leisure activities
Getting around
Health
Pets
Shopping
Finding accommodation
International clubs in Ticino
English books
Useful websites
Contact [email protected] or visit our page on the TASIS website
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1. WELCOME
Welcome to TASIS! This guide has been prepared by members of the TASIS Parent
Association (TPA) to provide guidance for parents new to TASIS or to the Lugano
area. We have included information about the School as well as about life in Ticino.
This is not a comprehensive guide; further information can be found on numerous
other websites recommended in this document.
While preparing this guide, we asked TASIS parents what tips we should pass on to
new parents. The overwhelming recommendation was: don’t be afraid to ask other
parents for information about services in the Ticino region, particularly Englishspeaking services.
TPA board members are more than happy to answer your questions. We know that
being new in the School or in Ticino can be sometimes confusing and therefore we
encourage you to approach us with any issue, doubt, request, or need you may have.
Below is a list of the members with their email addresses and languages spoken.
Michelle Wood
Co-President
[email protected]
English, French
Erika Volpi
Co-President
[email protected]
English, Italian
Nicola Longfield
Treasurer
[email protected]
English, Italian
Suzanne Grosso Vidal
Secretary
[email protected]
English
Amy Rowe
[email protected]
Room Parent Coordinator
English
Barbara Cavuoto Mazzola [email protected]
Campus Life Coordinator
Italian, English, French
Lorenza Fiori Ornaghi
[email protected]
Community Life Coordinator
Italian, English
Vittoria Marazzi
[email protected]
Volunteer & Membership Recruitment
English, Italian
Rosella Treherne
Fall Festival Co-Chair
[email protected]
English, Italian
Sarah Mantegazza
Fall Festival Co-Chair
[email protected]
English
Irina Acampora
Communications Chair
[email protected]
Russian, English, German,
Dutch, Italian
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We wish you the best of luck with your TASIS experience and hope you find this
guide a useful addition to the many other resources available for those living in
Ticino.
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2. FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND TASIS
TASIS is spread over different sites and the campus can be difficult to navigate when
you first arrive. Take time to walk around the various buildings and to become
familiar with the campus. Key meeting points on campus are the coffee bar in the
Palestra building (point 12 on the map below) and Sara Lí’s gelateria behind De
Nobili (point 19 in the map below), which sells some of the best ice cream in Ticino.
If your child is based at Focolare, the best place to meet other parents for coffee is at
Bora Da Besa bar and restaurant, across the road.
Drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon can be a bit tricky because there
are a lot of cars converging on the School at the same time and few parking places are
available.
One option is to drive by and hand your kids to the teachers that are waiting at the
designated dropping points. They will then lead the children inside the School. For
elementary school children attending classes at Hadsall, 2nd to 5th Grades, drop off is
between 7:50 and 8:10 in the parking lot beside Hadsall (see next page):
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For Pre-K, Kindergartners and 1st Graders, drop off is between 7:50 and 8:25 at
Focolare; please note that Via Bora da Besa is a one-way road.
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If you prefer to accompany your children inside the School, finding a parking place
close to the campus is easier if you come early and, if you are still unable to find a
space, you can head down to the car park that serves the church and cemetery in
Gentilino. The parking in Gentilino is very convenient for Focolare. Here are the
locations of parking areas close to campus and of the parking lot in Gentilino:
Please note that parking places delimitated with blue stripes mean one hour of free
parking, provided that you expose the parking disk showing the hour of your arrival
on the car's dashboard. If you don't have a parking disk, you can ask the police in
Montangola or buy one at a gas station. The police are very strict in enforcing parking
regulations around the School so please be sure to respect the timing.
Pick up
Monday
15:40-15:55
Tuesday
15:40-15:55
Wednesday
14:50-15:05
Thursday
15:40-15:55
Friday
15:40-15:55
If you are going to be late, if your child will be going home with someone else, or if
your child is a shuttle rider who will not be taking the shuttle that day, call or email
the school secretaries at either Hadsall (+41 91 986 54 60) or Focolare (+41 91 986
54 93) by 12:00 noon. Pick up takes place in the main campus parking lot for 2nd to
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5th Graders, and at Focolare for Focolare students. In order to pick up your child at
Focolare, remember that you need to park; you are not allowed to drive, get out of
the car and get your child, as this impedes traffic flow.
Carpooling. As the number TASIS day students increases, you may find that you
have a number of TASIS families as neighbors. The School Directory in the Veracross
portal, under the tab Nearby Families, will serve as a starting point should you be
interested in carpooling.
