IPEI President Jennifer Engel shared a favorite quote of an Ithaca teacher: “I am a teacher who dreams. I dream up ideas of all different sizes that center on creating meaningful learning experiences for my students. I am grateful that the Ithaca Public Education Initiative has supported me with grants … for memorable opportunities for my students.”
In this spirit, the IPEI Board passed a resolution to show appreciation to Terry R. Byrnes, our immediate past president, by naming one of the first Connecting Classroom Grants in her honor. “Connecting All Students through Sustainable Agriculture” is led by Carlan Gray, I.H.S. Science; Scott Breigle, I.H.S. Technology; and Karen Kiechle, I.H.S. Special Education.
Developing a high-tunnel at l.H.S will create the infrastructure necessary to support work-based learning necessary for the new CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) graduation credential, a long term science elective, and a project-based curriculum for our technology classes.”
Engel continued, “Terry helped to nurture and grow IPEI through all kinds of conditions. We hope she will ‘dig in’ with all of her skills by following this grant that will span more than one school year and growing season."
Updates from the Ithaca Public Education Initiative
Monday, May 18, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015
DeWitt, IHS Win Big at NYS Technology Competition, Look To Nationals
DeWitt, IHS
Win Big at NYS Technology Competition, Look To Nationals
Eighth-grader Felix
Shi named Student of the Year
ITHACA, May 1, 2015 — Teams from DeWitt Middle School and Ithaca
High School (IHS) have brought home a busload of awards from the annual New
York State Technology Student Association (NYSTSA) competition. Now they have
set their sights on bigger things at the national level.
The NYSTSA competition was held
at SUNY Oswego on April 17. It involved 29 events, from extemporaneous speech to
video game design. Several events required design and performance competitions
for structures and vehicles, including bridges, cranes, catapults, gliders, CO2-propelled
dragsters, and solar cars. Individuals and groups from DeWitt and IHS won first
place in 11 events and second in 10.
Earning first place in all four
of the events he entered, DeWitt 8th-grader Felix Shi was named
NYSTSA Student of the Year for the middle-school division. Shi is gratified but
quick to share the credit. “Winning shows that all of my hard work preparing
has paid off,” Shi says. “But since most of my events were team events, my
teammates deserve a lot of the recognition too.”
Now DeWitt and IHS TSA members are
preparing to go to the national TSA competition, to be held in Dallas from June
28 to July 2. Over 7,000 students from 49 states and several countries are
expected. Perennially, both IHS and DeWitt are among the top competitors at TSA
nationals. (DeWitt’s Francesca Chu, now at IHS, won first place in the Essays
on Technology event at the TSA national competition in 2014.)
The national TSA gathering is a
transformative opportunity for students. “It's not only a competition, it’s
also very social,” notes Shi. “Students come from around the world. It is very
easy to strike up a lengthy conversation with someone from Germany! And when I
am surrounded by such creative and dedicated people, it influences me to also
think outside the box.”
Bob Walters, who heads the
DeWitt team with fellow teacher Dave Buchner, agrees that TSA is about much
more than traveling, competing, and winning. “The beauty of technology
engineering education,” says Walters, “is that students really develop 21st-century
skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, engineering process,
technology literacy, leadership, and teamwork. Students can easily see the
fruits of their labor, which builds their motivation and engagement. And this
skill development and engagement are especially strong in TSA.”
DeWitt and IHS students will be
pulling late nights from now through June to prepare for TSA nationals.
Meanwhile, faculty advisors and parents are busy raising funds and managing
logistics to make the trip possible. The IHS group, under the direction of
faculty advisor Bill Sauve, has prepared a video crowdfunding campaign. See http://bit.ly/1HYE0Md
to view and contribute.
Shi and all TSA members from
both schools are grateful for the support.
“We love TSA and work hard at it,” he says. “But we know it all depends
on help from our teachers, parents, and donors. We’re going to do our best in
Dallas to make everyone proud. And then in the future, hopefully we’ll use our skills
to give even more back to the community.”
DeWitt TSA and IHS TSA are Associate Members of IthacaSTEM Advocates,
an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI). IPEI is a
not-for-profit organization that believes the education of every ICSD student
is enhanced through community connections and support facilitated by IPEI for
students and teachers through engagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants.
More information about IthacaSTEM Advocates and IPEI can be found at www.ithacastem.org and www.ipei.org. For further information about
the Technology Student Association, see www.tsaweb.org.
