Say Thanks and Support IPEI on #GivingTuesday December 1

#GivingTuesday is December 1!              

 

Say Thanks and Support IPEI!

 

Please join IPEI (the Ithaca Public Education Initiative) and thank teachers and other school staff members who have made a difference in your life and the lives of your family and others close to you. 

 

• Get creative as you support IPEI and thank school staff who are important to you and yours!  You can thank an adult's favorite teacher from their past, a student's current principal, a previous year's club adviser, and any others who have influenced the education of yourself, your children, and your loved ones!

 

• This link for online gifts will be accessible on December 1 on our website  and through social media. 

 

• IPEI will notify those who are honored by Giving Tuesday gifts when contact information is provided.

 

• Holiday gatherings are an excellent time to talk about giving thanks for educational experiences.  Take some photos with your family during your Thanksgiving celebrations using our #GivingTuesday poster!

 

• Please share it with your friends, family, and on social media.  You can write in the name of who you are honoring, or you can take the photo with the specific person as a selfie, or posed at school (click on the links for examples).

 

• Send the photo with a link to IPEI’s web resources via email, or share in social media such as on IPEI’s Facebook page, to our Twitter @IthacaPEI, and/or to IthacaPEI on Instagram.

 

• Use our hashtags:  #IPEI  #SparkStudentLearning  and  “Say Thanks and Support IPEI”!

 

Thanks to everyone who makes a gift to IPEI on #GivingTuesday and who helps spread the word about supporting IPEI during this global giving phenomenon!  Donations received will benefit IPEI's grants and programs that enhance the education for students and teachers across the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).

IPEI’s Red and Gold Grants Bring Wellness, Art, Math and More to ICSD This Fall

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)’s first round of Red and Gold Grants this year includes awards to Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers for exploring a range of programs connecting community and curricula—from yoga and engineering to local farming and languages.  

“We were very pleased to receive so many proposals showing innovative and engaging project-based learning,” said Joyce Putnam, chair of IPEI’s Red and Gold Grants Committee. “This first round of one-time grants included awards to 21 projects totaling $9,555. These funds will assist with programs in five elementary schools, two middle schools and Ithaca High School.”

Red and Gold Grants are one-time awards of up to $500 for projects that enrich learning in the ICSD. The deadline for the second round is Dec. 7. 

“Distributing grants to Ithaca’s teachers is at the heart of IPEI’s work on behalf of our community,” said IPEI President Matt Braun. “These funds, which are generously donated by our wonderful supporters, are applied directly to enhancing the learning experiences for students throughout the district. We are proud that our Red and Gold grants help spark learning for students in the ICSD through this important investment in our teachers and their curricula.”

Caroline Elementary School teacher Anna Chapman was awarded a Red and Gold Grant that helped her bring the outdoor education program Primitive Pursuits to Caroline’s Extended Day program, which is offered to students in need of academic reinforcement. “As the lead teacher, I have worked to incorporate a variety of enrichment activities that give students hands-on experiences with science, cooking, art, and the outdoors,” Chapman said. “Since we have such an amazing wilderness campus at our school, within the first week, I saw a huge impact on the kids. They were excited to stay after school!  One fifth grader was ‘caught’ on camera showing his kindergarten buddy where to find a rabbit den on the trail.”

“I have been awarded grants through IPEI in the past and know firsthand how much their support directly impacts the lives of students,” Chapman added. “My hope is that the interdisciplinary nature of our approach during Extended Day instruction will be an unprecedented opportunity for this target population of Caroline students.” 

Maureen Gilroy, a third-grade teacher at Enfield Elementary, received a grant to bring the local Beauty and the Beast Storytellers to her school this year. “As soon as I heard about their residency program, I knew I had to find a way to raise money so that they could do the program with our third graders,” she said. “I thought of IPEI right away because they are so interested in giving opportunities to open our students’ worlds to enriching experiences.”

IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that connects the Ithaca City School District and the community through collaboration, engagement, gifts and grants. For more information, seewww.ipei.org or contact 256-IPEI (4734) or ipei@ipei.org.

 

Red and Gold Grant Recipients, Round 1 2015-16

Art then Yoga

Marie C. Vitucci and Stiller Zusman with Melissa Enns/Beverly J. Martin

 

Boynton 7th Grade Cornell Visit

Patricia Schaup/Boynton

 

Caroline Wildlife Monitoring and Data Collection Project.