Shuttle Service. Alternatively, TASIS offers a free shuttle service for students living
within the Lugano area. There are seven routes to School with several pick up and
drop off points. You can view the various options and the Shuttle Service Policy here.
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3. TASIS PARENT ASSOCIATION
The TASIS Parent Association (TPA) has been in operation for many years, however,
it was only registered as a non-profit association in May 2008. Elections for the board
are held annually in late spring.
Joining the TPA is a wonderful way to get to know people, make connections, and
have better insight on what is going on in and around school. Joining is free, and the
extent of your involvement is completely up to you.
Membership benefits include access to regular bulletins about TPA activities and
events. You will also be eligible to stand for election to the board or to join one of the
many TPA ad-hoc committees, many of which are focused on improving the TASIS
experience.
The TPA is involved with a number of activities, including:
• welcoming new parents
• organizing events for TASIS families
• selling TASIS merchandise, from sweatshirts to mugs
• providing services for boarders such as birthday cakes, flowers, and care packages
• giving support and appreciation to the TASIS faculty
• help with finding host families for visiting sports teams
To join, just fill in this form or pick up a form at a TPA event or from a TPA member.
Further information is available from Michelle Wood at [email protected].
4. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL
The TASIS website serves as a hub for all school information: www.tasis.ch.
The site is updated throughout each day and contains a wealth of information about
the School, including academics, faculty and staff, documentation, and an up-to-date
calendar of events, searchable by month.
Useful TASIS website sections:
Faculty and Staff Directory
Includes a list of all teachers and staff, including photographs, contact information,
and a brief bio.
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Calendars
Searchable by day, week, month, year, division, and keyword. Calendars can be
downloaded and exported to online calendars.
Publications
Links to TASIS documentation, including Handbooks and Course Offerings Books.
Veracross
Veracross is an integrated online system that links parents, students, teachers, and
administrators.
Every TASIS student has his or her own Veracross page. This includes:
• a list of all courses, including classmates and teacher contact information
• a daily schedule
• all required assignments
• grades obtained for each assignment (under Recent Class Updates)
• report cards
• additional information, such as news and reminders
Veracross allows parents consistent feedback on a student’s activities and
performance at school. We recommend that parents check in to Veracross at least once
per week.
Parents will receive a username and password via email, usually in late August before
school starts. If you have not received this by Opening Day, contact:
[email protected] (Middle and High Schools)
[email protected] (Elementary School)
5. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Homeroom parents are volunteers who act as liaisons between teachers and parents.
These parents play an important role in reminding other parents about key dates in the
class or school calendar, organizing common gifts during the year, and providing
parents with useful information about preparations required for different events that
take place during the year.
Absences must be reported directly to the school. Absences should be reported as
soon as possible via email to the homeroom teacher and, for Hadsall-based students,
to Camilia Tara (091 986 5460 – [email protected]) or, for absences for Focolarebased students, to Shireen Merli (091 986 5493 – [email protected]).
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Please refer to the Elementary School Parent Policy Handbook for further
information.
6. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS
Advisors. All students are assigned a faculty advisor and is part of this advisor’s
group. Advisors will be in touch with parents the first week of school, and it’s
important to keep communication open with this person. Refer to the High School
Handbook or Middle School Handbook for more information.
Email contact. Most faculty members are very receptive to discussing your child’s
progress. As they are often busy with various activities on campus, the best way to
contact them is by email. All staff email addresses are listed alphabetically on the
TASIS website in the Faculty and Staff Directory and in Veracross.
Administration. If you wish to consult with a member of the leadership team then
questions should be directed to:
Middle School:
MS Dean of Student Affairs, M J Breton: [email protected]
MS Academic Dean, James Lemmon: [email protected]
High School:
Curriculum Coordinator, Nilda Lucchini: [email protected]
Dean of Student Affairs, Tom Bendel: [email protected]
Academic Dean, John Nelson: [email protected]
Absences must be reported to reception: +41 (0) 91 960 5151.
7. UNIFORMS
All TASIS students must wear a uniform. Elementary School students have one or
two physical education (PE) classes per week and on these days they wear their PE
uniform throughout the day. It is thus advised to have at least two PE uniforms
available, particularly if your child has PE two days in a row. More information on
dress code can be found in the handbooks.
Uniforms are normally ordered in April and delivered in early September just before
the start of the new school year.
