Ithaca City School District -

Pre-K spots are still available at Belle Sherman and Caroline elementary schools! The ICSD pre-K program offers caring, play-based environments that foster creativity, confidence, and belonging for 4-year-olds. There is no cost to attend this program. Apply today—spots are limited!: http://www.ithacacityschools.org/prek

LACS Winter Carnival 🎉 📅 Friday, December 13, 2024 ⏰ 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Lehman Alternative Community School, 111 Chestnut St, Ithaca, NY 🎶 Join us for the second annual LACS Winter Carnival! Enjoy food, hot beverages, a silent auction, merch, and the beautiful LACS mural calendars for purchase. Proceeds directly support spring trips at LACS! 🎟️ Tickets: Available for pre-order via card or Venmo, or purchase in person. We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our staff and students who made last night's Winter Choral Concert possible! The evening featured performances from Concert Choir, Chorale, Bella Voce, Libera Voce, and several small ensembles—a wonderful celebration of talent and hard work! 🎶✨ For information about upcoming performances, visit: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/fine-performing-arts

🌟 November Spotlight: Our Students Shine on Stage! 🎭✨ In November, our talented student performers delivered incredible performances on our stages with not one, not two, but three outstanding productions across the district: 🎬 DeWitt and Boynton Middle Schools presented the spooky and hilarious Beetlejuice Jr. 🎭 Ithaca High School Drama Club took us back in time with their powerful rendition of Radium Girls. 🌊 LACS brought the magic of Shakespeare to life with their take on The Tempest. We’re so proud of the hard work and dedication of every student and staff member involved in these productions! 👏🎉

As a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for our area, we want to remind families to review the ICSD Emergency Closing Procedures at: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/emergency-closings Be sure your contact information in SchoolTool is up to date to receive notifications about closures, delays, or early dismissals. If you need assistance updating your contact information, please email icsdcommunications@icsd.k12.ny.us. 📲Download the free ICSD app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for quick access to updates and alerts! Stay safe and warm!❄️

✨Happy SRP Recognition Day!✨ Today, we celebrate the incredible School-Related Professionals (SRPs) who play a vital role in the success of our students and schools. From educating, feeding, and transporting our students, to maintaining facilities, monitoring health, and keeping our offices running smoothly—SRPs make a difference every single day. Thank you to all our amazing SRPs! Your dedication creates safe and nurturing environments that foster student-centered learning. 🚌📚🍎

November is Native American Heritage Month On November 1, the 4th-graders at Northeast Elementary welcomed special guests from the Haudenosaunee community for a traditional dance performance in the gymnasium. The performers, who included family members of ICSD students, shared their rich cultural heritage by showcasing traditional Haudenosaunee dance in authentic regalia. This event was part of our students' exploration of Haudenosaunee history and culture, enriching their learning experience and fostering a deeper appreciation for the vibrant traditions within our community. ICSD campuses occupy the traditional lands of the Gayogohó:nǫˀ, or Cayuga Nation, and the Ganakdagweñni•yo’geh, or Onondaga Nation. The Gayogohó:nǫˀ and Ganakdagweñni•yo’geh are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of the ICSD, New York State, and the United States of America.

🌍 IHS Senior Representing New York at Global Youth Institute 🌍 Etienne Exantus, an Ithaca High School senior, is currently representing New York State at the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa, from October 29 to November 1. Earlier this year, Etienne participated in the World Food Prize New York Youth Institute at Cornell University, where he was selected as one of only eight students from New York to advance to this global stage. Etienne’s research focuses on the crisis in Tigray, which he describes as "an incredibly multifaceted issue encompassing drought, famine, ethnic cleansing, lack of humanitarian aid, government oppression, civil war, and more." His work examines sustainable aid solutions, as current aid models have been weaponized and destabilize the region. Congratulations to Etienne on this remarkable achievement and for representing New York with such dedication!

Join us this TONIGHT for a hauntingly thrilling performance as the Ithaca High School Music Department presents Collage X: Thrills and Chills! Featuring our talented bands, choirs, and orchestras. 🗓️ Date: October 30 🕢 Time: 7:30 p.m. 📍 Location: Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School Can’t make it in person? Tune into our livestream to enjoy the performances from wherever you are!: https://www.youtube.com/live/OjeM0HjqoQU?si=3bOdCIlPqDw0faiI

Share Your Feedback on the 2024–2025 Academic Calendar! The ICSD is considering important changes to the 2024-2025 academic calendar, including shifting the March conference days and adding a Regents Day in June. The Board of Education will vote on these changes on November 12, and we want your input by November 11. 📅 View the proposed changes: ithacacityschools.org/article/1838708 🗣️ Provide feedback via Let’s Talk: ithacacityschools.org/letstalk

Yesterday, students and staff across the district had an amazing opportunity to connect with Braiding Sweetgrass author Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. The day started with a special lunch at LACS, where students engaged in thoughtful conversations about nature, Indigenous wisdom, and the power of community. Check out a few of the moments from the LACS lunch—stay tuned for more from the rest of the day's inspiring events!