Debra Ward/Caroline

 

All About Me Case Study

Daphne Shululu/Caroline

 

Extended Day Enrichment with Primitive Pursuits

Anna Chapman/Caroline

 

Third Grade Service Learning, Adopt-the-Garden Case Study

Rebecca Schillenback with Mike Cecere and Mary Grover/Caroline

 

Innovative Physical Education Teaching Curriculum Alignment and Improvement Initiative

Samuel Trechter/Caroline and Belle Sherman

 

Flaming Fries Service Learning Project: Physical Activity During Challenging Weather

Emma Loiacono, Owen Loiacono, Miles Ackerman, Owen Rhudy, Liala Cryer, Owen Beigel, Liam Hansen with Amy Seldin Murphy, Lauren Loiacono, and Dr. Brown/Caroline and DeWitt

 

Ithaca is Gorges

Sarah Locke-Mountin/Cayuga Heights

 

Tweens on the Town, Lindseth Cimbing Wall

Eric Pritz/DeWitt

 

Global Village - Art in the Park Installation

Gerry Monaghan with Penny Boynton/DeWitt

 

Learning Economics and Empathy with a School Store

Joanna Brautigam/Enfield

 

Beauty and the Beast Residency

Maureen Gilroy/Enfield

 

Fall Creek Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Partnership

Sarah Cummings with Susan Phillips/Fall Creek

 

Encouraging Independent Math Centers Through Game Based Activities: First Grade Math Games and Manipulatives Library

Caty Hart/Fall Creek

 

Enabling All Students to Inquire, Code and Create

Alexandra Spencer/Fall Creek

 

J’ai faim! La cuisine française

Janet Abowd/Ithaca High

 

Print as Language

Kari Krakow/Ithaca High

 

Ithaca High School’s Fashion Show: Featuring High School Designers

Sandra Stromswold with Gina Cacioppo/Ithaca High

 

AP Psychology Field Trips to Cornell and Enrichment Activities

Sara Shenk/Ithaca High

IPEI Publishes Annual Report and Launches Annual Appeal

The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has published its Annual Report of 2014-15 activities, and launched its 2015-16 appeal for support.  “Spark Student Learning” is IPEI’s theme for this school year highlighting how the community can help to enhance the education of every student in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) through partnerships with teachers, schools and community members.

“We greatly appreciate the community’s continuing support of IPEI’s mission to connect school and community.  We believe that our schools and our community are strengthened by bringing valuable community resources into the classroom to stretch students’ imaginations and increase engagement and critical thinking,” expressed Executive Director Christine Sanchirico.

IPEI Board President Matt Braun added, “With your help, IPEI sparks learning for students in the ICSD by inspiring educators to work together and create authentic, relevant and rigorous learning experiences within and across the curriculum.”

During the 2014-15 school year, IPEI allocated over 80 grants totaling $93,000 to teachers and others directly involved with the district through its four grant programs.” All grant application deadlines and forms are accessible at www.ipei.org. IPEI’s budget also includes funds for Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca; for use by its affiliates and their grants and programs (Fine Arts Booster Group and IthacaSTEM Advocates); and for other IPEI managed awards and grants.

The Annual Report is available in print and online at www.ipei.org. ; Three grants are featured in the publication as well as IPEI’s programs and affiliates.  The full list of grants is accessible on the website in the Grants sections or can be requested from the IPEI office.

IPEI grant programs positively impact student engagement, according to data collected from teachers and community partners who received grants. They were asked during 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 to observe and report their students’ engagement levels before and after grant-funded activities. According to data they collected, student engagement—as measured by body language, verbal participation, physical participation, independence and excitement—increased significantly after participating in a classroom project funded by IPEI.

“IPEI's future is bright,” Past President Jennifer Engel said. “Its strength is all the people involved and everyone we connect with as we connect school and community.”

