Archive: Around Town

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation, will host a public celebration marking the conclusion of the 21st Century Library Campaign, including a public unveiling of its much-acclaimed LEGO library, from 4 to 6 p.m., June 18.

"This will be a fun-filled celebration of our 21st Century Library Campaign," said Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation, "as well as an opportunity for us to thank those who have and continue to support the programs, collections and services of our public library."

Aurora, New York—Wells College has received New York State approval for Bachelor of Arts programs in Criminal Justice and Sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to declare either major immediately. Both programs were previously established as minors and are rooted in a multidisciplinary approach that combines theory with practical knowledge.

"The programs were designed in response to a lot of student interest as well as a significant focus on each topic not just in higher education but in our society as a whole," said Provost and Dean of the College Cindy Speaker. "They're not new areas of study, but there are a lot of new and innovative ideas around them. We recognize the importance of Wells graduates being prepared to lead these cultural conversations and developments."

The Watershed Wall, a clay tile mural created in 2010 by students of the Ithaca City School District as a result of a public art collaboration between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) art teachers, has new signage. This project was facilitated by the Fine Arts Booster Group, an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), and supported by many community organizations.  The new mural signs include legends that indicate the sections made by each school.

The wall is located near Cinemapolis in the alley behind the Commons, and send thanks to Ithaca City School District's (ICSD) art teachers.  This large project is a permanent celebration of the creativity of the ICSD visual art teachers and their dedication to arts education.  The 55 foot mural design represents an aerial view of the creeks feeding Cayuga Lake, Ithaca's watershed.  The clay tiles represent land and the lake rocks represent water, celebrating art and nature.  This design was created by district art teachers with inclusive and developmentally appropriate educational goals in mind.

Eight teachers, a school counselor and a principal were granted tenure Monday at the Lansing Board of Education meeting.  Additionally the Board made the appointment of Lorri Whiteman official.  Whiteman willserve as Principal of the elementary school.

"The very best thing we can do for our students and families is hire exceptional educators and administrators," said Lansing School Superintendent Chris Pettograsso.  "That's clearly what we're doing today."

Last month Cornell systems engineering students opened the engineering maker lab to Lansing physics and robotics students for a hand-on afternoon with some familiar robots... and some not so familiar ones.  The lab is responsible for the Intel-Cornell Cup embedded design competition, which challenges college students to invent new, innovative applications of embedded technology. 

"When you think of Cornell engineering students tinkering away in some basement lab, this is it! The Systems Engineering Lab located in the basement of Carpenter Hall is a 'makers' paradise," says Cornell University Engineering PR and Content Manager Syl Kacapyr.

by Sarah Post

Are you looking for a super-cute, super-fluffy, small dog with lots of personality? That’s me! I’m Frodo, a young, energetic dog looking for a new home. I’m crate-trained, know a few basic commands, and love to go for walks. Imagine all the fun places we could explore! I can be a bit bossy when things aren’t going the way I wanted, but if you show me the rules of the house and I know what to expect, I think we’ll get along fine. I’m just a “heart on my sleeve” kind of guy who has to tell you what I’m thinking. I don’t really like sharing my food or your attention, so I’d prefer to be an only pet, but I guess a laid-back cat or dog would be okay. (Herding cats is really tempting, though, so if your cat won’t like that we might not be the best match.) I don’t get along with kids, so I’m looking for an adult-only home. I bark a lot when I’m excited, so I might not be the best choice for an apartment pet; I need to make sure everyone knows about the interesting things I saw! Do I sound like a good fit for your household? If so, come to the shelter and visit me!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v12i22

A student representing Lansing Middle School recently received a perfect score in the last of three meets for this year's WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually.

Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the WordMasters Challenge™, eighth grader Fiona Lory-Moran earned a perfect score of 20 in the recent meet.  Nationally, only 7 eighth  graders achieved a perfect score.  Other students at Lansing Middle School who achieved outstanding results in the final meet include seventh grader Hana Thibault.

The students at Lansing Middle School were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge™ by Cathy Moseley.

The WordMasters Challenge™ is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships.  Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. Congratulations to all of the WordMasters at Lansing Middle School!

A new community campaign, PLEDGE (Protect, Listen, Educate, Defend, Guide and Empower) 4 Ithaca, was recently founded in an effort to help end sexual assault and rape in local secondary schools. Although efforts to stop sexual violence have been implemented at the college level, similar programs haven't been created for students in elementary, middle and high schools or their families. While our coalition takes pride in our community, this is something that Ithaca is not immune to. The creation of PLEDGE 4 Ithaca has been developed for more than a year with the support of many community leaders who have a passion to end this violence against our children.

Raising local, regional and national awareness about rape and sexual violence in secondary schools will build a sphere of understanding and compassion. By getting communities, parents, educators and other stakeholders to get involved, this will not only spread the message, but will also help to positively impact the campaign's mission. Raising awareness will help provide our community with state and federal funding that we need to support education in secondary schools, health facilities, advocacy centers and the criminal justice system.

Finger Lakes Library System and the public libraries of Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties announced Wednesday the public availability of thousands of digital movies, television shows, music albums, eBooks, audiobooks and comics, all available for mobile and online access through a new partnership with hoopla digital starting Monday, June 13.  All that's required is a library card from one of the thirty-three libraries in the Finger Lakes Library System.

Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins card holders will be able to download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit hoopladigital.com  to begin enjoying thousands of titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow 24/7, for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers.  Patrons are able to borrow up to three hoopla selections per month with their library cards.  Movies and television shows are available on patrons' devices for 3 days after check out.  Music is available for 7 days and audiobooks are available for 21 days.  All items are returned automatically, eliminating the possibility of late fees.