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.

 

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)!

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!