FINE ARTS BOOSTER GROUP AWARDS GRANTS FOR ITHACA DISTRICT PROJECTS
The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, has awarded $2,015 in mini-grants to Ithaca City District School (ICSD) projects that will reach 865 students. Funded projects include support for an Ithaca High School visual arts project collaboration with an international orphan organization, a Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) local composer project, a Boynton Middle School international composer project shared with all secondary schools, a Northeast Elementary School Vitamin L concert, and Ithaca High independent senior projects.
For example, Australian composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons, and preparation for a performance of her music.
Mary Ann Erickson, FABG’s Grants Committee Chair notes, “The Grants Committee is excited that these projects connect teachers and their students with resources in the community that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”
Grant funds are made possible through FABG performance booklet ad sales and donations. The boosters produce performance booklet programs for middle and high school concerts and plays, totaling over thirty events each year.
The next mini-grant deadline is Fall 2015. Email president@fabgithaca.org or check the Fine Arts Booster Group website at www.fabgithaca.org for an application.
An affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the FABG works in partnership with the ICSD to advocate, support and celebrate all the arts for all the kids. The Fine Arts Boosters strive for increased student access and participation, and for equity in the arts programs. The boosters believe the arts – music, dance and visual, literary and theater arts – are a central part of every child’s public school education. Visit www.fabgithaca.org.
IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that believes the education of every ICSD student is enhanced through community connections and support facilitated by IPEI for students and teachers through engagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants. Visit www.ipei.org.
An affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the FABG works in partnership with the ICSD to advocate, support and celebrate all the arts for all the kids. The Fine Arts Boosters strive for increased student access and participation, and for equity in the arts programs. The boosters believe the arts – music, dance and visual, literary and theater arts – are a central part of every child’s public school education. Visit www.fabgithaca.org.
IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that believes the education of every ICSD student is enhanced through community connections and support facilitated by IPEI for students and teachers through engagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants. Visit www.ipei.org.
Ongoing FABG initiatives include mini-grants to teachers, printing the performance booklets for ICSD secondary schools’ concerts and drama productions; fundraising; Play It Again, Ithaca (collection of used musical instruments and funds to purchase new instruments for use in the schools); and various advocacy efforts in support of arts in the schools.
FABG is open to all K-12 staff, parents, students and community members and is concerned with all arts areas. Join the group and volunteer to work on goals – communication, advocacy, grant giving, fundraising, community connections, and instrument recycling.
FABG Spring 2015 Mini-Grant List:
Greg McQuade, Northeast Elementary, music, $500
A Vitamin L concert and associated lessons for the entire school
Michael Allen, Boynton Middle School, music, $500
Australian Composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons and preparation for a performance of her music from October 12 – 16, 2015.
Ann-Marie Thayer, Lehman Alternative Community School, music, $500
LACS Concert Band will work with local composer, Bill Calhoun, to prepare and perform one of his compositions.
A Vitamin L concert and associated lessons for the entire school
Michael Allen, Boynton Middle School, music, $500
Australian Composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons and preparation for a performance of her music from October 12 – 16, 2015.
Ann-Marie Thayer, Lehman Alternative Community School, music, $500
LACS Concert Band will work with local composer, Bill Calhoun, to prepare and perform one of his compositions.
Carol Spence, Ithaca High School art, $315
The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits (drawings, paintings, digital art, etc) for children and teens around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged.
Alexis Lord, Ithaca High School, multi-arts, $500
The grant will assist WISE students in their independent senior projects and presentations.
Alexis Lord, Ithaca High School, multi-arts, $500
The grant will assist WISE students in their independent senior projects and presentations.
IPEI Seeks Volunteers
The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) is seeking community members interested in volunteer ing for IPEI’s committees or board of directors. Join the effort to support local public education and become an IPEI volunteer. Volunteers do not need to have children currently enrolled in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD). Skills and interests in a variety of areas are needed ; see IPEI website for a listing of opportunities (http://www.ipei.org/index.php?page=volunteer) or contact IPEI byphone (607)256-4734 or email ipei@ipei.org.
“A good public education is at the core of a healthy and vibrant community. The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) supports and enhances education for all students in the I CSD. Being an IPEI board member or committee member enables you to be a part of this fun and challenging task ," states IPEI Board and Committee member Martha Frommelt. "The creativity and commitment of our teachers and administrators is inspiring. Viewing this work, and supporting it through IPEI’s grants and programs, and the work of the board and committees, makes the future of our community look bright!”
IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that believes the education of every ICSD student is enhanced through community connections and support facilitated by IPEI for students and teachers through engagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants. Visitwww.ipei.org for more information.
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