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.

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: