IPEI Introduces Connecting Classrooms Grants

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) introduces Connecting Classrooms Grants, another grants program for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers and staff who have ideas to enhance educational opportunities for all students. Details about how to apply for these grants will be distributed to all ICSD schools and are available online at: http://www.ipei.org/index.php?page=connecting-classrooms-grants.

Connecting Classrooms Grants will build on IPEI’s successful models for encouraging and supporting innovative teaching and deeper learning.  “Our intent is to be the catalyst for ICSD staff to seek and develop innovative collaborative partnerships between teachers within a school, across grade levels and/or between schools,” according to Connie Patterson, IPEI board member and retired educator. 

“It’s about working together”, said IPEI Executive Director Christine Sanchirico. “This is really our guiding principle for the grants.”

IPEI has initiated Connecting Classrooms Grants using funds IPEI received from generous community members who donated to its Our Children * Our Schools * Our Future campaign.  One of the capital campaign’s three goals was to expand programs and grants. IPEI’s other grants programs are funded by the Annual Fund and Adult Spelling Bee. 

IPEI will offer significant resources for Connecting Classroom Grant recipients to plan, develop, and implement their visions that are aligned with the grant criteria.  Connecting Classrooms Grants criteria include: internal collaboration among ICSD staff; identification of overall promise or potential of project aligned with school and district goals; plan encourages active learning and student engagement; realistic, thoughtful outline of process; proposed budget aligns with project goals and intended outcomes; potential for academic impact; and process for effective evaluation of the project. 

IPEI expects that these large scale projects will be oriented toward student engagement that support learning consistent with school and district goals.  “IPEI has dedicated funding to encourage innovative thinking, further engage students, and increase the sense of community between groups of teachers and students,” explained Patterson. To be considered for funding, projects must have a plan for sustainability and a method for evaluation. Patterson added that applicants should first consider whether the request fits into IPEI’s other grant categories (Teacher Grants, Red and Gold Grants, Community Collaboration Grants). 

Applicants first submit the Statement of Interest Form to ConnectingClassroomsGrants@IPEI.org.IPEI will respond within 30 days. If invited to apply, applicants will complete the Formal Proposal Form and accompanying narratives.  An IPEI representative may be assigned to applicants to support proposal planning. The proposal form will be reviewed and considered for approval by the IPEI Board.  The application deadline is rolling, and it is expected that the entire process will require a minimum of 10-12 weeks.

For more information, contact ConnectingClassroomsGrants@IPEI.org or call (607)256-4734.

IPEI is a community based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that develops supportive community and private sector relationships with the ICSD.  Founded in 1996, IPEI is committed to connecting school and community through collaboration, engagement, gifts and grants. 

 

 

IPEI Announces Red and Gold Grants

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has awarded $8,015 in its third quarterly round of Red and Gold Grants for the 2013-14 school year. The 19 new grants will assist teachers, administrators, students, and community members with projects that strengthen and enrich education across the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).

 

“We are always astounded at how teachers are able to utilize a small grant to make huge impacts in the classroom,” said IPEI Executive Director Chris Sanchirico.  “For this round, IPEI grants are funding everything from practical needs like clay for artwork to a multi-school/grade level dinosaur project that integrates music, art and science.  We are proud to play a role in providing such great opportunities to enhance learning in our school district and thankful for the community support that allows us to do so.”

 

Some of this quarter's amazing grants include:

 

• Iris Milich, an art teacher at Northeast Elementary School, who will take first- and second-grade students to Cornell’s Johnson Museum, where they will learn how artists can influence others to be environmental stewards and ambassadors.

 • Michelle Kirchgraber-Newton, an ESOL teacher at DeWitt Middle School, who has arranged for the Karen Refugee Dance Troupe from Utica to teach, perform, and discuss the history and cultural traditions of the Karen people. • Lita Remsen, an aide at South Hill Elementary School, who will help fifth graders build a science toy or gadget using recycled materials, batteries, magnets, and small motors, and then share their invention with their Kindergarten buddies. • Jackie Richardson, an art teacher at Ithaca High School, who has arranged for a local glass artist to show students in the Studio in Crafts course how to create artwork by fusing, casting, and slumping glass in the heat of a kiln.

The full list of grants can be found on our website. 

As part of this round of Red and Gold Grants, IPEI awarded two in memory of Chuck Brodhead from the Charles W. and Phyllis B. Brodhead Memorial Fund. Cara Salibrici, a sixth grade Social Studies teacher at Boynton Middle School, will introduce her class to Antarctica by reading about Ernest Shackleton’s expedition and listening to the first-hand experiences of a local community member who spends part of each year in Antarctica as a tour guide. Music teacher Allison Scott who will bring dinosaurs to life for students at Beverly J. Martin, Cayuga Heights, and South Hill Elementary Schools through song, musical instruments, art, and presentations by a Museum of the Earth staff member.

Congratulations to all Red and Gold grant recipients! As always, we were blown away by your applications, and can't wait to see your amazing ideas in action!

IPEI Spelling Bee Raises $25,000, Is Recorded By WRED

IPEI’s 16^th Annual Adult Spelling Bee, held on Sunday, March 2 at the Ithaca High School Wellness Center Gym, can be viewed by anyone thanks to Steve Cass and his students. The WRED team recorded the Bee for live stream and rebroadcast. To view this recording on the web and other WRED programming, go to www.useducationtv.com and click Find a School.  Search “Ithaca High School”.  Or, you can go directly to the Bee footage by clicking here. 

WSKG's team "We Spell Krazy Good" was victorious after a tantalizing back and forth with ICSD's team "Board of Ed Buzz." The Bee is IPEI's signature fundraising event, and this year raised $25,000 with the help of sponsorships by Chemung Canal Trust Company, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, Cayuga Radio Group, Sciarabba Walker & Co., and others.

Thanks to the spellers, judges, sponsors, and spectators for yet another amazing Bee! We'll see you next year!

Do You Really Need to Know How to Spell?

This post was written by Martha Frommelt, IPEI Board member and member of Fine Arts Booster Group.

In today’s education world where technology is at our finger tips and spell check is in every computer program, do we really need to know how to spell?

I turn to an artist for the answer. Slam poet and former middle school teacher Taylor Mali uses his poem "The the Impotence of Proofreading" to give us a resounding, “yes, we need to know how to spell!”


I cheer on spellers. And encourage everyone to come to IPEI’s the Annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 2 at 2:00 in Ithaca High’s Wellness Center. In this event, high school student and adult teams come together to have fun and spell, an educational way to raise money for IPEI Teacher Grants.

Consider wrapping your thinking around spelling for an afternoon, as an audience member, a team member or a sponsor. It is great fun for a great cause…our teachers. Check out www.ipei.org or email jcs6@cornell.edu for more information!

As a Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) volunteer and Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) board member, I can attest to the fun and learning that will happen on March 2. And watch other art supporters defend their title from last year… the Fine Arts “Word” Boosters will be there.

But don't take my word for it - here's the first stanza of Taylor's poem, "The Impotence of Proofreading":


Has this ever happened to you?
You work very, very horde on a paper for English clash
And still get a very glow raid on it (like a D or even a D=)
and all because you are the liverwurst spoiler in the whale wide word.
Yes, proofreading your peppers is a matter of the the utmost impotence.

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.