Latest News

Fall Meeting Notes on Culturally Affirming Education

Posted Tue, 12/29/2009 - 9:46am

Presentation at Fine Arts Booster Group Meeting November 3, 2009 Guest presenter: Sofia Villenas

Sofia Villenas, Associate Professor of Education and Latino/a Studies and Program Leader for Learning, Teaching and Social Policy, was the guest presenter at the fall meeting of the Fine Arts Booster Group.

Sofia’s work focuses on preparing teachers to teach a diverse student body. Her research is ongoing and looks at what contributes to a culturally affirming education. A critical and culturally affirming education (and the art of “becoming”) involves academic achievement, civic engagement and identity development. (adapted from Duncan-Andrade and Morrell, 2008).

Sofia relayed her own story, her Ecuador roots, and her family perspective....(read more)

Art for All

Posted Mon, 12/14/2009 - 1:27pm

The Life Skills Class at Ithaca High School is an Individual Education Plan (IEP)-based program for students with development disabilities. Students in this class focus on practical living skills, basic academics and transition to employment beyond high school. In 2008-2009, art teacher Helen Bigsby partnered with the Special Education Department to offer classes other than the core content to Life Skills students.

This partnership resulted in students exploring the art-making process. Students progressed from a perception that they could not draw or make art to recognizing their creative potential. Students uncovered their own artistic abilities and aesthetic decision making skills and found joy and pride in the results of their efforts....(read more)

Tickets to School Plays

Posted Wed, 12/09/2009 - 1:54pm

Tickets to middle school and high school dramas and musicals are typically offered for sale during school lunch periods the week of the play and sometimes the week before.

In addition, tickets are for sale prior to the shows.

Contact your school’s main office for specific times and info.

Town Gown Works for the Arts

Posted Thu, 12/03/2009 - 5:54pm

Ithaca High School students are going to college, and before they graduate. In a wonderful partnership with Ithaca College and Cornell University, Ithaca High School students will perform concerts and plays this year at Ithaca College’s Ford Hall, Cornell University’s Bailey Hall and Risley Theater. Due to the renovation of Building A, Ithaca High’s Kulp Auditorium is not available during the 2009-2010 school year. Ithaca High Orchestra, Band, Choir and Drama needed alternate locations for their performances. In addition, Boynton Middle School sought other locations, as this middle school regularly used Kulp Auditorium.

George Myers, District Liaison for Music and Ithaca High Orchestra teacher, worked last year to find alternate locations....(read more)

Community Connections - Eighth Graders Go to Cornell Play

Posted Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:59pm

                  SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP

(ITHACA) The Ithaca City School District eighth graders are headed to Cornell University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts for a special matinee performance of Romeo and Juliet. The famous Shakespeare play is studied as part of the eighth grade curriculum and students will have an opportunity to see it live during the school day due to a theater pilot project at the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance.

On December 4, 400 eighth graders from Lehman Alternative Community School, Boynton Middle School,and Dewitt Middle School, will head to Cornell University to see the play.

“This is a truly exciting and enriching opportunity for our eighth grade English students....(read more)

Urban Art Club, IHS, works with Cornell Schwartz Center for Performing Arts

Posted Mon, 11/09/2009 - 2:13pm

Check out the Ithaca Journal today for a great article on the community collaborations.

Cornell’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts collaborated with the Ithaca High School’s Urban Art Club on the set painting for the upcoming production of “Romeo and Juliet”. The Urban Art Club was supported with an IPEI Red and Gold Grant and support from GIAC.

The club is led by Jay Stooks of GIAC and former student of Carol Spence, IHS art teacher, and Jocelyn Lutter Carver, IHS art teacher....(read more)

Fall General Meeting is Nov 3 - Arts and Inclusion

Posted Thu, 10/01/2009 - 12:16pm

The Ithaca Community Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, will hold its first general meeting of the 2009-10 school year on November 3, Thursday, from 6:15-8:00 p.m. in the Boynton Middle School cafeteria. Interested parents and community members are invited to attend. A pizza dinner will be provided. The boosters serve all the elementary, middle and high schools in the Ithaca District.

The November 3rd meeting agenda will include a discussion with Sofia Villenas, Associate Professor of Education and Latino/a Studies and Program Leader, Learning, Teaching and Social Policy about the arts and inclusion....(read more)

Year End Report 2008-2009

Posted Tue, 09/22/2009 - 3:01pm

ITHACA COMMUNITY FINE ARTS BOOSTER GROUP 2008-09 YEAR END REPORT

This is a brief summary of Ithaca Community Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) activity for the 2008-09 school year. FABG undertook several goals this school year. Listed below are the major goals. FABG is an affiliate of IPEI.

2008-09

Ongoing Programs

Performance Booklet Printing and Ads Printed programs for middle and high school drama and music productions/concerts. Collaborative joint ad with sports boosters. Printed second Elementary Booklet (Choral Festival) Ad revenue raised this year exceeded goal. Goal was $8,000. Total raised was $11,990....(read more)

Ithaca High School Construction - September Update

Posted Wed, 09/02/2009 - 1:11pm

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY AT WWW.ICSD.K12.NY.US UNDER THE FACILITIES TAB THEN SCHOOL SITES

If you haven’t passed by IHS recently, the construction is in full swing, and the new changes will be exciting. In the meantime, this 09-10 year, things will be a little different for some teachers and students at Ithaca High. Building A (Kulp) is under construction. Classes have been moved and so will performances.

What we know… Orchestra: Classes to meet in the temporary trailer next to the Activities building (Building B).

Band, Chorus and Music Theory: Classes will meet in Activities.

Instructor offices: Located in Activities bulding.

Student Instrument lockers: Will be located in Activities and in the Orchestra trailer....(read more)

Mini-Grant Deadline is Oct 15.

Posted Mon, 08/31/2009 - 8:48am

ARTS BOOSTER MINI-GRANT DEADLINE: October 15

Form can be found under the receive tab.

The Ithaca Community Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, has teacher mini-grants available for dance, drama, music and arts support or projects. The next deadline is October 15, 2009. Teachers and principals are eligible to apply and applications are available by calling 277-4631 or emailing president@fabgithaca.org.

Past mini-grants have included Kindergarten through Grade 12 support for visiting artists, cameras for a photography class, a student art exhibit, theater supplies, a mural and a pre-school dance residency, for example. The Fine Arts Boosters have awarded over $45,000 in grants to district-wide activities....(read more)

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