South Hill held our PTA Fall Fest on October 28! 🎃 🍁
Thank you to the PTA for organizing and the families who decorated their trunks or donated treats.
Thank you to the PTA for organizing and the families who decorated their trunks or donated treats.
South Hill Elementary hosted its annual STEAM night last week! Students, families, and staff joined the fun and learned about science, technology, engineering, art and math. 🧪🎨➗
Thank you to the local volunteers and PTA for organizing the event!
Thank you to the local volunteers and PTA for organizing the event!
South Hill hosted the first South Hill SHINES of the year last Friday! 💫
Students gathered to hear from brave second graders who shared their identity projects and read facts about themselves. Older students also gave recommendations for books to check out from the South Hill Library.
South Hill Elementary students participated in the annual fun run on Friday afternoon!
Students ran, walk, skipped and jumped nearly 1.2 miles down the South Hill Rec Trail and were awarded with bubbles and medals at the finish line. 👟🌳
The first week of the 2026–27 school year is in the books!
Across the ICSD, students and staff have been settling into classrooms, reconnecting with friends and colleagues, and meeting new people.
We’re so glad you’re back ❤️💛
Across the ICSD, students and staff have been settling into classrooms, reconnecting with friends and colleagues, and meeting new people.
We’re so glad you’re back ❤️💛
Project Innovation wraps up today after six weeks of learning, creating, collaborating, and exploring.
Yesterday, students shared what they had been working on during a Celebration of Learning and Circus Culture performance. From inventions and games to ideas for improving their schools, students shared projects that reflected their interests, creativity, and problem-solving. They also took the stage for a circus performance, supporting and cheering one another on.
It was a great reflection of what Project Innovation is all about: giving students the opportunity to follow their interests, work together, and take an active role in their learning.
Thank you to our students and the Project Innovation staff for another great year. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Yesterday, students shared what they had been working on during a Celebration of Learning and Circus Culture performance. From inventions and games to ideas for improving their schools, students shared projects that reflected their interests, creativity, and problem-solving. They also took the stage for a circus performance, supporting and cheering one another on.
It was a great reflection of what Project Innovation is all about: giving students the opportunity to follow their interests, work together, and take an active role in their learning.
Thank you to our students and the Project Innovation staff for another great year. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Students across the ICSD wrapped up the school year with the annual Field Day tradition, enjoying games, teamwork, and time together outdoors. ☀️
Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and school communities who helped make these end-of-year celebrations possible.
Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and school communities who helped make these end-of-year celebrations possible.
Last month, South Hill students enjoyed Activity Day, exploring a variety of hands-on experiences led by staff, community partners, and special guests. From games and creative activities to learning new skills, it was a day filled with fun, discovery, and school spirit!
South Hill Elementary students explored exciting career paths during this week’s Career Day! Students rotated through presentations in small groups, asked questions, and learned from community volunteers about a variety of professions.
Thank you to all of our presenters, including the Fire Department and local dance instructors, for volunteering your time to inspire our Hawk students and help make the day a success!
Thank you to all of our presenters, including the Fire Department and local dance instructors, for volunteering your time to inspire our Hawk students and help make the day a success!
Thank you to all of the South Hill families who came out earlier this month to help with the PTA Spring Clean! Your time, energy, and teamwork made a real difference. We truly appreciate your support in helping make our school grounds look their best for students and staff.
This morning, kindergartners from South Hill and Enfield Elementary visited the Tompkins County Public Library as part of Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!) Ithaca, a program that has connected ICSD students to their community for more than 20 years.
What started in 2004 has grown into a defining part of the elementary experience, giving every student hands-on learning opportunities at Discovery Trail sites across Ithaca. A unique part of the program is the Buddy Up initiative, which pairs students with peers from another school, helping build connections that carry into middle school and beyond.
Learn more about KDT's 20-year impact: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/2869698
What started in 2004 has grown into a defining part of the elementary experience, giving every student hands-on learning opportunities at Discovery Trail sites across Ithaca. A unique part of the program is the Buddy Up initiative, which pairs students with peers from another school, helping build connections that carry into middle school and beyond.
