The results of the 2024 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Budget Re-Vote listed below have been certified and adopted by the ICSD Board of Education.

Proposition No. 1 Proposed 2024-2025 Annual District Budget

• YES Votes: 4,985

• NO Votes: 1,758

• Passed with 73.93%

Proposition No. 2 Appropriation and Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds

• YES Votes: 4,599

• NO Votes: 2,105

• Passed with 68.60%

The preliminary results from the 2024 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Budget Re-Vote, as of 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, are listed below. These results are subject to verification. The ICSD Board of Education will meet to certify the results on Thursday, June 20, at 6 p.m.

Proposition No. 1 Proposed 2024-2025 Annual District Budget

• YES Votes: 4,979

• NO Votes: 1,736

Proposition No. 2 Appropriation and Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds

• YES Votes: 4,593

• NO Votes: 2,104

The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) is providing a public service announcement to all registered voters planning to vote in person tomorrow, June 18, 2024, for the Budget Re-Vote. Conditions are expected to be hot and humid, with feels-like temperatures ranging from the mid- to high-90s.

To mitigate the effects of the heat, our facilities staff have implemented several measures. Increased outdoor air intake is being conducted overnight, and staff will be at schools early in the morning to open windows and allow cooler air to circulate. The district recommends bringing plenty of water to have while waiting in line. 

In addition, due to anticipated high temperatures, all ICSD schools will dismiss two hours early this week. Nine out of 12 district schools will serve as polling sites and may experience higher traffic during polls openings. Please park only in designated areas and avoid blocking bus lanes. Your polling location for general elections may differ from school district elections. Visit our website for tomorrow’s voting locations.

The Ithaca City School District Budget Re-Vote will be held tomorrow, June 18, 2024. Polls are open from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Information on where to vote can be found on the ICSD website by visiting ithacacityschools.org/vote. For additional information about the budget, please visit the Budget FAQs page. 

The ICSD’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.

On Saturday, June 8, 2024, Ithaca High School junior Joshua Kwakye-Minott secured first place in the Division I boys long jump at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Kwakye-Minott achieved an impressive distance of 23 feet and 4.25 inches, earning the title of the NYSPHSAA Division I State Champion. 

Kwakye-Minott is the second Ithaca athlete to win a state title this year, following junior Riley Hubisz, who won the boys 3,200-meter run at the NYSPHSAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in March.

Other notable performances on Saturday include freshman Tsadia Bercuvitz finishing as runner-up in the girls 3,000-meter run, setting a new school record. Bercuvitz now holds nine of the top 10 times in school history for this event.

“We are beyond proud of this program and the accomplishments of Josh and Tsadia, not only this past weekend but throughout the entire season,” Samantha Little, ICSD Athletics Director, stated. “More importantly, we are thankful for the individuals they are. Both Josh and Tsadia possess humility, kindness, respect for themselves and others, and a love for their teammates and the sport of track.”

The final standings from the weekend are as follows: 

• Josh Kwakye-Minott: Long Jump Division I State Champion, 7th place in Federation

• Tsadia Bercuvitz: State and Federation runner-up (2nd) in 3,000m run; 9th in Division I and 13th overall in 1,500m run

• Sarah Foley: 27th overall in pentathlon, 14th in Division I

• Noah Hilker: 4th in Division I steeplechase, 7th in Federation

• Everett Shaw: 15th overall in steeplechase, 10th in Division I

• Avery Whittaker: 23rd overall in 3,000m, 15th in Division I

• Crosby Woods: 38th overall in 3,200m, 23rd in Division I

• Maren Golden: 27th overall in pole vault, 17th in Division I

• Eliza DeRito: 15th overall in 800m, 11th in Division I

• Andrew Putnam: 27th overall in 800m, 16th in Division I

• Hayden Cornell: 22nd in Division I discus

• Ithaca Girls 4x800 (Tsadia Bercuvitz, Maren Golden, Avery Whittaker, Eliza DeRito): 21st overall, 11th in Division I

• Ithaca Boys 4x800 (Will Boscia, Zoltan Nadasdy, Everett Shaw, Andrew Whittaker): 24th overall, 11th in Division I

Noah Hilker also received the NYS Sportsmanship Award and finished 4th in the Division I boys steeplechase. HIlker’s time was the second best in program history.