Congratulations to IPEI's Teacher Grant Recipients and Community Partners

Teacher Grants 2015-16

Harmonious Harps at Belle Sherman                                                                                                         

Cindy Daly/Belle Sherman with

Lisa Craig Fenwick, Professional Harpist

Inside Outside Upside Down: Discovering the World through the Language of Dance      

          

Sheri McWhorter-Wyckoff and Mary Anne Camel/Beverly J. Martin with

Lisa Tsetse, Choreographer

Scaffolding to Infinity   

Katie Dietrich Cacciotti/Beverly J. Martin with

Sarah Wolff, Poet

Yoga Storytelling and Strengthening a Sense of Self                                                                               

Sarah Smith and Kelly Craft/Fall Creek and Beverly J. Martin with

Diane Hamilton, Yogi and Storyteller

ELEVATE Science Learning with Drones*                                                                                     

Brian VanGorder/Caroline with

Matt Sacco, Cayuga Nature Center, and CUAIR Cornell University Drone Club

Where in the World                                                                                                                                       

Kerri Burke/Caroline with

Mary Beth Ihnken, Artist

Energy Decisions: Problem-Based Learning for Enhancing Student Motivation and Critical Thinking in Middle and High School Science *                                                                                                               

Laurie VanVleet/DeWitt and Ithaca High with

Karen Edelstein, GIS specialist

Using Rhyming and Music to Build Early Literacy Skills                                                                           

Sharon Ciferri/Enfield with

Judy Stock, Musician

Barry Deutsch Author Visit                                                                                                                           

Allison Andersen/Fall Creek with

Barry Deutsch, Author

Fall Creek Family Dance **                                                                                                              

Karla Notarianni/Fall Creek with

Victoria Armstrong, Dance Caller, and Dave Davies, Musician

English 10 / English 12 Viewing of Macbeth (2015) at Cinemapolis                                                     

Michael Reiff  and William Asklar/Ithaca High School with

Brett Bossard, Cinemapolis

Medieval and Renaissance Extravaganza*                                                                                                

Cassidy Fisk/Ithaca High School with

Carol Hockett, Johnson Museum of Art, and Maryterese Pasquale-Bowen

Reforesting Chestnut Street                                                                                                                         

Sarah Jane Bokaer/LACS with

Pamela Markham, Horticulturist

LACS presents  Wassa Pan Afrikan Dance Ensemble                                                                              

Marcy Little/LACS with

Nana Kwasi Anim, Director of Wassa Pan Afrikan Dance Ensemble

How to Keep Our World Healthy and Clean for Everyone and Everything         

                                 

Emily Kerry/Northeast with

Tompkins County Solid Waste, and Cayuga Compost

Take One Picture                                                                                                                                            

Alison Pritz/South Hill with

Carol Hockett, Johnson Museum of Art, Jai Hari Meyerhoff, Yogi

*Selected to be funded by the Charles E. Treman Jr. Teacher Grant Endowment of the Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund in memory of the former president of the Tompkins Trust Company.

**Selected to be funded by a gift from a retired ICSD teacher who encourages the integration of music into elementary classrooms.

Help IPEI Spark Student Learning!

Spark Student Learning!

IPEI brings a diverse range of exceptional community resources to enhance the educational experience for all students. We support teachers who have innovative ideas. This inspires our mission: connecting school and community.

By the Numbers 2014-15

57       Red and Gold Grants                  $$24,983

17       Teacher Grants                             $24,886

5         Connecting Classrooms Grants    $34,950

3         Community Collaboration Grants    $8,500 

11       Awards from Special Funds                 

2900   Elementary Students visit all

8         Discovery Trail sites through KDT! Ithaca                  

21       Grants by the Fine Arts Booster Group

4         Mini-Grants by the IthacaSTEM Advocates

IPEI Grants Impact Student Engagement

IPEI grant programs positively impact student engagement, according to data collected from teachers and community partners who received grants. They were asked during 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 to observe and report their students’ engagement levels before and after grant-funded activities. According to data they collected, student engagement—as measured by body language, verbal participation, physical participation, independence and excitement—increased significantly after participating in a classroom project funded by IPEI.

  

Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca

Every student visits the Discovery Trail sites during elementary school. Two classrooms from different schools participate together with each student having a “buddy” from the other school. Students get to know each other before middle school with shared curricular and social experiences.  KDT! Books corresponding with the curriculum are provided to all students.

Affiliates

IthacaSTEM Advocates: ithacastem.org

Promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics  activities throughout the

ICSD, raises funds and sponsorships, and fosters communication and collaboration.

Fine Arts Booster Group: fabgithaca.org

Advocates, supports and celebrates all the arts for all the kids, working toward a vision of increased access, participation and equity in the arts.

Giving Opportunities

Annual Fund Appeal

Generous individuals, businesses and foundations support IPEI’s mission and programs. Special sponsorship opportunities are available. We accept cash, checks or credit card; online contributions are secure and convenient. We also provide letters acknowledging in-kind contributions. Gifts of securities are welcome in support of IPEI.