Unique Uniforms is the School’s official supplier. The website includes photographs,
pricing, and guidance on sizes.
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Items without the TASIS logo may be purchased from any store as long as they
comply with dress code. We especially recommend Land’s End (US) and Marks &
Spencer (UK).
Gently Used Uniforms sales are organized a few times a year to benefit various TPA
initiatives. Parents are encouraged to donate gently used uniforms and to buy items
their child may need. Information about sales can be found on the TPA website.
8. JUST ARRIVED IN LUGANO?
Important phone numbers
117
Police
118
Fire
144 Ambulance
112
General emergency number (police, fire, ambulance)
140
Road Assistance (vehicle breakdown)
145
Emergency advice on poisons (link)
143
Samaritans
1414 REGA (air rescue)
163 Traffic information
1811 General information number (especially useful for finding out-of-hours
services such as the duty pharmacy, duty doctor, etc.)
Ticino: Dos and Don’ts
• Introduce yourself to your new neighbors. The culture here is to wait for the new
family to come and say hello. Be formal and use your full name (e.g. Signora Smith)
until invited to do otherwise.
• Be punctual. If invited to an event, arrive on time. Phone if you will be more than
five minutes late, and it is usual to take a small gift.
• Be careful about making noise, which can create problems with your neighbors.
Remember to be quiet around lunchtime, after 22:00 and on Sundays and holidays
(e.g. no mowing the lawn). If you are noisy, your neighbors have the right to call the
police and you may be fined.
• Follow the rules about leaving out and recycling your trash/rubbish. Rules varies
significantly from place to place, it is advisable that you check the local policies with
your Comune. Check the signs near the recycling depots, and know that CCTV
cameras are in operation.
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• Many Swiss villages have facilities just for residents, such as playgrounds or leisure
areas. Generally no one will complain if you take your children to play at the
Gentilino playground opposite Focolare, even if you are not resident in the village. It
is, however, always advisable to behave in a manner that is respectful of private and
collective property and not to be too loud.
• Visit your local post office to register your arrival and let them know where to
deliver mail. Let your post office know when you go on holiday. For a small fee they
will hold on to your post until you return. If you wish to avoid junk mail, mark your
postbox with a “nessuna pubblicità, per favore” sticker.
Learning Italian
A number of language schools in the Lugano area offer Italian courses. Many expats
recommend the course at Migros’s Scuola Club. The school also offers other
languages, including English.
9. BABYSITTERS, HOUSEKEEPERS, GARDENERS, ETC.
Most parents arriving in Lugano want to find a reliable and trustworthy babysitter.
There are a number of sources where babysitters can be found.
• Franklin College. Located in Sorengo, down the hill from TASIS, this college
attracts students from around the world. All are English-speaking. Every year
Franklin issues a list of students who are interested in babysitting. Please note that
students have long holidays over Christmas and during the summer, and go on regular
study trips throughout the year. Contact: Leslie Guggiari, [email protected]
• Crocce Rossa (Red Cross). The Ticinese Red Cross provides training for babysitters
and keeps a current list including details about each sitter’s age, location, languages
spoken, etc. www.crs-corsiti.ch
If you are looking for house help, a gardener, a caretaker, or similar, the local
employment office can help. Fill in this online form (in Italian, French, or German)
with your offer of employment.
Practicalities involved in hiring home help can be found at your local Comune or on
this website (in Italian). More information concerning tax, social security
contributions, standard contracts, minimum wages, etc. can be found via Ticino
official websites: www3.ti.ch and www.ch.ch/en/
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10. BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Planning a birthday party for your child outside of your home can be challenging.
However, there are a number of options, including:
• San Francisco Bowling is good party venue for older children. The downside is a
room full of video games, which can prove very attractive for children and, thus,
expensive. Cash only!
• Bora da Besa. This venue has a large indoor hall and an outdoor patio with garden
which are good for a party.
• Ticino per Bambini has great party supplies.
It is possible to rent a bouncing castle, magicians, and face painters (called
animazioni) to make the party more interesting.
• Cinestar does parties for a minimum of 10 children at their café and cinema,
including a movie. All films will be dubbed into Italian.
• Lake Lugano boat ride: the Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano organizes
birthday parties on their boats, and the guest of honor gets to captain the boat for the
day.
• Fatefesta offers a wide range of birthday party products.
11. SUMMER CAMPS
Many TASIS families go away for most of the summer. However, there are a number
of summer activities for children in the area.
