Monday, January 18, 2016

UPDATED: IPEI’s Adult Spelling Bee is Sunday, March 6


It's time to sign up to spell or sponsor-- Deadline is Feb. 12!

Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual IPEI Adult Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ithaca High School Wellness Center Gym. The Bee is a family-friendly community event with 28 spelling bee teams - three team members each - as well as an official pronouncer, timekeeper, and judges.

Free and open to the public, it is the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)’s signature fundraising event raising funds for IPEI grants for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers. Last year over $90,000 in grants was awarded for projects that enhance the education of ICSD students.

This fun-filled gathering draws a large crowd of all ages eager to watch the teams of spellers representing local businesses, schools, and community groups. This year there will be a play area available for children accompanied by a parent or caregiver, and a photo booth for both teams and spectators. Team costumes are encouraged, and cheering sections rally the competitors as the teams battle it out to make it to the championship round vying for the Fuzzy Bee trophy.

This year’s Bee will pilot a spelling competition format based on the Bozeman School Foundation, Montana. With this new approach, teams in each round will be given the same words to spell at the same time, and the pace of spelling is expected to increase.

Thanks to the Bee’s event sponsors, all other proceeds go directly toward funding IPEI grants for teachers.  The Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor is Chemung Canal Trust Company, and the Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor is Wells Fargo Financial Advisors. Sciarabba Walker and Cayuga Radio Group are Gold Ribbon Sponsors.

Spelling Bee team entry fees (minimum $400 each) are paid by local businesses and organizations or by the spellers themselves who can choose to use the GiveGab peer-to-peer fundraising format set up by IPEI. Online registration is available as well as entry form documents that can be downloaded from Spelling Bee Events page at www.IPEI.org

Throughout the event and starting at 1:30 p.m. when the doors open, there’s a silent auction and other ways for event spectators to participate. In advance of the Bee, advertisements can be purchased in the event program, and spellers will be seeking community support.

Tickets for a quilt raffle can be purchased on March 6, or in advance at PTA meetings; Cat’s Pajamas; Boynton Middle, DeWitt Middle and Ithaca High School winter music concerts; and the IPEI office. The quilt that has been created by retired teachers and friends of IPEI (Peggy Hill, Connie Patterson, Judy Steele and Marcie Wyant) and will be on display at DeWitt Mall during Gallery Night on February 5.


Contact the Spelling Bee Committee, ipei@ipei.org to get involved or with questions. The chair is Jennifer Biloski, jbiloski@twcny.rr.com, 607-227-1905.

"Print as Language" Grant Resulted in Art about Freedom

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day, IPEI is sharing the recent Red and Gold Grant activities of Kari Krakow, Ithaca High School teacher of “English as Native Language”. "Print as Language” activities about the art of printmaking included work with the Johnson Museum of Art educators at the Cornell museum and in their Ithaca High classroom. Krakow planned for her students “to prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.”
The project culminated with their printed posters about Human Rights being hung throughout Ithaca High to publicize messages about freedom, and submitted to 2015 Human Rights Art Competition coordinated by the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights and the Dorothy Cotton Institute.
The 28th Annual Human Rights Art Competition encouraged students in grades kindergarten through 12 to explore issues central to universal—civil, political, economic, social and cultural—rights. The United Nations’ 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights served as inspiration for this year’s artists.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

BJM Girls Learn Wellness through Yoga and Art with IPEI Grant

Ten girls, ages eight to ten, sit quietly, knee-to-knee, in a circle under tall windows in Beverly J. Martin Elementary (BJM) School’s music room just before dusk on a winter day. Marie Vitucci, BJM enrichment coordinator and children’s yoga teacher, sits in the circle and leads the group in an exercise in which they breathe in, then out, exhaling the word “peace.” She then asks the students to visualize a “yoga star,” instructing them to put it in their pocket to access anytime they need to be calm and present.

After a closing “Namaste,” the girls rise and grab large sketchpads, placing them by their socked feet, as teaching artist Stiller Zusman guides them through various positions and movements that they will soon draw.  “Our mission here is to draw ourselves from the inside out,” Zusman tells the students who float gently around the classroom to soothing music, then “freeze” every so often to sketch with crayons their poses by recalling the energy of their previous movements.    

