IPEI, the Ithaca Public Education Initiative,
has awarded the first ever Connecting Classrooms Grants. 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.
Five grants totaling $34,950 were announced by
IPEI Grants Committee Chair Connie Patterson. “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.
“What’s our Role? Building Community and
Understanding our Local Environment: South Hill and Beverly J. Martin (BJM)
Elementary Schools’ Ecosystem Investigation” will be led by South Hill’s Jennifer
Wilkie and BJM’s Christine Barley who are collaborating with six other teachers
and two community partners.
Brian Goodman of Enfield Elementary School is
the lead teacher for “Citizen Scientists Action Project (C-SAP)” with ten teachers from four
buildings and the Floating Classroom.
“The Neandertal
in the Mirror” was initiated by
Boynton Middle School’s Paula Berman and her three colleagues at Boynton.
Ithaca High School’s Carlan Gray is leading
“Connecting All Students through Sustainable Agriculture” with three other Ithaca High
educators.
“Caroline Wilderness Campus
Curriculum Initiative” was
proposed by Principal Mary Grover who will involve all Caroline Elementary
School teachers.
“We couldn’t be more
thrilled at this vote of confidence IPEI has placed in our vision,” exclaimed
Wilkie. “The work we envision represents a powerful combination of rigorous
learning, married with the relevance of students knowing their local environment,
and valuing service to their local community. We are linking two schools who
are not typically partnered which acknowledges that we can help build
understanding and community in Ithaca, especially among young children.”
Barley
added, “We are thrilled to be partnering with local scientific illustrators and
community organizations Museum of the Earth, Cayuga Nature Center, and Trout in
the Classroom.”
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 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
for Fall 2015.
IPEI’s website (www.ipei.org) includes details on all its activities. For more information, contact ConnectingClassroomsGrants@IPEI.org or call (607) 256-4734.
IPEI’s website (www.ipei.org) includes details on all its activities. For more information, contact ConnectingClassroomsGrants@IPEI.org or call (607) 256-4734.
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.