ICSD Athletics strives to empower all scholars to make the world a more loving and welcoming place. The department focuses on inclusive practices for all scholars, promotes every program in the department, and strives to provide the best experiences for scholars, families, spectators, officials, and the larger community. This spring, many ICSD sports teams earned the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team distinction. Scholar-Athlete Teams are those with more than 75% of the roster earning a GPA of 90%+.

2024 Spring Scholar-Athlete Teams are:

• Baseball

• Girls Lacrosse

• Boys Tennis

• Boys and Girls Track and Field

• Unified Basketball

• Flag Football

The ICSD community celebrates these accomplishments and looks forward to continuing success in athletics. 

The ICSD’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.

On May 29, 2024, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) was notified that its application for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates was selected for funding in the amount of $800,000. The reserved funds are for four new electric buses, eligible infrastructure, and other eligible expenses to be used over the course of two years. 

The EPA has selected 47 communities to benefit from rebates totaling about $95.7 million for the purchase of over 350 electric buses and five propane buses. The Clean School Bus Rebate program provides upfront payments to eligible entities to subsidize buying zero-emission or clean school buses, fund the necessary charging infrastructure, and pay for related expenses like professional training. 

On June 18, residents of the ICSD will head back to the polls to vote on a new budget and an amended Proposition 2, which will ask voters to authorize the district to purchase up to two electric buses, only with rebates to defray costs, two ultra-low propane buses with wheelchair-accessible lifts, and three passenger vehicles. Notably, Proposition 2 was reduced from $3.2 million to $1.6 million. Proposition 2 is not taken from the General Fund but rather from a savings account called “Capital Reserve,” which can only be used for bus purchases. Every year, the district replaces buses that have aged out of the fleet and need to be taken off of the road as well as other vehicles that support students and facilities. 

In April 2022, New York State passed legislation that mandates all new school buses purchased to be zero-emission by 2027 and all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. Electric buses produce no toxic exhaust, resulting in a healthier environment for ICSD students. The buses are also equipped with integrated child seats, lap-shoulder belts, video, live GPS, wireless connectivity, and LED first light stop arm and school bus signs. 

Electric school buses are significantly less expensive to maintain and fuel than gas or diesel buses. According to CALPIRG, "each electric bus could save districts nearly $2,000 a year in fuel and $4,400 a year in maintenance costs, totaling tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a bus."

The ICSD currently has five electric buses that are actively on the road as part of the fleet with sufficient charging stations to support these and additional buses. The district’s electrical buses have been able to complete their routes in all weather conditions without complication.  

The Ithaca City School District Budget Re-Vote will be held on June 18, 2024. Polls will be open from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Information on where to vote can be found on the ICSD website by visiting ithacacityschools.org/vote. For additional information about the budget, please visit the Budget FAQs page. 

The ICSD’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.

The results of the 2024 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Budget Vote and School Board Election listed below have been certified and adopted by the ICSD Board of Education.

The Board of Education has the option of adopting a contingency budget or holding a budget re-vote on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. More information will be shared in subsequent communication.

Proposition No. 1: Proposed 2024-2025 Annual District Budget

• YES Votes: 2,061

• NO Votes: 4,921

• Failed to pass with 29.52%

Proposition No. 2: Appropriation and Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds

• YES Votes: 2,983

• NO Votes: 3,834

• Failed to pass with 43.76%

Proposition No. 3: Proposed 2024 Capital Project

• YES Votes: 3,018

• NO Votes: 3,922

• Failed to pass with 43.49%

School Board Election: Adam Krantweiss, Todd Fox, and Emily Workman having received the highest number of votes are confirmed as elected, each to an at large full three-year term from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