Learn more about KDT's 20-year impact: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/2869698
Mrs. Vorhis’s class has been busy exploring the world of plants and insects—observing, asking questions, and learning through hands-on discovery 🌱🐞
The voter registration deadline is tomorrow, May 5! If a qualified voter has previously registered with the district or with the County Board of Elections and has voted within the last 4 calendar years, they are eligible to vote in the May 19th election.
Read more about where you can register today at ithacacityschools.org/vote!
Read more about where you can register today at ithacacityschools.org/vote!
The candidates for three open seats on the School Board are (in order of position on the ballot):
1. Madeline Cardona
2. Sara Garner
3. Garrick Blalock
4. Jill K. Tripp
For candidate bios and details on the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote.
1. Madeline Cardona
2. Sara Garner
3. Garrick Blalock
4. Jill K. Tripp
For candidate bios and details on the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote.
Our first grade mathematicians in Mrs. Buhr’s class are hard at work! 📚✨ Students collaborated to play a fun place value matching game, building their number sense while practicing teamwork. Check out these great moments of learning in action!
📝 Our End-of-Year Survey is open now through May 8!
Each year, we invite families, students, and staff to share their experiences with support, school climate, leadership, and communication. Your feedback helps us understand what’s working and where we can grow.
📨 Surveys were shared via email and text or use one of the links below to take yours.
📬 Families: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26FamilyEOYSurvey
🎓 Students: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26StudentEOYSurvey
🧑🏫 Staff: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26StaffEOYSurvey
Thanks for taking a few minutes to share your voice!
Each year, we invite families, students, and staff to share their experiences with support, school climate, leadership, and communication. Your feedback helps us understand what’s working and where we can grow.
📨 Surveys were shared via email and text or use one of the links below to take yours.
📬 Families: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26FamilyEOYSurvey
🎓 Students: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26StudentEOYSurvey
🧑🏫 Staff: https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/25-26StaffEOYSurvey
Thanks for taking a few minutes to share your voice!
We celebrated the end of Reading Month with a fun-filled SHINES Assembly! Our community surpassed its goal of 18,000 minutes by reading an amazing 18,260 minutes. Led by Ms. Chantelle Daniel, Mr. Ross Mizrahi, and student council members, the assembly featured a lively tongue twister contest, a special appearance from our hawk, and was enjoyed by 77 caregivers who joined the celebration.
Join the Conversation!
The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) invites community members to attend an upcoming Community Conversation to learn more about the proposed 2026 Capital Project and ask questions.
This long-range facilities plan would address key infrastructure, health and safety, accessibility, and sustainability needs across our schools. The proposed project would not exceed $43.9 million and would be funded through bonds with partial New York State aid.
🗳️ Community members will vote on the proposal during the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election on Tuesday, May 19.
Learn more: ithacacityschools.org/o/icsd/page/2026-capital-project
The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) invites community members to attend an upcoming Community Conversation to learn more about the proposed 2026 Capital Project and ask questions.
This long-range facilities plan would address key infrastructure, health and safety, accessibility, and sustainability needs across our schools. The proposed project would not exceed $43.9 million and would be funded through bonds with partial New York State aid.
🗳️ Community members will vote on the proposal during the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election on Tuesday, May 19.
Learn more: ithacacityschools.org/o/icsd/page/2026-capital-project
Last week, our first graders teamed up with their writing buddies to peer review their personal narratives! Using checklists, they looked closely for linking words, clear characters, detailed settings, strong plots, and correct conventions.
Our young authors practiced giving kind, specific, and helpful feedback to help each other grow. We are so proud of the thoughtful collaboration and hard work happening in first grade! 🌟📝
During the first half of January, ICSD elementary students experienced West African music and dance through a visit from the Mbangba Cultural Troupe. Artists Nani Agbeli, Logan Amaral, and Dr. Baruch Whitehead visited all eight elementary schools, leading hands-on drumming and dance workshops for upper elementary students and a schoolwide performance.
Students learned about West African culture, identified Ghana on a map, explored hand drums, and performed the Kpanlogo rhythm and dance. The tour was made possible through the collaboration of ICSD music educators and offered a joyful, engaging cultural experience for students and staff.
Students learned about West African culture, identified Ghana on a map, explored hand drums, and performed the Kpanlogo rhythm and dance. The tour was made possible through the collaboration of ICSD music educators and offered a joyful, engaging cultural experience for students and staff.