• TASIS Summer Programs offers programs for ages 3+ to 18 in Lugano, Châteaud’Oex, and England.
• Circo Fortuna does circus-themed camps
• Musicando does musical camps
• La Finca does horseback riding sessions
Ticino Junior magazine is published twice a year and contains extensive information
about activities for children in Ticino.
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There are however many more opportunities and every summer there are new ones.
Keep an eye out for the Ticino Junior magazine. Published twice per year, the
magazine contains extensive information about activities for children in the Ticino
region.
12. LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Ticino is a bustling region with a variety of activities on offer. The following websites
list activities, courses, workshops, and events for families and children throughout the
year.
In English:
• the Ticino tourism website
• the Lugano tourism website
• Discover Lugano
• The English Film Club meets every Thursday and Friday at 18:15 at Cinema
Cittadella.
• Yoga Roof offers a variety of classes in Italian and English.
• Lake Como information
In Italian:
• Ticino per Bambini
13. TRANSPORTATION
Driving
All vehicles must have a vignette if they are going to use the motorway, even for a
“one-off” short trip. These can be purchased at the border, at post offices, or at most
gas stations for CHF 40 and are valid for the calendar year with December and
January as grace periods (i.e. the 2013 vignette is valid from December 1, 2012 to
January 31, 2014).
Swiss law provides that you must carry the following in your vehicle at all times:
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red breakdown triangle
driver’s license
vehicle registration papers
exhaust test certificate (if your car is registered in Switzerland)
insurance certificate
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•
high visibility vest, especially if you drive to Italy where it is mandatory.
Most Swiss drivers respect the speed limit and fines are high when you are caught
going over the limit. Speed cameras are everywhere. At lower speeds there is a
system of set fines, but if caught driving at a higher speed you risk losing your license
for a period of time.
Speed limits are:
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30km/hour in some residential areas (indicated clearly on the road)
50km/hour in town or village centers
60km/hour in less built up areas
80km/hour when outside of towns
120km/hour on motorways
Seat belts are obligatory for the driver and passengers in Switzerland. Children under
12 years of age or under 150 cm of height must use a specially designed child car seat
that conforms to ECE n.44. Children older than 12 years or taller than 150 cm must
use the adult seat belt. These are the same requirements in all EU countries.
Important rules to remember when driving are:
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give priority to vehicles coming from the right, also in car parks
always use the blinker to signal that you are turning
buses, trams, police cars, etc. always have the right of way; in an accident,
you will be at fault
do not use your mobile phone when driving or you risk a fine
pedestrians always have the right of way; always stop at pedestrian crossings
on a hill, the car driving uphill has the right of way unless otherwise marked
low beam headlights are always required when driving
the drunk driving limit has been reduced to only 0.5 gram/litre blood alcohol
level. The publicity states, “one glass, that’s it”. Note that anyone holding a
driving license and traveling in a car with a drunken driver is held equally
responsible under Swiss law.
Your foreign driving license is valid for one year. You must apply for a Swiss license
before the year is out. For many countries, including the US, Canada, and EU/EFTA,
this is a formality, but some nationalities must sit the driving test. The driving license
application form may be downloaded here.
You must have an eye test with an optician who completes one section of the form.
Once this is completed, send the form with two passport photos, your old license, and
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a copy of your B Permit to Sezione della Circolazione - Casella postale 6528
Camorino.
Most parking spaces are metered for an allotted time period. Once that period is up,
you must move your car (i.e. ‘feeding the meter’ is illegal and risks a fine). Parking
lines may be white, blue or yellow; white is public parking, blue requires a parking
disc (available from post offices and petrol stations), and yellow is private. To park in
a blue parking space, set the time on the disk to the half hour after your arrival time
and check how long you can stay.
For an alternative explanation of Ticino driving laws, click here.
Train
SBB gives accurate train timetable information. Buy your ticket at the station.
14. HEALTH
There are a number of doctors, dentists and physiotherapists in the Lugano area who
provide services in a range of languages, including English, German, and French. The
best way to find information about health professionals who provide services in your
language is through word of mouth. Ask another TASIS parent who speaks your
language.
For residents of the Lugano area, there are two major 24-hour emergency rooms, at
the Ospedale Civico and the Ospedale Italiano. Pediatric emergencies must go to the
Civico. It is a good idea to make sure that you know how to get there before being
faced with an emergency. Most doctors do speak English but many of the
receptionists and nurses do not.