• Eldred V. Harris, J.D.: 1,452 votes for

• Adam Krantweiss, Ph.D.: 3,955 votes for

• Todd Fox: 2,805 votes for

• Moira Lang: 2,391 votes for

• Barry Derfel: 1,882 votes for

• Emily Workman: 4,397 votes for

• Steve Cullen: 1,610 votes for

The preliminary results from the 2024 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Budget Vote and School Board Election, as of 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, are listed below. These results are subject to verification. The ICSD Board of Education will meet to certify the results on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Proposition No. 1: Proposed 2024-2025 Annual District Budget

• YES Votes: 2,059

• NO Votes: 4,916

Proposition No. 2: Appropriation and Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds

• YES Votes: 2,980

• NO Votes: 3,830

Proposition No. 3: Proposed 2024 Capital Project

• YES Votes: 3,014

• NO Votes: 3,919

School Board Election

• Eldred V. Harris, J.D.: 1,448 votes for

• Adam Krantweiss, Ph.D.: 3,953 votes for

• Todd Fox: 2,805 votes for

• Moira Lang: 2,386 votes for

• Barry Derfel: 1,879 votes for

• Emily Workman: 4,393 votes for

• Steve Cullen: 1,608 votes for

The Ithaca City School District is providing a public service announcement to all registered voters planning to vote in person tomorrow, May 21, 2024, for the Budget Vote and Election. Conditions are expected to be hot and humid, with feels-like temperatures ranging from the low- to mid-80s. 

To mitigate the effects of the heat, our facilities staff have implemented several measures. Increased outdoor air intake is being conducted overnight, and staff will be at schools early in the morning to open windows and allow cooler air to circulate.

The district recommends bringing plenty of water to have while waiting in line. School nurses will be available for assessment and to address any heat-related concerns. Those wishing to vote early can do so at the Office of the District Clerk (located at 400 Lake Street, Ithaca, NY 14850) before 5 p.m. on May 21. 

The Ithaca City School District Budget Vote and School Board Election will be held tomorrow, May 21, 2024. Polls are open from 12 noon - 9 p.m. Information on where to vote can be found on the ICSD website by visiting ithacacityschools.org/vote. For additional information about the budget, please visit the Budget FAQ page. 

The ICSD’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.

The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) will host a public open house event at its transportation facility, located at 150 Bostwick Road, on May 11, 2024, at 9 a.m. This event is for community members seeking to learn more about the first phase of the proposed 2024 Capital Project, which seeks to enhance transportation infrastructure and sustainability.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Ithaca City School District voters will have the opportunity to authorize a new $125 million capital improvement bond. The bond would support sustainability, health and wellness, and facilities improvement goals proposed for a 2024 Capital Project. This next project would allow the district to continue the progress made during the 2019 Capital Project.

The desire for an open house at the ICSD transportation facility came during the district’s first Community Conversation held on Monday, April 22 at GIAC. The district is directly responding to community needs for a better understanding of the scope of the first phase of this project. 

The ICSD Transportation Program transports over 5,200 students each year and employs over 100 staff. The first phase of the 2024 Capital Project would allow for the construction of a new transportation facility with the infrastructure needed not only for the EV bus state mandate but also for the growing transportation staff. The building, built in 1969, no longer adequately supports the needs of the department. 

If you are unable to attend the open house, an additional Community Conversation will be held on Wednesday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Danby Fire Hall. For more information about the 2024 Capital Project or the Budget Vote and School Board Election, visit ithacacityschools.org. 

The ICSD’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.

Get ready to sing and dance as the Ithaca High School Drama Club proudly presents Disney’s High School Musical, live on stage in Kulp Auditorium at Ithaca High School (1401 North Cayuga Street). Performances are Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. The musical is adapted, arranged, and produced by Bryan Louiselle, based on the Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini.

“The millennials will like it as a reminder of their youth, the teenagers will like it as a parody of their lives, and children will like it for the fun dancing and singing,” IHS Drama Club producers shared. “The show sends a good message about understanding the complexities of people’s lives and balancing multiple interests to find yourself.”

Disney’s High School Musical is presented under the stage and musical direction of Gabriella da Silva Carr, choreography by Megan Omohundro, pit music direction by Jonathan Aldave, costumes by Liz Kitney, and technical assistance by Steve Brookhouse. This production is produced by the IHS Drama Club in collaboration with the Fine and Performing Arts Director, Daphne Shululu. 