Such activities are part of a four-week program called “Art then Yoga,” designed by Vitucci, Zusman, and Melissa Enns, a social worker at BJM, to help develop self-assurance and positive self-image among young girls. Participants are enrolled in A+ Extended Day, an afterschool program at BJM, and attend two art and yoga sessions per week. It is funded by an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Red and Gold Grant and supports the the Ithaca City School District (ICSD)’s health curriculum by encouraging physical activity and wellness within the school day and beyond. Red and Gold Grants are one-time awards of up to $500 for projects that strengthen and enrich learning in the ICSD.  

"We applied for the grant because we know that yoga and figure drawing can help girls focus on their inner selves and increase their self-esteem and confidence.” The idea, Zusman noted in their grant application, is to introduce a drawing technique “where each child’s awareness of their physical self is the reference for their images.” Further, she said: “The children's attention is directed to their balance, tension, relationship to gravity, and posture; and this becomes the basis for their drawings. This is a well-known trick in art for accurate, lively figures. It is also a great practice for improving self-awareness.”   

This art aspect, Vitucci added, is a “natural partner with yoga, which is also a practice of internal reference.” Vitucci’s yoga teachings during the grant program focus on increasing self-awareness, positive energy, and core strength essential for body alignment.

After just a couple weeks into the program, Vitucci said she noticed a high level of enthusiasm. “The girls ask all week for art and yoga class,” she said. “The group seems to be starting to become an entity. The girls are learning with each other. There seems to be acceptance and letting down of guards. They also seem to want to follow Stiller's lead and just move gracefully feeling how their bodies work. I am really enjoying this so far! It’s so unique.”

The grant project also includes a communications component in which Enns discusses topics around self-esteem and healthy lifestyles with the participating girls throughout the school day in an effort to help them connect what they learn in the grant program to their regular day. Enns said the girls have responded positively.

They all report loving it, and learning a lot about yoga and drawing,” she said. “They really enjoy moving their bodies around and then getting in poses that they draw, as well as drawing their bodies inside out. One student said she is learning how to focus on her body and that can teach her how to focus more in school. Another student said that she learns how to get calm, which can help her when she feels angry at school. Another stated that she is going to share things she does to relax with the group next week, and she is excited to do that.”

The grant recipients hope to expand this pilot program to serve more students in the future. “We think that combining the mindful practices of yoga and figure drawing with the opportunities to communicate issues that come at school will help the participants become more successful in school and life.”  

IPEI is a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that develops supportive community and private sector relationships with the Ithaca City School District. Founded in 1996, IPEI is committed to connecting school and community through collaboration, engagement, gifts and grants.  For more information, visit www.ipei.org or contact 256-IPEI (4734).


 By Heather Zimar, IPEI Public Relations Committee member and ICSD parent

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Congrats to Red and Gold Grant Recipients Round 2, 2015-16

Congratulations to the newest Red and Gold Grant Recipients 2015-16, Round 2 (one-time awards for 13 projects proposed by ICSD teachers and others totaling $6,365)!

Crazy for Caldecott and Nutty for Newbery!
Tara Caiza/Belle Sherman
Drop Everything and Read to ME *
Alexander Santana/Beverly J. Martin
The Art in Geography!
Cara Salibrici and Haley O’Donnell/Boynton
Exploring African –American Culture through the Arts
Linda Dickey/Boynton
Shadow Instillations
Kerri Burke/Caroline
Tractor Power
David Buchner, Trisha Armstrong/DeWitt
Hands On Science
Abigail Bokaer/Fall Creek
It’s All OK! Social and Emotional Development at Fall Creek School.
Cathertine Hart/Fall Creek
Let’s Get Reading! Developmentally Appropriate Non-Fiction Materials for Kids.
Diane Houghton/Fall Creek
LACS Ukulele Choir 2015
Kaile Tsapis/LACS
IMMERSIVE WORLDS
Gary Bercow/LACS
Building the Future
Tammy Hansen, Jennifer Morgan, Sandra Rouleau, Marnie Ecklund/Northeast
Language, Rhythm and Rhyme
Beth Jump-Wixson/South Hill

* Selected to be funded by a gift from a retired ICSD teacher who encourages additional creative integration of music into elementary curricula.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Citizen Science Action Project Engaged Four Schools' Fifth Graders



On December 22, students and adults gathered for a symposium at the Greenstar Space culminating this fall's Citizen Science Action Project (CSAP).  CSAP involved over 175 Ithaca City School District fifth-grade students in nine classrooms at four schools taking action on an issue that’s been plaguing each of their local communities - invasive species.