Ospedale Civico – Emergency Room 091 811 6111
Via Tesserete 6900 Lugano
Ospedale Italiano 091 811 7511
Via P. Capelli 6929 Viganello
For minor issues, such as burns, fractures, strains, or if your pediatrician is
unavailable:
Centro Pediatrico
Via Beroldingen 26, Mendrisio - 091 646 45 45
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 08:00-18:00
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Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-16:00
Appointments are requested but not required.
Duty Pharmacies:
On weekends, public holidays, and at night, call 1811 or 122 or emergency rooms for
duty pharmacies. Most pharmacies will also put a notice up listing the current duty
pharmacy.
English-speaking Pharmacy in Montagnola
Farmacia Collina d'Oro
Piazza Brocchi
Montagnola
tel. 091 994 8787
English-speaking health professionals:
This list has been compiled over the years by TASIS parents. We cannot guarantee the
professional competence of those included on the list – only their competence in
speaking English! Please note that although the health professional may speak
English, many of their receptionists do not.
Internists (general practitioners):
Drs Claire and Urs Schwarz-Hoey, Via Leoni 5. 6932 Breganzona, Tel: 091 967 2821
Dr. Rudolf Schwartzenbach, Via Pocobelli, 16 6815 Melide, Tel. 091 649 4019
Dr. Vincenzo Liguori, Via Cantonale 34, 6915 Pambio-Noranco, Tel. 091 993 2110
(he's the TASIS doctor)
Pediatricians:
Dr. Daniela Pedrazzini, Via Delle Aie 6, Lugano, Tel: 091 972 5151
Dr. Mauro Riavis, Via S. Abbondio 41, 6925 Gentilino, Tel: 091 994 44 30
Dentists:
Dr. Antonio Lenares, Via Ronchetto 2, 6925 Gentilino, Tel: 091 980 0717 (one of the
hygienists working in the practice is American)
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Orthodontists:
Dr. Roberto Maino, Via Pestariso 5, 6982 Agno, Tel: 091 605 6677
Chiropractors:
Drs Lily and Giovanni Wullschleger, Via Dufour 4, Lugano, Tel: 091 921 4927
Physiotherapists:
Fisiosport, Riva Caccia 1, Lugano, Tel. 091 9949060
Stefano Isolini (Lisa who works in the practice speaks English), Piazza Brocchi 5,
Montagnola, Tel: 091 9945880
15. PETS
Click here for information about how to import pets into Switzerland. Pets should be
registered with ANIS (Animal Identity Service) within 10 days of the pet arriving in
Switzerland. Your vet will register your pet for you (pets must be micro-chipped in
order to be registered).
Dogs require an annual fee of 50 CHF for a dog license. A leash is required in public
places at all times, and if your dog is included in the Cantonal list of dangerous dogs,
it also must be muzzled. Click here for more information (in Italian).
If you want to take your pet outside of Switzerland, you will need a pet passport,
which can be supplied by your vet. Switzerland is a rabies-free country, and thus cats
and dogs do not have to undergo periodic vaccinations. If, however, you plan on
travelling abroad (especially to France or Italy), your pet must be vaccinated at least
one month prior to your departure. The UK and Ireland have strict policies about
bringing pets abroad.
Liability insurance for pets is available from many companies.
Pet care. There are a number of groomers and kennels in the Lugano area where you
will be able to find English/German/French speaking personnel.
Kennels:
Jonsi Andrews, 6914 Carona, Tel. 079 7535740, [email protected]
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Grooming:
Quattro Zampe, Jutta Bertoli, Parco Commerciale Grancia, Tel. 091 994 6687
Top Dog, Elizabeth Parry, Via Cantonale 48, Vernate, Tel. 091 605 6722
Vets. As with your own healthcare, the best way to find a vet who speaks your
language is to ask another TASIS parent. There are a number of English-speaking vets
in the Lugano area including:
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Ulli Scheu, 6944 Cureglia, Tel. 091 966 98 25
•
Wolfgang Rohr, Via S. Salvatore 4, 6900 Lugano-Paradiso, Tel. 091 994 83 32
•
Paola Juri, Via Pestariso 5, 6982 Agno, Tel. 091 6053863
16. SHOPPING AND MONEY
Shopping hours are generally more restricted than in many other countries. It is
common for shops to close for lunch and to close at an early hour on Saturdays. Very
few shops are open on Sunday. If you are desperate, try gas stations, which are often
open late.