Event Details:

• Showtimes: Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m.

• Location: Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY

• Tickets: Available for purchase online; $12 adults, $10 students, free for children 6yrs or under. 

Synopsis: Disney's High School Musical

Disney's High School Musical follows the story of Troy Bolton, a basketball team captain, and Gabriella Montez, a brainy newcomer, as they navigate the challenges of high school life at East High. When they unexpectedly audition for the school musical led by Ms. Darbus, they shake up the "status quo" and challenge the norms of cliques within the school.

The ICSD’s Fine and Performing Arts Department recognizes that the study of music, art, and theater inspires learning, critical thinking, identity development, and strong communities. We celebrate the authentic selves of all students and work to cultivate loving relationships through anti-racist, inclusive, culturally responsive practices. Students explore their artistic voices and hone their skills in music, art, and theater through authentic performance opportunities in school and the community.

On March 7, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) welcomed Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Melinda Person, President of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), into classrooms at DeWitt Middle School and Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS). The tour was led by Ithaca Teachers Association (ITA) President Kathryn Cernera and served as an opportunity to highlight the district’s commitment to academic excellence and innovative programs. 

The tour began at DeWitt Middle School in Steve Williams’ Farm-to-Table: Foundations of Farming and Food Justice course. The district launched this course seven years ago and currently partners with the Colorado-based Chef Ann Foundation, which supports schools in embracing whole-ingredient, scratch-cooking so that kids are well-nourished and ready to learn. Next, Weingarten and Person participated in the School Democracy Committee at LACS, facilitated by ITA member Aurora Rojer, where they spoke with students about how to authentically support whole-school discussions. The group then returned to DeWitt to visit art teacher Callie Bryant in the school’s open art studio for therapeutic art models and concluded their day with a meet-and-greet with union members.

Accompanying Weingarten, Person, and Cernera on the tour were ICSD Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown, ICSD Deputy Superintendent Lily Talcott, State Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles, State Senator Lea Webb, ICSD Employees Association officers Jennifer Doolittle (President) and Jamie Zervos (Second Vice President), and AFT and NYSUT staff members.

The day fostered collaboration and celebration of the shared commitment to educational excellence and served to highlight the way our educators incorporate hands-on, real-life skills like cooking, interpersonal relationship-building, and student self-care into the curriculum. 

The Ithaca Teachers Association is a union of nearly 600 professional educators in the Ithaca City School District. We serve as classroom teachers, subject area specialists, academic support teachers, speech and occupational therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychologists. We work with students in grades pre-K through twelve, and support students across 12 school buildings. The ITA exists to prepare, organize, support and advocate for educators so we are better able to advocate for the needs of our students, and effectively provide a safe and supportive learning environment. 

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

On Thursday night, February 8, 2024, there was a police pursuit that resulted in a parked vehicle being struck and breaking through an exterior wall of Fall Creek Elementary on the Linn Street side of the building and entering the Physical Education (PE) Office. The Ithaca Police Department, Ithaca Fire Department, and ICSD Facilities Department responded immediately. No injuries were reported. 

The ICSD Facilities department completed a thorough inspection of the rest of the building and determined that school will continue as normal for today, Friday, February 9. 

The PE Office will remain closed, and parking spaces on Linn Street will be unavailable at this time. Barriers have been placed on the Linn Street side of the building, and a perimeter has been created around the area of the incident. 

We appreciate and value the work of the Ithaca Police Department, Ithaca Fire Department, and ICSD Facilities Department for responding quickly to clear and secure the building for our students and staff to return on Friday.

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

On Tuesday night, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Board of Education unanimously voted to permit the flying of the Haudenosaunee (Hood-en-no-sho-nee) flag on one of the two flagpoles at Ithaca High School (IHS), in consultation with members of the Haudenosaunee community. This significant decision reflects the district’s commitment to reversing the legacy of racism and establishing communities built on love and joy.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is a group of six Native American nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. The flag depicts the Hiawatha belt, traditionally created using Wampum shells, and is a symbol of unity, peace, and strength among these nations. Displaying the flag at IHS signifies a deep respect for the native people and land on which the school sits.