Thank you to all the families who joined for Enfield Elementary's Open House on October 15! 🌟 It was wonderful to connect with the school community and share all the exciting things happening in classrooms. 🏫 💙

🍎It's National School Lunch Week! 🥗 At the Ithaca City School District, we’re proud to support our students with healthy, balanced meals every day through our Child Nutrition Program. 🍽️ Learn more about our meals and how we support students: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/child-nutrition

We’re proud to share that Kathryn Cernera, ITA President and ICSD educator, has been recognized in the 2024 Labor Power 100 list! This honor highlights her unwavering commitment to our students, educators, and community. We are incredibly grateful for her exceptional leadership on our team! Congratulations, Kathryn! Read the article here: https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2024/08/2024-labor-power-100/398966/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFzpo1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdrzLIhuENTammfU5gIUx7UTGIkEa_ydoTd5LSGuiVZjObxDgQ7cOHVc4g_aem_K5WZKoeN1OmZyXYG-MsURA

🚨 Now accepting applications! 🚨 The Ithaca City School District is proud to be awarding the NYS Seal of Biliteracy for the seventh year to eligible seniors. Family Information Night 🗓️ October 17 | ⏰ 7 p.m. | 📍IHS York Hall Seniors proficient in two or more languages are invited to join us (with your family) for the NYS Seal of Biliteracy Family Information Night on Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m. at Ithaca High School, lower York Hall. Juniors and their families are also welcome to start planning ahead! The application deadline for seniors is November 1. Click here to complete your application today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRic42Bp_vVHXor1nMJtBpPGanliNOhPz7_E5r1CF9Hd6JKA/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFyCrdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHROlxnwdrqhn6n_fYFdF0lMY3fnA8PlNE2b7XTtQjUL2pfnPmqOKkIRWWw_aem_y-F-qJAfOc4nqR5JI1de-Q

Today is a scheduled early emergency dismissal drill for all schools in the district. Please follow the dismissal times listed below for your child’s school. Dismissal Times In accordance with NYSED guidelines, the drill will occur 15 minutes prior to normal dismissal times. All schools will implement standard dismissal procedures, just 15 minutes earlier. - All elementary schools will dismiss at 1:45 p.m. - Boynton Middle School, DeWitt Middle School, and Lehman Alternative School will dismiss at 3:15 p.m. - Ithaca High School will dismiss at 3:25 p.m. All staff and students must evacuate the building at the times listed above until the last bus departs. Buses will arrive early for dismissal, and bus drop-off times will be 15 minutes earlier. Please refer to communications from your individual schools for details on after-school activities and programs. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority and requires continual emergency preparedness planning, practice, and review. All parents and caregivers listed in student records have been notified via email, text, and push notification. If you did not receive a notification via text or push notification, and you wish to, please reach out to icsdcommunications@icsd.k12.ny.us.

🎉 Exciting news! Ithaca High School has renewed its National Banner Unified Champion School status for another four years! This prestigious honor recognizes our commitment to creating an inclusive community where all students are accepted and celebrated. 🌟 We’re proud to be one of just 36 National Banner schools in the state! Read more here: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1779740

🎒 Happy First Day of School to all elementary, 6th, 9th, and new entrant students! 🎉 To kick off the new school year, check out our September issue of the e-Insider, now available! This month's edition features: ✨ A special welcome back message from Superintendent Brown 🥞 September breakfast and lunch menus 📱 Information about a new app 🏫 Highlights from our ongoing 2019 capital project 📋 Annual notices and important updates And much more! 👉 https://www.ithacacityschools.org/o/icsd/page/icsd-e-insider

All elementary open houses will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 🎉 We hope you'll join us to meet your teachers and get a glimpse into the exciting year ahead. Students in pre-K through 5th grade, as well as 6th and 9th graders and new entrants, will start school on Wednesday, September 4! (Please note that some pre-K and kindergarten classes will have a staggered start. Refer to the schedules sent home for details.) See you there! 👋

🎉 On August 15, we welcomed family and friends to celebrate the incredible work of our students in Project Innovation, our inclusive, project-based summer program! Throughout the summer, students engaged in dynamic projects and case studies, tackling complex questions and offering innovative solutions to real-world challenges. All classrooms are multi-grade level (K/1st, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th, 6th-8th) and fully integrated, bringing together general education and special education students.