DeWitt Middle School

🎬 Free Movie Night: Screenagers Join the ICSD for a special free screening of Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age — a powerful film exploring how screen time impacts youth. 📍 Ithaca High School (Lower York) 📅 Wednesday, May 14 🕔 Doors open at 5:00 PM 🎥 Film screening: 6:30–7:30 PM 💬 Panel discussion: 7:30–8:00 PM This event is open to all families and community members (recommended for ages 11+). 🎟️ Space is limited — please register to attend! 🔗 https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/cell-phones-in-school

🎷 Celebrating Young People and Jazz! 🎶 Earlier this week, students from Boynton Middle School, DeWitt Middle School, and Ithaca High School lit up the stage for our Annual Guest Artist Jazz Concert—a beautiful celebration of talent, collaboration, and the joy of jazz. 🎥 Missed the performance? Catch the full concert recording here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/gNMgAiGjda0?si=OqeZGj4xqGxTgkr2

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.

DeWitt students closed out the third quarter with a well-deserved celebration. Great energy, good vibes, and one quarter to go! 🎉

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.

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!

🎭✨ DeWitt's Variety Show lit up the stage on March 20 with incredible performances from our talented students! It was a night of creativity and community—check out some moments from the show! 📸

Couldn't make it to the DeWitt Chorus Concert on March 6? Don't worry — you can still enjoy the incredible performances from home! Watch the full concert here: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO5elMbUjN4 Celebrate the hard work and talent of our amazing DeWitt students! 🎶👏

It's National School Breakfast Week! 🥞🎉 Did you know that breakfast is FREE for all students in our district? It provides a healthy, nutritious start to the day, helping to fuel learning and set the tone for success. 📚✨ Students who eat breakfast at school often have better attendance, improved behavior, and stronger academic performance. So, who's grabbing a fruit smoothie and benefit bar tomorrow? 🍓🥤

Now Accepting Applications: Project Innovation! 🎉 Our inclusive summer program is open to all ICSD students currently in pre-K through 8th grade! Apply now to secure your spot. 📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/NsJMm8DJqnLQSCYV6 🌟 Learn more: ithacacityschools.org/page/project-innovation

The Ithaca City School District will be closed today, Thursday, February 6, 2025, due to inclement weather. All school-sponsored after-school and evening activities are also canceled. For more information on emergency closings, please visit our website: ithacacityschools.org/closings.

On January 30, we marked the end of the quarter with Dewitt Celebration Day. We ran a modified schedule, allowing students and staff to choose their final two hours of the day for an activity of their choice. Thanks to everyone who participated!

🚨 Cold Weather Advisory Bus Procedures Begin January 13 🚨 To keep students safe during severe cold (wind chill of 0°F or below), ICSD Transportation will implement special bus procedures from January 13 to March 1. 🚌 Drivers will wait longer for students. 🏠 Students may stay inside until the bus is visible. 🚏 Additional stops for secondary students who typically walk to school. ⏳ Expect secondary buses to run 2–3 minutes late. For more details about the procedures, visit: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1953071 For more details about weather-related delays and closures, visit: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/page/emergency-closings

All Ithaca City School District-sponsored after-school and evening activities are canceled for today, January 7, 2025, due to inclement weather. This includes this evening’s Board of Education Policy and Human Resources work sessions, which will be rescheduled for a later date. There will be no late bus transportation. The ICSD is in an area where snow is typical during winter months. If weather conditions pose a potential hazard to students and staff, school officials may dismiss students early, delay the opening of schools, or close schools for the day. For more information on how decisions about emergency closings are made, please visit our website: ithacacityschools.org/closings.

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

🌟 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!❄️