New this year: Monthly Giving

IPEI will offer a monthly giving option both on the remittance envelope sent with the Annual Appeal, and online.

Business Partners Honor Roll

Local businesses and foundations know that strong local schools are essential for a strong community. 

Planned Gifts: The Brodhead Society

Remembering IPEI in your estate plans is a lasting gift to the future of our children, teachers and community. Ask about the Brodhead Society.

Red and Gold Grants Announced (Round 1 of 2015-16 School Year)

Just over $9,000 Awarded for Red and Gold Grants 2015-16 Round 1

Next Deadline is December 7 for Red and Gold Grants Round 2

Art then Yoga

Marie C. Vitucci and Stiller Zusman with Melissa Enns/Beverly J. Martin

Boynton 7th Grade Cornell Visit

Patricia Schaup/Boynton

Caroline Wildlife Monitoring and Data Collection Project.

Debra Ward/Caroline

All About Me Case Study

Daphne Shululu/Caroline

Extended Day Enrichment with Primitive Pursuits

Anna Chapman/Caroline

Third Grade Service Learning, Adopt-the-Garden Case Study

Rebecca Schillenback with Mike Cecere and Mary Grover/Caroline

Innovative Physical Education Teaching Curriculum Alignment and Improvement Initiative

Samuel Trechter/Caroline and Belle Sherman

Flaming Fries Service Learning Project: Physical Activity During Challenging Weather

Emma Loiacono, Owen Loiacono, Miles Ackerman, Owen Rhudy, Liala Cryer, Owen Beigel, Liam Hansen with Amy Seldin Murphy, Lauren Loiacono, and Dr. Brown/Caroline and DeWitt

Ithaca is Gorges

Sarah Locke-Mountin/Cayuga Heights

Tweens on the Town, Lindseth Cimbing Wall

Eric Pritz/DeWitt

Global Village - Art in the Park Installation

Gerry Monaghan with Penny Boynton/DeWitt

Learning Economics and Empathy with a School Store

Joanna Brautigam/Enfield

Beauty and the Beast Residency

Maureen Gilroy/Enfield

Fall Creek Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Partnership

Sarah  Cummings with Susan Phillips/Fall Creek

Encouraging Independent Math Centers Through Game Based Activities: First Grade Math Games and Manipulatives Library

Caty Hart/Fall Creek

Enabling All Students to Inquire, Code and Create

Alexandra Spencer/Fall Creek

J’ai faim!  La cuisine française

Janet Abowd/Ithaca High

Print as Language

Kari Krakow/Ithaca High

Ithaca High School’s Fashion Show: Featuring High School Designers

Sandra Stromswold with Gina Cacioppo/Ithaca High

AP Psychology Field Trips to Cornell and Enrichment Activities

Sara Shenk/Ithaca High

Brodhead Grant Used for Digital Audiobooks

The Phyllis B. Brodhead Library Media Technology Fund has helped Ithaca City School District (ICSD) media centers invest in technology, making it possible to engage a new generation of tech-savvy students and help them develop a love of reading.  Charles W. Brodhead (aka Chuck) created an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) special fund to provide grants in memory of his late wife Phyllis to honor her 33 year career as teacher and librarian at Boynton Middle School.  She was keenly aware of the educational value of technology in school settings, and the $1,000 annual grant assists in maintaining her legacy. 

Since creating this fund, Chuck died in fall, 2011.  Through his generous bequest, his estate added funding for this important endeavor, as well as for two IPEI Red and Gold Grants each year in his memory through the Charles W. and Phyllis B. Brodhead Memorial Fund.

For the third year in a row, ICSD Teacher Librarians requested funds to purchase downloadable digital audiobooks which offer readers an opportunity to hear a book professionally read aloud while following the text. Listening to text while seeing the book helps to develop fluency, vocabulary, story sense, and comprehension, and can be a valuable tool to help challenged students.

These audiobooks are a timely complement to the Chromebook initiative begun this year in the Ithaca school district.  Boynton Librarian Annarose Foley commented, “With the 1:1 Chromebook initiative, we thought it prudent to continue building our digital collection with titles in a format students can use on their new devices… The titles were selected to support the curriculum here at Boynton Middle School, are specific requests from the other Teacher-Librarians, and came highly recommended by reviewers.”  Foley mentions that she promotes the digital collection during her library orientations for students and that the students are able to download the digital items for future enjoyment.