Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)

09/11/2026

IPEI grants can help local educators turn a “wouldn’t it be cool if…” into a field trip, mural, workshop, student-led project, or other hands-on learning experience.

🍎 Red & Gold Grants: Up to $750 for ICSD teachers and staff with a fresh classroom idea.

🚀 Teacher Grants: Up to $1,750 for ICSD teachers partnering with the community on an ambitious learning project.

🌟 Student Leadership Grants: Up to $500 for ICSD students in grades 9–12 ready to make a difference at school or in the community.

Round One Grants Deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026

Information about guidelines, applications, grant office hours can be found at www.ipei.org/grants

09/03/2026

🐦 High flying grant ideas run in the family: Just before summer, IPEI reached a milestone worth chirping about: for the first time, we funded two related applicants in the same school year!

Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) teacher Desiree Sammoutis and her daughter, Emmelia “Emmie” Sammoutis, each received funding for projects that connect students with birds, conservation, and the great outdoors. Read more in our recent newsletter: https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=be5f76688786355d11aa76517&id=0d1e2f029a

07/30/2026

Last weekend a fire destroyed the home of friend and former IPEI Executive Director Steve Manley. He and his family are safe and are undergoing the difficult work of rebuilding. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support them with procuring clothing and other basic necessities. Our hearts are with them.

On July 25th the Sidle/Manley family suffered a devastating loss when a fire d… Katherine Reed needs your support for Support for Aubryn and Steve's Family

05/19/2026

Vote today (Tues. May 19) with students and teachers in mind!

Find your polling place, "study up" on the ballot propositions, and read candidate bios at https://www.ithacacityschools.org/vote

05/13/2026

Can't make tonight's ICSD PTA Council School Board Candidate forum in person? Watch the live stream below or view the recording later on IPEI's YouTube Channel.

The 2026 Ithaca City School District School Board Candidate forum is hosted by the PTA Council and the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI). This forum ...

05/11/2026

This Thursday May 14, hear from the 2026 School Board Candidates at the Village of Ithaca Candidate Forum facilitated by local students. Pizza 🍕 and childcare provided. This forum will provide a unique perspective ahead of the May 19th ICSD Budget Vote & Election.

05/07/2026

IPEI Board Members collaboratively launched Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca over 20 years ago to connect local students with community institutions! Our organization continues to be a key partner in this unique program and we're so proud of its ongoing sucess.

05/07/2026

IPEI and the Ithaca PTA Council are co-hosting a family-friendly School Board Candidate Forum next Wednesday May 13 ahead of the May 19 Budget Vote & Election. Enjoy pizza at 5:30pm, drop kids off at onsite childcare supervised by PTA members, and hear from the candidates as they respond to questions from the PTA Council. Head to our bio for a link to more info.

03/13/2026

Bob Proehl returns as a "sweet" Beekeeper for the 2026 IPEI Adult Team Spelling Bee 🍯🐝. Beekeepers tend to our "hive" teams, ensuring that they follow the rules (no cell phones please!).

We still have one remaining spot for our ten teams, sign up your hive today through https://www.ipei.org/events/2026spelling-bee

03/12/2026

Shout out to our final fabulous Beekeeper Joey Steinhagen, Founder and Artistic Director of ! Joey promises to keep his hive teams buzzing throughout the event as they compete for the Queen Bee trophy and pots of local honey.

We have one more team spot remaining! Sign up through the link in our bio.