The project, one year in the making, is a four-month learning expedition co-created by nine teachers. Through generous support from ICSD and IPEI’s Connecting Classrooms Grant, each teacher committed over 70 hours of planning time into the expedition.

Learning expeditions like the Citizen Science Action Project (CSAP) represent a bold commitment by ICSD and IPEI to support innovative and site-specific education.

ICSD 5th graders work on CSAP about two hours each day, learning much of their life science content and fall English Language Arts skills through the expedition.

In addition, students are learning how to communicate their thinking with peers across different classrooms through their new Chromebooks. CSAP consists of three case studies and a culminating project.

In Case Study #1 (September) students built background knowledge of food webs and ecosystem.

In Case Study #2 (October) students have been investigating an ecosystem at a local field site, examining the interactions of organisms there. From this, students are discovering an invasive species at their field site.

In Case Study #3 (November) students will research their invasive species, and will investigate community approaches to managing their invasive species.

For their culminating project, students will argue an approach to managing the species at a poster presentation session. “In our seven weeks of CSAP, we’ve seen students living the mission statement - engaged, invested in their education, and empowered, all through thinking critically about issues in their own backyards,” said Brian Goodman, 5th Grade Teacher, Enfield Elementary.


The field sites included Cascadilla Gorge, Caroline Wilderness Trail, Lower Treman State Park,Buttermilk Falls, and the four CSAP Schools: Beverly J. Martin, Caroline, Enfield, South Hill!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

IPEI Awards Two Connecting Classrooms Grants

 It's about working together!

IPEI, the Ithaca Public Education Initiative, has awarded two Connecting Classrooms Grants, the first in 2015-16 school year which is its second year. The Connecting Classrooms Grants program is IPEI's fourth and newest grants offering for teachers, staff and others with ideas for enhancing educational opportunities for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) students.

The two grants total $9,714 and will impact 1200 students, according to IPEI Grants Committee Chair Connie Patterson. The next review for additional Connecting Classroom Grants this year will be after the January 29, 2016 deadline for Statements of Interest.  “A Brief Introduction to West African Drum and Dance” is led by Jonathan Keefner, music teacher at Enfield Elementary School; and “Belle Sherman Outdoor Learning Space & Nature Trail Development – PHASE ONE” will be directed by Principal Daniel Breiman.

Ann Caren, IPEI Board Member and retired teacher, expressed: "This will give teachers who know their students well an opportunity to tailor grants to the interests and needs of their current students or think ahead to projects they might want to develop over the summer. Many teachers I know spend time over the upcoming break reflecting on the work they have done over the past four months and come back to school re-energized and ready to start a project in the spring. This is a chance for them to work with colleagues and have funds to think ahead at a time when school district funds have may have been expended for the year."

A Brief Introduction to West African Drum and Dance

Lead ICSD Applicant: Jonathan Keefner

With ICSD teachers: Christopher Bell, Karen Cushman, Jennifer Kivisild, Gregory McQuade, Ross Mizrahi, Dorothy Preston, Brandon Reyes; Sulley Imoro- Guest clinician; Moxie Kumba Ensemble- Performers;
Baruch Whitehead and the Ithaca College Drum and Dance Ensemble- Performers.

A Brief Introduction to West African Drum and Dance is a workshop series designed to give as many students in the district as possible the opportunity to interactively learn about West Africa culture, history, music, and life. At the end of the series every student who was involved will come together at the high school with Mr. Imoro and several other guest artists to perform the piece they learned for their peers, family, and the community. Collaborating teachers will gain the necessary resources and understanding of the topic to include an African drum and dance unit in their curriculum. This work will be able to  be included in a “world music” section of a curriculum, band will also have the sustainability to stand alone as a powerful addition to a regular year-long curriculum.

Belle Sherman Outdoor Learning Space & Nature Trail Development – PHASE ONE

Lead ICSD Applicant: Daniel Breiman

With ICSD teachers from both Belle Sherman and Caroline Elementary, Cornell Architecture students, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust

Teachers, specialists, teacher assistants, and teacher aides to plan across grade levels and buildings to develop engaging, authentic curriculum around a new nature trail at Belle Sherman Elementary School.  The grant project will build and strengthen local connections through the vast resources and expertise at Cornell University, Belle Sherman, Caroline Elementary, and locally.  The grant will also provide some materials and supplies to support the planning and development of the nature trail.
 
