📸 Earlier this week, BJM families gathered for the Millicent Clarke-Maynard Multicultural Dinner! The evening began with Shelby Chubb, PTA president, and her daughters Genevieve and Portia Garcia sharing the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address in English and Mohawk. 💫🌍
🗳️ ICSD Budget Vote & School Board Election – May 20, 2025
The annual Budget Vote and School Board Election is coming up on Tuesday, May 20, from 12:00–9:00 p.m. Be sure to make your voice heard!
Find everything you need — including polling locations, voter eligibility, absentee and early voting info, and candidate profiles using the link in our bio.
🎓 Attention ICSD Seniors!
Will you be away on the senior trip during the vote? If you're 18 and eligible to vote, take advantage of early voting at the ICSD District Office!
🚍 ICSD Job Fair – May 28
We’re hiring bus aides and drivers!
Stop by on Wednesday, May 28 from 4–7 p.m. to:
✅ Explore current job openings
✅ Meet our Transportation Services Specialist
✅ Get help with your application from an HR rep
✅ Take part in on-the-spot interviews
No appointment needed—just walk in!
📍 602 Hancock Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
🗳️ ICSD Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election is Tuesday, May 20! 🏫
📍 To find your polling place, visit: ithacacityschools.org/vote
📬 Still need an early mail ballot?
You can apply in person at the District Office (400 Lake Street) until Monday, May 19.
📮 Return your completed ballot to the ICSD Board Clerk by 5 p.m. on Election Day (May 20) for it to count!
📌 Drop off or mail applications/ballots to:
ICSD Board Clerk
400 Lake Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Let your voice be heard—make a plan to vote! 🗳️
The ICSD Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:30 p.m. in York Hall at IHS. The hearing will also be streamed via Zoom. Visit ithacacityschools.org/vote for details.
📢 Meet the Candidates for the ICSD School Board! 🗳️
There are four open seats on the Ithaca City School District Board of Education. The candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are:
1. Scott Jahnke
2. Madeline Cardona
3. David McMurry
4. Erin Croyle
5. Jacob Shiffrin
6. Karen Yearwood
7. Jill K. Tripp
🔜 Candidate bios will be available soon!
For more information on the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election, visit: ithacacityschools.org/vote
BJM kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week this morning with colorful chalk messages from our students! 🎉💛 Thank you to our amazing teachers for all you do! 🍎🚌
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
To all our incredible ICSD educators — thank you for your dedication, passion, and the countless ways you inspire our students every day. You make a difference, and we are grateful for you! 💛📚🍎
🗳️ The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, May 6!
If you're a qualified voter who has previously registered with the district or the County Board of Elections and have voted within the last four calendar years, you're eligible to vote in the May 20 election.
Learn more and find out where you can register at ithacacityschools.org/vote!
On Tuesday, the ICSD Board of Education adopted a proposed budget of $169,031,619 for the 2025-26 school year. The 3.76% proposed tax levy increase is within the New York State tax cap.
🗳️The Budget Vote and School Board Election will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 12 noon to 9 p.m.
For more information and to check your polling location, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote.
Have a question not addressed on our website or in the FAQs, please reach out through Let's Talk.
This week, our pre-k students had a special visit from John Simon and Cal Walker! They brought stories to life through song, sharing their love of books and music with our young learners.
Thank you, John and Cal, for such a fun and engaging experience! 📚🎶
BJM Families Together recently hosted a hands-on Art & Music Make-and-Take event led by Ms. Praisner and Ms. DeMarinis! 🎉 Students and families created DIY musical instruments using recycled materials—tissue box guitars, egg carton shakers, and tin can drums.
Thanks to everyone who came out to build, explore, and make some noise together.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the BJM dance yesterday in support of the 5th-grade class trip! A special shoutout to our incredible BJM staff, PTA, and volunteers for making this PTA-sponsored event possible. We appreciate you! 🎉💙
Call for Candidates: ICSD Board of Education
The Ithaca City School District is seeking candidates for four open seats on the Board of Education. Those interested in running can find candidate information and nominating petitions here: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/budget-vote-election or pick them up from District Clerk Tricia Beresford at 400 Lake Street.
📅 Petition Deadline: April 30, 2025
🗳️ Election Date: May 20, 2025
Serving on the Board is a meaningful way to contribute to the future of our schools and community. Learn more and get involved today!
The Ithaca City School District is closed today, Monday, March 31, for a recess day.
Surprise Staff Coffee Cart at BJM! 🎉
A huge thank you to the PTA for surprising our staff with a coffee cart today! ☕✨ Pictured are Jodie, VP of the PTA, Shelby, PTA President, and Laura Lusk, BJM Librarian.
Deadline Approaching! Apply Now for Project Innovation! 🎉
Spots are filling up fast—don’t miss out on this exciting summer program for ICSD students in pre-K through 8th grade! Apply before the March 31 deadline to secure your spot.
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025
🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/NsJMm8DJqnLQSCYV6
🌟 Learn more: ithacacityschools.org/page/project-innovation
Deadline Approaching! Apply Now for Project Innovation! 🎉
Spots are filling up fast—don’t miss out on this exciting summer program for ICSD students in pre-K through 8th grade! Apply before the March 31 deadline to secure your spot.
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025
🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/NsJMm8DJqnLQSCYV6
🌟 Learn more: ithacacityschools.org/page/project-innovation
✨ Discover LACS! ✨
Join us for Information Night at Lehman Alternative Community School!
📅 Thursday, March 27
🕕 6:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 LACS Library
This event is for families of students in grades 5–10 who are interested in learning more about our unique and vibrant school community.
We can't wait to welcome you!
Happy National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day! 🌟🍎
Today, we celebrate the incredible preschool educators in the Ithaca City School District who nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in our youngest students.
One example of their impact is the annual field experience at Cornell University's Johnson Museum of Art, where preschoolers take part in “Learning to Look, Looking to Learn.” Before the trip, museum docents visit classrooms to introduce students to the concept of a museum, and teachers lead hands-on activities to prepare them. Once at the museum, students explore artwork in small groups, engaging with interactive stations designed just for them. Each year, the experience evolves through collaboration between educators and museum staff—ensuring a rich and exciting learning opportunity for every child.