“We as Ithacans are on unceded lands,” IHS junior Brenna Lucio-Belbase said, “and flying the Haudenosaunee flag, we would not merely demonstrate allyship and show support, we would additionally do the necessary step of acknowledging a sovereign nation’s rightful lands with a unique culture and unique regulations.

The proposal to fly the Haudenosaunee flag was first introduced to the Board on October 24 by a group of Ithaca High School students, administrators, teachers, and caregivers. The group urged the Board to pass a resolution to fly the Haudenosaunee flag at all ICSD buildings.

At the November 14 board meeting, the proposal was modified in consultation with the Haudenosaunee community, students, and staff due to the laws surrounding how flags can be flown. Ithaca High School has two flag poles that can be used to fly both flags. 

A conversation on flying the flag at the rest of the buildings in the district will continue. 

“Flying a flag here [IHS] would be a great platform to build off of,” IHS senior Rhianne Rushing said, “and start to represent a group that typically is not well-represented or represented at all.”

Eleven of the twelve ICSD campuses occupy the traditional lands of the Gayogohó:nǫˀ, or Cayuga Nation. Caroline Elementary School occupies the traditional lands of Ganakdagweñni•yo’geh, or Onondaga Nation. Both 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. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ and Ganakdagweñni•yo’geh’  dispossession and honor the ongoing connection to the people, past and present, to these lands and waters.

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

Beginning on December 1, 2023, all students in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) will be eligible to receive a free healthy breakfast and lunch at school. This will continue throughout the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year as part of the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. 

The USDA expanded access to school breakfast and lunch to an estimated 3,000 more school districts by increasing the availability of the Community Eligibility Provision. CEP is a simplified meal service option that allows schools to provide meals at no cost to all students without requiring families to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Instead, school districts receive federal funding based on a formula using existing data from SNAP and other programs, and local or state funds must fill any gap between program costs and federal support. 

In September, six schools in the ICSD became eligible for free breakfast and lunch under the same program: Belle Sherman, Beverly J. Martin, Cayuga Heights, Enfield, Fall Creek, and Lehman Alternative Community School. Subsequently, the USDA lowered the required share of low-income students from 40% to 25%, allowing all students in the district to be eligible for free breakfast and lunch. 

This year, the Child Nutrition Department, in partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation and the Park Foundation, launched a new robust nutrition program that allows schools to serve healthy, delicious, and sustainable meals. When students have access to adequate, healthy food, it not only helps them develop lifelong healthy eating habits but improves overall academic success.

“We are thrilled that all students in the ICSD will now have access to nutritious and delicious food in school,” Beth Krause, Director of Child Nutrition, said. “CEP supports our vision to ensure every learner in our district can thrive and meet their true potential."

Families can view the school meal menus by visiting the website or downloading the ICSD app in the App Store or Google Play. 

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools, on Twitter at @IthacaNYSchools, and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

All Ithaca City School District-sponsored outdoor after-school activities, including all outdoor athletics practices and games, are canceled for today, September 6, 2023, due to the extreme heat.

Ithaca Athletics follows the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's Heat Index Procedures, which recommend canceling all outside activities when the heat index reaches 96 degrees or greater. Today’s temperatures are predicted to reach 96 degrees by 4 p.m. when after-school athletic activities would begin. 

For more information on emergency closings, please visit our website: ithacacityschools.org/closings.

Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD), announced this morning at the district’s annual Convocation that the Aspiring Educator Award will be renamed to the Abraham and Denise Lee Aspiring Educator Award in honor of two longtime educators who worked in the district for over 45 years. The award is given out each year, in partnership with the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), to ICSD high school students who are considering careers in education. This year’s award recipients are Tatianna Gelinas and Sean Silvers.

The decision to rename the award follows the ICSD and IPEI’s commitment to reversing the legacy of racism and establishing communities built on love and joy by recognizing both the teachers whose legacies embraced all students and the students from under-represented backgrounds who will inspire the next generation of learners. 

