Friday April 16, 2010, the 7th and 8th grade Italian students from Spring Harbor Middle School went on a field trip to visit the Italian Workmen’s Club (IWC) in Madison. Both classes had finished units of study on the Italian-American Experience. They had watched documentaries and movies about the Italian emigration to the USA, the early settlements on the East Coast, and the "Americanization" process.

Welcoming the students to the IWC were the president of the club, Frank Alfano, and "old-time" Greenbush residents, Catherine Caravello LeTourneau and Joe Cerniglia. Students listened intently to fascinating accounts told by Catherine and Joe of growing up in the Greenbush, and had the opportunity of confirming, first-hand, the facts they had learned in the readings and documentaries they had watched. The students were able to ask questions and take notes, which they later used to complete their written reports and presentations.

Everyone was then treated to a lunch of pizza, and also enjoyed delicious “biscotti” freshly baked for the occasion by Catherine Caravello LeTourneau.

Select photo to see larger view.

Scherzi di Carnevale

During February 2010, students taking the Saturday Italian language program at the Italian Workmen's Club learned about the Carnevale season that takes place in Italy during that time of the year, as well as the traditions of masquerading during this period. The photo to the right depicts the students during their performance of "Scherzi di Carnevale." They also learned about la Commedia dell'Arte, an old theatrical tradition that dates back 500 years using stock characters, each representing a particular personality. Students played and recited in Italian the roles of several of those characters, such as Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Colombina, Pantalone, Brighella, etc. and learned how each of these characters is connected to a different city in Italy. Students from the class include Atteo and Massimo Bellanzini, Gennarino and Ethena Conzemius, Lillian Cox, and Eli and Nell Pollack.

Madison Area Directories

Schools and Italian Language Programs

Select the links to view the type of school or schedules of Italian language programs available in Madison and Portage, Wisconsin.

Middle Schools

University of Madison - Credit Programs

Adult and Children Non-Credit Programs (evenings and weekends)

Fall 2010 Schedules Available Now

Updated July 6, 2010