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!

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!

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!

IPEI Fall 2013 Grant Deadlines

It may seem hard to believe given last weekend’s heat wave, but it is already October! And with October comes deadlines if you’re a teacher, staff member, administrator, parent, or community member with a great idea for a grant. Here are some important fall deadlines to keep in mind:

• Teacher Grants, due November 1st - these grants of up to $1,500 are awarded to teachers for innovative projects that bring community resources into the classroom and selected through a competitive review process
• Red and Gold Grants, due October 21st - these grants of up to $500 are awarded to teachers and anyone else in the school community including students and parents for projects that strengthen and enrich the schools
• Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) Mini-Grants, due October 30th - these grants are awarded to support arts activities in the schools, including collaborations, visiting artists, and musical equipment
• Community Collaboration Grants - these grants of up to $3,000 are awarded to community organizations wishing to initiate curricular-enhancing projects with district schools. You can be apply for a Community Collaboration Grant at any time.

We have already received a number of great submissions, and can’t wait to see more!

For more information, visit our website or give us a call at (607) 256-4734.

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:

Moving, Moving, Moved!

It's the beginning of August, and in Ithaca that means moving season! This August IPEI, like so many college and graduate students, moved into a new home - our first office!

The office is located at the Just Be Cause center on 1013 W State St. The Just Be Cause center is a not-for-profit development center founded by Jerry Dietz in memory of his late wife Judy. Judy was a pillar of the Ithaca community who devoted her time and passion to improving the little city she loved.

We are so grateful to Jerry for our great new space which will enable us to better serve the Ithaca City School District!

The Just Be Cause Not-For-Profit Development Center!

Jerry Dietz with IPEI Board President Terry Byrnes

IPEI Development Committee Chair Mary Grainger and Board President Terry Byrnes hard at work!

IPEI Welcomes Christine Sanchirico As First Executive Director

After an extensive search, IPEI has named Christine Sanchirico as its first executive director. Ms. Sanchirico has served the Ithaca community for years, and has an impressive history with local nonprofits. She was the executive director of Catholic Charities, executive director of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (now the Cancer Resource Center), executive administrator of the Women’s Community Building, and interim executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Tompkins County (now Tompkins Learning Partners).

“It is a true honor to join IPEI at such an exciting time in its history and to have the chance to work in partnership with such a dedicated group of board members and volunteers,” Sanchirico said in a statement. “I am the proud parent of three adult children, all of whom attended ICSD schools from kindergarten through high school. I witnessed first-hand the challenges and successes of our local educational system. I believe strongly in the necessity for alternative sources of funding to provide for those areas in which there are gaps in service and unmet needs.”

IPEI Board President Terry Byrnes said, “We are thrilled to have someone of Chris’ experience and level of commitment to our community and its youth join our organization." Stay tuned for more news about this amazing new chapter for IPEI!