Do You Really Need to Know How to Spell?

This post was written by Martha Frommelt, IPEI Board member and member of Fine Arts Booster Group.

In today’s education world where technology is at our finger tips and spell check is in every computer program, do we really need to know how to spell?

I turn to an artist for the answer. Slam poet and former middle school teacher Taylor Mali uses his poem "The the Impotence of Proofreading" to give us a resounding, “yes, we need to know how to spell!”


I cheer on spellers. And encourage everyone to come to IPEI’s the Annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 2 at 2:00 in Ithaca High’s Wellness Center. In this event, high school student and adult teams come together to have fun and spell, an educational way to raise money for IPEI Teacher Grants.

Consider wrapping your thinking around spelling for an afternoon, as an audience member, a team member or a sponsor. It is great fun for a great cause…our teachers. Check out www.ipei.org or email jcs6@cornell.edu for more information!

As a Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) volunteer and Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) board member, I can attest to the fun and learning that will happen on March 2. And watch other art supporters defend their title from last year… the Fine Arts “Word” Boosters will be there.

But don't take my word for it - here's the first stanza of Taylor's poem, "The Impotence of Proofreading":


Has this ever happened to you?
You work very, very horde on a paper for English clash
And still get a very glow raid on it (like a D or even a D=)
and all because you are the liverwurst spoiler in the whale wide word.
Yes, proofreading your peppers is a matter of the the utmost impotence.

Spellabrate Good Times With IPEI!

Everyone is invited to the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Adult Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Ithaca High School’s Wellness Center Gym. There is no admission charge for the 16th annual event that features 28 spelling teams of three adults each competing for   the championship Fuzzy Bee trophy and raising funds for the IPEI’s grants for teachers. And although most teams bring their own cheering sections, there's always room in the gym for more fans!

 

There will be complimentary refreshments from local businesses and attendees can support grants for teachers by participating in the silent auction and pledging an amount per correctly spelled word. Doors open at 1:30 pm. to allow time for review of the auction items.

 

In the past, teams have come up with creative names like We Spell Krazy Good (WSKG), BJM Spell Casters, 3 of 6,000, Takin' Care of Buzz-ness, Spellabrate Good Times - Come On, Don't Stop Bee-lievin', The LACS Alternative Spellerz, and the Hilarious Spell-Loehrs. Two teams are back after multiple championships: the Spellicans and Fine Arts “Word” Boosters. Teams may be comprised of community members who want to support local public education and enjoy spelling. Others are closely connected to the Ithaca City School District (ICSD): Ithaca Teachers Association, ICSD Administration, ICSD Board of Education, Fall Creek Elementary School, Belle Sherman Elementary School, BJM Elementary School, Caroline Elementary School, Ithaca High School PTA, Ithaca High School Math Department, Lehman Alternative Community School, Fine Arts Booster Group, IthacaSTEM Advocates, and the Ithaca Council of PTAs.

 

Teams represent the event sponsors and team sponsors such as CFCU, Wegmans, Greenstar, Carol Bushberg Real Estate, Audrey Edelman RealtyUSA, Ithaca College, Harris Beach PLLC, CSP Management, Hunt Engineers, UPS Store, Ambis Dental,  Anchor Capital Management, Cats Pajamas, Buell-Mix Properties, Cotterill Agency, Haylor Freyer & Coon,  Robert Maciel Associates, Midstate Basement Authority, Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and Wordsmyth. Championship Round Prizes provided by DonorsChoose.org and Steve Ryan.

 

A big thanks goes to Chemung Canal Trust Company, the Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor for the fourth year, Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, and two Gold Ribbon Runner Up Sponsors, Cayuga Radio Group and Sciarabba Walker & Co.  Their corporate support covers all event expenses so that team sponsorships directly support grants for teachers. West Hill Graphics and Calf Audio are also key event partners.

 

 

Refreshments are being donated by Aladdin's Natural Eatery, B & W Supply Company, Collegetown Bagels, Cornell Orchards, Ithaca Coffee Company, Mark’s Pizzeria, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Ned’s Pizzeria, P&C Fresh, Subway, Tops, and Wings Over Ithaca. A new component of the Bee is a silent auction of 43 items. The Wellness Center doors will open at 1:30 pm. to allow time for review of the wide range of offerings items from restaurants, museums, retail shops, salons and spas, educational organizations, and inns. In addition, this year’s event program features advertisements from more generous businesses.

 

In case of severe inclement weather, a decision to cancel the event will be made by 9:00 a.m. on March 2. This decision will be posted on the web, and announced by Facebook and Twitter.

 

Deadline For Red and Gold Grant Applications Next Monday

The deadline for applications for the third round of Red and Gold Grants is February 24th, one week from today. Teachers, staff, students, and community members are invited to apply for these one-time grants.

Red and Gold Grants provide up to $500 to projects that strengthen and enrich the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) curriculum and actively engage students. These grants aim to provide needed funds for classroom and/or school projects and are not meant for long-term funding for ongoing projects. First priority will go to new and innovative project-based learning. 

At IPEI, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to help improve the ICSD experience for all students. But we can't do it without you - so tell us your great idea in a grant application today!

Galumpha Comes To Ithaca!

This year, IPEI is proud to once again sponsor Galumpha at the State Theatre, the live acrobatic trio that seeks to spark your imagination with their amazing visual effects, physical comedy, and choreography.

Galumpha will perform at the State Theatre tomorrow, February 15th, at 3:00 p.m. IPEI has partnered with the State Theatre to distribute free tickets to children under 12 who are accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Tickets are available at the State Theatre Box Office at 107 W State St., or by calling 607.277.8283.

IPEI, with assistance from the Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), works to connect community resources to the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).  The State Theatre’s mission is to enhance the cultural life of Ithaca and the Finger Lakes by preserving, operating and promoting the historic theatre as an active venue for national, international and community performances and programming.