The Piccadilly and Migrolino shops, located at some gas and train stations, and the
Piccobello convenience store at Lugano train station stock basic fruit, vegetables and
sundry other foods. They are generally open seven days a week and close daily at
22:00 (21:00 on Saturdays and Sundays).
Supermarkets:
Migros sells mainly own-brand goods. The range available depends on the size of the
store, which is indicated by the number of Ms on the sign outside the shop. MMM
stores stock groceries and non-food items, such as clothes and toys.
Coop shops stock the basics. The Co-op in the center of Lugano also stocks non-food
items. Coop also has the largest selection of organic (bio) foods.
Manor is more upmarket with fresh fish, meat, and cheeses and an extensive wine
selection. They also stock a selection of English, American, and ethnic food.
Denner is a budget chain that is often limited in range.
Aldi is a German budget retailer.
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On-line shopping:
Coop At Home and LeShop.ch (Migros) run online shopping services. LeShop
deliveries are usually made on Wednesdays.
American Food Avenue and American Market stock American food for the
homesick.
BritShop and MyExpatShop stock British food and a few other items.
Productos Argentinos stocks Argentinian food and wine.
Dutch Store is an online Dutch supermarket
El Maiz specializes in Mexican and South American items.
Salsa Shop sells dips, sauces, and salsas.
The Asian Market stocks a selection of cuisine from fresh to frozen to packets,
Indian, Thai, Ghana, Chinese and much more; Via alla Valletta 4, 6900 Lugano Tel:
091 966 16 27.
And if you don't want to cook we recommend this catering and private chef service:
Panita's Thai Kitchen, Tel. 079 777 0830.
All for Kids stocks toys, games, crafts, and other child-focused treats.
Boesner sells art supplies; click to the Switzerland site. In German but easy to
navigate.
Shopping in Italy is cheaper and often includes a greater variety of products. Regular
leaflet drops by Italian supermarkets list the range of products on offer. Check at the
border for duty-free restrictions. Bennet (Via Asiago 40, 22100 Como) is just across
the border.
Comparis.ch gives general information and price comparisons on insurance,
financing, and mobile phones.
Toppreise is a price comparison site for electronic and household goods.
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Milan is an easy day trip. Driving isn’t the best option; Milan is a confusing city with
an Area C congestion charge and very limited parking. Taking the train is relaxing
and fast.
Trenitalia departs from Lugano and arrives at Stazione Centrale
Trenord departs from Como and arrives at Stazione Cardona in Piazza Cardona.
Money. Many Swiss banks offer a range of online services and literature in English.
Checks/cheques are not used in Switzerland; all payments are made via credit slips or
e-banking.
Many Swiss use cash as opposed to cards, and please be aware that some shops and a
few restaurants only take cash.
17. FINDING ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation can be difficult in Lugano, particularly near the Collina D’Oro. The
following websites lists properties for lease or purchase:
• Immo Scout 24
• Homegate.ch
One of the best ways to find accommodation is through word-of-mouth, since many
people do not rent or sell their property via an estate agent. The TPA regularly
advertises rental or purchase opportunities from TASIS families.
18. INTERNATIONAL CLUBS IN TICINO
International Women’s Club of Lugano
American Women of Ticino
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19. ENGLISH BOOKS
Book Nook: Ticino’s only full service lending library and used book seller dedicated
to serving the English speaking community.
During the year, the TPA organises used book sales to help raise money for various
TPA initiatives. Parents are encouraged to donate books in any language for these
sales and also to purchase books during the sales. Information about sales can be
found on the TPA Website and in the weekly school bulletin.
English books can be ordered through Amazon (the UK store tends to be faster than
the German store) or via Book Depository.
20. USEFUL WEBSITES
Expat resources:
Australia
Denmark
India
Japan
New Zealand
Scandinavia
Glocals connects expats and locals across Switzerland
Expat with Kids is run by a former Lugano mom and includes an excellent list of
links
Expat Moms in Switzerland is especially good for parents with young children
English Forum Switzerland is a chatroom that covers a variety of topics
Newcomer’s Club includes a variety of information about clubs and organizations
around Switzerland
Xpatxchange includes a wide range of information
Summer 2013 ● 22
Meteo Swiss is a weather website in English
Search.ch and Local.ch are online telephone and address directory
Swiss Info is a multilingual news and information site run by the Swiss Broadcasting
Company
Swiss World is run by the Swiss Confederation and discusses customs, politics, and
travel
Summer 2013 ● 23
kp/27/08/2013

TPA Survival Guide

Transcription

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