Question 1

1. Is there a PTA and which types of activities and initiatives do they purpose to the school community?

Accepted Answer

Francesca: Yes, as a member of the PTA, we are always looking for new people to be a part of our community, to help us with events but also to create a community within us.
Maurizia: Our PTA will be a community of families and teachers where they can create opportunities to help, to be friends, to learn more about different countries… and of course to create a lot of fabulous events!

Question 2

2. How can new families connect with/be part of the PTA?

Accepted Answer

Francesca: we have a website www.h-is-PTA.com (http://www.h-is-pta.com/)and email pta.ve@h-is.com(mailto:pta.treviso@h-is.com)
Elisabetta: I’ve been part of the PTA since this year, and I’d recommend new family members to join us, because it’s a collaborative way to be part of our children’s school life.

Question 3

3. Where do most of the school families live?

Accepted Answer

Francesca, Elisabetta, Maurizia: Treviso, Roncade (TV), Venezia, Mestre (VE), Mogliano (VE), San Donà di Piave (VE), Quarto d’Altino (VE).

Question 4

4. If a family is not originally from the local area, which towns/areas should they consider first when looking for housing?

Accepted Answer

Francesca: It depends on your preferences: I personally live in Treviso, because I like the town vibe and the school has bus transportation from and to the campus.
Elisabetta: Since we moved to Roncade from Verona to attend this school, we focused on Roncade both because it’s convenient for the school and because it was easy to find new buildings under construction to buy.
Claudia: Venice is a unique experience, everything is in walking distance or some vaporetto stops. Children walk! And walk alone!
Maurizia: If families need to be near the school, Roncade, Treviso and Quarto d’Altino will be nearest. But also Venezia and Padova are well served by bus.
Katherine: If a family has teenagers I would recommend living in or outside the wall of Treviso: it is a very safe city and the teenagers like to meet in the centre on the weekends. Living outside the wall South of the city has the added advantage of less traffic in the morning and evening when going and coming from school.
Ayse: My suggestion is to get settled for first years in the city centre of any city (Treviso, Venezia or Padova): outside of the city, family can get isolated very easily.
Michela: If you choose to live in a small town, Mogliano is a small town very well located: 10 minutes by train from both Venice and Treviso, 20 minutes by car from the school. School bus is near in Marcon. I suggest to living in the centre: there is a cinema and a lot of small restaurants, kebab, Japanese… Doctors, dentist and shops… everything is near…

Question 5

5. Which areas are convenient if students use the school bus?

Accepted Answer

Claudia: If you live in Venice, walking distance from Piazzale Roma leaves at 7:40 a.m. and is back at 5.10 p.m.
Elisabetta: School offers many options for bus transportation for the students.
Maurizia: School offers great service with bus from Treviso, San Donà di Piave, Venezia-Mestre and Padova, but also public service will arrive with line MOM from Quarto d’Altino railways.

Question 6

6. Are there local organizations/events for Expats?

Accepted Answer

Monica: In Treviso there are two expats groups that organize gathering: Expat Treviso and International Woman of Treviso, both on Facebook.
 
Claudia: There are Expat Associations in Venice, too many to mention here.

Question 7

7. Does the school give contacts of local real estate agents or families who rent temporary housing?

Accepted Answer

Katherine: Our family used Stima Agency and dealt with Sabrina: she helped us organize everything long distance and was great. They are located in Treviso.
Ayse: We also contacted Stima Agency and dealt with Sabrina: she is great and understands your needs.
Michela: I can suggest the agent who helped me in Mogliano/Treviso: Enrico Polito (Gergo Immobiliariare).

Question 8

8. Which activities can I do in the local area with my children?

Accepted Answer

Claudia: Venice residents can access for free the 9 Musei Civici: Palazzo Ducale, Museo Correr, Ca’ Rezzonico, Museo del 700 Veneziano, Casa di Carlo Goldoni, Museo di palazzo Mocenigo, Ca’ Pesaro, Galleria Internationale di Arte Moderna, Museo di Storia Naturale and Museo del Vetro di Murano.
Elisabetta: The area is full of enjoyable cycle paths. The Comune di Roncade has a whatsapp profile where gives general information and proposes some offers for children and adults.

Question 9

9. Are there sport local teams/associations for my children?

Accepted Answer

Monica: we enjoy horse riding (at Fontane and Casale Centers), tennis at Eurotennis, swimming at Natatorium… all in Treviso.
 Francesca: My daughter does professional swimming in Rosa Blu at Monastier: it is a very good team!
 Claudia: In Venice swimming at Piscina Sant’Alvise, rowing on the Laguna and basket at Palazzetto Arsenale.
 Elisabetta: Roncade is full of sports offer: my son is joining the Atletica Roncade and he looks to enjoy it a lot. 
 Maurizia: In Mestre you can find sport offers for swimming, tennis, volleyball, rugby, football, skating, gymnastic (artistic and rhythmic). There are good local teams in Mestre.
 Katherine: My child does figure skating: she trains in Padova which is about 40 minutes from Treviso. There are also several volleyball teams in Treviso and the surrounding areas.
Michela: Mogliano is really top for sports. Have a look at the Associazione Polisportiva Mogliano/Rugby Mogliano/Football/Skate (skate park officina 31021)/dance/Volley (only girls) /Tennis Club Mogliano/ Golf Club Villa Condulmer/ horse riding…but  no swimming pool…

Question 10

10. Are there music schools or private music teachers for my children?

Accepted Answer

Claudia: In Venice La Fenice Membership “Amici della Fenice”, allows attending the Prove Generali.
Maurizia: In Mestre you can find three big Music School.

Question 11

11. Could you give recommendations for pediatricians, dentists or other medical professionals?

Accepted Answer

Claudia: Venezia has a big hospital Santissimi Giovanni e Paolo https://www.aulss3.veneto.it(https://www.aulss3.veneto.it/)
Maurizia: For public pediatricians it depends on which part of the city you live, but if you’re looking for private pediatricians you can go to Centro di Medicina or Fleming (in Mestre).
Ayse: I would suggest a private pediatrician, one gets lost in first hand with the public health system. Then they can move to public afterward. Emergency room is pretty fast and easy for children. I would also recommend to check vaccination schedule for new families: Veneto/Italy has different timetable. puntounicovaccinazioni@aulss2.veneto.it: this is for pediatric vaccination, public, very efficient and free. Maybe getting codice fiscale and tessera sanitaria - even not the permanent one - might be a hassle for a newcomer: I would send info on that too if needed.