🌍💪 On March 5, 27 students from IHS and LACS traveled to Albany to join over 600 students from across New York State for the 4th Annual TreeAge Youth Climate Day of Action!
Our students took action—participating in rallies, meeting with legislators, and advocating for critical climate legislation, including the New York HEAT Act, the Solar for Schools Act, and the FUND Act.
We’re proud of their dedication to a sustainable future! 🌱
Congratulations to our ICSD Winter Sport Seniors! 🏅❄️
Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship throughout the season. Your commitment has not only led to incredible achievements but has also left a lasting impact on your teams and our school community. We are so proud of you!
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? 🍓🥤
Ithaca High School is searching for a dynamic and passionate Orchestra Director to lead our vibrant orchestral program! If you’re a dedicated music educator with exceptional skills in teaching and performing violin, viola, cello, and bass, this could be your next great opportunity.
If you or someone you know would be a great fit, apply today or share this opportunity with your network! 🎵✨ https://ithacacityschools.recruitfront.com
#MusicEducation #OrchestraDirector #TeachingOpportunity #IthacaHighSchool #OrchestralMusic
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.
📢 Help Shape the Future of Ithaca High School Leadership! 📢
The Ithaca City School District is seeking YOUR input as we move forward with the selection and onboarding of the next principal for Ithaca High School. As the largest school in our district, with over 1,400 students and 100+ staff members, the next principal will play a vital role in shaping the school's culture, educational experience, and long-term success.
This is your chance to share your thoughts on what qualities and priorities you believe are essential for the next leader of Ithaca High School.
📝 Take the survey by January 24, 2025: https://forms.gle/NBixA2U2PAQA1Jwu7
Staff Appreciation Night ✨🏀
On January 8, the IHS Boys Basketball team honored our incredible transportation department, site staff, and athletics staff before the home game against Elmira. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to supporting our student athletes.
Staff appreciation nights will continue throughout the month!
Nicki Zawel, IHS band director, has been named one of 50 Music Teachers Who Make A Difference by School Band and Orchestra (SBO) magazine.
“Being an excellent musical citizen means listening louder than you play and trying to approach each new experience with open ears, an open mind, and an open heart,” Zawel said. “As students leave my classroom each day, they pass through doors that say, ‘On All Days, In All Ways, Be Excellent To Each Other.’ In music, as in life, this is our most important work.”
Congratulations, Nicki!
🚨 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
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. 🚌📚🍎
🌍 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
🍎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
🌟 Community Service Spotlight! 🌟
On Tuesday, October 8, over 50 members of Code Red Robotics dedicated two hours after school to volunteer at Stewart Park. They trimmed shoreline vegetation, picked up trash, cleaned cobwebs, and tidied up the playground areas. The students had a blast and wrapped up the afternoon with team-building exercises led by our club officers!
To strengthen connection with the community, each robotics team member is encouraged to complete at least 20 hours of volunteering each year. The Stewart Park cleanup, in partnership with The Friends of Stewart Park, is just one of several team-wide events in which the team participates.