Connecting Classrooms Grants build on IPEI's successful models for encouraging and supporting innovative teaching and deeper learning. "Our intent is to be the catalyst for ICSD staff to seek and develop innovative collaborative partnerships between teachers within a school, across grade levels and/or between schools," according to Patterson. "It's about working together," said IPEI Executive Director Christine Sanchirico. "This is really our guiding principle for the new grants."

IPEI initiated Connecting Classrooms Grants using funds IPEI received from generous community members who donated to its Our Children * Our Schools * Our Future campaign. One of the capital campaign's three goals was to expand programs and grants. IPEI's other grants programs are funded by the Annual Fund and Adult Spelling Bee.

IPEI has allocated significant resources for Connecting Classroom Grant recipients to plan, develop, and implement their visions that are aligned with the grant criteria. Connecting Classrooms Grants criteria include: internal collaboration among ICSD staff; identification of overall promise or potential of project aligned with school and district goals; plan encourages active learning and student engagement; realistic, thoughtful outline of process; proposed budget aligns with project goals and intended outcomes; potential for academic impact; and process for effective evaluation of the project.

"IPEI is pleased and excited to support these fantastic proposals that find new ways to get students actively involved in learning and discovery. Each project was created by a group of educators who have chosen to focus on scientific content while incorporating language arts, math, and technology. We are impressed with the teachers' vision and commitment!" said Patterson, an IPEI board member and retired educator.

IPEI expects that these large scale projects will be oriented toward student engagement that support learning consistent with school and district goals. "IPEI has dedicated funding to encourage innovative thinking, further engage students, and increase the sense of community between groups of teachers and students," explained Patterson. To be considered for funding, projects must have a plan for sustainability and a method for evaluation. Patterson added that applicants first consider whether the request fits into IPEI's other grant categories (Teacher Grants, Red and Gold Grants, and Community Collaboration Grants). 

The next review of project proposals will be following the deadline for Statements of Interest, January 29, 2016.


IPEI's website (www.ipei.org) includes details on all its activities. For more information, contact ConnectingClassroomsGrants@IPEI.org or call (607) 256-4734.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

IPEI’s Adult Spelling Bee is Sunday, March 6




Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual IPEI Adult Spelling Bee, a family-friendly community event with 28 spelling bee teams - three team members each - as well as an official pronouncer, timekeeper, and judges. The Bee is the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)’s signature fundraising event raising funds for IPEI grants for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers. Last year over $90,000 in grants was awarded for projects that enhance the education of ICSD students.

Scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Ithaca High School Wellness Center Gym, this fun-filled gathering draws a large crowd of all ages eager to watch the teams of spellers representing local businesses, schools, and community groups. Team costumes are encouraged, and cheering sections rally the competitors as the teams battle it out to make it to the championship round vying for the Fuzzy Bee trophy.

This year’s Bee will pilot a new format based on the Bozeman School Foundation, Montana, with Jeopardy style rounds. With this new approach, teams in each round will be given the same words to spell at the same time, and the pace of spelling is expected to increase.

Thanks to the Bee’s event sponsors, all other proceeds go directly toward funding IPEI grants for The Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor is Chemung Canal Trust Company, and the Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor is Wells Fargo Financial Advisors. Sciarabba Walker and Cayuga Radio Group are Gold Ribbon Sponsors.

Spelling Bee team entry fees (minimum $400 each) are paid by local businesses and organizations or by the spellers themselves. While online registration after January 4 is encouraged, entry forms can also be downloaded from Events page at www.IPEI.org. During the Bee there’s also a silent auction and other ways for event spectators to participate. In advance of the Bee, advertisements can be purchased in the event program, and spellers will be seeking support.

Contact the Spelling Bee Committee, ipei@ipei.org to get involved or with questions. The chair is Jennifer Biloski, jbiloski@twcny.rr.com, 607-227-1905.

IPEI is a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that develops supportive community and private sector relationships with the ICSD.  Founded in 1996, IPEI is committed to connecting school and community through collaboration, engagement, gifts and grants.  For more information, see www.ipei.org or contact 256-IPEI (4734).