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!

MISSING: One Letter From The IPEI Spelling Bee

Specifically, 'U'!

We need YOU to join this exciting, once-a-year event as a member of one of 24 spelling teams in the competition on Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. in Ithaca High School's Wellness Center Gym. The Spelling Bee is run like an official spelling bee, with rules, a pronouncer, an MC, a timekeeper, and three judges. Entry is limited to just 24 teams of three members each. The team entry fee is $375, or $125 per speller.

In addition to being fun and intellectually stimulating, the Bee is IPEI’s signature fundraising event. Thanks to event sponsors, all proceeds go directly toward funding IPEI grants for teachers. The Blue Ribbon Champion Sponsor is Chemung Canal Trust Company, and the Red Ribbon Finalist Sponsor is Wells Fargo Financial Advisors. Sciarabba Walker and Cayuga Radio Group are Gold Ribbon Runner Up Sponsors.

During the 2012-13 school year, funds raised by the 15th annual Bee supported enhanced educational opportunities for students in classrooms at all grade levels throughout the Ithaca City School District (ICSD). According to data collected from teachers and others who received grants last year, IPEI grants strongly impact student engagement as evidenced by verbal and physical participation and excitement in learning. In addition, teachers say that IPEI grants have assisted their efforts to give Ithaca students the best educational experiences possible.

Contact Spelling Bee Committee Chair Judy Stewart with any questions, and sign up to participate here. Bee there (or bee square)!

Give Your Support to IPEI This #GivingTuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday, like Cyber Monday or Black Friday, is an opportunity to get in the holiday spirit by donating to the non-profit organizations that work hard for your community year-round. This year, we think you should donate to IPEI, and we've got ten great reasons why!

10. IPEI's Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca takes 2,900 ICSD elementary schoolers to eight Discovery Trail sites each year!

9. During the 2012-2013 school year, IPEI allocated more than $230,000 in grants, awards, and programs to Ithaca City School District teachers, schools and students!

8. Since 2001, the Fine Arts Booster Group has recycled 137 instruments, and granted over $144,000 to Ithaca City School District arts education, including 292 mini-grants!

7. This year, IPEI expanded with a new affiliate! IthacaSTEM Advocates provides teachers, parents, students, and schools with funding and opportunities for collaboration with Ithacans in STEM fields!

6. IPEI collaborates with many local Ithaca businesses. (Check out our honor roll!)

5. Each year, IPEI grants Red & Gold Grants up to $500 to bring interactive materials, special guests, and more to enhance the classroom experience of ICSD students! 

4. IPEI connects members of the Ithaca community to ICSD schools. And successful schools need community engagement!

3. The annual IPEI Spelling Bee. Need we say more?

2. IPEI helps make great kid-focused community events like Galumpha and Vitamin L concerts possible!

1. IPEI grants increase student engagement - and engagement matters!

So please, consider giving to IPEI this Giving Tuesday. We are grateful for all of your support!

Click here to give to IPEI for Giving Tuesday

Grants, Engagement, And Why IPEI Matters

Last year, IPEI allocated more than $230,000 to enhance the education of ICSD students through Teacher Grants, Red and Gold Grants, Community Collaboration grants; its two affiliate organizations; awards from special funds; and the Kids Discover the Trail! program. This year, we received research-based proof that IPEI initiatives are making a big difference for Ithaca kids.

Data from reports submitted by teachers who were awarded grants during the 2012-13 school year showed that student engagement rose by an average of nearly 50% following IPEI grant-funded activities. And for students identified as "performing below grade level," the average increase in engagement was even higher, almost doubling after participation in IPEI-funded programs!

So just what is student engagement? It's an important component of learning that can be difficult to measure. IPEI asked teachers who funded programs and activities with IPEI grants to observe students' body language, verbal participation, physical participation, independence, and excitement before and after the grant-funded activities.

We at IPEI are overjoyed to have what we have always believed officially confirmed. We are excited to continue providing resources to the amazing teachers of ICSD. But we can't do that without your  engagement - so consider donating to IPEI today!

Support IPEI - because engagement matters!