During the presentation, Dr. Brown was joined by board of education president Dr. Sean Eversley Bradwell to announce this year’s winners and honor the contributions of Denise and Abraham Lee. “They were innovators, and they have been out in front of what’s happening in our industry,” Dr. Brown shared. “These folks have been talking about STEM education and representation of people from marginalized backgrounds in STEM for decades. They did the work. And sometimes, they were the only people doing the work.” 

Tatianna Gelinas and Sean Silvers, this year’s recipients of the Abraham and Denise Lee Aspiring Education Award, will be provided mentorship opportunities with ICSD teachers and administrators and will be included in professional development activities that expose them to the education profession. 

“I pray and hope that we inspired young people,” Denise Lee said during a video message at Convocation. “I did my best, and Abe did his best, to help young people love to learn, have them want to succeed, have them want to know that they are somebody and that they could do anything if they put their mind and heart to it.” 

The Ithaca City School District will welcome back pre-K through sixth grade, ninth grade, and all new entrants on September 5 and all students on September 6. 

The IPEI provides support for Superintendent Brown’s vision and mission as a district through the ICSD Superintendent Fund. This special fund is open for tax-deductible donations from community members who share Dr. Brown’s interest in encouraging local youth to consider careers in education through the Abraham and Denise Lee Aspiring Educators Award Program. Find more information about making a gift to support this award at www.ipei.org/special-funds.

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools, on Twitter at @IthacaNYSchools, and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new website and mobile app as part of its ongoing effort to improve communication and promote stakeholder engagement. 

The new site - which uses the same URL, ithacacityschools.org - features an integrated district calendar, a live news feed, and whole-site translation capabilities. The site also syncs directly to a new mobile app. The app can be downloaded for free by searching “Ithaca City School District NY” in the App Store or Google Play Store.

“Our team has been working hard to deliver an enhanced website experience,” ICSD Superintendent Luvelle Brown said. “We are excited to share it and engage with our community in new and improved ways.” 

The district’s new website and app are products of Apptegy, a national K-12 education technology company. The ICSD Communications team has been working with Apptegy since December to design the website and migrate all of the district’s website content to the new platform.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to browse the new website, download the mobile app, and set up push notifications to receive alerts from the district and their children’s schools.

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools, Twitter at @IthacaNYSchools, and Instagram at @ithacacityschools.

This week, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) added two electric, zero-emission school buses to its fleet as part of its long-term plans to switch to a completely electric bus fleet by 2035. The electric buses took their inaugural ride transporting students participating in the district’s inclusive, project-based summer program, Project Innovation.

“Being a diesel/gas school bus driver for the past 14 years, I’m happy to be a part of the ICSD’s transition to electrifying the fleet,” Michael Friedman, bus driver and DMV 19-a trainer, said. “Over the past few days, I have been driving the new bus with students and it’s been an overall positive experience. The electric bus is quiet and drives smoothly. There are no emissions, so overall it’s safer for the children we transport.” 

In April of 2022, New York State passed legislation that mandates all new school buses purchased to be zero emission by 2027 and all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. The ICSD’s plans were in motion ahead of the passing of these laws, and the district will continue to build out its fleet in step with the requirements set forth by the state. 

Electric buses produce no toxic exhaust, resulting in a healthier environment for ICSD students. The buses are also equipped with integrated child seats, lap-shoulder belts, video, live GPS, wireless connectivity, and LED first light stop arm and school bus signs. 

The ICSD is working thoughtfully with many community partners to ensure equitable implementation of electric buses and preparing for significant infrastructure and operational changes in order to fully electrify the bus fleet. The ICSD will introduce three more electric buses in time for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

On May 16, 2023, ICSD voters approved the purchase of up to five electric buses, utilizing New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, which provides $200,000 in rebates per bus, to defer costs of said buses; the purchase of up to three ultra-low emission propane buses; and the purchase of up to six passenger vehicles for the purpose of transporting students and supporting student programming and district departments. The vote passed with 81% approval. 

The Ithaca City School District’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Find us online at ithacacityschools.org, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IthacaCitySchools, on Twitter at @IthacaNYSchools, and on Instagram at @ithacacityschools.