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!

We're All Abuzz About the Bee!

Each year, we at IPEI look forward to our signature fundraising event: the adult spelling bee. With rules, a pronouncer, an MC, a timekeeper, and three judges, the event is held at Ithaca High School and run as an official spelling bee. There are slots for 24 teams of three to compete, and the entry fee for competing is $375 per team ($175 per speller). All proceeds from the bee will go to grants for ICSD teachers!

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to support teachers and have a blast with the community - sign up before February 10th!

IPEI is at the Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair!

For a few more hours, you can come support IPEI at the Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair!

Here are the gifts that you can buy to support IPEI this holiday season:

$5 -  Books for elementary students to take home that complement Kids Discover the Trail! activities

$10 - Fine Arts Booster Group brings artists to support literacy and creativity into the ICSD schools

$15 - IthacaSTEM supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities in the ICSD

$20 - IPEI Grants for innovative projects strongly impact student engagement in the ICSD

$Open Amount - IPEI connects school and community to enhance the education of every student in the ICSD 

We'll see you at the Fair!

A Message From IPEI's Executive Director

I just completed my second month as IPEI's first Executive Director.  It's been a wonderful two months, and I am energized by the enthusiasm of all who are impacted by our work.

On my first day at IPEI, I had the privilege of attending the opening convocation for all teachers of the Ithaca City School District as they started the new school year.  As I was introduced around, each teacher I met expressed warm gratitude for IPEI's support of their ideas and dreams for their students.  It was so heartwarming. 

At the ribbon cutting for IPEI's first office at the Just Be Cause Center this fall, I heard a story that truly signifies what IPEI is all about.  A former Ithaca City School District student walked into our office to thank IPEI for a grant that allowed him, while in his senior year at IHS, to explore his dream for a career in music, a dream that is now becoming reality. 

I was so impressed by this testimonial. IPEI strives to engage our students in learning that will lead to their future success, to make their dreams come true.  And IPEI's commitment to partnering with teachers and community organizations creates the strong roots from which these successes blossom.

IPEI makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students, in the classrooms of our teachers, and in the strength of our community. I look forward to continuing IPEI's work with the schools and the community to keep the dreams alive. 

Kids Discover the Trail! Featured at Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours

On Wednesday, October 9th, IPEI’ will host the monthly Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours highlighting Kids Discover the Trail!  for the business community.

This month’s showcase will be held at Cornell Plantations from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this unique collaboration between IPEI, the Discovery Trail, and the Ithaca City School District that services 2,900 ICSD elementary schoolers. There will also be wine and beer, light refreshments, and door prizes that include memberships to the Johnson Museum, the Sciencenter, and more!

Tickets are only $12 and can be purchased here.

You can read the official release from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce below the jump:

It's PARTY Time!

We at IPEI are preparing excitedly to move into our amazing new space at the Just Be Cause Center in the coming weeks. And now, you can share our excitement!

This coming Sunday, Agava is hosting the party of the summer - the first annual Just Be Cause Party! From 5pm to 9pm, there will be food, drinks, and live music to celebrate this great nonprofit center. And the best part is that the proceeds from this new annual event will be split between the JBCC and another local nonprofit. This year, we will help Loaves and Fishes celebrate 30 years of providing food, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for those in need in our community. 

Tickets are $50 each and include a fabulous dinner, dancing, and music provided by local favorites, Little Joe and the Big Shots. Tickets are available at Agava, Island Health and Fitness, Terra Rosa in the Triphammer Shopping Plaza, Pastimes in the Dewitt Mall, The Cancer Resource Center and CSP Management.

And remember, we're not having a party just because - it's a party for a Just Cause!

IPEI and Library Lion Head Downtown

If you walk down Bank Alley, you may see a familiar lion that loves to read. Local artist Sandra Carr generously donated her time to capturing the beloved Kids Discover the Trail! character on a mural for IPEI. We love seeing such a great representation of our organization, and hopefully you will too!