Archive: Around Town

A recent report confirms what educators and community members have long believed: Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) grants programs positively impact the engagement of students in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).

In 2014-15, ICSD teachers who received an IPEI Teacher Grant, Red and Gold Grant, or Community Collaboration Grant reported that their students' engagement levels increased after participating in grant-funded activities. The growth in engagement was particularly significant among students identified by teachers as performing below grade-level expectations. These findings are consistent with data collected by grant recipients during the previous two school years.

Diane Nangeroni was recognized at the Lansing Board Of Education meeting Monday for contributions to the Lansing Booster Clubs.  LTAPA President Margaret Shackell presented Nangeroni with a clock honoring her for outstanding dedication to Lansing Bobcat Booster Club and LTAPA.

"We do not want you to stop," Shackell said.  "But we do want to thank you for all that you do.

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

by Sarah Post

Howdy hey, I'm Holley! I was brought to the SPCA by my previous caretaker because I wasn't too happy sharing space or a litterbox with other cats. I'm quite particular, you see, and it's important to me to have a nicely cleaned litterbox. Three cats sharing one box that wasn't regularly scooped did not go over well with me--but can you blame me? YUCK! I am extremely sweet and love to coexist with my humans. The nice vet staff here at the shelter medically checked me over, gave me my vaccines, and even gave me a dental cleaning and took out some diseased teeth I had. Boy do I fee better! I'm all ready to go to my forever home so come say hello and you'll surely fall in love in no time!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v12i5

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the release of "TCPL to Go," a free mobile app providing access to account information, reading recommendations, the library catalog, the TCPL website and more.

Access and Circulation Services Librarian Asia Bonacci said the app is the latest in the Library's ongoing effort to make access to TCPL's resources, collections and services as user-friendly as possible for its patrons.

Senator Mike Nozzolio recently met with students from Lansing High School during their visit to the State Capitol. The group met with Senator Nozzolio to discuss the Liberty Partnerships Program. Established in 1988, the Liberty Partnerships Program offers comprehensive pre-collegiate/dropout prevention programs and services to youth across New York State.

by Sarah Post

Finn is my name, being sweet is my game! My owners left me once they moved out of their home and a kind neighbor took care of me for a little while. They decided to bring me here to the SPCA for a second chance at a new life. Boy, am I glad they did! I am super sweet but I'm not a fan of other cats. I can be a little shy upon first meeting so I would do best in a home without younger children and cat-savvy humans that can take it slow. I'm neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and ready to start anew with my fur-ever people!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v12i4

"5-4-3-2-1- Go!!!"

Lansing Pack 48 Cub Scouts (boys from 1st through 5th grades) held their annual Pinewood Derby at the RC Buckley elementary school cafeteria last Saturday.  Twenty eight excited boys arrived with the cars they had made from a kit containing a wood block, four wheels and four nails (for axles).  The boys designed, shaped and decorated their cars at home or during ‘pit day’ held at the Middle School wood shop on January 9th.

At 10 am on Derby day, the Cubs started to arrive with their cars to have them weighed, checked for appropriate dimensions and lubricated with graphite.  There were some early races for siblings, friends and family members before the Tiger Cubs (boys in first grade) helped to open the Derby with some slides of how the Cub Scout Pinewood Derbies was started, back in 1953.  

Books for Izzy

Izzy's Closet recently received funding from The Friends of the Tompkins County Library to purchase books for the Closet. An adventurous cat who lives in the Groton Public Library, the fictional Izzy character was created by the Groton Rotary Club for a series of books.

The character's popularity inspired the giving project called Izzy's Closet. Stocked by Groton Rotarians, the hand-painted closet was donated to the Elementary School at the start of this school year to supplement classroom supplies. The closet is stocked with hats, mittens, pens, pencils, notebooks... and now new books.

The Tompkins County Solid Waste Division – in partnership with Cornell University and the Town of Ithaca – is pleased to announce the opening of a new food scraps recycling drop spot on East Hill.

The new drop spot -- located on Pine Tree Road in the lot next to Rite-Aid – will be open every Saturday beginning February 20th from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The free service offers residents the opportunity to expand their recycling options while reducing their trash disposal costs.

For a long time, TST BOCES Adult Education programs have offered training in welding, defensive driving and coaching certifications; just recently, at least six new trainings have been offered and the opportunities continue to grow.

TST BOCES Director of Adult Education and External Programs Diahann Hesler says that many of the programs have come to be in response to regional and industry needs. For example, a hydraulics course was created to train employees of a local manufacturing company.

Inmates at the Tompkins County Jail recently completed a First Aid course while incarcerated thanks to the assistance of TST BOCES Adult Education programs.

This program is a new collaborative initiative between TST BOCES and the Tompkins County Jail.   TST BOCES Adult Education provides training programs at the Tompkins County Jail with the support of Sheriff Ken Lansing in an effort to provide skills to assist with re-entry into the community and new skill sets that can be added to their resumes.