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Communication Protocol for Parents and Caregivers 2022-2023

The Ithaca City School District is committed to building healthy partnerships between schools, families, and communities to better support the well-being of students academically, socially, and emotionally. Creating environments that foster mutually respectful and engaging communication is a priority for Ithaca City Schools. 

We believe that sharing information and working through issues are best handled when both sides work together to dialogue and find solutions as close to the origin as possible. It is an important goal of the ICSD to work together with school personnel and families to ensure the best results for your child’s education. Below are the appropriate steps for communication with school district personnel.

If you have an issue directly related to your child’s safety or an emergency situation, please call the school directly and the office staff will connect you with an administrator or lead teacher to help.  

To ensure quick and effective problem solving, please direct concerns or questions involving instruction, discipline, intervention services, or learning materials to:

  1. The classroom teacher or instructional support teacher by phone or email. For Dignity for All Students (DASA) cases, please contact ICSD DASA Coordinator Amanda Verba at (607) 274-2121 or amanda.verba@icsd.k12.ny.us.
     
  2. If you have not received a response from the teacher, Educator of Inclusion, or DASA Coordinator within three (3) business days, or if you are unsatisfied with the resolution or communication exchange, please contact the building principal by phone or email.
     
  3. If you have not received a response from the building principal within three (3) business days, or if you are unsatisfied with the resolution or communication exchange, please contact Deputy Superintendent Lily Talcott at lily.talcott@icsd.k12.ny.us or (607) 274-2134.   
     
  4. If you have not received a response from the Deputy Superintendent within three (3) business days, or if you are unsatisfied with the resolution or communication exchange, please contact Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown at luvelle.brown@icsd.k12.ny.us or (607) 274-6845.
     
  5. If you have not received a response from the Superintendent within three (3) business days, or if you are unsatisfied with the resolution or communication exchange, please contact members of the Board of Education. Contact information for Board of Education members can be found on the district website.

Below is the contact information for each building’s principal, Educator of Inclusion (EI), special education (SPED) clerical staff, and family liaison (if applicable). The district cafeteria and transportation managers and the district and early childhood EIs are listed, as well. In each school, there are also many support staff members, such as social workers, school counselors, and special education chairs, who are available to assist parents and caregivers.

There are several local organizations in Ithaca that provide support to parents and caregivers who prefer to have an outside advocate assist them in communicating with school and district leaders. Please contact Deputy Superintendent Lily Talcott if you would like help in finding a local organization for support.

 

Elementary School Contacts

Belle Sherman
(607) 274-2206
Principal: Jeffrey Tomasik
Educator of Inclusion: Erin Hammes
SPED ClericalSusan Kinney
 
Beverly J. Martin
(607) 274-2209
Principal: Jacqueline Richardson
Educator of Inclusion: Kristin DeVita
SPED ClericalSusan Kinney
Caroline
(607) 539-7155
Principal: Caren Arnold
Educator of Inclusion: Beth Snyder
SPED ClericalSusan Kinney
Family Liaison: Kristin Herman
 
Cayuga Heights
(607) 257-8557
Principal: Lisa Sahasrabudhe
Educator of Inclusion: Beth Snyder
SPED ClericalSusan Kinney
Enfield
(607) 274-2221
Principal: Keith Harrington
Educator of Inclusion: Bart Auble
SPED ClericalTheresa Knobel
Family Liaison: Vera Cropf
 
Fall Creek
(607) 274-2214
Principal: Caitlin Bram
Educator of Inclusion: Kristin DeVita
SPED ClericalTheresa Knobel
Northeast
(607) 257-2121
Interim Principal: Samantha Little
Educator of Inclusion: Julie Humble
SPED ClericalTheresa Knobel
Family Liaison: Mackenzie Torelli
 
South Hill
(607) 274-2129
Principal: Perry Gorgen
Educator of Inclusion: Erin Hammes
SPED ClericalSusan Kinney
Family Liaison: Carla Strong

Secondary School Contacts

Boynton
(607) 274-2241
Principal: Lauren Wright
Educator of Inclusion: Karen Rachetta
SPED ClericalHelen English
 
DeWitt
(607) 274-2209
Principal: Carlan Gray
Educator of Inclusion: Tara Caiza
SPED ClericalHelen English
LACS
(607) 274-2183
Principal: Deborah Ptak
Educator of Inclusion: Lisa Rieger
SPED ClericalTheresa Knobel
 
IHS
(607) 274-2143
Principal: Jason Trumble
Educator of Inclusion: Margie Shaw
SPED ClericalBrittany Coleman
Family Liaison: Barbara Bergman

District Contacts

Child Nutrition
(607) 274-2302
Cafeteria Manager: Beth Krause
 
Transportation
(607) 274-2128
Bus Manager: Elizabeth Fox
District EI
(607) 274-2264
Educator of Inclusion: Jennifer Gondek
 
Early Childhood EI
(607) 277-3060
Educator of Inclusion: Deb Jordan